Author: r2kba.patriot

Categories
Uncategorized

Frustrating Things About the Fusion Firearms XP Pro

I’ve owned the Fusion Firearms XP Pro a few months now. I’ve a little under 500 rounds through it. I’ve been focusing on being familar with my EDC, the Prodigy DS Compact, which is why the round count on the XP Pro is rather low.

I shot the XP Pro a few days ago and while it still shoots good and there have been no failures, there are frustrations.

The frustrations come with disassembling the gun. A simple field strip is not a simple as other guns. Firstly, the gun requires a take-down tool (a paper clip will do). I’m familiar with using such tools and take-down on other 1911s are simple but, again, it’s not simple with the XP Pro. My XP Pro has a reverse plug that can’t be removed by hand. Each time I’ve to disassemble it, I’ve to use a punch to remove the reverse plug. I shouldn’t have to do that and I’ve never seen a 1911 that requires such a thing. I understand that gun makers sometimes want their gun’s fitment to be tight, but there’s really nothing to gain with a reverse plug being so tight that a mallet is required for removal. And, no, I do not want to have to refit that part (that’ll be a pain in the ass). I honestly don’t think that part should be that tight.

As well, I’m currently unable to remove the firing pin retaining plate. This is another item that is far too tight. I’ve tried twice to remove it and was unsuccessful each time I tried. This item is tricky to remove when the plate is so tight, because you’ve to push in the firing pin before trying to tap out the plate with a punch. Fusion Firearms has a video demonstrating how to remove a tight plate. Again, I’ve no idea why that part is so tight. I’ve never run into this issue in the past with my other 1911s/2011s. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be that tight.

Now, the firing pin retaining plate is not going to be removed all that often, so I can deal with the difficulty in removing it since it won’t be removed often, but the fact that I had to seek out a video to do such a simple thing as removing the damned plate…that’s frustrating.

What’s even more frustrating is that I’ve to use a hammer and punch to remove the reverse plug. If I’m at the range and have to field strip the gun, the tight reverse plug is a show-stopper – I’d have to wait until I got home, as I’m not going to start carrying a hammer and punch in my range bag, just for this gun (as a just-in-case).

Another thing is that I’ve noticed the chrome coating flaking off in places (most of it being along the areas where the frame and slide meet. It doesn’t appear as if it’s being rubbed off via friction…it’s flat-out just flaking without any other obvious catalyst.

As well, the chrome coating is browning on the underside of the slide and underside of the dust cover.

None of what I listed above causes the gun to fail. As far as function goes, the gun is functioning. That’s good, but the other things need to be addressed, in my opinion.

Once I reach 1000 rounds through the gun, I’ll publish a video speaking of these issues. If I have to, I can send the gun back to Fusion to see if they can make those parts easier to remove (and to see what they say about the chrome browning and flaking).

UPDATE (6/16/2025): I tried to remove the firing pin stop again and was unsuccessful. Again. As well, the stop is starting to deform and I’m not sure if the deformity will affect firing pin functionality. I did a search, searching for “firing pin stop removal tool” and saw that EGW sells a removal tool, so I ordered it. Almost certainly, I’ll have to use a mallet with that tool, as the stop is wayyyy too tight to just slide out by hand. I’m thinking it will arrive by Saturday.

Categories
handgun Optic

I Ordered An Acro Adapter Plate For the Prodigy DS

I want to experiment with mounting my Viridian RFX45 to my Prodigy DS Compact. The RFX45 uses the Aimpoint Acro footprint.

I’d almost decided to buy the RFX44 because it has a slightly smaller stature (not quite as big as the RFX45), but that one also uses the Aimpoint Acro footprint. I’m thinking that the RFX45 should fit the Prodigy since the plate will raise the optic a bit, which should help with fitment. That’s what I noticed when I mounted the RFX45 to my Tisas DS9 Carry, at least (I also used an Acro-to-RMSc adapter to mount the optic).

In researching, it seems that I can use the Aimpoint Acro adapter mounting plate (SKI is PH5077N-ACRO-PLT-RET; plate number is A18B) from Springfield Armory. The cost is $129.

To cut costs, I searched for the A18B plate across the internet, to see if I could find it cheaper. The lowest I saw it was $99 but also was wary of shipping costs – in my experience, gun stores rape folks with shipping costs, which is why I was skeptical about obtaining the plate for less than $130. I found a seller on Amazon that sells the part for $109 and since I’ve Amazon Prime, shipping costs don’t exist for this item.

The plate should arrive by this coming Wednesday (6/18)…just in time for Juneteenth (ie, time to test via a range visit).

I’m not even sure I want to run such a large optic on my carry gun but I’m more curious than anything else. I might not even fit it this week, as I really don’t want to mess up the zero on my carry gun by removing my current optic, so I might wait until next year to try it – I do plan to purchase a Prodigy DS 5″ Comp or maybe an Emissary.

Categories
magazine

Someone Suggested That I Try A NeoMag Clip!

I’m still a bit disappointed in not being able to use the Flex Connector add-on to my QVO Tactical More Discreet AIWB holster. The add-on protrudes outwardly too much when mounted.

The main reason I was experimenting with a sidecar setup was so that I could carry an extra mag.

While complaining about how the Flex Connector compromises concealability, someone commented that I could try out the NeoMag magazine clip.

I checked out the NeoMag clip and found it to be quite expensive ($50 in the configuration I want), but I ordered it anyways – “buy once, cry once” is a saying I usually don’t believe in, but in this case, all I need is one.

I’ll post a report once I’ve received and used it.

UPDATE: I just noticed that I ordered the wrong size. There’s a lot of info on the product page and it wasn’t clear which size I needed for 2011s. It only mentions STI/Staccato (and there’s a whole 2011 market outside of Staccato), but when I looked at the FAQ, it stated that Staccato mags need the large size clip, and I ordered the medium. Note that I’m going to use this with my Prodigy DS mags, and those are Staccato-patterned mags (the mags can be used with Staccatos). I sent NeoMag a note asking them to adjust my order. I wanted to share this mishap so that others wouldn’t make the same mistake.

UPDATE (6/4/2025): Unfortunately, NeoMag had issues with email until today, which means they didn’t see my note until after the package was sent to me. They noticed my note today and sent a reply stating to try the medium and, if it was too small, to use an included return label to send it back to them so that they could replace it with a large clip. I tested the clip and it was indeed too small, so it’s in the mailbox now and will be on it’s way back to them tomorrow.

UPDATE (6/11/2025): Up until this past Monday, I’d been out of town the 4 days prior to that. Guess what was waiting for me when I returned home? Yeah, the NeoMag. They sent out the replacement (large) mag clip as soon as they received notice that the one that was sent to me was on the way back to them. Customer service was GREAT! The large clip works well with the 2011 mags – it carries a mag very well, too. I almost kept the medium one, in case I wanted to use it for non-2011 mags, but changed my mind, as I can order a medium one whenever I decide to carry a non-1911.

Categories
firearms handguns rifle

Which Of My Guns Do I Hate The Most?

I’ve a bunch of guns. Some I shoot a lot while there are some that I rarely shoot.

For example, my first gun, which is a very nice gun (Sig Sauer P220 Equinox), has less than 300 rounds through it. It was a Christmas gift from my wife. I love the gun, but it’s difficult to control. It’s chambered in 45ACP and has an alloy frame; that and the grips make the gun difficult to shoot, so I don’t shoot it all that much. I do have some Hogue rubber grips that work well with it, but the grips aren’t as pretty as the wooden panels it comes with.

There are some guns that I don’t shoot because I flatout don’t like them:

I’ve a Canik TP9 Elite Subcompact – it has less than 600 rounds thorugh it (that’s actually a fair bit of ammo being shot through it, in my opinion). What I hate about this gun is that the recoil spring is super stiff – I hate racking the gun. As well, it’s grip doesn’t have the best traction, so it’s difficult to control.

My wife’s Ruger SR9C is in a similar space as the above-mentioned Canik. The recoil spring is stiff as hell. That gun has less than 130 rounds through it. It shoots extremely well (it has an outstanding trigger), but I just can’t stand racking it.

I’ve a Rock Island Armory Rock Ultra that is chambered in 10mm. I hate it. It’s a huge and heavy gun and it wasn’t even cheap ($700). I’m not accurate with it. The grip is so wide that I’ve issues with grip control. The recoil spring on that gun is stout AF, too, which I hate, even knowning that the spring’s stiffness is a necessity. I’ve 199 rounds through that gun.

I also have a Ruger AR-556 that I’ve not shot at all. I bought it back in 2016 (owned it 9+ years). I’ve just not been driven to shoot it, mainly because it’s all I ever shot when I was in the military. I’m familiar enough with the platform to where there’s no drive to shoot it at all. I’ve extra mags for it, and I’ve stockpiled some ammo for it. I’ve also bought optics for it, as well as harnesses (I eventually plan to take it to a carbine course).

I have two AKs (of four) that have very low round counts. One is an Arsenal SAM7-UF, which has like 30 rounds through it. I love everything about that gun and had held off on shooting it because I kept hearing folks say that underfolders were the devil and that they’re difficult to shoot. When I took it to the range, it wasn’t uncomfortable at all to shoot – there’s nothing wrong with it. The other AK, a bastard build by Classic Firearms (AK-63D), has a total of 223 rounds through it. It has a flawed FSB (front sight block) install, I believe, as it was difficult to zero.

Most of my guns that have low round counts are great guns. I don’t shoot them much because I’ve so many and I’ve favorites that hijack most of my time and interest.

That being said, the guns I truly dislike are the TP9 Elite Subcompact and the Rock Ultra 10mm. I would not miss those two guns if I got rid of them.

The ones that I like the most are the Bul Armory SAS II Ultralight, the Alpha Foxtrot S15 1911, and the Fusion Firearms XP Pro (new gun). In fact, I love all of the 2011s and 1911s (all but the 10mm Rock Ultra). I live the PSA AK-V too (that’s my favorite AK pistol).

Categories
1911 2011 double-stack double-stacked Prodigy DS Springfield Armory

Shooting Self Defense Ammo From The Prodigy DS Compact

I visited the range yesterday with several goals in mind.

I wanted to test other self defense (SD) ammo from the Prodigy DS Compact so that I can know of other JHP options.

I also wanted to zero the Holosun 507K that is now attached to the gun (removed it from the Ultralight since I’ve stopped carrying it).

I also wanted to shoot the gun with the Streamlight TLR-7X attached.

As well, I wanted to see if I could finaly use the SIG Connect OHD training app at the range.

For ammo, I brought

  • 25 rounds of Barnes Vor-TX 115-gr JHP
  • 25 rounds of Federal Premium HST 124-gr JHP
  • 50 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 124-gr JHP (I only shot 15 rounds of this)
  • I also shot 50 rounds of Blazer 124-gr FMJ.

I ended up shooting more SD ammo than I did range ammo.

There were no failures to feed or extract.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve cleaned the gun (I usually run a bore snake through the barrel, though). I’ll maybe clean the gun tomorrow.

I’m currently at 771 rounds.

I spent half the range session zeroing the 507K optic to the Prodigy DS Compact. I think I like the Cyelee optic better – I’ve grown used to the green dot. If I end up not adjusting well to the 507K, I can always switch to something else…I’ve been eyeing the Cyelee Wolf EDG. I’ve also been thinking of the Viridian RFX-44 (which is an RMSc-footprinted and closed emitter optic). We’ll see.

I finally got the OHD training app to work. I’ve been trying to get it to work the past 6 or so months. It’s been requiring a network connection to work, but the firing line at the range doesn’t have Wifi or network connectivity. After testing a week ago, I decided to let the app developers know of the issue. At first, they insisted that there was an issue on my end, but after showing them that I could reproduce the issue and that it was an app issue, they backtracked and said it was a bug within the app. They said they’re fixing the bug.

They gave me free 30 days of premium access to the app. I’m not sure I’m going to continue to use it, as it has limitations. One limitation is that it won’t register impacts when the impact lands on a prior impact point. As well, the targets I printed are 8.5 x 11 and at 15+ yards, those are difficult to use if firing quickly – I’m used to shooting at man-sized targets when shooting afar. I suppose I can try to shoot printer paper up close, but even then, that’s rather small when shooting quickly, no matter the distance.

My next goal is to research how to easily carry an extra magazine. I’d recently bought the QVO Tactical Flex Connector, which is a side car for use with their More Discreet holster. The side car contains a mag holder. I tried to carry using that holster and didn’t like the side car at all…it’s extra bulky, which I don’t like. It makes me feel pregnant, as the attachment portion of the side car pushes out further than the actual holster itself. So, for now, I’m back to carrying an extra mag in my cargo pocket.

I’ll need to order more range ammo soon, as I’m quickly burning through the 1000 rounds I recently bought. One thing: I’m not sure if I like the Blazer 124-gr ammo that I recently purchased – it doesn’t seem to be as accurate as the Magtech 115-gr ammo I’d used prior to the last purchase. Yes, I know that the point of impact will change between the two weights of ammo, but I think I prefer the Magtech better, as it generally hits where I’m aiming (which isn’t always the case with this batch of Blazer).

I’ll continue to post updates.

Categories
1911 2011 Bul Armory Prodigy DS SAS II Ultralight Springfield Armory

I’m now 100% carrying the Prodigy DS Compact now!

I installed the Streamlight WML to the Prodigy DS tonight, then removed the 507K from the Ultralight and installed it on the Prodigy too.

I’m now carrying the Prodigy DS, in the QVO Tactical More Discreet holster. I haven’t left the house with it yet, though…I’ll do that tomorrow.

I’ve installed the irons back on the Ultralight. I might start looking for a place that can fix the grip safety. It is now a safe queen until I get the gun fixed – it’s a pity.

Categories
1911 2011 Bul Armory double-stack Prodigy DS SAS II Ultralight Springfield Armory

Current Status of Assessing The Prodigy DS Compact

I believe I’m ready to switch over to carrying the Prodigy DS Compact. Right now, I’ve begun to use the Tenicor Certum to carry the gun, but will eventually remove the Streamlight from the Ultralight so that I can install it onto the Prodigy DS – I’ll need to do that to use the More Discreet holster.

I might remove the HS507K from the Ultralight, as well, and install it onto the Prodigy DS, but that would mean that I’d have to re-zero the optic for use on the Prodigy.

I also tested more Hornady Custom XTP 124-gr ammo with the gun. The gun has shot 49 rounds of that ammo. One round of that ammo didn’t feed. I unsuccessfully tried 3 times to get it to feed. When I looked at the round (I still have it), it appears that the projectile has a defect that is making the round out of spec. There are also barbs on the case lip. This is not an issue with the gun. This is also not an issue with that particular box of ammo. Sometimes things aren’t perfect, manufacturing-wise – shit happens. As long as the whole box of ammo wasn’t flawed, it’s OK.

I also bought another box of Speer Gold Dot 124-gr (we now have 2 boxes of that) and a box of Federal HST 124-gr – we’d been using Federal Hydra-Shok but my ammo store was out of that model of ammo. I have not yet tested the Speer GD and the Federal (Hydra-Shok OR HST) through the Prodigy DS, but at least we know that the Hornady Custom XTP works.

I now have 656 rounds thorugh the gun. There have been no feed or extraction issues. The gun is accurate. The trigger has lightened but I also slightly tuned the sear spring (although I did that after the trigger felt that it lightented a bit). Still, the trigger is nowhere as good as the trigger on the Ultralight. The springs are heavier in the Prodigy than the Ultralight, too. I’ll address that after I’ve reached 1000 rounds (will probably add lighter springs, although this is probably a mainspring issue).

Once I’ve begun to carry the Prodigy, I’ll begin the process of finding a gunsmith that can fix the grip safety issue on my Ultralight. I think I might have to send it somewhere reputable, though…there aren’t all that many 1911 gunsmiths around here, and I’m not willing to muck with the gun since I don’t know where to begin.

Categories
ammo defensive ammo holster

The QVO Tactical Flex Connector has Arrived

As I already have QVO Tactical’s More Discreet AIWB holster, I wanted to try/experiment with a side car holster and I saw that QVO has what’s called a Flex Connector, which is a side car attachment.

My More Discreet holster is green carbon-fiber. I wanted the side care to match, so I ordered it as green carbon-fiber too. They didn’t sell the flex connector in carbon-fiber, though, and I didn’t trust that their green coloring option would match well with the carbon-fiber, so I ordered the flex connector in black.

Here’s the holster with the Flex Connector attached:

This required that one of the clips be removed so that the Flex Connector could be attached to that area. The removed clip then connects to the side car.

The mag holder’s cant can be adjusted to a lesser degree, as well.

What does this mean for me? It means I can carry a spare mag without having to carry it in a cargo pocket or weird position on my belt. As well, if the spare mag is under my shirt, it’s less of a problem where someone might see that I may be carrying a gun or something weird.

Now, I’m not going to lie…the whole thing is somewhat beefy and it feels beefy when it’s on my belt. It may take a while to get used to, but it still tucks in very well, as I’m still using a wedge on the main portion of the holster and the claw is still present.

I had to order more SD ammo since I’m now carrying two mags’ worth!

If I end up not liking the side car, I can always remove it – that’s simple enough of a process.

I’m quite excited about this change-up. I’ll let you know if I run into any issues.

UPDATE (5/18/2025): I decided to remove the Flex Connector from the holster, as I found that it made the whole holster system protrude enough to impede concealability. Without the FC, it conceals nicely. With the FC, it makes my lower abdomen protrude too much…all for the sake of a mag holster. I’m better off carrying a mag in my pocket again, but I think I’m going to try a NeoMag, which was recommended by a fellow r/2011 member.

Categories
ammo defensive ammo

New SD Ammo Ordered

I’m almost out of my primary SD ammo – Federal Hydra-Shok 124-gr. I didn’t think I’d need more so soon, but I’m now carrying 2 mags (one in the gun, and one as a hot spare), which is something I didn’t plan for when I bought the last batch of SD ammo.

I didn’t really need to order more, as I found (after I ordered more) that I’d misplaced the Speer Gold Dot 124-gr ammo. It was stashed in back of my gun safe.

So, I ordered, from Target USA again, a box of 50 Speer Gold Dot 124-gr JHP rounds. I also tried to odrer another 50-round box of Federal Hydra-Shok, but Target USA is out of stock (as well as all other outlets), so I ordered a 50-round box of Federal Premium HST 124-gr JHP this go-around.

I suppose I can shoot some of the Speer from the Prodigy DS Compact (in preparation for carrying it) sometime soon.

Categories
1911 2011 9mm double-stack Fusion Firearms XP Pro

The Platypus Isn’t the first to use Glock Mags!

One thing I folks keep saying when I’m reading discussions about the Fusion Firearms XP Pro is that it’s a copy of (or is similar to) the Platypus 1911.

It is not a copy nor is it similar.

Firstly, the XP Pro is actually 2011-patterned. The Platypus is not – it is Para-patterned and is actually a 1911.

Stacatto trademarking only applies to companies that manufacture guns, but I can call it a 2011 because I’m not a gun maker and it IS essentially a 2011 (just as a Ruger AR-556 is considered an AR although it isn’t branded by Armalite). Some folks also use the argument that 2011s that use Glock mags aren’t really 2011s, although they may follow the 2011 pattern (the gun being 3 parts – slide, frame, and grip module being major and separate portions). The mags do not define the pattern.

As well, the Platypus isn’t the first 1911/2011 to use Glock mags. The Alpha Foxtrot S15 holds that trophy. No, the S15 isn’t a 2011, but neither is the Platypus, right? 🙂 The Platypus is the first to use Glock 17 mags…not Glock mags outright, though.

The Platypus and XP Pro are nothing alike. The only thing they have in common is that they use G17 mags and are chambered in 9mm. Using Glock mags is besides the point. Anyone hanging onto that gimmicky “It takes Glock mags!” mantra doesn’t know WTF they’re talking about. You’ll see a shitload of folks on YouTube titling their videos with “It takes Glock mags!”, and many of those folks are competent, but they’re also purposely titling their videos that way so that they can gain views.

Yes, there’s a purpuse to using Glock mags – they’re super cheap while also being durable. As well, most folks own Glocks and many folks have lots of Glock mags, so they can repurpose those mags with this gun instead of having to buy 2011 mags, which usually are priced in the $60+ range.

The XP Pro is more attainable than the Platypus, as there’s a LONG wait list for them at Stealth Arms. As well, the XP Pro is arguably the better gun. Yeah, the Platypus has many custom options and a fancy customization page, but again, it’s not actually 2011-patterned and Fusion Firearms is also ramping up lots of custom options (they only just started making the XP Pros).

I’ve seen videos of folks attempting to compare the Platypus with the XP Pro and they NEVER have a base Platypus. IMO, the best thing to do (if forced to compare them – again, they’re not on equal footing, so I think the comparision is unrealistic) is to compare a BASE Platypus with an XP Pro. I’ve yet to see anyone do that, but they’ll sure as hell compare the XP to a built Platypus.

I’m not trying to take away anything from folks who may desire a Platypus, but I’m not interested in that gun and know enough of things to realize that by the time you customize the gun with the desireable parts, it is no longer an equal comparison with the XP Pro.