Author: r2kba.patriot

Categories
Alien Gear base plates holster IWB magazine shell SP2022

SP2022 – Testing Concealed Carry

I received the Alien Gear holster shell for the SP2022.  I used the compact backing from the Sig P320 holster that I have.  The gun carries well but is quite a big bulkier than my Grand Power P11.  I’ve adjusted the cant so that it’s leaning forward, which helps a bit in hiding the longer grip.

I received the Alien Gear holster shell for the SP2022.  I used the compact backing from the Sig P320 holster that I have.  The gun carries well but is quite a big bulkier than my Grand Power P11.  I’ve adjusted the cant so that it’s leaning forward, which helps a bit in hiding the longer grip.

I’m 5′ 7″ and 175-180 lb.  I tend to carry with a shirt over my firearm, usually a T-shirt or golf shirt that is untucked.  Today, I’m straight from work (have to be tucked in, but I usually wear something over my shirt (sweater or bigger shirt or sweater).  I think it’s important to know how I carry so that you know my carry experience.  The belt is a Galco 1.5″.  The holster is an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0.

Camera is at 3 o’clock position – holster is at 4 o’clock
Camera is at 4 o’clock position – holster is at 4 o’clock
Camera is at 5 o’clock position – holster is at 4 o’clock

Oh, and those pinky extension magazine base plates?  I ordered some flat ones but to be honest, it’s a trivial concern…trust me, it’s not going to make all that much of a difference if you’re coming from a subcompact and are opting for a handgun of the size of the SP2022.  I kid you not.  I will more than likely return those mag base plates or sell them.

By the way, I ordered those flat mag base plates from RoCo Firearms.  They are currently $12.50 each.  I’m not sure if I posted their origins, but if not…

UPDATE:  I posted a few days before that I’ve found that Ruger SR9 mag base plates will fit the SP2022 mags.  I’ve also read that Beretta M9 mag base plates will work with SP2022 mags.

I have not carried this gun outside of the house (yet).  It is more comfortable than I imagined (so far).  The magazine is empty, though, but I don’t think a loaded mag will make much of a difference…it’s not the weight that will bother me (I’ve a good holster and belt).  The bulkiness of the gun is probably all I need to get accustomed to.

I also received the Alien Gear holster shell for the Beretta I bought last night.  I’m curious on how that will carry.  In fact, I just might have an IWB bake-off between the Beretta and Sig.  It will be interesting, since they both have similar manual of arms, both are polymer guns, both are similar in width, height, and weight (the Beretta is shorter, though, I believe).

A video will come soon.

Categories
base plates Beretta Bersa compact Grand Power N82 Tactical P11 Plus PX4 Storm Sig SP2022 Thunder

Beretta On the Way!

This was the most agonizing decision I’ve made in quite awhile.

My birthday is approaching and I wanted to buy something nice but not too expensive.  I’d considered a Sig 1911 as my next nice gun, but my wife isn’t going to sign off on a $800 purchase…maybe on my 50th birthday next year.

My choices were the Grand Power P1 or the Beretta PX4 Storm Compact.

I chose the Storm and bought it through Whittaker Guns for $429.

Why was this a difficult decision?  I’d need to talk about the Grand Power and why I was considering it (as well as the thing that I don’t like about the company).

The pros:

  • As you well know, I currently conceal-carry a Grand Power P11 Mk12.  This particular gun did not come with a decocker.  New guns from Grand Power come with decockers and that includes the P1.
  • I currently use a P1 kydex holster when I carry my P11, so if I bought a P1, I’d already have a holster.
  • I currently use three P1 15-round mags with my P11 when I visit the range.  If I bought a P1, which includes two magazines, I’d have five mags for this gun.

I basically already have all the gear to immediately start carrying a P1.

The con:

Grand Power stated in their forums that they will not sell the decocker parts to owners because they might be held liable if an owner did not install the part correctly and had an accidental (not negligent if there was an issue with the gun’s internals) discharge where someone was injured or killed.

Why do I have a problem with that?  I’ll list the reasons:

  • They sell 99% of the internals for all their guns on the Eagle Imports web site.  Most of those parts could cause an accidental discharge if installed incorrectly, and those have nothing to do with the safety/decocker.  Yet they’ve no problem selling those parts and letting owners install them on their own.
  • Their competition sells such parts and let owners install those parts.
  • The mentality that they’re going to save us from ourselves is very much a liberal thought.  This is also what drives such “technology” as loaded chamber indicators and magazine disconnects and both of those are training band-aids.
  • I don’t believe in any firearm being black-box-like (ie, don’t allow consumers to open the product).  If they’re selling internal parts, how else do you get them into the firearm?
  • In lieu of them providing you the decocker parts, they suggest you spend $500+ to get a new GP pistol that would already have a decocker.  Nope.  Not going to happen.

Some resources:

I was a stout advocate of the P11 and it’s manufacturer up until this point.  In fact, a large part of my Youtube content relates to the P11 and my experiences with it.  I think it’s time to move on.

The depressing part of this is that I’ve spend a large amount of my time and training with the P11, so I’ll have to get familiar with another one of my handguns to replace my P11 as my EDC gun.  An option is to continue to carry it but I just can’t swallow Grand Power’s attitude that they’ll allow us to replace any part but a safety/decocker (hell, they sell replacement safeties on their parts site!).

Currently, my options to replace the P11, if I want to stay with DA/SA, is with my Sig SP2022 or this new Beretta that will be shipped to me sometime this week.  I’m more ready to carry the SP2022 than I am the PX4 at this point in time.  I’m just waiting for some replacement mag base plates and a SP2022 shell form my Alien Gear holster.  I have 4 mags for the SP2022.  I have not a damned thing for the Storm, although I can easily get a N82 Tactical holster from a local gun shop (those are nice).

I can also carry the Bersa Thunder Plus that I have, but I HATE it’s decocker!  With a passion.  I can carry that with the safety off, if need be, and it’s a smaller gun to carry.  Although it’s a .380, it is double-stack and holds 15+1.  I have four mags for it and just got an N82 Tactical IWB holster for it.  I just need to test some carry ammo and begin practicing with it.

Either way, I’ll be testing the carrying of the SP2022 and PX4 Storm.

Before I carry the Storm, though, I’m looking to replace the safeties with the stealth versions.  As well, I’ll convert it to decocker-only.

Categories
base plate magazine Ruger Sig Sig Pro Sig Sauer SP2022 SR9C

Sig Sauer SP2022 and EDC

I’m considering trying my SP2022 for everyday carry.  I need to find magazine base plates that are less prominent, though.  There’s one video on YouTube that states CZ P-07 magazine bast plates will fit, but I can’t find any place that sells them, so I tried the base plates of all the current guns in my safe and found one that fits!  Which is it?  The Ruger SR9C’s base plates fit almost perfectly.  Glock base plates will also fit but the hole is in the wrong spot.

I now need to find a place that sells SR9C mag base plates, then I need to order a holster shell from Alien Gear so I can give carrying a try.

This gun is about as big as I’m willing to carry.  It has a 3.9″ barrel, but is rather thick.  The only way to determine how well it’ll carry is to try to carry it.

UPDATE:  I can’t find ANY SR9 mag base plates on sale.  My fall-back plan is the Glock base plates…I’ve found a pack of 6 for $40.  Yes, this is rather expensive but I don’t think they’re cheap knock-off Chinese manufactured parts, either.  I’d have to drill new holes into them, as well, which I don’t have a problem doing.

Categories
decocker EDC Grand Power Mk12 P11 wear

Grand Power P11 – One Thousand Rounds Shot Through The Barrel

I’ve now shot over one thousand rounds through the Grand Power P11.  It’s about time, too, as I’ve had the gun right at two years now.

How’s the wear/tear?  Here’s a video showing the internals.

Some other things relating to this firearm:

Someone thought that because my P11 didn’t have a decocker, it was a Mk7.  Mk12s were first produced without decockers.  They are now sold with decockers but a Mk12 can either have a decocker or not.

Secondly, I’ve asked Grand Power and Eagle Imports if decockers can be retrofitted to those Mk12s that were sold without decockers.  I didn’t get an answer but found it on their forums here.  Apparently, GP/EI doesn’t want to deal with possible legal issues if someone buys the parts from the manufacturer, doesn’t install them correctly, and later experiences an unintentional discharge.  If that’s the case, they shouldn’t want ANYONE messing with the internals…no one at all, yet they encourage people to do complete tear-downs of the firearm in every other case.  If they’re that afraid of legal trouble, make the process stupid-simple for some parts.  Beretta sells decockers on the side for their PX4 Storms knowing that everyday people will install them at home.  Beretta is a far bigger business than Grand Power and have much more to lose when it comes to lawsuits, yet Beretta empowers people to customize their handguns.  Glock does this as well, as does Ruger and Sig Sauer and Walther…and I can go on and on.

I do not believe in the black box mentality when it comes to such things.  That means you’ll always be totally dependent upon the maker when it comes to asking a bit more of your firearm.

This pains me greatly because I’ve trained myself around the GP P11.  That training was HARD work.  As well, I’d grown fond of Grand Power and had planned on getting a P1.  I still could (and a new P1 would have the decocker I’m asking for), but this is more about principles.  Not offering parts for fear of lawsuits…that’s a cop out if I’ve ever heard one.  I’ve heard such crap before in non-free states.

Because of this, I think I’m going to look at options to replace my P11.  Some of you may think that this is a trivial thing and that it’s being blown out of proportion.  IMO, there’s a bit of a Liberal scent to what GP stated (the “protect them from themselves and us” mentality).

So, I’m either going to start the process of making my P11 a safe queen and switching to a different EDC.  I could even get a PX4 Storm Compact like I initially planned (and even sell the P11 to finance the Beretta).

Categories
assembly EFK Glock 22 OEM recoil spring

EFK Recoil Spring/Rod Assembly Has Arrived

UPDATE (5/5/2017): had an issue with the recoil spring (it deconstructed itself) and the end screw has disappeared.  Awaiting word from EFK on if they’re going to send me another one.

So, I had a present arrive in my mailbox today, the EFK recoil spring assembly for my newly acquired Glock 22 Gen 3 handgun.

I was surprised, as the shipping info had stated that the package would arrive 17 Jan.  It was actually 2-day shipping.

The OEM spring that I have is worn…it almost falls off of the barrel link on it’s own.  It barely takes any effort to get it on.  The spring has lost its tensioning, I believe, but I’ve never owned a Gen 3 Glock, so I don’t know if that is normal.  All I know is that it barely passes the recoil spring test.

I pulled out the OEM spring and put in the EFK spring assembly.  It fits as I feel the OEM should, with a bit of effort.

The big deal is that the spring is stiff enough to where I’m having difficulty racking it back.  I can rack it but if I need to lock the slide back with the slide lever, it takes quite an effort, especially the more I try it.

I hope it breaks in.  If not, I might have to go back to OEM.

That’s another thing I need to try.  I need to get an OEM spring to see how different it is than the one that came with this gun.  OEM may be fine for me.  I just need to see if I can find a store that has them locally…getting tired of having things shipped to me (shipping and the pain of waiting for the parts to arrive is annoying).

The real reason I bought the EFK spring is to see if it lessens recoil significantly.  I’ve the feeling it will, but at the cost of being ultra stiff to the point where the gun is difficult to rack back.

Maybe I can visit the range this weekend to give it a test (or maybe I should wait to get the OEM spring and test them both in one session).

Categories
Canik TP9SA Gen 3 Glock 22 Grand Power grip tape P11 recoil Talon

Glock 22 Gen 3 – Range Visit

This range visit consisted of shooting three handguns – the Grand Power P11, the Glock 22 Gen 3, and the Canik TP9SA.

Why this combination?

The Glock 22 is a full sized service pistol that is striker-fired and is polymer.  The only other handgun that I have that is similar (in size, in MoA, and in material make-up) is the Canik TP9SA.  The only other guns that I have that are of similar size are fully metal (the Sig Sauer P220 Equinox and the Metro Arms American Classic Commander, both shooting .45 ACP).  I felt that it was unfair to compare those two handguns to the Glock 22 since their mass would negate some recoil.

The Glock 22 is snappy in Gen 3 configuration.  In fact, I had a difficult time with it, which is odd, because I’ve fired .40 in the past without issue, but those guns were all-metal too, so there is that.

The recoil was bad for me.  I didn’t have any malfunctions (no limp-wristing here) but my aim was wayyyy off (probably has nothing to do with recoil and everything to do with not being used to the trigger on this particular gun.   I fired 50 rounds of Federal 165-grain FMJ, so the ammo wasn’t even hot.  I need to work on my aim because I don’t think the recoil was messing with it.  If I squeeze properly, the round will be out of the gun before recoil can affect the bullet’s path, so again, I need to focus on trigger pull with this gun.  The trigger is not stock.  It has a 5.5-lb trigger, from Glock, I believe, that was put in as part of a police package (it is a LEO trade-in).  I think that’s what has me confused.  My other Glock’s trigger is nothing like the one on this gun.

Also, the recoil is making the trigger rub harshly against my trigger finger as it pushes the gun up, so I have a sore spot on the underside of my trigger finger that might blister.  I tried altering the way I shoot so that it would quit rubbing and I could not.

I grabbed some Talon grips for the Glock 22 on the way out of the range facility.  They are now installed.  I’m not sure if I like the grips, as they are extremely aggressive in texture and my hands are a bit raw just from installing them.  I’ve no doubt they’ll help me in dealing with the recoil, but I may have to see if I can make them a bit less abrasive.  I’m glad I’ve no plans to carry this gun…these grips will rub holes in my clothing.

Talon Grips for the Glock 22 Gen 3

Also, when I take apart or put together the gun, I’ve noticed the recoil spring seems a bit weak…I can install it or remove it with very little effort…it almost falls out and is very easy to get into place.  I’m not sure it’s supposed to be this loose.  I’m probably going to order a new one.

I’ve read that the Gen 4 Glock 22’s double-springed recoil spring guide works great in lessening recoil for that generation of G22.  It’s a pity that they can’t be used with Gen 3s.

I’ve also found that .40 isn’t all that much more expensive than .45ACP or 9mm.  I bought 100 rounds of .40 S&W for $18 a box (two boxes).

The sights are difficult to see at the range.  They don’t show as dots.  I’m wondering if that was my issue, but I don’t think it was, since I was trying to use the front sight’s shadow to align it properly between the rear sight’s “forks”.  I should’ve been hitting closer to the red.  I did catch myself not using both eyes a few times, too…that may have been the issue.

I know I bought this gun so that I can use it with the 22TCM 9R conversion kit, but even with the recoil issues, it is fun to try something different.  It’s OK to mix things up, even if I couldn’t hit the damned bulls-eye at 7 yards with 50 rounds.  🙂  :/

A picture of the first few rounds out of the gun (well, MY first few rounds):

7 yards, Glock 22 Gen 3 – 15 rounds of Federal 165-grain FMJ.  Big bang with big recoil
7 yards, Canik TP9SA – 17 rounds of  Remington 115-grain FMJ. Yes, I’m having trigger issues.  I haven’t fired this gun in over a year.  Still, I nailed the red several times — couldn’t do that with the G22.

I had no issues with the Canik TP9SA.  I fired 50 rounds of Remington 115-grain FMJ without issue, other than I was shooting left of the target even though most of those would probably be considered kill shots (see above).

How does it shoot compared to the G22?  There’s almost no recoil, for one, but I knew that before I compared them.  As exceptional as the G22’s 5.5lb trigger is, the Canik’s is still better, by a large margin.  It’s that good.

I also fired 50 rounds of Remington 115-grain FMJ from the Grand Power P11 too.  These were hang-up free rounds…no FTF or FTEs.  No fails to return to battery.  Here’s the target:

7 yards, Grand Power P11 – some rapid fire, Remington 115-grain, 35 rounds…LOTS of shots in the red.

I continue to get better with this handgun (see above picture).  I even tried 5 shots strong hand only (one-handed, right-handed).  This is the first time I’ve done this.  The first shot was WAY left.  The other 4 shots hit the head.  It was easy to do with this gun.  There was next to no recoil.  The last 15 shots went all over the place…I might have been fatigued by then.

That makes 866 rounds out of the Grand Power.  We’re getting closer and closer to the 1000 mark.

The next range visit will include the Glock 22.  We’ll see if we can tame the recoil.

Categories
Gen 3 Glock 22 Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore Trijicon

Glock 22 Gen 3 Has Arrived!

So, I picked up the gun today.  It was listed as fair condition on the website.  I think they under-rated it.  There’s hardly any slide wear, there’s NO wear/tear on the grips (I think it had Talon grips on it because the grips are a tad bit sticky, but that would explain the lack of wear/tear).  There’s a sticker on the box that says “TNS”, meaning the sights are Trijicon night sights; they still have some glow to them.  The sticker also has “5.5lb” which means it has a 5.5lb trigger.  Not only that, that trigger is very nice…there’s little take up, and the trigger is crisp…it also has very little reset.  PD trigger.  The gun was listed as only having one mag, but it came with two.  The case has everything a new Gen 3 Glock 22 would have.  The gun had a sticker with the pricing of $399.  I got it for $319.  It was $30 for the transfer, which I couldn’t avoid.  I couldn’t have found a cheaper Glock in the same condition…no way.

I basically stole this gun.  That site is dangerous. I’ll definitely be looking for other potential buys.  My next Glock might be a Glock 29, but I probably won’t find bargains or police trade-ins for a G29.

So, I’ve a range visit in my future.  Hopefully, I can go tomorrow, as they’ll be closed on Sunday and Monday (Jan 1st and 2nd).  I need to visit Walmart for ammo.  🙂

More pictures of the G22 with a G19 Gen 4 and Canik TP9SA:

Glock 22 and TP9SA

Glock 22 and TP9SA

Glock 22 and TP9SA

Glock 22 and TP9SA

Glock 19 and Glock 22

Glock 19 and Glock 22

Glock 19 and Glock 22

Glock 19, Glock 22, and TP9SA

Categories
22TCM9R conversion kit G17 G19 G22 Glock 22 Lone Wolf

Glock 22 Inbound!

I came into a bit of money this month (owner of the company I’m working for gave me $200 as an impromptu bonus since I’m still a contract-to hire worker).

I used the money to fund a Glock 22 Gen 3 purchase.  It’s funded 2/3rds of the cost of the gun.  “Say what?” you say?  I found a used police trade-in Glock 22 Gen 3 at Sportsman Outdoor Superstore.  For $319.  I’ve not seen it yet but they sell them as Fair Condition.  The comments of previous buyers say that they received theirs in better condition than listed.  Plus, they sell with one 15-round mag but many people have been reporting that theirs arrived with 2 mags.  Some of the guns have metal sights and even tritium sights.  I’ve no idea what mine will have.

This will be my first .40 caliber handgun.  I’ve fired .40 before so I know what to expect.  Well, maybe not.  The .40 I fired was a Sig.  This is a Glock.  I’m not sure there will be a difference but we’ll find out.

I intend to use this as a range gun.  I may not even fire much .40 out of it because I’ve an ulterior motive in buying the gun.  I’m going to buy a 22TCM9R conversion kit for it.  9R ammo a tad shorter than the normal 22TCM ammo…it’s designed to fit into 9mm/40 mags.  I will not have to worry about finding non-spec mags to use with this conversion.  The kit comes with a slide and barrel.  The slide is compensated.  Whenever I feel the need to go back to .40, I can just swap back the Glock barrel, slide, and recoil spring assembly.  Hell, I can convert my 22TCM 1911 to shoot 9R…I already have 1911 mags that fit in the gun (it came ready to shoot either 9mm or 22TCM)…all I need is 9R ammo to use the 9mm mags, otherwise I have to use .38 Super mags.

So, the used Glock was $319.  The conversion kit is very difficult to find and if I order from Armscor, it may take up to a year for them to get one to me.  The pricing is high for the kit, as well.  MSRP is $431 but I’ve seen others reporting getting them for $100 less.  So, I’m going to end up with a $650 specialized Glock.  So be it…I don’t care.

Now, I could’ve gone another route in doing this.  I also have a Glock 19.  They’re planning to make a similar kit that’ll fit G19s and G23s, but I’ve been waiting for them to hit the streets for about a year…I’ve heard nothing but crickets.  The G22 conversion kit will also fit G17s, but I wanted the option of firing .40.  Hell, if I wanted I could get a Lone Wolf 9mm barrel for the G22 and that gun would end up firing 3 different calibers out of it.  🙂

We’ll see how things develop.  As it it, I may have to wait awhile for the 9R conversion kit…everyone appears to be sold out of them.

Categories
380 Bersa decocker disconnect Grand Power magazine Mk12 P1 P11 Plus Thunder

Another Range Visit – 12/18/2016

I went to the range after work on 12/12.  I decided to bring my Metro Arm 1911 and the Bersa Thunder 380 Plus.  I only ended up firing the Bersa and my carry gun, the Grand Power P11.  I thought that 3 guns in a one-hour visit was too much, and I felt the need to be shooting more ammo out of the Grand Power since I’ve neglected to frequent the range.

I shot a total of 100 rounds out of the P11 (for a total of 816 rounds out of the gun).  There were no feed issues.

I shot 125 rounds out of the Bersa (for a total of 159).  There were no feed issues.

As with all my range sessions, I shoot at 7 yards.

First 15 rounds of the session, using the P11 (using GP P1 mags…bought 3 of them), 7 yards.
50 rounds, same target as above, same range, same gun.  Ammo is American Eagle ball FMJ, 115-grain.
Here’s the 2nd box of American Eagle, same gun, same distance.
Here’s the Bersa Thunder 380 Plus.  I’m not used to shooting this gun.  It feels too small for my hands (having issues with finger placement on the trigger since my hands are so big).  Taking my time, I can be accurate with it, though.  This is 15 rounds at 7 yards.
Here’s the whole 125 (100 rounds of  WWB flat-nosed FMJ and 25 rounds of Federal ball FMJ).  I couldn’t tear a ragged hole in the red like I can with the P11.  The P11 is built a lot better, though (better trigger and sights, less recoil reaching my hands).

Comparing the two guns, both are roughly the same size.  Roughly.  The P11 has the shorter barrel (3.3″, compared to the Bersa’s 3.5″ barrel).  The P11 is heavier (22.6 oz vs the Bersa’s 20.5).  Both are DA/SA guns, but the P11 has a very precise trigger in either mode.  The P11 fills my strong hand in a way that lets me put my trigger finger pad on the trigger.  The Bersa’s grip fits oddly in my hand, which hinders my finger placement.  I’ve to fumble around with the gun to get my finger pad on the trigger.  After awhile, I quit fumbling and accepted my fate that my hands may be too damned big for this gun’s grip.

Both guns have manual safeties.  The P11 has a frame safety that flicks up and down, similar to a 1911.  The Bersa has a slide safety that is counter-intuitive.  It works the opposite as what would be on a 1911.  As well, it is oddly placed, so that even if you train, you’re going to have to move your hand to get to it (unless you’ve super-small hands).  As well, the safety is very stiff.  Both of these issues mean that you’re probably going to have to train to engage or disengage the safety with the off-hand.  Also, the Bersa’s safety is also functioning as a decocker.  You can’t carry cocked and locked with the Bersa, since the decocker is also a safety and when you actuate the safety, you’re also decocking the gun.  Well…let me rephrase.  You can carry cocked but you’ll be doing it without the safety engaged with this gun, and that is unsafe unless you’ve trained for that; plus, you’d better have a good holster that protects the trigger.  Better to get a different gun if you’re looking to carry in a cocked and locked fashion…it won’t work well with this gun.

The Bersa also has a magazine disconnect.  This makes it very difficult to practice dry-firing, unless you keep the mag in the gun.  I’m thinking on removing the mag disconnect.  IMO, there are no cons in doing this (closet lawyers, please go back to your closet), especially if you’re already using sound safety practices…I mean, what’s keeping me from blowing a hole in the drywall with my guns that don’t have mag disconnects?  Good safety practices…

I thought that the Bersa would choke on the flat-nosed Winchester ammo.  I bought that ammo by mistake.  I’d heard from other Thunder 380 owners that these guns do not like flat-nosed ammo.  I saw a box of 100 at Walmart and it was labeled (on the box) as FMJ.  When I got home and opened the box, it was flat-nosed.  IMO, it should’ve been labeled as such on the box, especially since most sellers don’t accept returns on ammo.  But it didn’t choke on that ammo at all.  It ate it all without complaint.

Overall, the Bersa is a good enough gun.  I won’t be carrying it, though.  Because of what I’ve stated above, I’m unwilling to carry it.  This gun is not something I want to adjust to.  I’d have to find a way to thicken the grips so that I’d have less of an issue with trigger finger placement.  I’d also have to get used to the odd decocker (it’s in an odd position and training will not help that…then again, I can always carry decocked but with the safety disengaged…DA/SA guns can get away with this).

I’m still in love with the P11, although I’m thinking I might need more grip area with this gun as well.  The option would be to move to the P1 (maybe the P1 Ultra).  Grand Power markets that as a compact-sized gun with a 3.5″ barrel.  It also has swappable back straps (the P11 doesn’t have this…it should).  The P11’s grips are a bit slick, too.  Grip tape may be in the future of mine’s.  Oh, and Grand Power has also upgraded the P11 to have a decocker.  It is not a dedicated decocker…it’s a decocker/safety, similar to how Bersa implements it.  A dedicated decocker would’ve been better, IMO.  For now, I’ll stick to manually decocking (training is key — closet lawyers, go home).

I’m close to 1000 rounds out of the P11.  One range visit should put me over the 1000 round mark.  I know I’ve reported that it was experiencing FTFs/FTEs and failures to return to battery, but I’ve not seen that occurring since I’ve stopped using Remington ammo.  The issues of the past year were exclusively due to Remington ammo (and another gun choked on the same ammo in the same fashion).  I’ve also learned how/where to lube the gun.  There’s no wear on the gun’s internals, either.

Until next time…

Categories
22TCM Cheaper Than Dirt Elite Shooting Sports Grand Power Jagemann NEED TO FIX P11 Mk12 RIA Ruger SR9C

Latest Happenings – 12/6/2016

NOTE:  all targets were shot from 7 yards standing.

I was going to the range Sunday morning and the wife woke up and asked where I was going.  I said, “the range.”  She said, “I wanted to go too,” and I said, “well, get dressed and come with me!”

We brought four guns with us:  her Ruger SR-9C, my RIA 22TCM MS 1911, and my Bersa Thunder 380 Plus.  Of course, I was carrying my Grand Power P11 in a concealed fashion, too…that went with us.

We arrived and she had to take a gun safety orientation class.  It was also crowded but we didn’t have to wait long for an open lane.

We decided to shoot her Ruger first.  It had never been fired before and she’s owned it over a year.  It was cleaned and lubed (by me) and ready to fire.  We loaded the ammo (she’d never done that before…for a handgun, at least) into the two mag that the handgun came with (one 10-round and one 15-round mag).  I gave her a quick summary on how to hold her gun and to not put her finger on the trigger until she was ready to fire.  She knows proper sight alignment already (she’s retired US Army).  Then, to demonstrate the proper hold and trigger discipline, she stood beside me and I squeezed the first round out of her handgun.  The round went right into the red.  That is a testament to the gun’s trigger and sights because that normally doesn’t happen with me…it usually takes me a few mags to warm up.

I then gave her the handgun and she shot her first two handgun mags ever:

All but 5 of those are probably kill shots.  And one of those in the red is mine (the one that’s to the direct left of the X)!  We ended up firing 100 rounds out of the SR-9C.  The ammo was Remington UMC yellow box (mega) FMJ.  There were no failures whatsoever.

I ended up firing more ammo from her gun than she did.  Here’s my target:

If she doesn’t want her SR-9, I’ll take it…I’m happy with  the way it shoots and the trigger is exceptional!

Next, we fired my 1911.  I fired the first shots so she wouldn’t be surprised.  She was still surprised.  I told her it was loud and shot out fire.  I think she thought I was exaggerating.  After the first two shots, she said, “OK, this gun is loud!”  She later (after the range) said she was intimidated by it.  She shot it extremely well.  She loved the heft and the fact that the weight negated the recoil (never mind that it’s going to be a soft shooter anyways).  I took video of her shooting this gun and I was honestly flinching the whole time due to the muzzle flash.  The guy the next lane over kept looking over, probably mentally saying, “WTF is that?”

We fired 59 rounds of 22TCM with no failures whatsoever, although she kept unintentionally enabling the safety, which makes me wonder if it’s not positive enough in engagement…IMO, one should not be unintentionally enabling a safety.

I didn’t get a snapshot of the target but here’s some footage of her shooting the 22TCM:

Our time was running out so we had to decide on shooting only one of the two guns that still hadn’t been fired.  She decided to shoot my carry gun, the Grand Power P11, a sub-compact.  We only fired 36 rounds out of the P11, but I think she loved this gun just as much as the 1911.  She loved the lack of recoil.  I later showed her why it had no recoil…I showed her how the barrel rotated.  And she was very accurate with this gun too.  Here’s the target:

I shot a magazine and all my shots grouped under the red…very tight grouping and I wasn’t shooting slow.  She shot a mag and started up high (the grouping around the 7 & 8, above the red) then she took better aim and plugged the middle grouping.  She wasn’t messing around!

I shot the last mag of the day, from the P11:

I was going for head shots since we were out of targets.  I was trying to shoot once and rapidly follow up with another (not quite double-taps).  I had several flyers but still, that’s a pretty tight group of 12! 

She said she wants a sub-compact.  I have a few sub-compacts she’ll probably shoot:  a Sig Sauer P320C slide on an SC grip module; a Springfield XD9 Mod 2 9mm; a Bersa Thunder 380 Plus (not really a true sub-compact).  And she’ll probably end up renting some range guns to get a feel for what sub-compact she enjoys shooting.

We’re going to try an outdoor range this weekend if it isn’t too cold.

======

Other happenings:

I ordered 3 mags for my P11 from Cheaper Than Dirt.  I ordered 3 12-round mags.  They sent me 3 15-round mags.  I double-checked the receipt and sho-nuff it says that I ordered 3 12-round mags.  I was a bit pissed.  I do not want the hassle of having to ship these back while waiting for them to send me the correct mags.  I opened one mag’s packaging and inserted it into the P11.  It fits fine, although it’s long and hangs out of the gun by an inch or so.  It’s fine for the range but not fine for carrying.  I guess I can keep them for range duty and use the two that came with the gun as carry mags.  :/

I also ordered 4 Jagemann 15-round mags for my Glock 19.  My Glock came with 3 10-round mags.  They’re supposed to be good mags.  We’ll see.  They were cheap @ approx $11 apiece.