I wanted a place to discuss my handguns and firearms in general. Everyone seemingly has lots to say about guns, so I promise you this won't be a rant blog.
Regarding the SDS Imports 1911D B45R I recently purchased, I mentioned here that it had problems with some non-OEM mags. Specifically, Wilson Combat mags were hanging upon insertion attempts. The Metalform GI mags were exhibiting the same symptoms, too.
I stated that I’d ordered a Wilson Combat magazine release. Well, it arrived Friday. I’d never removed and installed one, so that was something new to me, and it took awhile to understand how I needed to remove it, as well as how I needed to install the new one. It was simple, once I understood what I needed to do.
Once it was installed, I checked to see if the mags would snag/hang on the mag release catch. For the WC mags, they don’t. The GIs are weird, as they begin to stag and end up not snagging – there’s some slight resistance. The feed lips on the GI mags are not rounded, so I believe they’re more susceptible to resistance. I think they’ll wear-in over time, though.
So, I recommend the WC magazine release button, spring, and screw (they’re not a set…you’ve to buy each). As of now, the cost for the three parts is approx. $25.
They all fit in my Arsenal SAM7UF. None fit in my AKM-63. Well, they fit but they won’t latch. The tab that enables latching oddly ramped so that the mag release won’t engage the mag. I can file them a bit to enable them to fit or just use them exclusively in the SAM7UF. I will probably fit them for both AKs.
The mags look clean. They are new. They’ve re-enforcement around the mag well area, which appears out of place. Maybe re-enforcement is a bad word. Let me rephrase: it appears that they added material to mitigate a prior issue with fitment. As long as it works. Now, they need to adjust that tab a bit to offer better fitment across the AK platform. Note, that I firmly believe that mags can be loosely fit, as long as the looseness doesn’t drop the mag and doesn’t cause feed issues. They are snug in the SAM7. I can’t tell if they’d be snug in the AKM since they don’t stay in place.
Otherwise, they look awesome. They don’t feel as durable as the batch I got from Atlantic Firearms (they feel lighter, but I don’t think they’ll break at first drop), but I don’t need them to be bullet-proof.
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…
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).
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.
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.
My immediate impressions: I’m actually surprised at the fit and finish of the Ruger AR-556. It looks and feels great. The pieces fit together without issue, with no large gaps between pieces or segments. Looks GOOD in FDE, too! That grip feels great – it has a rubber coating…very tactile. The trigger is good. The take-down pins are way too stiff (should loosen up with oil and use, hopefully). They got rid of the D-ring, too…you twist to get the barrel covers off. Oh, and there’s like 10 Ruger badges and logos on the rifle…like you’re going to forget that you own a Ruger.
Needed three forms of ID just to pick it up (not two as with handguns in VA). Still, it only took 5 min to get the background check results back. I have no background…LOL.
For now, 3 mags are enough (at 30 rounds capacity, each, that’s 90 rounds right there). I also have a Bushnell First Strike Red Dot Sight, but I plan to use the non-aid sights for a bit, while getting used to the rifle.
I’ll post more as I become more accustomed to the firearm.
