Reliable Pistol

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

Just read this thread again and trying to figure out how TS managed to keep quiet through the whole thing . . .

I am no expert, but I much prefer my H&Ks (Compact .40 and full-size .45) to my Glock 17.

That's funny-you sound like an expert.

[Drusagas]

Went from an XD9 to an HK USP 9 back to an XDm 9. Probably just me and the way I shoot, fit of my hand, amount of use, etc. but the XD/XDm series fit me a lot better, never had any problems with them and probably wont carry any other outside my Kimber 1911. But that's a whole 'nother animal altogether So, big vote for the Springfield XD series from me.

[Buffalobob]

Bob, have you tried a reduce recoil spring?

I was just experimenting around with seating depth and crimp and wound up with low pressure and the gun would not cycle. So I just shoot max pressure loads. The max pressure loads are some disadvantage in some types of competition but I don't mind being as I am in no way ever going to be good enough with a pistol to win anyway.

[HOLLiS]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

I was just experimenting around with seating depth and crimp and wound up with low pressure and the gun would not cycle. So I just shoot max pressure loads. The max pressure loads are some disadvantage in some types of competition but I don't mind being as I am in no way ever going to be good enough with a pistol to win anyway.

Not sure if you can measure your spring, but check out Brownells on springs. Light loads needs a lighter recoil spring. Too light of a spring, then your receiver and slide will collide, a recoil buffer is a good option. Also too light of a spring could prevent chambering.

I have done some competitions, a faster recovery helps. Also depending on the competition, wheel guns have a advantage with light loads, as long as they are not too light. (can cause excessive chamber pressure if the powder load is too light, or fillers not used.)

I liked Cowboy actions shooting, because like you, I'll never be fast enough and I shoot for the fun. He with the biggest grin wins.

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

Pistol competition is habit forming and there should be a surgeon generals or federal reserve warning on competition pistols.

I'm still trying to find an antidote. Alas, rifle competition did not replace but not only augments the habit, now it's 2 platforms, then comes the shotgun....then the long range...

[PRB]

+2 for the Springfield XD. Have put a few thousand rounds of 9mm of all types, +P, frangible, hollow pts,FMJ, cheap Russian and High velocity good stuff and never a failure to feed or extract. Very Accurate and I like the glock like trigger with the 1911 A1 grip safety combo...no accidental trigger hang up glock discharges.
Guys swear by both, try them both...Sig is excellent to just comes down to druthers.

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by Buffalobob

A couple of observations at this point in time. The Glock 34 definitely likes full power loads and does not like light loads at all. I conclude that the earlier comments about the light slide are correct.

Bob,
Get a Calibration Spring Kit. Go here: http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?...ID=1&mID=5#117

With these, you load up the "Light Load" that you like and start with the strongest spring. Simply keep dropping the spring strength until the weapon cycles reliably!! I've used these for years!!

Later
Martin

[gits]

I've been running an HK45C for EDC, I've ran about 3500-4000 rounds through it and have yet to run into a single malfunction. Gun shoots pretty tight probably the only gun I've had that I've been able to shoot at 25 meters at a 6 inch Shoot N C and have all my rounds group. You can't go with an HK, they practically eat up any type of ammo you can throw through it. No need to buy additional parts to enhance a pistol, HK's are reliable right out of the box.

[Buffalobob]

Bob,
Get a Calibration Spring Kit. Go here: http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?...ID=1&mID=5#117

With these, you load up the "Light Load" that you like and start with the strongest spring. Simply keep dropping the spring strength until the weapon cycles reliably!! I've used these for years!!

I took your and Hollis' advice and ordered both extra power and reduced power sets, plus a steel guide rod.

[MVP]

I don't like plastic or aluminum framed pistols. Less than favorable impressions of the following I have owned over the years: SW M39 and M59, HK P9S/VP70Z/USP Tactical, Glock 26. Shot a bunch of other Glocks as well and none inspired me to buy another. FWIW all of the aforementioned are sold save the USP and I only keep it because it is an "accountable gift".

IMHO:

Glocks have not really advanced since they came on the scene 35 years ago. I first handled one in Norway in 1985 when the Norwegians were having magazine troubles. I like the analogy of them being the AK47 of pistols.
XDs are basically product improved glocks and I have relatives in the city where they are made. Have a good rep and when I have some money I absolutely must spend immediately I will consider one, mostly so my kids can say "this was made where..."

Personally I carry a old T-series BHP without a mag safety, tuned trigger, Trijicons, and Navidrex thin grips. Shoots damn near everything to include hydrashoks. There used to be a saying about AKs and FN FALs that went something like this: AKs are for the masses and FNs are for the Classes. I consider the BHP to be well above a Glock (AK). The FN may need a little tuning but it is a much higher class of ordnance.

Dickering on an older SS Detonics right now for CC.

For the house I bought an older 870 listed in the thrifty nickel. Wacked the barrel to 18.5 inches and then reinstalled the bead sight. Racking the action makes a nice loud sound in a dark and quiet house at night. I don't use anything larger than 7.5 shot and prefer 9s hoping to reduce over penetration. Fortunately the house is large and occupied areas (bedrooms) are well separated.

[Buffalobob]

I had a BHP long ago and it got stolen in Utah while the house was up for sale and on a lock box. I liked it a lot.

[SFC Donnell]

First I must qualify that I am a big 1911 fan however single action anything revolver or auto have a severe problem in court, the act of cocking or chambering a round has been used against the victim as proof that the shooting was somehow NOT SELF DEFENSE. A Glock is (in court) more like a double action in that you only pull the trigger. I got this from my CCL instructor.

IMVHO I would buy and carry a Glock and fix the spring/ammo issue, once I got my M-1911A1 spring issues fixed she will digest any ammo I feed her, but I carry a mid sized Glock in 9mm with whatever the hot 9mm round is this week with the local Police Dept. (After shooting a box to be sure that there are no ammo malfunctions.)

If the badguy's lawyer attempts to go down the "Evil Plastic Gun" road I can just say: "Hey that is what the Police use" which shuts down that argument.

On the battlefield you can get away with murder, in civilian courts self defense is no excuse.

[PRB]

Originally Posted by SFC Donnell

First I must qualify that I am a big 1911 fan however single action anything revolver or auto have a severe problem in court, the act of cocking or chambering a round has been used against the victim as proof that the shooting was somehow NOT SELF DEFENSE. A Glock is (in court) more like a double action in that you only pull the trigger. I got this from my CCL instructor.

IMVHO I would buy and carry a Glock and fix the spring/ammo issue, once I got my M-1911A1 spring issues fixed she will digest any ammo I feed her, but I carry a mid sized Glock in 9mm with whatever the hot 9mm round is this week with the local Police Dept. (After shooting a box to be sure that there are no ammo malfunctions.)

If the badguy's lawyer attempts to go down the "Evil Plastic Gun" road I can just say: "Hey that is what the Police use" which shuts down that argument.

On the battlefield you can get away with murder, in civilian courts self defense is no excuse.

Interesting points but the object of a gun fight is to survive and I'd choose what best suited that over what came later.
BTW, I've never murdered anyone on a battlefield. I know you are just making a point but you might want to choose dif wording. You can't murder a combatant in civilian terms as he/she chose his/her status like we did, liberal assholes love to quote stuff like that. Just a friendly request.

You can carry a 1911 A1 in three different levels.

1: Loaded, not chambered, hammer down.

2. Loaded, chambered, hammer down.

3. Loaded, chambered, hammer back, safety on. Anything else is not safe.

Drawing a weapon, moving your hands to the clap at "3", using the thumb to dis-engage the weapons safety while placing hand together is still the preferred meathod, position "4", Fire.

The weapon can be fired with one hand, between "2" and '3", target not acquired, but pointing in the right direction, still makes a big hole in a bad guy.

Shoulder harness, (weapon under-arm pointing back), does not carry well, with hammer back, safety on. That's whay "Miami Vice" Sonny always armed his weapon before he entered a room, (but it made for great TV action). When carried on hip, weapon armed, with safety on, allowed for weapon to be carried "in the ready", or "Condition 1".

Not a big fan of Glocks, can not release hammer in safe manner.

I'll take a .45 ACP in Colt, Kimber, or Springfield anyday.

FYI - bullet two follows bullet one in same hole. Bullet three is off just slightly, but you'd need a mircometer to read the difference, but that's just me.

[Buffalobob]

I took out the stock captive spring and put in the Wolf 17# (factory) and went and shot an IDPA comp and it worked just fine. I will say that I got a lot of exercise putting in the Wolf spring, running around all over the den looking for where it went to when it SPROINGED out of my hand several times. Captive springs is a really good idea.

So I ordered 5 boxes of Serra itsy tennsy weennsy 90 grain JHPs and loaded them up at the minimum load in the Sierra manual , which is 1100 fps, and went off to the range today. Of course they would not cycle with the 17# spring but 48 in a row cycled with the 14# spring. The cases only get thrown about 6 inches so I suspect when cold weather gets here that the 14# spring will not cycle them, if the bullets are cold. But the kit came with a 12# spring so I'm GTG.

The interesting thing was that with really low loads and light recoil you could see the affects of improper grip pressure on the pistol by where the bullet would strike on the target. If your left thumb puts too much pressure on the frame the bullet strikes to the right and if you grip wrong with your right hand you pull the bullet left.

I also tested out some military brass that I had removed the crimp from and loaded up to +P and it all cycled well with the 17# spring. I would say that in some other thread somebody, perhaps Longrange, said that removing the crimp from brass is just not worth the trouble and that is just about the honest gospel truth - you only save pennies and it is a real pain in the fourth point of contact.

Funny thing of interest to anybody local, is that the only other person at the range was a guy from Bethesda. He was a doc from a local hospital who wanted to practice shooting his 375 Mag from shooting sticks for his upcoming trip to South Africa. The Green Ridge range, which is an hour and a half drive from DC, is about the only place without a range safety officer where you can practice fast draws and lateral movements and as long as everyone is aware you can actually get in front of the firing line and shoot in the dirt. He and I had a good time breaking all of the range safety rules.