Range Reports

[Imcrazy]

---------Well I made it to the range Wed. Took a Sig Mosquito for the second time, but this time I bought CCI and it fired with no problems. Clean gun and good ammo, good combination for a 22.
Next I fired my Bersa 380 with some American Eagle, it fired w/o any problem. Also had better ammo and a cleaning.
Next I fired my SKKY CPX 1 9MM. This gun is beautiful, I love it. It looks good, bi-tone stainless slide. Bought a holster for it. Was thinking about it as a CC piece for awhile, then I thought I better try it out on the range a few more times.
Next I zero'd in my LCP with the Crimson Trace on it, that was sweet at about 15 ft. After that distance I had a problem holding it steady.
I bought the first 3 guns I mentioned on this Forum. As far as I am concerned I would give these purchases a A+.
This Sunday I'm taking my wife out to shoot by my son's house out in tim buck two. She has never fired a gun before. My son who won TOP GUN in his Acadamy class will be doing the instructing. I only wish I had a 38 to have her shoot, other then all the guns I mentioned above. My son keeps telling me that would be the best for my wife. Being hard headed as I am, I didn't listen. Oh well. Anyway, I let you know how she does, I'm excited about it.

Sweet, have the wife shoot the sig .22lr, I tried to have my better half shoot a .45acp to start out and it scared her too much from the recoil, I got out the .22lr conversion for my 1911 and she loved it!

[carmen fovozzo]

......Sig Mosquito 22 she loved to shoot. By the way, I had to give all the instruction for her, she did real good, I was very proud of her. I think I'll look for a 22LR Revolver for her.
I just finished cleaning 4 guns, I think I need a nap.

[Rubb]

WWB 147 gr. JHP fired from a Kahr PM9 w/ 3” barrel @ 10’.
4 -1 gallon standard milk jugs filled with water, each @ 5.5” thick.
Lead expansion at the widest point measures 9/16”.
Expansion including jacket measures 13/16”(one crazy petal).
Jacket stayed put and the round looks to have retained all it’s weight

I have reliably and accurately shot 50 rounds of this ammo through
the PM9 and have got to say I’m quite happy with these results.

[Wilhelm Tell]

The news that M1 carbines from South Korea are about to become available prompts me to post my experiences with mine. I bought my M1 carbine at Laneco in New Jersey in 1989 for $167.97. I wish all of my investments had been as brilliant.

For those unfamiliar with New Jersey, Laneco’s niche was somewhere between K-Mart and Odd Lots and catered to politically incorrect types like me by actually selling long guns. They had just received a lot of M1’s and had about 8-10 on the wall behind the counter. I remember the bolts fell out of the first two I picked up. The woman that was waiting on me then dumped all of them on the counter. I went through them and picked what I thought was the best one.

My rifle began life as M1 “jukebox” carbine 4564xxx at the Rock-Ola plant in Chicago. Approximately 6,000,000 M1 carbines were produced by nine suppliers. Jukebox maker Rock-Ola produced the least: 228,500.

The RIA/EB stamp on the stock indicates that it was overhauled and upgraded to M1A1 at the Rock Island Arsenal between 1947 and 1958 when Elmer Bjerke was foreman of small arms inspection. This entailed Parkerizing, installing an adjustable rear sight, replacing the flat-top bolt with a round-top bolt, fitting a larger barrel band with integral bayonet lug, and replacing the push-button safety with a rotary safety.

At some point it was supplied to an allied nation, presumably South Korea. It was ultimately repatriated by Blue Sky, Wayne LaPierre’s entrepreneurial venture before he became NRA’s executive vice president.

As far as an actual range report, there just isn’t that much to say. In 20 years, and hundreds of rounds, it has never, ever failed to fire. Accuracy is in the eyes (and hands) of the beholder. At 50-100 yards I shoot my M1 better than my Ruger Mini-14 when I use its iron sights.

Some have denigrated .30 cal M1 round, but its muzzle energy exceeds that of a .44 magnum fired from a handgun. Recoil is as negligible as that from a .22 long rifle. Carbide dies make reloading the .30 cal M1 as simple as reloading handgun ammunition.

My not-so-humble opinion: there may be more appropriate battle rifles, but at 5.5 pounds, 35.6 inches long, with no recoil, and standard 30-round magazines, the M1 carbine is the best defensive rifle ever made. It’s worth noting that M1 carbines are designated C and R. Hopefully the latest lot will be available at realistic prices. And, caveat emptor: make sure the one you buy doesn’t fall apart in your hands.

[Fonejack54]

Finally found some .380 ammo and got to the range today with my new Sig P238. This little gun was fun to shoot. Recoil was negligable. I had to remind myself to notice it for this report. At 7 yds., with Sellier&Bellot 92 gr. round ball it was dead on accurate. It could use better sights which are availble but for CCW distances they are adequate. At 15 yds I had trouble being accurate. Wasn't the gun. It may have something to do with not getting the pinky on the grip, but when I worked at it, once again, the gun was dead on. I tried Corbon SD ammo and it would not even feed into the barrel. Took it back to the store and traded. I'm hoping when I can find some Hornady Critical Defense or Powerball that it will like them.
Here's a note to remember. Guys on Sig forum said Colt Mustang mags work in the P238. They do, except the slide on my gun doesn't stay open on the last round when using the Colt mags.
My overall impression is that this is an excellent pocket carry weapon and even better BUG. It performs beautifully for what it was designed for and that is CCW. Mine cost $445.00 and when you compare that to the gun show guys asking $365 for the LCP, trust me, there's no comparison.

**** Come to find out, the ammo not feeding is a mag problem. Sig is aware and sending me a new mag. I had already bought a spare which works fine so I can go and buy my Corbon back. I doubt they still have it. LOL!!

[MikeB]

The news that M1 carbines from South Korea are about to become available prompts me to post my experiences with mine. I bought my M1 carbine at Laneco in New Jersey in 1989 for $167.97. I wish all of my investments had been as brilliant.

For those unfamiliar with New Jersey, Laneco’s niche was somewhere between K-Mart and Odd Lots and catered to politically incorrect types like me by actually selling long guns. They had just received a lot of M1’s and had about 8-10 on the wall behind the counter. I remember the bolts fell out of the first two I picked up. The woman that was waiting on me then dumped all of them on the counter. I went through them and picked what I thought was the best one.

My rifle began life as M1 “jukebox” carbine 4564xxx at the Rock-Ola plant in Chicago. Approximately 6,000,000 M1 carbines were produced by nine suppliers. Jukebox maker Rock-Ola produced the least: 228,500.

The RIA/EB stamp on the stock indicates that it was overhauled and upgraded to M1A1 at the Rock Island Arsenal between 1947 and 1958 when Elmer Bjerke was foreman of small arms inspection. This entailed Parkerizing, installing an adjustable rear sight, replacing the flat-top bolt with a round-top bolt, fitting a larger barrel band with integral bayonet lug, and replacing the push-button safety with a rotary safety.

At some point it was supplied to an allied nation, presumably South Korea. It was ultimately repatriated by Blue Sky, Wayne LaPierre’s entrepreneurial venture before he became NRA’s executive vice president.

As far as an actual range report, there just isn’t that much to say. In 20 years, and hundreds of rounds, it has never, ever failed to fire. Accuracy is in the eyes (and hands) of the beholder. At 50-100 yards I shoot my M1 better than my Ruger Mini-14 when I use its iron sights.

Some have denigrated .30 cal M1 round, but its muzzle energy exceeds that of a .44 magnum fired from a handgun. Recoil is as negligible as that from a .22 long rifle. Carbide dies make reloading the .30 cal M1 as simple as reloading handgun ammunition.

My not-so-humble opinion: there may be more appropriate battle rifles, but at 5.5 pounds, 35.6 inches long, with no recoil, and standard 30-round magazines, the M1 carbine is the best defensive rifle ever made. It’s worth noting that M1 carbines are designated C and R. Hopefully the latest lot will be available at realistic prices. And, caveat emptor: make sure the one you buy doesn’t fall apart in your hands.

Man, I got robbed! I spent $259 for mine at Krasne's Gun Store in downtown San Diego back in the mid 90's. Back then there were racks and racks of M1 carbines and M1 garands. Ah yes, right next to GI Joe's Surplus, back when surplus meant unused or slightly used quality military stuff, not low quality knock-offs or wore out gear. It seems that when Regan and Bush Sr. were in office more money was spent on keeping our troops up to date with the best gear. Every since Clinton the surplus stores were {insert expletive here}.

[Aaron]

Finally found some .380 ammo and got to the range today with my new Sig P238. This little gun was fun to shoot. Recoil was negligable. I had to remind myself to notice it for this report. At 7 yds., with Sellier&Bellot 92 gr. round ball it was dead on accurate. It could use better sights which are availble but for CCW distances they are adequate. At 15 yds I had trouble being accurate. Wasn't the gun. It may have something to do with not getting the pinky on the grip, but when I worked at it, once again, the gun was dead on. I tried Corbon SD ammo and it would not even feed into the barrel. Took it back to the store and traded. I'm hoping when I can find some Hornady Critical Defense or Powerball that it will like them.
Here's a note to remember. Guys on Sig forum said Colt Mustang mags work in the P238. They do, except the slide on my gun doesn't stay open on the last round when using the Colt mags.
My overall impression is that this is an excellent pocket carry weapon and even better BUG. It performs beautifully for what it was designed for and that is CCW. Mine cost $445.00 and when you compare that to the gun show guys asking $365 for the LCP, trust me, there's no comparison.

Thanks for the update

[pleasantguywhopacks]

I received it 5 days after ordering from Opticsplanet.com.

Initial impressions:

• It's not a premium optic in any means but rivals or exceeds fit and finish of value red dots found at your local discount mart.
  
  Mount is not a Larue but it's sturdy and gets it done. Hate the Torx screws used in the rings though. I much prefer Allen.
  
  Mount comes off with a coin. Handy.
  
  Red dot is bright enough but clearly no anti glare coatings does at times give a slight distortion to the dot.
  I wear glasses and this may have something to do with it. Until I get a chance to put in my contacts and try it I won't know. I also didn't have my perscription sunglasses as I had left them in my wifes car. It was sunny and had the sun off to my 6 o'clock. It made for an irritating glare.

I mounted it and set to zeroing at 100 yds. It took me a bit to get used to this. I'm used to cross hairs and initially the trying to co witness of the irons was throwing me a bit. I quit trying to find my irons with it and did a step backed bore sighting at 50 then put on the 2x doubler at 100 yds. It took about 15 rounds total to get it dialed in after I figured out the clicks were 1MOA each and not 1/2 as the docs stated. Everything is co witnessed. The 4MOA covered my 4 inch bull at 100 as it should and for a combat sight is plenty good. I see no need to go smaller dot for my purposes. I had a 3 shot 1-3/4 inch group at 100 when I fired the last three shots.

Well worth the $142 I paid. It gets me in the optic game with the AR. Might go to larger better optic in a few years when this one bores me. Now I'm anxious to get in a carbine class and let her fly.

[jeep45238]

Larue LT-129 Aimpoint Mount

I got this in to replace my A.R.M.S. mount. The ARMS was ok - when the screws holding the riser, and thus optic, on didn't loosen on me in the middle of firing, and if you never had to pull it off. The thing wouldn't repeat zero worth a lick.

The glass is held at the same height - co witness is a lower 1/3 for those that care. The cantaliever design lets the optic hang out over the D ring/barrel nut for a wider field of view of the area around you when firing. It also has a nifty spare battery holder built in.

The design itself is impressive. The underside has two machined lugs that engage into two picitanny slots. Side tension is done with a cammed lever putting pressure on the underside of the rail directly, no flopping levers involved here - and yes, the engaging surface of the lever is polished. The lever features a nifty safety on the end that clicks to make sure the lever doesn't come undone by accident. This is overcome by pulling the lever arm back a small amount, then opening it.

The repeatability is awesome - no changes in a dozen on/off cycles. The rings are precision machined and keyed/engaged to the 1 piece aluminum mount. Nothing to loosen on me or loose zero. Made in Texas, with a lifetime "give it hell" warranty.

To those looking to get into optics, and eventually upgrade - buy once, cry once. I certainly wish I did with the mount the first time around. I'm still running the first red-dot I purchased, an AimPoint CompC3, no magnification, 4 MOA. So far the optic has allowed easy hits from under 25 yards to 500 yards, and I have no doubt the mount will keep up to that kind of a standard as well.



Ignore the little holes, it was some experimenting with the ar's 22 conversion and the mark 3 at various ranges

[jeep45238]

This is the Kahr T40 (their "target" or "tactical" model, designation depends on sights equipped). Target models are equipped with adjustable rear sights with hoods to protect the rear sight from impact, while tactical models are equipped with low profile Novak night sights. It features front and rear dovetails, although I wouldn't recommend trying to install any other sights, or move the current ones, without a professional grade sight pusher. They run the dovetails TIGHT. Capacity on this model is 7+1, which is the highest capacity .40S&W Kahr makes. All Kahrs are single stack guns.

It is a steel framed, DOA pistol with a match grade polygonal rifled barrel. Trigger pull is 6.25 pounds, with 1/2 inch of travel. This is similar to the Glocks, except that the reset point doesn't happen until you let the trigger all the way forward. Revolver shooters - this will make you feel right at home. The trigger is smooth, with no stacking. Due to the action design, you can't tell when the striker is going to be released. The striker is partially cocked by the slide going into battery, which seems to be the latest trend in firearm design.

The sear and drop safety lever are a one piece unit which rotates to the rear when the trigger is pulled. This results in the sear "slipping" off the striker in a rotational motion. You can't feel when the shot is going to break, which is very much the opposite to other striker fired guns (such as Glocks, M&P, Millenium Pro, etc.) in my experience, as most of the modern striker fired pistols push the striker in a linear fashion, then suddenly drop out of the way.

The gun weighs in at about 27 ounces. For comparison sake, it is .3" longer than my Kahr CW40, and about .4 of an inch taller. The CW40 is a polymer model and weighs almost 17 ounces. The T40 is wider in the grips, which feel a lot like a cross between a Hi Power and a S&W 39, than the CW40. Grip angle on all Kahrs will be welcomed by 1911 and Hi Power shooters.

Recoil is extremely controllable, follow up shots are quick, and the gun is incredibly accurate for it's size and action design. It balances very, very well in the hand, and isn't top heavy like the polymer models. This contributes to great handling and firing characteristics over the polymer guns.

All and all, I really like this pistol. For those that are looking at the Kahr pistols, the metal frames are a fraction of the weight of a 1911 for comparison, but are still controllable. The polymer models are a fraction of the price of the metal ones. I own one of both, and am a bit biased towards the steel gun, though I highly recommend the polymer models for those that aren't willing to spend about $100 more on a steel frame gun of the same model (although I do feel the price gap is MORE than worth it).






I put another 50 rounds through it tonight (100 total to date), after cleaning and lubing it yesterday. The accuracy is impressive to me. The group in the chest is 50 .40S&W from the T40, and the group in the belly is from my 5" 1911 at 7 yards. All shots were unsupported, and were just fired to get a better feel for the gun. The 1911 was fairly rapid fire, also 50 shots. I guess when Kahr says match grade barrel, they mean it!



Ignore the .22 holes, that was some experimentation with my Mark 3 and my AR with a .22 conversion at various ranges

[pleasantguywhopacks]

I picked up a set of ESS ICE NARO 2.4+ shooting glasses through OpticsPlanet.com this week for the FnG.
Other than having to have gorilla strength fingers to detach/attach the temple/ear pieces, I love em. Very clear, no distortion. Polycarbonate looks very strong. Comfortable and light weight. Came with Smoke, Yellow and Clear lenses in a hard zipper carry case. Detachable head strap, defogging cloth and a little sticker for your collection.

[Sevens]

Holy cow! 10 pages of range reports that are handgun specific and written by our own members!
Slap me upside the head... I've been here like 1.5 or 2 years and never noticed this "resource." So yeah... my first entry is a real heavy hitter, eh?!

I picked this pistol up at Vance's last month because I though it was a STEAL, priced at $229 with two magazines. (only the post-ban 10 rounders, but working mags just the same) It was used and I have no idea about round count. I know it had at least two previous owners before me because inside the owner's manual, I found an earlier price tag, also from Vance's that had been stowed in there. So I'm like 3rd or 4th owner.

The pistol, if you know it, is all function and very little form. It's an ugly duck polymer. What attracted me to it was a pistol with a reputation for reliably and a cheap price tag. I'm horribly afraid of having a handgun stolen out of my car and I didn't want to lose my EDC in this manner so for the days where I'm headed somewhere that I know I can't carry, this is my pistol that day in the rare event that it gets stolen from my car.

The pistol is circa 1994-ish, according to the serial number. Just a working gun here, fixed sights, no safety other than a decock lever. DA/SA.

I started by running the only PD ammo I had on hand (I don't carry 9mm, so...) and it was just your basic Federal 147-gr Hydra-shok. I will expore newer, cutting edge ammo, but for function and for now, this is what I'll carry in it. For a quick intro, I began with a clean pistol and ran 20 rounds of the Hydra-shok through it. No hiccups and at 15 feet, I think I did about 4-inches. But before you slag me... this is a function drill, not an accuracy session!

From there, I went straight to handloads and never looked back. Next up was 30 rounds of 115gr notched JHP, Winchester bullets pushed by Blue Dot and Power Pistol. (15 of each) These were the last leftover 115gr slugs I had, so I used 'em up. No hiccups, all good.

Then it was 40 rounds of 124gr FMJ. These were Magtech bullets pushed by Power Pistol. Again, flawless. Do-able group size, but the pistol is printing about 3 inches to the left. I use Kentucky windage for the rest of the range session. There appears to be a set screw on the rear (fixed) sight, so I will explore tapping it a bit to move this group a little more where it belongs.

In the meantime, it was time to give it some lead. So I transitioned to 124gr LRN bullets, these made by Dardas out of Essexville, Mich., and pushed by Power Pistol, a powder I like a lot.
http://www.dardascastbullets.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I put 275 rounds of these through the P95DC. I did it two handed, I did it one handed, and I did it one handed with my off-hand. I even did 10 shots where I hit the decocker each time and did the long DA trigger pull for each shot. I didn't do any gangsta sideways or upside down shooting, no double taps or ridiculous rapid fire or anything like that, but I gave the pistol every opportunity to give me grief -- ANY grief -- and it wouldn't do it. I never tried forcing a limp-wrist, but in hindsight, I probably should have. Next time, perhaps.

The final round count on this pistol for this session was 365, with 275 of them being lead, and all but 20 being handloads. I can see that this will be a pistol that I don't at all mind flogging on range day. I just hope I can drift this rear sight a touch... I'm expecting that since it's been in this spot since 1994, it's probably not going to want to budge much.

For $229? I think you'd be nuts to walk past it at that price. I'm awfully glad I didn't. I'm going to buy some full size mags for it next, now that I've range tested it to my satisfaction.

[Sevens]

Glock calls it a subcompact, but it's longer, wider, thicker and heavier than a G26 which is a more realistic subcompact. But it's a decent sized pistol for an EDC and that's what it is-- my every day carry gun.

This one was built in 2008. It's pretty much stock, with what Glock calls the 5.5 pound trigger. NO WAY is this trigger 5.5 pounds, it's got to be heavier than that. It's a good trigger for a defense gun -- heavy. I will NOT alter that in any way. If it were a range toy or something to shoot for fun or in a league, I'd change it. But for EDC, it's good to go. Otherwise, it's got Pearce +0 grip extensions on the magazines, which IMO, make all the difference in the world. And the ugly hook on the front of the trigger guard that impedes any reholstering has been dremeled off. But completely stock other that. It's got about a thousand rounds through it.

I put 50 rounds of my practice load through it -- 150gr Nosler JHP's pushed by Power Pistol. These loads BARK. Between the thunder and the fireball, they wake up any indoor range. I don't have a chrono, but these aren't slow. Somewhere under SAAMI max, though. No failures. Never do with this pistol, it seems. Seriously, honestly? In a thousand rounds, it's stopped once -- a round of Rem-UMC factory ammo. And I almost never shoot any factory ammo. It wasn't even an FTF or FTE, it was a misfire. I rechambered it and the second strike launched it. That was last summer.

So, after 50 rounds of my practice load, I decided that today was finally THE day to do the unthinkable. The unfathomable. You've heard about it, but have you ever done it?

Yep, cast lead bullets through an OEM Glock barrel, hexagonal rifling and all. The argument/discussion/rants on this subject have filled up many internet servers over the years. But I figured I would try it, carefully, and see what I see.

The bullets are some leftover 200gr LTC, D&J Match bullets. I say leftover because these guys are apparently out of business. Damn shame, too, because I've had very good experience with all of their bullets. I loaded them with... wait for it... Power Pistol. By now, anyone reading thinks I only have one powder at my bench. Not true... I just love Power Pistol for some applications and in 10mm, I use a lot of it.

So I loaded up with 10 rounds of 'em and sent them down range. Accuracy was terrific -- seriously, at least as good as my Nosler JHP's. And after those 10, I stripped the pistol to look down the bore.

Didn't see anything objectionable in the bore, but I did dry swab anyhow. Being cautious, you know?
Then I loaded up and shot 20 rounds before I stripped the pistol. Check the bore -- no trouble that I can see. And unlike conventional rifling, there's just nowhere for deposits to hide in this barrel. Looked fine to me.

I skipped the dry swab this time, and put the pistol back in action and shot 20 more rounds. I figured after 40 shots, maybe I'd see something? Didn't see anything. I haven't cleaned it yet but I will tonight. I doubt I'm going to push any hidden lead out of this bore, but I will be looking.

Next time, I think I'll do a hundred or so, and check after every 40 rounds. But at least I'm giving it a shot instead of being "scared" of the very idea of it.

Oh yeah.. no failures, of course. No hiccups. All rounds accounted for. And I only lost one piece of brass.

[Sevens]

UPDATE: Cleaned it last night and no traces of lead whatsoever. And yes, I've leaded up a barrel before -- I sure as heck know what it looks like when I'm getting it out of a barrel. I simply didn't have any in my G29 after 50 shots of 200gr LTC. Dry swab after the first 10, the 40 more, and nothing left in the bore.
Next step will be to shoot a hundred of them and then see if there is any deposit in the bore.

Don't take this as advice, but more as anecdotal evidence.

[twelms5]

Took my new M&P9 full size to the range today for the first time (accompanied by my girlfriend of course).
First round went smack-dab center of the "10 ring" at 7yds! as the following 9 rounds surrounded. Only put 10rds in at a time because 17rds gets to repetitive for me at the range, plus i had the GF shooting too. This all repeated for the 100rds of Blazer 115gr FMJ we shot today, even the GF was shooting pretty good!
I was most impressed when i put the target to the full distance of the range, 50ft i believe, and fired 5rds at COM. 3rds went in the "10 ring", 2 touching and the other just a bit high, and the remaining 2rds were just outside the "10 ring" darn near touching the circle. Pretty dang good for right out of box accuracy!!

Overall , so far very please with this pistol, not that i ever doubted i wouldn't be. The trigger is alittle stiff but not to gritty, but i plan on buying a couple of fairly cheap upgrades from Apextactical.com to fix that, the reset to me was pretty crisp and noticable. Recoil was of no problem, but i did find i am going to have to replace the current "Medium" backstrap with the "large" one.

No Failures, jams, hiccups, or whatever you want to call them, of that nature at all.