Range Reports

[Morne]

my sore thumbs.

Try these:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=427177

The UpLula is still better for most pistol mags but I don't know if it will fit the mag on your beast.

[relic]

Try these:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=427177

The UpLula is still better for most pistol mags but I don't know if it will fit the mag on your beast.

I've considered the UpLula before, but I've never really needed it for a 7-8 round 1911 or 6 round Glock 36. I bet it would work just fine on the 20 round tec-9 mags, but I usually make my friends load them if they want to shoot. It's still a great product if you load a lot of hicap mags.

[NordicRX8]

Now that Para sent me a replacement front fiber optic sight (lower) for my Gun Rights P14, I plan on shooting it a lot. I've got a dozen or so 14 round factory mags (with Wolff XP springs) that are a real "Pain" to reload. The UpLula has been a good investment! Never realized it had a lock on it to keep it in the closed position... I thought I broke it after loading up my para mags. Works great with single stack mags too!

The magazine loading tool included with Glocks works pretty good too, without the spring loaded action of the UpLula.

[Brian D.]

Springfield Armory XD-40 "Service" model, 4" barrel

Hello again. Just knew if I was silly enough to drive to Loveland Shooter's Supply this week, there'd be something interesting in the used gun department. I was a bit leery of buying an XD in .40 caliber, many guns in that chambering are built on the same dimensions as the 9mm offerings and can be hard to shoot well. But, the price was good, and a closer look showed that there were fiber optic night sights on this one, and it came with four magazines.

Gave it a decent wringing out the next day, and was pleasantly surprised to find that recoil, while stiffer than an XD in 9mm, wasn't daunting. Also, it seems to be more accurate than other firearms I've owned in this caliber. (A Beretta 96 and Glock model 22 come to mind, they were eventually traded off, partly for that reason.) This XD-40 was grouping pretty well in slow fire, and even shooting rapidly didn't open up the spreads much--I don't narful* when pulling the XD trigger as much as with those other designs.

The sights helped out at the indoor range, but I swear those places never have overhead lighting exactly where it would do the most good--straight above one's head or thereabouts. Way too much light for the tritium, but not quite enough to bring out much glow from the fiber optic. Outdoors you're good to go with this kind of sight setup in virtually any lighting.

Since I've previously owned XDs the carry gear is already at hand. A Mitch Rosen ARG for inside-the-waistband, and an Uncle Mike's paddle for the rest of the time.


*Flinch, jerk, screw up, etc.

[NordicRX8]

Kimber STS Raptor II .45

The weather outside was frightful... but the paper punching was delightful.

I took out my new Raptor for a quick session to see what it could do. Outside temps were below freezing around 30 degrees with a stiff 10mph wind at my back.

I brought a variety of ammo to test through the gun.
100 rounds of hand loaded 200gr MIssouri Bullet LSWC under 5.0gr of Bullseye
50 rounds of 230gr WWB
25 rounds of Speer 230gr Gold Dots +P
25 rounds of Winchester 230gr Ranger (LEO only) 230gr +P
I also had with me, the 1 SS Kimber mag that came with the gun, 2 SS Wilson Combat 47Ds and 1 Novak magazine (the one that came with a RIA GI). All were 8 round capacities.

After shooting 4 magazines worth of WWB my palm was aching... the Raptor still had the original flat checkered mainspring housing installed. I checked the target and noticed all my shots were vertically below the bullseye and on both sides. That 32 round group measured 6" from the furthest holes (all shots were made from 25 feet, two handed). I went inside to warm up and change out the Mainspring housing. I replaced the plastic MS housing with a SS Smith and Alexander Arched/grooved variant. I was still chilled when I went back outside. I replaced the 6" Birchwood Casey "Shoot and See" stick on target and I shot the remaining 230gr WWB ammo.
The gun felt much better in my grip and was no longer digging into my palm. The shots came up on the target as expected and grouped tighter, around 3.5".

I pasted some new targets over the old one and then shot the Gold Dot and Ranger +P ammo. The groups remained about the same as the hardball, but noticed that the Raptor with +P ammo was easy to handle. I normally shoot alloy framed guns that also sometimes sport shorter barrels. The Raptor's all steel construction and 5" barrel helps absorb some of the +P ammo's energy as I didn't notice the difference between 230 hardball and 230 +P ammo as much with this gun than the other guns in my normal rotation. More importantly, the gun fed the flying ashtrays without one hiccup... good to know it will eat carry ammo.

I moved on to the hand loaded 200gr LSWC. Wow... this is normally an accurate load for my guns, but the Raptor really likes them. Maybe it was the lead bullets or the lighter bullet weight... but I could barely feel any recoil... that or I was starting to get frostbite. I shot mostly at steel targets. A steel spinning target (top plate is 3", and bottom is 4") setup at 20 feet was too easy. Another similar spinning steel target at 30 feet was hit 75% of the time. A 3 position 5" steel plate rack set at 25 feet was easy pickens (I hate resetting that thing), and my paper targets (still at 25 feet) showed 1.75" - 2.0" groups cutting out the bullseyes. I like this gun! A lot! Not a single malfunction of any kind... and not even halfway through Kimber's recommended "break in period".

I packed up my stuff, collected my brass, tore down the targets/cardboard, threw them into the fire ring and headed back inside. When I got inside I gave the Raptor a quick wipe down with a Silicone rag (Bullseye is damned dirty!) and packed her away. I'd have to clean her after I got home from the Toledo Meet and Greet. My buddy was going to ask me how I liked the gun and how it shot but didn't have to by the giant ****-eating grin that was on my face.

It took me about an hour to get warmed up. It was worth it to go out shooting in that weather... no, it was mandatory! I had to shoot that Raptor! Before I took her out on her maiden outing, I took her apart (detail stripped - every single part, except the barrel link to barrel and the Swartz Firing pin safety mechanism under the rear sight) and cleaned all the factory lubricant out, checked the parts and re lubed using "GunButter". During assembly I noticed that the fit of the all the parts on this gun was tighter than every other 1911 I own or have ever owned. This was a hand fit masterpiece that the Kimber Custom Shop assembled for its buyer. I was impressed, but concerned about how it would function. Many times a tight 1911 is a fickle one... this one worked like the fine crafted masterpiece I hoped it was. I'm still smiling!

The meprolight sights on this gun is different than the meprolight sights on the other Kimbers I have and have seen. The rear sight has a tunnel (kind of like Novak rears) between the rear dots that opens up toward the front. The tritium dots are typical Meprolight size (bigger than Trijicon) and were easy to pick up on this overcast day. Although the "scaled" grips complete the Raptor theme on this gun, they will be replaced with smooth wood grips if I add this gun to my CCW rotation. I won't be trading this one away.

[Strider]

[golf clap]
Nice job, nice job!!

Pics will make this review even better, though...

...I moved on to the hand loaded 200gr LSWC. Wow... this is normally an accurate load for my guns, but the Raptor really likes them.

I "discovered" the marvel that is 200g. with my Sig P220 and have yet to find a 45 that doesn't shoot it well.
Why isn't this bullet (more) commercially available?

[NordicRX8]

[golf clap]
Nice job, nice job!!

Pics will make this review even better, though...

...I moved on to the hand loaded 200gr LSWC. Wow... this is normally an accurate load for my guns, but the Raptor really likes them.

I "discovered" the marvel that is 200g. with my Sig P220 and have yet to find a 45 that doesn't shoot it well.
Why isn't this bullet (more) commercially available?

I have a pic of the gun before the MS change, but none of it now, nor the targets... it was too cold to do anything but load and shoot (the gun, not a camera).

Only 200gr factory ammo I have found consistently is Hornady's TAP but its a +P loading and pretty expensive. I do have a good supply of 200gr Gold Dots and Hornady XTPs for handloading, but you know what the "experts" say about reloading your own SD ammo... an eager prosecutor (or civil lawyer) can make you out to look like a psycho killer if you happen to use them in your preservation. I'll probably save them for hunting purposes.

[Fonejack54]

EAA Windicator. Took my new 38 spl. to the range yesterday. Man, is it a nice shooter. Recoil is negligable. My son, who has been shooting my old Rossi Model 68 couldn't believe how much better the Windicator felt to shoot. The accuracy at 30 ft. was impressive when shooting with hammer back. We had a young(23 year old) never-shot-a-pistol before with us and he was incredibly accurate with this gun. Feels much better than shooting a S&W Airweight. For the money, and defense shooting, the EAA Windicator is an excellent choice. IMHO!!!

[MikeACP]

Lone Wolf 23-9 conversion barrel
I finally got to shoot my conversion barrel. It's a conversion to 9mm from .40S&W for my Glock 23. I ran one box of blazer thru. Function was perfect. I was using Glock 19 mags. No mechanical problems at all. Accuracy was great at 21 feet I was in the center. I'm glad I got this. Makes my Glock even more versatile.

[exprt9]

Lone Wolf 23-9 conversion barrel
I finally got to shoot my conversion barrel. It's a conversion to 9mm from .40S&W for my Glock 23. I ran one box of blazer thru. Function was perfect. I was using Glock 19 mags. No mechanical problems at all. Accuracy was great at 21 feet I was in the center. I'm glad I got this. Makes my Glock even more versatile.

I concur! I've had my LWD 9mm conversion barrel for my Glock 27 for almost 4 yrs now and after over 500 rounds of running WWB 9mm thru, it has been flawless. I used G26 mags and G19 mags with the A&G grip spacer. Shoot...I'm even contemplating in carrying it with the conversion barrel and G19 15 rnd mags. I've had no failures at all.

[makdaddy]

Ok, it's not all that exciting really, it's a 9mm Wilson Combat ADP. Came with two 10 round double stack mags. I got it from someone local and was fascinated by the fact that it's a blowback operated 9mm. There is a gas rod mounted in the slide that inserts into a tube in the frame. When fired, gas is ported into the tube below the barrel and pushes against the rod to retard the recoil of the slide. There is also a fairly beefy recoil spring. Manual states to clean every 200 rounds. I've read a lot of mixed reviews about this thing, apparently it was originally a South African gun but it does work, and work well. Recoil is slight, with no muzzle flip to speak of. Accuracy was so-so at first until I figured out the sights, but it will eat the ten ring out at 20 feet with ease. Field stripping is simple, two small tabs at the rear of the slide, push in, lift up and push the slide off the barrel. I went through 150 rounds and had no feed or ejection problems, something that plagued my Kahr CW-40 (and caused me to sell it). At 150 rounds, there were two occasions where the slide didn't lock open, that was due to crud in the gas system. Two seconds with the reamer that comes with the gun and it was clean. Shooting Blazer didn't help most likely. It has an ambi safety, frame mounted just aft of the trigger which took a little getting used to. Also has tritium sights which I've never had before. It also has no mag interlock or internal lock. Pretty basic little gun that weighs about half what a Makarov does and is almost exactly the same size.

[Tim]

Polish P-64 9X18 (1976) Was purchased from J&G sales. Got it for christmas from my wife, looked great out of the package. Put 25 round through it that weekend to make sure there were no major problems, there weren't. Double action trigger pull was crazy heavy and recoil pretty bad. Changed out recoil spring, 22 lbs, and mainspring 18 lbs (wolf springs). Finally got to the range yesterday. Fired 110 rounds, 100 silver bear 90 grain fmj roundnose and 10 Hornady 94 grain hollow points.

No malfunctions,Gun was accurate, recoil still a little bad, the slide scraped the web of my hand. Single action was OK double action trigger was REALLY light. Mag seemed a little loose but no real problems with it. Small enough for pocket carry. Changing out the springs was very easy, All in all a pretty good gun for the 165 plus shipping and ffl, 20 for the springs. 1000 rounds of silver bear for 173 plus shipping.

[dirtydeeds]

I've shot 200 rounds of WWB 230gr FMJ and 100 rounds of CCI Blaser 230gr FMJ since I purchased it. I've used the two factory mags, two CMC Power mags, two Wilson 47D's, and one Wilson ETM mag. I've not had one failure what so ever. It is one solid pistol. The recoil is on par with my BHP's. At 25 feet, it is deadly accurate. But, at 25 yards, lets just say it's not a target pistol and I didn't buy it for such. I got it at a great price and will use it for occasional CC and range use. One interesting note, the first time I took it to the range, I met a friend there who was shooting his new STI Spartan for the first time. Well, he had several failures to feed, while I kept plugging away with zero failures. However, at 25 yards, his STI was scary accurate.

[McM]

You know, this kinda like if you married a girl, got her to the honeymoon suite, lifted her veil, and it turned out to be her ugly sister, and she was already pregnant.

Pros:
1. Beautiful teak stock.
2. Precise. Three 7.62 holes were almost covered by a dime @ 50 yards with irons only.
3. Smooth action.

Cons:
1. This feeds like an anorexic in a desert. The feed ramp would not feed a single round from the left side of the magazine. I put 20 rounds through this all told. None of them fed from the left hand side of the magazine. The bolt would either incorrectly align the round of fail to strip the round from the magazine.
2. The front sight is FUBAR. This uses what appears to be a standard AK front sight. Out of the box the rifle was hitting six inches low @ 25 yards. I used the adjustment tool to walk it up to just about an inch and a half low @ 25 yards. After that the sight froze and would not turn any more. I know I could use a scope

For $700 I could have bought a CMP Garand, almost buy a new AR, or buy a new AK. Gander Mountain gets one chance to fix this rifle, or it will be returned.

I can not recommend this rifle to anyone at this time. If these two issues are repaired, this could be a HELL of a shooter.

[wessyk87]

New in box she comes with:
Hard Case
Two Magazines
Disassembly Tool
Some Lube
Owners Manual

I was extremely impressed with the fit and finish of the pistol, one of the big selling features was the 5" stainless barrel. The frame is also steel. The sights also have dots on them instead of the standard GI all black sights. The finish is very smooth and in general it's a good looking weapon. I fiddled with many 1911's before settling on this one. The trigger was the other main selling point for me, after dry firing many many different 1911's I found this pistol to have one of the nicest out of the box trigger mechanisms. It's very crisp and clean and there's almost no "creepage". It felt very nearly like some of the $1300.00 1911's next to it.

To date I've ran approx. 300-400 rounds of Winchester white box 230gr. FMJ's through her. And as far as this ammo is concerned, she loads and ejects consistently with ever round. When you insert a new mag while the slide's locked back, and you let her snap forward, she has that reassuring feeling like she'd never dream of jamming on you.

Grouping wise I had to shoot several mags to fully get the feel down, nearly every pistol I own has a 4" or shorter barrel. However after getting used to her she's a straight shooter. Hit's exactly where you aim. Definitly not a problem getting 1.5" groupings at 25 feet (I'll try to post up pics tomorrow of the target). Ironically I let my father shoot it and his first full mag the grouping was within 1.25", and he started putting them right next to each other turning several holes into one. I've really never bought any firearms I've been dissappointed in, but this Para is definitly on my favorite list. And anytime I'm wearing a jacket I carry her in my shoulder holster (Yes doing alot of drill's getting used to the single action setup).

I highly recommend this pistol to anyone looking into a 1911 or anyone looking to pick up a .45 .
Oh and another quick note, the only other 1911 I've shot was the Para PDA with the 3" barrel, I'll admit that beast had some decent kick. But this GI Expert with it's 5" barrel has decent bit less recoil than my XD 40 S.C.