Arsenal Double 1911...

I'll just get this out of the way, my official opinion is that it's pretty stupid and I'm still wondering how it's not a "machine gun."

No desire for this thing.

Beaver Tails

Source

Not quite...

Source

There it is.

Vuurwapen Blog has up a good video showing the effectiveness of the Beaver tail add-on backstrap Glock has developed for the Gen4.

It's always good to see a major company listening to the end users, and one of the largest complaints about Glocks has always been the grip angle and lack of a beaver tail.  S&W included a fantastic one on the M&P series, and I'm sure their sales also drove Glock to look into it more as well.

I like beaver tails on pistols.  Way back when 5 years ago or so...) I had the opportunity to shoot a genuine 1911.  Not a 1911A1, but the WWI issue 1911.  I've got pretty good sized hands (it comes with a 6'4"+ frame...) and it took a great big chunk out of the web of my hand with the first shot.  It hurt, but I finished off the mag before grumbling about it and going back to my Kimber with the extended beaver tail and bobbed hammer.

Bite-free living!

I believe beaver tail grips give you more control too.  They let you get your hand up higher into the gun, much along my mantra of "get as much meat on the gun as possible," and spreading out the recoil impulse over a larger area, reducing muzzle flip.

I don't think the Glock factory piece is available yet, but there's a couple other alternatives out there already, SSD mentioned this one yesterday (keep an eye out over there if you're interested.)

Don't expect to see a Glock in the G&C Armory anytime soon though.  A simple beaver tail is a long way from making me like them.  I'll stick to my M&P and SigPro for my tupperware needs.

Full Auto 1911A1

Sexy.

Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911

100 years ago today, the US Army adopted JMB's .45 caliber automatic pistol as the standard sidearm for it's soldiers.

The M1911 has since evolved, however the basic design remains one of the most (if not the most) pistols in use today.  Not too many other designs can claim that sort of a following (and the bulk of the ones I can think of are JMB designs of some sort...)

Not much else to say that hasn't already been said about it, so I'll just toss up some 1911 porn from the blog archives.

Color me 85 shades of jealous...

...and I don't even like 10mm.  But D#$% is that a sweet looking gun.

SHOT 2011

In case you're trapped under a rock or something, today is Media Day for SHOT Show 2011.  Wish I was there...

Anyway, keep an eye on things, I'll try to get some links to whatever eye candy I can scrounge up as the bloggers return to their hotels tonight when I've got some downtime at work.  In fact, I'll just throw them all on this post, it'll be fun! (And easier to find I guess.)

Smith & Wesson Governor (.410/.45lc/.45acp revolver... face, meet palm...)

Crimson Trace 1911 grips (newer, slimmer & sleeker.  Work with ambi-safeties.)

Colt Piston M4 w/ folding stock (now with more video!)

H&K416C (I will say I like that stock better than the Colt) (video as well)

Colt Revolvers, new Trijicon Night Sights, Glocks, Springfields, the Colt CM/SP109, and new Surefire .22 cans; from Gear Scout (I'm liking those sights...)

HK45, H&K MR556, Random Photos, and some other stuff over at The Firearm Blog.

Kimber Solo

The Kimber Blog has a whole slew of photos and information regarding Kimber's new little gun.

And I mean little.

Next to the LCP... yeah, that's small for a 9x19!

I think some of the ability to get it so small is that it's an aluminum alloy frame, rather than polymer like most small autos these days.  I'd imagine the Al lets you get thinner parts and still retain strength.  That being said, it's still pretty light (17oz dry) even with an aluminum frame and stainless steel slide.

Despite the looks, the insides are nothing like a 1911.  It is striker-fired, has a captive recoil spring, but no barrel bushing or swinging link.  It does, however, use much of the ergonomics from the 1911; same grip angle, ambidextrous safety and ambi mag release in the "right" places, and replaceable grips, to name a few.  Crimson Trace has already announced laser grips for them as well.

The gun apparently only ships with one mag, but extended 8 rounders will be coming soon as well.

I don't know exactly why, but the little thing is appealing to me.  It's got nice lines, and great ergonomics with all the controls where they belong.  I'm quite partial to the "stainless" model (really still an aluminum frame, just finished in silver Kimpro.)  I could see my self with one and a couple 8 rounders if they hold up well.

Again, The Kimber Blog has a bunch of photos and a couple videos up, if you're interested, go check them out.

Browning 1911-22

Browning's apparently coming out with a .22lr chambered 1911 clone.  Cool.

Unfortunately (at least in my mind) is that they've decided to follow the Sig Mosquito and build it to be about 80% of the size of the centerfire equivalent.  Le'sigh, as the French would say.  I don't quite understand the reasoning for building scaled down .22lr clones unless you're going for the novelty approach like the old half-scale Tippman Browning Machine Guns.  Those were cute.

1911 .22lr Conversions

So I'm contemplating a conversion slide deally for the 1911 to get some good cheap training, and the little Walther just doesn't cut it (controls are all in the wrong place and the gun is tiny.)  Anybody have experience with any of the kits out there?  I'd prefer to keep it under $300 or so, otherwise I'd just attempt to track down a GSG1911, but I have yet to see one offered at my usual places.

Sure is purdy...

$4k 1911 from Kimber.   Could use better grips though.

And the plot thickens...

Remember that issue I mentioned with my 1911 last week?  Seems that there's a smith down in West Virginia who's been running into the same thing quite a bit lately.  I guess the smart thing would be for me to pick up some different ammo... (although that's easier said than done around here.)

Dirty Girl

Bonus question of the day:  What would cause a 1911 pattern pistol to fail (just barely) to go into battery after the third round, every other time or so, on the same magazine?  (Third "Bang!" and then a light tap on the rear of the slide to jar it that extra 1/16th or so of an inch.)  I was thinking my locking cuts were just dirty or something but it was always the fourth round out of the magazine (essentially brand new Wilson ETM.)

Haters

They gonna hate.

For Tam-

1911 Phase II - Grip Therapy

Got two packages today, one big box (like I could fit a couple pistols in it) from Brownells with the relatively tiny mainspring housing; and a padded envelope just big enough to contain some VZ Grips 1911 grip panels, a baggy of 4 o-rings, and some pieces of grip tape.  (Bet you can guess who charges more for shipping too!)

So as previously mentioned, I went with the "Tiger Stripe" Operator's II panels.  They're a little darker and a tiny redder than they look on the site, but not badly so.

I also picked up a pack of the grip-tape for the front strap, since $7 isn't much, and is sure a lot cheaper than sending off the gun to get checkered.  Quality on the grips is excellent, and they're incredibly grippy.

The mainspring housing fit perfectly, had the flat plastic one off and the spring swapped and new steel housing on in less than 10 minutes (I think I wandered around looking for a clamp to be a third hand to hold a punch to compress the spring longer than the time to actually perform the swap...)  The effect is amazing really, the gun fills my hand much better and points even more natural because of that.  Plus did I mention the new one's steel?  I mean my usual carry gun has a frame made of plastic, but it just never felt right on the ol' 45.

Grips went on like 1911 grips have forever.  I ordered a set of the o-rings to give the screws a little more grab on the slicker G10 material, so they stick out a little more than they did on the old rubber scales, but not enough to feel noticeable.

On to the pictures.

Overall view of the gun-

It really feels like a whole new gun now.  Slightly more heft with that extra steel on back, and overall much much more secure in my hands.  These grips have a lot of bite, and that little extra texture on the formerly smooth front strap is a welcome addition.  I'm sure it'll be a fantastic change on the range too, the front combining with the cuts on the rear of the new grips should keep it well under control during recoil.

Better view of the left grip-

First off I gotta say this is one of the best looking pictures I've taken in a long time... at least in my opinion. Turned out great.

As for the grips, you can see how the front half are dimpled kind of like a golf ball.  This makes that half have a really solid grip, much like the huge checkering on the front of Dan's HK.  I know I complained about them there, but I don't mind the aggressive texture here.  I think due to the grip I use it doesn't bite my hands as much.  We'll find out if I feel that way after shooting it a bit though.

The back half has grooves cut at a 45 degree angle that directly opposes the rotational force from firing.  There's also a mag release cut out on the left panel.  So far it's possibly my favorite feature.  All around they're some fantastic grips if you like super grippy grips. (Did I mention they're really grippy?)  Hopefully I can get it out to the range (gotta restock the .45acp too... on the last box...) soon and see how it handles.

Oh yeah, the mainspring housing-

Steel, arched, checkered.  Fit on my Kimber frame perfectly with no work at all.  Fills that void in the back of my hand and helps get it up high in the beavertail.  No complaints.

1911 - Phase One...

Initiate!  Wolf ext. power extractor spring and action spring showed up while I was working.  Noticeably snappier slide.  We'll see how the extractor spring goes next time I hit the range.

1911 Facelift inbound

I ordered a set of the "Tiger Stripe" G10 Operator's II panels from VZ grips, will definitely be posting pics and thoughts when they show up.  I ended up going with the Tiger Stripe color partially because it seemed to get the most votes (here and in talking to people) and it looks like the Hyena Brown are all out anyway, so kind of a default win.

Wolf extra power extractor spring is on it's way as well, as I feel the heathenistic external extractor could use a little boost.  Need to pick up some more Wilson Mags and some decent single mag holders too.

ETA: Got shipping notice this morning too! Great turn around.

1911 Grips

So I'm pretty sure I want a set of the VZ Operator's II scales to slap on the ol' Kimber, but I can't decide between the "Tiger Stripe" and the "Hyena Brown." What do you think?

FYI

Carlson's Snap Caps in .45acp will not chamber in a Kimber Custom II.  That's $15 well spent...

Mag Grumbles

So the Kimber was being a pain today.  Wouldn't get through a single mag without a fail to feed of some sort, until I downloaded the mags by 1 (two 8 round and a 7 round Kimber mags.)  Guess Wilson Combat may be seeing some of my hard-earned moneys in the near future.

On the other hand, the M&P 15-22 is running strong, other than a handful of mag/mediocre ammo feeding issues (maybe every-other mag;) I've put about 700 rounds through it in the last couple days without even as much as a squirt of CLP through it.  My 10/22 rarely goes 50 rounds without needing some attention.  Although when switching between the irons and the red-dot, it's important to put the optic back on the correct rail, otherwise you get slightly frustrated when it suddenly start putting the rounds six inches high and right.......

Kydex Part II

Fobus Holster and Mag Holder

(part of my Kydex-type review series)
My first foray into kydex, er plastic, just like many out there I'd expect.  Fobus pretty much defined the plastic gun holder genre.  Made of injection molded plastic, their stuff is affordable ($20 neighborhood) and is very durable.  The standard setup comes in either paddle or belt loop variety, and uses simple passive retention.  The holster is molded to the contours of the gun, and has primarily grips the front of the trigger guard.  It has a slight forward cant, which I like (some may not).  There is an adjustable roto version available for a bit more.  Overall it has an even matte finish, and only comes in black as far as I know.

The paddle is pretty comfortable, and is secure, although it could be a little shorter.  It's textured on the front, and has a thin rubber coating on the inside to keep it from moving around.

The holster snuggles up to your body pretty well, and carries the gun pretty well.

The draw is smooth, the inside is mostly slick(more on that in a second) and has a nice wide sight track, and reholstering is not much of a problem, the inside half of the holster is slightly flared at the top helping to funnel the gun into the holster.  The holster grips the gun pretty well when it's inside, it's difficult to actually pull the gun out if the holster's not on your belt, and it tends to bind up if the gun is not pulled straight out, aiding in retention.  The mag holder could be a little tighter for my tastes for the single stacks though (no experience with their double stack holders.)

The downsides of it are of course the lack of any active retention (may or may not be a big deal for you) and, at least on the 1911 holster, due to the "one size fits as much as possible" way they're made, the front end of the gun, including the front sight, is exposed on a full size 5" barreled 1911 since the holster's made for 4" or 5" guns.  Fobus holsters are also known to mar the finish on some guns, like my Kimber for example:

It turns out the model number is molded on the inside of both halves of the holster.  I don't know if Fobus has gotten around to doing anything about it, seeing as it's a pretty well known problem in the gun community, but I picked mine up three or four years ago.  I also have one for my Walther P22, but the finish on that gun is holding up just fine.

Overall, I'm not disappointed with the Fobus goods.  They're fantastic for their price, and make great range holsters if nothing else, let alone as a spare just incase your primary holster goes down for whatever reason.


Part III - Blackhawk! Serpa
Part IV - Raven Concealment Systems
Part V - Conclussions