Elsie Pea got Lasik

Back from surgery.

I decided to send my slide off to Innovative Arms and let them put some real sights on the tiny gun (with my favorite fightin' gun combo- Tritium dot up front, plain black in rear.)  The rear is also serrated on the front to aid in one-handed manipulations (for as much that really matters on a back-up gun...)

Since they need to do some semi-serious machining on the slide, they also refinish it, and I figured it was worth the little extra scratch to go with the ceramic coating, in OD Green, because I could. This should take care of the rust issues I was having (you can make out the ghost of the pitting just behind the 'LCP' logo.)  It's a propper finish job too, full inside and out, and very cleanly done.

Overall, the work is top-notch.  The sights are tight in the dovetails, the dovetails are straight and even. The front is from Trijicon, so you know it's going to be fine, and the IA custom made rear is as crisp and sharp as you could ever want from miniature combat pistol iron sight.  

The LCP fills a pretty specific niche in my carry rotation (work-out gun, BUG, non-permissive environment, some other buzzword...), so it was worth dropping some money on it. If you're going to handicap yourself with a tiny gun, you might as well cheat in every way you can.

New Remington 380

The RM380

(Photo from TFB)

MSRP is identical to the new version of the LCP (with the drift adjustable sights.)  Remington is going with an aluminum frame rather than poly.

I think it could be a viable option for those looking for a micro .380, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one myself.

Look for an official announcement at the NRA convention.

Shield = Sad Face

Also during last Friday's range trip, I finally got a chance to shoot a S&W Shield.  I was very excited when it came out, and thought it might be a great carry gun for me... but sadly it has the same issue as Sigs do for me.  The slide stop is directly where my thumb rests, and the slide locked back on empty exactly zero times.  It could be argued that since I have to carry a Sig at work, that I should train more to get over it, but I don't think that's the best answer.

I guess back to my original thought of just getting an M&P9c, or possibly track down an LC9s to fondle.

M&P Bitz Report

Hit up the range yesterday with one of my coworkers. Chilly, but ran some rounds through a few of our guns.  A good day overall.

I'm more than impressed with the 10-8 u-notch rear.  I don't have a timer, but it sure felt faster.  Sharp, clear, uncluttered.

The Apex/10-8 collaboration floor plates are also pretty nice. I didn't notice any difference while shooting, but I felt like I had more control during reloads.

If I have any issues in the future, I'll be sure to report them.

Oh the sights that you will see!

The ever evolving M&P9... I was not a fan of the sloping rear sight shape of the Trijicons that came on the gun, so I figured I'd hit two birds with one stone and try out a more simplified sight picture while I'm at it.  10-8 Performance makes some outstanding accessories for various guns, and their M&P Rear Sight fit the bill for everything I'm looking for.  Plain black, with serrations to cut down on glare, and I'm a fan of the theory of the U-notch.  Plus it has a good front edge for one-handed manipulations, something the sloping Novak style ramp lacks.

Range report and whatnot to follow.

Quality Time

With the issue heater.

I should have grabbed some TMNJ dvds to round out the Saturday morning feel.

The Anatomy of Shooting

At least in regards to the target's anatomy. This is a good read to follow up the link I posted a couple days ago.

In short, where you put the bullets is a crap-load more important than what kind of bullets they are.

FBI 9mm Justification

If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth the read.  I think it mostly sums up what I've been saying for a while when people ask my opinion on the whole caliber war issue.  I can carry more and shoot it better, and it works just as poorly as any other pistol round.

Oops.

Not saying names, but we found out how 9x19 Tulammo holds up through a .40s&w Sig today. Gun was not effective, but it made for a good malfunction drill!

Ruger LC9s

Got an email from Ruger today, they introduced the "LC9s", a new version of their single-stack pocket 9 with a striker system rather than the DAO trigger setup on the original.

Supposedly it has a much better trigger and fits in LC9 holsters.  More importantly (to me,) they deleted the crap-tastic LCI flag and just went with a little viewing port.  Still has a mag disconnect (darn) but they've included an "inert magazine for safe disassembly."

Looks like a good option for a small gun.

Army Pistols

Lots of talk about the Army (once again) not being happy with the ol' M9. Pretty legitimate reasons in my mind, but I don't think a caliber change is going to fix the issue.  A new pistol (with a rail... and a smaller grip... and not stupid backwards safeties or DA/SA... etc.) is needed, but also people need to realize that FMJ out of a pistol is going to always suck.

The overall challenge is finding something that all the new hip plastic pistols do (high capacity, lightweight, modular grip size would be nice...) that isn't a plastic frame (my vote would be a Sig P226 SAO in all honesty... even though they're not that light.)  I know how GIs treat M9s, and a plastic frame is not going to last long.  I doubt that'll happen though, probably just end up with some .40S&W Glock and go through it all again next time we go to war again.

Ruger "Budget" Nine

New Ruger 9E

Like the Trigger Jerk says, almost an upgraded version of the SR9 (no gaudy loaded chamber indicator or adjustable sights, etc) for a good chunk of change less ($100 less to be precise.)  The frame looks just about identical, and it would make sense to use the same magazines.  Mostly just some changes to the slide machining process to save some time and money.  Smart move on Ruger's part I think, should make for a great entry wonder-nine.

Grip Therapy M&P Edition Part II

Finally got psyched up enough to stipple the ol' M&P9.  I had dropped a pre-stippled grip on it a while ago, but still felt it needed some more purchase.  After lots of time spent looking at other ones online, and figuring out what I liked as far as looks, I busted out the wood burner (I picked up a sweet adjustable one with lots of interchangeable tips, all sorts of sweetness.)

MHI challenge coins also showed up today, so photo prop!

I also did two index pads on the frame at the front of the trigger guard.  I've had a chunk of grip tape on the reaction side for years, and went with a more permanent solution.

While I was at it, I also slightly undercut the trigger guard and smoothed that spot out, something I've been meaning to do for a while.  I choke up on the gun pretty high, and have worn a raw spot on my middle finger right at the knuckle after some longer range days, so this should be a nice change.

Next on the list is a new rear sight, just gotta decide if I want to stick with the tritium vials or not.

SHOT '14

Just a couple things that really caught my eye looking through the coverage this year.

I was right about the R-51 and AAC-

Sexy and it knows it.

And Crye (of all new people) are taking a swing at breaking the shotgun mold.

Double-action revolver style from what I understand, with a 6 round magazine.  Coolness.

G42

In my opinion, too little, too late.

The two things you always hear from the GLOCK fanboys are "carbine" and "single-stack 9mm."  So GLOCK jumped on the now overcrowded micro .380 bandwagon.  And unless the guy in the video has tiny hands, it's in the same size category as an M&P Shield or an LC9.

I'm sure it'll sell (it says GLOCK on the side afterall,) but I don't they'll have problems keeping up with demand.

Remington R-51

Fixed barrel with a locked breach, and eventually will have a threaded barrel model. MSRP under $400.

Aside from the backwards looking rear sight (which makes sense from a CCW standpoint, just looks goofy) it's got a nice retro-futuristic look to it.  The fixed barrel and locked breach combo would be great for suppressor use too.

Do Want.

A new longer Boberg. Barrel length of just over 4" in a still incredibly short overall package.

Glock Commercial

I've got to agree with Caleb, it's pretty decent.



Not my choice in guns (if you've spent any time around here, you've probably picked up on that... nothing against them, I'd even shoot one regularly if given to me, just not what I like if I'm paying.)

It's good to see a company stepping up their image though.

More Range Photos

Got some edited before the big lappy got too hot and froze before crashing hard (and a heat advisory was issued about 30 seconds later... heh.)  I've got a few more from my camera, so hopefully I'll get those edited later and save them for another post.

Anywho, as I said before, a friend from my Scout Camp days was in town for the day, and wanted to try some of the modern hardware out.  So we brought out the 1911, M&P pistols (9mm and .22lr,) Lightweight AR, and the LCP to run some more rounds through it.

So, on to the photos!

 Neat action sequence-

I advise "right click, open in new tab."

Manda tried out the LCP

She fired two shots, and declared it less than great... too long of a trigger and hard to control.  Not surprising.  She then put a magazine through the 1911, and while it bugged her shoulder, she still preferred it over the LCP.  More in detail about that in a later post.

Cleaned up yesterday's photo too...

Of course the AR was a crowd pleaser as usual, what with its light weight and low recoil.  Andy was bouncing a bottle around on the berm in a couple shots and was in love.

After getting back in town, we headed over to O'So Brewing's taproom as Andy is a huge beer fan.  40 taps of Wisconsin beer is always a good time.

Range Photos

Fun times.  Went out to the range with Dan and another coworker yesterday to try out the micro-pistol and Dan's new toy.  It was good, aside from the sore everything.

Dan picked up a Saiga-12 (he may or may not be in the middle of reading the Monster Hunter series...)

It'll be getting a new stock sooner than later.  In the meantime, not quite my cup of tea but it still a bit of fun, and quite giggle inducing.

Dan also brought out the S&W .44mag (I'm wondering about his fascination with self punishment...)

And, on the opposite end of the spectrum, the tiny little thing pretending to be a pistol worked too.  Surprisingly accurate, despite its lack of sights (one of the few times I'm probably going to put a laser on something.)

I did come to the conclusion that with my hands, the tiny bit of concealability I loose is a worthwhile trade-off for the controlability of the finger rest extension.