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A great morning at the range!

2K views 29 replies 17 participants last post by  Pteridine 
#1 ·
Early this morning I met up with my good friend BuckyP for a shoot. Its the first time I shot in over a month, so I was looking forward to some trigger time. I brought an odd arrangement of five handguns, which is typical for me. ;)

Below was my lineup (all 9mm this time):

Sig P226 Sport, HK P7, Walther P5 Compact, Astra 600, and Husqvarna Lahti M40

Brown Product Gun Firearm Trigger



The Sig P226 Sport is a very heavy pistol, weighing in at over 52 ounces empty. This gun shoots extremly well and was Sig’s top of the line P226 target pistol until it was replaced by the X-Five in the mid 2000‘s. They are rare, since not many were built. As you can imagine, the gun is very soft shooting and a tack driver. The steel barrel weight makes it a bit nose heavy compared to my more balanced X-Five L1, but it will match the X-Five’s accuracy from a rest. I don’t shoot it quite as well offhand due to the aforementioned balance.

The HK P7 I brought along was the early model I just recently bought this year. It was built in 1979 and has a four-digit serial number. Today was the first time I shot it. In typical P7 fashion, it shot great. The incredibly low bore axis helps me point them naturally. The gas delayed blowback system works like a charm and it is very comfortable to shoot and shoot quickly. The P7 is definitely my favorite HK of all time. I love the quality, looks, style, and accuracy.

I’ve had the Walther P5 Compact for about six months and it was the first time I shot it. I really enjoy shooting the standard P5, so this was more of the same. Its a little less accurate for me due to the shorter sight radius, but it still shot well and they look extremely cool doing it. This is an early P5C. Walther only built about 6500 of them, so they are rare. This is number 158 and has the heel mag release and factory smooth wood grips that came on the early production models. I’m definitely a fan of the P5. Other than the P88 series, they are my favorite Walthers.

Next up is the Astra 600. Ugh...well the Astra is a really well built pistol. They were built in Spain starting in the middle of World War II at the request of the Nazis. They are fit very well with tight tolerances. They and striker fired and weigh a hefty 35 ounces empty. The bore axis is as low as the HK P7, if not lower. Unfortunately, the Astra 600 suffers from a horrible trigger, which doesn’t allow the shooter to take advantage of its fixed barrel. The other problem is that its a straight blowback, so recoil is harsh. There’s no muzzle flip, so its all a straight jolt to the palm of your hand. I like the gun’s quality and history, but its certainly not a pleasant shooter.

Finally, the Husky M40 from Sweden is just a really cool handgun. I bought the gun in 2013 and only shot it once prior to today. Its a big, manly gun and a bit unwieldy, but it has a very decent trigger and some pretty impressive accuracy. It may be the largest and heaviest single stack 9mm pistol ever made or at least from what I can think of at the moment. In short, its got charm and is a joy to shoot. Its also definitely one to make you stop and look. Its an attention grabber.

I was shooting anywhere from 7 yards to 25 yards. I thought I had a good day, though I typically shoot better outdoors. I’m never quite a match for Bucky indoors or outdoors, so I try not to compare. ;)

I always enjoy shooting Bucky’s array of quality handguns. Today I remember shooting his custom STI 1911, BFG gen 4 Glock 23, Sig P229, HK P2000, and Wilson Combat Beretta 92G Compact and I appreciate him letting me try them out as always. I was particularly impressed with the STI and Beretta. You also can’t go wrong with the Sig P229, which makes 40S&W feel like light 9mm.

We also took turns using the range’s full size Sig P320. With neither of us being big fans, it certainly shot better than I remember. Its soft shooting and comfortable in hand. I look forward to trying out an X-Five version of it.

Hopefully, Bucky can chime in as well, but we had an awesome time. It was probably our best morning shoot to date. :cool:

Here’s a couple quick pics I snapped with my cell. Thanks for reading.


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#3 ·
I do agree with Brian, this was our best shoot to date. Just such a great mix of guns, and with it being the nicest weather we've seen to date in 2017, that was icing on the cake. Even though it's an indoor range, it can be pretty nippy in there when it's cold outside. Heck, Brian even shot three guns in .40 S&W. :p

As always, I get to shoot guns with Brian that I wouldn't otherwise get a chance to shoot. In fact, the P7 was the only exact model that I've shot before. I've shot a P5 (non compact), and of course a P226, but not these models. And the Astra and Lahti were completely different for sure. They took a little getting used to, but can be quite accurate once you get dialed in.

Certainly my guns are common by comparison, there were some subtle uniqueness factor to them. The most being the "STI" single stack. In my years of competitive shooting, I won a slide, barrel, mag well, plus had various other parts left over from other projects. All I needed for a complete gun was a frame. So I picked up an STI single stack 1911 frame, and my buddy and owner of Ready Aim Fire helped me put a complete gun together. I'm simply amazed at how well it turned out, as it's one of my most accurate pieces. I'm currently competing with this gun is USPSA Single Stack Division.

The P2000 started out as a factory LEM V2 model. I just recently converted it to a V4.1, which retains the same trigger weight, but reduces the length of pull by a 1/3. It has certainly made the gun a much better shooter, in my experience.

The G23 is my most recent acquisition, and I just put an Apex trigger in, just the physical trigger, leaving all internal parts factory. The Wilson / Beretta Compact had a fiber optic installed a few months back. The 229 was my oldest of the bunch, and is now sporting a nice set of Hogue wood grips. It makes the gun a little thick, but it sure looks good.

As with Brian, I'm starting to warm up a little to the P320. There are stil a couple things I'm still off by, but the X Five and XCarry look to have addressed them. With the military and ICE contracts, word is these are drying up quick, so get it now if you want, or there may be a wait.

As always, thanks to Brian for making the trip, and writing up such a great range report.
 
#8 · (Edited)
If it wasn't done on a Ransom with the doo dadd set to 'precision', it didn't happen. ;)

It's interesting all the bullet marks in the ceiling. That's how many times a person isn't going to hit what's coming to chew on them. ;);)

The Astra is interesting. I've never seen one. I have 5 Astra's, to date; an A-80, an A-80 that's never been fired, an A-90 that's never been fired, and two A-100's. Accepting all offers on the lot. :supergrin:
 
#17 ·
The Astra is interesting. I've never seen one. I have 5 Astra's, to date; an A-80, an A-80 that's never been fired, an A-90 that's never been fired, and two A-100's. Accepting all offers on the lot. :supergrin:
The A series Astra pistols were made well after the 600. They are basically Sig Sauer clones, but have steel frames.

They are completely different from the 600.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Nice range report Brian and Bucky. One day I have to meet up with you two in the colder months to do some indoor shooting.

Bucky, does the G23 trigger improve the trigger pull compared to stock? And I think I shot your home made 40 1911. It was my first timer hooting a heavier 40 compared to my g23; my carry piece. If I remember correctly I hit nothing but bullseyes like my memory usually recalls. Haha.

Brian, nice selection as always. You always bring a fun variety. I am lookin forward to your write up when you bring all .40s to the range. Haha.

Glad you guys had a good time!
 
#11 ·
Bucky, does the G23 trigger improve the trigger pull compared to stock? And I think I shot your home made 40 1911. It was my first timer hooting a heavier 40 compared to my g23; my carry piece. If I remember correctly I hit nothing but bullseyes like my memory usually recalls. Haha.
The Apex trigger actually make the pull slightly heavier, put it may shorten it a tad. It sure feels 100% better, since the trigger safety fully recesses and doesn't cut into my finger like the factory one does.

Brian, nice selection as always. You always bring a fun variety. I am lookin forward to your write up when you bring all .40s to the range. Haha.
I'm sure he can put together an interesting selection of .40s if need be. Heck, he'd still be able to bring a P7. :)
 
#14 ·
Awesome that you guys got out to the range and good range report.. I would have went to my club yesterday but I am fighting this cold which makes me miserable.

I might try and join you guys in May if you have that meet up at Wicens..
 
#16 ·
Good times with friends and fine firearms.
 
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#19 ·
nice report. I had no idea that Husky made firearms as late as that. I knew they started out making flintlocks, but thought they got away from firearms much earlier. Very cool to see this pistol.
 
#21 ·
Glad you guys had a good time, we were going to shoot this weekend but rain yesterday and snow today.
 
#22 ·
Brian
I did not know Husky built guns. I owned a Husky WR 250 dirt bike (80's model.) It was very well made.
Love some range time.
nice report. I had no idea that Husky made firearms as late as that. I knew they started out making flintlocks, but thought they got away from firearms much earlier. Very cool to see this pistol.
Yeah, Husky made some good stuff. The Husky version of the Lahti pistol isn't quite as nice as the much more rare Finnish model that it's a copy of, but it's still a fine firearm.
 
#30 ·
Here I thought I was the only one who this effected! Its the Glock flaw and after all these years they never fixed it. None of my other guns with the same type of trigger safety do this, except Glock. I sand down the safety just enough so it doesnt stick my finger and goes flush with the trigger!
I do the same thing using 400 grit wet-or-dry. The one I just sanded seemed to be a bad molding; the sides didn't quite meet leaving a blade and sharp point at the bottom edge. Glock is backwards when it comes to fixing things that egomaniac Gaston didn't think of. Look at the trigger guard problem. People have been undercutting them at the grip for years but Glock never bothered to change them through 4 generations of pistols.
 
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