8/24/08 Range Report (new toys)

[CAL]

For those of you that haven't followed my recent gun purchases - I bought a Ruger GP-100 (.357 MAG) 4" revolver and a Springfield Armory Loaded MC Operator (stock pictures in other threads). Since I couldn't make it to the Sizzler, today I decided to take my new toys to the range and get them broken in. About a year ago I also bought a Winchester Defender 1300 12 ga. shotgun but had not fired it so I took that with me as well. I decided to start my range session with the shotty, I fired both slugs as well as 00 buck. Let me just say that my shotgun totally owned me. I fired no more than seven rounds from it before I gave up. It totally destroyed my shoulder with the massive recoil. I have been pondering whether or not I'm just a pussy when it comes to shotguns or if I was doing something wrong. I figured out that I wasn't seating the buttstock into my shoulder area properly which was probably causing a significant portion of my problem. Instead of seating it into the meaty part of my shoulder where it meets my chest I was seating it on the front part of my shoulder itself. I'm sure I'll have some bruising for a few days and I have to say it was not a fun experience at all.

I then moved over to the pistol lane to fire up my wheel gun and 1911. The Ruger has an adjustable rear sight, and I understand that they aren't always aligned right out of the box so I figured I'd take some time to sight it in. I took with me some regular Winchester .38 SPL ammunition since it's a lot cheaper and doesn't kick as much as .357 ammunition. Plus, I figured I wanted to start with smaller ammunition during the initial familiarization to the weapon. As expected, out of the box it shot to the left. Although I never quite got it locked in I was shooting tight groups with it and it shot like a dream.


There isn't much to say about my Operator - in a word it was flawless. I shot tight groups and they were right on target. I couldn't have asked for anything better out of it. I'm definitely in love . I have heard of some stories of FTFs and other various problems with the factory magazines in the Springfield 1911s, but I experienced no problems whatsoever. I purchased a Cobra magazine from Tripp and I fired loads of Winchester white box .45 ACP as well as my old personal protection rounds, Federal Hydra Shocks and regular Winchester JHPs. I fired each type of cartridge through both types of magazines (factory and Tripp) with no issues whatsoever.

With regards to post range operations, obviosly a revolver is easier to clean than a semi automatic pistol, but the only drawback for the 1911 relative to my other pistols is the amount of work it takes to properly clean it. That isn't to say it is horrible, however compared to my Glock 30 it is definitely more involved.

I'm currently weighing the option of making the 1911 my concealed carry weapon, replacing my Glock 30, however realistically I don't think I will make the change based primarily on the size of the weapon and magazine capacity. Another deciding factor is the rails on the Operator which I have ordered a tac light for. I think it makes more sense to have the Operator with the light combo as my primary home defense weapon. All in all, it was a good range session and I'm stoked to take them out again.

A couple of sidenotes - the guy next to me was also shooting a .357 revolver (looked like a S&W 686) using .357 loads and damn were they loud. Also, it never ceases to amaze me all the "range ninjas" as I call them that you always see on a public range. They know everything about guns and have lots of cool stories to share about their badass Hipoints.

[P-Chop]

Nothing like a great day at the range!

Stick with the Winchester 1300. Where I live, the only firearm you can hunt with (besides black powder) is the shotgun. My 1300 has never failed me whether it be for duck, turkey, squirrel (saving my Brunswick Stew recipe for another thread), deer, or even the occasional nuisance beaver or groundhog. Your mechanics will continue to improve with each time you fire a slug or 00/000 buck shot. Your shoulder will make sure to remind the brain each time you fire. I have several different chokes for mine, but stick with the modified for just about everything except turkey. In between seasons, I take the plug out and keep it loaded with 5 shells in case someone forgets to knock before entering late night.

Note for the masses: Yes I kill squirrels, rabbits, and dove with a 12ga and don't believe it's overkill. I use game loads and haven't had any completely disintegrate on me yet. If I were shooting them for sport.......then maybe I'd Ted Nugent that shit!

[Zimmy]

Try one of these.


http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/sto...COIL%20REDUCER


It worked well for my wife when she had a sore shoulder from shooting a big old mean and scary 12 ga. Kinda like yours.

[SpongeBob]

I hate you......


No really congrats on the new guns and enjoy them......

[Ferret_LE426]

For those of you that haven't followed my recent gun purchases - I bought a Ruger GP-100 (.357 MAG) 4" revolver and a Springfield Armory Loaded MC Operator (stock pictures in other threads). Since I couldn't make it to the Sizzler, today I decided to take my new toys to the range and get them broken in. About a year ago I also bought a Winchester Defender 1300 12 ga. shotgun but had not fired it so I took that with me as well. I decided to start my range session with the shotty, I fired both slugs as well as 00 buck. Let me just say that my shotgun totally owned me. I fired no more than seven rounds from it before I gave up. It totally destroyed my shoulder with the massive recoil. I have been pondering whether or not I'm just a pussy when it comes to shotguns or if I was doing something wrong. I figured out that I wasn't seating the buttstock into my shoulder area properly which was probably causing a significant portion of my problem. Instead of seating it into the meaty part of my shoulder where it meets my chest I was seating it on the front part of my shoulder itself. I'm sure I'll have some bruising for a few days and I have to say it was not a fun experience at all.

I then moved over to the pistol lane to fire up my wheel gun and 1911. The Ruger has an adjustable rear sight, and I understand that they aren't always aligned right out of the box so I figured I'd take some time to sight it in. I took with me some regular Winchester .38 SPL ammunition since it's a lot cheaper and doesn't kick as much as .357 ammunition. Plus, I figured I wanted to start with smaller ammunition during the initial familiarization to the weapon. As expected, out of the box it shot to the left. Although I never quite got it locked in I was shooting tight groups with it and it shot like a dream.


There isn't much to say about my Operator - in a word it was flawless. I shot tight groups and they were right on target. I couldn't have asked for anything better out of it. I'm definitely in love . I have heard of some stories of FTFs and other various problems with the factory magazines in the Springfield 1911s, but I experienced no problems whatsoever. I purchased a Cobra magazine from Tripp and I fired loads of Winchester white box .45 ACP as well as my old personal protection rounds, Federal Hydra Shocks and regular Winchester JHPs. I fired each type of cartridge through both types of magazines (factory and Tripp) with no issues whatsoever.

With regards to post range operations, obviosly a revolver is easier to clean than a semi automatic pistol, but the only drawback for the 1911 relative to my other pistols is the amount of work it takes to properly clean it. That isn't to say it is horrible, however compared to my Glock 30 it is definitely more involved.

I'm currently weighing the option of making the 1911 my concealed carry weapon, replacing my Glock 30, however realistically I don't think I will make the change based primarily on the size of the weapon and magazine capacity. Another deciding factor is the rails on the Operator which I have ordered a tac light for. I think it makes more sense to have the Operator with the light combo as my primary home defense weapon. All in all, it was a good range session and I'm stoked to take them out again.

A couple of sidenotes - the guy next to me was also shooting a .357 revolver (looked like a S&W 686) using .357 loads and damn were they loud. Also, it never ceases to amaze me all the "range ninjas" as I call them that you always see on a public range. They know everything about guns and have lots of cool stories to share about their badass Hipoints.

Dude I thought you couldn,t make it to the Sizzler! You must have been standing right behind me when I was regaling the participants with my exploits in the twilight brigade.