Posted on 09/23/2009 6:19:16 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
Welcome to The Hobbit Hole!
Dogwoods are blooming on theRidge... mighty purty site...
I've spent more trigger time (and dollars) on the H&K P7, with Trijicon tritium sights the latest addition. I'm also waiting for the Wolff spring pack, which is an assortment of recoil springs in different weights, so I can find an optimal one to go with the ammo I choose.
After my last session with the P7, I realized I've shot better from Round One with this weapon than with even the other handguns that I've had more experience with. This is about half a box of 115gr ball at the traditional seven yards. When I forget the proper position on my finger on the trigger, I throw the shots down and left. Still, this is better than anything I've done with another centerfire handgun.
If this is the handgun I shoot the best, then it becomes the cornerstone of my program to idiot-proof my concealed-carry "system". I know nothing is safe from the "universal idiot", but in this case, I want to stack all the odds in my favor in case I become the idiot in a crisis.
It shoots and handles better than my previous leading candidate, the SiG P239. The inline striker and recoil spring around the barrel, rather than under it, makes for a barrel barely above the trigger finger. And the "squeezer" mechanism gives my last three fingers some work to do, taking away some of the work that the trigger finger would have to do.
I've decided to go with a handgun that shoots significantly better for me than any others, despite all of them having some fine features. And at the range it would be used (ghod forbid), a hot 9mm will do the job just fine.
Something in the overkill range, however, is the .45ACP 200gr +P round. One round through the Glock convinced me I could never tolerate firing it in a handgun. Fortunately, I have my 922r-compliant H&K faux-UMP that can handle it reasonably well.
Regular 230gr ball ammo was no problem. Then I re-zeroed the Eotech for the new round at 50 yards. Yow!
I don't know how much velocity was increased by firing in the 16-inch barrel, but the round was really LOUD, and the recoil was about that of an AK47, rather noticeable. I know it was louder than the guy next to me, who was firing an AR15. People who smirk at the 9mm would get that smirk wiped away by the .45 +P round.
Still, after I got things dialed in (it helps to remember the difference between left and right), I was able to shoot a decent group at 50 yards. And that was with the horrible trigger pull they designed into it.
Still, it makes a handy, if pricey, camp carbine, and introduced me to the weird wonderful world of 922r compliance. Since then, I've had a come-to-Jesus meeting with my Norinco AKMS, which is now on the straight-and-narrow path of technical legality. This is the BATFE equivalent of a theological discussion of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but here you get ten years in the slam if you interpret their scriptures wrong. Best to stay safe and throw in a few extra marked American parts to be safe.
Thanks again for a very informative post.
Thanks for that. As you know, I’m in the market and spent yesterday morning with Big’ at our local range. We took the first of the NRA classes and now we’re ‘qualified’ to buy in our Ever So Free State.
Really glad to hear your mother is home and getting better.
Nice target, glad you found one that you like. Seems like there is always one gun that we shoot better than the others, right from the get-go. The HK has an admittedly cool factor going for it as well. Keep us posted on the recoil spring testing.
It's my go to 9mm, but in the P7M8 variant, which has a plastic heat shield in the trigger guard area, and a magazine release in the "traditional" spot, not the heel of the grip.
The sets are just awesome, and I'm looking forward to more of the videos as the shoot progresses.
I can live with the "euro" mag release, it's no big deal one way or another. And the last time I was out shooting, I'd load three mags, fire them at a "reasonable" rate, then reload and look at the target. I was able to fire off about 75 rounds before feeling a bit of heat. That was my signal to pack it up and go home.
This might be late... but did he lose a ton of weight? He is looking pretty trim.
Gassed up the mower today, low and behold, started on the first crank. Gypsy appreciated a newly mowed yard. Daffodils gone, tulips gone, iris coming along and redbud looks great. Spring is here, wait, mid 30s tomorrow night, spring is coming...
It looks like you were right. I can only get enough leverage to work the squeezer if I used only the tip, or the middle joint, of the bottom fingers. If I grabbed it like I found I'm doing with other handguns, I couldn't squeeze it. Also, I'd be pushing the weapon the the left.
When held correctly, there is basically none of the palm of my right hand touching the grips. It's just the fingers pushing the grip straight back into my hand. The P7 made me grip it properly for it to work. I still have to work on placement of the trigger finger, but that's a common fault I have with all my handguns.
I also received my Wolff spring kit today, and a new set of grips. This was a police weapon, and obviously spent more time in a holster than on the firing line. The old grips had slight wear on the texturing and edges, while the new ones are pristine. I also noticed that the subtle thumb rest has been subtly restyled. But this will be a working gun, so purists will no doubt be offended.
Now to try out the spring kit, and find the best weight (16 to 20 pounds) to use to replace the now-standard 21 pound recoil spring, which I think is overkill (overspring?) for 115 and 124gr bullets. I have fired 147gr rounds through the P7, and it was bearable, although a heavier Wolff spring would probably be advised.
Heh. The only time my mower has started up on the first crank is when I totally flooded the engine the day before.
Hmmmmm.....
When I did it the way he described it felt weird. My hand was shifted farther around to the back than I was use to. Even now it feel odd. But dang if it does not make for the straightest shooting grip I have ever tried. It controls recoil very well too. With or without the second hand it is very secure. Strangely, with the hand shifted that far around, your thumb does very little. It can almost be flapping around lose, a condition I had always cautioned people against when I was instructing, with no lose of grip strength.
Hmm - well, if works....
The Lilacs and Celdane Poppies are out, the Lilacs don’t seem to hang around long but the Poppies provide color last most of the summer. They’re prolific too. Gotta love those perennials. Haven’t had any Columbines come up yet, wondering ‘bout that.
No blooms on my lilac. I guess if it doesn’t bloom next spring, I’ll never see it.
Heh...good line.
I'm just logging back in to pass along to you that we're in our last days with Sam. He hasn't been able to climb stairs for about a year now. This week he's stopped eating and drinking. His breathing is very difficult. We're just trying to keep him comfortable.
Jr. was debating driving home for Easter since he'll be home in two weeks after finals. I just got off the phone from telling him that he needed to come now.
My computer screen is all blurry now.
Aw, Corin, we’re so sorry. Losing a faithful canine (or feline) companion is hard, there is no two ways about it. They leave paw prints all over our hearts. OB & LSA
So sorry, Corin. :(
Hate it when pets leave us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.