TheArcticWolf1911
Gunslinger
Joined: Sat Nov 4th, 2017
Posts: 426
Name: Cameron ... Occupation: Process Technician ... Interests: Firearms & Ammunition, Ford Rangers, electronics ...
Reputation Points: 426
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Appreciate the offer t-square, but I think three is plenty for me atm.
I should probably make an excel sheet to help keep track of that kind of thing. Might be useful with the shooting I plan on doing.
Thanks for the congrats, all. It really is a fine piece of Italian hardware. She need a couple things before I'm ready to slot this into a holster, though. I think I'll call her.... Night Wolf. Yeah, let's go with that.
I've got three 17 shot magazines total (two of which I can only load 16 into at the moment due to brand new springs), so I'd say I'm covered there.
The pistol is brand new, so it needs to be broken in, if for no other reason than I need to see it working. I'd like to get 300-500 rounds through it. Any issues will be corrected if they arise (which I doubt any will, but you never know)
Second, this needs a couple modifications to make it more carry-friendly. I plan on installing a G-kit to turn the safety-decocker into a decocker only. I can't reach it real well without breaking my grip, and I can see myself accidentally tripping it when doing slide manipulations. Second mod it's getting is a set of tritium night sights. It's not real often I go out at night, but when I do it is absolutely pitch black. I'm not one for cheating, but when I'm dealing with my life, I'm going to cheat and get every advantage I legally can. I *might* install an extended slide release, but that's a maybe. My hands aren't real big and I'm still getting used to wrangling this beast of a 9mm.
Another thing I need to do is get some hollowpoints and test 'em. I may have mentioned it before, but given how valuable the article is, I figure it can't hurt to potentially repeat myself. Lucky Gunner tested over 100 different defense ammunition types which is totally handy and saves me a lot of money. I picked out the ones I liked the most and over the next couple months I'm going to make notes of who has what and for how much, then get whatever is cheapest out of the eight I wound up with. I could order online, but for small quantities (relativity speaking) I don't believe I would save anything by buying online.
Article: https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
I picked out the following eight, based on penetration and expansion characteristics. I'm aiming for half to the full 18" spec from the FBI, along with very good to excellent expansion. These caught my eye big time. They're all 9mm.
1. Corbon 115GR DPX
2. Corbon 115GR JHP +P
3. Federal 124GR HST (can be found in both +P and normal pressures)
4. Federal 150GR Micro HST (micro perhaps meaning for very small 9mm handguns?)
5. Hornady 115GR FTX Critical Defense
6. Magtech 115GR Guardian Gold +P
7. Speer 115GR Gold Dot
8. Sig Sauer 124GR V Crown
I also whipped up a spreadsheet to help keep track of this. I added a division formula to each set of cells to find price per round, mostly because I'm lazy and I don't like math.
The last thing I need is a holster. With my 1911 I found out there are quite a few disadvantages with the traditional right-hip holster, the fault being more of how I live my life vs the actual style itself. I do a lot of sitting, whether it's driving, on the couch, or here at my computer.
Especially while driving, this makes the pistol hard to get to. This also makes every zip-up jacket a complete and total liability, making it substantially difficult to get to my pistol. If I sit down on the floor, the muzzle of my pistol taps the floor, potentially damaging the gun and the floor.
I'm giving serious thought to moving to a shoulder holster rig, such as that from Tagua. I really like my 1911 holster from them, so I'm willing to give theirs a try. This would allow me to at least partially close my jackets in the winter, still let me access the pistol when sitting and not damage either the pistol or the floor when sitting on a hard surface. This also means I don't have to shell out for a true gun belt either, where as if I choose a hip-holster I have got to get a proper gun belt.
I haven't decided if I want to shell out for a weapon light, yet. I'd probably wind up with a streamlight TLR-1. A lot of people like 'em and it looks good on the pistol too. Of course that means a custom holster, or just carrying the light separately and attach when needed, which I'm also open to doing. I'm not entirely sure if the $124 is worth it considering I already carry a flashlight with me (love this little thing), and the fact I go out at night (in public) less than 10 times a year. Then again, bad things happen at home too, so there's that to consider.
Needless to say, much to think about.
On a whole 'nother note, Project Vietnam is one part away from being done. I ordered the barrel assembly and got $20 off. All I need now is the upper. They say they're planning on ramping up production to full scale in 2018, so it should be easier to get one. Once that last part is in my hands this baby can finally be put together and shot.
Budget wise, (assuming I pay full price for the upper) it'll come out to ~769, compared to ~952 MSRP. ~183 below budget. Not bad, I dare say. Of course that doesn't include the tools I bought, but still.
Last edited on Tue Dec 26th, 2017 02:00 am by TheArcticWolf1911
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1999 Ford Ranger XLT - 3.0 V6 4x4 - Loaded (Totaled) 143k. Rest in Peace, Gold Dust.
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