Redding Neck Sizer

Several years ago I bought a Chilean 7mm Mauser from a friend who needed the money. And as usual I worked up some decent handloads for it. What I do is temporarily mount an old 4X pistol scope on the rear sight for testing. Later I removed the scope and instead of reinstalling that little rear notch, I put an eperture sight there. Old eyes you know. I found about 4 different loads that shoot 1" groups at 100 yeards.

A few years later I purchased a Redding neck sizer. It was wierd because I had to crimp the bullets to keep them from walking out of the neck. I've put up with that for several years, until now. I e-mailed Redding and asked if they had some issues in the past. The reply was brass became thinner at some time and that the new neck sizers will accomodate the thinner brass. I didn't ask for a new sizer at all, but I was offered one. If I send them the old one, they'll replace it for me.

Now that is customer service.

Your First 1911

Xavier has a post up discussing the choice of your first 1911. He covers things rather well, I think.

My first was a used Llama Max I for about $225. I've probably shot 3,000 through it without an issue.

Number 2 is another Llama, only this time the MiniMax for $240 new. Being a mechanical engineer, and somewhat mechanically inclined, I created a feed ramp for hollow point ammo. I've run aboput 3,000 through that one too, without a problem.

Both of the above were manufactured by a company that is no longer in business. I assume that's because of reliability issues, or a lack of market for bottom line 1911s. Neither one has seen a great amount of use, but to date they've worked for me.

I also have 2 stainless steel Kimbers, Custom IIs both. Mine have the firing pin safety that Xavier doesn't like, but other than disassembly, you'd never know it's there. Mine also have internal extractors. One is a 5" barrel and the other is a 3" UltraCarry.

While I've heard of people having issues with a barrel shorter than 4", I'd bet that's an issue of the past. Neither the 3" Kimber, nor the 3-1/2" Llama have showed any signs of reliability issues.

I like 1911s because of their looks, their ease of personal modifications, and how they fit my hands. Having said that, they're not for the new shooter.

Crystal Ball

A lot of us suspected this was going to happen.

Chicago suburb repeals handgun ban while Daley promises to fight to keep handgun ban

and

Heller Files Lawsuit Against New D.C. Gun Regulations

Will the wars over liberty and human rights never end?

He'll Be Missed

One of the great bloggers is giving notice. He's retiring 11/30/08. He'll be missed.

Bear Warning

Just click on it to enlarge.


Forget about the pepper spray. Something along the lines of a 44 Mag or 454 Casull is better suited for the job.

New Toy

For the last several years I've been trekking to Hell Survivors for a paintball extravaganza called The Tippman Challenge. My first trip we were on the Tippman side where I was kicking ass with my electronically fired A-5. The problem was that we outnumbered The World team by about 3:1 so at times it was hard to get into the action. We were getting in each others way.

So I purchased an inexpensive blow back semi-auto just for the trips up north. Now we have been on the World Team and outnumbered. As it turns out that is a lot more fun. So the last few years I've been out numbered and out gunned. And to make matters worse, my inexpensive gun has gotten a bit finnicky. It's been harder to adjust the velocity and the sear doesn't always work as expected.

Since I tend to get into tight spots, by not retreating when I should, I decided to acquire a non-Tippman gun with a higher rate of fire. I just purchased a Proto SLG. It is electropneumatic. It has multiple settings for modes of fire. The one I'll probably use is called NXL. It'll fire 3 shots on regular semiauto with the forth squeeze of the trigger being full auto. Got a feeling I'll be needing that.

To Each His Own

I've been reading James for a few years now. Every so often the 1911 against the world debate flares up into a little fire. Everybody has their personal likes and dislikes. There isn't anything close to a one size fits all with shoes or handguns.

I agree the old horse is dated but I've never experienced the issues, other than cost, that others complain about. When your hands are close to the same size as those of the early 1900s, handguns designed back then just fit better. When I run across a pistol that fits as well, and has a nice short trigger stroke, then I'll certainly consider it. Until then, the old 1911 is my second favorite design right behind the not-quite-so-old HiPower (with modified trigger).