Practice, Practice

[majspud]

After two hours of yard cleaning I slipped off to the range to practice with one of my four rotating carry pieces. It was such a beautiful day after yesterday that I had to go - there won't be many more like today - 59F, sun/clouds, light breeze. Today I brought my 1939 commercial Walther PPk.

42 rounds PPU 71gr JHPs; 902fps/129ft/lbs kinetic energy.

All 42 on paper at 40 feet - couldn't shoot at a further distance as there were three others at the range today. I tightened my grip after the first 14 and used my finger tip on the trigger rather than the curve of my finger and brought the group closer. I always seen to forget that. More than 2/3 within a 6" group. Pistol was flawless save one double tap needed...why, I don't know.

t

 

[BUMPA01603]

An efficient use of time IMO!

 

[cjmass]

The Walther PPK is a sweet pistol and a true classic...nice shooting!

 

[daekken]

I've only carried modern pieces but part of me wants to try the Makarov sometime.

That's a nice PPK. I have debated getting the 22lr variant since my understanding that it has/can be ordered with a threaded barrel, which would make for a fun combo with my suppressor whenever it clears NFA jail. True James Bond style.

Is 32 the only caliber you carry? I feel like you said before it was a personal favorite.

 

[majspud]

.32 is my personal favorite (+M14 Mauser), but I also carry .38 special ('37 Colt Detective, '75 M66 S/W .357 '43 S/W Victory), .380 ('15 Colt M08, '43 M34 Beretta), and .25 ('18 Colt M08). Occasionally I've carried a 9mm P38.

Didn't practice today, as I spent the afternoon cutting and nailing baseboard trim upstairs. What a sweaty job.

t

 

[majspud]

I have time to practice tomorrow. I think I’ll use the 1937 Colt Detective.

t

 

[majspud]

I welched on raking the leaves this afternoon. Another great day to shoot; sunny, 55F, breezy. I had already cut back the annuals and cleared the branches, etc. In my defense, I have three oaks - including one massive centenarian - who haven't gotten the message that it's fall yet, and whose leaves are still green! First fall at this house, so I don't know what to expect.

For $45 off eBay, I got a dedicated leather OWB leather holster for the M66 S/W M66 (1975) .357. Now that I'm wearing belted pants for the fall, this is now a viable carry option. I ordered a bright set of T-Grips for the S/W a couple of weeks ago.

I have two speed-loaders, so I shot three sets of 18. I used 54 rounds of light recoil Remington +P 125gr SJHP, rated at 905fps and 249ft/lbs kinetic energy. The first 18 I shot as fast as I could, double action, and dropping the brass and loaders on the ground. Second and third sets of 18 I shot for a little more accuracy and pocketed the brass and loaders, but still fast and double action. Heavy gun, but very light pull and butter smooth action. Probably has had a trigger job in its past.

t

 

[majspud]

Holster was so good, I ordered one for my Colt Detective. Unfortunately this holster is a little too big for thr Colt. I prefer the Colt as it’s smaller, lighter, and can use the same Remington ammo.

t

 

[45collector]

I've only carried modern pieces but part of me wants to try the Makarov sometime.

I carried an East German Makarov in the summer months for about 8 years. Once I got my hands on a Sig P938 though, that was it for the Mak. They are great, reliable guns but I'm so used to the 1911 platform that the P938 just made sense. I still shoot the EG and Bulgy Mak's on occasion and still reload for them, but I don't put nearly as much time in with them as I do 9mm and .45acp 1911's.

 

[majspud]

I should say maple tree. It dropped those helicopter seeds this spring. It dropped so many I filled a 13 gallon kitchen trash bag with them.

t

 

[majspud]

Took the 1937 Colt Detective special today after I bagged some leaves. Yesterday I replaced the garage door springs and installed safety cables. Cool 47F, light breeze, 52.2 feet as paced out. 54 total rounds; 48 of the Remington +P 125gr SJHP at 905fps and 249ft/lbs kinetic energy, and 6 lonely 110gr JHP Winchester Silver Tips at 945/218. Even though the Remington is +P, it is slower than the Winchester. The Remington does have more recoil due to the larger bullet.

Shot the same method as with the M66, but didn’t do as well; further distance. I have the new holster for the Colt, and as it’s lighter, it’s easier to carry.

First target is after 18 rounds.

t

 

[majspud]

Had my wife's Mustang tuned up the other day, so I've been driving it around a bit; 200 miles yesterday and today. It was running very badly...turns out the pressure plate under the carburetor was over-tightened, and there was a fuel leak, causing stuttering, hesitation, backfiring. Oil change and tire rotation as well. Car is quite frisky now.

The car has sat so long....how long was it?....it was so long there was a spider's web and egg sack attached to the float! No kidding.

Shot 100 rounds of plain Jane .38 Special, Remington, 130gr FMJ/SWC rated at 790/173. Almost no recoil. Cold, windy, 45 feet. The wind blew the target off the bench along with the my cleaning patches. Rounds dropped low; you can see I walked them up to center. The last 10 I fired fast, and they were the high ones.

I picked up a box of 100 Remington 125gr SJHP in .357 magnum during my shopping. These babies are rated at 1450fps and 583ft/lbs kinetic energy, using the same bullet....an increase of 545fps (60%) and an increase of 334ft/lbs kinetic energy (134%). The case is a smidgen longer. I hope the recoil is not too terrible...will find out next time.

t