204Ruger

Ever since the last fun shoot, everyone seems to have really stopped posting. No one shooting or doing some fun stuff ?

I know I have still been out some, the range and even one short varmint shoot. One rock chuck that morning. Plus doing a little shooting with a new 1911 RIA 45acp and even shot the youngest son's new glock 10mm. Have not shot a 10mm since I last shot a Colt Delta Elight about 10 yrs ago.
This new Glock 10mm is really a lot nicer shooting and seemed to recoil less, as I remember. Anyway it was fun.
And with the youngest coming up for a couple days to visit his Mom and I was a good thing. He lives 400 miles away, works a lot, so we do not see him as often as we would like.

Bill K wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 7:07 amEver since the last fun shoot, everyone seems to have really stopped posting. No one shooting or doing some fun stuff ?

Well Bill, for me at least, getting out in temps over 100*F just doesn't get it. When in Vietnam, I suffered heat stroke; that heat and high humidity about slayed me. So when the temps get this high here, I stay inside with the A/C running, usually in my gun room working on some project or another. There are other ways to enjoy that 'fun stuff'.

Also, when the heat fires up here, the sage rats and rock chucks bail into their burrows, so no shooting ops anyway other than target practice, and I can do that all winter and fall. Spring of course is high intensity varmint shooting.

In regard to your new RIA 1911 (good, solid guns); I'm a solid 1911 fan, have many, was a convert when in RVN where I carried an old 1911A1 in a chest rig, as I was a radioman, so no rifle. I shoot my 1911 .45's and nines more than any of my other handguns these days, along with a Wilson Combat SFX9 I had built last year....almost a 1911, and my Browning Hi-Power, one of my all-time favorite handguns.

So to give the forum a bit of something new, and the fact we all like gun-porn, here's some now.......

One of my EDC's, Kimber Super Carry Ultra + .45 ACP:



Wilson SFX9 hi-cap carry:



T-Series Browning Hi-Power after a trip to Novak's for slide milling/sights/complete action-trigger job, removal of the mag disconnect and new shoes:



After a life long affair with the 1911 that started in the Navy in 1965 when I deployed, there has been one with me of one flavor or another daily in all that time....unless something like the BHP or WC happened to be the "carry choice-o-the-day"

But when asked "that" question:



Okay, this might liven this dim parlor up somewhat, so hopefully someone else might have something to share also?

Fully agree on the hot weather Rick. I go out around the crack of dawn or into the late afternoon during this time of the year with the high heat.
As I got older I found I could not take the high heat as I did when younger, not fun.
As for the 45acp, I have had one or more since the mid fifty's, most of them the good old standard G.I. type and will always have one or more around. They just plain do the job, for what they are and were made for.

Stark Truth, Tom Kat.

Well there TK, perhaps you need to stop lurking and come back to "save" the forum from going moribund.

Why lurk when you appear to have something to say?

Late edit: As usual, I see you post a YTube link. Most guys I know, including myself never open random YT links, so save yourself some keyboard use next time you decide to come in from ghosting us.

Just to add a little. Yesterday afternoon, overcast came around, even had about a four minute sprint of light rain, did wet the ground and cooled the 100 degree heat down to around 88, so I took a short drive into one area and did find two large, Ring necked Squirrels in a rocky area. Got them with a couple shots at around 140 yds. Sorry no photos but I don't climb those rocky areas to recover the evidence.
Felt good to slip out at least for a little while the way the heat has been. But must be very cautious due to the high fire danger in the whole area adn some shooting restrictions from BLM in this area I was in. Anyone else getting out some in your area ?

With the near constant rain in our neck of the woods, it's been really difficult to get out & about in the field. When it's not raining it's been so darned hot that the inside of the ranch is the logical place to bee. But hey, it's Wisconsin, if I don't like the weather I just need to wait around a while, it'll change.

Got out and shot a little Saturday and Sunday. Was supposed to be an IHMSA match, but with lack in new, younger, participant's it struggles. Yesterday I was the youngest @61, the oldest was 83. Have shot with all of these folks since the mid to late 80’s.
All of the “things” I did to myself as young invincible man are catching up with me. Neck issues, I can’t get into Creedmoor for 40 shots, if I do I pay for it for a week or better. Standing, I can handle easier, but it is more humbling than ever.

We started an informal side match some years ago with rifles and cast bullets. Lever guns and milsurps, a lot of fun to let the old warhorses out and exercise a bit. That had tapered off from a fairly strong monthly following of 20-25 guns.
PCP air guns have taken a hold now. I see no reason for me to own a high end .22 RF and then chase ammo and lot numbers. The PCP rigs are impressive to say the least. I have shot good to excellent groups with way less pain than the RF ever let me do.
No powder, no primers, no cases to clean. I have mine tuned for the time being with three pellets. Easily sub MOA @50, 100 can pick up and move things with wind, but still satisfying.

I have had about a half dozen 1911’s and a couple of other 45’s. Either they didn’t like me or didn’t like them. Double stack, grips were to wide to make me happy, but shot better than a gold cup I had and a well tuned BE rig.
I still liked the 45ACP though. Jumped on the 625JM when they came out. First pistol I ever bought brand new. Well, one would think with JM stamped on the side and SW building wheel guns for so long it should have been a ringer. NOT. First thing was the cylinder chambers. They were tapered like a standard rimmed cartridge, even though it uses moon clips. Two cylinders full and you could t hardly extract them. Got that fixed and cured. Went to work on the trigger. What a mess when the side plate came off. I knew it was gritty feeling but just figured it needed to wear in a bit. Looked kind of like anti seize, but was gritty. All we could figure was it was fine shavings that were not cleaned out hardly at all. Put some on a qtip and rub on a finger nail it would scratch it up. Cleaned up and local guru waved his magic wand over it, excellent as always. Fast forward about 2000 rounds, started having ignition issues. Swapped primers, helped a lot but not 100%. Went with a cylinder and slide longer firing pin, even though advised by several it would not fix it. All has been superb for me and my use for the past several years.

Perusing through GB one evening while drinking some “brown water”. Ran across a Girsan 1911 for a ridiculous price. Then noticed it was a penny auction. I took a look at when the auctions ended, making sure it was not at a lax hour across the country so as not to have a lot of competition. I ended up bidding on two, at a lowball bid, not thinking I would get either. Danged if I didn’t win both! Gave $205 for one and the other I got for $215. Both of these were Commanders. I thought even if I don’t like either where in blazes can a fellow get an all steel 1911 for that?
I shot the heck out of dark earth colored one and came to favor it. I have bought some “extras” to do a bit of tuning and hopefully make it even a bit better.
I try and keep in mind what I believe Jeff Cooper may have said, the 1911’s were the most reliable battle pistol ever, until folks started trying to make them into a bullseye rig, tuning and tightening them up.

Sorry to be long winded this AM. A couple of narcissistic, toxic fellows are back to work this week after both being gone last week. Five of us agreed last Friday it was a wonderful productive week with no whining or complaining in a number of years.
So I relaxed, put a rifle action together this AM and drank coffee at my leisure. I set here and type as my favorite girl dog lays on my lap .

Heat, I hate the stuff as well. Enough square bales as a young fellow with a “weak mind and strong back” then into hot barns that were even worse the fuller they got. I may or may not have had some heat stroke, wasn’t smart enough to know if I did. I know it takes a toll on me now if I don’t take a break. I swear the humidity is worse than in years past.

I hear the Covid crap is showing up again. Buddy is in South Africa and has had swine flu for a week. Supposed to pick him up at the airport in a couple of days.

All stay cool and stay hydrated.

Interesting jsh. I have played with the 45acp, as mentioned since the late fifty's, always liked them, but kept them fairly stock, with exception of a little trigger tuning and grips.
Even carried one when I started riding solo motors on PD. Much easier to reload if necessary, than the revolvers we usually carried.
I just like the 1911's and shot them, still, very often. This newest one a RIA A1 cs is now carrying a Reflex Holosun sight and is working very well.
Playing with some coated bullets from Missouri Billet Co, that Mike Valentino touted about in the last Handloader Magazine. They seem to be a good bullet and prices are good.

Bill K wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 8:35 am Interesting jsh. I have played with the 45acp, as mentioned since the late fifty's, always liked them, but kept them fairly stock, with exception of a little trigger tuning and grips.

Playing with some coated bullets from Missouri Billet Co, that Mike Valentino touted about in the last Handloader Magazine.

Bill, I'm also a long time user/carrier of the venerable 1911 and the .45ACP since 1965. One is my EDC, one is bedside, one specifically for the truck. Excellent platform, superlative personal protection cartridge. I'll never be without one or more. (More is good, right? ) The first round I discharged in combat was a .45ACP.

As for our friend Mike Venturino, I'm sure by now you know he passed last month and will be sorely missed by his friends and countless readers that followed his adventures and advice since the late 60's/early 70's. Another great one gone. We are truly diminished.

Yes I saw where Mike passed away. Always enjoyed his articles regarding all the old rifles, Sharp's, etc. and of course his handguns, BP to smokeless and all. He will be missed. I hope his wife works with the young fellow that has been with him on videos, etc. the last few years, if he takes over, as her photos of Mike's work, etc. were always good to be shown in the articles.

Don't know why I keep spelling it Valentino, when I know it is Venturino. I guess a combo of old age, goofy fingers and bad spelling/memory.