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
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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.
