Monday, August 31, 2009

Sig-Sauer P238 Nitron w/Rosewood grips

Sig_P238_Rosewood_logo

Time to welcome a new member to our firearm family. I’ve already reviewed the P238 and still believe it to be the best currently produced .380 on the market. We were only borrowing one before, and now we own one.
Sig_P238_Rosewood_profile
Sig_P238_Rosewood_profile_2

This version is a Nitron finish (all black) with Rosewood grips and night sights.
Sig_P238_Rosewood_night_sights
(taken at ISO 1600)



We purchased this from a Florida dealer through an internet auction site. The gun was described as NIB (New In Box) yet it was apparent that it had been shot at least 25 times from the powder build-up in the barrel. I checked it out and found no wear or damage to anything and was fine with it. Sig-Sauer has a great repair policy should anything go wrong. I was only able to load 5 rounds in the magazine that was designed for 6, though. I had assumed it was a tight spring like my S&W M&P had in the beginning. It turned out to be a stone in the bottom of the magazine that finally worked itself into a rattle.
Sig_P238_Rosewood_rock

Shooter and pistol are doing fine and are very happy.

Ruger Security-Six revolver 6” barrel

Security_Six_logo

A “Beauty and the Beast” revolver in bright stainless steel and twice as big as of any of my other guns A friend of mine loaned it to me with a “Here, try this one out” kind of comment. It didn’t take me 24 hours before I was shooting it. I was advised by another friend to shoot .38 Special ammo through it first to get used to the feel, then move to .357 Magnum. I admit to anticipating some serious recoil from this massive pistol.
Security_Six_in_hand

History: Introduced in 1968, the Security Six was the original model of the new series that later became “Service-Six”. This gun has Iron sight and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge which also allowed for the firing of the .357's predecessor, the shorter .38 Special. Gun barrel lengths available on the Security Six included 2.75, 4, and 6 inches. Medium-framed in size, these revolvers were initially manufactured in a blued carbon steel finish (Model 117) and ,in 1975, stainless steel versions of all models were added to the lineup (Model 717). While Ruger’s Security Six line has been out of production since 1988, a total of over 1.5 million pistols were produced and they remain well-liked and respected, as well as highly sought after in the second-hand market. They can be found on auction sites for around $500.
Security_Six_sight_adjust Security_Six_empty_wheel

Disassembly: I didn’t break the handle apart, so there was no real disassembly. I did look the gun over, though. The Security Six series was one of the first modern revolver designs to feature the safer transfer-bar based lockwork. The hammer has a dimple in it to prevent it from hitting the firing pin. As the trigger is pulled, or the hammer is pulled back, a metal plate moves up over the firing pin. The hammer will strike the metal plate and the transfer is made against the firing pin. If the trigger is not fully pulled to the rear, the metal plate will drop out of the way and the hammer will not strike the pin.
Security_Six_hammer_dimple Security_Six_pin_safety

Shooting: Like a dream. The recoil I had anticipated was never there and the massive size of the gun was not an issue. I expected a dual-action trigger-pull to be difficult to keep on target, but it wasn't. Every trigger-pull was smooth and steady with a quick break. The “Pachmayr Gripper” grip was very comfortable as well. I did shoot .38 Special at first and got surprising results at 25 feet. I shot both Double-Action and Single-Action with both groupings being very satisfactory. I even moved it back to 50 feet and shot Single-Action to some pretty good groups. Sharon shot it as well and commented that she was better with the .357 Mag ammo then the .38 Special.
Security_Six_shoot_25_DA Security_Six_shoot_25_SA
( 25 ft Double-Action ) ( 25 ft Single-Action )
Security_Six_shoot_50_SA
( 50 ft Single-Action )

The bad: There was nothing bad about this revolver. Of course you would have a tough time concealing this monster even if you tried. The worst part of this gun is having 7 barrels (the main and the 6 in the wheel) to clean compared to only the 1 in a semi-auto.
Security_Six_vs_PPS
( Security-Six vs Walther PPS )



Summary: FUN. It is massive, shiny, accurate, comfortable and completely different from what I usually deal with.
Security_Six_357_magnum

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Walther PPK/S

PPKS_logo

Bond. James Bond. I know that is what you are thinking when you hear “Walther PPK”… I know I do. However, this is a Walther PPK/S, which is not the same thing. The PPK/S was used in movies with Kevin Costner as Mr. Earl Brooks in "Mr. Brooks" and Dwight Yoakam as Leroy Wasley in "Hollywood Homicide".

PPKS_in_hand

A little history: The letters “PPK” stand for the German words Polizei Pistole Kriminal. A direct translation would be “Police Pistol Criminal” which means it was issued to the Criminal division of the police, i.e. the people who investigate crimes, which would be termed 'Detectives Division' in most U.S. police forces. Got that? A Police Detective Pistol.

PPKS_vs_PPS_side_by
(Walther PPK/S (Police Detective Pistol) vs Walther PPS (Police Pistol Slim)

The Gun Control Act of 1968 limited the size and weight of handguns that could be imported - hence the Walther PPK was barred because it was too small. To comply with GCA68, imported handguns have to score a minimum number of points. Walther was able to accomplish this by combining the frame of the (lesser-known, full-length barreled) Walther PP with the slide of a PPK, and thus the Walther PPK/S was born. Walther manufactured the PPK/S in Ulm Germany until the mid-70's when economics and a licensing agreement with Interarms moved production to the USA. From 1978 to 1999, USA Walther PPK/S were manufactured by Ranger Manufacturing in Gadsden Alabama and distributed by Interarms. Currently, Walther imports its firearms through Smith&Wesson.

This pistol is a stainless version manufactured in the early 80’s, probably around 1983 by the serial number. Weighing in at 27.4 oz (1lb 11.4oz) fully loaded, the entire gun feels heavy and good in the hand. The gun is sleek and beautiful. This particular one has a Pachmayr wrap-around rubber grip that makes the grip feel natural in your hand. The sights are an interesting set of colors with 2 yellow dots and a red line on the rear and a red dot on the front.
PPKS_rear_sightes

The safety is also a de-cocker, blocking the hammer from the firing pin just before releasing the hammer. There was a recent recall to fix this feature in some newer guns where the hammer didn’t get blocked and the gun went off. This gun is not involved in that recall.

Disassembly: The PPK/S comes apart like the Iver Johnson I reviewed. You have to hold the trigger guard down while pulling the slide back past the hammer. You then lift it up slightly and then forward over the barrel. The parts are simple and well made. I was very impressed that NOTHING looked cheaply made in this gun.
PPKS_in_pieces
PPKS_inside_slide

Shooting: The Walther PPK/S shoots like a dream. Very nice with great accuracy, although I think it takes some practice to get really good at it. The recoil is small and the trigger was very smooth. Those wonderfully colorful sights didn’t show up too well in the dimly lit portion of the indoor range. I imagine my shots would be better if I was outside in the sun.
PPKS_DAD_shot

The bad: Nothing bad about this pistol.

Summary: Most gun collectors probably have one of these just because it is a classic of the small .380 guns. I have to say that the stainless version is definitely the prettiest of the PPK/S’s as well. Even after explaining the difference between a Walther PPK and PPK/S, my oldest daughter still wanted me to borrow it again so that SHE got a chance to shoot the “James Bond gun”. Although I have other guns for concealed carry, I would really love to have a stainless Walther PPK/S, even if James Bond DIDN’T carry one.

Thompson Auto-Ordnance 1911-A1 Standard

Thompson_AO_logo2
A step up from our normal calibers, this time we go all the way to a full size pistol in 45 ACP. This is an Auto-Ordnance “Thompson” line of 1911 style pistols. Thompson pistols are still being made under their current owner Kahr Arms. This particular one pre-dates that acquisition and is sometimes called a “West Hurley” Thompson, named after the manufacture city of its time.
Thompson_AO_West_Hurley

In its early years of production it was made from military parts on a Essex frame and slide with a commercial colt barrel. Production then moved to cheaper "market" parts that gave the gun a poor reputation for quality. This transition into cheaper parts started in earnest after SN 4000 (1983). Some online research puts this gun back into 1987 or possibly 1986.Kahr Arms has been improving the quality of the Thompson since its purchase.

At a weighty 46.7 oz (2 lbs, 14.7oz), this Thompson is a hefty, dark, sleek looking gun. The front sight is a massive blade with no angle cuts to it. A Pachmayr wrap-around rubber grip (Signature Model) was added and provides an excellent grip for shooting.
Thompson_AO_profile_1

Disassembly: Another new adventure for me is the take-down of a 1911 with a barrel bushing. Not difficult, but still new and a wonderful learning experience. Press down on the recoil spring while you rotate the bushing 90 toward the ejector port. Be careful not to launch the spring into space (or your eye) as you let the pressure off and remove the spring. Turn the bushing back to center and remove the take-down lever by aligning the half-moon cut in the slide with the lever to push it out. At this point, you remove the slide. Another turn of the barrel bushing will allow you to remove it and then pull the barrel out the end of the slide. The internals of the Thompson were as sturdy and well built as the outside, although the barrel looks out of place. It is less refined with more of a cast, unfinished look.
Thompson_AO_in_pieces
Thompson_AO_barrel

Shooting: The iron sights are so big and bulky when compared to the other guns we shoot, that I expected to take a while to zero in on a bullseye. Boy was I wrong. Dead center at 25 feet. Where you point this gun is where it shoots, even when we put it back to 50 feet. I was pleased with the shots and can only imagine what I could do with some practice. The recoil was negligible and in line with what a .45 should kick. The trigger broke smoothly as well.
Thompson_AO_DAD_shot Thompson_AO_SKD_shot

We did experience 1 or 2 (OK, MANY) problems with Stovepipes (FTE’s – Failure To Eject the spent casing). It didn’t always “jam” but when it did, it would do it for several times in a row. The cause could be the gun itself, the magazine or (as is most likely) limp-wristing on our part. Having little experience with full sized 1911’s, it is possible I would need some more practice. I have shot other 1911’s without such errors, though.
Thompson_AO_in_hand

The Bad: Well all the jams and stovepipes is a bit of a bummer but I am not sure it was the guns fault. That’s about the only bad thing I could find for this gun
Thompson_AO_left_face

Overall impression: A sturdy gun with great accuracy. I realize that it is not a competition grade gun, but it was a pleasure to shoot. I would not turn down owning a Thompson as long as the price is right. I am very grateful for our friend lending it to us for evaluation.

Thompson_AO_MP40c
(my M&P 40 compact on top of the Thompson)