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May 11, 2008

Here' my brand spanking new, yet unfired Glock Model 20, 10mm.

Along with the G20 on it's first range trip, I also took the G29, S&W M&P 357 and S&W 22A-1. Can't pack the range bag with just one pistol, there's too much complaining from the harem.

Here's the first two targets with the G20, 25 yards, 11"x17" little-man targets, sitting at a table under shelter from sprinkling rain. Humidity kept fogging up my glasses, like shooting black powder pistols. Left target is first 16 rounds, one in the pipe. A bit high. Right target is two 15-rd. mags, beginning to pull shots to the right.

So I changed over to the G29 for a 15-rd. mag. What a pleasure to shoot that 4 lbs. 5.6 oz. trigger. Better group at left. At right is G20 amied at center mass with 15 and M&P at the head with 15. That M&P trigger, 5 lbs. 6 oz., feels a lot better than the G20 also.

Here's my Rooster Cogburn/True Grit drill, G20 in my left and G29 in right. I also tried out some Caldwell electronic ear muffs and they work great. You can hear normally with them on, and they even have a volume control that actually helps an old deaf codger like me to hear better than normal.

Back in July 2007, I started researching the "Baddest Tactical Pistol I Can Afford" and identified the two leading candidates as a Glock Model 20 10mm and an EAA Elite Match in .38 Super.

More than three months later, on Nov. 9, 2007, I zigged instead of zagged and chose neither, selecting instead a cheaper candidate, a Llama IX-C .45 ACP wideframe for $350 as BTP No. 1.

Since the Llama, I have purchased a CZ75 SP01 Custom 9mm as BTP No. 2, S&W 21-4 .44 Special revolver as BTP(R) No.3, Steyr M9-A1 as BTP No. 4 and S&W M&P 357 as BTP No. 5.

All of these I have loosely included in the "Baddest Tactical Pistol" category despite one of them being a revolver.

At least they're all called "full-size" or "Tactical" except for the M9-A1, which Steyr calls "compact." p>The M&P 357 barrel is only a quarter-inch longer than the MA1 and they call it full-size, so I guess if I want to call my two MA1s "Tactical" size I can do so.

I failed to mention two .22LR pistols I also purchased during the same period, one of which I sold, a Colt Huntsman, and one I kept and customized a wee bit, a S&W 22A-1.

On April 4, 2008, I finally came full circle and purchased the G20 I had called one of the top two candidates way back in September 2007.

I'm still planning for the EAA Elite Match .38 Super. Too many pistols I want, so little cash.

First G20 Range Report

The next day was a Saturday with rain in the forecast, but I took my new cannon to the range and filed this report.

The Good Lord was willing and held the rain off for a couple of hours while I took my new G20 to the range this morning.

Also took the G29, S&W M&P 357 and S&W 22A-1. Can't pack the range bag with just one pistol, there's too much complaining from the harem.

Fired the G20 sitting at a table under shelter from sprinkling rain. Humidity kept fogging up my glasses, like shooting black powder pistols.

After the first few targets, I'm beginning to shoot a bit to the right. The G20 6 lbs. 9 oz. trigger (according to my Lyman Digital Trigger gauge) is starting to wear down my trigger finger and I'm pulling to the right, as most lefties like me do.

So I changed over to the G29 for a 15-rd. mag. What a pleasure to shoot that 4 lbs. 5.6 oz. trigger. Better group.

Then I changed over to the M&P 357. That M&P trigger, 5 lbs. 6 oz., feels a lot better than the G20 also.

This G20 trigger sucketh, as the KJV says, but everybody knows that already. It is definitely getting a trigger job, probably that Ghost Rocket 3.5 lb.

Sights aren't bad at all, same setup as I had on my S&W 1076, white outline square notch rear, white dot front.

But some Hi-Viz sights or Tru Glo night sights are probably in my future.

Not a bad first outing. Put about 100 rds. through the G20 before the rain ended the day, mixed CCI and Georgia Arms.

Took it out of the box straight to the range. No problems.

Other than the trigger, I've got no complaints about the G20 and I can sure fix that.

G20 gets new trigger

Made it back to the range with the G20 with its new trigger on April 26. Here's that report.

Bought a Ghost Rocket 3.5-lb. trigger bar for my new G20. After installation it lowered the trigger-pull weight from stock 6 lbs. 9 oz. to 4 lbs. 1.5 oz., according to my Lyman digital trigger gauge, which is close enough to 3.5 lbs. for me.

Yesterday was the first chance I got to shoot it since the day after I purchased it.

I figured I'd try the Rooster Cogburn/True Grit drill again with G20 and my custom G29, which has a 4 lbs., 5.6 oz. trigger.

If you're not a John Wayne fan, it's a two-handed pistol drill I stole from him, G20 in my left and G29 in right.

I also tried out some Caldwell electronic ear muffs and they work great.

You can hear normally with them on, and they even have a volume control that actually helps an old deaf codger like me to hear better than normal.

Couldn't tell much difference in the two triggers during the drill, but the G20 recoil was noticeably lighter than the G29.

A heavier pistol always shoot lighter than a light pistol.