Training at a Balmy 32 degrees.
For those of us who live in the “Less Temperate” areas of the country. Cold weather training is a reality if you want to keep your training relevant and current. In the Northeast we have approximately 6 months of cold weather and 6 months of not quite as cold weather. There are several differences in cold weather firearms carry and usage that need to be addressed in training.
Custom Gen 3 Glock 19 EDC with MDFA Kydex Carry Gear
Given recent incidents involving Active Shooters and current threats we all face, I rethought my EDC weapon selection. While I enjoy the 1911 platform and shoot it well, the ammunition capacity and ability to mount a WML were lacking. Continue reading
Bushmaster . 308 ORC MOE Carbine. Nikon 1-4 Scope with Nikon P Series Mount. Magpul M3 PMags, Vltor Scout Mount with Surefire G2 Light, HST Sling, MDFA Kydex FDE .308 Mag Pouch.
Having been a long time user (37 years) of the M-16/AR-15 family in 5.56, I decided that it was time I tried one in the caliber that the weapon was originally designed for .308. I’m a proponent of 30 caliber weapons and the .308 and 30-06 are my favorites. While the 5.56/.223 work well within certain situations, I wanted a more versatile caliber, with the ability to penetrate barriers as well as one that has more effect on target in a defensive situation. We also have large animals here in Maine and the 5.56 is somewhat lacking in it’s ability to address those situations.(Ever have to shoot an injured Moose?) Continue reading
Springfield TRP 1911 with MDFA Kydex Carry Gear
Just so nobody thinks we’ve abandoned the 1911 here at MSW, here’s a quick peek at my Springfield Armory TRP. I recently bought her LNIB. Continue reading
Robar/10-8/MSW Glock with Streamlight TLR-1HL WML, Lasermax Guiderod Laser and MDFA Kydex Carry Gear
In a previous article I revisited my Robar/10-8/MSW Glock. At that time I had installed a LaserMax LM1141P Guide Rod Laser and a Streamlight TLR-1 WML. Since that time I have fired approximately 1500 rounds with them installed. The Laser came from the factory shooting POA/POI and has had absolutely no issues. I find that I sometimes activate the Laser when my trigger finger is in register on the frame of the pistol, before I intend too however. My fault not the Laser’s.
I really like the fact that the LaserMax is internal. This means your holsters will all fit, you won’t block the Laser with your hand or finger when gripping the pistol, and the sight/barrel offset is minimized with the system. Continue reading
Robar/10-8/MSW Glock with TLR-1
With the recent attention and series of articles on modified polymer pistols, I thought revisiting my Robar/10-8/MSW/Glock was in order. As the recent series of evaluations have highlighted, extensive modifications to polymer pistols are usually a want to do, rather than a have to do, decision. Having said that, as I stated in my previous evaluations modifying your pistol to best suit you and to ensure it’s 100% reliability falls squarely into the have to do category. Continue reading
Some time ago Hilton contacted me to conduct an evaluation on Colt’s new Dual Recoil Spring Assembly for the 1911 pistol. For those of you who haven’t kept up with the various articles on this, Colt developed the dual recoil spring assembly at the request of the Marine Corps for the new M45 1911 Pistol. The reasoning behind the new spring is to extend service life to 8000 rounds between changes.
Springfield 1911/Colt M45 Dual Recoil Spring Assembly
Springfield 1911/Colt M45 Dual Recoil Spring Assembly
A short time ago Hilton contacted me about evaluating the Colt M45 1911 Dual Recoil Spring Assembly. As you may know from earlier articles, Colt developed the Dual Recoil Spring assembly for use in the M45 at the request of the Marine Corps. The system is designed to prolong spring life between changes and increase the round count between them.
Springfield Black Stainless After Rebuilding and Beadblasting.
This build started life as a Springfield Armory Black Stainless. While it was a unique finish and a striking pistol, it was a bit too flashy for my tastes. I prefer a more subdued pistol and utilitarian finish. The build list consists of the following parts. Continue reading
After upgrading my Springfield Black Stainless 1911, I decided to conduct the 10-8 Extractor Test while turning the test session into a drill. With the ammo situation being what it is, making every shot count is important. To get more out of the test as a drill I shot 2 – 8 round magazines 1 handed and 2 – 8 round magazines 2 handed. This totaled 32 rounds rather than the 16 of the standard test procedure. Each round was loaded and the magazine removed and the pistol holstered. The pistol was drawn and fired in the required manner to test extractor function, which it passed.
Springfield Black Stainless 1911- Alessi DOJ Open Port Holster- Mitch Rosen 5DM
Robar/10-8/MSW Glock 17 After 2000 + Rounds
This 4th and final installment of the Robar Glock review will focus on the overall modifications and how they effect the performance of the pistol. For those who are looking for a “I ran it over with my 4×4 and then tossed it out of a helicopter review” you will be disappointed. However the pistol is a working gun and is not a “Safe Queen”.
Since receiving my Robar modified Glock almost three months ago, I have carried it everyday, taught 6 classes with it, which included demonstration drills, shot 2 IDPA matches and shot it during several training sessions and allowed several students to fire it as well. During that time the pistol has fired over 2000 rounds, of which over 1500 have been reloaded ammunition.
Robar/10-8/MSW/Glock 17 External Modifications.
This part of my review will feature the external modifications preformed by Robar on the project Glock 17. The modifications include refinishing the slide in PolyT2 Gunmetal Gray. Forward cocking serrations to match the factory rear serrations. Tri-Fit Backstrap System with 3 interchangeable backstraps. Rounded and textured triggerguard. High Grip Modification. Small Beavertail. Full Grip Texturing. Fitting a 10-8 Front Tritium Sight and a 10-8 .156 Rear Sight.
Internal Parts before firing.
The first part of this series highlighted the overall modifications the ROBAR Company made to the project Glock 17. This installment will focus on the internal modifications and NP3 and PolyT2 treatments.
NP3 is an electroless nickel-based finish that co deposits teflon with the electroless nickel. NP3 treated parts require no lubrication, which gives dirt and carbon nothing wet or oily to stick too. Cleaning is less frequent, function is enhanced and the treated parts are virtually rustproof. When you do clean the firearm, you can basically wipe it clean with a dry paper towel. NP3 is a satin gray color similar to a matte stainless finish. Continue reading
My exposure to Glock Pistols began at a Vehicle Assault Tactics Course in 1992. The local Sheriffs Department had adopted the Glock 17 with +2 extensions, giving a total ammunition load of 20 rounds. During the “Let me try your gun and you can try mine” part of the class, I loaned my S&W 4506 (9 rounds in the gun) to a Deputy while I tried his Glock. While he suffered from “Caliber Envy” I was wondering if his Glock would ever run dry. At the time I was still in Blued Steel and Walnut mode. (Or at least Stainless Steel). And thought like many that “These things will never catch on.”
Fast forward to 1995 and I was responsible for selecting the Glock 22 .40 S&W for my Department. Six Glock Armorers Courses later, and it’s safe to say I’m firmly in the Glock side of the ledger. That being said, any reader of this site knows that I’m a fan of the 1911 as well as the S&W M&P. As a Police Firearms Instructor and Head Instructor/Co Owner of a Firearms Training Business, I need to be more than familiar with a variety of weapons systems. Each one has its pro’s and con’s, and none of them is “perfect.” As shooters, we all strive for “perfection” in our firearms. Perfection for one is not necessarily perfection for another. That being said, I believe I’ve found “Glock Perfection” for myself. While your preferences may differ from mine, I think the place to find “Glock Perfection” for yourself exists at ROBAR. Continue reading
While perusing the inventory at my local gun store, I discovered a used 1911. It consisted of a Caspian frame and a vintage Ithaca slide. The gun was completed with an assortment of vintage and modern small parts. The slide is a WWII era production with “P” Proof and Ordinance Marks. The Ithaca rollmarks were shallow and the slide had a few dings and had been arsenal refinished over the years.
Being that the slide and frame were mismatched, I decided to use it as the canvas for my first build. I had worked on 1911’s over the years, and I am a certified 1911 armorer, however this was going to be a first and would be done completely by hand. Files, Emery Cloth and the occasional Dremel tool would be the only tools used. I decided to make the pistol a Retro Build, keeping the classic lines while incorporating modern features into the pistol. My inspiration was actually Hilton’s Delta Build. (And I DO NOT compare my work to Hilton’s). Continue reading