Category Archives: Modern Service Pistols

P224-9 SAS Comparisons and a Nit – Update #5

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A problem is a problem, regardless of how easy it is to fix. This mag base was just too tight.

While it is a very minor problem and was easily fixed, I did run into a snag with the 12 round P224 magazines seating correctly while running the gun.  It was a problem particularly if I was doing a reload with retention where the slide was in complete lock up.  It turns out that the base pads on both magazines were slightly oversized.  If you look at the picture above, you can see a very tight fit, especially in the area where the base pad steps up to meet the grip shell.  I found myself periodically having to smack the bottom of the magazine to get it seated correctly.

Problem solved. But should it have happened in the first place?

I did not have to take much off of the base pads to get them to work better.  A few passes with a smooth cut file and I was done.  They insert properly in a single motion now and have only  slight bit of movement in lock up.

The rest of this update is a comparison in pictures.  According to each company’s web site, the P224-9 SAS weights 29 ounces dry; the Glock 19 weighs 21.6 ounces empty: the Glock 26 weighs 19.75 ounces empty and the M&P9C weighs 21.7 ounces dry.

P224 next to the M&P9C

P224 next to the Glock Model 26. (it is actually a G27 because one was handy, but they are the same size.)

P224 next to a Glock 19.

I have one more range session planned for the P224-9 and I will post those results once I am done.  I plan to go only to 5000 rounds with this gun.  I do not find anything smaller than a G19 or a  P228/9 comfortable to shoot for extended periods of time and I have no real desire to push it.

Photo of the Day: Robar Guns Glock Slide

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Back in August, Hilton and I had the pleasure of touring Robar Guns‘ facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Our friend Freddie Blish gave us the full tour and an education on the NP3 process along with its advantages and applications. He turned us on to a few slides they still had in stock for builds, so Hilton and I both ordered complete top ends for our Glock 17s. These slides come complete with all small parts, a match barrel and we supplied the 10-8 sights. All the metal parts on the top end are coated with Robar’s excellent NP3 finish, and the custom slides come with the corners tastefully contoured and useful front slide serrations.

I’ll be doing a full range report when the schedule lightens up a bit.

 

SIG P224 SAS

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The SIG SAUER P224-9-SAS-DAK is one of several variants of the new P224 branch of sub-compact SIG SAUER Classic Line Pistols.

The new SIG SAUER P224 pistols are now making it to the market on a regular basis and this one is mine.  Holding true to all the quality, accuracy and ergonomic features of the SIG SAUER Classic Line pistol family, the P224 is the first of the sub-compacts for this line.

About the size of a G26, the 9mm P224 holds 12+1 in 9mm and 10+1 for the .40 and .357 SIg variants.  This particular model came with 2, 12 round magazines.  An added feature of the P224 is that it will accept and run the larger magazines from the P226 and P229 pistols.  A sleeve is in development to fill the gap between the mag base and the end of the grip for the P229 magazines.

The SAS, or SIG Anti-Snag, model has had all the sharp edges blended and since it is a DAK it lacks the de-cocking lever assembly. The DAK or, Double Action Kellerman, is a DA trigger system that runs at about 5.5# and does not stack.  It makes for a very smooth and consistent DA only trigger action. Combine that with the rounded butt, E2 Grip System, smooth edges and minimized slide catch lever and you have a very slick and concealable package.  Knowing that I can carry 30+1 rounds of 9mm between the gun and a single spare P226 magazine gives me added confidence in the gun overall.

There are several variations of the P224.  They, along with all the pertinent specs, can be found here on the SIG SAUER web site.

I’ll be shooting and hopefully carrying this gun over the next few months and will post updates as I progress.

The 72 Drill

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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

Continue reading →

Five Fundamentals of Self Defense with a Firearm

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Once I had a student ask me what he needed to work on to be a good shooter.  Naturally, I gave him the standard, front sight focus and trigger finger discipline answer.  Drilling down on things there are only two things a shooter must do to hit the target.  Remain focused on the front sight and move the trigger to the rear without moving the muzzle.  I then asked him what type of shooting he wanted to do.  After some hesitation, he said, target shooting and some plinking.  He then added, “oh yeah, I want to be able to defend my family if necessary.”  Wow!  Way to bury the lead there guy. Continue reading →

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK17-PART 4

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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.

Continue reading →

Photo of the Day: Robar Glock

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On our recent visit to Phoenix (AZ) for our 1911 Armorer’s Course, we had the pleasure of visiting with Freddie Blish and Robbie Barrkman of Robar Guns. Known for his extremely durable firearm finishes and Glock modifications, we took a look at one of his creations. This custom Glock is built on a Robar slide, Robar match barrel, and modified Glock frame with grip reduction, texturing, and beavertail. The slide is machined for the Trijicon RMR with suppressor height BUIS. The trigger work is superb with minimal take-up and a clean break.

I had not been all that excited about custom Glocks as it goes against my Glock philosophy, but these guns made me change my mind. I have a custom slide on order, and as soon as my G17 frame arrives, I will be sending it off to Robar. The texturing is especially nice, as it offers a grippy surface without being abrasive. The grip reduction removes the finger grooves and the high cut underneath the trigger guard improves the ergonomics more than I would have expected.

As expected, the slide is coated in PolyT2 and barrel is coated with the ultra slick NP3 for great corrosion resistance and enhanced lubricity.

Visit robarguns.com for more information.

REVIEW: TangoDown Glock Gen4 Magazine Catch

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TangoDown magazine catch for Gen4 Glocks. Inset: factory Glock mag catch for comparison.

Glocks are pretty much ready to go right out of the box, especially if you opted for a set of steel sights. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve on “Perfection.” After a set of 10-8 sights, one of my favorite modifications has been the Vickers Tactical magazine catch produced by TangoDown. They are available for the small and large frame guns, and are available for all generations of Glock pistols.

Looking at the Gen4 factory magazine catch, there is a pronounced sweet spot near the front of the magazine catch button, much like the Gen3 factory catches. The Gen4 magazine catch is wider, and not too hard to release, but there is room for some improvement. The Vickers/TangoDown catch widens the sweet spot and the serrations are placed near the rear of the catch to reduce the reach distance for the shooter’s thumb. The catch itself is made of the same robust material as the factory catch; no cheap, soft plastic here. A flat blade screwdriver and five minutes is all you’ll need to remove the old catch and install the new one.

Will this one accessory turn you into a ghetto gunfighter? No. But it may add a few percentage points to the consistency of your reloads (as it did mine), and in this game, I’ll take every point I can get.

SOURCE: TangoDown

PS. The catch is now available in the Glock factory black or tan/FDE color.

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK17-PART 3

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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.

Continue reading →

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK17-PART 2

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NP3 Treated Internal Parts

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 →

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK 17- PART 1

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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 →

Evolution in Training – The Importance of Staying Current

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When people see the topic of evolution, it usually brings forth some heated arguments.  This article is about how we fail to evolve as firearms and tactics instructors.  This failure of evolution has brought forth a lot of heated arguments as well.

I don’t see this failure as much in the larger, more mainstream firearms and tactics schools as I do in the smaller ones.  Certainly it exists in larger schools.  I see it more often in training at the local level, and mainly in institutional organizations and police training. These schools often have instructors that have been around a while, and generally they haven’t been to a school to upgrade their skills and knowledge since Carter was in office.  And the curriculum shows it. Continue reading →

D&L/Cominolli Glock safety

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As previously noted, I have long preferred having a manual safety on my pistol, as I have twice seen officers’ lives potentially saved when another person gained control of an officer’s pistol, but the engaged manual safety prevented the weapon from firing –I don’t like to think about the outcome if the pistols involved had been a Glock, Sig, XD, revolver, etc…. In the incidents I have witnessed the officers had NO way to mitigate the threat prior to losing the pistol, despite adequate training and good quality Safariland retention holsters. All the DT/retention techniques in the world do not help when an officer is on the ground unconscious/semi-conscious. A manual safety can give officers a brief respite to neutralize the suspect using disarming techniques, access back-up weapons, and allow cover officers the opportunity to react and engage. Continue reading →

The Forgotten Military and Police

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My last piece I wrote was about service pistols going back 20 years, the Smith and Wesson 10mm series of pistols.  The 10mm was created as an ideal police cartridge to bridge the gap between the 9mm and the .45 ACP. This time we’re going back another 20 years (closer to 30, actually) to a rarely remembered Smith and Wesson M&P.

Today, when we mention the Military and Police in many circles, it conjures the image of a sleek auto pistol chambered in 9mm, 357 SIG, .40 and .45.  But the term Military and Police goes back to around the year 1900 when Smith and Wesson set the world on it’s ear with a hand ejector revolver that would be marketed to law enforcement.  And it would go on in one shape or fashion to rule what was in police holsters for the better part of that Century.  The .38 Military and Police had many variants from from about the year 1899 and later became a modeled number of the Model 10.  Modeled numbers were introduced in the late 1950’s.  There were different versions of the Military and Police.  One was chambered in .357 Magnum as the Model 13. Continue reading →