Firearms

We reported on feeding problems with the Warthog and promised to make a progress report. This is an interim report. There will be a follow up.

First, I replaced the springs in the magazines thinking that would improve the feed of rounds into the chamber. Next, thanks to Kerby, the Para representative who contacted us about our problems, we watched a video of Todd Jarrett giving some shooting tips for short-barreled .45s. In the video, Todd demonstrated the classic ‘stovepipe’ that occurs when the gun is not properly supported by the shooter and then demonstrated how to hold the gun.

Image: Looking into the Warthog’s chamber.

Sunday, when we went to the range, we had new magazine springs and newly-acquired advice on shooting the weapon. We both shot the gun and we both experienced misfeeds even when bracing the gun as advised.

I spoke with with the Para representative today and we agreed to send the gun into the shop for a closer look at the problem. We think that this time, armed with more data, they can pinpoint the problem and get it resolved. We’re hoping so. Damsel loves the little gun even if it has been a bit temperamental.

These are the firearms we took to the indoor target range today. All except for the little Airweight J-frame, that is – but it is a good-looking gun, so I put it on the table.

Don’t read anything into the table cover. It’s all I had that would fit the new folding utility table that we use on the patio when we clean up.

Click the image for bigger.

My Warthog is certainly an attractive firearm – shiny finish and gracefully sculptured lines made me fall in love with this pistol. But, it has had some problems, as Cap’n Bob mentioned a couple of days ago.

But now, thanks to DirtCrashr, Glenn B, Sabre22 and, especially, Michael Bane, we might be getting the problems resolved real soon. Michael contacted his pal at Para and referred him to us. We will be in contact with Para tomorrow to determine the next course of action.

Thanks again Michael!

Damsel’s Para Ordinance Warthog has a history of jamming, almost since the day she got it. At first, we thought it was a break-in issue and would clear up. However, jamming persisted and we resorted to using a new cleaning lubricant, which seemed to help, but not eliminate the problem.

Lately, the ‘Hawg has been misfeeding quite a lot. We suspected that the magazines might be fouled up, so last weekend, she disassembled her magazines and thoroughly cleaned them out. But, while shooting today, the pistol seemed to jam more than ever. Once, the round got stuck straight up in the mechanism. Damsel posed with the jammed pistol so I could get this shot of it.

Since we earlier were told that the springs in Para magazines might be a tad weak for proper feeding, we ordered some new heavy duty Wolff magazine spring replacements a couple of weeks ago and had them on hand for today’s gun cleaning session.

I disassembled a magazine and laid the original spring next to one of the new ones. Visually, the difference is significant. The new springs are longer and heavier gauge, although they both have the same number of loops. Re-assembly of the magazines was also more difficult than I remember from the last time.

I read somewhere on the Internet that these new springs would reduce the magazine capacity from ten to nine rounds. That’s not true. Damsel was able to get all ten rounds into the first magazine I re-sprung with no problem. She noted that the new springs seemed to be stiffer and the last round was tougher to cram into the magazine than before. She compared the difference to my Glock 30 magazines which have always been tough to load that last round.

We will take the Warthog for a rare midweek shooting range visit, just to see how we do with the new springs. We’ll have a report after we try this fix out.