Firearms

The Warthog is Back

As we reported last week, the Para Warthog is back from the service center. The “work accomplished” section of the paperwork indicated that they installed a new recoil spring assembly and firing pin stop. They also adjusted the trigger pull to the factory spec of five pounds. When they received the gun, the trigger pull was only 3.5 pounds or so. They test fired the gun after the work with 40 rounds of ball and hollow-point rounds. They reported all functions OK.

Today, we test fired the gun with an estimated seventy rounds. Most of the time, all ten rounds went through without incident. There was one time when the round did not cleanly enter the chamber and jammed. I’m not comfortable with doing the tap and rack when that happens, so I ejected the magazine, cleared the round from the pistol, put the unspent round back in the magazine and reloaded. The gun properly functioned after that. I also paid attention to making sure that the gun got a little lube every 50 rounds or so.

I watched Todd Jarrett’s video on how smaller people should hold and fire a short-barreled .45 pistol. In the video, I believe that I’m firing the gun using the proper technique with wrists and strong-side elbow locked. In the video, you can see all ten rounds dispensing without problems.

We’ll have more to report in the weeks to come.

Back in Town

Just before we left on our vacation, we sent the Warthog back to the shop for them to have a closer look at the problems it had with misfeeds. Today, it’s back in our possession. We plan to follow up the repairs with another report after we have a chance to put some ammo through it this coming Sunday.

I would like to thank Michael Bane again for putting us in touch with the Para public relations representative, Kerby Smith. The turn-around this time was very fast, on the order of two weeks excluding shipping time. Way to go guys!

warthog-back

On the Nightstand

While we’re on vacation, we like to keep some of our favorite reading material on the nightstand and, you know, some things to make us feel at home.

nightstand

His ‘n’ Hers Pistols

We initially acquired this pair of pistols about six months after we got our S&W 686 .357 Magnum revolvers. We wanted to expand our arsenal with a pair of semi-automatic 9mm S&W 908 pistols. I got mine first ( a 908s – silver finish) and then about a month later got the 908 (black finish). Just this weekend, I replaced the old springs and spring guides in both pistols and then shot this picture.

pistols

The Same, But Different

Almost everything about these two Remington 870 Shotguns is the same. Almost. Mine is a 12 gauge full-sized model and Damsel’s is a 20 gauge youth model. Mine has a longer stock and barrel, but the receivers and fore-ends on both are almost the same size. If it were not for the gauge difference, I believe they would be the same.

not the same

Regardless, we had a great time at the range today shooting these at some paper targets.

Warthog Progress Report

HawgWe 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.

Reading Material

Mandatory reading – paperweight optional.

I’m enjoying reading “Effective Handgun Defense” (ISBN: 0-87349-899-2), by Frank W. James, who points out in the book that he is no kin to the 19th century outlaw brothers. The book is more than just tactics and has a very interesting history section. It’s amply illustrated and filled with plenty of good information.

defense