I tend to anticipate recoil, so Dad recommended that I load a few rounds into the cylinder of my .38, spin it, then practice not moving the gun. The idea is to keep my sights straight while firing whether there is a live round ready or not. (It helps, by the way.)
After about 40 rounds, I noticed that the cylinder release was loose. It appeared to be merely a loose screw, so I took it to a fellow range member and requested a screw driver. (He had a gunsmith's screwdriver set. These guys have everything.) As it turns out, the screw is stripped.
I put the gun away and moved on to the .380. After about 70 or so rounds, I release the magazine, and the left grip pops off. Well isn't this nice. Another range member sees my plight and helps me look for the screw. Neither of us could locate it.
I move on to the .45, hoping history doesn't repeat itself. Fortunately, I was able to get through 100 rounds with no mechanical trouble.
The moral of this story? Watch your guns around Venus Pax.
Breaking in the Guns (literally)
Moderator: carlson1
Breaking in the Guns (literally)
"If a man breaks in your house, he ain't there for iced tea." Mom & Dad.
The NRA & TSRA are a bargain; they're much cheaper than the cold, dead hands experience.
The NRA & TSRA are a bargain; they're much cheaper than the cold, dead hands experience.
"Ball-and-dummy drills" (not "MrDummy drills" 
) are good for everyone, including experienced shooters. Not only do they help with flinching, they let you practice your emergency action drill. The EAD on a revolver is easy: pull the trigger again. 
I recommend snap-caps (ones made of metal instead of plastic) instead of empty chambers. Plus, you can use them in semi-autos.
For semi-autos, you can load snap-caps in random places in your magazines. Even better, have someone else load them for you. (Getting someone else to load your mags at the range is always good. )
Kevin
) are good for everyone, including experienced shooters. Not only do they help with flinching, they let you practice your emergency action drill. The EAD on a revolver is easy: pull the trigger again. I recommend snap-caps (ones made of metal instead of plastic) instead of empty chambers. Plus, you can use them in semi-autos.
For semi-autos, you can load snap-caps in random places in your magazines. Even better, have someone else load them for you. (Getting someone else to load your mags at the range is always good.
)Kevin
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ElGato
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The grip screw on a Bersa will loosen if you don't lock-tite it or check it often, I think they all do that.
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I'm better at retirement than anything I have ever tried. Me
Young People pratice to get better, Old folk's pratice to keep from getting WORSE. Me
I'm better at retirement than anything I have ever tried. Me
Young People pratice to get better, Old folk's pratice to keep from getting WORSE. Me
And here I was, thinking I'd let Venus shoot some of my guns if I meet her at the range...
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I’ve contacted my State Rep, Gary Elkins, about co-sponsoring HB560. Have you contacted your Rep?
NRA Benefactor Life Member
I’ve contacted my State Rep, Gary Elkins, about co-sponsoring HB560. Have you contacted your Rep?
NRA Benefactor Life Member
VP, "moral to the story is "watch your guns around VP."
BETTER MORAL: Occasional general gun check.
You have learned a very good lesson. You had to learn it the hard way & today I hope many of the new shooters on the board will take your experience & learn the easy way.
Firearms need a "LOOK AT" every now & then. More than just your morning mag & press check for loaded. That these things happened at the range is good. It gives a learning opportunity.
Check you grips for tight by simply trying to wiggle them at the top & bottom. There is no real need to take a screw driver to them if they are tight. Cylinder release the same way.
The other thing that I have seen loosen up sometimes is the rod through the cylinder. If your revolver gets a little hard to open it is usually because it has loosened & backs out a little, tightening up on the front of your underlug. If your sights have a set screw, try to finger slide them occasionally.
look at all pins to see that none have loosened & worked out a little.
Some new shooters fear locktight on guns or holsters. A tiny spot or blue, light duty locktight will help in a lot of spots. If it is a "No lube" spot I have used plain old Elmers white glue.
Us older shooters sometimes need to think about these things too. For us it is no deal. For a new shooter it is a BIG DEAL.
VP you have come a long way, young lady, since joining the forum. Keep growing.
LT
BETTER MORAL: Occasional general gun check.
You have learned a very good lesson. You had to learn it the hard way & today I hope many of the new shooters on the board will take your experience & learn the easy way.
Firearms need a "LOOK AT" every now & then. More than just your morning mag & press check for loaded. That these things happened at the range is good. It gives a learning opportunity.
Check you grips for tight by simply trying to wiggle them at the top & bottom. There is no real need to take a screw driver to them if they are tight. Cylinder release the same way.
The other thing that I have seen loosen up sometimes is the rod through the cylinder. If your revolver gets a little hard to open it is usually because it has loosened & backs out a little, tightening up on the front of your underlug. If your sights have a set screw, try to finger slide them occasionally.
look at all pins to see that none have loosened & worked out a little.
Some new shooters fear locktight on guns or holsters. A tiny spot or blue, light duty locktight will help in a lot of spots. If it is a "No lube" spot I have used plain old Elmers white glue.
Us older shooters sometimes need to think about these things too. For us it is no deal. For a new shooter it is a BIG DEAL.
VP you have come a long way, young lady, since joining the forum. Keep growing.
LT
Carry 24-7 or guess right.
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HankB
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What brands/models were the .38 and .380?
But seriously, just about any gun can break. For example, Browning's Hi-Power is a very fine pistol, but I've seen more than one of the adjustable sight versions where the ramped front sight sheared off . . . it's higher and more massive than the one on the fixed sight versions, and it tends to break at the dovetail.
But seriously, just about any gun can break. For example, Browning's Hi-Power is a very fine pistol, but I've seen more than one of the adjustable sight versions where the ramped front sight sheared off . . . it's higher and more massive than the one on the fixed sight versions, and it tends to break at the dovetail.
If this is in reference to one of the "brand new" rifles being produced by Springfield Armory, Inc., I see why you put "Garand" in quotes.Cosmo 9 wrote:I had the front sight fall off a brand new "Garand" after just a few rounds!!!
Original CHL: 2000: 56 day turnaround
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1st renewal, 2004: 34 days
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Another excellent example. I really cannot # the small problems like this that have been attended at the range or found in the occasional check.
The "LOOK AT" that I do is regular on my carry weapon. The rest get one when it is a rainy day & cant do anything. Bored.
Aha, I know what I will do. Getem all out & just give them a LOOK AT.
The "LOOK AT" that I do is regular on my carry weapon. The rest get one when it is a rainy day & cant do anything. Bored.
Aha, I know what I will do. Getem all out & just give them a LOOK AT. Carry 24-7 or guess right.
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NRA/TSRA Life Member - TFC Member #11
Interesting you started this thread because
At the last IPSC (past Saturday) match somebody on my squad had a Glock breakage; first stage, within first 10 rounds. (And my Glock jammed for the first time, a failure to extract.) He was using reloads and the 40 caliber round blew out its primer, putting lots of hot stuff on his hand. Very fortunately, he did not suffer much injury at all and was in good spirits. His glock also got some damage (extractor blown off and maybe trigger connect?), but the frame wasn't cracked. Since I was shooting after him, I didn't pay too much attention to his gun's condition and was practicing the stage.
This is the first time I've come even close to seeing the famed kB! (ok, not really a case failure, but it's the closest) It happened right in front of me and I'm just glad that nobody else got hurt then the gun was dropped.
Later in the day, a few people have gun issues that they skipped a stage or two. It looks like last week was a bad week for shooting :)
Edit to add, the poor guy got DQ-ed for dropping his gun.
At the last IPSC (past Saturday) match somebody on my squad had a Glock breakage; first stage, within first 10 rounds. (And my Glock jammed for the first time, a failure to extract.) He was using reloads and the 40 caliber round blew out its primer, putting lots of hot stuff on his hand. Very fortunately, he did not suffer much injury at all and was in good spirits. His glock also got some damage (extractor blown off and maybe trigger connect?), but the frame wasn't cracked. Since I was shooting after him, I didn't pay too much attention to his gun's condition and was practicing the stage.
This is the first time I've come even close to seeing the famed kB! (ok, not really a case failure, but it's the closest) It happened right in front of me and I'm just glad that nobody else got hurt then the gun was dropped.
Later in the day, a few people have gun issues that they skipped a stage or two. It looks like last week was a bad week for shooting :)
Edit to add, the poor guy got DQ-ed for dropping his gun.
Since VP started the thread, I'll add something else for the ladies mostly.
It's not a good idea to wear a ring with stones set in it while you shoot. Years ago an instructor told my wife to take her ring off before shooting. He had a lady lose the diamond out of her engagement ring one time.
Any ring may scratch the finish on a gun. Also your watch might suffer from the recoil except if it's a TIMEX.
I HAD a Charter Arms Mag Pug 357 mag revolver. The rod the cylinder rotates on broke. I pushed the release and when I pushed the cylinder open, it fell out on the floor along with all the associated parts and springs.
Always take more than one gun to range, especially if it's a long drive.
Regards, OE
It's not a good idea to wear a ring with stones set in it while you shoot. Years ago an instructor told my wife to take her ring off before shooting. He had a lady lose the diamond out of her engagement ring one time.
Any ring may scratch the finish on a gun. Also your watch might suffer from the recoil except if it's a TIMEX.
I HAD a Charter Arms Mag Pug 357 mag revolver. The rod the cylinder rotates on broke. I pushed the release and when I pushed the cylinder open, it fell out on the floor along with all the associated parts and springs.
Always take more than one gun to range, especially if it's a long drive.
Regards, OE
NRA
TSRA
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TSRA
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USN (69-77)
What did you expect?
Note to self--don't let VP use primary carry weapon (or holster).
Truth be told, I think this happens to everyone at some time or another. Maybe you just got all of yours for a long while.
At the forum day at PSC in Sept. I had a FTF with my G21. 1st failure of anykind in several thousand rounds and none since with that one.
At least you had the problems whithin a controlled environment and not when youreally needed it.
Truth be told, I think this happens to everyone at some time or another. Maybe you just got all of yours for a long while.
At the forum day at PSC in Sept. I had a FTF with my G21. 1st failure of anykind in several thousand rounds and none since with that one.
At least you had the problems whithin a controlled environment and not when youreally needed it.
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flintknapper
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longtooth wrote:VP, "moral to the story is "watch your guns around VP."
BETTER MORAL: Occasional general gun check.
You have learned a very good lesson. You had to learn it the hard way & today I hope many of the new shooters on the board will take your experience & learn the easy way.
Firearms need a "LOOK AT" every now & then. More than just your morning mag & press check for loaded. That these things happened at the range is good. It gives a learning opportunity.
Check you grips for tight by simply trying to wiggle them at the top & bottom. There is no real need to take a screw driver to them if they are tight. Cylinder release the same way.
The other thing that I have seen loosen up sometimes is the rod through the cylinder. If your revolver gets a little hard to open it is usually because it has loosened & backs out a little, tightening up on the front of your underlug. If your sights have a set screw, try to finger slide them occasionally.
look at all pins to see that none have loosened & worked out a little.
Some new shooters fear locktight on guns or holsters. A tiny spot or blue, light duty locktight will help in a lot of spots. If it is a "No lube" spot I have used plain old Elmers white glue.Us older shooters sometimes need to think about these things too. For us it is no deal. For a new shooter it is a BIG DEAL.
VP you have come a long way, young lady, since joining the forum. Keep growing.
LT
Yup,
I don't how many times I've used my wifes nail polish to secure screws on a firearm. It works about like "blue" loctite. Just don't get caught.
Spartans ask not how many, but where!
Thank you Flint. I will never buy another tube of lock-tite now.
To bad we dont have a bruised & beat up icon.
To bad we dont have a bruised & beat up icon.
Carry 24-7 or guess right.
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G.C.Montgomery
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As others have mentioned, the real lesson is attention to detail and regular maintenance. I do feel for you though VP. I've earned a far worse reputation. I've damaged or destroyed several guns over the years...
Not long after I met him, I broke a friend's Mossberg shotgun when I borrowed it for a shotgun class he was teaching. I apparently wrecked the receiver and action bars during a "rolling thunder" drill, locking the action open. The magazine tube had to be voided manually by removing the end cap and the shotgun never functioned again.
Another friend brought out a prized new Les Baer Premier II. Knowing I was a 1911 guy, he handed it to me to try it out and run it hard. With the slide closed, I managed to Murphy Musclemeyer a Wilson magazine into the Les Baer so badly we had to beat the magazine out of the gun with a hammer.
Murphy Musclemeyer was at it again when my Glock 34 started failing to feed. After two failed immediate action drills I pitched what i figured was a bad magazine. Once the training evolution was over and the lights were on, we examined the magazine to find I'd cracked the body of the magazine in five places. The magazine was fine before class started and it came out of the carrier with the normal tension so it would appear I cracked it on insertion...Probably one too many rounds in it.
And by far, the best screw up I ever had was while learning to detail strip S&W revolvers. My gunsmith told me the extractor rod had left hand threads. Well, turns out this particular M-10 one was old enough to have right hand threads. But, it came loose so easily that I didn't notice a problem until I tried to put the gun back together. Had to buy a new cylinder and extractor star as well as fit an entire new ratchet mechanism.
Not long after I met him, I broke a friend's Mossberg shotgun when I borrowed it for a shotgun class he was teaching. I apparently wrecked the receiver and action bars during a "rolling thunder" drill, locking the action open. The magazine tube had to be voided manually by removing the end cap and the shotgun never functioned again.
Another friend brought out a prized new Les Baer Premier II. Knowing I was a 1911 guy, he handed it to me to try it out and run it hard. With the slide closed, I managed to Murphy Musclemeyer a Wilson magazine into the Les Baer so badly we had to beat the magazine out of the gun with a hammer.
Murphy Musclemeyer was at it again when my Glock 34 started failing to feed. After two failed immediate action drills I pitched what i figured was a bad magazine. Once the training evolution was over and the lights were on, we examined the magazine to find I'd cracked the body of the magazine in five places. The magazine was fine before class started and it came out of the carrier with the normal tension so it would appear I cracked it on insertion...Probably one too many rounds in it.
And by far, the best screw up I ever had was while learning to detail strip S&W revolvers. My gunsmith told me the extractor rod had left hand threads. Well, turns out this particular M-10 one was old enough to have right hand threads. But, it came loose so easily that I didn't notice a problem until I tried to put the gun back together.
Had to buy a new cylinder and extractor star as well as fit an entire new ratchet mechanism.When you take the time out of your day to beat someone, it has a much longer lasting effect on their demeanor than simply shooting or tazing them.
G. C. Montgomery, Jr.
G. C. Montgomery, Jr.