Oldnoob

Star of month (Sig Sauer SP2022)

2010-09-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

I guess Sig is doing their final push of P250 and trying to get rid of all the 2022. Now you can find deals as low as $389. For the price, I recommend everyone to pick one up.

PS: If you are a So Cal shooter, check this link about possible lemons from Tuner's Outdoorsman. http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=321860 Get to around page 5, many owners reply with FTF/FTE and eject cartridge to the face issue. TGS (topgunsupply.com) still offer the best deal that I know of.

McDonald v. Chicago - We won!

2010-06-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

Though cutting a bit close (5:4), we won. It's a great victory for 2A supporters everywhere.

Full text of the decision is here:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1521.pdf

I haven't yet read the entire decision, and will offer more comments after having done so.

We wonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn~

I started a Forum

2010-06-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

I got my own forum. http://oldnoob.maxforum.org/

I always like forum more so than blog, so now I have one. I'll still post pictures and reviews here. But check out my forum when you have chance. I put all the firearm related topic in Member Only zone. So join my forum and let chat about guns (what else will you be on my blog if you don't like guns?)

I hate you Sig Sauer

2010-06-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

I hate Sig. I hate that they have the terrible customer service. I hate that their pistols cost arms and legs. I hate that they change their pistol design adding rail to everything. I hate that they have been sliding on quality control. And I hate that I can't stop wanting for more....

I'm in the process of getting yet another Sig 226. W. German old one off course. And with luck, I might land a P6 soon.

Neither the 226 nor P6 is in my procession yet, but I'm already can't move my eyes when there is a WTS thread about 228.

I hate you Sig.

9mm high end pistol

2010-03-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been thinking to set a goal for myself, that one day I'll get some of most top shelf 9mm. I know it's kind of childish, but whatever get me motivate.

Choice #1
Smith & Wesson Model 952

Model after the legendary S&W 52, but with modern caliber of 9mm. Also available in long slide (6" barrel).

Choice #2
Sig Sauer X-Five

Also has the Tactikool version.

This is a bit of hard choice between the ugly magwell, or stupid light rail on alum alloy frame.

To be continue...

Range trip

2010-03-01T22:36:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I finally have a chance to take few toys to the range. Browning Hi Power, CZ75 SA, Steyr M40A1, Norinco Tokarev. Also the range officer know I not yet have a 1911 in my safe so he bring out a brand new in box Springfield GI out for me to be the first shooter before make it an official rental gun.

It was a blast. It's been a while since my last range trip thanks to the ammo shortage. I notice my shooting was a bit less accurate than the time before. With BHP and CZ, I was doing about 2~3 inch groups at distant of 10 yards. At my normal condition I should be doing 1~2 inch groups.

BTW, I'm still doing better with 40cal than 9mm. I have no idea why. But I was doing 1.5 inch group with Steyr M40A1 (which really is a compact size pistol).

It was also the 2nd time I take my Norinco out. I put about 100rd through it this time. And for the first time ever, it has a light primer strike. Not really a big deal for the gun was cheap AND the ammo is even cheaper. I got the ammo from online surplus. 1440 rounds for the price of $150 shipped straight to my house. you just can't beat deal like that.

The really important part of that range trip was with that SA 1911 GI. I was really disappointing with it. It's trigger wasn't what people crap out to be. The few 1911s I have shot (SA loaded, s&m, and RIA tactical) were much better in pretty much all areas. The trigger was terrible, light but long and with mushy break. And the GI sight was so bad, my Norinco Tok has even better stock sight.

Browning Hi Power vs CZ 75

2010-01-11T09:25:00.001-08:00

One too many people has the idea that these two fine pistol somehow relate to each other. Obviously they share some charismatic similarities like they both have grip panels, spur or ring hammer, and frame profile is somewhat alike. But internal mechanism are very far apart.

Mr. Stephen Camp had done an out standing review on both of them, so I highly recommend everyone to read what the true expert has to say about them.

What I can offer are some personal opinion on these two pistol in a minor, more focus comparison:

Grip: BHP is a bit shorter and much thinner than CZ. But most of thickness come from the plastic stock CZ grip. So if you wish, there are some thin grip available out there, they range from $55 to $105, rubber, plastic, wood and aluminum.

Silde: CZ's slide runs inside of frame, it cause the slide surface a bit smaller than most translational pistol. Which is one of the common complain shooters give to CZ. Personally, I have that problem as well. I like to use reverse grip to rack my slide, and CZ's slide surface will work better if you use sling shot grip. But at lease they did not have slide mount safety like Jericho.
BHP has larger slide surface, work just like many other pistols. One thing many shooter notice is BHP has very strong recoil spring come stock. So some 100 pounds weak upper body strength shooter sometime complain about how difficult to rack the slide. (my girlfriend "cough" "cough")

Hammer: BHP when from ring hammer to spur hammer than go back to spur hammer. Supposedly, ring hammer is less bitty, but I never got bit by my C series BHP which came with spur hammer stock. And my paws are on the thicker side.
CZ's hammer when from spur to ring and seem to stick with it. I don't often hear about hammer bit from CZ shooter (could be due to the lesser population of CZ owner). But personally, I do not like the ring hammer. It's sharp and uncomfortable to manually cocked the hammer. I would get the CZ Competition hammer as soon as I can ($58).

Trigger: BHP has my favor kind of trigger. Short and light on the pre travel, heavy and crisp on the break point, and short reset. I have hear the mag safety will cause the trigger travel gritty. I have never feel that but my BHP is C series, which was made in 70's. I assume it's been policed by the thousands of round it got fired out of it. But I had take the mag safety out recently and it's a very easy job, anyone when ever detail strip a modern pistol will be able to do so. And step by step guides are available online, just google it.
CZ75 B or BD come with decent trigger. Mid to long trigger travel, a bit mush but very light break and mid trigger reset. CZ75 pre B has the better trigger than B/BD, due to the absent of firing pin safety. CZ75B SA, comes with better trigger in my book compare to B or BD. Trigger travel is a bit shorter than B/BD, still mush on the break point, short trigger reset. Trigger travel on a consistent light weight over all. A capable gun smith can do trigger job on CZ to make it lighter and crisper.

Delate of my gun review.

2009-11-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

As you can see I have not yet update my October gun review. That's late even for my lazy ass. Well, November have not be kind for me. I got pretty sick from a flu, that took me out for 2 weeks. Than I broke my left ankle. So I have not yet gone to range since early October. And I don't feel comfortable to give a review on a gun I had only test a bit over 100 rounds. Therefore, Norinco Tokarev Type 54-1 gun review is officially postpone til my recovery.

Yes, life sucks.

October Gun Review: Norinco 54-1 (chinese Tokarev clone)

2009-10-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Just a pre view for now. The official review will not be up til late October.

Gun Review: Steyr M40A1

2009-09-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have mean to do this review earlier but things keep coming up.

Steyr M40A1

First of all, most people never even hear of this little pistol. Steyr Arms had mostly famous by their products in rifle department and the M series was the first polymer pistol they ever made. And hell of job they did.

There are rumors that a engineer from Glock Inc. ran over to Steyr Arms and help created this pistol. And they are people out there calling M-A1 a Glock "done right". I don't know any of that is true but whoever design this pistol surely listen to what people have complain about Glock for all these year. The grip angle, the width of the grip, the take down lever, magazine release bottom, cheap plastic sight...etc.

So let me start from the beginning. The first thing you will notes when you pick up this pistol will be its weight. Steyr M-A1 is a polymer pistol only in name. This pistol inside is all steel. It has close to Glock full size's (17, 22 etc) grip height, and Glock compact's (19, 23 etc) slide. Yet it weights 30oz unloaded. And it's all due to it's modular frame and control assembly inside of polymer grip housing (some vocabulary I borrow from Sig 250). Which unlike Glock that every parts mount on the polymer frame, Steyr M-A1's internal parts mount on a steel internal assembly frame. This design make Steyr M-A1 potentially more durable than Glock pistol.

Steyr M-A1 use a more slender grip angle of 111 degree instead of Glock 105 degree. I personally think the grip angle are easy to adopt but it appear many Glock haters treat Glock's grip as some nazi unholy number. However what I really want to emphasis on is the width of the grip and how high up Steyr M-A1 allow you to ride.

On the paper, both Glock and Steyr have a similar width (1.2" and 1.18"). However, Steyr M-A1 has two trench line on the back of grip with allow shooter's hand to cut corners and allow small hand shooter to grip the gun more fully. And my favor part of Steyr M-A1's design is it allow shooter's hand to ride right below the slide at the same time, its polymer housing inmate 1911's beavertail provided a protection against slide bits. Combine with a low setting barrel in the slide, heavy frame, Steyr M-A1 give a very minimum muzzle flip. And controlling follow up shots are truly the bread and butter of this pistol.

The trigger on Steyr M-A1 is clock in at 5 exact. To compare to Glock, I think the break is a bit crisper but the reset aren't as noticeable as Glock. (I always believe the reset on the Glock was its strength when competing with XD and S&W.)

What one should know is the unique sight on the Steyr M-A1. It's a triangle shape at the from and the rear sight has a cut off of that triangle shape. It suppose to work similar to XS sight that allow shooter's visual focus on the target more so than on the sight. It's more a self-defense fast sight than a sight mean for target shooting. I find that with some practice it's not hard to adopt to normal range shooting. I can aim as accurate as normal target sight within 50 ft.

There are just so many little nice though about Steyr M-A1 pistol. Like the rounded magazine release bottom. It's easy to press, and won't stab you in the hand with sharp corners. And all the corners on the slide are nicely rounded, similar to Glock's sub compact (26, 27). Which provided a snags-free for conceal carry. Low profile slide release/stop system that are easier to use than stock Glock (but Glock and switch on a "extended slide stop" for just $5). The sight, both front and back are solid steel. And originally Steyr was going to make both tradition sight and that triangular sight. So the mount space on the slide is common to most semi pistol, therefore it will be no problem to use any after market sight on M-A1.

Now, there are few things you should worry about buying Steyr M-A1:

There will not be a whole lot of after market accessories. 2008 Steyr sees US market already been filled with quality polymer pistol like Glock/XD/M&P. To challenge them and maintain the cost/quality will not be possible. So Steyr Arms made the decision to stop importing all the M-A1, S, series of pistol. However, parts will still be available from Steyr and Steyr will still service all their warranty.

The internal lock safety. The big taboo of US gun lovers. Till these day, there are still gunner refuse to purchase their favor revolver because S&W built-in lawyer lock. Well, Steyr apparently didn't get that memo. They build a internal lock system that can lock the trigger mechanism right next to the take down lever.

The weight. Yes I did mention it was a plus for it has a solid steel internal assembly system, but sadly, it also has the draw back on the weight. For a compact pistol meant for conceal carry. Shooters has to decide if he/she will be willing to carry that weight.

The safety action trigger that Glock was famous for, Steyr M-A1 has it. But unlike Glock, XD they try to make the shooter not to notice that "extra lever" before the trigger. Steyr over build that lever and make shooter almost feel like pulling two trigger at the same time. It's a bit annoying.

Over all it was a very promising pistol. And from what Massad Ayoob review the M series back in 1999. Steyr were meant to package extra sight (traditional 3 dots and triangular sight), plastic holster and mag holders (similar to XD's package). All that for the same price range compare to Glock (MSRP $699). Now there are only 20,000 of these pistol in US. Another solider down by the marketing cost. Sad.

Firearm 101: Introduction of Firearm - Lesson 1

2009-08-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Pistol

Pistol = Handgun. In modern day this term usually use on semi(or fully)-auto handgun, and use "revolver" to describe wheel gun. But in fact, this term was much older than both semi or wheel gun. It was first use on hand held muzzle loader.

Semi (or fully) Automatic Pistol

In modern days, this is what you see police/law enforcer carried. Sometime you will hear shooter describe as "bottom feeder", since the magazine load from the bottom of the pistol. Most model are Semi Automatic, means each trigger pulled only release one shot. But few model has the ability to Fully Automatic Firing, means while the trigger was hold more than ONE shot can be fire. The Fully Auto pistol, aren't as incredible as one might think. In fact, it's common in shooter world, that fully auto pistols are more of novelty item. For the pistol in design holds low rounds count compare to rifles, and receive lots recoil when fired. A fully automatic pistol will probably hit more air than desired target. However, this did not stop Hollywood to bring fully automatic pistol in big screen action.

ex: 1911, Glock, Sig.

Revolver

This should not be hard to understand, revolver is a firearm that has "Cylinder" instead of magazine to hold ammo. More detail of DA, SA "Action" will be explain later of class.

ex: Colt python, Smith & Wesson model 27.

Derringer

3rd type of pistol, for it's not a "bottom feeder" semi auto, nor has a cylinder like a "revolver". It usually come as a pocket, break top pistol that hold 2 or 4 shots. Each shot load in individual chamber like revolvers but each chamber also work as barrel. It often credit the famous firearm designer Henry Deringer in 19th century. It usually chamber in small caliber like 22lr, 25acp, 32acp, but much larger caliber (like 40s&w, 45acp or even 357mag)can also be seem in this type of pistol. It has the stereotype of women purse pistol or inside of spring loaded wrist pistol mechanism in Hollywood movies.

Firearm 101: Introduction of Firearm - Pre Class Notes

2009-08-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Pre-class note: I think I should post few basic information about firearm for beginning shooters. In these series of post, I'll go over some common sense and basic terminology. Feel free post your opinion and questions.

Sig Arm

2009-07-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

Lately I keep hearing lots BS that Sig have been done on their market decision. And I'm really start to grow tire of Sig. Sure it made great firearms, no doubt one of best manufactures out there. But from March 2009, the upper management of Sig Arms decide to ship all their civilians gun with only one magazine instead of standard two magazines. The reason was due to they can't keep up with the demand of manufacturing two mags per gun. Funny thing, an pure BS, Sig have been out source their mag for Mec Gar for years and Mec Gar still bumping out their Sig mags (without the Sig logo on them for around 50% of retail price) none stop. This decision almost get Sig crucified for a while. Than at June, Sig announce that they will start shipping two mags per package of their civilian pistol line. It seems like they felt the pressure from their angry customers. BUT, and that is a big but, what happen for those customers that order their gun and end up getting packages that shipped during March and June? According the online gun forum, Sig buyers that receive one mag in their package and complain to Sig's CS, they received answer like "according to our data base, your pistol in shipped during our mag shortage, therefore you will only have ONE mag in your package. Thank you for shopping with Sig." WTF? there is no reimbursement, (I have to remind you, that Sig didn't lower their retail suggest price during those months, their mag is about $50 a piece from their web site), no gift card credit, nothing, just a big FUCK YOU by Sig.

Furthermore, their new P238 Two tone, which they have been promote for a while now just got on shelf not too long ago. And Sig buyers soon to realize something wrong with the gun they getting... it come with black plastic grip instead of aluminum as pictured and list on Sig web sit. It turns out, it's another Sig's upper management decision that to ship plastic grip instead of aluminum to cut cost. I'm not sure if this issue has been resolved, the thread still going on (now I just need to find that thread again).

Any way, judging the few newer Sig that I saw on shelf these days, there are no current production Sig that I'm interesting invest my money in. I'm happy with the W. German pre rail 226 of mine.

Had a great day

2009-07-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

Got to spend some time with my brother. We don't really hang out much like we used too. He treat me lunch at Todai sushi buffet and I took him to REI shopping. At the way back, we visited two gun shop.

Than we spend this afternoon replace some car parts and he taught me how to ride a bike on his Suzuki GSX r750. A beast for beginner.

I start getting used to it, at least I can start the bike and shift pass first gear without turn the bike off. And I'm a bit proud of myself for not drop the bike even once. I hear most people did that as beginner.

NOOOOOOOOOOO

2009-06-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

It just confirmed, Michael Jackson just past away. This is sure a sad news for me, for his music was truly great for my time.

R.I.P King of Pop.

Found a drink

2009-06-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

I never really a drinker. I like some liquor's taste but hate the common "buzz" feel. I think the only drink I didn't mind to much was 21+ year single melt scotch on the rock. But recently I found a mix drink I actually like, vanilla Kahlua + cream (half/half). The cream part makes the liquor effect mild down so the "buzz" feel is almost unnoticeable. Plus, now I can drink coffee(-like) late at night and won't stay up all night.

Testing

2009-06-15T23:50:00.000-07:00

Just tying out the picture posting.

ok, it seems 450:300 ratio is good.

New Model Ruger Blackhawk Convertible

2009-06-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Well, first of all, sorry for MIA for a while. School and stuff just keep me away than the laziness just took over. I'll try to keep this Blog at least one post a week. For this week, I decide to do a gun review for one of my new member of family.

Ruger Blackhawk Convertible
(means it come with extra cylinder so it not only can shoot 357mag and 38spl, it can also shoot 9mm with swap of cylinder.)

Spec:
Blued finish
6 1/2" barrel
Adjustable Sight
Wood Grip
No internal lock
weights 48oz

According to Ruger website's serial number history, the one I got was build 1989. The correct full name is New Model Blackhawk Convertible in caliber of 357/9. The New Model refer to the 2 screws disgin as appose to the 3 screws Old Model design. I believe Ruger change the design in 1973 and the main reason is the old design is prone to "drop fire" (means, while hammer is down but some how get a blow from behind the hammer like if drop the gun to floor, may or may not cause accidental fire).

However, my NMBH (New Model Blackhawk) is not the newest model that include an internal lock inside of grip. Really who's idea was that? Let put a lock inside of gun, in order to unlock the gun, one must first find a screw driver, take the grip out than use a special key that work in all Ruger single action revolver to lock/unlock the gun. Than one must use the same screw driver, screw the grip back on, load the gun than it can be function like normal. Great, let your attacker have some time to order some Starbucks while you do all that. So, it definitely a plus that my NMBH isn't that one come with internal lock and that droughful black cheap plastic grip. Instead, it come with very nice rose wood grip.

From the appearance, it look just like any other old school single action revolver. With few modern twist, the flat top design, and adjustable rear sight. Most traditional single action revolver have a rounded top and that was partly because it have no rear sight. Many low profile back up or conceal carry purpose revolver doesn't have a rear sight. Instead it has a "tunnel" on top of the frame which line up with front sight. The NMBH use the almost same frame design as the Ruger's double action revolvers (SP, GP, Redhawk...etc) flat top.

Than, once you pick up the NMBH, you would soon realize the biggest different of it and tradition SA revolver like Colt SAA: it's SIZE. The NMBH is a size up all around. The Colt SAA weight in about 30oz to 35oz depend on the barrel size (4.5" to 7.5") but a 6.5" barrel NMBH weights in at 48oz. About one whole pound more than SAA.

At first the size/weight really trouble me. Like every soul, when taking about single action revolver, we automatic thought about wild wild west move. Where heroes raise his revolver by one hand and shot a running bandit from 100 yards away. But with 3 lbs of steel in hand, and the bulkiness of gun, it really make be wonder if I made a mistake of choosing NMBH instead of New Vaquero or Beretta Stamped which closer of old Colt SAA.

But all that doubt when away as soon as I fire my first shot at the range. I used the cheap wal mart ammo Winchester white box 38spl and 9mm. Out of NMBH, the recoil and muzzle flip was very minimal, all most feel like shooting 22mag. Even the 9mm out of NMBH, there wasn't noticeable more recoil, just a bit more muzzle flip. And the accuracy from bother caliber was dead accurate. In 30 feet, free stand slow shooting, I hit with both calibers, all within a 2 inches groups. That's pretty impressive for I'm not really a revolver guy and that was the first time I ever shot a big bore SA revolver.

I do want to add, despite some gunner encounter that 9mm out of NMBH wasn't as accurate as 357/38 due to the barrel wall and riffling size was meant for 357/38 and 9mm bullet size is a bit smaller (0.357" vs 0.355"). I found not much of different between them two. Of course I only shot them within the 30 feet, which I consider as "handgun range". This might change once go out over 50 fee, 50 yard, 100 yard...etc.

Another plus features, the quick release bottom on the Ruger single action base pin was awesome. Changing between two cylinders was cake and require no tool what so ever.

I never thought I would enjoying SA revolver this much. The trigger action was beautiful, it is not a DA revolver pre cocked the hammer. Two totally different animals. And the price for SA revolver is relativity speaking: inexpensive. NMBH can be found New for about $550~$600, and used for around $425~$480. It also come with differ net barrel length, finish, calibers and the special type of hammer+grip design call "Bisley" (Google it up!).

Well, that's it for my first gun review ever. I also have pictures of my targets. I will figure how to post here soon.

Latest chapter on my toys

2009-05-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

I have been busy the passed month. I traded my Glock 23 for Ruger GP100 and while the GP still in California 10 day gun jail, I made a trade with that GP for a Browning Hi Power (75C). I took it to the range and test fire few mags, I can shoot it close to my Glock, which is a task to beat for I have been shooting my Glock for a while and can get a decent 2" group in 25 feet.

Than, a week later, I found 3 deals that were too good to pass. A Steyr M40A1 (too many people telling me that it's "a Glock done right", so as a Glock fan I have to try it out), A Ruger Blackhawk 357/9mm conversion combo (come on, a single action revolver with 9mm conversion cylinder, I have to get it), and turn out to be my favor wheel gun (haven't fire it yet so it may change) a Ruger Security Six.

I haven't test fire any of 3 but I hope I can get some range time soon. My job is been adding some weekend hours on my schedule lately (I'm not complain for I nearly get fire/lay off just a month ago). But between my weekday job, school, weekend job and my girlfriend (who's not really into guns and shooting, it's kind of hard to find range time these days. What a pain in the butt, I'm really start to envy my east coast friend that live in middle of nowhere. He just go outside of his back yard, set some wooden target and can squeeze out as many round as he want. Unlike me, I have to drive close to 30 miles in LA traffic and pay $10 a day or $190 a year (which not too bad compare other range that I know) just so I can shoot a few round.

Ammo is getting ridiculous lately, I haven't been able to find any 22lr, 9, 40 or 38sp in any wal mart for 4 month now. Any other place who have ammo to sell just not offering the price I'm willing to pay. I only have few hundred rounds of 9 and 40 left, maybe a box of value pack of 22 and 100rd of 38sp. Who would ever guess Wal mart will run out of ammo?

This is enough for today, time to go to sleep now.

My first Blog

2009-05-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first blog, I though it's time to join this online blogging thing to share my hobbies. I'm into photography and guns, kind of an odd combination, since most people from art world are lefty and most people from gun world are righty. Which put me in an odd place.