beginner shooter

Update: Just got back from my smith and boy howdy the kindness of people in the shooting world never cease to amaze me. He ended up putting a new safety in the gun and he even showed me how to do it. Basically involves some grinding/filing and a TON of checking for fit in between grinding sessions. He also put in a brand new Chip McCormick hammer and a set of Wilson Combat oversize hammer and sear pins. Now everything on the gun has no play in it and the best part (aside from the education of course) is he said I can pay him next Friday when I get paid. Truly upstanding people in the shooting world and my smith is another fine example. P.S. Thanks to you guys for telling me to have a smith look at it. If I hadn't done this its likely I would have messed something up way worse than it started out. -Mike

Ah yes, but the Factory Glock is quite possibly one of the most reliable platforms out there. Once one starts adding goodies (ie. trigger kits, different springs, barrels etc) problems are more likely to surface. I pretty much tend to avoid using the term "better" as well. "Better" is very subjective in many aspects of life. The reason for this is that one person may think a lighter recoil spring is "better" than a factory one whereas someone else may think the factory spring is "better" from a reliability standpoint. Still, Glocks are all things awesome neener neener neener.

Because Glock is all things great. Now as for the mag question. A general rule of thumb with Glock mags is that you can put a bigger mag in a smaller gun, but you cant put a smaller mag in a bigger gun. For example, If you have a Glock 23 (the compact .40 S&W model) you can use the Glock 22 mags in them. They will just stick out of the handle a bit farther. Hell, you can even buy those 35 round 9mm Glock mags and put them in the Glock 17 (though Ill admit it looks kind of stupid). And yes the higher cap mags are double stack. Hope that help you a little. -Mike

So I called my local smith and am going to be bringing the gun by his house after work today. He also has a pretty huge supply of parts at his place so Im sure we'll get this thing sorted out.

Ive got a Suunto X-Lander Military edition and love it. Does everything I need it to and I can push the buttons while the watch is submerged without water getting in (most lower-end watches you cant do this). Think it was like $300, but I got it in the BX while in Baghdad so YMMV.

Whenever I take my guns apart to clean them I always check each components function as I re-assemble the gun. I got as far as getting the safety back in when I noticed this problem and until solved will not re-assemble the pistol.

Heres my problem. On my 1911 when I engage the thumb safety then depress the grip safety (basically hold the gun) and press the trigger the hammer inches foward about 1/16 of an inch. If from there I disengage the thumb safety the hammer will fall without pressing the trigger at all. Ive tried to diagnose why it does this but still cant find why short of maybe the thumb safety being too worn to completely disengage block the sear from being pushed. Anyone else have any ideas here? I would like to get this fixed before the match on Sunday. -Mike

I say awareness. As in "I am very aware that I will not be winning a book this month".

I did know something I didn't, but that wasn't it.

My levels came back at 20 (mind you Ive only been doing this for about 2.5 months) and my doc told me the same thing. Im pretty sure he knew completely cutting shooting out wasn't going to happen when I said "but there's a classifier this weekend and I HAVE to go". Anywho, I have been more proactive about my lead exposure. Now I wash my hands everytime Im going to eat something at the range (use to just open my cooler and eat my sandwich between stages without giving it a second thought ) and I wear latex gloves when I reload my ammo and clean my guns. Im due to have another lead test first Monday in July. Hopefully the numbers go down.

I would also add, have your local smith show you how to fully take down your gun to its frame, what to look for on inspections, and how to properly clean and lubricate all the parts. My smith did this for me. He wouldnt accept any cash payment for the lesson, but I did get him a case of his favorite beer. In my experience Ive learned that I always need to learn more.

So I would be at fault because my equipment malfunctioned on its own accord? Guess I am lucky. But like I said I remedied the problem ASAP to ensure I wouldn't have a future performance out of that particular blaster.

Same thing happened to me at the match on Sat only when you keep the trigger pulled the hammer follows the slide all the way back down and guess what happens. 17 rounds in about 1.5 sec. Not good. I replaced the hammer, sear, and sear spring and the issue was solved. Still, not fun to have your gun go full auto in the middle of a stage. I also backed out the overtavel screw about half a turn to ensure proper reset.

At least they aren't standing in front of it. Ah, I crack me up.

You know, if you look at stage 1 you can see how well I did with my trusty G-lock. But I think Ill stick to the Para because I seem to be more accurate with it at longer ranges. Stage 1 was more of a run-n-gun stage than anything, but with the way it was set up cost 3 people a DQ for a 180 infraction. Basically you had to be hyper-aware of where your muzzle was pointed or you'd likely break the 180.

So I shot the match on Sat and here's the results. Im getting much better (except on stage 2 where I fowled up the stage trying to go TOO fast). On another note, I ended up having to shoot stage 1 (my last stage of the day) with my Glock because my Para decided it wanted to be a machine pistol. But even with the hickups Im doing better and better. Props to the RO who let me use a Glock holster to finish the match. Truly the best people Ive ever met are in this sport. Match scores Im Mike Miller

How much you looking to spend? Also check the classifieds on this forum. There's pleanty out there 2nd hand for good prices.

Me Me!!! Send to my email addy in my profile and Ill do it as soon as I get home. I wanna see this thing too.

Welcome! Buying guns is like buying parachutes. Basically you want to demo as much as you can before you make a final decision. I would say to try out a Glock 34. Also with the Glock you can modify the crap out of them with parts from GlockWorx. Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up getting.

I myself am an Eagle Scout and can personally testify that never at any time was our troop either racial or militant. Hell, the only thing that could even closely be related to "militant" would be the marksmanship merit badge which, in my experience, is nothing more than learning safe gun handling and proper shooting skills. People who spread this rubbish are either uninformed or just stirring the pot.

I just ordered a tub of Slide Glide on Friday and got it today. Packaging was great, shipping was extreemely fast, and instuctions for use were very detailed for a newb like myself. Props to BE for his great store and speedy delivery!

Correct. Sammy Hagar would also have been acceptable.

Here's one: Crank up the drums crank up the base crank up my les paul in your face...

+1 A sharpie works great for this and they come in a variety of different colors.

What he said. Put a dowel in the muzzel and pound that mother effer outta there. Its lead. It aint gonna hurt the barrel and it will save you money instead of taking it to a gunsmith thats going to do exactly what Sarge reccommended. Good luck. Ive done this and its an easy fix.