Ritual Humiliation

Last week I went to the range with the Son&Heir so that he could put rounds through his new Springfield 1911 Ronin:

…and mirabile dictu, he pronounced himself satisfied with its trigger.  Of course, he made me look stupid by putting all 8 rounds into a palm-print at 30 feet, one-handed, while I could only manage a side-plate-sized group at the same distance, two-handed.

Damn kids.

However:  when we stepped up the firing speed (all 8 fired inside 5 seconds, two-handed), I was pleased to see his group opening up considerably — about the same side-plate size as mine.

Of course, I shoot my well-worn and familiar 1911 every week, whereas he last fired a 1911 about three years ago, let alone a NIB gun with stiff trigger etc.

Anyway, I was able to satisfy myself in one very important aspect:  compared to the usual 230gr .45 ACP, my adopted 185gr practice ammo is far more accurate (and much less punishing).  I had found some inexpensive Defender 185gr FMJ reloads and (even better) some of Norma’s excellent MHP 175gr loads for a good price at Palmetto State Armory.  The latter really zips out the barrel (~300fps faster than ordinary 230gr FMJ), and from what I’ve read, the expansion in ballistic gel is impressive.

Neither of us experienced a single ejection- or chambering failure in either gun, for any brand of ammo (S&H was shooting Winchester White Box 230gr FMJ, and Hornady XTP 200gr JHP).

We’re doing it again next week, because I’m a masochist.

2 comments

  1. well done!! Time with Son & Heir check. Time at the range check. Sounds like a great time!

    Lucky Gunner did some research on carry ammunition which was rather interesting. It’s hard to find non 230grain 45ACP around here for some reason. I’ve rarely had a problem with WWB. I used to pick that up at Walmart for $36/100 or so and now I see the price has doubled at places like Cabelas.

    JQ

  2. +1 for Springfield. Really like my Range Officer, as you well know.

    My preferred 45 ACP defensive ammo is Remington 185 gr. Golden Saber, for much the same reasons you state. Fortunately I have a back stock from back in the day.

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