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OK. I'm new to gun ownership, joining the masses that want something better than a baseball bat for home protection. Two summers ago my next door neighbor had his front door kicked in enough to crack the frame, WHILE THEY WERE HOME relaxing in the back yard!!! They apparently aborted the break-in when they realized the house was not empty. This year it's predicted things will get much worse and when the supply disruption happens to the food and/or fuel supply I will be ready for any desperadoes. I got a (Made in Germany) Walther P22 pistol, what many consider the best pistol available for just over $300 US. I practiced removing/installing the slide (7 times) using the return spring guide pin, so I could do it the most efficient and quickest way for cleaning the barrel bore. It's not as easy as I thought it would or should be. Kind of like changing the OilHead's in-tank fuel filter. Simultaneous, multiple, careful manipulations are required to get it together, without any harm to the spring or slide.

It's 3 days after the gun purchase before the weather is good and my schedule is open enough to jump on the bike and go shooting it for the first time. I left @ 2:04PM toward a (totally FREE!) State run firing range that turned out to be only 27.7 miles (44.6km) away. I put the small gun case and the cleaning kit in the Givi tail trunk then followed the shooting range's listed Lat/Long coordinates I entered yesterday evening that took me to the EXACT spot using the available roads! The attendant there said there are only 2 shooting ranges in the State so I guess I'm pretty lucky to be so close to one.

When I got there the first thing that left a lasting impression was first the sound of gunfire and then the biggest cannon sized BOOM I had ever heard!! It had to be a 50 cal rifle. You absolutely need hearing protection!!! I informed the attendant, a green uniformed Georgia State Wildlife Refuge employee that I was a newbee with a new pistol. He answered the 5 or 6 questions I had about shooting, then he calmly said to fill out the register and find my own table. We then spoke about the few simple safety rules and I took my first shots. POW . . . . . POW. The recoil kick was more than I would of thought a .22 shell is capable of. My right wrist is sore even now. It was also much louder than I was expecting. It was fun squeezing off the 70 rounds (box of 50 rounds + the 2 clips I pre-loaded at home) into small white junk plastic/paper pieces I propped up in the dirt bank during the "all guns down" firing recess. I brought the ear protectors and safety glasses, but decided to "wing-it" for targets - - a good choice considering an error free shooting/reloading process had my full focus. I was now fully aware of the dangerous unpredictable explosive power in any one live round if it became jammed or it misfired. I initially wanted to adjust the sights in, but after firing a few shots and seeing in the dirt hits that they were pretty close, I thought to myself . . . "screw that, I'm just gonna keep shooting at those white pieces of junk!" It took a lot of my shaky shots to actually hit those small 2" (51mm) pieces at 30 yards (27.4M) and see them move or shoot up in the air. With the revered/recommended Federal brand .22 LongRifle 36 grain HollowPoint ammo costing 3.7 cents apiece (from a 550 round loose bulk box of them), it was good cheap fun! I had 2 full clips at the start and filled an empty 10 round clip 5 times from the small full box of 50. There I was, just for the hell of it like one other shooter, squeezing the trigger quickly 4 times . . . . POW-POW-POW-POW! It is a LOUD "POW!", sounding more like a bigger gun than the "pop" or "crack" sound I had initially expected from a .22 caliper pistol. Maybe the last time I shot a friend's .22 pistol decades ago was using .22 shorts? Of the 70 rounds, there was 1 misfire (lightweight pin hit mark on the shell rim extreme edge, no fire) and 2 no loads (barrel chamber bore empty). In talking with 2 other shooters there I was relieved to hear those malfunctions were not unusual until the pistol is broken in. The manual does not say how many rounds the break-in is, but he said his 9mm pistol's manual mentioned 300 rounds. I had the slide off this morning to clean & oil the bore and slide rails so I'll just continue shooting it until I pass 300 rounds thru it before it goes back to the dealer for a malfunction inspection (if needed).

It looks like I have a new toy and a rewarding recreational sport I had not expected. I'm absolutely going to avoid joining another "toy specific" chat board (for the P-22), as I'm busy enough on the 4 sites I'm on already.

Here in red state Georgia we have an open carry firearms law, where if you carry the weapon, it must be visible, as in a holster. If you want to carry it concealed, you need a special "concealed carry permit". I got my pistol in less than a half hour, with just my drivers license, after he called in my name to the FBI and got the clean-OK confirmation. I can actually wear the pistol on a belt holster where ever I go (in GA). The state's home robbery rate is very low as the perpetrators are often killed, as recently happened when an elderly woman shot and killed the criminal just after his violent break-in. The in home shooters are never charged when forced entry and self defense has clearly occurred. How does all that wonderful 2nd amendment freedom I have affect those of you with liberalized, nanny state, overly restrictive gun control laws?

Lets hear about your first time with your firearm.

That is a nice piece you bought Rob. They are high quality pistols. Since you intend to use it for home defense, I would buy a box of CCI Stingers for it. 22's are not the best choice for home defense, and these little loads will give you the extra velocity to do some damage. They are a poor choice for shooting out past 15 yards, they are so hot that they are less accurate then a standard load. Inside a house though they should be fine. My first home defense weapon was a 12 gauge shot gun with an 18" barrel. Bird shot for the first 2 loads (safer in a house) then 00 Buck for the finish. While I have a safe full of weapons to choose from, a 12 gauge pump action would still be the first weapon out of the safe (it is up front and loaded) should I have to defend my home. A pump action shot gun speaks all languages, if your a bad guy in someone's house uninvited, your already nervous, if you hear that sound, you will be looking for the nearest exit, the sound of that slide being pumped will get anyones attention, and crosses all language barriers. With the 22 you may not do enough damage to stop an attacker. If it convinces the intruder to leave your home, then it has done it's job. If you have to shoot someone with it, it may take several rounds to slow the bad guy down. 22's can be lethal, but they must hit a vital place to put down an intruder. A 12 gauge is guarantied to stop him with the first load. Very likely you would have the only story to tell the authorities when they arrive. You really don't want some scum bag telling the cops you invited him in then went "Postal" on him. One story for the cops, and it is best if it is YOUR story only. While I might not want to rely on a 22 for home defense, they are a blast to shoot at the range. You can shoot all day and not break the bank, they have less recoil and less noise. They are perfect for hunting down small game or just keeping the eye sharp while shooting targets. I love my 22's. Oh I noticed that you experienced a couple squibs. As I stated in an earlier post, the ammo maybe the cause, not the gun. I'd try a different ammo in it, some guns are picky about what you feed them. I have never had a squib while using Federal ammo in any of my weapons. Remington Thunderbolts are definitely off my list. They were so unreliable I gave a couple hundred rounds away.

Rob is gonna turn into a gun nut now...

I really don't remember my first experience with a gun. The only guns I've got are a 12ga semi-auto and a scoped .22 semi-auto rifle. Neither have been fired or even been out of their cases for 10+ years. I can't seem to make enough time for plinking with the .22, let alone for hunting.

One thing I would say about ammo (like Don said)... try a few different brands. You will likely find some work better, with your particular gun, than others. It's just the tiny differences in shape and manufacturing tolerances that make some brands/types work better with a particular gun. It sounds like you bought some inexpensive rounds (nothing at all wrong with that, for practice). You might also try some more expensive "premium" rounds.

I would disagree with him about how well you can protect yourself with a .22. It has less to do with the type of gun, and more to do with where the projectiles hit the intruder. The .22 should do a good job of stopping an intruder, if you put a couple in his face. Don't stop at just one.

With my 12ga, I would just use a single deer slug to the chest. That is, if the intruder gave me enough time to dig in the closet to get the gun out, and then rummage around to find a box of shells.

Rob,

Did you purchase the P22 with the 3.4" or 5" barrel?

Hitting a 2" square at 30 yards is impressive for a first timer.

jb

Iowa,
I didn't realize there were "premium" rounds and I thought the 550 rounds of the Federal brand I got from Wal*Mart was the indication of good quality. You're the 3rd person to recommend a shotgun for home break-in protection. Those guns have a limited use and storing it and using it requires more swinging room than a 10 shot pistol. Plus, with those 10 shots I can do serious, permanent damage. The most famous shooting was of IMHO our greatest President, Ronald Regan. Here is a copy-n-paste:
The bullet had penetrated Reagan's torso, "traversed about three inches of the chest wall and then ricocheted off the seventh rib into the left lower lobe of the lung and moved about three inches into the lung substance itself." The .22 slug came to a stop only one inch from the President's heart.

Imagine 5 or 6 of those carefully placed by a calm, determined, experienced shooter!



jb44 said "Hitting a 2" square at 30 yards is impressive for a first timer."
Well . . . . maybe . . . . if it wasn't for the fact I shot 70 rounds!!

I got the std short barrel and will upgrade to the 5" in the future to better suit how I use it: target practice and home security. I don't "need" the short size compactness as much as the better stability/accuracy of the longer barrel. I just broke it down and cleaned it, to be inspected and reassembled tomorrow.

BTW, I'm thinking of salvaging a used/shredded target from the range and write on the top border: "We don't call 911 !!"

It's a magazine, not a clip...

Welcome to gun ownership.

CycleRob wrote:Iowa,... You're the 3rd person to recommend a shotgun for home break-in protection...

I'll be the fourth. My weapon of choice for home defense: Winchester 12 gauge Model 1300 Defender. It's the only one that stays loaded and out of the safe.

Even though I have a safe full of various handguns, these days my hand is not as steady as it once was. Using the laser sight on the Glock 19 I would be lucky to accurately hit a target at 10 yards.

With the !2 gauge, I'm a lot more confident.

The most fun I've had shooting was in an old quarry shooting cans and bottles with a Ruger Mark I with the 5.5" bull barrel.

I still go to the range about once a month and shoot 50 rounds through the revolver I'm most comfortable with, the Ruger .38 SP 101.

The range I go to has gun handling classes... may be worth looking in to.

Enjoy your new P22.

jb

I didn't intend to imply that a 22 can't be used effectively as a home defense weapon. They have been known to kill, Robert Kennedy comes to mind. It wouldn't be my first choice is all. Since they are small and light, they don't do the damage that a larger bullet or shot load can do. I'd do as iowabeakster suggests, the face would be a good place to put them if you can get in some head shots. Most folks go for center mass, easier target, but less effective when using small caliber bullets. A perp won't be sticking around if your shooting at him, unless he has a weapon of his own, he may get a chance to use it on you if you can't drop him quickly. Sometimes you only get 1 shot. On the shelf, in my safe next to a loaded shotgun (SS Mossberg 500, 18.5" barrel/pistol grip/heat shield and tactical sling), is a Colt 1911. It is loaded as well, but still won't be my first choice for home defense. The reason may surprise you. While the 45 has the power to stop a man in his tracks, they can penetrate walls easily, killing someone in the next room, or a neighbor next door is possible if you miss the perp. They have been known to go right through a person and kill someone standing behind that person as well. Over penetration can be a bad thing. That is why I use a light bird load in my shotgun for the first 2 shots, you won't penetrate walls as easily with bird shot. If I have to use the 00 buck, things didn't go well, and I'm going to need them..... BTW, that ammo you bought at WalMart has been good for me in the past. I have 3 semi auto 22's, all of them like that ammo. However your Walther may not care for it and may do better with another brand. Finding a round it likes can be fun, that means more time at the range. The malfunctions you reported were curious, in order to have a round fail to load leads me to think the slide didn't cycle fully, cycling far enough to eject the spent round, but not picking up and cambering the next round. That can be caused by the ammo (short charge), a lack of lube, and or dirt. Perhaps a break in period is in order also. Have fun with your new Walther, 22's can be a blast. I shoot more 22 then any of the other caliber weapons I have. They simply are more fun.

owldaddy wrote:I didn't intend to imply that a 22 can't be used effectively as a home defense weapon. They have been known to kill, Robert Kennedy comes to mind. It wouldn't be my first choice is all. Since they are small and light, they don't do the damage that a larger bullet or shot load can do. I'd do as iowabeakster suggests, the face would be a good place to put them if you can get in some head shots. Most folks go for center mass, easier target, but less effective when using small caliber bullets. A perp won't be sticking around if your shooting at him, unless he has a weapon of his own, he may get a chance to use it on you if you can't drop him quickly. Sometimes you only get 1 shot. On the shelf, in my safe next to a loaded shotgun (SS Mossberg 500, 18.5" barrel/pistol grip/heat shield and tactical sling), is a Colt 1911. It is loaded as well, but still won't be my first choice for home defense. The reason may surprise you. While the 45 has the power to stop a man in his tracks, they can penetrate walls easily, killing someone in the next room, or a neighbor next door is possible if you miss the perp. They have been known to go right through a person and kill someone standing behind that person as well. Over penetration can be a bad thing. That is why I use a light bird load in my shotgun for the first 2 shots, you won't penetrate walls as easily with bird shot. If I have to use the 00 buck, things didn't go well, and I'm going to need them..... BTW, that ammo you bought at WalMart has been good for me in the past. I have 3 semi auto 22's, all of them like that ammo. However your Walther may not care for it and may do better with another brand. Finding a round it likes can be fun, that means more time at the range. The malfunctions you reported were curious, in order to have a round fail to load leads me to think the slide didn't cycle fully, cycling far enough to eject the spent round, but not picking up and cambering the next round. That can be caused by the ammo (short charge), a lack of lube, and or dirt. Perhaps a break in period is in order also. Have fun with your new Walther, 22's can be a blast. I shoot more 22 then any of the other caliber weapons I have. They simply are more fun.

.22 are very nice, but would go with a Remington pump action 12-gauge as the weapon of choice. Nothing tighten's one's colon quicker than the pump-action of the Remington being racked in low light conditions - especially if it is black on black! Don't like to discuss my arsenal online, but it is sufficient for my needs. Currently use (8) .45 caliber hollow-point rounds from a Berretta Cougar to do my bidding. Smith & Wesson used to be the insurance of choice, but it now has gone Italian!

angellr wrote:

owldaddy wrote:I didn't intend to imply that a 22 can't be used effectively as a home defense weapon. They have been known to kill, Robert Kennedy comes to mind. It wouldn't be my first choice is all. Since they are small and light, they don't do the damage that a larger bullet or shot load can do. I'd do as iowabeakster suggests, the face would be a good place to put them if you can get in some head shots. Most folks go for center mass, easier target, but less effective when using small caliber bullets. A perp won't be sticking around if your shooting at him, unless he has a weapon of his own, he may get a chance to use it on you if you can't drop him quickly. Sometimes you only get 1 shot. On the shelf, in my safe next to a loaded shotgun (SS Mossberg 500, 18.5" barrel/pistol grip/heat shield and tactical sling), is a Colt 1911. It is loaded as well, but still won't be my first choice for home defense. The reason may surprise you. While the 45 has the power to stop a man in his tracks, they can penetrate walls easily, killing someone in the next room, or a neighbor next door is possible if you miss the perp. They have been known to go right through a person and kill someone standing behind that person as well. Over penetration can be a bad thing. That is why I use a light bird load in my shotgun for the first 2 shots, you won't penetrate walls as easily with bird shot. If I have to use the 00 buck, things didn't go well, and I'm going to need them..... BTW, that ammo you bought at WalMart has been good for me in the past. I have 3 semi auto 22's, all of them like that ammo. However your Walther may not care for it and may do better with another brand. Finding a round it likes can be fun, that means more time at the range. The malfunctions you reported were curious, in order to have a round fail to load leads me to think the slide didn't cycle fully, cycling far enough to eject the spent round, but not picking up and cambering the next round. That can be caused by the ammo (short charge), a lack of lube, and or dirt. Perhaps a break in period is in order also. Have fun with your new Walther, 22's can be a blast. I shoot more 22 then any of the other caliber weapons I have. They simply are more fun.

.22 are very nice, but would go with a Remington pump action 12-gauge as the weapon of choice. Nothing tighten's one's colon quicker than the pump-action of the Remington being racked in low light conditions - especially if it is black on black! Don't like to discuss my arsenal online, but it is sufficient for my needs. Currently use (8) .45 caliber hollow-point rounds from a Berretta Cougar to do my bidding. Smith & Wesson used to be the insurance of choice, but it now has gone Italian!

Men after my own heart. I agree that the racking of the slide on an 870 Reminton is the most discouraging sound you could hear in a darkened room. I have been thinking about Mossberg's JIC, Just In Case shotgun. A little 12 gage in it's own short little case. 28 3/4" overall length...pretty short !

As far as the overpenetration issue, with ball amunition that might be an issue with the .45, but I'm thinking with light hollowpoints expanding on framing members and sheetrock might not. The small high velocity .22 might be more likely to over penetrate then the larger hand gun bullets. owldaddy's use of birdshot may not overpenetrate, but it may also be ineffective for its intended use as well. Probably I will stick with the light hollowpoints in the .45 and try to keep on target.

Airman wrote:

angellr wrote:

owldaddy wrote:I didn't intend to imply that a 22 can't be used effectively as a home defense weapon. They have been known to kill, Robert Kennedy comes to mind. It wouldn't be my first choice is all. Since they are small and light, they don't do the damage that a larger bullet or shot load can do. I'd do as iowabeakster suggests, the face would be a good place to put them if you can get in some head shots. Most folks go for center mass, easier target, but less effective when using small caliber bullets. A perp won't be sticking around if your shooting at him, unless he has a weapon of his own, he may get a chance to use it on you if you can't drop him quickly. Sometimes you only get 1 shot. On the shelf, in my safe next to a loaded shotgun (SS Mossberg 500, 18.5" barrel/pistol grip/heat shield and tactical sling), is a Colt 1911. It is loaded as well, but still won't be my first choice for home defense. The reason may surprise you. While the 45 has the power to stop a man in his tracks, they can penetrate walls easily, killing someone in the next room, or a neighbor next door is possible if you miss the perp. They have been known to go right through a person and kill someone standing behind that person as well. Over penetration can be a bad thing. That is why I use a light bird load in my shotgun for the first 2 shots, you won't penetrate walls as easily with bird shot. If I have to use the 00 buck, things didn't go well, and I'm going to need them..... BTW, that ammo you bought at WalMart has been good for me in the past. I have 3 semi auto 22's, all of them like that ammo. However your Walther may not care for it and may do better with another brand. Finding a round it likes can be fun, that means more time at the range. The malfunctions you reported were curious, in order to have a round fail to load leads me to think the slide didn't cycle fully, cycling far enough to eject the spent round, but not picking up and cambering the next round. That can be caused by the ammo (short charge), a lack of lube, and or dirt. Perhaps a break in period is in order also. Have fun with your new Walther, 22's can be a blast. I shoot more 22 then any of the other caliber weapons I have. They simply are more fun.

.22 are very nice, but would go with a Remington pump action 12-gauge as the weapon of choice. Nothing tighten's one's colon quicker than the pump-action of the Remington being racked in low light conditions - especially if it is black on black! Don't like to discuss my arsenal online, but it is sufficient for my needs. Currently use (8) .45 caliber hollow-point rounds from a Berretta Cougar to do my bidding. Smith & Wesson used to be the insurance of choice, but it now has gone Italian!

Men after my own heart. I agree that the racking of the slide on an 870 Reminton is the most discouraging sound you could hear in a darkened room. I have been thinking about Mossberg's JIC, Just In Case shotgun. A little 12 gage in it's own short little case. 28 3/4" overall length...pretty short !

As far as the overpenetration issue, with ball amunition that might be an issue with the .45, but I'm thinking with light hollowpoints expanding on framing members and sheetrock might not. The small high velocity .22 might be more likely to over penetrate then the larger hand gun bullets. owldaddy's use of birdshot may not overpenetrate, but it may also be ineffective for its intended use as well. Probably I will stick with the light hollowpoints in the .45 and try to keep on target.

One more thought here ... one could have a 357 Magnum Revolver and use alternating rounds of Magnum hollow points/snake shot ... snake shot gets your attention quicker than anything, except you have a mess to clean up afterwards (sheetrock, excrement all over the floor, etc.) - still prefer Senor Berretta with the .45 hollow points.

One more thought here ... one could have a 357 Magnum Revolver and use alternating rounds of Magnum hollow points/snake shot

I happen to have my 1911 loaded with different loads as well. While all ammo manufactures make wild claims about their ammo, I have yet to see a side by side comparison of them. If I happen to be a victim of a home invasion, I might get a chance to report the effectiveness of different loads. I currently have Silvertips, Black Talons, Hydroshocks, Corbon's, Golden Sabers, and FMJ Ball. in the Company Commander. I hope to never need them. All except the FMJ Ball are High performance Hollow Points. As I recall, all are 230 grain. Thankfully I have not needed to test these loads other then to fire a couple of each in my Colt, mainly to make sure they cycled properly. Nothing worse then being in a situation where you need it to go BANG, and it hangs up (which it did when I first bought it) or you have a squib. This is also a good argument for revolvers. They don't tend to malfunction as often. Pump shotguns almost never malfunction, if they do, it is usually Operator error. BTW I do like the Winchester and Remington 12 gauges, I choose the Mossberg because it was on sale, they are less expensive, they are robust, and reliable. I have been using my black one for trap and blowing up water bottles, it has never malfunctioned in the 20+ years I have owned it. The SS one I got in a divorce sale...... It was already set up for home defense, it has never been fired. I hope to keep it that way.

owldaddy wrote:

One more thought here ... one could have a 357 Magnum Revolver and use alternating rounds of Magnum hollow points/snake shot

I happen to have my 1911 loaded with different loads as well. While all ammo manufactures make wild claims about their ammo, I have yet to see a side by side comparison of them. If I happen to be a victim of a home invasion, I might get a chance to report the effectiveness of different loads. I currently have Silvertips, Black Talons, Hydroshocks, Corbon's, Golden Sabers, and FMJ Ball. in the Company Commander. I hope to never need them. All except the FMJ Ball are High performance Hollow Points. As I recall, all are 230 grain. Thankfully I have not needed to test these loads other then to fire a couple of each in my Colt, mainly to make sure they cycled properly. Nothing worse then being in a situation where you need it to go BANG, and it hangs up (which it did when I first bought it) or you have a squib. This is also a good argument for revolvers. They don't tend to malfunction as often. Pump shotguns almost never malfunction, if they do, it is usually Operator error. BTW I do like the Winchester and Remington 12 gauges, I choose the Mossberg because it was on sale, they are less expensive, they are robust, and reliable. I have been using my black one for trap and blowing up water bottles, it has never malfunctioned in the 20+ years I have owned it. The SS one I got in a divorce sale...... It was already set up for home defense, it has never been fired. I hope to keep it that way.

AMEN! Well said. I go to the range every so often, but hope I never have to pull trigger in self-defense. I had a squib almost take out my left eye a few years ago ... got rid of that weapon ASAP. I too have used all kinds Ammo - 230 gr hollow points are my choice.

ScooterCop wrote:It's a magazine, not a clip...

Welcome to gun ownership.

You beat me to it!
Time to join the NRA.
My choice is a S&W Model 19 in the shortest barrel made. Maybe 2.5 in. It shoots just as well as my 6in.

OU812, Thanks for the Tuesday phone call and your useful gun experience info . . . . it was also good to BS and catch up!

To better equip me in any emergency, like the front door being kicked in, I practiced with my eyes closed tightly:

--Finding the covered, hidden pistol case (There are Never ANY kids in my house!!). The location chosen has me lying down, completely hidden from any stranger that might enter that room while allowing me to get the 1st sniper shots.
--Opening the case and removing the pistol (it has one in the chamber).
--Finding both (preloaded) magazines tucked into the case foam.
--Loading 1 magazine (flat end to the rear) into the pistol.
--Keeping #2 magazine correctly oriented in my left hand.
--Flipping off the safety.
Total elapsed time from entering the room to the loaded gun in hand: 16 seconds.
After having done that smoothly;
--Right index finger release the (spent) #1 magazine and replace it with magazine #2.

Those preparations allow a quick response and the ability to have 21 shots ready to go. Yes, 21, as it's a dual action trigger, meaning a harder squeeze is required that dingle the uncocked hammer and fires it, putting it in semi-automatic mode for the next 20 shots. Even though I managed to do it right correctly, methodically, the first time, I did the run-to-gun-access drill 3 more times. The biggest stumbling block was orienting the magazine the correct way, even though they are stored the same way (flat side up). It sounds dangerous to confront a forced entry burglar with gunfire, but if you don't act first, you most likely will be wounded, beaten or killed.

I know you shotgun guys think that a 22 is like hunting elephants with a BB gun, but I would not want to be on the receiving end of the 21 shots from the P-22's barrel. ANY gun that goes off after a break-in, to the perpetrators, is really bad news!!

Did you practice in the dark?
I know you would not peek, but really with your eyes closed?

"I know you would not peek, but really with your eyes closed?"
Yeah. Who would I be fooling if I peeked? The intent was to mimic darkness and the ability to locate the pistol, load in a magazine and turn the safety off without looking.

I found a PDF file:
http://www.freespeech.com/1917-1911M_P22_bible.pdf (it takes ~minute to load)
showing the full disassembly sequence and 2 other sections on milling/polishing "modifications" to eliminate unnecessary slide-to-hammer friction and smooth over the cartridge guide path from the magazine into the barrel bore. The mods minimize the possibility of no-loads with normal grain count ammo. The slide-hammer mod is one that I'll do as it makes sense when you work the slide without the return spring installed. I noticed really high friction involved before/during/after the hammer dingle operation by the slides invisibly rapid action.

It's been 2 weeks since my first range shoot . . . STILL waiting for another dryer/warmer day in the 50's to do it again. This time I'll bring 100 rounds!

A tip from someone who has been cleaning and shooting guns for years. Get a small bottle of "Break Free" lubricant. Use it sparingly, a drop goes a long way. The polishing of the slide and feed ramp you describe will help as well. With some guns it is necessary to do that right out of the box. Have fun Rob.

owldaddy wrote:A tip from someone who has been cleaning and shooting guns for years. Get a small bottle of "Break Free" lubricant. Use it sparingly, a drop goes a long way. The polishing of the slide and feed ramp you describe will help as well. With some guns it is necessary to do that right out of the box. Have fun Rob.

+1 here. I lube all of my guns with this stuff.

I have a small apartment, but my nightstand gun is a Springfield XD45. I don't care if I shoot through the walls since I'm on the corner, and i'd have to be shooting the wrong way across my apartment to risk hitting my neighbors, after the bullet went through the wall, across my bedroom, and through another wall. I've never liked shotguns for home defense as that seems to be their only real purpose, and I don't want to stop and just trying to scare them with the sound of a pump action. Besides, with night sights on the 45, and a rail mounted light, its a perfect weapon for home defense. Two fully loaded 13 round magazines don't hurt either. Learn to shoot the 22 and maybe you'll move to bigger or better things in the future.