It’s inexpensive, bright, AND has tons of 4 and 5 star reviews on Amazon. The light is also clean, unlike some other cheap lights. I’d prefer an LED version, but apparently I can get a drop-in replacement reflector to convert it if I decide I really want to. If the xenon bulb doesn’t survive the first range trip, I’ll try that.
More details and gigantic pics below the fold… (more…)
So… as I alluded to in the post I made yesterday, I have a problem. I believe that I’ve stated that WizardPC is an enabler of this problem (I’ve purchased a few guns off of him, and he’s been the indirect cause of a few other purchases). With that said, I ended up going with him to the gun show on Saturday.
I was pretty sure I was safe from making any purchases. I had just bought the Bersa .22 a couple weeks back, and didn’t really feel the need for something new. I’m always on the look out for an IBM M1 carbine, but the likely hood of running into one of those is low. I underestimated the dangers of gun shows.
I’ve always kicked around the idea of having a wheel gun beyond my Heritage Arms .22 SA revolver. I actually talked to some folks recently that I thought my next purchase was going to be a .38 special or .357mag, but couldn’t decide on the size/barrel length/etc. One of the thoughts that I’ve had was that it would be cool to pick up a revolver and a Marlin lever in .357. That would make me lean towards a single action. Then I ran across this:
So Shiiiinnnnnyyyy
It was literally at the last table at the show in a display box with some random stuff. I quickly noticed the price tag of $350, and had to investigate. I knew nothing about revolvers (heck, had to ask the good folks on #gunblogger_conspiracy where S&W stamped the model number), but I knew it was a good price considering what I had seen and it seemed in good condition. Some money and a hand shake latter, it was following me home.
It’s a Smith&Wesson Model 13 with a 4″ barrel. It’s chambered in .357 and is the 2nd revision, which means it’s within a couple years of being the same age as me. The previous owner decided to install some Pachmayr “Gripper” grips that really do a good job of comfortably fitting my hand.
Even though the weather was supposed to hit right at 100 degrees, I decided to hit the range and try it out. I stopped by Walmart, and picked up a box of WWB .38special semi-wadcutters and a box of Remington Express .357mag hollow points, and headed to the range. I warmed up with some rounds through my .22 SA revolver and then decided to pull the new guy out.
I started with .38special. It was very pleasant to shoot. It was also extremely accurate. Granted, I was shooting at 7 and 10 yards, but I was keyholing multiple groups and they were all going roughly where I wanted them to. Then I tried the .357. That was pain.
Of course, I must blame a good bit of my issue with the .357 rounds on the user. Before this, the only centerfire revolvers I had shot was the odd snubby launching .38special. I wasn’t quite ready for the jump in recoil from the .38 to .357. I was expecting something similar to the jump from 9mm to .40 or possibly .45. This was considerably more. To add to the issue, I managed to pinch the pad of my trigger finger between the trigger and trigger guard on one of the first shots of .357. This meant that my accuracy went all to hell the rest of the day. I have since talked to a couple of revolver guys who have assured me that my experience (other than the pinch) is normal and you do get used to it.
The action of this revolver is very smooth. The double action is sufficiently heavy without being obnoxious. The pull is also consistent enough that you can deliberately squeeze the trigger and choose when it breaks. The single action, on the other hand, is incredibly light. Coupled with the complete lack of slack, it meant that the gun would discharge almost instantly after I decided to squeeze the trigger at all. Between the two modes, I’m actually more accurate in double action mode than single due to how easily it discharges in single action mode. The sights are fixed, but seem to be dead on and wouldn’t need adjustment.
I did have two issues while at the range. The first was that the ejector somehow got on top of one of the .38 cases so that I had to manually yank it out. The second was that the ejector rod started to unscrew and make it difficult for me to pop out the cylinder to load/unload it. I suspect that the two issues are related and it’s nothing that a little Locktite can’t fix.
Now my issue is that I need to convince Naienko that I need to buy that Marlin .357…
A few things that aren’t worth their own posts, but that I wanted to mention anyway:
I finally got around to ordering the UTG Defender Tactical Xenon Flashlight Brass suggested in my Weapon Light Bleg post from…April. Should be here by Monday. I figure at $35, if it works, great! If it doesn’t seem very robust, I’ll throw it on my .22 trainer and get a better one.
I finally got around to installing the APEX RAM and DCAEK in my M&P9 yesterday. I didn’t install the USB that comes with the DCAEK, because it require removal of the rear site. Since, as my friend Reese informed me, IDPA stands for “I Don’t Practice Anymore” I don’t want to futz with the sights and then not verify zero before I shoot a match. The next one is in 9 days and I don’t see myself getting in some range time before then.
It has been 5 years since I became Debt Free. I paid off my student loans on July4th, 2007*. It seems longer that that.
I have been given my great-grandfather’s .32 S&W revolver. It was bought used in 1920. Near as I can tell, it was made in 1904. Not sure it’s ever been cleaned, though. Pictures coming soon.
*And 11 months later, I got married and we did it all again with her stuff. We have been debt free about 2 years now.
I’m looking at maybe buying a used Garand this weekend (local ad, too good to pass up). Anybody have any good pointers on what to look for? I know the stock is a little battered, so I’m not looking for a collector’s piece, and I do like to shoot my guns.
