Taurus Vs. Charter Arms

I spent all day Friday working on revolver trigger jobs.  I mentioned the S&W J-Frame last week.  On Friday the day was spent working on a Taurus Hammerless and a Charter Arms UC Lite.   While I have been familiar with Taurus for a long time, I have never owned a Charter, and this was my first time to do a trigger job for one.

While they are comparable in price (cheaper than a S&W), the similarities end there.  The Charter came to me with very rough factory pull.  It needed a lot of work on the inside, and parts are not readily available for modifications.  One weakness with the charter system is that it uses pins and screws in the frame instead of a traditional 3 screw configuration to hold the side plate on the revolver.  In fact one of these pins had started working out of the revolver when it arrived at the shop.

The Taurus is similar in design to the S&W J-Frame.  It has some slight differences, but overall they could be considered cousins.  The parts on the inside were in terrible shape, but you can definitely tell a difference in the manufacturing from a Smith.  It’s close, but not quite on par.

Either of these guns will prove acceptable.  The Taurus is most like a Smith and has that feel if you are looking for a cheaper version of the Smith.  It also comes with that notable lifetime warranty.  The Charter comes in several colors and is very lightweight.

If I had to rank my preference for a small revolver it would go like this; S&W, Taurus, and Charter.

 

J-Frame Trigger Job

I have been working on a S&W J-Frame for a customer recently and thought I might share some of the insights that you need to consider with trigger work on a J-Frame.  These guns are great for pockets, purses and backup carry situations.  The one gripe that we here is that the double action is hard to use, especially for women.

There are several things that can be done that will make the J-Frame more pleasant to shoot.  First, you can lighten the double action (DA) pull.  The DA pull can be reduced to a certain extent, and it can definitely be cleaned up.  One thing to consider if you are going to try this at home, DO NOT go too light or change the geometry of the trigger system.  You will end up with a gun that won’t fire.  You need a certain amount of pressure for the primer to ignite.

Second, do not change the Single Action pull.  These are generally great from the factory, and you shouldn’t monkey around with this part of the trigger system.

Third, you can have the trigger itself polished.  When we do a trigger job we always ask if they want the trigger polished.  The face can be made smoother making the it feel so much better to your finger, and it allows your finger to move on the trigger as you pull it rearward in DA firing.

What you shouldn’t expect is a 1911 style trigger pull from a trigger job.  It will be smoother, and a little lighter so it will definitely feel better.  However, every gun or system has its limitations.  This is one of them in the J-Frame series.  Your gunsmith has to strike a balance between comfort and function.

 

Woolrich Waterproof Breathable Parka

It has been a very wet week, and it got me thinking about the new Woolrich Breathable Parka.  You by now know how much we think of the Woolrich Elite Series of clothing.  They are well constructed, a great value, and are highly functional.

Recently we tested their parka.  I took this parka to Ukraine with me two weeks ago because our host told us we would probably need a good raincoat.  Not only did it serve to keep me dry, but it was a great outer layer when the weather turned cold.

The coat has all the tactical pockets you expect from Woolrich, but it also looks great.  My favorite feature is the hood that is contained in a velcro pouch so it’s not flopping around.  The hood can also be unzipped from the jacket if you want to take it off completely.

These are a great addition for your fall.  Not only will they provide you everything you need for CCW or duty needs, but they also look good enough to wear around town.  Check them out at Woolrich.

 

Do You Need A Recoil Pad

I recently had a customer bring in a Remington Model 58 to get it cleaned in preparation for a pheasant hunt in South Dakota.  The gun was his father’s so it carrys some sentimental value, but one thing it needed was a recoil pad.

He needed a pad for several reasons; 1. the length of pull 2. the gun kicks like a mule.

Length of pull is something that does more than just make the gun comfortable, it allows the shotgunner to mount the gun quickly without adjustment.  When you raise the gun you shouldn’t have to adjust your sight line if your length of pull is correct.

Obviously it makes sense that you don’t want to get hammered every time you pull the trigger so the pad helps there as well.  You will be able to shoot more rounds without developing a flinch.  Most guns now come with a pad, but many of the older ones don’t have them.  This is an inexpensive fix for your old gun.  You should be able to get the pad and have it installed for less than $100 in most shops.  We did his for around $65.

 

Return from Abroad

I just got back from Ukraine where I was on a mission/humanitarian trip.  This explains my absence from writing up to date information.  We had a great time, but as you can imagine, the Russian keyboard is not friendly to those of us who have never seen it before!

One of the interesting things I got to do was go to a sporting goods store that was a short walk from our hotel.  It was a chain store that I had seen in other parts of the city.  It was decorated very nicely with tons of trophies on the wall.  They sold all things sporting goods.  Most knives and apparel were about the same price that you would expect to pay in the us.

They had a small selection of pistols.  Most of them were off brands that looked used even though they were new.  Several autos, but mostly revolvers were available.

It was obvious that rifles and shotguns were the main attraction.  I even got to see my first Kreighoff rifle.  Probably the most expensive rifle I have ever seen.  The wood on the gun was unbelievable.  Perfect checkering and great color and contrast made it a perfect match to the gun.

It was neat to see the sporting goods of another country.  If you are interested, I read an article in an English language paper over there that advertised full auto excursions.  If you ever go, that would be a neat way to spend the day.

 

How to Choose the Best Glock

What is the best Glock?  To answer that question requires a followup question; how are you going to use your Glock?  I will answer this question in several applications, and then I will give the overall answer.

Law Enforcement
The most widely used Glock in Law Enforcement communities is the Glock 22.  This full sized 40 S&W is a great gun that bridges the gap between the high capacity 9mm’s and the old single stack 45’s.   The 22 allows you to have a high capacity gun that still puts out some serious energy.  The only downside is the increased recoil.

Competition
For competition shooters in IDPA many of the best shooters are using the Glock 34 9mm.  It comes with adjustable sights and a lighter trigger pull than standard Glocks.  The longer sight radius makes shooting easier, and felt recoil is almost none.

CCW
The person looking for the perfect Glock for CCW or for all around use should look no farther than the 19 9mm.  This gun gives you a high capacity gun that will still easily conceal.  That makes it perfect.  Unlike the subcompacts you can get a full grip on the gun and the sight radius is just long enough to make all the shots that you need.

Obviously there are a lot of models that weren’t mentioned, and that is the nice thing because there is truly a Glock available to suit your specific needs.  Having shot or owned almost all Glock models available, I can truly recommend them.  Remember, only buy a gun you can shoot fast and accurately.  That will determine the caliber, length etc.

 

“Licensed to Kill” Review

I just finished a very interesting read on the Private Security Companies that are operating in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries around the world.  Licensed to Kill takes a very objective look at companies like Blackwater who provide security to diplomats and companies operating in dangerous theaters.

I think after reading this book you will see the reality of a contractor’s life, the desire to serve their country and the unbelievable amounts of money that are at stake.  I appreciate Pelton’s objectivity in the book.  If you have ever wanted to go along on a contractor’s ride, this book will give you that inside look.

Here’s a link to Amazon.

 

1911 Disconnector

The 1911 disconnector serves a very important role in the firing cycle of your 1911 trigger system, namely not allowing the gun to go full auto.  You will often see posts that will recommend modifying the disconnector in a trigger job. While there are certain things that an experienced gunsmith may do the disconnector, if you are home-hobby guy stay away.  Let me give you an example.

Several years ago I took in a 1911 from a bullseye shooter who wanted to slim down his collection.  This Colt 1911 NM was unbelievable.  What he didn’t tell me was that he was also responsible for the “trigger job” that was done to the gun.  I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the gun because I was running short on time.  I put it in the safe and left it there not really thinking about it again.  One day a customer came by to pick up a gun and saw the NM.  He immediately had to have it.  Once again, I didn’t think anymore about it  until he called to say he had a full auto pistol.

What happened?  First, I should have test fired the weapon before selling it.  Bad mistake, won’t ever happen again.  Second, I replaced the disconnector and the problem immediately went away.  Upon further investigation it was clear the first owner had altered the disconnector beyond serviceable tolerances.

Luckily this story had a happy ending because the customer was a good friend.  The disconnector was less than $20, and the problem was solved. However, it could have been a lawsuit or worse.  Make sure you leave this link in the system alone unless you have been specifically trained about its form and function.  It simply isn’t worth it.

 

Hunting Season Prep Work

We are getting ready for hunting season again in Nashville.  Many of you are excited about the opportunity to have some quiet time in the woods.  Before you go out, make sure you have properly serviced your gun and gear.

Now is a great time to get your gun to your local smith for a little TLC.  Scopes should be mounted now so you have plenty of time to zero them yourself.  It is also a great time to get that accessory added that you have been putting off.  We have been doing cleanings, recoil pad installs and setting up scopes.

Check your equipment.  Not a bad idea to take your tree stand out to the back yard for a practice run.  Make sure all your webbing and cables made it through storage without any damage.  It’s also a good idea to get your gear properly washed and dried outside.

Spend a few minutes getting ready, and you will eliminate the chance that the big one will get away.

 

Civic Duty

I have the opportunity to serve this week in the judicial system as a juror. It is a fascinating experience! I will be out of pocket for the rest of the week, but I will answer email as I have opportunity. Have a great week.