Blowing off a little steam, and some lead.
Got a few things happening in the background of my life right now so when the three day weekend came rolling around I was already thinking I needed to try and get to the range. Nothing like blowing through some ammo to help shake lose some of the old cobwebs from inside your cranium.
So you can imagine how tickled I was when the phone range. It was my buddy who has had a Kimber CDP on older for a while now. It was in. What was better was he already had picked it up and ran 50 rounds through the little beauty. We made plans to hit the Guns and Leather range that Monday after he got off duty.
First impressions…
I like 1911 pistols. Like them a lot. Used to own one but sold it a long time ago. Yeah… your right. I regret it. I plan to own another someday though. First off, until you are able to view this weapon, the way the good Lord intended you to… in your hand. It’s hard to explain how beautiful this pistol is. The matt stainless slide on the flat blued frame and those wonderful rosewood grips… my goodness it sure is pretty. You really feel like your holding a well engineered work of art. At least to me. The fit and finish was exceptional. Everything you’d expect from a Kimber pistol.
The trigger was crisp… and to me it balanced like a dream. We did have a few “failures to feed”. I felt it was magazine related more than pistol. By the time we had finished shooting it had about 300 rounds through her. To me… she still needs another 300 before trying to adjust anything. Kimbers are tight. They really need to be broken in.
It had been a while since I had shot a 1911. It took me a magazine or two before I felt comfortable with it and started hitting like I should. If your missing with this pistol it’s most likely operator error. Plain and simple. It was pretty much dead on. At twenty feet I was able to put 14 rounds into a playing card. That was of curse after I had quite a few rounds though it.
I also ran 150 rounds through my USP compact. I shot some new Speer 100 grain frangible rounds. Made specifically for range use, and not intended for defense by any means. Needless to say they functioned flawlessly. Accuracy was fine. I also ran through a few magazines of Winchester 125 grain Jacketed Hollow Points. Again, performed flawlessly.
In comparing the two, 1911 and USP Compact, I have to admit I really like my HK compact. It just suits me. I’m fast approaching 2000 rounds through it and find myself liking it more and more. That being said… if I had the money I would sure still love a Kimber CDP Pro Carry. Everyone needs a good 1911 around the house. You just gotta.
Now a little shout out about the range. We shot on the computerized lanes. Computer? Yup… you got it ace. Computerized. This is a little indulgence that I rally like. Not only is it computerized, but you can run preprogramed simulations. Now that is where the fun is. Having your target turn sideways, move to different distances, spin toward you, spin away from you (no shoot situation), and charge at you… man… you just can’t beat that.
I like to run a simulation first thing. Three ten round mags. Just to see where I am hitting cold. Then a few mags at twenty feet and other distances. Then it is back to the simulations! Real fun I tell you!
So why do I find it so relaxing? Well… I’m not sure. For me, it’s a great stress release. It’s being able to push everything out of your head for a while and concentrate on something else. To focus only on the task at hand. Breathing, watching the target, reloading, etc. It may sound really weird to some, mainly for those who may not have ever tried any of the shooting sports. As for me… give me a little range time and I am a happy camper.
