Took my new HP out to the range today. Accuracy was great even with the stock trigger and magazine disconnect still in place. I'm not really considering getting any trigger work becaue it's pretty durned accurate, although I kept anticipating a Glock-like reset which it doesn't have. So my only complaint with the design itself is that I would like the reset to be shorter; other than that, points and handles great and does what it's supposed to do.
One problem.... in 150 rounds I had a handful of FTE/FTF. At one point, after empyting a mag, the slide locked up and I could not pull it back. The hammer was cocked so I pointed it downrange and the gun would not fire (which I realise was because I had taken the mag out). So I put it on safe, pointed it down range and went and got a range officer. Of course, 2 minutes later when he came it pulled back just fine. I felt pretty dumb - but I figured safety first.
1) what would cause the slide to lock up?
2) what could be causing FTE?
3) would the mag disconnect affect reliability?
I think the FTF were caused by the round in front of them not ejecting all the way.
Ammunition was Remington UMC Ball and WWB HP. Jams seemed more prevalent with the UMC. I believe all the james were FTE although one might have been a stovepipe. The WWB HP only jammed once or twice, the UMC jammed probably 5-6 times.
I won't be using this as a carry pistol until it is more reliable, but I am very impressed by the look, feel, and accuracy.
My actions since I got home:
1) thorough cleaning. I bought the gun used. The gunshop I bought it from (ordered it off gunbroker) was fast and fair priced, but they really should clean their used guns. No telling how long it sat with carbon on it. I gave it a quick strip and cleaning last night before taking it out, but after the range I cleaned it thoroughly.
2) the gunsmith at the range offered a ramp job and a trigger job. I would have to wait 6 weeks, so if it doesn't improve I will consider it. But I don't think it's a feeding problem, I think it's an extraction problem. With snap caps, the last round in the mag (mag loaded with 3 snap caps) is not ejecting.... the extractor isn't even grabbing it sometimes.
3) should I see if a smith can widen the ejection port a little bit? I wonder if the small size of the ejection port is causing this?
So Reliability;
A) BHP - 150 rounds, approximately 7 jams.
B) Glock 21 and 36 - 250 rounds, 1 FTE that I suspect was caused by limpwristing.
C) Beretta PX4 - >1000 rounds, no jams.... and it was my first pistol. I sometimes wonder if I should have just stuck with it instead of getting more
As far as accuracy, it's basically in the reverse order.
One problem.... in 150 rounds I had a handful of FTE/FTF. At one point, after empyting a mag, the slide locked up and I could not pull it back. The hammer was cocked so I pointed it downrange and the gun would not fire (which I realise was because I had taken the mag out). So I put it on safe, pointed it down range and went and got a range officer. Of course, 2 minutes later when he came it pulled back just fine. I felt pretty dumb - but I figured safety first.
1) what would cause the slide to lock up?
2) what could be causing FTE?
3) would the mag disconnect affect reliability?
I think the FTF were caused by the round in front of them not ejecting all the way.
Ammunition was Remington UMC Ball and WWB HP. Jams seemed more prevalent with the UMC. I believe all the james were FTE although one might have been a stovepipe. The WWB HP only jammed once or twice, the UMC jammed probably 5-6 times.
I won't be using this as a carry pistol until it is more reliable, but I am very impressed by the look, feel, and accuracy.
My actions since I got home:
1) thorough cleaning. I bought the gun used. The gunshop I bought it from (ordered it off gunbroker) was fast and fair priced, but they really should clean their used guns. No telling how long it sat with carbon on it. I gave it a quick strip and cleaning last night before taking it out, but after the range I cleaned it thoroughly.
2) the gunsmith at the range offered a ramp job and a trigger job. I would have to wait 6 weeks, so if it doesn't improve I will consider it. But I don't think it's a feeding problem, I think it's an extraction problem. With snap caps, the last round in the mag (mag loaded with 3 snap caps) is not ejecting.... the extractor isn't even grabbing it sometimes.
3) should I see if a smith can widen the ejection port a little bit? I wonder if the small size of the ejection port is causing this?
So Reliability;
A) BHP - 150 rounds, approximately 7 jams.
B) Glock 21 and 36 - 250 rounds, 1 FTE that I suspect was caused by limpwristing.
C) Beretta PX4 - >1000 rounds, no jams.... and it was my first pistol. I sometimes wonder if I should have just stuck with it instead of getting more
As far as accuracy, it's basically in the reverse order.
