21 December 2011

HK45C range report

Yesterday I had some spare time and I managed to take HK45C to the range. Unfortunately there is no .45ACP ammo avaliable in my area now, so I used leftover of old 230gr Geco FMJ that I have after IDPA match. This is rather hot ammo. At least friends who shot it more told me so. First of all, standard HK sights (same as in P30/P30L) are not good for precision shooting. I think of getting Heinie Straight Eight sights. Those are combat sights as well, but I believe those will be more defined than stock sights.

Anyway let go to shooting. First target is 10m (11yrd), 10 shots. Obviously gun is shooting little to the right. No wonder why on last stage of IDPA classifier I got most shots into -1 and -3 on right side of targets. Second photo shows two 5 shot groups (I really had limited amount of ammo). Left group is 10m again, right one is 15m (16.5yrd). Second one was shot after I drifted rear sight a little to the left using hammer and punch. Not to precise tools, but I think I got it right. Actually most of ammo I used up trying to get sweet spot, then 3 rounds, then move sight again (back and forth). I think I must get myself sight pusher.


09 December 2011

I'm safely back with HK45C

After long trip, with traffic jams, snow on mountain roads and other believable obstacles I'm back home. And my HK45C is with me. It is new pistol, but from early production in Germany (frame is 2007, complete pistol is 2008, serial number well under 1000). Box is marked "Pistole HK45 Compact VST" and it has V1 trigger configuration. I will convert it to LEM trigger.

Pistol feels very good, but is not suprise, as I'm used to P2000 and P2000SK - both are very similar to HK45C. Actually HK45C seem to be P2000 on steroids plus some upgrades. Actually HK45C magazine release found a way to my P2000SK some time ago. It is much better than standard P2000/P2000SK/USP Compact release.

Now I must get some decent sights for it, handful of magazines and next HK will start it's busy life with me. This Sunday I'll shoot it on IDPA match that includes IDPA Classifier. For now I'm Expert in SSP using P2000SK with LEM trigger. I do not have time for even short range trip before match, so my firs shot with HK45C will be after buzzer sounds.

07 December 2011

I'm going for a trip

Today around midnight I'm going on a trip to Czech Republic. I will pick up, from one of gun shops there pistol that is very hard to find in Europe, yet quite popular and well regarded in US. It would not be surprising if this pistol is American one. But no, it is German. It took me long time to locate one of few HK45C that were made in Germany and sent for sale in Europe before HK moved production to US. I was afraid that I will be forced to go trough procedure of importing one from USA. But, thanks to my friend Don Mariano, I located probably last one, NIB HK45C in EU. All paperwork done so I can go for 10 hours driving to pick it up and then again 10 hours to go back. Taking in mind price plus all logistics cost, this will be probably most expensive HK45C ever!

Photos and range report as soon as possible.

21 November 2011

Last Liga Sportera in 2011

Yesterday was last Liga Sportera in 2011. I catch a cold, did not sleep last night at all, but I did not miss it. It was not my best match, but I managed to win first three stages, but then illness won and on forth stage I struggled with shotgun and had brain fart with my rifle (HK seem not to work without loaded magazine inserted, amazing!). Last two stages were fast, but too fast and I had three misses on each. Too many, costed me two places. But it was fun, as always.

In 2012 Liga Sportera gets new, strongly refreshed rules, there is at least 11 editions planned in 3 different location. One of them is military training ground. Can't wait! :)


31 October 2011

Shooting Mini Beryl

Last weekend I had opportunity to try Mini Beryl on smal 3Gun Liga Sportera match (shooting IDPA targets@50m on video). I do not have prior experience with AK platform, even less with short one. I mostly shoot G3 and variety of AR15s before. Shooting Mini was nice. It kicks back a little but muzzle climb is not big, but definitely goes to the right side. It has flash hider that is similar in construction to A2. Original muzzle device incorporates chamber to increase pressure for gas system, so it will be hard to change it for anything. Locking pin and necessity to remove it to clean this "chamber" precludes clocking it. I think of having new muzzle device made, that in place of flash hider will have 1/2"x28tpi thread to utilize AR15 muzzle devices. Other issue is stock, that is definitely to low in relation to sights/optic. Tell me what you think!

26 October 2011

Arminedas Autumn

Last Saturday we shot last big IPSC Level III match in Lithuania. 12 stages of fun shooting. Stages got what we lacked on Worldshoot - shooting on the move. Also did not get what we all had full of from WS - bobbers. Weather was rather cold but we got some sun for last stages. There was one stubborn popper who first got blocked on base and then did not fall down on reshoot. But got scared of Range Master and felt from calibration shot. A miss. Rules are rules.

Thanks to all match organizers, stage designers and Range Officers. Congratulations to winners in divisions and categories!



24 October 2011

First shots with Mini Beryl

Friday I found some time to brief visit on range, to shoot Mini Beryl. Actually I just wanted to get 50m zero for Aimpoint Micro T1, that I mounted on it. I decided to mount it on handguard, to sit it lower in relation to stock (and bore). This have it's downsides, as hanguard is removable accessory that, while feeling solid, can shift position under recoil resulting in reduced accuracy. But seem like result is good enough (right group is about 2 MOA) for dynamic shooting up to 100m. Both groups are 10 shots with bulk S&B 55gr FMJ ammo at 50m,  rested on backpack and using ISSF 25m pistol target. Sorry for cell phone quality of picture, it was actually taken with... cell phone ;)

I did not have time to do more than some 30-40 shots, but it seems that this small rifle is pleasant to shoot. Trigger, while with long pre and over travel is smooth and clocks less than 5lb from factory. Recoil is significantly stronger than in carbine or rifle length AR15, but barres stays put flat. Probably some work is done by muzzle device, that on back works to increase backpressure in barrel for gas piston to work and in front is shaped in style of A2 birdcage.

As some may notice, I put some tacticool tunings on it, that include flashlight and Magpul AFG. Later is nice addition, given frontal stance with shoulder square to the target is used. For more classical, bladed stance, even with longest setting of stock, handguard is just too short to properly utilize AFG. In this case I recommend using VFG.

16 October 2011

Little, cute rifle


Small family of my firearms was joined by new member.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - wrap up

I gave myself a week to get things together and also to get some distance and make cold assessment of IPSC WSH XVI. Of course officially it was great success and everything was great. But not so. Basically it did not work so well at all.

12 October 2011

I'm home

I managed to came back from WSH in Greece, with only small problem. I must cover some important issues and will report back with final summary on IPSC WSH XVI.

09 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - competitor booklet

When registering to the match every competitor got beautifully printed informatory booklet. There are words of wisdom from IPSC President, Chairman of WSH 2011 Organizing Committee, IROA President, IPSC General Secretary and protos of Match Officials.

Then we have schedule of pre-match and schedule of match, with info on Opening Ceremony that is different from info on WSH2011 website, and those both were wrong.

But now we came to funny part. Stage descriptions.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - stage descriptions

For all those, who are seating on "peanut gallery" (non)watching live streaming video from the XVI WSH and wonder how to fit pieces of published results into stage number - here I provide way to solve this puzzle. Sorry that I did not think about it sooner and sorry for picture quality!


08 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 8


Last day (night?) of shooting. Today stages from 19 to 24. It was my worst day ever, I doubled my Mike count on this day. Those stages were really demanding, no room for mistake or going faster that you can. But bottom line, after shooting all stages, I do not find this match anything special. Maybe EHC2010 in Belgrade spoiled me, maybe Extreme Euro Open or Baltic Storm offer same or more for much less money. I just felt like I paid for Volvo only to find that it is Mondeo with more expensive brand sticker. Of course this match will show new World Champions, but that is all. In my book only stage 23 is "world championship worth" - hardest state I ever shoot (and failed miserably), also greatly build, including all props. Would I came again for this match? No, I would save money to attend some 3 good other matches instead. I just do not feel like I took part of something extraordinary. Not like in Belgrade. But, nevertheless, I had 2 weeks vacation and some shooting on beautiful Rodos island. It's worth something.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - safety first?

In one of previous post I mentioned multiple spectators watching match without any sort of eye (and ear) protection. Also on several stages (that have steel targets!) helpers from Greek Army do not use eye protection. Some were very surprised when competitors asked them to use eye protection. I've seen ROs that does not take any action about this, even when asked to do so. I was wondering why IROA ROs are not reacting. Especially that this match witness lot of things flying in every direction. In my squad two shooters were hurt enough to bleed some amount of blood (one just few centimetres from eye). I was hit several times as well.

Now I know why it work that way. Example came from the top. This photo was taken on (now cancelled) stage 7, where 2 plates on steel poles were to be hit. RO on this stage got hit on the face with splatter hard enough to receive medical assistance. Gentlemen on picture came to watch squad shooting this stage. Left to right: IPSC Secretary (no eye protection), IPSC President, IPSC General Secretary (no eye protection), IROA President. It is hard to tell on ear protection due to possible use of earplugs. So despite recommendation in rule 5.4.1 it seems that most important IPSC match does not empower rule 5.4.2. Safety first? As far as I remember infamous sweeping on draw/holstering rule proposition, it was pushed because safety was paramount for IPSC Executive Council. Maybe for long term it is better to give good example and pursue use real safety precautions, than mess with rules for PR/political reasons.


07 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 7

4th day of shooting. Safety negligence on range does not stop to amaze me. It is not possible to allow people on shooting range during even Level I match without eye protection where I use to shot. Here spectators, helpers, even officials do not use eye protection and nobody (except some competitor who encourage people to wear eye protection) seem to care. Tragedy waiting to happen. I will make separate post on this matter, can not leave it like that, seeing people got hit with splatter and ricochets all over me and feeling it myself.

06 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 6


Today I shot stages from 7 to 12. When I was shooting stage we got visited by strong team of spectators consisting of IPSC President, IPSC General Secretary, IPSC Secretary and IROA President. Initially I tough that guys were following my blog and wanted to see me shooting ;) But not :(

Stage 7 was stage where shooter impersonated Colossus of Rhodes, holding in weak hand torch, strapped by velcro strap to wrist. Most of shooters were removing strap, but when strap was new it took time, when it was worn out, it just required to shake hand. This kind of props were made better at EHC2010 in Serbia, working equall for all shooters. Finally stage was withdrawn from the match.

05 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 5

Second day of shooting. This time afternoon. Much, much better. In meantime organisers seem to finish up some props outside shooting area (gate, flags, etc.), more exhibitors in commercial tent.

Today I shot stages 1 to 6, including infamous "labirynth" stage. I liked it, my kind of stage, shooting on the moove, etc. However it did not prevented me from being slow. But on "Zorbas" stage I got ovation from whole squad ;) Helps for ego :D

03 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 4

Today, at 0730 hours, we started to shoot XVI IPSC WSH. When we arrived at range it was night. But is soon become day. Click, and there is light. On range additional Safety Areas emerged - good, it would be horror with only two of them. My shooting was so bad, that it just can not go trough my keyboard. But hey! Someone must be last!


We were shooting stages from 25 to 30. Stages were intersting, some even require to think of some tactics. There was a delay by row of equipment failures on stage 26, but we finished on time.

02 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 3

Today was (is) Opening Ceremony. By official webpage from 1600 hours, by information booklet by 1630 hours, by some piece of paper pinned to board at Rodos Palace Hotel (only people lucky enough to stay near could see it) departure for ceremony was scheduled at 1700 hours. Ceremony started about 1900 hours. I, together to my region decided to leave early and we had enought of waiting, standing and then listening to speaches and not seeing anything, because it is already dark. But I took some photos.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 2

So we have got ourselves IPSC President. By 26 vs 10 votes Nick Alexakos keeps his power and honors. It could be good, will be as usual. Throwing parties, drinks and foods at Regional Directors proved to be well spent competitors money.

Other news is that next Handgun Worldshoot will be held in United States. This time there was one vote in favour of US against Thailand

01 October 2011

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 1

Registered, visited range, equipment check done.

First impressions. 2 Safety Areas per 30 stage match? Does not sound good. ROs were building stages just before prematch? Does not sound good. Using "World Championship" match as "test match" for new rules, that are not even voted on and setting stages against current Rulebook? Does not sound good. However stages do look very nice and promise good match.



Waiting for info from General Assembly.


25 September 2011

IPSC World Shoot Handgun

Tomorrow I fly to Rhodes for IPSC WSH 2011 and, as side feature, to visit Greek crisis from inside. It might be interesting trip. I will try to keep blogging and provide some coverage if something interesting to report will come out.

24 September 2011

Polish team at IDPA World Championship

My friends from Polish IDPA attended first IDPA Wolrd Championship. On preliminary results Leszek Sokołowki is 1st CDP/EX, Maciej Mizuro is 6th ESP/EX, Piotr Pałasz is 2nd ESP/SS, Celina Pawlik (Lady) is 15th ESP/SS, Tomasz Redecki is 2nd SSP/EX, Marcin Gałązka is 2nd ESR/EX and Przemek Lewandowski is 1st SSR/SS.

Great job lady and gentlemen!

EDIT: Final Scores are in. Polish team comes on 3rd place, with US 1st and Venezuela 2nd. Individual results are:
Leszek Sokołowki is 1st CDP/EX, Maciej Mizuro is 11th ESP/EX, Piotr Pałasz is 9th ESP/SS, Celina Pawlik (Lady) is 35th ESP/SS, Tomasz Redecki is 5th SSP/EX, Marcin Gałązka is 2nd ESR/EX and Przemek Lewandowski is 1st SSR/SS.

23 September 2011

So do they make any firearms in Poland?

Some time ago on one of forums I frequent I got question by PM: do we make any own firearms in Poland? Answer, surprisingly is... yes, we do.

Following descriptions are not supposed to be in-depth and complete info no Polish firearm. Details can be googled easily. I just want to make brief introdution to what is being made.

Pistols

Today only one Polish pistol in production is our Army service pistol wz. 94 WIST-94/94L (94L has integrated laser) in 9x19mm from Prexer. I may look strange but it is quite good, striker fired pistol. There is new version in works with Picatinny rail and changed barrel locking system, from 1911 style lugs into modified Browning locking in ejection port. FB Radom also assembles Walther P99, P99D RAD (PPQ) and PPS pistols and even make (very good) CHF barrels for them, but I do not consider this as Polish pistols. (photo Prexer)




SMGs

Fabryka Broni Radom (former Łucznik aka "11") produces Polish own SMG PM-98 and PM-06 in  9x19mm. It is quite nice to shoot, handling better that it looks, but do not try to shoot full mag dump from the hip. It does not offer comfortable, if any, cheekweld. This is also problem with our rifles. (photo FB Radom)

22 September 2011

New helmet from Revision Military - BATLSKIN

Revision Military, maker of my favourite sunglasses (Hellfly), announced their new product called BATLSKIN. It is modular helmet system, that can be tailored to mission requirements. "Classic" shape helmet can be complimented with visor that protects face from blast and debris, as well as mandible guard, for full "motorbike" helmet appearance. Design seem to be very clever and has some of this Sci-Fi look that we start to see in more and more equipment. Maybe that is why I like it.

More info on product webpage


21 September 2011

German Army new G28 DMR rifle

German Army just got them self new DMR rifle. It is civilian-aimed HK MR308 dressed as new G28 rifle in 7.62x51mm. Optics used is S&B 3-20x50 (edit per Python suggestion) plus Aimpoint Micro T1, barrel length 420mm, mass 7.9kg (with optic and accessories). Minimum accuracy requirement was set at 1.5MOA, designated range of use was set at 600m. Rifle is also supposed to have Quick Barrel Change system for field conversion into shorter and lighter Patrol Rifle.

German Army initially rejected HK417 as DMR rifle, due to not satisfactory accuracy  (same reason why HK417 lost trial for British L129A1), but requested that HK provide COTS civilian version of HK417 (HK MR308) with match grade barrel for testing. Funny thing that HK made MR308 to be civilian match rifle, not compatible with HK417 upper/lower (German law requirements)... just to sell it back to military.



EDIT: HK product sheet for G28 from HK webpage: http://www.heckler-koch.com/no_cache/en/company/downloads.html?tx_z7simpledownloads%5Bdownload%5D=390



19 September 2011

3Gun Liga Sportera match


Yesterday I was shooting 3Gun match Liga Sportera. This is our local Polish 3Gun match format, that is suited to use on small ranges, with limited number of bays, small distance (up to 100m), etc. For example this match is held on range for hunters, that allow only shooting downrange, without shooting to the sides. Rules and stage briefings limit amount of ammo loaded into magazines and dictates how much ammo shooter can carry on himself for each firearm. Each stage requires minimum 20 shots. More Liga Sportera and other 3Gun matches on my Youtube channel. More on Liga Sportera website (in Polish obviously but Google Translate is not that bad).


My first own and grown up pistol

When I got my first licence to buy 1 (one) sporting centerfire pistol (I already had 1 sporting rimfire pistol) I knew exactly what to buy:

Walther P99, this one that Q was supposed to organize for Bond...



17 September 2011

So you heard about Bren?

Lately CZ showed their new assault rifle, geared toward ACR (Army of Czech Republic) under designation of CZ 805 Bren.

Name Bren clearly goes to deep roots of first big Czech success on international firearms market with great Br(no)En(field) machine gun. CZ surely put high level of expectation to new rifle by recycling this name.

16 September 2011

No, it is not a toy from nearest Tesco!

On last MSPO fairs (International Defense Industry Exhibition) in Poland  I came across this...

 Quite obviously it is not working rifle, just mock up (sadly scope is not mock up, but this is another, long story). And it also is not prototype of new Plasma Rifle or even Sonic Blaster....











6000+ rounds later - good bye MR223.... welcome MR223!

I just swapped my 2009 Heckler&Koch MR223 rifle from first HK production run (serial under 500) for also 2009 but from second production run. In meantime my MR223 managed to reach (and exceed?) round count of 6000, mostly on some classes and events.

Main differences for production runs after first one are those known from MR556A1:

1. Ball detent take down pins.
3. Stock with lock-out screw.
4. Shaved sling loops from gas block.

But it still keeps:

1. Crappy single stage trigger (not so crappy ad first run, but still).
2. 416 handguard screw, that can be manipulated by using BGC.

One more difference between them (but not known to MR556A1) is that while both have M15x1 thread for muzzle device, first batch had 45dgr shoulder (good for use on HK G36 flash hider) while second batch have square shoulder that works better with crush washer (AR10 crush washer needed).

Here they are both, with old one on top on way out (Micro T1 stays with me) and new one on bottom of picture.



I also decided to document how internals of abused and not properly maintained MR223 looks after some 6000 rounds. One word of advice regarding non-lined HK barrel. After some 6000 rounds it started to keyhole one every shot with surplus 5.56x45 NATO ammo (Santa Barbara from Spain). It was still shooting fine with 77gr HPBT .223rem ammo. It looks like using barrel foam and 3 passes of bore snake as only way of barrel cleaning is not enough. After using some MPro7 Copper Remover and JB paste barrel shoots back like new. So, note to myself, use copper remover on un-lined MR barrel at least once per 5000 rounds :)

Time to start

After long time posting on several forums, mostly firearms related I decided to start own blog. Will see if it actually is worth something and if I will find this amusing enough to keep blogging. Idea is actually new for me, so who knows? ;)