Current Observations - 6/05

WELCOME TO THE NO BS ZONE OF TEDDY JACOBSON


I keep getting lots of email about the same things and everyone seems to be confused about many current products and they keep forgetting that the sale and promotion of guns and parts is a major business and it all leads to the bank on Franklin Ave where the "GREEN" gang hangs out. All of the advertising and promotional BS data and awards and what ever they can come up with is all done to get you to buy and buy and buy. I am going to run down some very important current observations for you to think about. This commentary is my opinion only and it is designed to get you to just think.


As most of you now know I am semi retired due to declining health but I have all my senses and even my enemies come here to read and learn because they do not know what I know. Most of these people I have had confrontations with do not seem to play with 52 cards.


Lets talk about 1911 pistols first. The older Kimber 1911 series I, in my opinion was a far better design than their current series II. The reason is that the original series "I", did not have a firing pin block safety system. The Kimber series II now uses the scwartz system that has the firing pin block safety system that is de- activated when you squeeze in the grip safety. Most all the Kimber parts are MIM (Metal Injection Molded) now this is not all bad but when there is an air bubble in a critical area of the part it can and does break. I have many broken parts that came out of a Kimber. You can not change the Sights that easily on any Kimber as they are pneumatically pressed in, let the factory change the sights for you.


Some Kimber 1911 pistols now use an external extractor. As to whether an internal extractor is any better than an external extractor is personal opinion. If they are both set up correctly they both will work fine. I do not recommend "ANY" small size 1911 pistol with the John Browning design. The small pistols lack the slide weight and they are nothing but trouble. Do not believe the BS you may read in a publication or an advertisement or in a chat room. Its all BS to get you down to Franklin Ave so you can part with your green money. Your best bet in a 1911 designed pistol is the full size government model as it was originally designed by Mr. Browning who was a very smart man. The old Us Military 1911 pistols were never super tight but they seemed to work and work and saved many American Military lives.


The very best buy in a 1911 pistol is the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec model. I own a G.I. basic version that has a better frame to slide fit than 95% of the pistols out there and it was $400.00 NIB (New In Box) , you may not like what I am saying but its true. It does not need a new barrel and its the best 1911 for the money. Go to www.hipowersandhandguns.com
That is the website of my friend Stephen Camp and do your self a big favor and read his article on the very same Springfield Armory pistol I am talking about. You will learn a great deal from Mr. Camp, its a must read. I believe that about now Mr. Camp has fired about 2000 rounds out of his Mil-Spec and it has never missed a beat and it is a tack driver using the original barrel. What more could anyone want or expect out of a street gun. If you own a 1911 pistol or a Browning Hi Power you should own and read Mr. Camps books as they are excellent.


The other brands of 1911 pistols all have their pros and cons. I like simplicity in my carry guns. I am a south paw and that alone represents problems that most people are not aware of. I keep hearing people knock the polymer guns and they are very wrong. Many people in Law Enforcement not only carry Glocks and HK USP pistols but now they really like the new SA "XD" that is a polymer frame handgun, that is imported from Croatia, by Springfield Armory. My only objection to this new "XD" is the replacement of the extractor. These polymer handguns work and work very well and you will hear them referred to by the name of Tupperware or Mattel or plastic in a derogatory way. This is wrong and these people just can't deal with the reality of current guns that work and work and work and do not jamb like their favorite 1911 pistols, that they have spent a small fortune on.


The current line of Sig Sauer pistols are still very good but there have been some changes. Most all current Sig pistols I have seen lately have MIM parts in them. They are not the quality of the old parts. Do the new Sigs work well ?? Yes of course they do but again I will tell you that if there is an air bubble in a MIM part that is in a critical area it will break. I still believe that the Sig 239 is the best of the lot in their line of handguns to carry. This is my opinion only and I have worked on most every model they make. The current models still use their reset design and the reset spring in the 239 is less prone to break than some of the other models. I only own one Sig pistol and it is an older 228 model that is well made. It is just one of my sample guns that I do not use. The Sig Sauer people no longer sell to wholesalers like RSR and places like that, they now sell direct to retail dealers for the purpose of making more money. ITS ALWAYS ABOUT MONEY..... ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL.


I still carry a Glock 27 and when I get my left handed holster for my model 19 intend to retire the Glock 27. I have completely changed my Glock 19 to suit my needs. I never get fancy, its just a street gun but it now has a hard chrome plated slide that was beautifully done by my friend Virgil Tripp at www.trippresearch.com
I installed a New York Trigger spring in my Glock 19 and I refined the action, but I want the heavier trigger pull. I air brushed a special ceramic coating on my barrel and you can see the product I used at www.nicindustries.com
I also installed a heavier recoil spring and guide rod made by ISMI. www.ismi-gunsprings.com
I am using a chrome silicon alloy flat wire recoil spring that is heavier than the factory rating because I will only shoot very hot loads in the +P+ range. I am not a target shooter my carry guns are for survival.


I am not very pleased when I see some of the new products on the market, this goes beyond the basic gun but I am including many accessories and parts. There is no such thing as a totally drop in part especially for a 1911 pistol. Think about all the various frame dimensions and where some of these frames and slides are made using metric dimensions and you want to find a drop in part and or a drop in barrel, get real, forget the BS. Don't believe the BS that people tell you, how many drop in parts have they installed ??


There are some very good quality products that have not been cheapened like Ruger revolvers. Like Surefire Flashlights, like quality ammunition, but people as a general rule are busy looking for bargains, you generally get what you pay for. There will always be over priced high dollar production handguns that will always sell because these people know how to advertise, you spend advertising money and you can BS anyone in due time.


Please let me remind you that these commentaries (past & present) are my personal opinion and my personal viewpoint only. Should you have any questions you can email me anytime and I will try and point you in the right direction. I have no agenda other than the truth. Remember what HARRY TRUMAN SAID, I TELL THEM THE TRUTH AND THEY THINK I AM GIVING THEM HELL. If more people told the basic truth we would have a far better country and world to live in.


Teddy