Better Cleaning and Lube

For everything except the bore, I use Mil-Comm MC25 Firearm Cleaner/Degreaser followed by TW-25B Lubricant (grease) any place metal slides on metal (look for the wear marks). For protection from finger-oil, I use a very lightly oiled rag anywhere I might touch the bluing but then vigorously wipe it as dry as possible.

08/29/05 Addendum: For those who've read my earlier posting about Ed's Red, be advised I have abandoned its use. It was just too messy and tended to move the dirt around instead of removing it.

Instead, I am now using Simple Green, a water-based cleaner, in a five minute scrub and soak, a very hot water rinse and wipe, bake in 175 degree oven (or on the patio table outside in the Phoenix midday sun) for 30 minutes, and a spray with Rem Oil and wiping away as much of that as possible.

For the 1911, I then give the barrel a traditional cleaning with Hoppes #9 and bore brush and swabs. I use a long dental pick to then clean the ridge inside the barrel where the 45ACP rounds index.

For the S&W Model 41's barrel, I snake it, perhaps run a patch or two, but that's about it because it just does seem to need anything more.

Final lubing of contact surfaces on both guns is with the TW-25B lubricant mentioned above.

When finished, guns are almost completely dry except for the residual TW-25B in the contact areas.

Trigger Job on the 1911

On a personal recommendation, I contacted Mike Kelly for a trigger job on the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec (1911 in .45 caliber). He invited me to his shop/home.

When I arrived, we sat on the living room couch while I briefed Mike on what I wanted and how I planned to use the gun.

"I will be shooting Bullseye," I said, "but may decide to do hardball with it later so I want changes that are compatible with both, or that can be undone or redone as required. Primarily I'm looking for a trigger job and a longer trigger. Down the road I will change out the sights and put in a competition barrel and bushing, but those will come later."

Mike asked, "Okay, how long do you have?"

Thinking he meant days and weeks I answered, "Well, it can take as long as it needs, I can wait, but obviously I'd like to start shooting it as soon as I can."

Mike nodded and said, "Okay, come on back to the shop."

He meant hours, as in Now!

And, over the next three hours, I got an education as well as the longer trigger, much better trigger release and a couple of other touch-ups that Mike threw in. I left with a profoundly improved trigger, a Bo-Mar rear sight (to have someone with a mill install), my old trigger, a thorough demonstration on how to do a full strip and reassembly of the 1911, and answers to dozens of questions that came to mind as I watched Mike do the work.

All for less than a hundred bucks.

Why NRA Safety Rule #1 is #1

Posted to Bullseye-L

With all of the conversations on this list about sight picture, where to focus, how to hold, what loads are used at the short versus the long line, when to think and when to just shoot, safety is seldom mentioned but, nonetheless, is in every movement we make at the line.

I recently observed an AD [Accidental Discharge] at the range. The individual did *almost* everything right, and because this shooter kept the NRA's Safety Rule #1 as their personal #1 that day, when *almost* happened, no one was hurt.

It was the first string of Rapid Fire. The targets faced the shooters and the shooting began. The shooter I was observing (from whom I hoped to learn some good lessons) methodically settled in and released four shots, and then the targets turned away.

The shooter lowered the 1911's muzzle, ejected the empty magazine and readied the next one. Then, the muzzle was lowered all the way to the tabletop, still angled downrange, but the shooter's body blocked my view. I couldn't see what happened next but it was clear the shooter had noticed the slide hadn't needed to be released on the new magazine. I presume the shooter was checking the gun when ...

BANG!

The fifth round from the first string went off. It had been chambered after the fourth shot in the first string but too late for the then turned away target. That was why the slide was forward when the magazine was replaced.

The AD punched a hole through the tabletop at an angle and went into the dirt a few feet downrange from the shooter's table.

There was a stunned moment of silence on the line.

Everyone looked around to see what had happened.

The range master asked, "Is anyone hurt?"

Fortunately, everyone was all right.

A few nervous chuckles up and down the line relieved the tension and, after a double-check of the gun, the shooter signalled readiness for the final string.

And, as befits this individual's skill and experience, that final string of five landed in the target like any other string of five ... or four.

NRA Safety Rule #1: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

Good lesson. Thank you.