Range Report: A solid 22/45, first FTE Glock 21sf and a troublesome Colt Agent

[FrankPro1]

Finally got my Ruger 22/45 out of jail and straight to the range we went. Shot 300+ rounds of Federal and not one hiccup from the bunch. The only real issue I encountered was its thin grips. Any recommendations for a good slip on grip? Switching back between the Mk1 and Mk3 22/45 I could definitely feel some differences beyond just the grip angle. Personally I think the Mk1 has a better overall balance, while the 22/45 seems a bit barrel heavy. The triggers were almost identical on the pull but the reset on the 22/45 was much more tactile. While they both have plain jane iron sights, the 22/45's rear sight channel is a bit taller and wider. Groupings on both models were solid but by the end of the session I was drilling tighter patterns with the 22/45.

I also brought my Glock 21sf out to play as well as a Colt Agent .38 special. This last dry month away from the range I studied many videos and write ups on proper stance, grip and overall shooting fundamentals. Focusing on all I've learned equaled out to the tightest groups I've ever had. On the 2nd mag I put through it I did have my first FTE ever. It was with some left over UMC ammo I had from last months shoot. It wasn't a severe failure "the slide just barely clipped the shell as it slid forward" but it did surprise me. Up until this point my Glock had been 100 percent failure free "probably 1500 rounds through it so far". I am really diligent as far as cleaning goes so I wonder what could have caused it. After that I shot a hundred rounds of PMC Bronze with no issue.

The Colt Agent is my buddies and I can't shoot it for beans. If I get a solid handle on it I can't get my finger in the trigger guard and if I drop my hands down, I have to use the old cup & saucer grip. The sights are almost non existent and it seems I need to hold extremely low on target to even get close to what I'm aiming at. My bud can shoot it pretty well but for the life of me it just doesn't work.

[Kanester]

Finally got my Ruger 22/45 out of jail and straight to the range we went. Shot 300+ rounds of Federal and not one hiccup from the bunch. The only real issue I encountered was its thin grips. Any recommendations for a good slip on grip? Switching back between the Mk1 and Mk3 22/45 I could definitely feel some differences beyond just the grip angle. Personally I think the Mk1 has a better overall balance, while the 22/45 seems a bit barrel heavy. The triggers were almost identical on the pull but the reset on the 22/45 was much more tactile. While they both have plain jane iron sights, the 22/45's rear sight channel is a bit taller and wider. Groupings on both models were solid but by the end of the session I was drilling tighter patterns with the 22/45.

I also brought my Glock 21sf out to play as well as a Colt Agent .38 special. This last dry month away from the range I studied many videos and write ups on proper stance, grip and overall shooting fundamentals. Focusing on all I've learned equaled out to the tightest groups I've ever had. On the 2nd clip I put through it I did have my first FTE ever. It was with some left over UMC ammo I had from last months shoot. It wasn't a severe failure "the slide just barely clipped the shell as it slid forward" but it did surprise me. Up until this point my Glock had been 100 percent failure free "probably 1500 rounds through it so far". I am really diligent as far as cleaning goes so I wonder what could have caused it. After that I shot a hundred rounds of PMC Bronze with no issue.

The Colt Agent is my buddies and I can't shoot it for beans. If I get a solid handle on it I can't get my finger in the trigger guard and if I drop my hands down, I have to use the old cup & saucer grip. The sights are almost non existent and it seems I need to hold extremely low on target to even get close to what I'm aiming at. My bud can shoot it pretty well but for the life of me it just doesn't work for me.

Not from that picture!

[FrankPro1]

Not from that picture!

Well that was mid range session. Here she is post cleaning:

[BigfootHunter]

Nice setup, I just picked up a 22/45 myself, but have yet to get it to the range. I would imagine the bull barrel on that thing would make it a bit nose heavy compared to the mkI. I think for my hand size the 22/45 grip isn't too thin, but rather too deep (front to back), the proportions feel really funny in my hand, though I do like the grip angle better than regular rugers. As far as grips, I have a Hogue Handall on another pistol and it's really nice. According to their site it also fits the 22/45. Might be worth a try, though I would imagine you have to take it off to disassemble the 22/45 since the grip probably covers the lever.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1 FTE out of 1500 on the Glock, probably just a weak charge on that UMC.

[Merc1138]

Not from that picture!

You clean your guns in the lane at the range?

[FrankPro1]

I wouldn't worry too much about the 1 FTE out of 1500 on the Glock, probably just a weak charge on that UMC.

I'm not finding many options without physically altering the receiver, so Hogue Handalls it is.

I'm not too worried about the FTE. It ate up more then 500 of the UMC so far, so I think its was just a fluke. Just surprised me, after such a solid run.

[BigfootHunter]

I blame Vigo for it, must have taken over for that one round

[Kanester]

You clean your guns in the lane at the range?

No, but ive never seen my glock get anywhere near that dirty after only 100 rounds. But then again ive never used UMC, ive heard it's filthy.

As far as the FTE, I just had it happen with my G17 a few days ago for the first time, I was also was suprised. I had a light mounted on it though, so it may have been that, or just a weak charge.

[FrankPro1]

I blame Vigo for it, must have taken over for that one round

He is Vigo! You are like the buzzing of flies to him!

No, but ive never seen my glock get anywhere near that dirty after only 100 rounds. But then again ive never used UMC, ive heard it's filthy.

As far as the FTE, I just had it happen with my G17 a few days ago for the first time, I was also was suprised. I had a light mounted on it though, so it may have been that, or just a weak charge.

Yep, UMC is that dirty. It was the only 45 acp at walmart my last time through, so I had to snatch it up. Most of the build up is from PMC Bronze though, so I guess that isn't too clean either.

[Gary13]

For your 22/45, there are a couple of methods. You can use a sleeve, which is what I did at first, or you can go to rimfirecentral and check there for posts on either grinding your current grips off and then using stock 1911 grips, or buying overlay grips that only require you to drill holes in your current grip. I went with the second option and could not be happier.

[rcserg]

I also brought my Glock 21sf out to play as well as a Colt Agent .38 special. This last dry month away from the range I studied many videos and write ups on proper stance, grip and overall shooting fundamentals. Focusing on all I've learned equaled out to the tightest groups I've ever had. On the 2nd clip I put through it I did have my first FTE ever. It was with some left over UMC ammo I had from last months shoot. It wasn't a severe failure "the slide just barely clipped the shell as it slid forward" but it did surprise me. Up until this point my Glock had been 100 percent failure free "probably 1500 rounds through it so far". I am really diligent as far as cleaning goes so I wonder what could have caused it. After that I shot a hundred rounds of PMC Bronze with no issue.

I think Glocks come with magazines and not clips.

[LHC30]

Next to the SA TRP, I love my MKIII 22/45. I had one without removable panels and it was way too thin for my grip, so I just went out and bought a MKIII 22/45 RP and put pachmeyers on it - problem solved!

[FrankPro1]

I think Glocks come with magazines and not clips.

Fixed. Smart ***

I also had a technical foul during my range session when I commented on the range officers "high-cap" Glock 17 magazines. After a quick glare from him, I realized my mistake and said normal-capacity