Blaszanka shoot-off championship 2013

Last weekend we had our small shoot-off championship in Blaszanka competition (loosely based on IPSC shoot-off rules). I managed to finish on 4th place (or more properly did not manage to finish 3rd or higher). Here is short video mix from this match made by my friend Obione. Enjoy.

Glock 17 Gen2 ends its career in style

My friend had and Glock 17. It was Gen2 (CNM series), that he bought used some10+ years ago. It was not used a lot by security company that owned it, they mostly carry, rarely shoot (even for training). But my friend, he shot it a lot. And he shot it good (he is one of best IPSC and IDPA shooters in country). He even cleaned it... once a year or so. (Pictures inside!)

3Gun Liga Sportera, 23rd of June 2013

Again, 3Gun Liga Sportera match. I had some problems on stage 2 and 4, but both I brought upon myself. On stage 2 I used 28g (1oz) reduced recoil slugs, that I know that they barely cycle my Benelli M1. Of course on stage they did not cycle it at all. Luckily only 5 shots required. On stage 4 I had problem with hitting steel with my HK45C - problem is I set sights at home to be more-less straight and did not have time to verify POA/POI. I could take my other handgun with me, but just for fun decided to take HK45C. I also first time used HSGI Battle Belt and G-Code MULE holster platform with RTI system. This setup work nice for me, I just need to get some HSGI Pistol Taco's for it.

My setup this time was 5.56mm wz.96/06 Mini Beryl (aka Mini Radom-Sport) 9.4" SBR with Aimpoint Micro T1, 12 gauge Benelli M1 Super 90 with Vortex Razor Red Dot and .45ACP HK45C.

HK P30/P30L short travel LEM (CDA) trigger V4.1 aka V4 CH

For last month or so I'm testing reduced travel LEM (called CDA in Europe, for Combat Defense Action) trigger, that I call V4.1 (internal HK designation V4 CH). What this trigger group does is reducing pre-travel  on P30 LEM trigger by roughly 1/3, from 15mm (0.590")  to 10mm (0.393") measured in middle of trigger height. After initial pre-travel there is 1.5mm (0.059") of sear engagement travel (think of it as second stage in 2-stage trigger) and 1mm (0.039") of over-travel. Sear travel and over-travel are same for all variants (V4.1 does not change that) except for V6, that is "real" DAO trigger. Reset is same as standard LEM trigger at 7.5mm (0.295"). 5mm (0.196") of reduction may not sound a lot, but in real life it make big difference. It no longer feels like eternity to take up LEM trigger, so there is less tendency for trigger jerking during fast shooting. Overall feel is very good.

For those wondering how to get this trigger, nice guys from HK sent me conversion chart for every P30/P30L trigger variant and give green light to share it.

5th Olsztyn Open IPSC handgun match

Last Saturday, 25th of May, I shot  IPSC handgun match in Olsztyn, Poland. I had quite a pause in shooting IPSC matches, but it went quite good for me. My new V4.1 LEM trigger in P30L works fine. As always with HK, you just drop parts in and good to go - no fitting needed. I have two failures to fire. When I looked on rounds, it is clear that in new batch of Geco, they used new type of primer. It is either much harder or not very reliable. Actually since RWS moved manufacture of this ammo from Swiss to Hungary (ex-MFS plant) seem like quality went significantly down. Time to start loading own ammo, at least for match use.
On this match I used 224 rounds of Geco 124gr FMJ "IPSC Approved" ammo. That means 691 rounds since last cleaning of pistol. 2 failure to fire malfunctions, both of new lot of Geco ammo.

Blaszanka match and P30L pointless test continued

Last Sunday we handgun shootoff match, called "Blaszanka". Name came from traditional first prize, that is bottle of Whisky in tin can made from "blacha". I do not like shooting steel, it somehow intimidate me, anyway I managed to make 3rd place. I was almost 2nd, but "almost is big difference". During this match I used my HK P30L with LEM trigger. I shot 221 rounds of Geco 124gr FMJ and 3 rounds of Barnaul 115gr FMJ steel cased ammo. Barnaul was used to check it on chrono. It barely made Power Factor 125 (125,000 in IDPA) - this is really weak round. Round count since last cleaning and lubing - 467.

Pointless HK P30L endurance test

Recently I received from HK set of factory parts for my P30L. Those parts are V2 LEM trigger with slightly reduced trigger travel. Reset distance remains same. Anyway, installing this parts (drop in without any need of fitting - HK standard) was opportunity to clean up my P30L. Actually field stripping it, made gunk just drop out under own weight. I did not do detailed cleaning, but removed most of what could be removed with soft cloth and paper towels. Put some oil on it and assembled. I decided, that this is opportunity to see how good my P30L works. So from now on I will keep record of rounds fired, add some oil when I feel it really slows down and clean when it starts to malfunction or I got bored (whatever comes first).
Last weekend was opportunity to log 243 rounds on Steel Day organized by Shooting Academy range. Below is video from this match.

How to mod H&S Speedsec 5CW HK USP speed holster to work with HK P30, P30L, HK45 and HK45c

When I got my first P30, I hand on hand my first IPSC speed holster for HK USP: Hoppner and Schumann Speedsec 5CW. I modified it to work with P30 using Dremel tool with cylinder shaped milling bit and hand file. 5CW is made from polymer so use low speed and work slowly to not overdo. Modified holster still accepts HK USP, but also works with USP Compact, P2000, P2000SK, P30, P30L, HK45, HK45C and even HK P7.

IO Aimpoint Micro cover finally arrived

When I first learned about IO Aimpoint Micro cover, I was very excited. Actually I backed this project via Kickstarter service.

Since shipping cost to Poland would probably beat manufacturing cost, I provided address of my friend in US (with his permission) for shipping my Kickstarter "backer kit". But when cover arrived my friend already forgot about it. When he got package he was all "what kind of s..t is that, I do not even own Aimpoint Micro and never ordered such stuff" and he was ready to trash it. Fortunately on same day I asked him if he received my IO cover yet. That was close! But then cover waited for opportunity to be sent to me. This opportunity presented itself, when my daughter turned 1 and friend wanted to send her birthday gift. So now she plays on nice set Skip-Hop floor tiles, I have my IO cover and we both are happy campers! Happy End!

(on photo IO cover spreads it's love over Aimpoint Micto T1 mounted on wz.96 Mini Beryl 5.56 SBR)

3Gun Liga Sportera match - very unlucky for me.

Most unlucky match for me. On 3rd stage shot first I had some problems (user induced) with my quick loader, then RO claimed finger on the trigger during loading shell to shotgun port.I do believe that I did not have finger on the trigger, because with pistol grip stock I'm unable to keep finger on trigger when I hold shotgun by pistol grip only and in right side up position. Actually in other position, with shotgun tilted left side up, I also did not have finger on the trigger, despite RO obviously "fishing" to see that. Anyway it is "word against word" issue, as there are no witnesses who can confirm either statement and in this case RO had last word. I do believe event is just result of over eagerness of young RO. As lesson learned, I will make damn sure it will not happen again, because even if there is 1% chance I'm wrong, I must be sure it will not happen again. Routine is one of biggest enemies of seasoned shooters.

In this match I used FB Radom "Mini Radom Sport" (wz. 96 Mini Beryl) 5.56 rifle with Aimpoint Micro T1, Benelli M1 Super90 12gauge with Insight MRDS and HK P2000SK with Vortex Razor Red Dot and Viridian C5L.

Zeroing Mini Beryl with surprises and 3Gun Shootoff match video

Last Friday I went to the range, to zero my FB Radom wz. 96 Mini Beryl short barrel rifle (9.4" barrel) before 3Gun shootoff match. I set it up with Aimpoint Micro T1. Range was 46m (LRF verified), that means 50.30yard - good zero for most 5.56mm applications. Shooting position on this range is standing behind narrow "counter", so I removed rear support from my shooting rest to be able to rest my rifle somehow. I was going to use up some Spanish surplus ammo that I had. But found it hard to zero my Beryl, as I was getting 5 shot groups in range of 8-10MOA (4-5"@50yrd). Then I found in my range bag one stripper clip with 10 Hornady Steel Match 55gr FMJ ammo, that I usually use in my match HK rifle. So I decided to give it a go. I shot 3 rounds to find where they land on target and.....

HK45 and HK45C returns to Europe

On IWA 2013 HK announced that they plan to restart production of HK45and HK45C pistols in Germany. Both pistols will be available for civilian sales as well as of mil/LE customers. HK plans to offer each model in 3 frame colors: black, OD Green and FDE. Great move HK - keep up! Guns presented on HK booth were still of US production.

AR15 muzzle device on HK MR223

From time to time I get asked about how to mount AR15 muzzle device (1/2"x28tpi thread) on HK MR223 rifle (M15x1 thread).

Basically there are 3 solutions that do not include messing with barrel on HK MR223:

1. Get muzzle device with M15x1 thread straight from manufacturer.
2. Re-thread muzzle device from 1/2x28tpi to M15x1
3. Make screw on adapter that is female M15x1 thread and male 1/2x28tpi thread.

I tried all 3 solutions, so decided to share from what I learn.