Sig 1911 MAX

Competition shooters frequently choose the 1911 platform and there are even classes within the popular competitive organizations devoted to the 1911 exclusively.  John Moses Browning’s masterpiece of design may be the most copied, revered, and customized handgun in the world today.  A well-executed “custom 1911” is truly a work of art and an exquisite machine. Sig Sauer has taken the elements of fine custom 1911s – ergonomics, accuracy, manufacturing precision, and hand-crafted fit ‘n finish – and applied them to a “production” – albeit high-end production – offering. This pistol is not intended to perform double duty as range and self-defense or range and “service” gun but is rather dedicated to recreational range or competition uses.

Highly successful professional shooter Max Michaels currently captains the Sig Sauer competitive shooting team and specified the “custom” elements of his preference for inclusion in the 1911 model Sig named after him, called the “1911 MAX.”  Upgrades from the standard 1911 design include a nitron-finished stainless slide with forward cocking serrations and a natural stainless frame with 26LPI checkering on the front strap.  Max’s “MM” logo is custom engraved on the slide and machined into the Hogue® custom G-10 “Chainlink” grips, which offer a very aggressive, non-slip surface to the shooter. Michel’s specifications also include a SIG SAUER flat trigger, external extractor, a Dawson® Ice Magwell®, a Koenig® Speed Hammer® and EGW® sear and firing pin. Fiber optic front and adjustable rear sights also provide high-speed visibility.

A shooter who sends his 1911 off to a custom shop to have improvements of the above magnitude competently worked into his platform would pay much more than the price of a 1911 MAX to get a precision piece of the quality that comes out of the box with the Sig, but we can “kick the tires” and debate the relative merits of each and all of the MAX features and prove nothing.  The truth will out when, as they say, the booger hook presses the bang switch. So, the Bunker Bunch borrowed a MAX from one of our customers and put it through its paces on the range.

Accuracy  There really are two kinds of accuracy. One is the inherent ability of a gun to shoot straight, given ammunition that is up to the task, and the other is the ability of the average, albeit competent, shooter to easily adapt to the ergonomics of the gun, including sight picture and trigger feel.

As we expected, those big ole 45 caliber bullets impacted the targets exactly where the sights were pointed when fired off a bench rest.  To get as objective a result as we could, we used a bench rest for part of our tests to eliminate shooter variances from the shots.  We used the most accurate ammo we knew of and picked a calm day so as many external factors as we could were eliminated from the testing.  Sig Sauer handguns are well known for their inherent accuracy and the MAX is at the pinnacle of that already excellent reputation.

The sight picture presented by the MAX is combination of a colored fiber optic front sight and white double-dot rear adjustable target sight. This may not be the preference of every competition shooter, but the sight picture certainly does lend itself to the common technique of focusing on the front sight.

The trigger has a flat front preferred by many competitors and accuracy-driven range shooters because it provides excellent tactile feedback to the all-important trigger “feel” necessary to, among other things, result in straight-line movement during its travel. Together with other ergonomic features of the gun, the trigger feel of the MAX allows the competent shooter to exercise maximum control of the firing process for enhanced real-world accuracy.

Ergonomics  The 1911 platform is well known for its ability to suit a wide variety of hand and finger sizes and shapes.  It fits “perfectly” for a large percentage of shooters and fits “well” for and even greater number. Improvements to the original or “standard” design of some components will, however, increase the gun’s suitability for range/competition duty.  Sig’s choice of aggressively checkered grip panels made of G-10 material, along with 26 lpi checkering on the front face of the grip, practically eliminates slippage during repetitive firing.  The flat face of the trigger provides excellent tactile feedback, enhancing minute finger control of trigger movement. Choice of the sight combination enhances hand/eye coordination for more precise target acquisition. Including a magwell improves the shooter’s ability to reload and continue shooting quickly.

Many experienced shooters believe even a moderately well-made 1911 with “standard” features is an excellent competition/marksmanship platform.  With the enhancements Sig has applied to the MAX, its operator will be able to perform to his/her full potential. This piece is a real joy to shoot and a very precise tool in the hands of a competent 1911 operator.

Reliability  While reliability is not as important at the range as it is in a self-defense scenario it is still mission-critical, and a failure to feed or eject will cost the competitive shooter some aggravation at least and some score points at worst. This is unacceptable and need not be tolerated with the high quality firearms available in today’s market even at moderate prices as long as the “right” ammo is found for a given gun.  Reliability with a wide variety of ammunition is a bit more elusive and can be a bigger problem with finely tuned custom guns than more lowly production guns, which give up something in their compromise toward wider ammo acceptance.

Sig’s design and production effort with the MAX has resulted in a finely tuned racehorse that eats almost any kind of oats.  The MAX we tested functioned perfectly on a wide variety of ammo of various bullet weights and profiles, and even thrived on our hand loads with lead and plated bullets. Some of this ammo was, naturally, more accurate than others but this had nothing to do with the quality of the gun and should be considered perfectly normal.

Conclusion: With a MSRP of $1,713 and a street price probably somewhere around $1,400 the MAX is not for everyone. Those shooters, however, who appreciate the finest quality in every facet of the marksmanship genre will certainly not be disappointed.  Every one of the dollars above the cost of the “run of the mill” high quality production 1911’s is well spent in terms of build quality and useful upgrades.  The MAX really belongs in the class of custom 1911’s that cost up to twice as much, where it will hold its own in every practical category.

Respectfully Submitted

The Bunker Bunch
October, 2014

FrogLube

Snake Oil:  is an expression that originally referred to fraudulent health products or unproven medicine but has come to refer to any product with questionable or unverifiable quality or benefit. By extension, a snake oil salesman is someone who knowingly sells fraudulent goods or who is himself or herself a fraud, quack, charlatan, or the like.  We’ve all been exposed – more so with the proliferation of the internet – to new products “proven” by “independent testing” to outperform the old tried-n-true products we’ve used for years. Occasionally, however, snake oil turns out to be penicillin, polio vaccine, or some other revolutionary improvement in its field, and such is the case with FrogLube.
Those of us in The Bunker Bunch are old enough to have encountered plenty of snake oil salesmen, and have heard all the claims of products that will “revolutionize the firearms industry.” We are all dyed-in-the-wool skeptics and were no less so when introduced to FrogLube. We were, accordingly, slow to join the fan club but we’re all on board now.

Now, there are lots of gun care products on the market which have performed admirably over the years, and each has its loyal following. “I’d never put anything but XXX on my gun. I’ve used it for years and never got a spot of rust or a failure to function.”  This is the kind of reaction several members of the bunch expounded when FrogLube was suggested to them by our most inexperienced member.  After a few months and some experimentation, we have all adopted this new chemical as our primary gun care chemical or at least an important addition to the mix.

Our first exposure to FrogLube was on a trip to the Sig Sauer Academy for training. One of The Bunker Bunch was first exposed when FrogLube was provided to attendees as a part of the training which involved cleaning and lube of the firearm used for the class.  The Academy instructor related that the staff there had been asked to evaluate the product as a part of its introduction and the instructors continued to use the product after the evaluation was over because it was noticeably superior (in their opinion) to the others they had been using. When news of this “great new product” was brought home to the rest of The Bunker Bunch it was met by the expected and normal “that’s snake oil” reaction by the more senior members of The Bunch.  Eventually, a tub of the paste was left on a cleaning bench and the “old luddites” gave it a try.  “Love at first sight” was a typical reaction.

One of The Bunch, ordinarily more resistant to change than the others, really wanted to like the product but refused to do so until he’d had time to give it a torture test of his own design.  The lube, and his cobbled together old Beretta “franken-gun” came through with flying colors. Mr. Conservative is now a FrogLube convert.

What we KNOW about FrogLube is that it cleans our guns as well as, and in some cases better than, any of the products we used previously.  It seems to have superior protective properties as well. Steel parts treated with the older “bluing” process tend to lose their ability to resist rust over time and with unavoidable wear.  When these parts are mildly heated to “open the pores” of the metal, then treated with FrogLube and allowed to cool slowly, the rust-resistance of the metal is increased dramatically. For newer firearms treated with modern coatings, steel can be exposed by scratching, chipping, or wear. We find that use of FrogLube in our normal, frequent, cleaning regimen leaves a protective film on these exposed areas preventing rust that would otherwise form.

On spots where metal meets metal during the normal action of shooting – particularly with semi-autos – friction causes wear and this is completely normal.  Quality lubrication minimizes this process and some lubes adhere to the surfaces better than others, diminishing the wear by reducing friction.  FrogLube excels at this task in both reducing the friction and in remaining in place for more cycles than its competitors.

Cleaning with FrogLube is not significantly easier or quicker than with the other popular general purpose chemicals we’ve used. It is inferior to some of the chemicals specifically formulated to remove lead or copper fouling from barrels, as are most general cleaning chemicals in these applications. The odor, however, of petroleum based products can be unpleasant at least, and almost sickening to some with sensitive olfactory systems.  “I love the smell of Hoppe’s” is a cliché to some and a cruel hoax to others.  What little odor FrogLube does have is “floral” and unobtrusive because it is not a petroleum based product at all.  It is also non-toxic so frequent hand-washing is not required – a real plus for those who keep Cheetos or popcorn handy at gun cleaning sessions.

The benefits of FrogLube in the area of cleaning and preservative powers are a bonus, however, over its main attraction for us; which is its significantly superior lubrication properties – especially important in semi-automatic applications. “Slicker than …” Insert your own comparison and you’ll have an accurate description of FrogLube’s ability to eliminate friction, which is a hindrance to optimal operation in many areas of semi-auto gun design.  Slide-to-frame, trigger-to-sear, barrel-to-bushing surfaces and other places where metal must slide against metal will benefit from the enhanced lubricity imparted by FrogLube. It is simply “better” than any of the other products we’ve used.

Not many of us will live long enough to actually “wear out” a gun, but even a small reduction in the amount of erosion in certain areas can have an effect on accuracy and reliability – not to mention the aesthetic effect and potential effect on resale value.

No, FrogLube will not change your life. It probably will, however, make your semi-auto pistols and rifles operate more smoothly, and reduce wear wherever it is applied.  Try it – you’ll like it; and it smells good.

Respectfully Submitted
The Bunker Bunch
October, 2014

Handgun Ammunition

Some shooters don’t pay much attention to what ammunition they feed their pistol or revolver other than it being the right caliber.  Many a new shooter incorrectly assumes that all “factory ammo” is made to closely match some strict industry spec and therefore will hit a target at whatever spot at which the sights are pointed when the bang switch is jerked. Those who become more interested in handgun technique  - and shooting them more proficiently - will learn more and more about the factors, including ammo choice, that apply to making their marksmanship efforts more accurate and thus more enjoyable.

If we were to make a mechanical contraption to hold the firearm firmly in positon to eliminate operator error from an accuracy test, things like the quality of the firearm design and construction, sight positioning, weather conditions, and, of course, ammunition would be the remaining controlling factors in obtaining the unicorn we call “tight groups”. With a decent quality handgun that has had its sights properly regulated, ammunition will play a much larger role in obtaining maximum accuracy than most shooters believe.

If consistently ringing an 8” steel plate from 7 or 10 yards is accurate enough for you, keep on buying the cheapest “plinking ammo” you can find and disregard any further ammo education.  Believe it or not, however, 1” shot groups are attainable from most handguns of reasonable quality at 25 yards or beyond, but only if the ammunition is up to the task and a box of the good stuff won’t be the lowest priced package at your favorite big box sporting goods store.

Consistency.  First, each cartridge in a given group must produce close to the same pressure and burn rate when ignited.  Yes, “burn”, because gunpowder does not explode when ignited by the primer but instead burns rapidly, completing its job of increasing cartridge pressure at a pre-determined rate.  There is a plethora of gunpowder formulations available today and each has its own characteristics, including burn rate, which, among other things, determines its effectiveness in a cartridge of a given size and the shape and weight of the bullet.  If a manufacturer packs its cartridge with gunpowder “good enough” and chosen for its cost instead of one with optimal burn characteristics, the accuracy of that cartridge will suffer. Even if the formulation of the powder is correct, minute variances in the amount of that powder in a given cartridge will meaningfully affect bullet trajectory.

Additionally, each bullet in a group of cartridges must be shaped properly, weigh the same, and be made of materials which effectively engage the rifling in the barrel; and all these factors must be very close to the same on each bullet within a batch.  “Cheap” ammo is not likely to meet this criteria.  Hint: Quality control in the manufacturing process is expensive.  Tighter QC creates more consistency but costs more.

Powder.  When gunpowder is ignited within an ammunition cartridge it produces an increase in pressure because the bullet holds the expanding gasses within the cartridge until it begins its travel down the barrel, and in some cases for some of that travel. If the quantity and type of powder and/or the size and weight of the bullet is not optimized, the pressure will build up too quickly or too slowly. If the bullet accelerates down the barrel at the “wrong” speed for its size and composition, it will not properly engage the rifling grooves. This will inhibit the proper amount of spin imparted to the bullet, which will impair its flight characteristics after it leaves the muzzle. A bullet which leaves the muzzle at the “wrong” velocity also will not “fly” correctly.

Bullet Shape & Size.  A great deal of attention is paid to the shape of rifle projectiles (bullets). The longer the distance a bullet flies from muzzle to target, the more aerodynamic it must be, but even though not quite as critical, the relatively short range mission of handguns requires bullet stability during flight. Never mind that a bullet at typical handgun velocities remains airborne for only 1/13 of a second on a 25 yard range, all the interactions of it with the barrel and atmosphere will take place during that time and must be correct for accuracy to ensue.

Ammunition of a given caliber is usually available in different bullet weights. Since bullet diameter is the same on various weights in the same caliber, the length of the projectile is the variable factor among the different weights. A heavier bullet in a given caliber will be longer. The overall length of the cartridge will be the same, or very nearly so, meaning simply that the heavier bullet is set deeper into the case of the cartridge than its lighter sibling. While one might infer that a heavier (longer) bullet will have a greater surface area on which to engage the rifling in the barrel and lead to increased ballistic flight stability, this is only one of the factors at play and any advantage gained from enhanced rifling engagement might be more than offset by other factors.

Use of one bullet weight over another dictates changes in the type and quantity of gunpowder. Failure to fully compensate for the various bullet weights during the manufacturing process could produce ammunition quite competent in the realms of safety and cost but less than optimal in accuracy. During a production run of a certain caliber, for instance, a change in bullet weight might optimally require a change of both amount and formulation of the gunpowder. For cost purposes a manufacturer might choose to change only the amount. Less costly but less accurate ammo would be the result.

Cartridge to Gun Match.  Certain guns are reputed to be “ammo sensitive” in ways that affect their reliability. Even those that will “eat everything they’re fed” will likely be more accurate with a particular load from a specific manufacturer. To obtain maximum accuracy from a particular gun, it's “favorite” ammo must be discovered and this usually can be found only by trial and error. Competition marksmen typically load their own cartridges and find, through careful testing, the optimal combination of cartridge components which produces the most accurate cartridge for a particular gun at a particular range.

Generally, though not always, the higher the quality of the gun, the more tolerant it will be to ammo variations while maintaining inherent accuracy. Conversely, a common service pistol can sometimes prove to be extremely accurate with the “right” ammunition.

In Conclusion; the subject of ballistics – bullet flight from ignition to target – much more complex than most shooters realize. It is one of, if not the most important, factors in finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow we refer to as “one ragged hole.” Obviously, the best ammo will be wasted on a range mission involving a poor shooter wielding an inferior firearm, but someone who has a decent gun and has begun the journey toward competent marksmanship will certainly benefit from higher quality ammo matched to his/her gun.

None of this really matters for someone who owns a handgun or two and shoots a few rounds per year just to maintain minimal proficiency. The more serious shooter, however, who gains a bit of knowledge will gain both proficiency and enjoyment along the way.

With ballistics, as with all other aspects of the shooting sports, compromise is the name of the game. “If a little bit’s good, a lot’s gotta be better” just doesn't work well here and can be counterproductive at best and downright unsafe at worst. Most of the issues that need compromise to produce a cartridge that will work well in a variety of guns have been addressed by reputable manufacturers.  It is this effort to make their product acceptable to a wide variety of guns that makes them less than optimal for almost all of them.  Selection by the consumer of a cartridge best suited to his/her particular gun begins when that shooter becomes more knowledgeable by testing various loads and learning what to look for.

And finally; BE SAFE! Keep your booger hook off the bang switch ‘till you're ready to shoot something.

Respectfully Submitted

The Bunker Bunch

October, 2014

AAC MPW

AAC MPW

Customized by The AR Bunker

The AR Bunker specializes in custom built modern sporting rifles, with years of experience in assembly of quality components into tactical masterpieces. The latest example of this expertise combines a high quality SBR (short barrel rifle) chambered for 300 AAC BLACKOUT with, as its main features, a 30 caliber  Advanced Armament 762-sdn-6 suppressor, a Vortex SPARC II red dot scope ahead of a Vortex 3-power flip-off magnifier, and a Tac-Con 3MR trigger. Individually, the components are all high-quality accessories that would be an excellent enhancement to any modern sporting rifle.  Together, they make for a highly effective, extremely versatile short-to-mid range tactical rifle.

Since we’re reviewing the total package here we’ll break it up into the important components and then report an overall impression of the complete unit.

Rifle
Advanced Armament Corporation complete MPW rifles are available in 16”, 12.5” and 9” barrels chambered for 300 AAC BLACKOUT. The 9” version (NFA rules apply) was chosen to keep the overall length as short as possible after installation of the suppressor and with good optics the shorter barrel length gives up very little operator accuracy in the mid-range distances. The weight and size of the rifle lends itself to a highly mobile tool for “close-quarters” operations while giving up little when pressed into service at longer ranges. Use of the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge enhances the ballistic energy of the projectile versus its 5.56 or .223 cousins; especially when using subsonic rounds to take advantage of the suppressor capabilities.  When normal velocity cartridges are used, the advantage of 300 AAC Blackout over 5.56/.223 are enormous.

The various components of the rifle are chosen from among the highest quality available. The ever-critical bolt carrier group, for instance, on the MPW is nickel boron (Ni-B) UCT EXO coated for very high hardness and lower friction than either chrome or nickel teflon. There is also a base layer of high-phosphorous electroless nickel that ensures the extreme corrosion protection that is absent from other Nickel Boron carriers that use a single, thinner layer. The bolt itself is Carpenter 158® phosphated shot-peened steel to ensure precise dimensions with no concerns for hydrogen embrittlement in the critical lug area.

Other components are similarly extra-high quality to ensure longevity and dependability.

Optics
Choice of the SPARC II red-dot scope gives the operator a very high quality picture of the target with a small red dot in the field of vision to identify the impact point of the bullet.  Controls on the SPARC II are conveniently located for ease of operator use, and the specs on this unit are all “top-shelf”, including waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction.  Multiple coatings of anti-reflective material on all air-glass surfaces provides maximum light transmission for optical clarity. 300 to 5,000 hour battery life, depending on brightness setting, is enhanced by a 12-hour auto-off feature that helps those of us who frequently forget to turn the scope off after use.

The 3 power magnifier mounted behind the red dot makes the longer shot much easier and rotates easily out of view when close-quarters work is in progress.  Addition of the magnifier makes the rifle much more versatile in terms of its suitability for shots at various distances and the “flip-off mount” feature allows for better overall sight pictures when using the rifle at close range.

Suppressor
Advanced Armament Corporation makes some of the best suppressors on the market today, and the 762-sdn-6 is certainly no exception. The unit is a compact fast-attach sound and flash suppressor designed expressly for 7.62x51mm and 300 AAC BLACKOUT (7.62x35mm) weapons. Constructed to meet the demands of fully automatic operation, the unit is plenty tough for even the heaviest civilian use.  The choice of this suppressor provides the owner with the flexibility of swapping it to firearms of smaller calibers without significant degradation of sound reduction capability.

With the appropriate mounting hardware on the firearm, the 762-sdn-6 quickly disconnects from the muzzle without the long un-screwing required by traditionally mounted units.

Trigger 
The crowning glory of this particular AR Bunker customization is the addition of a Tactical Fire Control, Inc. Tac-Con 3MR three-position trigger.  No, the third position is not full-auto, which would prevent civilian ownership, but it could be considered to be the “next best thing.”  Position 1 is, of course, SAFE as on all AR’s.  Position 2 is the normal, familiar, FIRE position except that the TAC-Con’s version gives a very precise feel with a light, 4.5lb pull weight. Position 3 is where the fun begins.

When Position 3 is selected, the trigger reset travel becomes extremely short.  Only a slight relaxation of the trigger finger muscle allows forward movement to the point where the trigger is ready to break again for another shot.  With a bit of practice, this position allows the operator to rapidly fire the weapon, still at one-pull-one-shot, but literally as fast as the operator can “twitch” the finger.  Combined with the light pull weight, this short reset trigger design allows one to empty a magazine very quickly.

The 3MR system is a fully BATFE compliant semi-auto trigger and, as such, requires no additional approval, registration, paperwork, or regulation for installation on an otherwise lawful AR-15 type rifle or pistol.

Overall Package 
WOW!  Great basic rifle, great caliber, shooting safely and comfortably without ear protection, optically enhanced accuracy, shiznitz trigger….  It was hard to give this rifle back after the test.  We kept asking for more ammo and more time to “properly evaluate the product” but reasonable people have limits, so the AR Bunker’s MPW customization had to go from product evaluation to “want list.”

Suppressed firearms are becoming more and more popular as the Hollywood stigma wears off in favor of the practical advantages of low-noise shooting.  It’s hard for the average shooter to swallow several hundred dollars for a suppressor, another couple hundred for the Gov’t tax, and several months waiting period to join the “Quiet Squad” but the rewards are well worth it.  This is especially the case for center-fire guns used in competition, tactical training, or intense recreational activities. The enhancement to these activities is downright palpable.

Technological improvements and increased demand have made the red-dot and holographic sighting accessories both more affordable and higher quality. Today’s red-dots, especially, give the mid-range (200 yards and less) shooter enough capability without the downsides associated with traditional optical scopes.  Ease of target-acquisition in tactical competition and run-n-gun exercises hugely favor the red-dot and holographic products.

One of the biggest complaints about basic AR rifles is the trigger.  Usually gritty, heavy, and sometimes downright awkward, the bang switch on most of these beasts is an abomination.  Modestly priced upgrades add a lot but the Tac-Con trigger on the AR’s MPW customization takes this upgrade process to a lofty level.  The “normal” FIRE position gives a positive, smooth, light feel which makes shooting an AR more like shooting a traditional rifle than jerking the lanyard on a Howitzer.  The Tac-Con would join the ranks of several competitors if that’s all it did.  Tac-Con’s 3rd, WOW, position, however, sets it seriously apart, and designing the system so that the short-reset mode is engaged by a separate position of the selector switch is a great feature.

While the AR Bunker MPW customization is not going to fall into the “budget AR” category, it does provide a good value for the shooter wanting a very cool tactical rifle that has very high quality components and some serious potential uses.  We think they should call it The AR Bunker OMG GUN.

Respectfully Submitted
The Bunker Bunch
October, 2014

Sig Sauer SP2022

“I want a lot of pistol but I don’t want to spend a lot of money.”  The search ends with the Sig Sauer SP2022. Many knowledgeable pistoliers claim the SigPro (SP) is the most gun per dollar on the market today.  Some U.S. military units and military/law enforcement agencies around the world have chosen the SigPro to be their standard side arm.

Much of the design and craftsmanship necessary to produce a highly reliable and accurate semi-automatic pistol resides in the slide/barrel assembly because once a cartridge has been loaded and the trigger breaks from the sear this is where all the action takes place. The SigPro slide/barrel assembly is “classic Sig” through and through, so there’s little surprise when we find that the polymer-framed sibling lives up to Sig’s enviable reputation.  While all the parts may not be interchangeable between the SigPro and its “classic” siblings, the basic design and manufacturing process of the slide/barrel assembly is the same.

Sig Sauer introduced the SigPro in 1998 with the model 2340 chambered in 40 S&W, followed shortly with a 357 Sig variant carrying the same model designation. About a year later a 9mm version was introduced and designated as model 2009. The SigPro underwent a slight design upgrade in 2002 and began production under a large contract to the government of France which guaranteed a 20 year service life – hence the model designation 2022.  The 2340, in 1998,  was one the first production handguns to incorporate an accessory rail and changeable grip panels. The platform was Sig’s answer to the lighter weight and budget demands of law enforcement.

While some might say that making a pistol frame from “Tupperware” is a sacrilege, modern polymer materials and forming methods make this material plenty strong enough for the places Sig has chosen to put them in the SigPro.  The use of polymer where appropriate also means less maintenance, less corrosion, and lower cost – all tremendous advantages for the consumer. All across the industry we see polymer showing up with great success in small or even large portions of firearm design.  The original SigPro models – 2009 & 2340 – were ahead of their time when introduced more than a decade ago.

Like its classic Sig siblings, the SP2022 is a hammer-fired, double and single action (DA/SA) semi-auto. A de-cocking lever allows for lowering the hammer on a loaded chamber without the possibility of firing pin engagement, so that the gun can be carried safely in a loaded condition. Sig’s four-point integral safety system eliminates the need for a manual external safety lever, although a variant with one (demanded by some LE agencies) is available on special order. If the trigger is not fully depressed, the gun simply won’t fire.

Most DA/SA “service pistols” have a relatively heavy DA trigger pull and an acceptably light (although not “competition” light) SA pull weight.  The SigPro is no exception to this general rule but the DA pull feels incredibly smooth “right out of the box” and makes the DA pull seem lighter than it actually is. Even before break-in, this trigger system is one of the best feeling on the market and might be, perhaps, depending one’s own subjective view, even “better” than the classic Sigs (which cost a lot more).

A sight radius of 5.9” and barrel length of 3.9” contribute to a package which produces a great deal of accuracy for the personal defense/service mission.  The remainder of Sig’s well-regarded barrel/slide design enhances the ability of the SigPro to put bullets on target. They simply go where the gun is pointed at the moment of ignition.

While the SigPro utilizes a “double stack” magazine – up to 15 rounds in 9 and 12 rounds in 40/357 – the use of polymer in grip frame allows for a design that minimizes the grip girth to give a more ergonomic feel to the area of guns that some shooters find “too big and blocky” on similarly sized handguns. Additionally, optional grip panels are available to further tailor the grip to individual preference.

While the SigPro is quite concealable with the proper holster and fashion choices, it is not a pocket pistol nor even a “compact” under normal definitions of the term.  It is a full sized service pistol, although on the small end of that category.

The SigPro competes with a plethora of similar sized, polymer semi-autos.  It holds its own against all comers and exceeds the performance of many even though its cost is well below average. The consumer looking for a full size personal defense or competition (IDPA, IPSC, USPSA, etc.) firearm should consider the SigPro. It meets the requirements of longevity, dependability, accuracy, and affordability for these missions.

Respectfully Submitted
The Bunker Bunch
October, 2014

Smith & Wesson J-Frame Revolvers

For more than a hundred years Smith & Wesson has been building revolvers and for six decades the J-frame models have been in production.  During this time they have been - at times - the preferred choice of many law enforcement professionals and civilian gun owners to serve the mission of a light weight, dependable, very concealable defensive handgun or BUG (back up gun).  These guns have proven themselves to be both rugged and reliable, and despite the evolution of modern manufacturing and metallurgical technology, the basic design remains the same.  When the “fit hits the shan,” an idiot-proof 5-shot 38 spl revolver in a pocket or purse, or perched stealthily at the waist or ankle, brings plenty of firepower to the fight.

Most S & W revolvers have been for a long time - and still are - built on one or another of a series of common frame sizes – J, K, L, M, and X – which differ primarily in their size, trigger systems, and suitability for increasingly more powerful cartridges.  The most common revolver cartridge these days is the 38 Special (38spl) and its more powerful younger sibling, the 375 Remington Magnum (357mag), and these rounds are also very suitable for small personal defense weapons. Being the smallest and lightest of the S&W revolver series, the J-Frame is the natural choice for a concealed carry weapon.  Modern variants of the model even have a shrouded (enclosed) hammer or “hammerless” profile to make the gun snag-fee when withdrawing from clothing concealment.

Before we discuss accuracy and ergonomics let’s remember that the primary, perhaps sole, mission of this gun is self-defense.  A shooter would not buy a J-Frame for use in marksmanship competition, nor would the little beast be very comfortable for an all-day recreational shooting session.  With some practice, however, almost any shooter can handle the short grip length and sight radius well enough to place bullets regularly on center-mass of a man-sized target at normal self-defense distances.  

As with most concealed carry revolvers, the sights on the J-Frame variants are optimized to the anti-snag profile, meaning that the front sight is relatively short and rounded while the rear sight is actually a square groove cut in the top of the frame at the rear.  There is no adjustability but none is necessary to permit acceptable accuracy at distances within the mission specs. The quick “draw-point-shoot” mission and short sight radius of an ultra-concealable defense weapon renders sight adjustability superfluous. The gun, however, is absolutely capable of placing bullets on target whether the shooter is or not. In fact, we’ve demonstrated that a highly competent marksman, with a little practice, can achieve surprisingly tight groups from the little J-frame even out to 25 yards. Simply put, bullets from a J-Frame absolutely will go where the gun is pointed.

On a related subject, ergonomics is an important factor in a shooter being able to successfully utilize a gun’s inherent accuracy. When potential purchasers pick up the J-Frame – or any of its similarly sized competitors – “too small for my hand” is a frequent first comment from those with medium or large hands. With the J-Frame, however, a bit of practice at the range and/or “dry firing” at home will usually allow those folks to find a grip method that suits them, allowing the shooter to effectively deploy the gun as a self-defense tool.  Aside from the dimensions, the J-Frame design is well designed to interface all of its controls to the human operator.  The mere fact that it has been selling well for over sixty years speaks volumes about its excellence in all facets of its design.

This may seem to be a rather short review but the simplicity and excellence of the J-Frame design leaves little else to be said.  It’s idiot-proof. Bullets go where the gun is pointed. It's reasonably priced and easy to conceal.  S&W offers a multitude of variants to closely fit the gun to a personal preference. There are several other manufacturers offering revolvers in this class and some are quite good but the S&W J-Frame is one of the two or three we would classify as “The best of the bunch.”

Respectfully submitted
The Bunker Bunch
September, 2014

Beretta CX4 Storm

Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. (aka Beretta), headquartered in Italy, is the world’s oldest firearms manufacturer – in continuous operation since 1526.  Rather than resting on its ancient laurels, Beretta is known today for its frequently quite successful implementation of cutting edge technology while preserving old-world standards of high-quality craftsmanship. The CX4 is a recent example of this corporate commitment. 

"Pistol cartridge" rifles and carbines are not rare but are uncommon enough to miss the attention of many shooters.  9mm, 40 S&W, 357 Mag, and 44 Mag (among others) made by several well-known and some not-so-well known manufacturers have met varying degrees of success over the years.  Beretta chambers the CX4 in both 9mm, 40S&W and 45acp. Due to ballistics constraints, these rifles are not competitive in the long range marksmanship or hunting categories, but hold their own in accuracy very well out to about 150 yards, and some are extremely accurate at about 50 yards or less. When the mission includes “up close and personal” interaction with varmints, zombies, or paper targets, the pistol cartridge rifle or carbine provides significant advantages.

The CX4 looks like it might be more at home on a space ship than in Bubba’s pickup, and it’s on the cutting edge of current technology in both design and fabrication. Most of the parts are polymer of one composition or another. Barrel, bolt, firing pin, and most springs are obvious exceptions but most everything else is some kind of “tupperware.”  This gave us traditionalists in the Bunker Bunch some hesitation as we examined the “pretty little thing” shortly after its introduction.  It’s a Beretta, however, after all, so our trepidation soon gave way to a renewed respect for our Italian friends when we found the little beast to be every bit as tough and functional as it is stylish – much more so than we imagined.

The CX4 utilizes a semi-automatic, blow-back operating mechanism.  Rounds are fed by a detachable magazine positioned within the pistol grip.  In this regard, the design is similar to the operation of many current semi-auto pistols. In fact, the one of the CX4 variants uses the same magazines as the Beretta 92 (military M9) pistol. Charging the weapon is performed by pulling the bolt back via a “charging handle” similarly to most other semi-auto long guns.

Disassembly - as far as the consumer would ever need to go – is both easy and requires no tools. The gun comes apart far enough to allow thorough cleaning without having to strain to get into tight places with common cleaning tools. Left-handers will appreciate the fact that the CX4 can be “re-arranged” to accommodate them fully.  The charging handle, magazine release button, and even the spent cartridge exit gate, can be changed over to “left-hand” operation easily and without tools; with clear instructions included in the owner’s manual.

Compared to a 9mm pistol, the CX4’s 16.6” barrel gives most commonly available ammunition an extra speed boost, greatly increasing the terminal energy of the projectile, and the 12.9” sight radius gives shooters greater precision in lining up the target.  These factors make the carbine more effective than pistols for defense purposes.  Where the compact size of a pistol is not critical, the carbine becomes a better choice in a given caliber.

In any firearm we consider for personal/home defense missions, reliability is critical.  Two of the Bunker Bunch test crew own the CX4 in 9mm and have put lots of lead downrange with it because the little beast is just a lot of fun to shoot and is accurate enough to put smiles on our faces while we’re doing it. Through thousands of rounds of many, many different types, weights, and power levels of 9mm ammo, the CX4 has demonstrated its rugged reliability.  No “jams” or failures of any kind have shown up in normal use.

The built-in “iron sights” work just fine for shooters with normal eyesight, and a decent red-dot or other scope is easily mounted on the top picatinny rail for those older or otherwise “optically challenged” shooters. For work out to 50 or 100 yards, an inexpensive red dot or reflex sight makes the CX4 a perfectly acceptable tool.  Combined with an extended magazine (20, 30, or 32 rounds) the package rivals “evil black rifle” effectiveness at tactical defensive chores – at least for short range duty.

Some specs according to Baretta:

·       Barrel length (in)                    16.6

·       Overall height (in)                    7.5

·       Overall length (in)                  29.7

·       Overall width (in)                     2.5

·       Sight radius (in)                      12.9

·       Weight unloaded (OZ)                       90.8

Overall Impression – We really like the Beretta CX4 Storm carbine.  It is a reliable and accurate firearm with excellent build quality and superb fit ‘n finish.  More-than-acceptable accuracy, trigger feel, and ergonomics make it a “keeper” for range use, with enough reliability (i.e. 100%) to recommend it for personal/home defense duty.  The fact that it’s such a fun gun to shoot also means owners are likely to get enough practice with it to maintain proficiency.

Respectfully submitted

The Bunker Bunch

September, 2014

Diamondback DB380

Spotlight On …

Diamondback DB380

Diamondback, based in Cocoa, FL is not a household name in firearms - not yet anyway – but that day may not be long in coming if this relatively new company continues to imbue the kind of quality we’ve seen in its future offerings.  Diamondback Firearms LLC was established in 2009 and started shipping its first effort, the micro compact DB380's, later that same year.

The DB380 is a polymer frame, striker fire, extremely thin and light “pocket pistol” which chambers – as the name implies – the 380 auto cartridge.  It is very thin and very light, which make it an ideal candidate for a consumer who wants to drop the gun into a pants pocket or small handbag and forget it’s there. 

The Diamondback employs a “locked breach” design instead of the more common “blowback” system for engagement of the slide into the breach of the barrel.  The locked breach design reduces the amount of physical recoil transmitted rearward into the shooter’s hand as compared to the blowback. Even so, the extreme light weight and thin backstrap of the DB380 contribute to the noticeable “felt recoil” it transmits to the grip hand, but not significantly more than competitors in the Pocket 380 class.

As with most striker-fired designs, trigger pull on the DB380 is long and stout but “breaks” clean and a bit of practice should make it very predictable.  The pull length nor weight are not greatly exaggerated over its competitors but are noticeable to shooters accustomed to a hammer and firing pin pistol design. A potential buyer with small hands and/or short fingers should have no trouble adapting to this ergonomic but those with larger hands and/or longer fingers should consider whether they would get “cramped up” excessively in an emergency situation.

The DB380 we tested is one used for concealed carry regularly by one of our staff.  This unit has hundreds of rounds of “experience” at burning gunpowder, so it has been “well broken-in.” The owner reports that the pistol did experience some feeding problems when new but after some wear-in has become completely reliable.  This report mirrors others from various customers. After break-in, the pistol tolerates a wide variety of ammo. In fact, we fed the test unit every kind of 380 we could find laying around, including various bullet shapes and power loadings. We were rewarded with a 100% reliability experience. Feeding, extraction, and ejection of a variety of ammunition are important considerations in a defense situation, and the DB (after sufficient break-in) passes this test with flying colors. Of interest is that the unit used for our final test session had not been cleaned for several hundred rounds and yet performed perfectly.

The short sight radius and barrel length precludes the DB380 from being a 25-yrd pistol marksmanship tool, but the gun does shoot to point of aim within self-defense ranges of 7 to 12 yards.  A good shooter with quality ammo and a bit of practice with the ergonomics and trigger pull should be able easily to paint groups under 4 inches at these distances, and even a novice (with some practice) should be able to put up an effective defense.

A couple of design “features” could present a problem for some.  The slide does not lock back when firing the last round from the magazine.  In fact, the slide never locks back in normal operation and there’s no lever or catch to force it. In other words, the slide does not lock back. While there are no tools required for take-down, the procedure does require that the trigger be pulled to release the striker before disengaging the slide stop, which is a safety concern for some.

The selling price of the Diamondback puts it in the “budget” category but its design quality and relatively high level of fit ‘n finish make it a real value.  It’s a lot more gun than one would expect to pay for the kind of quality built in.  There are several appearance and functional variants available, including one with a laser sight built into the grip and one with a compensated barrel to reduce muzzle flip.

Our overall impression of the DB380 is that it is a whole lot of gun for the money. Reliability and accuracy are up to the task of a self-defense weapon. Light weight and small size (in all dimensions) give it exceptional marks for concealability. Ergonomics, while not excellent for all, are at least acceptable for medium-to-small handed shooters.  In other words: if it fits your hand you’re good to go!

Respectfully Submitted,

The Bunker Bunch

September, 2014

Beretta 92

More than 20 years ago the U.S. military held competitive trials to begin procurement of a new “standard issue” sidearm.  Beretta won the contest with its model 92 design (albeit by a slight margin) over Sig Sauer’s P226 entry.  Since then the M9, as the military calls its variant, has seen service with various units of the armed services all over the globe and in a wide variety of geographic conditions, from wet jungle to dry dusty desert to frozen tundra.

Sometimes a design is so good that it withstands the onslaught of technological improvements and laughs at the “long in the tooth” moniker some like to place on it.  Such is the case with the venerable Beretta – a proven product from the world’s oldest firearms manufacturer. Steel and aluminum are expertly mated by the Italian engineers to provide the “all metal, traditional handgun design” preferred by many over the more modern “tupperware” packages.

The 92 is available to consumers today with a wide variety of options and model variants, including one with an accessory rail, various safety/de-cocker arrangements, colors, grip panels, etc. Its 40 S&W caliber sibling is known as the 96. The M9 variant is also available to the civilian consumer and is an almost exact duplicate of the military version.

The 92 is intended to was designed as a combat or personal defense weapon, not a marksmanship tool, but it performs exceedingly well at recreational accuracy exercises and can be modified with target sights, trigger feel, etc. for enhancement into this segment of the shooting sport.  When so modified, the 92 holds its own against more prestigious competitors and exceeds the performance of many others. For those who would carry a standard sized pistol for personal defense, the 92 meets or exceeds any reasonable set of specs for this mission.  After all, this is exactly what it was designed to do. A “compact” version of the 92 is also available in a compact version which is has shortened slide and grip lengths (and is a bit lighter but is identical in functional design) to enhance its footprint for every day carry.

Our testing of the venerable 92 platform was performed on 3 separate model variations – a “box stock” 92fs, an M9 version, and a “frankengun” which was cobbled from various frame, slide, barrel, and spring set pieces.  The frankengun version has been customized to perform accuracy testing of ammunition from a hand loading operation. It gets a lot of use in this role and performs so well that the ammunition can be measured objectively because it is fired from a consistently accurate platform.

Shooters with average-sized hands will find the ergonomics to be excellent. Those with very small or very large hand/finger appendages should easily find a grip method that will make the 92 completely useable, if not totally natural.  Grip panels can be changed to diminish the width and modify the contour providing a more useable perch.

A wide variety of ammunition was fed through all three models, including “factory” and “home-grown”.  As with other high quality self-defense firearms we’ve tested, the 92 operates reliably with all variations of this kind of ammo.  Frequent/regular cleaning and inspection is always recommended for any firearm, but the 92s we tested continued to provide reliable operation even if horribly neglected. The best way to describe the 92’s reliability is: “It just works – period.”

Ergonomics is excellent for most shooters.  The grip size might be a bit thick for those with small hands or short fingers but the trigger reach is short enough to accommodate them even so.  The compact model’s grip length might be a bit cramped for someone shooting lots of rounds at a range or competition session, but for a defense mission it is not noticeable and is a worthwhile compromise to get the extra concealability.

Those consumers looking for a high-quality, utterly reliable semi-automatic pistol for personal defense should definitely include the Beretta 92 on their short list of candidates.  The fact that this firearm has been in service with many military units worldwide validates it as a superior choice where reliability and durability trump cost.  Even so, the 92 is less expensive than many others in this class.

Respectfully submitted,
The Bunker Bunch
August, 2014

Sig Sauer P227

Spotlight On… 

Sig Sauer P227

Conceived by Swiss precision, German engineering, and American manufacturing, innovation, and ingenuity; Sig Sauer’s “Classic Series” pistols have held a highly deserved reputation for quality, accuracy, and reliability for almost 40 years.  The P227 is the latest addition to the legend.

Sig has finally decided to build a higher capacity (double stack) pistol in .45acp designated as the P227.  Whether it’s a P220 modified to handle a larger capacity magazine, or a P226 modified to handle the .45acp round is unknown and probably irrelevant because of the similarities in design of these models, although not all parts are interchangeable. We won’t try to compare the P227 to either of its siblings except to say it is also a metal-frame, frame-mounted de-cocking lever, DA/SA trigger design, and delivers the same high level of build quality and accuracy for which the others are well known. Two standard (flush fit, ten round) magazines are supplied with the pistol and extended magazines of higher capacity (12 rounds) will be available soon.

Whether your use for this gun will be every day carry, home defense, range plinking/marksmanship, or a combination, reliability and ammunition versatility are significant factors. In our testing, we fed the Sig as wide a variety of 45acp ammo as we could find, including factory new JHP & FMJ, as well as several varieties of “remanufactured” rounds and our own home-grown hand-loads from mild to +P power variations.  Not surprisingly, the new Sig ate it all without a single hiccup.  Knowing that we don't have to stock only one or a couple kinds of ammo, or try to remember a particular brand when in the gun shop, to get “When it Counts” reliability is a plus; although not a surprise since it’s a classic Sig.

45acp double-stack semi-autos inherently present a “wider than average” grip width (examples from FNH, H&K, and Glock come to mind), which sometimes present gripping and/or trigger-reach problems for shooters with small or mid-sized hands. Sig addresses these problems by including its relatively new design “E2” (enhanced ergonomics) one-piece polymer grip and its thin (short reach) trigger as standard equipment.  These two features in combination make the pistol ergonomically acceptable for a larger portion of the shooting population without excessively compromising the ergonomics for shooters with “average” or large hands. Even one of our test team who has short, stubby fingers and relatively small hands found the P227 comfortable to shoot in his accuracy tests, and the results showed the grip width had no detrimental effect on his ability to produce very tight target groups with the gun.

Our test team consists of experienced shooters who are very familiar with Sigs. Shooting the P227 was like putting on an old shoe – completely familiar and comfortable.  It felt like a P220 except for the slightly heftier grip size or like a P226 except for the slightly heftier “thump” of the .45acp recoil pulse. Trigger feel is typical Sig DA/SA and shows signs of wearing in with use (as most new guns require) to a final “crisp & smooth” level.  A relatively inexpensive “Action Enhancement” procedure done at the Sig factory or by The AR Bunker’s gunsmiths will yield a remarkably smooth and light trigger feel if your shooting needs lean toward a higher level of range or competition marksmanship.

The accuracy of almost any modern pistol is usually better than the average consumer. Our initial impression of the P227 was very favorable, so we decided to make some more objective accuracy tests with it. We performed our accuracy and chronograph testing by hand on a 25 yard range, using a Matrix pistol rest. All of our 5-shot groups averaged less than 2 1/4" with the best three-of-five running between 1/2 and 1 inch. This kind of shooting performance is a “superior” grade of accuracy – not usually seen in a production semi-auto .45acp.  Keep in mind, this particular pistol is not a specially prepared piece for media evaluation, but merely one of a production batch that showed up at our shop for general sales.

Our one-line overall impression is: Typical Sig build quality and reliability with above average accuracy.

Respectfully Submitted,

The Bunker Bunch

July, 2014

Sig Sauer P938

Spotlight On …..

Sig Sauer P938

 Several years ago the firearms industry flooded the consumer market with “pocket pistols” – defined for our purposes here as a semi-auto of exceptionally small size (relatively, at least) suitable for dropping in the front pants pocket of loose-fitting garments.  In cases where the consumer usually wears more tight-fitting trousers these guns also give the owner many more wardrobe options than larger and heavier compact and even sub-compact models.  The time had come to apply more modern design and manufacturing techniques to this stagnant niche of the market, and consumers responded favorably to the introduction of a plethora of new entrants.

Sig Sauer’s highly successful response to the demand was its P238 chambered in 380 auto - as were almost all pocket pistols at the time.  A frequent complaint from consumers was the caliber, with a wish for the 238 to be available in 9mm Luger, so Sig answered a few months later with the P938, which is a design clone of the P238 but very slightly enlarged.

Introduction of the P238 was marred by a few reliability problems which Sig overcame early on to regain the marque’s reputation for dependability, which is now at the peak of the list of those models with which it competes.  Having apparently learned some lessons from the early 238’s, Sig’s introduction of the 938 went very well, with no significant number of problems.  The 938 used in our tests was one of the first out of the factory and has performed flawlessly from the get-go in accuracy and dependability through hundreds of rounds.

First impression of the gun is that it is small.  It disappears in the front pocket of slacks except tight-fitting varieties. For those who prefer a tighter fitting wardrobe, a holstered 938 presents a very small profile to cover when worn at the waist, and belt-mounted carriers are available which result in a look that is identical to a smartphone being worn at the waist. Concealment is definitely one of the 938’s best features. Despite its all-metal construction, the 938 is light enough to be almost forgotten when carried during every day activities.

When fitted with its flush-fit magazine, the 938 sports a capacity of 7 (one in the chamber and 6 in the mag). An extended magazine is available which adds 1 round to the capacity and provides a perch for the pinky finger missing from the “standard” configuration. While the extended mag does provide extra capacity and enhanced ergonomics, it does not detract very much at all from the concealability of the piece and is still very much “pocketable” with the extended mag in place.

The most important feature of and personal defense firearm is, perhaps, reliability.  Few bad guys will wait peacefully and patiently while a defense shooter clears a malfunction or recovers from the confusion of a “glitch.” 100% reliability is less important for a recreational gun or even one used in competition but is absolutely essential when the “fit hits the shan.” Our experience with the 938 – including the unit used in our tests, the other units owned and carried by staff and friends, and feedback from our customers – puts the P938 at the top of the heap in this category.

When considering a purchase of the 938, many consumers complain of the small grip size and wonder if it can be held well enough to be controllable during use.  Remember, the size of this pistol is dictated by its mission as an ultra-small concealed carry piece.  A larger grip size would negate – to some degree – this constraint.  The grip gives enough purchase to control the pistol during use, although some amount of practice with it should be done to ensure familiarity with the feel that is different from which most shooters are accustomed. Simply put, a gun with a grip big (aka long) enough to feel familiar will be too big for the mission.  Practice, not design change, will overcome this perceived drawback, and the available extended magazine solves the problem for most buyers.

The gun is surprisingly accurate for such a short barrel and sight radius.  A proficient shooter can obtain satisfactorily small group sizes from as far out as 25 yards, and those of us who are good marksmen have even used the little guy to ring steel at 50 yards. At self-defense distances of 7 – 12 yards, the 938, simply put, will deliver the lead where it is pointed when the bang-switch is pressed.  It just will.

The unit we used for this test now has almost 400 rounds down the pipe and we’ve tried to feed it as many different kinds of 9mm ammo as we could find.  Plenty “factory” FMJ, HP, and other variations of jacketed bullets, hand-loaded ammo with round-nose, flat point, and truncated cone lead bullets, and several variations of plated bullets have been fired.  The hand-loaded ammo has been crafted to produce a variety of power levels from ultra-mild all the way up to +P+.  The results can be stated very simply.  Zero (zip, nada, none) failures of any kind.

When mission specs for concealed carry are defined as: Reliability, accuracy, and concealability, the Sig P938 delivers.  It is also a well-made gun, showcasing Sig’s reputation for build quality and high-end fit ‘n finish.  When quality and reliability trump budget, the P938 is the “pocket 9” to have.

Respectfully Submitted;

The Bunker Bunch

August, 2014

Smith & Wesson M&P

Spotlight On …

Smith & Wesson M&P

The Smith & Wesson M&P is a fairly recent attempt by S&W to re-enter the Law Enforcement and consumer markets with a reasonably priced, polymer framed, semi-automatic, high capacity pistol. A wide variety of models covers the size, caliber, and color spectrum giving most shooters a chance to own one tailored to their personal preference. The lineup also includes variations including sight options, controls, and barrel refinements catering to the needs of competition shooters. Sights can easily be changed to accommodate a shooter’s personal preference in this area as well.

The M&P is a “striker fired” semi-auto similar in internal design to many others but has a trigger pull of less weight than most, and is reasonably smooth. After take-up the trigger causes the sear to break cleanly, giving the trigger a much nicer feel for target shooting than most others in this category. A relatively inexpensive aftermarket trigger kit can be installed which eliminates most of the take-up in the trigger and makes the pull weight much lighter – resulting in a pistol more than competent for marksmanship and competition.

Our test of the M&P was conducted on a “standard” model which was slightly used but in otherwise “pristine” condition.  We concluded that the pistol gives the consumer plenty of value for the price and is an equal or higher quality piece than most of its competition.  Polymer-framed “duty pistols” like the M&P are frequently chosen by consumers as self-defense guns, and it provides more-than-adequate accuracy while including ergonomic features and a customizable design which will allow it to perform proficiently at tasks other than personal defense.

Ergonomics – which aids the typical shooter in operating the gun proficiently – is excellent on the M&P, and extra grip panels are included with the purchase to easily allow the shooter with a “non-standard” hand shape/size to make it fit well. The manual safety lever (on models which have it) is ambidextrous and the magazine eject button is reversible to accommodate lefties.  The M&P can be purchased with or without a manual safety lever and with or without a magazine disconnect feature. 

Our overall impression of the M&P was very favorable.  On the crowded field of polymer-framed, striker-fired duty pistols, the M&P is a stand-out in the area of ergonomics and build quality while giving up nothing in the area of dependability and durability. You’d have to spend significantly more money to get something a reasonable shooter would call “better.”

Respectfully Submitted,

The Bunker Bunch

August, 2014

Sig Sauer 1911 SME

Spotlight On ...

Sig Sauer 9mm 1911 SME

Sig Sauer - maker of a large line of high quality firearms for military, law enforcement, and consumer markets - is not new to the industry but is a relative newcomer to the crowded field of 1911 pistols.  Sig had some problems with these guns when it first entered the market several years ago, caused mostly by outsourcing a large portion of the gun’s parts without focusing enough on quality control standards of its vendors.  That situation is now far off in the rearview mirror and today’s Sig 1911’s are equal in quality to any production 1911 available; and better than most.

The Sig 1911 until very recently was easily identifiable by its unique (for 1911’s) slide profile.  The top of the slide – especially at the muzzle end – of the traditional John Moses Browning creation is rounded, while the Sig version has been more “squared off” or “blocky” in comparison.  This put off many of the traditionalists and did make the Sig not fit into most holsters made for 1911’s in general.  In most other ways, however, the Sig 1911 has always been a “real” 1911 in design and operation.

For whatever reasons, Sig has decided to introduce an additional version of its product with a more “traditional” profile and, simultaneously, to offer the gun in calibers other than .45acp. One of these “traditional” models is the Stainless Match Elite in 9mm Luger.  Sig describes it as follows on the company web site:

• “The traditional models feature the recognizable “round-top” 1911 slide profile, front cocking serrations and a lightweight, three-hole trigger. Standard on all models are a match-grade barrel, flat mainspring housing and speed bump grip safety. Front straps have 25LPI checking and the mainspring housing has 20LPI for optimum grip and user comfort.
• The 1911 Traditional Match Elite is the first SIG SAUER® 1911 to be offered in a caliber other than .45 Auto. A full-size 1911, the Match Elite chambered in .45ACP is available as a two-tone with a natural stainless steel frame and a Nitron-coated slide. The 9mm and .40S&W Match Elite models are also full sized, but feature a natural stainless slide and frame, white controls and adjustable target sights. The Match Elites feature Hogue custom wood checkered grips.”

One of the “Bunker Gang” has added a SME to his Sig collection and, as usual, most of us have had a chance to try it out.  We are all very impressed with this pistol for varying reasons. We believe the SME falls solidly into the category of “Accurate Marksmanship and Competition Pistol.”

1911T-SME extends the already excellent ergonomic features of the 1911 platform in general by adding aggressive grip patterns, grip safety and back strap profiles, trigger and hammer profiles, and forward cocking serrations on the slide; all of which are considered either essential or worthwhile upgrades by serious range/competition shooters and usually found only on much more costly custom guns.

Second only to excellent ergonomics, exact adherence to production specs and precise fitment of components is necessary for a 1911 to make a bullet go where the gun is pointed – ammunition quality aside, that is.  Spending several thousand dollars on a custom gun gets this job done when most “production” guns don’t quite meet the mark.  Sig (and a few others) include these quality requirements in their production guns, which is one of the reasons they cost a few hundred more than most others. And when Sig includes a match grade barrel and attaches the “Match Elite” name to a model it means that the precision quality control is even a bit tighter – intended to produce a competition quality gun right out of the box.

Most highly proficient “accuracy shooters” will applaud a finely tuned trigger as essential to producing consistently tight groups near the center of the bull’s-eye. Custom guns which cost two or three times the price of this Sig will have a better trigger feel and lighter pull, but this kind of precision is just not necessary for the general shooting population. Even so, a “custom gun” trigger job, if desired, can be applied to the Sig for a reasonable gunsmith fee, which will bring the Sig’s trigger feel into the lofty realm of much more costly examples of the 1911 platform.

Reliability in the 1911 platform depends generally on the build quality of the gun, but can also be affected by the design of the barrel’s feed ramp and the design/quality of the magazines.  Also, calibers other than 45acp have a reputation for being finicky with variations in ammo.  The Sig 9mm SME we tested has been 100% reliable with a wide variety of ammunition, including various bullet weights and shapes, factory magazines, and with several different operators.  No “break-in” was required, and the gun produced excellent results in accuracy and reliability from the first shot through the 200+ rounds we’ve fired so far. We tried to make it “choke” and couldn’t.

Overall build quality, excellent fit-n-finish, remarkable accuracy, and “To Hell and Back” reliability make the Sig 1911T-9-SME a top choice for a 9mm range gun. For those who don’t want to spend $3k or more for a range toy, the Sig gets you almost everything you want or need for about 1/3 the cost of the “perfect” 1911 range gun.

Respectfully submitted; 

The Bunker Gang

July, 2014

Kimber Solo

Spotlight On…  

Kimber Solo

Pocket Pistols, aka deep concealment or BUG (back-up gun), seem to be the focus of most manufacturers and consumers these days. Among the higher quality builders, Ruger, Kahr, Sig, and now Kimber have entered the field. Earlier it was the pocket 380 and now - meeting the demand of those who believe 380 is just not quite enough power – it’s the pocket 9.

Kimber’s entry into this market is called the Solo Carry and is a DAO work of art. We took a display model out to our test chamber to give it a workout and see if its operation matched the superior ergonomics we had already noticed from handling the display piece. This gun simply reeks of elegance, and if its reliability and durability equal its fit, finish, and ergonomics, it will be a worthy addition to Kimber’s lineup. We could not find a single fault in the build quality, going through the gun with an armorer's view on finding obvious design flaws we have seen in guns from other manufacturers.

The first thing we noticed - on the very first time the gun went BANG - is that it is easy to be accurate with this piece. Most of us know our way around handgun operation and we didn't expect to be peppering the surrounding area with shots gone wild, but take a look at this first shot out of the Solo from 21 feet! IMPRESSIVE. Regrettably, I can't take credit for that shot. I cannot tell a lie. It was Lee who did it.

Altogether, four of us tried the gun and everyone liked it a lot. Aside from being easy to shoot accurately, recoil is very manageable - lighter than you might think from a gun that weighs as little as this one does. The overall size and shape will make it easy to carry in a pocket, purse or very small holster for easy concealment with a variety of wardrobe options.

The only downside we found - well one of us did - is that if you grip the gun high in the rear, the slide can catch the web of your hand with a noticeable "bite." Only one of us noticed this "feature" and his grip method produces the same results with other guns that don't have a full beavertail.

If you want a pocket gun and want something more stout than .380, you need to consider the Kimber Solo Carry! Being a "dyed in the wool" single-action shooter I like the Sig 938 better but this Kimber is certainly impressive.
The gun will require a small amount of break-in. I'm thinking 50 or 100 rounds should be sufficient. We had a couple of failures to go into battery in the first 20 rounds or so, even though we were using quality ammo of the type recommended by Kimber. That didn't happen with the shooters who came later - near the end of our session.

I was not impressed that the gun came in a rather plain cardboard box, until we opened it to find a very nice, embroidered and padded soft case that will be provided in lieu of the plastic hard case other Kimbers and other brands usually come in.

This piece was field-stripped several times before we shot it for examination of the procedure and familiarization with the parts. Apparently, the re-assembly just prior to our shoot resulted in getting the slide catch lever installed improperly, which lead to some problems. Once we identified our error and installed the lever correctly, the gun performed normally in this regard. Owners will need to be careful when re-installing the slide catch lever to get its spring in the proper place. This ain't brain surgery, but does require you to pay attention.

As with many 1911's, there's a way to install an "idiot mark" on the frame just under the slide catch lever - so owners need to be mindful of this "feature" as well.