My First Encounter with the .22 TCM

I was doing some shooting at our local shooting range with some acquaintances a day before the Election Gun Ban, when suddenly I hear these faint, booming sounds thru my protective ear piece, coupled with concussion on my chest from the adjoining bay.

"Oh, good", I thought, someone is shooting a .44 Magnum caliber firearm. So I turn around to look. That's when I found something strange - The shooter was using a 1911 pistol, and as far as I know, the .44 Magnum has not been chambered for a 1911 pistol. Various confusing thoughts crossed my mind, like, could it possibly be some sort of new version of a Wildey I don't know about yet? Or a Coonan?

Then I looked at the target paper, and there were small holes in it, and from that I figured, large fireball, concussive sound, but small caliber, "Ah, the (in)famous .22 TCM" round. 

Gun Envy: Grand Power K105R Machine Pistol

I was going around Youtube when I came across this video of a little known, modern Machine Pistol: The Grand Power K105R

I was immediately hit with an extreme case of Gun Envy, mainly because of the gun's controllability at full-auto, shot in FREE HAND (i.e., no Forward Vertical Grip, no Shoulder Stock, etc.). Having some experience with shooting my Glock 22 in full auto mode, I knew this was something special.

Despite the adding a Shoulder Stock, Vertical Grip and DPM Recoil Reduction System, the Glock 22's recoil at full auto is still relatively considerable, definitely not anywhere near that of a full-pledged Sub Machine Gun. So when I saw the K105R in full auto at freehand with low recoil, I thought, wow, this is something I've always wanted my Glock 22 to be as a Machine Pistol, but which I could not do.

Using Light Striker Springs on Glocks

Update History:
- Original posted January 6, 2013
- Updated January 19, 2013, add note on use of lightened and extended Strikers
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In an effort to lighten the trigger of my Glock 22, I have been using a lighter Striker Spring on the unit for the last couple of months, and I just found out lately that using such results in a long-term reliability issue, as I will explain in detail.

'Light Striker Spring'
To lighten the trigger pull of a Glock, there are a couple of ways you can do so, and all involves a simple replacement of parts. You can lighten the Trigger Connector to the most common 3.5 lbs. from the standard 5 lbs; You can also lighten the Safety Plunger Spring. However, the one that will result in the biggest improvement in trigger weight is the use of lighter Striker Springs. 

My CZ-75B Omega Review

Growing up, the CZ-75 has been one of my "fantasy" guns. I remember going to the gun shows, always trying out one and being constantly amazed by its ergonomics. The grip is not only "shaped", is it SCULPTED to fit one's hand with utmost comfort. It was as if each gun was made specifically just to fit my hand, which is of course preposterous, but speaks volumes of the guns ergonomics.

Its all-steel construction gives it a nice "feel" and heft also, it is a finely balanced or weighed gun. My brother got issued with the CZ-75B Omega version of the CZ-75, and I got to shoot about 50 rounds thru it at a shooting range.

'Trigger System'
The CZ-75B Omega is basically a typical CZ-75B, the only main difference meriting its "Omega" designation is the fact that the trigger system has been reworked by the factory to make smoother than the standard model. Externally it looks exactly the same as the standard model, and the only way to tell the difference is by the Omega symbol on the slide markings. The trigger is supposed to come as close as possible to a custom trigger job.

My Review of the Lone Wolf .40 Cal Compensator for Glocks

I got the Lone Wolf .40 Caliber Compensator for Glock pistols a couple of months ago mainly for use to help control recoil at full-auto. Aesthetically, the compensator looks great, giving the gun an exotic, space gun like look to it. The sharp edges also seem to make it look intimidating, and in my personal opinion, just helps in making the gun look very nice. 

Bottom view of the Lone Wolf .40 cal Compensator

Side view of the Lone Wolf .40 cal Compensator

My M4-Based SBR Build: On Hold Indefinitely

A couple of people have been following and asking about the status of my M4 Rifle build, hence I have decided to give this update. As of this writing, I have put my M4 Rifle build on indefinite hold, mainly because of problems acquiring the two most critical parts of the rifle: The bare Lower Receiver, and the Barrel.

I was set to get these two items from Twin Pines, as they were offering the cheapest price for them that I know of (brand new, anyway). Their casted, bare Lower Receiver costs only Php 15,000 (approximately Usd 365), while their 7.5" barrel made by Dassan of South Korea costs only Php 9,000 (approximately Usd 220).

Initially, they told me that to get these two items, I would only need licensing requirements for a High Powered Rifle (HPR), plus licensing fee of Php 7,500 (approximately Usd 180). So a couple of months ago, I prepared the requirements (National Bureau of Investigation Clearance, which I fortunately had one ready at that time, Proof of Employment as Overseas Filipino Worker, etc.), and the funds, and proceeded to get the items from them.

My Review of the Burris Fast Fire 3 Part Three

'Batteries, and Battery Life'
One problem with these Reflex Sights as opposed to iron sights is that they use batteries, which are consumable, and therefore have limited lifespans. Since I bought the unit in May 2012, I have had two battery changes already. The first battery change came a month after I bought it. I think the reason why the battery life was so short, was because the battery that came with the unit was the generic, unmarked made-in-china type of battery.

The battery needed for the unit was the CR1632, and after the generic china battery, I bought a branded Panasonic battery for the unit for P50 each at one of the kiosks in the malls specializing in batteries. The Panasonic battery lasted about 5 months of fairly heavy use, until it gave out last week (October 2012). 

Generic CR1632 battery on the left, compared with the Panasonic version