My camping trip, Shooting rules

I just had a wonderful weekend. My family and I went camping with several friends (couples with similarly aged children). I brought my Ruger 10/22 rifle, one of my friends brought his rifle (same model, but with a much better after-market barrel and stock), and two other friends each brought their Ruger P90 pistols (one P90 and one KP 90 -- Both .45 caliber handguns).

It was nice firing my rifle again (the last time was over 10 months ago), and we had a good time shooting down the targets we had lined up (mostly pine cones and old bottles sitting on a fallen tree). However, the real fun came when my friends passed around the .45 pistols. I had the opportunity to fire the KP90.

Prior to this weekend, the only pistol I had fired was a Jennings 9mm 1911 style pistol. It was inaccurate, prone to jam, horribly uncomfortable to hold, and even a bit painful to fire (the slide rubbed against the back of my right hand with each shot. It also seemed to lack any recoil management, so it kicked like a mule even though it was only firing a 9mm HV round. Based on this, I was expecting a rough time with the Ruger pistol because it was firing a much more potent .45 cal round.

Was I ever pleasantly surprised

I knew something was different when I first held the KP90. It actually seemed to fit my hand. It was so comfortable and natural to hold that it sort of began to feel like a part of my hand. Even so, I still had the experience of the Jennings in my mind as I prepared for the first shot. Nervously I lined up my shot and squeezed the trigger.

I know that this will probably sound overly dramatic, but I'm truly at a loss of words to describe the moment when the first shot rang out from that gun in my hands. It was a powerful moment when the gun simultaneously demonstrated the awesome raw power of the .45 round and the grace and finesse of a ballerina (is it weird to compare a gun to a ballerina?). Of course there was a recoil from the shot, but the action of the gun handled it fluidly, predictably, and (surprisingly enough) comfortably. I somehow knew what to expect before I had ever experienced it, and the gun naturally returned to point directly at the target again. I expected sore wrists or hands after firing only a few shots, but I experienced no discomfort whatsoever even after firing off at least 30 rounds. The only awkward moments came when reloading the clip (the last couple of rounds required a fair amount of force to get in), but that was more of an expected minor inconvenience than a major issue.

Of course, when I am ready to purchase a pistol of my own, I will first try several models before making my final selection. However, I think that I would still be quite happy if the KP90 were the only handgun I could obtain.



[Edited to correct the gun model]

Cool review - thanks for posting it up.

I'm kinda surprised that a 1911 would be so nasty - I guess I shouldn't be, since that one was a hack job with the wrong caliber. (Heh.) Seriously, though, I did a quick search and found a lot of people that hate those so maybe it's just the gun. If you want to shoot some proper 1911's let me know; I have a few.

Never done a KP90 myself. I'll have to keep an eye out for it next time I'm out shootin', as it sounds good!

That Jennings 9mm was a really cheap gun (my roommate picked up for $60 - $70 at a pawn shop). I'm also guessing that it was a 1911 in visual style only.

As for your offer, I'd love to take you up on it. The gun owners who brought the pistols on our camping trip told us that it was very difficult to find ammo lately, especially .45 caliber. Have you been having the same trouble?

A bit, yeah. Some varieties are sold out every now and then, and prices have gone up across the board. Some of it is the war, putting a lot of demand out there, and some of it is that there was a bit of... shall we say healthy concern... after Obama was elected to an entirely Democrat controlled congress.

Inspector took me shooting yesterday at a very nice indoor range in our area. I had a lot of fun, and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to do that.

I also appreciate that he allowed me to fire one of his personal firearms, a compact .45 cal (I think it was a Springfield, but I could be wrong -- Inspector, can you help me out here?). In any case, it was probably my favorite out of all the pistols we fired. It was deadly accurate and the recoil was quite manageable despite its small size. It was at least as pleasant to fire as the full-size HK USP .45 (my other favorite of the day), but I have to give it extra points for its small size and concealability.

That said, however, none of the pistols quite stacked up to my previous experience with the Ruger KP90. I hope that I can soon take that model along with a few of the ones we fired yesterday for a more objective side-by-side comparison.

By the way: While writing this note, I heard what sounded like 5 gunshots coming from another neighborhood that's directly south of my house. It was not immediately near my house, but close enough to have me very concerned. This may help me in convincing my wife into accepting a defensive firearm in our house.

'Twas a Kimber Ultra CDP II.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/cdp/ultra_cdp_II/

Though I had changed out the grips to those of an Ultra Carry II.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/ultra...ultra_carry_II/

Anyhow, you are quite welcome sir. And thanks for coming by - we had a lot of fun hanging out and shootin' with you.

I'm really going to have to find one of those Rugers to shoot some day, as it sounds quite nice. Of course everyone's hand is different, so to speak, so each gun will vary for each person. (that's why, above all else, you have to try 'em for yourself)

(Also, that .22 rifle of yours was fun - thanks for letting me shoot it.)

Wish I could try pick up shooting as a hobby and for defense, but the first isn't worth the trouble and costs here, and the second isn't legal.

You're missing not only a good time, but a basic human right.

Been telling my relatives how stupid it would be for us to remain here. There's no reason to break our ties with this country as soon as possible.

They won't acknowledge the danger until one of us is shanked and bleeding to death, or permanently braindamaged by a bottle to the head.

But I was only able to become an Objectivist thanks to my outright isolation from other people during most of my life. My medical problem has exacerbated it but I was a loner before that too. Only now do I realize how valuable it has been, even if the price is a bit of social clumsiness when dealing with people.

They don't stand a chance. I'll likely aim toward residence in the US when I have a viable career path staked out. Then I'll get some guns. Hopefully I won't have to leave all the people I care about behind.

Now as for the less gloomy, on-topic discussion, my hands are rather small for a person my height (~6'1") so I'm thinking that maybe puts some limitations on stuff like double stack .40 and .45. Also, have you tried a suppressed gun?

It's a tough situation that you're in - there' no doubt about that. And there won't be an easy way out, if your family isn't supportive. But you sound like you have a plan at least, so there's that. Best of luck, sir!

Anyhow, this is a very common issue. Most folks find double stacks in most calibers to be kind of clumsy. Luckily, there are a lot of options out there precisely because so many people have this issue. All 1911 style guns are an absolute dream to grip because they are so thin. Also, there are lots of other single stack guns, as well as Springfield's XD guns, which were designed specifically to fit hands even with double stacks.