Okay, I’m convinced. My Springfield Armory “Mil-Spec” 1911 in Parkerized finish is becoming an impediment to my learning to shoot, but perhaps not in the way many would think.

I shipped my Smith & Wesson Model 41 (22LR) target pistol back to the manufacturer earlier this week. The extractor hook had gone missing for the second time in less than a year and I had decided to exercise S&W’s warranty and let them have a look.

The 41 wasn’t dirty, it was broken.

I purchased a slightly oversize nylon brush (25 cal.) to scrub the chamber and, when I took the gun apart to apply it, I discovered that the extractor hook was gone!

From Email to a shooter asking several questions including why some of his shots hit up and right of center.

Well, I thought that gun was clean but, brother, did I miss a spot – at least that’s what I think is causing so much trouble.

(Posted in http://forum.m1911.org/ by “edski”)

I often practice at an indoor range in Scottsdale AZ. It’s a very nice place and draws a wide range of clients including many LEOs as well as airline pilots practicing for their qualifications. And while I enjoy observing and talking with these shooters, I must confess there is another moment I enjoy even more.

I competed in my first “2700” this past Sunday at 7:30AM along with seven other shooters. This was an NRA Approved competition so my scores would contribute to my initial ranking by the NRA.

It was “International” at Nighthawks league last night. The turnout was relatively small especially considering that the temperature had backed off from previous weeks.

Posted in a thread at forum.m1911.org as user edski.

Time to reverse myself in this same thread.

The heat last night was oppressive at the weekly Nighthawks league at the [Phoenix Rod and Gun Club][1]. As I prepared for each shot, I couldn’t tell if those things crawling down the back of my neck, chest and leg were beads of sweat or the swarming bugs. There was almost no air movement and clouds of smoke hung on the line. The floodlight on target 1 was missing its cover and the bugs that flew into it gave off a unique roasting aroma each time we walked past to score the targets.