... shootin' aaaaall - the daaaaaaaay

I fired a total of 200 rounds, alas only 10-metre distance (25 - metre not available this time). Weaver stance, "semi - slow" fire, every shot starting from gun down: raise, acquire, allow time for precise squeeze, bang, gun down.

- First 50 factory Fiocchi full throttle 180gr
- Then 100 light crappy reloads, lead SWC
- Then final 50 more Fiocchis to go back full power

Fiocchi:

FUNCTIONING
Gun cycled PERFECTLY. The "malfunctioning" hold open FUNCTIONED flawlessly. Seems like it's a matter of how hard, not how far back, you pull the slide.

CONTROL
Pro 40 felt a bit steadier in my hand than the G23, but evident muzzle flip was still there. Gun would jump out of my lef hand, finding me search for the sights. Tried squeezing with left thumb on frame, but the takedown lever would really bite it. Next time I'll try some leverage at the base of the pistol grip.
Anyway, bullets flew right to point of aim = happiness

CHEAP HANDLOADS
These I had made low power, to tame the G23 a little. Recoil was VERY much reduced and hitting was easier. But, alas, they WON'T reliably cycle the Pro 40. I had case stuck, or a jammed round, almost every 3 - 4 shots. And no reliable hold open. I suspect my OAL was a bit too short, too.
This is a definite point for the G23: it always ate these cheap reloads with no issue. Evidently, the Pro-40 is more ammo sensitive. But this is no issue, I'll just check my OAL and stuff more powder in the case. Target looks good anyway!



BACK TO FIOCCHIS
Normally, after 20 - 30 rounds, the Safe Action trigger + 40 bite made me so nervous I'd be shaking and jerking and flinching all around. I could still make "desperate" double taps somehwere on the silhouette, but no head shot, let alone smaller or more distant targets. I'd just waste ammo. :-(

Not so with the Pro-40: that SA trigger is just sooo easy for me to understand and keep control of, up to the 200th round. The "statistic" opened up a bit, compared to my light reloads, but I remained in the "happy" target area, though a bit to the right (my fault). Here with body and "head" shots





Overall rating is VERY GOOD, so far the only bad spot I feel are: those flashy chromed painful hostyle magazines.

- they smashed my thumbs mercilessly (the thin steel lips are "tight" and really are an obstacle in letting the rounds slide back inside the mag, while nicely cutting into the thumb), I had to use gloves and limit to 10 rounds per mag

- they still won't hold slide open when hand - operating the slide, unless you really slam it back

- they are only two, not three, for us Euro - shooters :-( the gun case comes with a beatiful empty space where 3rd mag was supposed to be

Next steps:
- better handloads
- URGENT mag loader device of any sort
- training with more leverage at the base of grip
- holster and mag pouches... tactical light...

Ciao!

GfA