Steyr AUG A3 initial function test/firing and mini-review

The first firing/function test of the Steyr AUG A3 built by Sabre Defence. A very nice rifle if you like bullpups. I've never been a huge fan (although, just like everyone else in the 80s, I wanted an AUG because of Die Hard) but I could very easily be talked into this rifle (if I had a left-handed bolt handy).

The compactness and quality of the design is readily apparent, the handing is butt-heavy as expected but not overly so, and the rifle is easily balanced and controlled with the shooting hand. The forward grip is necessary, and I wouldn't recommend firing with it in the forward/upward position, as some gas from the flash suppressor is directed downward. Even with the forward grip in the down position, some residue was noted on the forward hand after firing.

I dig the new bolt release, and the AUG mags are top quality and load like buttah. Pity they're pricey.

Ergonomically the only major issue (apart from the obvious problem of me being left-eye-dominant and habitually shooting long guns left-handed) is the proximity of the charging handle to the scope mount, which has sharp, square edges. But that's really the fault of the scope mount, not the rifle. A holographic sight with integral picatinny mounts would be ideal here. Or if one didn't want to adhere to the space-age aesthetic, some flip up iron sights.

I look forward to additional time with this rifle in the future. Maybe I can track down a lefty bolt. Hmmmm....

Benelli M3 function tests with various ammo

The Benelli M3 is undeniably cool. However, in the past I haven't been able to get it to cycle properly in semi-auto with the lower-powered (cheap crappy Wal-Mart birdshot) loads. I thought it might be a good idea to take it out again and run some different loads through it and see what happened. The results were pretty predictable, with some surprises. The Estate "Heavy Game Loads" are low-brass but cycled it just fine. The Estate "Super Sport Competition loads" are a 3 dram equivalent load (rather than 3 1/4 like the heavy game loads) and didn't cycle it reliably unless I used my strong shoulder and really bore down on it. All high-brass, buckshot, and slugs cycled flawlessly. Great gun... kicks like a mule. :D

Ruger now disclaims the use of +P ammunition in LCP

Posted by a buddy at thehighroad.org forums:

Regarding the use of .380 +P ammo in the LCP for which there are no SAAMI standards, members are advised that Ruger says "no" to the use of .380 ammo in the LCP that exceeds the 21,500 psi limit established for the .380 by SAAMI .

Ruger's position is that you fire .380 +P ammo in your LCP at your own risk (to yourself, to the gun and to your warranty). This warning is explicitly mentioned in the latest LCP owner's manual and at Ruger's website (FAQs under Pistols):

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/service/FAQs.html

First FTF in my Ruger LCP: Buffalo Bore "+P"

Ran another few mags through my LCP the other day...

ALL factory ammo has run flawlessly through this gun to this point. 6 or 7 different brands of FMJs, 6 or 7 different HPs.

The only misfeeds were with very hot loads (max-loaded handloaded HPs, one mag only, won't use again),

And now the Buffalo Bore "+P" HP load. Same type of failure; the slide fails to return to battery/FTF.

Also the recoil is QUITE NOTICEABLY more with the BB load than with Hornady/Remington/Federal defense loads, which feel like pussycats by comparison. I'm sticking with those from now on, at least in this tiny gun.

I fixed it! Mossberg/New Haven 20 gauge misfeeds

A buddy of mine has an old New Haven 600 (store-branded Mossberg 500) that has jammed and double-fed ever since he got it. He sent it back to Mossberg twice; they insisted it was fine.

After much tinkering and gnashing of teeth, I fixed it!

I adjusted the slide stop and interrupter (and eventually just replaced with the new, ramped type interrupter). That fixed the double feeding problem, but the gun still jammed on chambering about 20% of the time. Replaced the elevator, no dice. So I noticed it might be the extractors, of all things. I compared the amount of force it took to get the rim past the extractors on an uninstalled 12 ga bolt (with 12 ga shells obviously) and the 20; the 20 was at least double the force and quite rough. The sharp edge of the right side extractor was actually shaving brass off of the side of the shell. So I carefully used a fine file and paper to radius/polish the extractors (removed the left one entirely and replaced after polishing), and polished the bolt face and THE GUN FEEDS PERFECTLY!

I can't tell you how proud I am of myself. LOL

Made a video showing the 2 types of Mossberg 500 cartridge interrupters