Beretta, who loves ya, Baby….
You know I do… Your curves, your lines, you’re a full figured Italian Goddess…. You’re Beautiful…
Can you do something special for me? I’m wanting something a little different… some custom work. Let me explain – please listen to me…
I want this gun, right here. A 92FS Compact:
But with a Black finished Slide. Two toned finish. That’s the easy part. Here’s where it gets tricky.
The most accurate semi auto pistol I’ve ever fired was the CZ 97B, which has a threaded barrel bushing to center the barrel in the slide perfectly. That gun was telepathic. The 92 is very accurate, but there is more accuracy in there that can still be found.
The 92 series has a bit of play there in the barrel, that a screw in bushing would remedy. Not like how the AMU did it, with threading the barrel and putting a shaped nut on the barrel. I want the slide threaded and a bushing that threads into the slide like the CZ97B. I want this on my Beretta 92 Compact. Okay, now just for pure looks… I want a recessed target crown like on a Nighthawk Custom T3. Like this:
I want that on my Beretta 92 FS Compact INOX with a black slide.
Can you make this for me?
I’ll give you all my best lollipops…
Category Archives: Weapons
Something “New” from Marlin
I have to admit – I like the looks. But there are two things that disappoint. 1. They are adding some really cheap sights and acting like it’s an upgrade. That’s just sad right there. This is really no biggie though, as I’d replace it the same day I got the rifle. With this. It begs for the Lever Rail. 2. The stock – which is fine on the outside… It’s laminate wood on the inside. I’d rather have seen a sturdy synthetic stock used here to take a pound of weight out of the gun and narrow it up a bit.
It’s interesting that they are having FNC do the Finish on it. I’d have thought Remington would have kept that work in house and use the same finished that they used on the 700 XCR Tactical Rifles. I don’t know what advantage FNC’s finish is going to have. Or maybe… FNC did the finish on the XCR rifles?
Really though – it’s just an 1895 GBL with a Green Stock. I like it, but I’m not excited about it.
What would really excite me though, is if I could get that in an 1894 .44 Mag. Now THAT would be sweet.
Pick The Brand
DA/SA Service Grade Automatics. Who’s your favorite? Okay, we’re talking the Brand on the whole, considering all the related models and variations they make. Who’s your Top Brand and why?
SIG?
Beretta?
CZ?
Other?
The Traditional DA/SA auto seems to be in the gold years with more and more trainers and advocating striker fired guns with uniform trigger pulls from first to second shots. Glocks, M&P’s, an XDM’s being the Striker Triad. But I think that the DA/SA platform still has its place, and I still love them. Especially for Open Carry, Duty Service… They are big, menacing, sexy, and very stable and accurate. Outside of 1911’s I shoot them them best. A lot better than Safe actions or DAO guns.
I’m thinking the Holy Trinity for DA/SA’s is SIG, Beretta, and CZ. Across the board, I think the Beretta Brand takes the lead for consistent quality. From what I’ve seen and dealt with with 8+ years behind a Gun Counter and… ahem… a few more years of shooting… I’ve seen problems with all of them. I’ve seen far fewer though with Beretta. But that’s not just the thing. It’s also how good they’ve been. How smooth the triggers and slides were. How tight they locked up. I don’t think any brand for any type of auto is nearly as smooth as Berettas. SIG’s are second and CZ is 3rd overall for smoothness.
However, for an out of the box trigger – the very best DA/SA trigger I have ever felt was on a CZ 97B. Just incredible! But other CZ triggers left me disappointed. Same with SIG, overall very good, but not quiet as good overall as SIG’s I’ve fired. One SIG though, a 229 SAS…. Oh man. That was truly a great trigger. Flip side, the SIG’s have shown some triggers that were less than stellar.
Beretta though wins in the same way a Race Team wins the Championship overall without having actually taken first place.
My 92FS had a very good trigger to start out with. I swapped the main spring for the “D Spring” and it got a lot better. It’s not a GREAT trigger. This makes me wonder, why doesn’t Beretta just use the D Springs as standard? Because the difference was dramatic!
I love the 92. I love the SIG 220/226/228/229. I love the CZ P-01/SP-01. Overall though, I think that Beretta takes it.
What are your thoughts?
Stop It
Stop showing me videos of your Mag Dumps, and show me a video of how fast you can reload!
Stop showing me an AR-15 with a Cosmetic Change and telling me that you designed and engineered something different.
Armchair Quarterbacking: PARA USA
I’ve never really been all that fond of Para Ordinance for various reasons. However Para Ordinance became PARA USA, moved from Canada to the US, and have been working hard to forge their spot in the American Gun Culture. Some years ago at a Media Range Day at SHOT Show, I browsed the offerings at PARA’s booth and was impressed with what I saw. The gun was a very basic 1911 for Wild Bunch competition. Nothing fancy, just very “GI” style. Simple. And good. It was very good. I shot several other 1911’s from other makers, but the one that stuck in my mind, even the one I liked the best, was the Para. During SHOT I went to the PARA booth and looked at the pistol again. It wasn’t a fluke… I really did like the gun. It was at that moment when I realized that PARA USA is a company to take seriously.
Now it’s about 4 years later and PARA USA has continued to improve their guns. They’ve made huge strides to the point that PARA USA is now one of my TOP 1911 Makers. They are making some 1911’s I want to buy. Not their whole product line… but close. They can do a few simple things to really hit it out of the Ballpark. Let’s take a look at PARA USA’s line up.
Let’s start at the top of their own roster and work down. The Executive Carry. The gun looks good, with a nice finish, nice grips, and that awesome bobtail. But it has a 3″ barrel. This is basically a full length grip, bobtailed, and an ultra compact barrel. If this was a revolver, this would be the equivalent of S&W Magnum Grips on a Snub-Nose. It makes no sense to me. The grip frame is the hard part to conceal, not the barrel. Bobtailing it is a nice touch, but if you are going to have an ultra compact barrel, give it an ultra compact grip frame as well. At least an Officer’s length grip frame. Bobtail that. This gun is just a bit off because of the short snout. Because of that, I wouldn’t buy this one. However, if it was sporting a Commander length slide and barrel – I would. A nice clean Lightweight Commander on a Bobtail frame is missing from PARA’s line up and it should fit right here in the EXECUTIVE category. That’s 1 missing gun.
The other missing gun from the EXECUTIVE Category is the CCO configuration. A Commander Length barrel and slide on an Officer’s frame. Basically just the opposite of the PARA Executive they have right now. Colt’s CCO was a breakthrough for concealed carry 1911’s. SIG followed that pattern and hit a home run with it in the C3 and RCS models. Smaller frame for easier concealment, and a nice length barrel that doesn’t give up much on ballistics and sight radius. It NAILS it. PARA doesn’t have a CCO type 1911, and they should.
Here’s one more gun to add to the Executive roster. The LDA Officer… But with a standard 1911 trigger mechanism. Not everyone likes an LDA Trigger in their 1911, but the Officer platform is a good one, and should be reflected in the Executive, Elite and Expert lines. One thing that the LDA has that I’d like in the Executive line is that front strap checkering. That Lightweight Commander Bobtail – I’d like some fine checkering on the front strap.
I’m not going to comment on the Competition guns, because I think PARA nailed those as offerings and every competitive shooter I know would change things anyway to their own liking and everyone has a difference of opinion so you’ll never make everyone happy there. But it’s a solid line as it is.
Now, for the Tactical side of things. The Black Ops line. Sharp. I could buy one of these. Wait a second here… How come the Black Ops 1911 Single Stack doesn’t have the Checkering like the Double Stack? If this is to be a full featured combat oriented line, let’s not skimp on it. Also, the Recon, your Commander length tactical gun. Where’s the Single Stack version of the Recon?
While we’re talking Tactical, not all Tactical ops are Black Ops. I’d like to see Tactical versions in OD Green and FDE (Flat Dark Earth). Same guns, just not blacked out. I know you’ve had them before, I sold them. FDE the slide and frame, and use the regular black parts and grips for a nice contrast. Would look very sharp.
Now on to the Elite Series. The PARA Elite is a wide range of 1911’s that we can probably say is PARA’s main line. Or at least it should be. My only hang up with the Elite Series is that they are using Fiber Optic Front Sight Posts on all but the Elite Pro. The Elite Pro is one of my very favorite guns from PARA’s line up. It hits all the right buttons. Now, where is the Elite Pro Commander? There’s another gun that’s missing from PARA’s line. Another one is an Elite Bobtail Commander. Again with Bobtail Commanders? I know. But still, my point is valid. Ask Dan Wesson.
The ELITE LS HUNTER. This gun is one that I’ve been waiting for… a 10mm Long Slide – I must have this. Thank you for making this one! Now, if you could just add 10mm options to a couple other Elite or Tactical guns, thank you. And to keep up with STI – mayhaps a double stack version as well?
Reverse Two Tone. I want to see more Two Toned guns, specifically in the “Reverse” scheme. Light on bottom, dark on top. Make a lightweight bobtail commander in 10mm, in reverse two tone – and you’ll have my order by the end of Oct. Seriously. I’ll order it through Blackstone Shooting Sports in Charlotte. I’m not kidding. I will.
The Expert line. I’m giving you some Golf Claps over here. Bravo… You have it nailed here. Simple lines, no frills, and “No Gills”. None of those forward slide serrations that ruin the lines of a handsome Government model. THIS is the 1911 that I want the OTHER companies to make! And PARA USA made it. This makes me quite happy that I am moving to the town that makes it! Can I get a black slide on that Stainless frame? In a Commander?
The Warthog is listed under the Expert category… and that’s fine. But remember what I said about the CCO? A CCO Warthog…. Call it the “A-10” model, as in “A-10 Warthog“, the Infantryman’s favorite jet plane. It would be the Goldilocks for concealed carry double stacked 1911’s. The regular Warthog is just a bit too short in the snout for me. I know it’s been popular, but trust me… a 4″ version would be even more so. I could have sold twice as many, because that is what the most common remark about it was. Springfield found this out when they made 4” versions of the XDS, as did SIG with the C3 and RCS. That’s the configuration that is IDEAL for concealed carry.
That’s about it for PARA USA. They are doing a really great job and I’m happy to see it. They’ve come a long way and are now a great 1911 company! Well done, PARA USA!!! *Standing Ovation Here*
A few of my gun articles in PDF format.
I was looking for something on the Old MadOgre.com site and stumbled on some of my old articles in PDF format.
NAA Mini Revolver.
Charter Arms. (The photo captions really tell the story)
S&W 1911.
Rock River 1911 vs Wilson Combat 1911.
CZ P-01.
There are a few more I used to have, but have lost or the file corrupted. Shame.
UPDATE:
Here’s most of my articles for CCM.
Current Top 1911 Picks
My current picks for the best production 1911’s you can buy. I’m going to roll with some specific guns and give some more details. But following the recent AR-15 article pattern, I’m going to stick with regular production 1911’s and not touch on Custom and Semi-Custom. Otherwise this list would be all about Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Les Baer, and Wilson Combat.
1. Springfield Armory: I’m putting Springfield as a top choice because their guns are consistently well above par, and their customer service just might be The Best in the entire gun industry. Their policy is that they want you to be happy with your gun. So you can buy a Springfield without hesitation. Any complaints I have heard about Springfield usually involved the person having some extreme form of Unrealistic Expectations. “I had a problem with my GI Model so I think Springfield should give me a TRP! With a 3 day turn around!” That kind of thing.
Picking 3 guns out of their line up, the TRP, the MC Operator, and the Champion LW Operator. (Champion being Springfield lingo for “Commander”) I would really like to see Springfield do a “CCO” type pistol, and Loaded LW Commander, er… Champion.
As some do not know, MARSOC was buying and using the Springfield MC Operators for years and years before Colt snagged the contract. Considering Colt’s new CEO is a former Marine General… Hmmm… I’m sure that contract award was completely legit.
2. SIG. SIG really hit the ground running making just what could be best overall 1911’s you can buy. Problem with them though, is that they departed from tradition with a sharp turn. Non traditional external dimensions/profiles, with external extractors. Then they came out with their “Tradition” series – which does look like a regular 1911, but still has that exterior extractor. However, these guns are so good… I just love them. Very much so. Their C3 and RCS are amazing CCW guns. And this gun here…. It hits all the right buttons. Make this a Commander sized, SIG. Please. You can’t go wrong with a SIG 1911.
3. PARA USA. It’s not a secret that I’ve just never really cared for Para’s guns. But ever since Para Ordinance became Para USA, they have been making huge strides. Their LDA trigger system, I still don’t care for. If you like it, that’s fine. I just don’t. However their regular 1911’s… They have evolved into guns that are just excellent. Their new Black Ops 1911 is unquestionably a fine 1911 handguns by any measure. But it’s their Elite series that I really dig. Simple, no front slide serrations… and this one is almost perfect. Just please, get rid of that fiber optic FSP. I’ll take a regular tritium FSP, thank you. I’ve talked with some of the guys from PARA USA, and they are taking their guns very seriously. They want to be the best. And you know what? They keep on this road, they sure will be. I’m liking where they are going.
4. Remington’s 1911 R1. This comes as a surprise to me… but Remington’s R1 family of 1911’s are just flat out excellent. All of Remington’s problems do not exist in or effect their 1911’s. And they are offering these well built and solid 1911’s at extremely reasonable prices. They make one that I would be very tempted to add to my own collection. Tell me that isn’t just gorgeous. Remington is using a very good steel alloy, and are sporting very nice finishes.
Now if they could just put this attention to detail into the Marlin Lever Actions – I’d be a happy happy Ogre.
5. STI. Specifically, STI’s Lawman 4.0, and the Nitro 10. I favor the Single Stacks, and I favor the guns that use the bushings… but that Nitro 10 is just too cool, so I can forgo the bushing requirement.
6. Dan Wesson. Because Dan Wesson. Their Bobtail Commanders are probable the most FLAWLESS 1911’s I’ve ever seen that didn’t cost more than a good used car. Their 10mm Razorback is just too damn good. But the ones to really look hard at, are the Valor Black and the CCO. Perfection. Where is the Valor Black Commander though? Oh, and hey, CZ USA – Make these in 10mm as well. I don’t really dig the Titan 10, because I don’t hunt Vampires, professionally, so I don’t need all the race-gun hints. I want a clean and simple 1911, in 10mm… that’s not stainless.
Here’s what I look for in a 1911: Simplicity and understated elegance. I don’t like bushingless bull barrels. I don’t like full length guide rods. I really don’t even particularly care for ambi-safeties. And the one thing I really don’t like – but they are almost universal… The Novak style ramped rear sights. But I can live with it. I will also stay away from anything that even resembles a “Series 80”. I prefer Commander length barrels. The 4″ to 4.25″ barrel lengths. They balance just right to me. I do prefer if I can get it, the light weight frames, but will take solid steel happily. I also do not like extended slide releases and safety levers. The “Tear Drop” style safety lever is my favorite. I do prefer a bobbed hammer or commander style hammer, followed up with a nice wide high ride beaver-tail. Those work for me.
One to keep an eye on: Rock Island Armory is getting better and better, not every year, but every day. They are like the Kia Motors of 1911’s… they used to be cheap and laughable, but now they will make you turn your head, “What is that? THAT’s a Kia?!?” RIA is having that same effect. While not one of my top choices now, they could be at some point in the future sooner than anyone could expect.
Top 5 Best AR-15 Manufactures.
Question came in:
“Mad Ogre, can you make a list of the best AR 15 rifles according to your expertise? I’ve read you articles and it seems to me you’ve done your homework! Would really like to know which AR 15 manufacturer rifle would catch your eye!”
That’s a good question, but also technically complicated. Saying “AR-15” is like saying “Pickup Truck”. Asking for the best Pickup Truck would require me to respond with “What are you going to do with it?” It’s far easier if I know the specific applications you are going to use it for, because of all the options and configurations out there. And with AR-15’s there are far more nuances that go with them. So instead of specific models, I’m going to simplify this. I’m going to list in order specific manufactures. Companies that are making production gun sold through dealers… not custom guns.
My TOP 5, Starting at the top and working down:
1. DANIEL DEFENSE
2. NOVESKE
3. LMT
4. LARUE TACTICAL
EDIT:
I’ve been dealing a lot more with LWRC since I wrote this list. And I have to give credit where credit is due. LWRC is now a solid #5. I really like what they are doing with their new M6IC carbines, and others… So I’m bumping Bravo to Runner Up Status and making LWRC number five:
5. LWRC
Runners Up:
BRAVO COMPANY
SIG
These are the only production AR-15 Rifle Makers that I would personally spend my own money on. Reason I picked these are due to the overall quality and consistency that I have seen. These guys are consistently putting out the best products. Each one of these Brands are worth exploring. Which specific rifle – depends on your application or the configuration that you are looking for. These are also companies that I have personally talked with and know there commitment to putting out top quality rifles. There are a couple other companies out there that could have made this list as a Runner Up – but I just don’t like their finished products… I’ll give you one example. Black Rain. They are making some good products. BUT. Their finishes are ghastly and they insist on using a muzzle device that you could seriously use to drill through layers of sedimentary rock and discover oil with. They have to ship them with a rubber cap over it because the muzzle device will chew through the packaging during shipping. They WILL tear the crap out of any case you put them in as well. For what purpose do you need that for? It’s just tacky. If they would tone it down – I could take them more seriously.
Now, let’s talk configurations. For a Jack of all Trades configuration, I like a carbine length barrel, with full rifle length handguards, and I like a free floating barrel. I don’t like quad-rails, but I do like the option of putting on an accessory where I want it. My favorite new rifle on the market that meets this criteria:
The Daniel Defense DDM4V11.
So if I had to pick just one rifle, that would be it.
To Refinish or Not to Refinish, that is the Question.
On my page about Firearms Finishes, a question popped in from one of The Horde.
For those new here, The Horde are like minded Readers of MadOgre.com – and by extension as some have said, members of WeTheArmed.com. I’ll leave that up to you to self-identify as you wish.
Question: “Enjoyed the article on the different firearm finishes. I do have a question to ask….
I have come across an old Colt 1911 made in 1913. The seller states it has been refinished with the NP3 finish. Even though it appears to be a professional job, I’m concern that it defaces the value of the gun. Does anyone know if this devaluated the firearm any? I appreciate your responses.”
That’s a great question and an interesting topic. Here’s the Short Answer: Yes. Unfortunately any time you refinish a gun, you basically ruin it. Investment wise. Pure collector value issue. However for a working gun, it’s just the opposite. It restores and protects, and in the case of a finish like NP3 – enhances it. So it really comes down to what you want the gun for.
The long answer: We also have to take into account the value and condition of the firearm, as well as it’s individual history. Let me explain. Let’s say you have a Winchester 94 that your Pops got you when you were a Wee Lad. It’s your working gun, your truck gun, your ever year deer getting gun… It’s worn and getting corroded and could use some help. This gun might be a “Pre-64” example…. So off the cuff one would say, “No, don’t refinish it!” However you have a lot of personal history with this gun and you want your kid to enjoy it too… and his kid. Well, just the old Rub Down With Oil treatment isn’t going to cut it and that gun would get retired quick…. So maybe this example would be a good candidate to get a good refinish done. Black-T or a good semi-gloss black Cerakote would be good choice for this. Or, have a good gunsmith do a refinish with a Hot Blueing after some polishing up… So you can keep using it as you have been.
Okay, now say that same gun was your great grandfathers, well cared for, and is in really good condition… It’s vintage was a lot older. Well, in that case, it’s value could be quite high and such a vintage gun should be left as it is, or if you want to use it… Here, the decision is yours.
Now let’s say your great grandfather rode with Butch Cassidy and this rifle was own by one of Butch’s boys… or rode with Sheriff John Pope and ended would of Butch’s boys with that rifle. Well, that gives that gun a much higher value than Book Value. Of course – such value requires documentation to substantiate the history. But let’s say you have that. That changes things…. Refinishing that gun? HELL NO. That’s American History and should be preserved. There will be Collectors looking for that gun.
Now there is another collector type out there… Blood Guns. Weapons used by murderers. I’m not going to go into that stuff… but those collectors? They don’t even want you to clean it, so no refinishing for those guns.
Most modern guns though, mass produced, common types that are still in production… Refinish it however you like. Really the skirmish line comes down to if it’s in production or not. If it’s no longer in production – take a moment to think about getting it refinished or not.
Question Clearing House
Here’s a quick paraphrasing of some of the more common questions I’ve been getting lately, mainly through YouTube and Facebook. I’ll answer them here as well.
Q: What’s been your most accurate pistol?
A: The most accurate pistol I ever owned? That’s easy. It was my CZ 97B. The gun was not perfect, but it was very very good. Honestly, I was a total dumbass for selling it.
Q: What’s been your most reliable pistol?
A: Honestly most of my guns have been very reliable. Most reliable though would be the ones I still own, my Glock 23, Springfield 1911 GI, and Beretta 92FS. I tend to filter out unreliable guns. The most reliable gun…. well, while none of these guns have ever – EVER – given me a jam, the Glock has by far had the most rounds fired through it and unlike any other gun I own, I’ve fed that Glock a large diet of nasty steel cased imported ammo of types I’d just not consider running through any other pistol. So I’ll have to give the nod to the Glock, it’s just a trooper.
Q: What’s been your worst pistol?
A: Easily the CZ 100. A gun that should never have been made. Ever. It was so bad, I may one day pick up another one just because it was such a stand out gun in my mind. Uniquely horrible trigger that remains the worst of the worst, wrapped up in a design that is equally horrible in its own right.
Q: What’s your favorite gun?
A: Overall, Remington 870 Police/Tactical. Really just any 870 with a short barrel. I would rather have that than any other gun. Talking specifically handguns – favorite would be the 1911.
For long time MadOgre.com readers, yes, I’ve come back to the 1911 pistol. Again.