From: gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Novice's Ramblings
Date: 8 Oct 92 21:55:56 GMT
Organization: U.S. Army Ballistic Research Lab, APG MD.


In article <01GPIEHU1MNK000RAQ@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU> STX@MSUS1.MSUS.EDU (Kevin Whyte) writes:
#(Would Cooper call the .40s&w a minor caliber?  I personally thinking 9mm up
#is "major"  but that is my opinion subject to revision.)

"Major" technically refers to competition rules; 9x19mm (Luger) does not
make major caliber under SAAMI loading but 9x21mm barely does, and .40S&W
certainly does.

I haven't heard Cooper use the terminology; while he is certainly a fan
of .45ACP I don't think he'd consider .40S&W as underpowered as 9x19mm,
which he is notorious NOT a fan of (based, many of us think, on ancient
experience with FMJ performance, not modern loads).

#I was shooting with my right hand supporting my left (I shoot left-handed)
#cupping the bottom of the magazine!  When I tried use grip she used with my 2
#thumbs together it felt really uncomfortable.  I was able to shoot this way but
#it isn't comfortable.  Is this grip something you just have to get used too?

There are a variety of workable stances and holds.  The most recommended
hold for a semiautomatic pistol is:  first, hold out your shooting hand
with palm approximately vertical and thumb open straight forming a V with
the palm.  Press the gun grip into this V with the gun in a straight line
with your forearm.  Close the fingers (except the forefinger) around the
grip, keeping the thumb on top (should lie alongside the grip, pointing
more or less downrange).  Now gently slap the support hand fingers around
the shooting hand's fingers with the supporting hand's thumb lying along
the other thumb, pointing in essentially the same direction.  Note that
the web of the shooting hand should be snug into a section of the grip
designed to accommodate it, as high as possible within this constraint,
and that the thumbs are beside the gun, not behind the slide where injury
could occur.  Also, except possibly for the little fingers, there are no
fingers under the magazine.  The theory is that you don't need to support
the weight of the gun (especially with a Glock) unless you have unusually
weak arms, but you do need a firm grasp to recover quickly from recoil.

#I thought the cleaning equipment that came with the pistol to be sufficient
#but after reading a couple of posts to the contrary ... I went out and bought
#a brass brush and some hoppes 9.  ...  I ran that brush through there and it
#came out black!  ...  I then tried running through some patches with hoppes 9
#on them and they came out black and didn't seem to be getting that much
#lighter with subsequent applications.  ...

You always need to use a powder solvent when cleaning a gun.  We're all
mystified at the inclusion of a nylon bristle brush in the Glock pistol
box, as it is utterly useless.  However, the plastic cleaning rod with
a slot in its end works well with absorbent cloth patches (which you can
buy in large quantities, fairly inexpensively, at most gun shops).  There
are several cleaning "systems" on the market, but if you can find a
10mm brass/bronze bristle brush with threads that match the plastic
Glock cleaning rod, replacing the nylon brush in the kit would suffice
as far as the hardware goes, and then you just need to keep on hand a
bottle of powder solvent such as Hoppe's No. 9 and a bunch of cloth
patches, plus soft towels to wipe off the excess solvent.  If you like to
be more thorough in your cleaning, you should add pipe cleaners, cotton
swabs, and a toothbrush.  It also seems wise to restore, from time to
time, the factory anti-seize compound on the slide rails (it's hard to
find but some large auto supply stores may have it; use a toothpick to
apply).  An occasional drop of sewing machine oil in the right places
also seems like a good idea.  Some people prefer spray-on lubricants
with evaporating carrier, but I haven't tried them.

#Now a question about using hoppes 9 or any other solvent on the plastic
#portions of the Glock are they all safe to use on it.

Glock claims that the polymer it uses is resistant to commonly used
solvents; certainly I've never seen any signs of chemically-induced
degradation.  Make sure to wipe off the excess lubricants and solvents.

#Anyone have any recomendations on a good holster for the Glock?  Belt type on
#the left side used for a backup gun for hunting.  Primary requirments are
#that it be comfortable and will hold the Glock secure (and under $40?)

"Under $40" is quite a constraint.  Glocks require holsters that
completely cover the trigger guard; while you can get a soft "Uncle
Mike's" holster for low cost, leather custom-fit holsters are much
better (and more costly).  All major holster manufacturers (see ads
in newsstand gun magazines) should have one or more styles that fit
Glocks specifically; you should peruse their catalogs to find what
suits you.  (I have a nice but pricey Pro-Line horsehide IWB holster.)
Make sure you specify left-side for left-handed draw, as by default
the vendors will assume right-side for right-handed draw (or if left-
side, that it is meant for cross-draw).