|
|
Post by "DoubleAction" on Apr 22, 2009 13:55:03 GMT -5
One thing that I liked, was the development of the .40 S&W and 357 sig conversions.
|
|
|
|
Post by TMan on Apr 22, 2009 14:10:10 GMT -5
I hate showing my age, but for me it has been fiber-optic front sights. On a sunny day I don't have a problem focusing on the front sight - it looks like I'm about to be hit by a freight train.
God, I pray nobody adds polymer frames to this thread. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by MLB on Apr 22, 2009 20:06:10 GMT -5
Wondernines! They brought the price of old-fashioned, blued steel revolvers down to a steal if you knew enough to buy them. I suppose this should be in the "best thing to happen to revolvers" thread.
Actually, the best thing for semi-autos is probably the multitude of companies making 1911 style handguns. They took custom work and make it production.
|
|
|
|
Post by TMan on Apr 22, 2009 21:06:59 GMT -5
I beg to differ MLB (no offense meant -> well I'd never win any beauty contests anyhow). I watched a TV program where they showed the SigArms factory and showed the amount of hand fitting that still needed to be done on a 1911 vs the Sig Sauer P-series where all the parts just drop in.
No doubt Taurus didn't realize the amount of work necessary when they announced their 1911 and brought it to market a couple of years later.
The mass production of 1911's was aided by MIM parts and computer controlled tooling. MIM was quite an improvement Holy Moley, DA's blood pressure just went up 20 points.
MIM might have kept the cost down, which allowed for more competition, and consequently made it better for us consumers.
I think vastly improved chemistry belongs in the list because we have new foam bore cleaners that really get the copper out without fear of doing any damage to the bore, and certainly all the new slicker than s... lubricants.
|
|
|
|
Post by MLB on Apr 23, 2009 11:09:03 GMT -5
It's a more interesting discussion when there's a difference of opinion.
I see what you mean about the hand fitting required, but it is still a production handgun. You can now buy a 1911 with a lowered and flared ejection port, skeletonized trigger, low mount sights, 4lb trigger, match barrel, blah, blah, blah, all straight from the factory. Maybe $800 in what used to be "custom" mods, now mostly standard.
|
|
|
|
Post by TMan on Apr 23, 2009 14:41:58 GMT -5
I think we have a difference in semantics. To me "production" means a gun that doesn't require any human intervention other than putting the parts together i.e. there isn't any filing, polishing or otherwise movement of metal.
As you know, I'm fond of guns from the S&W Performance Center, which means a human has done some extra manual work in getting everything fitting and working just so. However, I've noticed that both of the "production" versions of my X-frame revolvers have excellent triggers shooting them in SA mode. I imagine the DA pull on the PC guns would be better though.
My TR from Les Baer is so dang tight that after it has set for awhile you have to whack the front of the slide to get it to move, then you can operate it by hand. I guess you would call it a "Custom" gun, but I'm a little vague on the point.
I can think of a guy that used to shoot at my club that built truly Custom 1911's to his customer's requirements. I saw him testing a lot of different variations. Most of his cursing had to do with ejection. He want the casings to go in a certain direction and be consistent.
|
|
|
|
Post by MLB on Apr 23, 2009 16:37:58 GMT -5
Oh Bother. Here I was hoping for a full fledged flame war, and all I get is a difference in semantics that would only excite a librarian. It is not much fun being of the same mind.
Maybe I could liven things up by suggesting that Gaston was the savior of the semi-auto.... no, not even for the sake of argument.
|
|
|
|
Post by TMan on Apr 23, 2009 19:12:48 GMT -5
How about the best thing that has happened to automatics is the speed-loaders for revolvers, but I'm not sure how long they have been around. Then also are the moon-clips so you could shoot rimless cartridges in the revolvers.
Hey, this thread is about semi's! Yes, the resurgence in revolvers has provided competition for the semi's, which has in turn kept their prices down. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by "DoubleAction" on Apr 24, 2009 3:26:07 GMT -5
What once been, everyone being clone by CNC to match perfectly, even guitars. Now you have custom shops with every industry to provide to has once was.
That's the reason like the Colt 1911; I can gut 'em and put in the parts that I prefer. Like now, the parts are better and I have triggers I can live with. CNC good, is makes producing the slide in Germany and the Frames in the U.S. with no fitting required. I have barrels, that are perfect fits. CNC is good. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by "DoubleAction" on Apr 24, 2009 5:14:40 GMT -5
Wondernines! They brought the price of old-fashioned, blued steel revolvers down to a steal if you knew enough to buy them. I suppose this should be in the "best thing to happen to revolvers" thread. Actually, the best thing for semi-autos is probably the multitude of companies making 1911 style handguns. They took custom work and make it production. MLB; Back in 1993, The Colt Pythons were being fetched new for $500.; The large part was the rise in the 9mm, Beretta, The Glock, and the Sig Sauer 226. Custom work for the for Colt 1911 would include Lowering and Flaring of the Ejection Port, Beaver Tail, Throating Chamber, Polishing of the Feed Ramp, Trigger Job, Low Mount Sights, and Extended Thumb Safety. And those items became production standard for most of pistols made today, whereas only a few years they required the services of pistol smiths. My Colt "Defender" posses all those bells and whistles, needs absolutely nothing; but I'm do it any way, because I have my preferences. |
|
