Simple Shooter
Member
Do you have a safe queen with an interesting background? Or maybe one that you have rediscovered?
I have one that fits into the latter category.
In 1989, I bought a West German Sig P226 which I carried through my law enforcement career then as a civilian. A few years ago, I replaced it as my main carry gun with a P229SAO and a Colt Combat Elite Defender. Before moving the P226 from the daily safe to the storage safe, I gave it new G10 grips, new Ameriglo Protector sites, replaced all the springs, and fit her with a Grayguns Enhanced Leverage System. I figured after 30 years of protecting my life and always going bang when she should and never when she shouldn't, she deserved at least that much. Then, shamefully, I forgot about her.
This morning I opened up the safe to grab my M1A for a trip to the range and saw the old P226 sitting there. In a fit of nostalgia, I grabbed it up and headed to the range.
I had plenty of XM80 with me. But I was anxious to shoot my old friend. So, I packed up the M1A a little early and moved over to the pistol side to put the faithful old P226 to work. And I got a surprise. I shot it much better than I shoot my fancy new guns. The newer P229 has a real nice Grayguns trigger. The Colt has been modified with a Wilson Combat trigger and several other upgrades. They both shoot very nice, with short crisp triggers and resets. Yet, I shot the old SA/DA P226 better; I acquired target faster, got my rounds off faster, and had tighter rapid fire groups. As for the manual of arms, I had no issue transitioning back to the DA/SA with a decocker from the SA's. It was like riding a bike.
Maybe I shoot it better because I shot this gun for 3 decades. Or maybe it is because my 55 year old eyes can see the slightly longer site radius a little better. Either way, I think I will re-evaluate what I carry daily. Because sometimes an old, holster-worn pistol can surprise you.
What about your favorite safe queen?
I have one that fits into the latter category.
In 1989, I bought a West German Sig P226 which I carried through my law enforcement career then as a civilian. A few years ago, I replaced it as my main carry gun with a P229SAO and a Colt Combat Elite Defender. Before moving the P226 from the daily safe to the storage safe, I gave it new G10 grips, new Ameriglo Protector sites, replaced all the springs, and fit her with a Grayguns Enhanced Leverage System. I figured after 30 years of protecting my life and always going bang when she should and never when she shouldn't, she deserved at least that much. Then, shamefully, I forgot about her.
This morning I opened up the safe to grab my M1A for a trip to the range and saw the old P226 sitting there. In a fit of nostalgia, I grabbed it up and headed to the range.
I had plenty of XM80 with me. But I was anxious to shoot my old friend. So, I packed up the M1A a little early and moved over to the pistol side to put the faithful old P226 to work. And I got a surprise. I shot it much better than I shoot my fancy new guns. The newer P229 has a real nice Grayguns trigger. The Colt has been modified with a Wilson Combat trigger and several other upgrades. They both shoot very nice, with short crisp triggers and resets. Yet, I shot the old SA/DA P226 better; I acquired target faster, got my rounds off faster, and had tighter rapid fire groups. As for the manual of arms, I had no issue transitioning back to the DA/SA with a decocker from the SA's. It was like riding a bike.
Maybe I shoot it better because I shot this gun for 3 decades. Or maybe it is because my 55 year old eyes can see the slightly longer site radius a little better. Either way, I think I will re-evaluate what I carry daily. Because sometimes an old, holster-worn pistol can surprise you.
What about your favorite safe queen?
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