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I had an hour to kill earlier today and went by the local indoor range.
I've been away from pistol shooting for two years save a couple recent range sessions. Lots of bad habits in my shooting, but it's getting better.
I brought along a G19, G26, G43 and a Colt Defender.
First time shooting my G43 and Defender.
All targets were at 25 feet. First magazines with each were aimed at center mass. Last shots fired were head shots.
G19 was first up:

G26 next:

Then the G43:

Defender was last:

100% perfect feeding with each weapon.
Great handling and shootability with each.
The new G43 handled really well. I thought I"d vastly prefer the extended base magazine but they both felt great.
Amazingly well considering it's now my favorite pocket pistol. Best handling pocket handgun that I've ever shot !!!!!!!
The only things this gun needs is a Talon rubberized grip enhancement and a set of Trijicon HD sights.
The Colt really surprised me.
It felt great in hand....throughout the firing cycle. I generally can't stand fingergroove grips on 1911's but these felt much better than they looked. Still going to replace them, though. Recon is very acceptable with this little 7+1 45acp gun.
Here is the downside: The very first shot I fired with the Defender sent the brass dead center into the brim of my hat. Next shot launched the brass into my forehead. The next few shots were poorly placed due to a freaking flinch......not from recoil (that was a peach with 230gr factory loads) but from wondering if I'd get smacked in the face....and I did a few more times. Unnerving. Were I not wearing range glasses and a hat....
I'd read reports about folks having this occur but really didn't give it a whole lot of concern. I mean....brass that arcs off to the side and hits the sidewall of the range's lanes and bounces into you is nothing, right?
This stuff flipping back was not arcing harmlessly......it was on a high velocity flat trajectory into my skull . Crazy stuff. Not something I've had happen like this.
I've been away from pistol shooting for two years save a couple recent range sessions. Lots of bad habits in my shooting, but it's getting better.
I brought along a G19, G26, G43 and a Colt Defender.
First time shooting my G43 and Defender.
All targets were at 25 feet. First magazines with each were aimed at center mass. Last shots fired were head shots.
G19 was first up:

G26 next:

Then the G43:

Defender was last:

100% perfect feeding with each weapon.
Great handling and shootability with each.
The new G43 handled really well. I thought I"d vastly prefer the extended base magazine but they both felt great.
Amazingly well considering it's now my favorite pocket pistol. Best handling pocket handgun that I've ever shot !!!!!!!
The only things this gun needs is a Talon rubberized grip enhancement and a set of Trijicon HD sights.
The Colt really surprised me.
It felt great in hand....throughout the firing cycle. I generally can't stand fingergroove grips on 1911's but these felt much better than they looked. Still going to replace them, though. Recon is very acceptable with this little 7+1 45acp gun.
Here is the downside: The very first shot I fired with the Defender sent the brass dead center into the brim of my hat. Next shot launched the brass into my forehead. The next few shots were poorly placed due to a freaking flinch......not from recoil (that was a peach with 230gr factory loads) but from wondering if I'd get smacked in the face....and I did a few more times. Unnerving. Were I not wearing range glasses and a hat....
I'd read reports about folks having this occur but really didn't give it a whole lot of concern. I mean....brass that arcs off to the side and hits the sidewall of the range's lanes and bounces into you is nothing, right?
This stuff flipping back was not arcing harmlessly......it was on a high velocity flat trajectory into my skull . Crazy stuff. Not something I've had happen like this.