Maze Runner the Scorch Trials

So went to see this last night.  I was a little disappointed.  I have not read the books so I am not able to speak to that.  The movie had a few predictable twists.  Some jump scares that did make the audiance startle.  It however to me had a whole Walking Dead theme going on as well.  I will say I was intrigued to know more about the world and what happened.  So yes I will see subsequent movies just to see what happens.  I will most likely eventually read the books. 

Why I love my P2000 SK

I purchased my P2000 SK for one purpose, self defense.  At the time prior to that I was carrying my Springfield XD.  I was having difficulty carrying my Springfield in summer.  I did not want to wear a cover shirt like I have seen so many other people do.  To me it "flagged" me for carrying a concealed firearm.  I decided I needed something that I could carry that was slimmer than my XD but still had a reasonable size.  I personally like to have a full hand grip on a firearm.  I know some people do not mind if their pinky finger is hanging off the grip.  I wanted something that was going to be reliable and of solid build quality.  I also wanted to stay with my 40 S&W cartridge.  I have always been a fan of the cartridge.  It does have a snappy recoil, but when I have looked at videos of me firing my pistol, it is not as pronounced as I have perceived it to be while in the moment of shooting.  I had found myself falling into one of the cardinal sins of concealed carry.  I had stopped carrying my Springfield XD just because I got tired of trying to find a way to conceal it.  So on the hot days if I was not carrying my camera bag I did not have my firearm.  I initially started carrying concealed because I had received a death threat stemming from work I perform.  I went out bought my XD and enrolled in concealed carry class.  As the seasons changed I soon discovered the above issue about concealing my firearm.  After many trips to gun stores and searches on the Internet I decided on my H&K.  I have been very happy with it ever since.  Here are my criteria I was looking to meet.

1.  Needed a minimum of 8 rounds. 

2. Needed to fit all my fingers on the grip. 

3. Needed to be reliable. 

4. Needed to a have a very durable finish.  

5. Easy maintenance.

6. Easy to shoot.      

7. Solid build quality.

8. Needed to have a solid review history.  

9. Easy to operate.  

10. Must be accurate.  

The numbers above were in no order of importance.  It was just in short what I was looking for in a firearm.  The P2000 SK met and exceeded many of those requirements above.  I will admit I was frustrated with a few things when I first started shooting the firearm.  I was aware of one being the L.E.M. trigger mine came with.  I had read that many users struggled with this trigger system in the beginning.  I can say I struggled with the trigger for about 500 rounds.  It was not until I got used to the trigger that my accuracy improved.  My P2000 SK does not have a traditional decocker arrangement that many H&Ks have.  Mine has basically a very long trigger pull, then it meets final resistance till the hammer falls.  It is almost like it has two stages.  The long slack pull and then the final part till it fires.  I had to buy snap caps and practice dry fire drills to finally truly adjust to the trigger and learn how I was pulling my shots of center.  I kept shooting low 7 O'Clock on target with the P2000 SK because of my trigger pull.  Now that I understand the trigger pull I can shoot very well.  I can stack shots on paper now with the P2000 SK.  I am very happy with the trigger now.

I struggled with the magazine catch at times.  I have read some people changed theirs to a different style.  I have kept mine the same.  I just have to squeeze the magazine release with my pointer and thumb.  I understand why H&K designed it this way.  It was set up to minimize the risk of accidental magazine release.  It works well for that for I have never accidentally dropped my magazine.  

The P2000 SK holds 9+1, is very easy to clean, very easy to disassemble, easy to shoot, has never jammed one time since I have owned it, solid reviews, and is definitely much more accurate than me.  I also think with the dual recoil spring and buffer system it may be softer shooting than my Springfield even though is is smaller in size.   

I am still working on monitoring the finish wear of my P2000 SK.  It truly has shown very minimal wear.  I will post pictures in the next few weeks on this.  So stay tuned.  

Here is a photo of the P2000 SK broke down.  Very easy and quick to clean.  I have zero issues with rust either on the lettering and engraving.  I have read that some individuals have had issues with that.  I have also not changed my trigger pull because I have read that some people have had functioning issues after they have attempted to lighten their L.E.M. trigger pull.  It should also be noted that H&K make some of the best magazines.  The quality of the magazines this pistol has is amazing to me.  The only issue, they come with of hefty price.  

 I am currently using Hornady Critical Defense ammunition.  It is expensive but well worth the price if your life should ever count on it.  

I was previously carrying Winchester Silvertip ammunition.  This ammo was highly recommended by my instructor.  He showed me during class the tests they had conducted and it out performed Golden Saber and Hydra Shok.  For the performance to price it is a good alternative, plus you get fifty rounds compared to 20.  

The Mystique of the 1911

I used to scoff and hate a 1911.  I blindly threw disdain and hate towards that antiquated piece of outdated firearms technology.  I would hold my new age polymer framed firearms with their fancy high capacity magazines and sneer as my friend would shoot his 1911.  I would snicker as he missed the target he was shooting at.  I remember shooting his gun and thought, this gun is heavy, the trigger is like pulling a trampoline spring.  I do not know how to describe the feeling of firing his gun.  I remember shooting my Springfield XD versus his gun.  The Springfield was a dream to shoot.  I remember when he shot my firearm and he was hitting the target each time.  I remember seeing the smile on his face.  His response just fortified my mind that the 1911 should be relegated to a time long since passed.  I however did not look at the fact that his firearm was a very cheaply made version of the 1911 from some foreign company.  It very easily rusted and I remember I was asked to refinish the firearm for him.  I remember taking it apart and seeing the very roughly fitted pieces and noticed that the trigger actually was completely broke in half on one side.  It was actually a wonder this firearm still shot and functioned.  It was several years later that I shot a Colt 1911.  It was an old target model probably from the 70's.  When I shot this gun I was in awe.  The firearm had a totally different feel.  It had no slide slop.  It made a sound of utter music to my ears as I cocked it.  The trigger pull was crisp and predictable and I was shooting amazing groups.  I was shocked at how "right" this firearm felt in my hand.  It ran smooth, recoil was smooth as butter, and I could hit the target consistently shot after shot.  I did not want to stop shooting this gun!  I am a convert.  I love the 1911 so much I bought my own finally.  I am now the proud owner of a Kimber Grand Raptor II.  This firearm is a master piece of function and beauty in my eye.  I almost hate to shoot this gorgeous firearm but it is such a shooting pleasure.  I can  hit targets consistently at 50 yards with no problem.  So I am a convert, I love 1911's now.  I am happy to see so many offerings out there for them by other companies and I will be happy to add many more one day to a collection I hope to have.  Will a 1911 replace my daily carry gun?  I am very fond still of my H&K.  I can stack shots with it at 25 yards on good days.  Most of the time I struggle to do that.  However with the Kimber I can pull out out of box and always have a good day with it no matter the distance.  I am not sure but to me there is a mystique about a 1911.  I understand that now.  If you have not shot a true quality 1911 do not judge it by that cheap imitation till you have shot a quality one.

NEVER FORGET

May we all say a prayer for our country and the families that lost loved ones on that tragic day in our country's history.  We must NEVER FORGET that day.

I have been away for awhile

So lots of new happenings in my life.  I was working 6 days a week about 12 to 14 hours per day.  It was a struggle with balancing my life and work.  I managed to get a new job and I will now have more time on my hands!  So that means I will be able to start updating my blog more now.  So stay tuned I plan on posting more often now.  At least once per week.