Keith from Virginia: Mon, March 15, 2010 12:04 pm re: 1911 purchase
Friday evening at a gathering of long time friends
(high school, college, & army buddies), I showed off
my new purchase. The expected cracks about " Iver
Johnson" were made. When the name Trojan was
noticed, I was ribbed (one of many puns). As the pistol
moved from person to person the jokes stopped. THE
QUESTIONS became: "Where did you get this?".
"How can I get one?". "How much do you want for it ?"
Every one commented on the nice feel, fit, finish and
sight picture. All of the guys are 1911 aficionados.
One friend brought his recently purchased "Springfield
Armory 1911 Mil-Spec". The Trojan seemed to have
a tighter fit.
A Day at the Range
I am always ready to write-off the first 100 rounds fired
through any new weapon. I purchased some .45ACP
of Hungarian manufacture a while back that was cheap
and inconsistent (H F S headstamp). So I used this
for the "break-in" period. Twenty rounds were fired
to settle everything in. Brass was inspected, a flat 'ding'
at the case mouth being noticed. I tossed a couple of soda
cans out between 7-10 yards and was able to "kick
the can" 5 out of 7 times. This was done until the 100th
round (still HFS ammo) the case ding becoming less
noticeable. Now down to business. Winchester and
Federal ammo. Both delivered 3-3.25 in groups at
25 yards (SLOW fire, off-hand and rested).The case
mouth ding had disappeared. This matched my groups
from the "Colt Combat Commander" that I'ved owned for many years. The grip
panels were a little thick
for my tastes (personal preference and easily fixed), but
were very tightly & strongly checkered for a positive
grip. The trigger and hammer.....striated and grooved for
positive feel under finger & thumb. The pistol feed well
from G.I. spec surplus mags, Wilson mags, and even
budget-buster mags.
After 150 rounds: still tight, only minor wear to finish
on barrel at the muzzel bushing, front of chamber, slide
and frame rails where they meet (tough finish). No jams,
mis-fires, stove-pipes. Instinctively hits a little low, but I'm
used to a convex back strap instead of flat.
I am pleased with my purchase. This "Owl's Head" is
a bird of a different feather. No longer should "Iver
Johnson" evoke thoughts of flakey nickle finishes, budget
grade pistols, in ballistically challenged calibers. This is
a SERIOUS defensive weapon.
As a no-frills no compromise warrior, Spartan
seems a name of legend that fits as well as Trojan.
As I placed the pistol back in its box, I remembered
that the owl is also a predatory bird.
