Range Report: Glock 26 & Kel-Tec PF9

[techres]

Got the chance to run off to the range today while the kids were at religious school. Wanted to get a few things accomplished before playing (as if it is not all playing) and one of those things was taking my "new to me" Glock 26 out for a system check. The other was to continue the evaluation of my PF9.

For those that have not seen my other posts, I have downgraded from a .38 BUG and a Glock 23 (.40) combo to a 9mm pairing of a Glock 26 and a PF9. Part of the intent was simplicity of ammo, but mostly it was to get a reduced level of recoil that might make my wife more likely to shoot. If the two worked out, then in the future she would get a 17. Or, that is the plan.

For anyone who has not seen a Glock 26 (are there any?), is it basically the ultra compact form of the 9mm model. I have the 10 round original mags for it, but prefer to use a Glock 19 mag and an adapter (which I got with the purchase) to create a better grip:





As I get better mag extensions, I will post about those. But this is what I had with me today.

Let's start with the Kel-tec PF9. The first time I took it to the range, it had two stoppages where the trigger did not reset fully. I wanted to see if that continued and find the source of the problem. I also wanted to test a new pocket holster I bought for it to see how well it worked.

So, run number one:

YouTube - goodpf9

Good!

Now, run number two (this time from the pocket holster):

YouTube - badpf9

Bad! Let us count the errors:

1. Pocket holster came out of pocket still attached to pistol and had to be removed. Fixed in draw (I felt it happen).
2. Trigger reset failed and had to be cleared wasting time and one round of ammo. Fixed, but slow.
3. I miscounted by one round and stopped firing before ammo depleted. I go the last round off anyways!

Hmmm... Let's try a third run (again from the pocket holster):

YouTube - goodpf92

That time was just fine. I used a thumb push off on the holster which I should not need to do, but it worked. I got all the rounds off without failure. Perhaps some one handed shooting could help diagnose?

So a fourth string with off hand shots:

YouTube - pf9offhand

So ran fine with right, failed reset with left. Recoil seems to be the issue. Time to work on hand strength I guess!

I put a total of 100 rounds through the PF9 and these were the only stoppages. That makes 2%, but I really want that near .2%! Will work on it.

Next came the Glock which is well worn, but untested in my hands. I wanted to see (1) reliability, (2) recoil, and (3) accuracy in that order.

Here we go with string one (one 26 mag followed by the 19 mag):

YouTube - g26a

Very nice. Note that I stopped at 7 shots because the kel-tec practice has programmed me to stop at 7, big mistake as I have far more! Also note, that the Glock is far reduced in recoil and with the second mag is pleasant to shoot! Now let's see just how fast we can empty the mag while still hitting the target.

String 2 (just the 19 mag):

YouTube - g26d

Very nice. You can see on my face that I am happy. Umm... yeah, that is my happy face - go figure.

What about accuracy?

Here is 14 shots fired from 7 yards at a 1" square:

YouTube - g26accuracy

That will do!

Now let's try some draw and fire from an OWB holster that has a retention strap:

YouTube - g26holster1

I know many do not like retention straps, but with kids in the house, it brings me a bit of peace of mind. So far it has not slowed me down much in the draw:

YouTube - g26holster2

YouTube - g26holster3

Soon I was out of time and ammo (rationed myself to 250 rounds for the morning) and had not had a single problem with the glock. I did not take the chance to do offhand testing, but bet the glock would pass.

In any event, I left the pistol bays with the following information:

1. The Kel-Tec is fast and accurate, but needs to have the 2% fail rate fixed. Problem may be the shooter, will continue testing.
2. The Glock rocks. If it were not so fat, I would carry it anywhere.
3. Holsters mounted on belts beat pocket holsters.
4. I bet I could pocket carry a Glock!
5. Shooting is fun.



oh, and...

6. I really need to hit the exercise bike! Video taping yourself really brings that home...