8 July 02

We just completed a pistol course in WA. We had the usual mixture of Glocks and others. All guns worked well except two.

One student had a Taurus PT 111 Millennium in 9mm. The pistol itself had great difficulty digesting any of the ammunition fed to it, even hardball. Its reliability was not satisfactory. In addition, the rear sight is plunked on top of the slide and held in place by a single screw, which came loose ever few rounds. The student then found himself looking a a sideways rear sight! Very poor design. This pistol is not recommended. The student just informed me that he is getting rid of it and getting a Glock, Good move!

Another student had an IMI "Baby" Desert Eagle in 9mm. The rear sight on this pistol is at least anchored in a crosscut, dovetail slot. However, it was loose in the slot and kept drifting to the left. I used a brass hammer to pound it back to center several times. Very frustrating for the student, who was struggling with the principles of marksmanship and, of course, simultaneously having to learn the routine for the two-stage decocking lever. He too is switching to a Glock.

Competent pistol shooting is difficult enough without having to contend with poorly designed/poorly executed pistols. Here are two I'd be happy never to see again.

/John