1 June 04

On "custom" pistols, from an affiliate instructor:

"A student arrived at the range last week, showing off his shinny, new SA ' Custom Operator' 1911 pistol w/light rails. He told of the months he had to wait to get it from SA's custom shop and went on and on as to how it would b e carried concealed on a regular basis and used for home defense.

As you could have guessed, the pistol was completely undependable! It was s o tight that a chamber check was nearly impossible. When chambering a round, the pistol routinely refused to completely go into battery. Its owner could not get five consecutive rounds through it without a stoppage. Were this pi stol to be used against a home intruder, its only reliable function would be as a club!

I have yet to see anyone with one of these 'custom' toys outshoot me , using a dull, boring, utility pistol. This was no exception!"

Comment: All the money spent on these expensive prima donnas would be better spent on plain-vanilla models, with the difference being used to purchase ammunition and professional training. Tricks and toys will not substitute f or personal competence. Those who think they will are naive fools. With any l uck, they will find enlightenment before someone calls their bluff.

/John