Weapons Wednesday - Guns for the Space Force

 The following post is a pretty good write up over a couple of different topics. As we all know I'm a fan of "ghost guns" because Molon Labe; and I also think pistol mounted micro red dots are the wave of the future. Pudge did pretty good on this one.  And we'll begin this with a meme that hit's a little close to home to an old O-3 with a DD-214 body.

Space Force Assemble!!!!

 Not too long ago I shared with all of you my experience and thoughts of building my NAG 19 (Not-A-Glock). Well, Oops, I did it again. But this time I decided it was time to go full Space Cadet and I added a red dot sight and compensator. This is going to be my first impressions and thoughts on both pistol mounted red dots and compensators on handguns.

Better than what we posted yesterday

We’ll start with my thoughts on a pistol mounted red dot. I am guilty of being one of those guys that said, “insert some new technology here doesn’t belong or causes more issues than it solves;” (Pudge can't help that he is a Troglodyte whom thinks handgun perfection was attained in 1911 - Editor) but, I can definitely see benefits here. Not too long ago people were saying the same thing about red dots on rifles and now most of us can’t hardly imagine our rifles without them. I figured if this is the way of the future I better at least check it out and decide for myself.

 Since I run an Eotech on both my personal rifle and one of my work guns and am new to red dots on handguns I decided to go with a Holosun 507c. Now what does that have to do with Eotech? The 507c has an Eotech style reticle which I thought would be perfect to learn on. I am used to it and it gives me more error when I’m inevitably searching for the dot. It’s absolutely easier to find this reticle in a small window than just a dot. However, if you want just a dot or even just the circle you can do it with this sight. I also chose it due to the price and the reviews of many satisfied users. It fits on any standard RMR cut slide so no special slide cut is needed and there are many places you can find RMR ready slides of all styles. (For those wondering I went with one of Brownell’s RMR cut with window G19 slide.) [Hear that Pete? We'll take some sweet sweet ad money now. -Editor]

 So what can I tell you so far? I’m a fan. Not a running off to put red dots on all my handguns type fan, but a fan none the less. I can see the benefits of running a red dot. It can allow for very precise shooting at distance, does not cover up your target, and allows you to only have a single focal plane vs trying to transition between three different focal planes (rear sight, front sight, and target).

The first few times I shot a handgun with a red dot I couldn’t decide whether I absolutely hated it or just didn’t like it. After delving into what the ‘experts’ on youtube had to say I decided maybe it could turn into something I might want to have. I would like to thank/recommend Aaron Cowan from Sage Dynamics and all his videos available to help if a red dot is something you might want to try. He has lots of reviews as well as lots of instructional videos and information.

After a few outings with mine I think that I’m really going to like it. Both for the ability to shoot more accurately at distance as well as the ability to better focus on the target. You just focus on the target and bring the dot to your eye and you’re ready for business. For accuracy you now have a 2 MOA dot (depending on red dot) vs a thick front sight post and rear sights covering your target.  I’m currently slightly slower shooting with a dot than without but what do you expect after spending so long shooting handguns with irons alone. I am very confident that after a few more outings with this red dot that I will not only be more accurate but faster as well.

 Now on to compensators on a 9mm handgun. Why do I need a compensator on such a wimpy caliber? I don’t. But, if I can shoot a handgun with less recoil why wouldn’t I? It allows me to get back on target faster and in turn have faster follow-up shots. This especially comes into play as I learn to use a pistol mounted red dot. This compensator keeps the dot in the window the entire recoil cycle so I don’t have to continually search for it and never lose focus on target. After a lot of research I decide to go with the Agency Arms 417 compensator for both performance and because well, I personally think it looks pretty awesome on the front of my Space NAG. The 417 has very good reviews due to its performance and light weight construction. I am super happy with this compensator. It allows me to run this pistol very fast and accurately which is good in all aspects of shooting.

Originally, I was having issues and thought I was going to have to try a lighter recoil spring due to the decreased power to cycle the slide but after a couple of outings I am getting very comfortable with the reliability of this Space NAG. Being a custom build with everything but Glock OEM parts I think it just needed some good ol’ shooting to get broken in. A few more rounds and this very well may become my holy shnikes gun. Though I still need to add a set of backup sights before that time comes. I like the red dot, but just like on my rifle, I’m not so trustworthy I don’t need backup sights.

[Editor aside: I was really surprised with the difference in shooting a non comped Glock platform compared Pudge's comped NAG when shooting some 124 grn +P stuff.]

So far I’m extremely happy with my Space NAG. Now I just need to get recruited into the Space Force since I have a handgun befitting a member of such a unit! -Pudge

I would like to interject that while shooting the Space NAG I felt like I was "chasing the dot" a whole lot. But once you find it, figure out how to quickly reacquire it; and utilize it right; the system is a game changer. I'm a fan

Tune in tomorrow; where hangover permitting we are gonna talk about the ultimate bargain basement blaster. Thanks for stopping buy.