Buddy and I took a few pistols to a local indoor range today.

Steyr GB
Star Firestar (9mm)
Feg AP-66 (improved Walther PP clone in 32 ACP)
XD Tactical 9mm
XD subcompact 9mm

The Steyr had a couple of bobbles. Once it failed to pick up a round properly and the second time it tried a double feed because the empty case did not eject properly. I think both events involved 115gr WWB FMJ. This makes me think that like many European guns, it prefers hotter ammo. It certainly shot nearer POA with hotter rounds. Otherwise it is accurate and feeds 124gr +P HP ammo just fine. It is pretty soft shooting and my buddy said the ergonomics were perfect for his big hands.

The Firestar I had picked up on a whim as a carry gun, being small but all steel with weight to soak up recoil. That plan did not work so well. I don't know if it is the small grip but it wants to move around quite a bit. Perhaps it needs a new recoil spring. It shot a bit low for both of us, which is not the first time I've seen this with a Star. Fed and ejected all kinds of ammo though.

I wanted to try out the FEG as I had recently changed the recoil and hammer springs, up on the recoil and down on the hammer. It fired Fiocchi 71gr every time with very little recoil and was very accurate in SA using a center hold. In DA I was not so hot, but well within minute of man at 5 and 7 yards. My buddy said it had no recoil compared to his Beretta Tomcat in .32.

My buddy's XD Tactical is a great gun to shoot. It comes back on target so quickly, even for a mediocre shot like me. Very smooth shooting gun.

The real surprise was the XD subcompact. First off, it has big sights for a little gun. I expected it to squirm like the Star or worse, given its light weight. Bizarrely, it soaks up recoil far better than the much heavier Star. Maybe it is the recoil spring system and a bit of polymer flex that makes it a soft shooter. I was very accurate with it, too. Neither of us found any difference in shooting with the short mag or the long one, much to our bafflement.

Fun hour+ at the range followed by a very unhealthy lunch at a local bar. Good boys' trip out, I think.

LVSteve:

Many years ago (probably circa 1980), I recall an incident where an off-duty cop was hired as a private "game warden" by a local rancher who was tired of people poaching his deer, cutting his fences, etc. He came across some bad actors, but somehow was overcome by them, and they took his rifle and drove off leaving him in the field. What they didn't know was he was carrying his privately owned Steyr GB in a shoulder holster under his coat, and he unlimbered the piece and started shooting at them. He actually hit and wounded the driver, and was able to get the guys to surrender to him. After that, it was very difficult to try and find a Steyr GB in the local gun stores as everyone now had to have one.

I finally got to see one in the flesh, and was surprised at how big the piece was.

Regards,

Dave

Yep, it's a chunky beast all right. Still, with a 5" barrel it has a long sight radius so I can see hits being very likely even at extended range.

Just found that Wolff Gunsprings make extra strength recoil springs for the Firestar. Think I'm going to get one of their calibration sets. Ejection was extremely vigorous, so maybe the original spring is past its best.

Added: Wolff spring kit ordered.

I just ought one of those FEGs in 32 ACP the other day. Mine shoots good. It also got the Wolff spring treatment which made a world of difference.