ewheel
Full Member
 

I Love YaBB 2!
Posts: 119
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Finaly got time to do the last few tests on the new spring and follower. Worked out much better than I'd hoped. First test: Two PF9s fired 100 rounds each with the new mag (WWB ammo ) with no malfunctions. Also, the slide stop worked every time. ( can't tell you how it will work with other brands of ammo, not tested ) Second test: Used the factory unaltered mags as a control test. Failures ranged from 1/3 to 1/2 of the 7 shots per mag. After 3 mags per gun we ended the test, seamed no point in continueing. Third test : ( limp wristing, factory mag ) This one was hard on the hand. Fired 3 mags per gun with factory unaltered mags using only the thumb and trigger finger to fire. Both guns used, 3 mags each. Held the gun as loose as possible. Failure to feed almost every shot. Forth test : ( limp wristing, altered mag ) Fired 3 mags per gun, same thumb and trigger finger fireing. No failures to feed, no failures to lock back on the final shot. The conclusion I've drawn from these tests is that the PF9 is leaving the factory with a mag spring that is bairly enough to do the job, and in some cases, not enough to function reliably. ( my guns are a case in point ) With the stronger S&W model 39 spring that fills the mag body better, function seams to be greatly improved. The front and rear of the factory plastic follower limit the size of the spring that can be used with the factory follower. The 16ga flat sheet metal follower I made is a great improvement in feed and function while allowing use of the bigger mag spring. Only improvement I can see that I want to do before calling this one "done" is to use 16ga SS to make the followers out of. Limp wristing: You will notice that in our test #3&4, limp wristing was used. Reason for this test was I suspected that a weak mag spring was somehow demanding a special grip to get some sort of reliable function. Notice that with the factory mag and the limp wrist, the guns failed almost every time. Also notice with the same grip and the altered mag, there was 100% reliable function. I think that test proves that the limp wristing issues, while real, were caused by a weak mag spring. I think this matters to those of us who would carry this as a CCW. When the pistol is needed, you won't have time to think about how you are holding the pistol, and will most likely draw and fire as soon as you would get alignment with the target. Because this pistol is intended as a CCW and not a range gun, these limp wristing issues could get you killed. And that takes up back to the mag issue. The gun itself is basicly sound and functional, the mag, in my judgement needs a upgrade. I'm going to be able to fix mine and make it highly reliable, but this issue is something for other members to give some thought to before trusting your life to this pistol. In my opinion, think the factory needs to step up to the plate, the mags supplied by their vendor are sub-standard. The replacement follower and spring wouldn't be much different in cost than what they are now using, mag body, base plate could remain the same. There are going to be those who laugh at this and I urge them to try this simple test when fireing next time. Fire only using the trigger finger and the thumb and see what happens. Chris
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