A bunch of friends (Dutch, Bishop, Spook, Currahee, Keyser, Ompong) from Team Fenris and I headed over to Malabon for a real-steel session today. We rendezvoused at Dutch’s office before heading over to the range. It was quite a long trip, mainly because of the traffic, and we were quite itching to get it on by the time we finally got there. We wasted no time and geared up right away. Unfortunately, it rained almost as soon as we got there. We went on but it wasn’t as great as it could have been with the sun out.
There were several shorts and two longs available for the day. Most numerous were the Glocks: 2 plain vanilla Glock 19s, 1 ported-barrel Glock 19C, and 1 Glock 17 with a full-auto attachment. Then there was a Colt CAR-15, an H&K MP5A3, an H&K USP45 Compact, and a Para-Ordnance P14. There was also tons of rounds.
I handled mainly the Glocks. As usual, they were rugged, reliable, functional, and reasonably accurate. I also tried the Glock 17 in full-auto. I found the recoil, even for controlled bursts, to be horrendous. This led to quite substantial muzzle rise. Full-auto is definitely a waste of rounds especially in shorts.
I found the CAR-15 to be light and easy to handle especially since I’m familiar with the Tokyo-Marui version (which is heavier, BTW). However it was horribly inaccurate. At one point, we were expending dozens of rounds on a plastic bottle positioned around 50m away. Only two actually found the mark. Dutch thinks it could have been the recoil buffer spring.
On the other hand, the other long, the Heckler and Koch MP5A3 was a dream. Although it was surprisingly a bit heavier than the CAR-15, it was more stable and easier to handle. It was also very accurate. Point, squeeze, and the steel plate is down. Usually.
I was, however, most effective with the Para-Ordnance P14, in most cases I was putting down steel plates with just one round. I wonder though if it’s because of accuracy or because the rounds have more power compared to niners.
The USP45 I wasn’t able to try. I was too busy trying out everything else that I only realized I haven’t tried it toward the end of the session. By then my hand was already sore and tired. Maybe the next time around.
All in all, it was a great experience and we all had fun. We even learned quite a few things from the range master. Can’t wait till the next session.