Well thanks to a little moon lighting I picked up the Model 96 Centurion and today I ran fifty rounds of the ammunition that came with it through it.
I got a full box (25 rds) each of Corbon 40 S&W 135 grain and 150 grain loads. A partial box of Federal Hydro Shok and a box of fifty CCI Lawman 180 Truncated FMJ.
It was cold in the range facility and Kathy had her recently acquired Glock 17. Man she was nailing it today. See turned in a ten shot 8X string on the first 10 yard target and then she moved back to 12 yards. Here after a mediocre string we discussed grip and she came back from a couple of string that were about 80% 10 and Xs to post a 100 - 10X clean! That's my girl!
Meanwhile, I shot the Beretta. At 25 yards a five shot string free style to the head in just over 8 seconds went into a nice round group about 2 and a quarter inches in diameter. Not bad for an "issue" gun.
Then I ran a few rounds through at 12 yards in quick double taps. These were very controllable, and the hits were easily in the "A" zone.
Just for the sake of argument, I shot a few "CNS" double taps in to the upper "B" zone area. (This is the triangle that Harry has referred to in other posts.) The range is poorly lit, I was freezing my butt off, and I had no trouble ripping off a cluster of double taps in a group of about 1.25 inches at the base of the tip of the nose.
These were about .22 splits and were definitely not pushing the envelope in speed.
If this pistol will stand up to extended use, I think it is an excellent choice for anyone with average to larger size hands.
It came with a set of Pachmyr grips, the wrap around "Signature" grips. I do not like them and switched to the standard grips. These are excellent for me.
I recognize that a fifty round evaluation means next to nothing, so if there is interest I will periodically post a situation report on this piece here.
Does anyone know who made Pachmyr's magazines for the 96's? There are some for sale at very attractive prices (9.95) and I am tempted as they usually sell good stuff.
Also does anyone know where I can get the best prices on the Mec-Gar magazines for these as well as the factory 10 rounders?
Hope you shot something this weekend!
Leather arrives this week, I will comment on that here or in accesories.
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Ni ellegimit carborundum esse!
Yours In Marksmanship
http://www.1bigred.com/distinguished
michael
[This message has been edited by Michael Carlin (edited February 21, 1999).]