If I was trying to shoot the highest CQB score possible, I would shoot the rifle and pistol that work best for me. That would be my 14” AR-15 and my M&P40.
I own a lot of different rifles and pistols and try to take different ones to the CQB matches to see how they go. The strengths and weaknesses of guns sometimes don’t show up until you try them in a stressful situation.
At the Guelph match I shot my non-restricted 858 with a SPARK red dot for the first time and was surprised at how well it did, even though mag changes are not nearly as easy as a AR15.
For the last match of the year I decided to try it again. As a back up rifle (I always bring a spare, in case I or someone else needs one) I brought another 858 with iron sights. For the first time, I needed the back up. The red dot disappeared. (Turns out I had accidently hit the night time button).
The back up rifle sort of ran ok with Russian ammo (7.62x39) but would not cycle reliably with the Romanian. And I ran out of Russian.
One of the things I do with semi-auto guns is down load factory ammo until I get to where the gun won’t cycle. This gives me an idea of how much ‘cushion” I have. In my M305 (Norinco M14) I can down load from 42 gr standard load to 25 gr and it still cycles 100%. I never did find out where it would stop.
With my CZ858s I found the factory ammo has about 25 gr of powder, and the guns still work 100% at 17 gr., so they get lots of gas with factory loads. So why did the rifle not work? It was clean, but I had lubed it with spray lithium grease. The temp was about -5 C, and I guess this gummed up the works.
I have made a note in the log book about this. I am going to clean all 4 rifles with brake cleaner and tooth brush, and then lube 2 with Break Free and 2 with G96. When the temp drops to about -20C I will stick them outside for awhile, along with the ammo, and then test. My experience with both lubes at low temp has been good, but I never gave them a proper test.
I recall being on the Winnipeg police range one day when some guys came in who had been on a stake out. It was about -40 outside. One of them decided to shoot his MP5. Nothing happened. Frozen solid. I suggest they try CLP. They did and were happy. Now it is my turn to try it.
I own a lot of different rifles and pistols and try to take different ones to the CQB matches to see how they go. The strengths and weaknesses of guns sometimes don’t show up until you try them in a stressful situation.
At the Guelph match I shot my non-restricted 858 with a SPARK red dot for the first time and was surprised at how well it did, even though mag changes are not nearly as easy as a AR15.
For the last match of the year I decided to try it again. As a back up rifle (I always bring a spare, in case I or someone else needs one) I brought another 858 with iron sights. For the first time, I needed the back up. The red dot disappeared. (Turns out I had accidently hit the night time button).
The back up rifle sort of ran ok with Russian ammo (7.62x39) but would not cycle reliably with the Romanian. And I ran out of Russian.
One of the things I do with semi-auto guns is down load factory ammo until I get to where the gun won’t cycle. This gives me an idea of how much ‘cushion” I have. In my M305 (Norinco M14) I can down load from 42 gr standard load to 25 gr and it still cycles 100%. I never did find out where it would stop.
With my CZ858s I found the factory ammo has about 25 gr of powder, and the guns still work 100% at 17 gr., so they get lots of gas with factory loads. So why did the rifle not work? It was clean, but I had lubed it with spray lithium grease. The temp was about -5 C, and I guess this gummed up the works.
I have made a note in the log book about this. I am going to clean all 4 rifles with brake cleaner and tooth brush, and then lube 2 with Break Free and 2 with G96. When the temp drops to about -20C I will stick them outside for awhile, along with the ammo, and then test. My experience with both lubes at low temp has been good, but I never gave them a proper test.
I recall being on the Winnipeg police range one day when some guys came in who had been on a stake out. It was about -40 outside. One of them decided to shoot his MP5. Nothing happened. Frozen solid. I suggest they try CLP. They did and were happy. Now it is my turn to try it.
