Crisis of Confidence>

[danamclendon]

I went to my local gunshop/range last weekend. They are more than a little finicky at this range about safety and procedure. I'm all for safety, and I've been on a lot of ranges. This one is brand new and they don't know any of their shooters yet, so I suppose the hypervigilance is not without some basis. Additionally, they require that you buy at least some ammo from them. Their ammo comes in a "house brand" box (the name of the store is on the box). I figure it has to be locally reloaded stuff. Using their ammo, I had malfunctions with two of my three 1911s (a Colt and a Kimber). Stovepipes/FTE issues. I've never had even a hiccup with either of these guns before, and neither has more than 1500 rounds through it, so I don't think I'm looking at worn out springs. I believe, or at least suspect, that the range owner has deliberately underpowered the ammo for safety or maintenance reasons. Does that make any sense? Now my concern is this: until I can get back to the range with factory ammo and test my theory and run a couple hundred rounds without malfunction through these guns, I'm unwilling to carry the guns as my CCW. Until I can restore confidence in the two 1911s, I'm rockin the glock 32. Please don't flame me for that, you carry what you like and I'll carry what I like. Just wondering if my theory sounds reasonable to more knowledgeable 1911 owners and ammo reloaders.

[Tom]

Odd that the range makes you buy some of their ammo for your own guns. Most of the ranges I've been to require the use of their ammo in the guns they rent, but not for your own guns.

I'd be looking for another range, my friend.

As for the confidence, if you know your gun has been 100% reliable with the ammo of your choice, and the only change in performance was when using some unknown brand of ammo, then I would still be confident in my gun and would not hesitate to continue carrying it and depending upon it.

[danamclendon]

Odd that the range makes you buy some of their ammo for your own guns. Most of the ranges I've been to require the use of their ammo in the guns they rent, but not for your own guns.

I'd be looking for another range, my friend.

As for the confidence, if you know your gun has been 100% reliable with the ammo of your choice, and the only change in performance was when using some unknown brand of ammo, then I would still be confident in my gun and would not hesitate to continue carrying it and depending upon it.

The mandatory ammo purchase is obviously a profit center for them, and I don't begrudge them that if the stuff works. Their price is within reason, I just want it to be worth shooting. The next closest indoor range worth going to is almost an hour away, and this new store is sitting in the middle of a very affluent community and they know it. I have no complaint against the range except at least this one batch of ammo was lousy. I've been there and shot their ammo without a problem once before. The "supervision" level is pushing up on my "live and let live" threshold, and if I get one more box of junk ammo I'm done. I'll pop in some good tunes and take the ride to a range that doesn't require an ammo purchase and meddles less in how I choose to enjoy my hobby.

[Frank]

Personally, I would be uncomfortable with the range's ammunition purchase requirements, at least as long as the ammunition is some unknown make. There is a tremendous range in quality of these sorts of reloads, and I've gotten to the point that I just won't buy them because of both function and safety concerns.

DVC

[DuckRyder]

Required purchase issues aside, I agree with Tom on the reliability issue, the chances that two pistols suddenly failed in the same way is astronomical.

I think I'd be having a discussion with the range about the defective product they sold me...

[wichaka]

I hear more and more about ranges going with the use of their ammo only. That way they know exactly what is being shot. Some ranges are going green....meaning lead free in the bullets and primers...that also be the reason.

That aside, I would let the range know what has happened with their ammo. If they don't, they don't have a chance to make it right.

[doctruptwn]

I would also say have a dscussion withthe range about thier ammo. If your guns were `100% before it is likely the ammo. If they give you flack that their ammo is perfect them go someplace else.