Well I was very happy to get my 97b back today!
The good:
I immediately field stripped it n noticed that Mike had replaced the plastic guide rod with a FLGR along with a new 18 lbs.
The feed ramp was reshaped n polished to mirror shine n fed Federal hollow points without a problem when I manually fed them by racking the slide. At 1st I was getting some of the cartridges stuck but the problem was alleviated when I noticed that I was pushing back with my hand after racking thus taking away from the power of the spring. When I would rack the slide back n release cleanly the hp's fed just fine. (I learn something new every day
).
To eliminate the possibility of me screwing things up in a time of need, I have left the 97b cocked n locked in the lock box.
The new serrated trigger felt much better as my hands n fingers quickly begin to sweat even when dry firing. I think I would have to get a serrated trigger on all of my future handguns - my two current ones now have them. It really helps me to concentrate on sight alignment n trigger pull as opposed to my finger not sliding around.
The bad:
Mike sent the old bushing back
He had pushed down the part of the thread that had begun to unravel n simply stated he could not replace it since "it still threads on just fine." When I asked if part of the bushings thread not being intact might damage the thread of the slide when under the stress of firing, he said "That would not happen."
So, at this point, I'm saying to myself "He knows a lot more than I do. I hope he is right n that my concern is unfounded."
More firing will tell.
The other bad is that now I will definitely be quickly doing away with the small stash of .45 ammo I managed to accumulate in the 97b's absence.
I will take a deep breath n enjoy every bullet.
Nik
