New Primary Machine barrel for my old P-10C

[Joe L]

Primary Machine P-10C barrels have been out of stock for months, so, when Wobbly had his friend's estate sale, I jumped at some of the P-10 parts, especially a slightly used PM P-10C barrel.  Opened the box yesterday, Thursday, and got to shoot it today, Friday, at 100 yards. 

As expected, the zero changed and it took a few shots to get it zeroed, but the 5 shot zero check group was less than 2" at 25 yards, so I guessed at a 100 yard zero and immediately moved to the 100 yard range.  Had to move left a few clicks on the Burris Fast Fire 3 sight, but got it dialed in just fine with the IMI 9mm JHP ammo that seems to shoot just fine in the 4" guns.  Got 7 out of 10 shots in the black on the "record" target before shutting down and going home.  (Range was very busy.)  The original barrel in my P-10C was a little loose vertically at the chamber end this resulted in more vertical spread than with my other two P-10 pistols.  I added a shim earlier this year that effectively tightened up the groups but I don't know how long the shim will last, so I am happy to have a barrel that I don't think will need a shim. 

More next week after I thoroughly check the fitup and clean the barrel, then switch to the AA 115 gr JHP ammo that usually gives slightly better results on average in all the pistols.   When the AA ammo is not available, the IMI is a very close second choice, in my opinion.  Since I am a little rusty again, the spread right now is more shooter than ammo, that's for sure.  But today was a great first day out with the old gun and newer barrel. 

I'm gonna have to get used to that gold color barrel, however.  My PM P-10F barrel is black.  This is the only obviously aftermarket barrel I have. 

Joe L

[Joe L]

And here is the followup to the post above, a video from a Jan 2, 2024 short range session, first of the year.  This is the first 20 shots of the new year, starting from the rough zero from last week. 

https://youtu.be/Ibl6BeopcCE


An observation--if the new barrel is significantly tighter in the slide than the factory barrel, the zero can change, in both elevation and windage.  To me, this is a good thing.  The problem is that the zero adjustments on the pistol red dot sights are 1-2 moa per click, which is more than good enough for everyone not shooting at 100-200 yards.  And there is some backlash in the adjustments so two clicks up and then two clicks down won't get you back to the starting point.  So fine tuning a zero is a trial and error proposition, and can really be tough if the shooter isn't any more consistent than the sight adjustments! 

Barrel is perfect, so the pistol is now at least as good as my P-10F and P-09 without any crude fit-up modifications so I am very happy with this addition.  I'll get used to the color.  Maybe.

Shooter needs work, which will happen if the weather cooperates. 

This is fun.  This is not easy.

Joe L
 

[Wobbly]

Glad you're happy with the barrel !

[Joe L]

Glad you're happy with the barrel !

I think a sub 4" group at 100 yards is "good enough" for lowly polymer striker service pistol.   

[Alcoy]

That to me is a very good pistol shooting session for a 100 yard target.

[Joe L]

That to me is a very good pistol shooting session for a 100 yard target.

Thanks.  But a better target will be 10 of 10 in a 4" group, and I've done that a few times.  Eyesight/wind/mental attitude and range activity all have to be perfect, however.  Mental prep and eyesight seem to have the biggest impact on my results, and, at 75, aren't improving!  But a good result this early in the training cycle definitely helps my mental attitude. 

Joe L

[JPRO11]

I'm kinda curious what I can group at 100yd with mine. I usually just ring steel at 100 and haven't grouped mine past zeroing at 15yd and confirming zero at 25.