Some months ago I bought a BCP 1911 in 9x23. At the time, I had no experience with the cartridge, but had read much that sounded positive. Although no round count has been kept, my best guess is about 3,000-3,500 rounds have been fired through it by me. The pistol has been kept moderately clean, with one new recoil spring and a couple of new buffers put in along the way. I almost hesitate to admit the pistol has functioned flawlessly, as my fear of Mr. Murphy appearing while bragging is constant. But, the pistol has functioned flawlessly, not a single jam, with Wilson 38 Super mags.
This past weekend I traded into an unfired and unaltered Colt 9x23. While it is comparing an apple to an orange, the Colt has many obvious differences when compared to the BCP.
So far as fit and finish go, if the BCP is a stealth fighter, the Colt is a garage built kit plane. But, one would expect that from a gun costing a multiple of another, or at least should expect that...so I pretty much just overlooked that.
Performance: As noted above, the BCP has functioned flawlessly, rain or shine, clean or dirty...still chunking spent brass 6-8 feet to the right and slightly to the rear. After cleaning the Colt, putting a couple rounds through it, cleaning it again, then a couple of mags, cleaning it again, 200 rounds were put down range. Would like to chalk the 5 or 6 jams up to the Colt being new...but only more use will tell if that is reasonable. Perhaps the jams were related to the Colt mags, dunno. At 25-30 yards, the BCP will group a cloverleaf; the Colt, eyeball estimate is a few inches.
Today I will take the Colt out again. Then, it will get shipped to Dane. While not a bad pistol [and had at a great price :grin: ], it is just remarkably different from the BCP, in every important aspect. In short, I had no fun shooting the Colt, more like intersting work. With the BCP I fear running out of ammo. :lol:
After shooting stock Colt against the BCP, let me tell those on the fence...it is worth the price you pay for a custom. Really, it is. Doesn't mean you need 30 custom pistols, or even 2, but save the money you would spend on cigars, beer, and cable television and find yourself a good 'smith that will deal honestly with you. Then buy one pistol where a single person puts his reputation on the line to make the thing right. Even to a ******* like me, the differences are dramatic.
This past weekend I traded into an unfired and unaltered Colt 9x23. While it is comparing an apple to an orange, the Colt has many obvious differences when compared to the BCP.
So far as fit and finish go, if the BCP is a stealth fighter, the Colt is a garage built kit plane. But, one would expect that from a gun costing a multiple of another, or at least should expect that...so I pretty much just overlooked that.
Performance: As noted above, the BCP has functioned flawlessly, rain or shine, clean or dirty...still chunking spent brass 6-8 feet to the right and slightly to the rear. After cleaning the Colt, putting a couple rounds through it, cleaning it again, then a couple of mags, cleaning it again, 200 rounds were put down range. Would like to chalk the 5 or 6 jams up to the Colt being new...but only more use will tell if that is reasonable. Perhaps the jams were related to the Colt mags, dunno. At 25-30 yards, the BCP will group a cloverleaf; the Colt, eyeball estimate is a few inches.
Today I will take the Colt out again. Then, it will get shipped to Dane. While not a bad pistol [and had at a great price :grin: ], it is just remarkably different from the BCP, in every important aspect. In short, I had no fun shooting the Colt, more like intersting work. With the BCP I fear running out of ammo. :lol:
After shooting stock Colt against the BCP, let me tell those on the fence...it is worth the price you pay for a custom. Really, it is. Doesn't mean you need 30 custom pistols, or even 2, but save the money you would spend on cigars, beer, and cable television and find yourself a good 'smith that will deal honestly with you. Then buy one pistol where a single person puts his reputation on the line to make the thing right. Even to a ******* like me, the differences are dramatic.
