American Handgunner Jul/Aug 2011 - Jeffersonian

CZ P-07
DUTY
SPEAKOUT
I’m an engineer working on rockets
(Yeah, I get the jokes all the time
about rocket science …) but there is so
much paperwork, I don’t get a chance
to do much engineering. That’s why I
like reloading and looking at different
approaches to the same problem, in
this case, exploring load data for those
little guns.
Bill Ramirez
Via e-mail
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
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•Convertable
(safety or decocker)
•Compact size
•New Omega trigger system
•Polymer frame with light rail
•16+1 9mm, 12+1 .40 S&W
•Two magazines
P R O T E C T • H U N T • C O M P E T E
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www.cz-usa.com
Very interesting results, Bill. Out of
curiosity, I fired a few shots over my
chrono using the Speer Gold Dot 125-
gr. .357 factory load (not specifically
made for short barrels) out of a 2.5"
J-frame. The average for five shots was
1,035 fps. Out of a 6" N-frame S&W
Highway Patrolman, the average for
five shots was 1,357 fps. You can certainly
see the difference the correct load
delivers. Frankly, I was surprised to
see the high velocity out of the shortbarreled
gun with this load.
I also tried some of Winchester’s
Bonded PDX1 (.38 Special +P, 130-gr.
JHP) labeled as “Personal Defense”
ammo and for short-barreled guns. From
that same 2.5" J-frame, the average was
830 fps. Out of that 6" S&W, the average
was 875 fps. Looks like that powder
is clearly burning cleanly in the short
barrel, since I gained essentially nothing
from the longer one.
But, something to keep in mind — if
you let-fly with that high performance
.357 load without ear protection, especially
in a room or car or any close
quarters, you will do serious damage to
your years, according to my physician
friend (eye, ear, nose guy). He said the
.38 loads will do far less damage, but
may still do some permanent damage.
He’s also a shooter and understands
such things.
I honestly don’t see much difference in
stopping power between an 850 fps or so
load and that .357, even with the slightly
higher velocity. A well-constructed bullet
at 850 will do the job if placed correctly
and you get to save at least some of your
hearing and night vision! The difference
between damage to yourself — and your
ability to continue the fight with some
hearing left — might be important. Ain’t
it fun to experiment! RH
Striker Fired?
The last issue included an article
by J.B. Wood (“The P.S.A. .25 Auto,”
May/June 2011) where he describes the
firearm as being “striker fired.” What
exactly does this mean? I grew up
understanding two types of auto pistol
firing pin activation, an internal hammer
and external hammer. A 1911 was
One good idea leads to
another, and the wave
expands with more
quality, more value,
and more innovation.
See our entire collection at
www.crkt.com
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18 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2011
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