Days ago I posted on Facebook (in my alter ego) that I might find it necessary to add a Smith and Wesson Model 29 in .44 Magnum into the mix.
The Crazed American has a love of fine handguns, and rifles, and shotguns.
Off to Cabelas I went, not expecting to find a Model 29. I found one, but it was $850.
Alas. I was also looking for a .22LR pistol. Something to plink with the Elder Crazed American and the Brother of the Crazed American... I was thinking that I might find a nice Ruger - a used Single Six or an older Mk.II or a 22/45.
I did spy a SIG Sauer Mosquito. I was able to snap it up for $199... It needed a cleaning, but it was in excellent shape.
The Crazed American, in his wandering on teh intertubes, has seen quite a bit of bad press on the SIG. Finicky with ammo they said. Only has a taste for the expensive stuff. CCI Mini-mags.
So I bought a Bianchi IWB holster, two hundred rounds of the expensive CCI and headed on home. I did a quick field strip and cleaning. Suprising how close to it's larger siblings the SIG is. Controls are similar, although there is an added slide mounted manual safety, the decocking lever and slide stop are in the same places. I speak from experience, at one point having a SIG Sauer P226 in 9mm in the armory.
Noticed that during a function check the trigger was a tag gummy. Not able to contain my excitement I headed for the range.
Burned through 60 rounds of the CCI quickly. Flawless performance, with great accuracy. Quite pleased, almost smug, I switched to the worst ammunition that I have. Remington Gold - bulk Pack .22LR. This ammunition has less than stellar performance history with me (huge number of stoppages in my 10/22), but due to the quirky nature of the fates, I have in my possession about 1500 rounds of the stuff.
Pistol came with 2 ten round magazines. I went through 150 rounds of the bulk Remington, with a single malfunction. Round rim was dented by the firing pin. Figuring it could have been a light strike I replaced the round into battery. Click.
I ejected the round into the snow. Two dents in the rim. Bad round.
Then I switched to my old standby - 36 grain copper plated Federal Bulk Pack. Burned through 100 rounds - functioned perfectly.
So I have determined that my new little SIG likes the jacketed bullets. Tonight I am going to try out a supply of Remington Subsonic and Federal Lightning. Both types are non-jacketed / plated lead. I like my new little SIG. Don't get me wrong, I love shooting my 1911, but I can shoot so much more now. Also, I take a handgun with me whenever I camp, hike or snowshoe. The small SIG weighs SO much less than my full size 1911 (and magazines).
I highly recommend the SIG Mosquito. As with it's older siblings, the SIG is built to tight tolerances and does not like dirt. So if you are not into keeping your weapons maintained, look elsewhere for a .22lr pistol.
