Posted by mako on July 10, 2001 at 11:18:41:
Why do the popular Free
Pistols - Toz, Morini - have relatively little muzzle weight? It would seem that
some muzzle weight would be good to help dampen motion, keep the pistol on
target, and help it to point. Yet the free pistols that do have sliding weight
control such as the Hammerli's and Pardini's seem to be dropping out of
popularity. Seven of the eight free pistol finalists at the Nationals had bottom
cocking Toz's. These Toz's are grip heavy because of the relatively massive grip
frame plus the bottom cocking mechanism. The eighth Toz was converted to side
cocking which meant that at least theoretically it could have most of its grip
frame cut away. The side cocking mechanism also helps bring weight a bit
forward.
I'm contemplating having my Toz's grip frame drilled out or
otherwise skeletonized, but I'm leaving it as a bottom cocker. I was also
thinking of having a balance bar added. I could either use weights or perhaps a
bipod which would function both as a weight and rest stand. Can anyone tell me
why I shouldn't have these things done? Certainly some air pistol shooters like
a muzzle heavy pistol ....
Posted by Rod Sorenson on July 10, 2001 at 17:18:55:
I'm with you, Mako. I
have two Free Pistols and I like them with some weight on the fore end. It seems
to steady the front sight. Mostly I think it is a mater of personal preference.
I started with a clamp on version that I made and experimented with different
weights until I liked what I had. Now I shrink fit the weight on the barrel and
use it as the mount for the front sight. You may recall our exchange a few
months ago and as you know, I make my own sights. I think I still have one of
the clamps on versions in my gun box. If you want to try it, E me on the side
and I will give it to you. Lightening the grip and rear frame has also worked
out well for me, although I don't work too hard at it. The Toz is already a
fairly light gun.
Posted by Larry Lohkamp on July 11, 2001 at 03:00:28:
The most common
reason given for not doing experimental modifications to a pistol is that it
ruins the resale value. I doubt that you or anyone that would subsequently
purchase your Toz really cares about that kind of thing. I say go ahead and
drill away. You can always drill a hole in the grip and fill it with lead if you
want to add some weight back on. Same thing with weights. Balance seems to be a
very personal thing to most shooters. I have Swiss Cheesed the lower shroud of
my IZH-35, milled an aluminum top shroud, and am thinking about a weight set up
like the Walther KSP-2000. I can’t say that it has added any points to my score,
but it is fun to experiment and you have to take a break from shooting once in a
while.
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