(This post was written a couple of weeks ago – SLG)
It has been a little while since I shot any of my HK’s, preferring to focus on my work gun (G19) for the last bit of my LE career. Now that my work is different, it is time to get more serious about my new work gun, the LTT P30L LEM.
I took it out for a re-aquaintance session. I ran Cold Heat first, and was pleasantly surprised to get 3 hits in under 2 seconds. It has been a couple of weeks since I practiced at all, and with the different gun, I did not expect to do as well. Just goes to show what I’ve always said about how shootable the P30 family is. Not to mention(shameless plug) my training ideas to support on demand, cold performance.
After Cold Heat, I did some trigger crashing and some walk-back accuracy, followed by some control hand shooting. Since all of that went better than expected, I switched to the plate rack and shot strings at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50 yards. I dropped one plate at both the 20 and the 50, but otherwise, the gun did what I asked of it.
I went back and did some more trigger crashing from 5 to 15 yards and then ended the day with some slow fire at 10 yards. That is the group you see in the head. The day started with full speed on Cold Heat, but no matter how well or how poorly a training session has gone, I always end with accuracy. I don’t want to leave the range on a bad note, and I want to know that no matter what, I can deliver a high level of accuracy if need be. After this particular training session, I can’t wait to get out and shoot the LTT LEM again.
Now that I can carry anything I want, I briefly considered sticking with my last G19. As a carry gun, it checks almost all the boxes that matter to me, even if it doesn’t seem to be the type of gun I would prefer. I decided against that as soon as I started shooting the P30’s again. Whether it is the P30sk or P30L, they just shoot better for me. They fit my hand better, they point better, they are more accurate, more reliable, and almost top on my list of things that matter in a carry gun, they have DA first shots. In this case, I count the LEM as being in the same boat.
Most people put “performance” at the top of their list of desirable attributes for a carry or duty gun. That is, unless they put convenience (size and weight) first. I am very interested in performance, and not much interested in convenience, but my definition of performance might be different. A gun that lowers my chances of shooting myself or someone else by accident, while still allowing an incredible level of speed and accuracy, is my idea of performance.
No gun is perfect in this regard, and an argument can be made for several different types of guns that might accomplish this goal. For me, the DA auto does a very fine job. It does require that you really learn the DA pull. Many are not willing to do this. If you are willing to acquire this “superpower, I think you will be pleased with the results and benefits.
I too have been carrying Glocks for quite a few years, but their grip is suboptimal for me. I’ve had Boresight Solutions modify the grip (1.5 reduction and razorback) which fit me much better. I’ve also added striker control devices to ease my mind carrying AIWB. Partly based on your input, I’ve acquired a P30L and a P30 (which just returned from LTT for trigger and RDO mods). The medium grips seem to be perfect, and I have found both guns to be very accurate. I’m really looking forward to training with them this summer. Thanks for your continued insights.
No doubt the Glocks work and can be made to fit a bit better than stock. Let us know how you get on with the P30’s. Switching to anything can be difficult at times but I find the overall quality and benefits worth it with the P30 line.