I Took The Black Mamba Out Today For A Change

[AzShooter]

For the past few months I've been shooting my S&W 617 for Steel Challenge Matches. It's been a lot of fun and I love having a gun I can count on never giving me a jam of any kind.

Today I took out my Black Mamba. I practiced with it earlier in the week running 500 rounds of CCI-SV without a jam so I felt confident to shoot it. Other than one failure to fire everything went very well.

I'm shooting Rimfire Pistol Iron for now and may stay that way until the State Championship. Again, it's fun.

My Mamba has the Cornerstone Safety and the Striplin Thumb Rest. I like the way it lets me purchase the gun the same each and every shot. One of my friends noticed that I was gripping the gun so tight it was shaking. After that I tried to just hold the gun out there with 50/50 % pressure from each hand and my accuracy improved. I'm also trying to relax more, i.e. not lock my knees or elbows while shooting.

My time wasn't the greatest but it wasn't the worst. It was a great day, shooting in the morning and it only got to 98 degrees by the time we left the range. Glad I wasn't out longer. Final temperature today was 107.
https://i.imgur.com/WvGGhM0l.jpg

[awp_101]

A full house VQ is on my list once I get through this 1911 and High Standard 106 phase.

[farscott]

A full house VQ is on my list once I get through this 1911 and High Standard 106 phase.

Do not wait. The Volquartsen pistols and rifles are worth every penny. Shop the "clearance" web page for some great deals. I have spent more than I care to admit with Volquartsen on rifles and pistols and have never been let down. Both the product and the people are amazing.

[awp_101]

AzShooter and farscott, how is the balance on the Mamba or any of the other 6" uppers?

I ask because I find my 5.5" MKIV 22/45 objectionably nose heavy but I don't have that problem with my 22/45 Lite (shorter barrel but same frame) and 7.5" Supermatic Trophy (longer barrel but metal frame). I suspect the VQ upper is lighter and would do away with the imbalance but I've never been able to find a listed weight. Nor have I bothered to call and ask them but that's not important right now...:o

[farscott]

I agree the factory Mark IV balance is too nose heavy on the base target model. The Volquartsen pistols can be purchased as six-inch steel or six-inch alloy uppers on either steel frames or alloy frames. The six-inch alloy frame and upper combo is great for shooting steel or anything where speed is needed. The heavier uppers are better for Bullseye. I have Mark III models in all four possible builds as I have multiple uppers, including some specialty ones no longer offered, per lower. I like the balance of the Volquartsen pistols as long as I keep steel uppers on steel frames and alloy uppers on alloy frames. I am not too fond of the 4.5" uppers and have gotten rid of all but one.

[awp_101]

Thanks! I'm thinking 6" lightweight upper on the 5.5" lower should be nice. When I get ready to order the upper, I'll throw a lower upgrade kit into the cart as well.

[AzShooter]

I too think the 5.5 inch model is too front heavy. I have mine set up as a backup to the Mamba but hardly ever shoot it.

The 6 inch LLV-4 balances perfectly for my style shooting. I'm purely a speed shooter, competing in Steel Challenge Matches and the light weight really helps in transitioning from target to target. It makes it easier to stop for that millisecond to make sure your sight is on before hitting the trigger.

If I were to still shoot Bullseye I'd still like my Mamba. With the compensator my sight stays on target much better than a heavy barrel, that could just be me since when I was younger I liked the heaviest gun I could get. At 70 I take any advantage I want. When it comes to accuracy it compares very well to my other Rugers, High Standard and Smith. Off a rest at 25 yards it will put everything into 1/2 inch. Impresses the guys I shoot with when I'm playing with different ammo.

Order the complete Black Mamba instead of trying to make one yourself from a Mark IV 22/45 Lite. It will save you money in the long run and will give you the complete Volquartsen Accurizing Kit. My trigger is set at 1 pound 7 ounces with no creep or overtravel. It's completely adjustable.

Other options I recommend: McFadden Ultimate Clip Loader. It really makes recharging your magazines an easy task. At matches I think it's important not to hold up the other competitors while I'm reloading my mags.

Get the Pulverizer to help clean your compensator. All you do is remove the comp, take out the tightening knob and screw the Pulverizer in until all the lead comes out. I've tried using "The Dip" and a dental pick to get the lead out but it takes a few hours and is toxic.

I also like the Striplin Thumb Rest and Cornerstone Safety. They help me get a consistent grip throughout the stage.

I'm shooting CCI-SV out of it now for matches. I've also had great luck with CCI Blazer and Mini Mags. It shoots the 40 grain solids and the 38 grain hollow points with no trouble. Federal and Aguila also shoot well with it but I like CCI.