What about the strut-like thing in the grip tang? Doesn't that irritate the web of your hand? Or do you somehow not notice it?
I don't notice it much.
If I'm gripping the gun really hard for a long period of time during dry fire practice or whatever... I start to feel it a little. But I can't say I noticed it while shooting. My hand seems to index against the underside of the beavertail/tang more than it does in the cleft where that thing resides; so the main pressure point is really above my hand vs. against that thing.
All that said...
I do kinda think it's a pointless feature.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZyDdSxw7qg
Apparently, Nicola Bandini, one of the originators of the Strike/Archon design, struck out on his own and developed yet another evolution of the action and the pistol. This one works pretty much the same way... except the part that locks the barrel actually rotates instead of dropping. Interesting.
For astute purveyors of pew: hipstertactical.com
Damn. Impressed. This thing can shoot.
The sandpaper tape really made a difference in terms of feel and control. At 10 yards, it's kind of a bullseye machine. And while I'm not much of a speed shooter, double taps are so fun with this thing; it definitely lives up to its reputation for shooting flat. If ever get back into USPSA, I might be takin' this bad boy. I experienced zero discomfort while shooting and, again, the little "strut thingy" under the grip tang was completely transparent.
I really like the trigger. It's not the lightest. It's not without a little creep. But it's predictable, plus the break feels uniquely crisp and precise. Instead of using a dingus, the entire trigger shoe pivots down before it engages the trigger bar. Once you feel the pivot, you can kinda ease into the break.
I'm not crazy about the sights. They're actually i-dot night sights--not the fiber optic setup you usually see on these guns. But the dot isn't particularly bright or easy to see. I know these guns can take Glock sights. I might look into some other options.
Finally, I had zero reliability issues--I've shot mainly 124gr PMC FMJ through it. The gun was dirty when I bought it and I haven't cleaned it yet. Though I did add some lube prior to range trips.
Cool gun. I'm diggin' it.
For astute purveyors of pew: hipstertactical.com
I want to be a good PF enabler, so I will point out that these pistols are down to about $750 on Gunbroker now. This pistol is very close to the top of my "to buy" list now.