RELIABILITY

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18/05/26

RELIABILITY

 

 

 

RELIABILITY

 

While reliability of your firearm is a ‘nice to have’ aspect for any ISSF event, for RFP it is PARAMOUNT!  Even one malfunction in a RFP match can really affect your score, and unless you train for your ‘coping with malfunctions’ strategy>, can throw your thought process.

 

A REALITY CHECK

 

NO PISTOL/AMMUNITION COMBINATION WILL GUARANTEE MALFUNCTION-FREE OPERATION

 

I am aware of RFP shooters who never seem to have a pistol or ammunition malfunction – they are few and far between!  I am also aware of numerous RFP shooters who rarely get through a match without at least one malfunction!

 

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING MORE THAN ONE MALFUNCTION PER 500 ROUNDS, GET IT FIXED!

 

RELIABILITY FACTORS

 

1)      THE FIREARM

Some brands/models have a good reputation; while other brands/models do not.

Look down the firing line at an ISSF World Cup RFP event and most shooters will be using a Pardini, and there will be a smattering of Morini CM22M RF pistols.  There is a valid reason why these two brand/models are so popular, R-E-L-I-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y!  

Even these two can have ‘problems’; certainly xxxPardini, and a number of the earlier Morini CM22M RF pistols suffered from broken ejectors – nothing is perfect.

 

2)      THE AMMUNITION

 

Your .22LR ammunition must meet two requirements for RFP:

a)      Reliability!

This has two aspects;

·       the obvious one is that each shot detonates when you release the trigger

·       the ammunition MUST feed reliably for each and every shot.

If you are experiencing more than one malfunction per 500 rounds, get it fixed!

a)      ‘Power factor’ the ISSF rules (8.4.4) require that RFP ammunition meet a minimum projectile weight of 39 grains, and a minimum velocity of 250metres/second.

Be warned:

·       there have been (RARE!) instances where .22LR ammunition with a nominal projectile weight of 40 grains has not met the requirement, AND

·       not all brands of .22LR ammunition will reach 250mps in shorter barrelled RFP pistols.

 

3)      MAINTENANCE

 

Maintenance is more than wiping any fingerprints off the outside of the pistol with an oily rag!

 

Proper firearms maintenance is crucial for ensuring both safety and performance. Regular cleaning, inspection, and lubrication help prevent malfunctions and extend the life of your firearm. Always follow manufacturer instructions, and use appropriate tools and cleaning products.

 

Before performing any maintenance, make sure the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. Clean the barrel, action, and magazine, checking for signs of wear or damage. If you notice any issues, consult a qualified gunsmith. Keeping a maintenance log can be helpful for tracking service intervals and repairs.

By maintaining your firearm properly, you can ensure it remains reliable and safe for use, whether at the range, in the field, or for personal defence.

 

 

A.     Cleaning:

·       Learn how to ‘field strip’ your pistol,

·       Leave the trigger adjustments to experts

·       use appropriate tools and cleaning products

·       clean:

o   the barrel and particularly the chamber area.

o   the slide and particularly the bolt face and around the extractor.

o   the slide rails (both on frame and the slide).

o   the magazines – it is amazing how much crap can accumulate inside magazines.

B.     Lubrication:

·       An old adage is that for ‘a lubricated surface, you can feel the oil, not see it’ – i.e. remove any excess oil

·       Only use recommended lubricants.

·       Wipe the exterior surfaces with an oily rag.

C.    Consumables:

·       E.g. the rubber buffer in the recoil system of a Morini CM22M RF.

·       If you are serious with RFP you are going to fire a LARGE number of shots through you pistol each year, a spare recoil spring is a wise investment.

D.    Adjustments:

There are numerous adjustable bits in a modern target pistol.  Over and above the various trigger adjustments (best left to an expert) items such as:

·       the recoil mechanism adjustments.

E.     Locking Screws:

On most adjustments you will find there is a (small) locking screw.  These can come loose – avoid the temptation to over-tighten them – stripping one of these screws is a bummer!  If you must, a sparing amount of low-strength thread locker (e.g. Loctite 222).

 

4)      OPERATOR ERROR