1st Range Report - 9MM Baby Eagle

D-Man · February 8, 2006, 08:02 PM

Last Friday I purchased my first gun, a full-sized Baby Eagle 9MM. Since then, the only thing I was able to do was fire snap caps, and give it an initial cleaning. Keep in mind that I'm a 'newbie' with little handgun experience other than firing some different models over the past few weeks (and years ago).

Anyway, I was very impressed with the gun for it's first trip to the range. I shot 200 rounds of WWB (115 grain, FMJ) without any problems/hiccups. I was very suprised about this, as the last time I was there, using rental guns, I had a stovepipe with a Taurus 92, and a few FTF (means failure to fire, right?) with a Glock 17. Of course, these were range guns, so that most likely was the cause of the problems.

Loading the magazine was very easy, and unfortunately I only have one 15 rounder at this point (2 more are on the way). Though even with the one mag, the 200 rounds went by pretty quickly.

Obviously I can't report much on accuracy, but at 9 feet I was able to get most of my shots in the same spot on the target, with a few misplaced shots here and there. As I tried a few further shots, the grouping got worse, but figured for somebody who has shot maybe a hundred or so rounds before tonight, it's to be expected.

The gun felt great in the hand, and the trigger also had a good feel too. When using the snap caps, I thought that the DA trigger may be a bit long and harsh, but at the range with ammo, it seemed much better. The SA trigger has to me a perfect combination of feel and effort.

I will admit that after reading a bunch about the heavy pistols reduced kick, I thought that there would be less recoil than it had in practice. Of course, it's not much at all, and assume if I could compare back to back with other 9MM's I would be able to notice the difference.

One other comment - this was an indoor range, and the last time I was there using the rental earmuffs, things were a bit loud. I bought a pair of Peletor 30 DM muffs, and they worked great. I'd recommend them highly.

Hope this was a good source of information for those who may be interested in reading more about the Baby Eagle - especially since they don't seem to have as much as a following as CZ's or other models. I do admit I won't be shy about throwing out the recommendation to get one of these in the future!

Thanks for listening to my rambling!

O/U Mike · February 8, 2006, 08:27 PM

I concur! Congrats on a sound choice for you.

airman · February 9, 2006, 03:30 PM

the baby 9mm was my first pistol also! hey just a heads up the point of aim for them is the upper most point of the circle on the front sights. had to learn the hard way..actually called mag res. so if you got the bullseye lined up put the top of the front sight on the bottom of the bullseye. let me know if you see a diference. congrats and enjoy!!!

03roushs1 · February 9, 2006, 10:28 PM

FTF = Failure to feed

Geopagus · February 9, 2006, 10:42 PM

Glad to hear you had a great experience with your BE! I have a full-size in 9mm as well and am very happy with it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

On a side note

QUOTE:

I will admit that after reading a bunch about the heavy pistols reduced kick, I thought that there would be less recoil than it had in practice. Of course, it's not much at all, and assume if I could compare back to back with other 9MM's I would be able to notice the difference

Your right, had you been able to compare some other 9mm's side to side with the BE, you would have noticed an appreciable difference.

February 8, 2006, 08:02 PM	#1
D-Man Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Posts: 129	1st Range Report - 9MM Baby Eagle Last Friday I purchased my first gun, a full-sized Baby Eagle 9MM. Since then, the only thing I was able to do was fire snap caps, and give it an initial cleaning. Keep in mind that I'm a 'newbie' with little handgun experience other than firing some different models over the past few weeks (and years ago). Anyway, I was very impressed with the gun for it's first trip to the range. I shot 200 rounds of WWB (115 grain, FMJ) without any problems/hiccups. I was very suprised about this, as the last time I was there, using rental guns, I had a stovepipe with a Taurus 92, and a few FTF (means failure to fire, right?) with a Glock 17. Of course, these were range guns, so that most likely was the cause of the problems. Loading the magazine was very easy, and unfortunately I only have one 15 rounder at this point (2 more are on the way). Though even with the one mag, the 200 rounds went by pretty quickly. Obviously I can't report much on accuracy, but at 9 feet I was able to get most of my shots in the same spot on the target, with a few misplaced shots here and there. As I tried a few further shots, the grouping got worse, but figured for somebody who has shot maybe a hundred or so rounds before tonight, it's to be expected. The gun felt great in the hand, and the trigger also had a good feel too. When using the snap caps, I thought that the DA trigger may be a bit long and harsh, but at the range with ammo, it seemed much better. The SA trigger has to me a perfect combination of feel and effort. I will admit that after reading a bunch about the heavy pistols reduced kick, I thought that there would be less recoil than it had in practice. Of course, it's not much at all, and assume if I could compare back to back with other 9MM's I would be able to notice the difference. One other comment - this was an indoor range, and the last time I was there using the rental earmuffs, things were a bit loud. I bought a pair of Peletor 30 DM muffs, and they worked great. I'd recommend them highly. Hope this was a good source of information for those who may be interested in reading more about the Baby Eagle - especially since they don't seem to have as much as a following as CZ's or other models. I do admit I won't be shy about throwing out the recommendation to get one of these in the future! Thanks for listening to my rambling!

February 8, 2006, 08:27 PM	#2
O/U Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2005 Location: Suburb NW of Chicago Posts: 139	Fellow BEagle Fan I concur! Congrats on a sound choice for you. __________________ "Happiness, is a warm gun." "Focus on the FRONT sight, unless you are shooting clays, then it's WATCH THE BIRD" "Squeeze, don't PULL"

February 9, 2006, 03:30 PM	#3
airman Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2005 Location: cali Posts: 118	hey nice choice.. the baby 9mm was my first pistol also! hey just a heads up the point of aim for them is the upper most point of the circle on the front sights. had to learn the hard way..actually called mag res. so if you got the bullseye lined up put the top of the front sight on the bottom of the bullseye. let me know if you see a diference. congrats and enjoy!!! __________________ AIRMAN.... of the crew chief type

February 9, 2006, 10:28 PM	#4
03roushs1 Member Join Date: November 5, 2005 Posts: 35	FTF = Failure to feed __________________ "Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state." --Thomas Jefferson

February 9, 2006, 10:42 PM	#5
Geopagus Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 101	Glad to hear you had a great experience with your BE! I have a full-size in 9mm as well and am very happy with it. Thanks for sharing your experience. On a side note QUOTE: I will admit that after reading a bunch about the heavy pistols reduced kick, I thought that there would be less recoil than it had in practice. Of course, it's not much at all, and assume if I could compare back to back with other 9MM's I would be able to notice the difference Your right, had you been able to compare some other 9mm's side to side with the BE, you would have noticed an appreciable difference.