Bul Commander in 9mm- first range trip

joepistol

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Joined
Apr 23, 2020
Messages
1,135
Location
Rochester Hills, Mi
I was excited to learn my club's indoor range wasn't totally closed for repairs..only closed "sometimes"..(day shift hrs.)
Learning this, & being a "night owl" (retired PM /MN employee), I decided to take my new 1911 for it's inital range trip last night.
Got to the indoor range about 10:45 p.m., and happy to see I'd have the range to myself. Quickly set up targets, & loaded mags.
I'd brought along boxes of 115gr FMJ's, 125gr.Polymer-coated rds, 124gr.JHP's, & 147 FMJ's..to give them all a try.
All were my hand loads, loaded to approx. 1050 FPS (estimated, not chrono'd)

Bul comes with (2) new 10 rnd Mec-Gar mags. A little different than my Mec Gar 9rnd.ers that I 've been
using in my S/A, DW, RK Isl., & Am.Classic 9mm 1911's. Has a different follower ,& has a plastic floorplate that extends the mags,
so they hang slightly below the frame. A bit hard to get all 10 rds loaded in the mags, may have been the cause of 1 of the 2 FTF I experienced.
I might load the mags & let them sit, loaded for a week or so, to see if the mag spring relaxes a bit.
These mags are more difficult to load than the 9rnders I have.. that might be because they've been used for awhile.

I fired approx 150 rds thru the pistol on this trip. Ist few mags, I was all over the target, mostly shooting very low.
I've been shooting rifles all summer, haven't done much pistol shooting. Started focusing on my grip & trigger control.
Adjusted my sight picture from 6 o'clock hold to covering bullseye w/front sight & started hitting the Bullseye.
More I shot the pistol, the better I started hitting my aimpoint, (or close to it)

Had 2 FTF's probably due to the rds., or mags, not the pistol. Both were my falcoated lead rds..which are slightly longer in OAL than the FMJ or JHP's
1st FTF required a gentle push on back of slide to fully chamber the rnd. Other FTF issue locked up slide..
Had to force it open. When I cleared the jam, & examined the rnd, couldn't see anything that might have caused the issue.
I replaced rnd back in a mag, it fed & fired without issue. (?) Fired another 75 rds. afterwards, w/o any other incidents.

I'm very pleased with this pistol. Might try to see if the front sight can be changed to a fiber optic blade,
as the black front sight blade, black rear sight, sighting on a black bullseye, has my elderly eyes Straining .

Had a few red stick-on bullseye stickers I tried, made seeing sights /target much better.
Mostly I just need to shoot it more.
I'd give in an A- or B+.. Considering the features, quality of materials, & workmanship,
I feel the pistol is a great buy. Will try to attach a few pics from my range trip..

 

Fred_G

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Nice looking pistol! I really like the checkered front strap, not too many in that price range have them that I know of. Thanks for the range report.
 

switchback

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Apr 29, 2020
Messages
663
Good follow up to your "just bought it" thread. Lot of custom features on your Bul to be certain. Can't get a 'smith to checker front strap for $250 these days. Glad it shot and functioned so good for you.
After your first post, I went to grabagun and they were sold out. However, just a few days ago, these were back in stock.
 

CECannonJr

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Jan 15, 2021
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Eastern North Carolina
Good follow up to your "just bought it" thread. Lot of custom features on your Bul to be certain. Can't get a 'smith to checker front strap for $250 these days. Glad it shot and functioned so good for you.
After your first post, I went to grabagun and they were sold out. However, just a few days ago, these were back in stock.
Nice. Looks like it's fun to shoot.
 

Mr.Fister

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Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Messages
32
Looks like a solid pistol. Israelis seem to make good stuff, they have to considering their neighbors. I've never fired a 9mm in the 1911 platform but I have a couple IWI Jerichos in 9mm and like them well enough. Both can be carried in condition 1.
Good looking 1911 in 9mm.
 

joepistol

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Joined
Apr 23, 2020
Messages
1,135
Location
Rochester Hills, Mi
.." I've never fired a 9mm in the 1911 platform.."
I waited about 30 yrs. before I tried a 1911 in 9mm.
Once I tried it, wondered why I waited so long..:rolleyes:
Now I have (5)..2 govt. sized & 3 Commander sized.
Probably should sell about 3 of them that I rarely shoot, would make some room in my safe.
 

joepistol

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Joined
Apr 23, 2020
Messages
1,135
Location
Rochester Hills, Mi
Had my 2nd outing with the Bul..fired another 150+ rds thru it..using same ammo: 115 fmj, 124gr hytek coated, & 125 gr jhp,
+ 147 fmj. I had put some white paint on the edge of the front sight, improving the contrast between the sight and the target.

Was able to shoot notably better this trip w/fewer "fliers" , better groups & able to hit my bullseye & square mire frequently.
I shoot @ 7 yds..shooting @ a 1" dia. bullseye, and a < 1" square, so it's a challenge, for me anyway.

Shot my best with 147gr fmj loads..not sure if it was the load, or I was "warmed up" by the time I shot that load.
 

switchback

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Joined
Apr 29, 2020
Messages
663
9mm 1911s are truly a joy to shoot. And an easy change to my favorite caliber, the super 38. For a switch caliber pistol. I'm in the middle of creating another 9mm / super38; a lightweight commander, will post up pics when I get complete.

Glad the new Bul is working out Joe. Lot of pistol there for the cost
 

Bob Lee

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Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
2,913
I was excited to learn my club's indoor range wasn't totally closed for repairs..only closed "sometimes"..(day shift hrs.)
Learning this, & being a "night owl" (retired PM /MN employee), I decided to take my new 1911 for it's inital range trip last night.
Got to the indoor range about 10:45 p.m., and happy to see I'd have the range to myself. Quickly set up targets, & loaded mags.
I'd brought along boxes of 115gr FMJ's, 125gr.Polymer-coated rds, 124gr.JHP's, & 147 FMJ's..to give them all a try.
All were my hand loads, loaded to approx. 1050 FPS (estimated, not chrono'd)

Bul comes with (2) new 10 rnd Mec-Gar mags. A little different than my Mec Gar 9rnd.ers that I 've been
using in my S/A, DW, RK Isl., & Am.Classic 9mm 1911's. Has a different follower ,& has a plastic floorplate that extends the mags,
so they hang slightly below the frame. A bit hard to get all 10 rds loaded in the mags, may have been the cause of 1 of the 2 FTF I experienced.
I might load the mags & let them sit, loaded for a week or so, to see if the mag spring relaxes a bit.
These mags are more difficult to load than the 9rnders I have.. that might be because they've been used for awhile.

I fired approx 150 rds thru the pistol on this trip. Ist few mags, I was all over the target, mostly shooting very low.
I've been shooting rifles all summer, haven't done much pistol shooting. Started focusing on my grip & trigger control.
Adjusted my sight picture from 6 o'clock hold to covering bullseye w/front sight & started hitting the Bullseye.
More I shot the pistol, the better I started hitting my aimpoint, (or close to it)

Had 2 FTF's probably due to the rds., or mags, not the pistol. Both were my falcoated lead rds..which are slightly longer in OAL than the FMJ or JHP's
1st FTF required a gentle push on back of slide to fully chamber the rnd. Other FTF issue locked up slide..
Had to force it open. When I cleared the jam, & examined the rnd, couldn't see anything that might have caused the issue.
I replaced rnd back in a mag, it fed & fired without issue. (?) Fired another 75 rds. afterwards, w/o any other incidents.

I'm very pleased with this pistol. Might try to see if the front sight can be changed to a fiber optic blade,
as the black front sight blade, black rear sight, sighting on a black bullseye, has my elderly eyes Straining .

Had a few red stick-on bullseye stickers I tried, made seeing sights /target much better.
Mostly I just need to shoot it more.
I'd give in an A- or B+.. Considering the features, quality of materials, & workmanship,
I feel the pistol is a great buy. Will try to attach a few pics from my range trip..

 

Bob Lee

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
2,913
I've always liked the looks of the BUL pistols, but don't recall seeing one in person. Glad things went well for you, appears it is going to be a great gun. Congratulations!
 

Bob Lee

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Jul 27, 2018
Messages
2,913
9mm 1911s are truly a joy to shoot. And an easy change to my favorite caliber, the super 38. For a switch caliber pistol. I'm in the middle of creating another 9mm / super38; a lightweight commander, will post up pics when I get complete.

Glad the new Bul is working out Joe. Lot of pistol there for the cost
Excited to see the new lightweight commander. One of my favorite guns. I currently own two in 45. One pre series 80, one pre enhanced series 80. Fun to shoot.
 
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