After reading about another members heartbreak and loss of confidence in JMBs 1911 platform I decided to get out to the range and do some shooting. I brought along the ACW Twins and a Yost BHP. In my heart of hearts I am still a BHP man but I do love me some 1911s as well. I also wanted a backup for JMB in case the 1911s let me down. I knew the BHP would be able to lift me back up and inspire and renew my confidence in the long deceased JMB. May he rest in peace.
So I ran 100 rounds of my 124 RMR reloads and 50 rounds of RWS 124Gr 9mm through the 9mm. I ran 100 rounds of Federal 45 ACP 230gr ball. Both guns were lubed exactly as Rob demonstrates in one of his videos. I ran them with the ACW mags and also Tripp Research Cobra Mags. The Yost tagged along as a point of comparison. It is the best BHP I own and has become my go to gun. It fits my hands better than anything else but even with all of the Yost magic it is still not the equal of these two ACWs in terms of pure trigger. For me the ergos of the BHP make it the most natural pointer for me. The 1911 comes in a very close 2nd. Early next year I will have a Yost 1911 which will make for a better comparison. LOL
The guns are of course more accurate than I am but then again just about every gun in the safe is as well. The fit and finish is excellent on these guns. It is as nice as my Guncrafter No Name 9mm and some of my custom BHPs. The guns are tight. The 9mm is a little smoother right out of the box. Not that the 45 is not smooth but there were a few subtle differences. The thumb safety on the 9mm is smoother. The 45 is a little stiff but I am sure it will smooth itself out. The 45 left some brass casing marks on the ejection port but they cleaned up at home with no issues. I am not worried about it. The triggers are almost identical. Coming in right around 3.5 lbs. These were the avg of 5 pulls.
The 45 ACP is 3lb 8.4 ozs
The 9mm is 3lb 5.7 Ozs
I had ZERO malfunctions. I basically was shooting for function. I shot at 7, 10 and 15 yards unsupported. I ran full mags half loaded mags etc... I drew from a Garrett Leather lined holster. I ran a few drill like The Wizard and The Baer Solutions Baer Target. Free Targets — BAER Solutions So I did run the guns from the holster and did a few mag changes. #notsafequeens
Here is pic of the 9mm target after about 25 rounds give or take shooting at 7, 10 & 15. Not bad for a duffer with nice clubs. Again I am an ok shot but these things are much more accurate than this shooter. These again where not slow fire but not not mag dumps either. Before this pic I was doing double taps to the chest and then 1 to the head in an IDPA target.
From there I did the same type of work with the 45 ACP. This is a 8 shots from the 45 at 15 yards.
In conclusion the guns are stellar and meet my high expectations. They are serious working pistols. They are beautiful and slick but they truly fee like and all business pistol in my hands. They feel like they belong in a holster on you side. The fill my hands perfectly. I have smaller hands, why I love the BHP, and sometimes require slimmer grips. The stock grips worked well for me. I might swap them out at a later date but for now they stock ones will work for me. Finally we all know that these are not cheap but they represent a ton of value. Value for me is not about the lowest price point. It is really about how much you get for your money. I think you could pay 2X or more what you pay for a ACW and not get better working gun in the areas that really count. I look forward to putting more rounds down range through the twins. MY LOVE OF THE 1911 PLATFORM IS RESTORED! Thanks Rob @alchemycustomweaponry Thank you JMB.
So I ran 100 rounds of my 124 RMR reloads and 50 rounds of RWS 124Gr 9mm through the 9mm. I ran 100 rounds of Federal 45 ACP 230gr ball. Both guns were lubed exactly as Rob demonstrates in one of his videos. I ran them with the ACW mags and also Tripp Research Cobra Mags. The Yost tagged along as a point of comparison. It is the best BHP I own and has become my go to gun. It fits my hands better than anything else but even with all of the Yost magic it is still not the equal of these two ACWs in terms of pure trigger. For me the ergos of the BHP make it the most natural pointer for me. The 1911 comes in a very close 2nd. Early next year I will have a Yost 1911 which will make for a better comparison. LOL
The guns are of course more accurate than I am but then again just about every gun in the safe is as well. The fit and finish is excellent on these guns. It is as nice as my Guncrafter No Name 9mm and some of my custom BHPs. The guns are tight. The 9mm is a little smoother right out of the box. Not that the 45 is not smooth but there were a few subtle differences. The thumb safety on the 9mm is smoother. The 45 is a little stiff but I am sure it will smooth itself out. The 45 left some brass casing marks on the ejection port but they cleaned up at home with no issues. I am not worried about it. The triggers are almost identical. Coming in right around 3.5 lbs. These were the avg of 5 pulls.
The 45 ACP is 3lb 8.4 ozs
The 9mm is 3lb 5.7 Ozs
I had ZERO malfunctions. I basically was shooting for function. I shot at 7, 10 and 15 yards unsupported. I ran full mags half loaded mags etc... I drew from a Garrett Leather lined holster. I ran a few drill like The Wizard and The Baer Solutions Baer Target. Free Targets — BAER Solutions So I did run the guns from the holster and did a few mag changes. #notsafequeens
Here is pic of the 9mm target after about 25 rounds give or take shooting at 7, 10 & 15. Not bad for a duffer with nice clubs. Again I am an ok shot but these things are much more accurate than this shooter. These again where not slow fire but not not mag dumps either. Before this pic I was doing double taps to the chest and then 1 to the head in an IDPA target.
From there I did the same type of work with the 45 ACP. This is a 8 shots from the 45 at 15 yards.
In conclusion the guns are stellar and meet my high expectations. They are serious working pistols. They are beautiful and slick but they truly fee like and all business pistol in my hands. They feel like they belong in a holster on you side. The fill my hands perfectly. I have smaller hands, why I love the BHP, and sometimes require slimmer grips. The stock grips worked well for me. I might swap them out at a later date but for now they stock ones will work for me. Finally we all know that these are not cheap but they represent a ton of value. Value for me is not about the lowest price point. It is really about how much you get for your money. I think you could pay 2X or more what you pay for a ACW and not get better working gun in the areas that really count. I look forward to putting more rounds down range through the twins. MY LOVE OF THE 1911 PLATFORM IS RESTORED! Thanks Rob @alchemycustomweaponry Thank you JMB.
Last edited:
