I would like some feedback on what any of you have done to make your 9mm Sub 2000 more pleasant to shoot. What mods have you made or techniques that should be used to make it a more enjoyable extended range session experience for those that are sensitive.
Please refrain from wasting anyones time by stating things like what recoil etc, as they do not help with the situation. I personally do not have a problem, but purchased the sub 2k for my wife who is a new shooter and thinks all rifles are too heavy and kick too much. I am wanting her to enjoy the sport and not be turned off by the things that could be avoided if at all possible. I realize the tradeoff between heavier guns and recoil, etc, and wish to make good use of the Sub 2k and the Marlin camp 9. For the time being, most shooting will likely be done at indoor range at 25 yards or less, some freestanding and some off bench.
I took the sub to the range the first time and did much of my shooting off the bench which was perhaps set too low and I was leaning into the rifle a little more than normal. The observations I made were as follows.
1) although i put a piece of hose on factory charging handle to make more comfortable, my wife will likely have issue charging the weapon.
2) concerned that wife may feel cheek slap uncomfortable. I realize by the nature of design and light weight it will be there but want to minimize it.
3) MY old eyes do not see front sight well. if open sights would like to upgrade to ?? fiber? chevron style?
4) Wife prefers optics, but I would like to leave as designed so can fold and not buy fancy swing mount. Do QD mounts work repeatedly?
5) Although I felt no pain, I noticed red marks on my shoulder. Concerned wife may feel it.
I have done extensive research trying to find what works best on the gen2 in 9mm. Most results pull up gen 1 or 40 cal with little reflection on the 9mm g2 which can be expected as most people will not have issue like they do with the harder hitting 40 cal. I have read up on the following.
1) charging handle options Sumo or extended length
2) heavy bolt
3) gator hide bolt sleeve
4) ATI recoil pad
5) Kel Tec Sub 2000 Lever Actuated Folding Rear Sight
6) heavier brass bolt
I have been reloading 9mm with loads being closer to the starting load than the max load to make it comfortable for my wife to shoot her handguns. I intend on using these loads.
I would appreciate any feedback from those of you that have used any of the mentioned items especially in the 9mm version although some apply equally as well to the 40. I am unsure if adding too much weight via sumo and/or heavier bolt would cause feed issues. I believe I read somewhere where someone added both but probably had full power load. I would prefer to go with just the Sumo to aid in comfort, but also think the double length charge handle may make it easier to charge the weapon. Anyone tried both and have preference? I wish the double had a larger diameter and hate to add hose to it as well.
As for recoil pad, I think I may buy another stock and fasten a pad securely to it. That way, I could swap back to unmodified original in mere seconds and not need to worry about the slip on ripping on me. I figure even with great reviews, I'd be like the few that had them come loose or tear. Has anyone permanently attached recoil pad and if so which one fits best? I would like the added length, but wife may not.
Do the tube covers help when it comes to the slap/vibration or do they only help with controlling temperature? barely noticeable or definitely buy. I suspect my wife would shoot at shortest length and I would prefer longest, which also leads me to ask if an issue extending when cut short. Neither of us sports a beard so no issue getting pinched.
I sighted in with a Vortex spitfire 1x but removed it when I packed up to come home and have yet to try it to see if holds zero. I am also concerned if would be bad thing for top rail to constantly be putting on and off. I would also think better to keep cheek tight against tube rather than slightly up to look through optic when it comes to cheek slap as gun would not get a run at it to the cheek. I wish I had spent more time and tested it more at the range. again, I was leaning into it and likely would be totally different scenario had I sat more upright. Any suggestions on quick detach mount or height options that work for you? If stick with open sights only, have any of you added a tritium front sight? I bought a pack of KNS precision front sight posts and painted some to use, but it turns out that they sit higher above the threads so one cannot turn down low enough to get on target. I'd like to try a different one but they are $60 a pop and not sure if good for shooting targets at indoor range.
Post getting rather long. Maybe should have split it up, but looking for combo good for new shooter that may be more sensitive than most. Personally, I would leave as it came aside from easier to see front sight post and use the camp 9 for a scoped rifle to use off bench, but that is just me. I am unsure what wife will want and I want to give her something she will enjoy. Both rifles will likely travel together since will use same mags.
Thanks for any feedback.
Please refrain from wasting anyones time by stating things like what recoil etc, as they do not help with the situation. I personally do not have a problem, but purchased the sub 2k for my wife who is a new shooter and thinks all rifles are too heavy and kick too much. I am wanting her to enjoy the sport and not be turned off by the things that could be avoided if at all possible. I realize the tradeoff between heavier guns and recoil, etc, and wish to make good use of the Sub 2k and the Marlin camp 9. For the time being, most shooting will likely be done at indoor range at 25 yards or less, some freestanding and some off bench.
I took the sub to the range the first time and did much of my shooting off the bench which was perhaps set too low and I was leaning into the rifle a little more than normal. The observations I made were as follows.
1) although i put a piece of hose on factory charging handle to make more comfortable, my wife will likely have issue charging the weapon.
2) concerned that wife may feel cheek slap uncomfortable. I realize by the nature of design and light weight it will be there but want to minimize it.
3) MY old eyes do not see front sight well. if open sights would like to upgrade to ?? fiber? chevron style?
4) Wife prefers optics, but I would like to leave as designed so can fold and not buy fancy swing mount. Do QD mounts work repeatedly?
5) Although I felt no pain, I noticed red marks on my shoulder. Concerned wife may feel it.
I have done extensive research trying to find what works best on the gen2 in 9mm. Most results pull up gen 1 or 40 cal with little reflection on the 9mm g2 which can be expected as most people will not have issue like they do with the harder hitting 40 cal. I have read up on the following.
1) charging handle options Sumo or extended length
2) heavy bolt
3) gator hide bolt sleeve
4) ATI recoil pad
5) Kel Tec Sub 2000 Lever Actuated Folding Rear Sight
6) heavier brass bolt
I have been reloading 9mm with loads being closer to the starting load than the max load to make it comfortable for my wife to shoot her handguns. I intend on using these loads.
I would appreciate any feedback from those of you that have used any of the mentioned items especially in the 9mm version although some apply equally as well to the 40. I am unsure if adding too much weight via sumo and/or heavier bolt would cause feed issues. I believe I read somewhere where someone added both but probably had full power load. I would prefer to go with just the Sumo to aid in comfort, but also think the double length charge handle may make it easier to charge the weapon. Anyone tried both and have preference? I wish the double had a larger diameter and hate to add hose to it as well.
As for recoil pad, I think I may buy another stock and fasten a pad securely to it. That way, I could swap back to unmodified original in mere seconds and not need to worry about the slip on ripping on me. I figure even with great reviews, I'd be like the few that had them come loose or tear. Has anyone permanently attached recoil pad and if so which one fits best? I would like the added length, but wife may not.
Do the tube covers help when it comes to the slap/vibration or do they only help with controlling temperature? barely noticeable or definitely buy. I suspect my wife would shoot at shortest length and I would prefer longest, which also leads me to ask if an issue extending when cut short. Neither of us sports a beard so no issue getting pinched.
I sighted in with a Vortex spitfire 1x but removed it when I packed up to come home and have yet to try it to see if holds zero. I am also concerned if would be bad thing for top rail to constantly be putting on and off. I would also think better to keep cheek tight against tube rather than slightly up to look through optic when it comes to cheek slap as gun would not get a run at it to the cheek. I wish I had spent more time and tested it more at the range. again, I was leaning into it and likely would be totally different scenario had I sat more upright. Any suggestions on quick detach mount or height options that work for you? If stick with open sights only, have any of you added a tritium front sight? I bought a pack of KNS precision front sight posts and painted some to use, but it turns out that they sit higher above the threads so one cannot turn down low enough to get on target. I'd like to try a different one but they are $60 a pop and not sure if good for shooting targets at indoor range.
Post getting rather long. Maybe should have split it up, but looking for combo good for new shooter that may be more sensitive than most. Personally, I would leave as it came aside from easier to see front sight post and use the camp 9 for a scoped rifle to use off bench, but that is just me. I am unsure what wife will want and I want to give her something she will enjoy. Both rifles will likely travel together since will use same mags.
Thanks for any feedback.