Lab4Us
Custom
As I was reviewed my gun logs, I realized I hadn’t shot my .45 caliber SA Emissary 4.25 AOS since last October (2024). Its’ optic still sits on a shelf in my closet as after that last range trips, figured I didn’t need it - and not like I’m daily carrying a 40 oz, before loading, handgun 
.
So this morning I took it apart, wiped it down, and relubricated it and headed for my local indoor range. Took along 50 rounds of Federal America Eagle 230 FMJ and 100 rounds of Federal LE Tactical 230g +P HST.
Up first I figured I’d just do some different distant work with the FMJ, so I found this 5 ring target in the facility’s target cabinet. Fired at the distances indicated, closest to furthest, 5 rounds at a time. After the first 25, I brought it back to 3 yds and did the second 25. Nothing spectacular, but with irons only, I was pretty proud of my trifocals wearing self.
After warming up with these and getting used to the .45 pulse as it had been a while, decided to try and give Vital Dude his Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - using 50 rounds of the 230g +P HST.
5 rounds each left shoulder, then right shoulder, slow fire at 3 yds.
10 rounds center, fast as sights reasonably on target, 5 yds.
10 rounds center, fast as sights reasonably on target, 7 yds.
5 rounds center, slow fire at 15 yards.
5 strings of double tap to center, one to head, total of 15 rounds @ 3 yds.
I separated targets from before and after those last five strings.
With the last 50 rounds of 230g +P HST, I used a USPSA/IPSC block target, all rounds at 10 yards. I alternated full magazines, starting with small A block in head, and putting the last 2 rounds in the center A. Toward the end I sped up pretty well, causing a lot of left hits, and a few high above the head “A”. I split the targets between on magazine each in head “A” and center “A”, then all the rest. Again, 10 yards, irons, and trifocals…and speeding up towards the end of my session.
The SA Emissary 4.25 AOS gave me absolutely zero problems and I added zero additional lubrication during the session. I used the two OEM magazines and two Wilson Combat magazines, all without issue. All in all, a pretty good day - and I still see no reason to mount the optic sitting in my closet. About the only complaint I have is that the ridged trigger put a blister on my trigger finger. I much prefer a smooth trigger as my round counts rise during a shooting session.
.So this morning I took it apart, wiped it down, and relubricated it and headed for my local indoor range. Took along 50 rounds of Federal America Eagle 230 FMJ and 100 rounds of Federal LE Tactical 230g +P HST.
Up first I figured I’d just do some different distant work with the FMJ, so I found this 5 ring target in the facility’s target cabinet. Fired at the distances indicated, closest to furthest, 5 rounds at a time. After the first 25, I brought it back to 3 yds and did the second 25. Nothing spectacular, but with irons only, I was pretty proud of my trifocals wearing self.
After warming up with these and getting used to the .45 pulse as it had been a while, decided to try and give Vital Dude his Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - using 50 rounds of the 230g +P HST.
5 rounds each left shoulder, then right shoulder, slow fire at 3 yds.
10 rounds center, fast as sights reasonably on target, 5 yds.
10 rounds center, fast as sights reasonably on target, 7 yds.
5 rounds center, slow fire at 15 yards.
5 strings of double tap to center, one to head, total of 15 rounds @ 3 yds.
I separated targets from before and after those last five strings.
With the last 50 rounds of 230g +P HST, I used a USPSA/IPSC block target, all rounds at 10 yards. I alternated full magazines, starting with small A block in head, and putting the last 2 rounds in the center A. Toward the end I sped up pretty well, causing a lot of left hits, and a few high above the head “A”. I split the targets between on magazine each in head “A” and center “A”, then all the rest. Again, 10 yards, irons, and trifocals…and speeding up towards the end of my session.
The SA Emissary 4.25 AOS gave me absolutely zero problems and I added zero additional lubrication during the session. I used the two OEM magazines and two Wilson Combat magazines, all without issue. All in all, a pretty good day - and I still see no reason to mount the optic sitting in my closet. About the only complaint I have is that the ridged trigger put a blister on my trigger finger. I much prefer a smooth trigger as my round counts rise during a shooting session.
