Caracal Fullsize at 7000 rounds

[Urban_Redneck]

Caracal F MD 6XX
I just sent my Caracal F (full size) off for replacement due the recall initiated by 2 reports of drop safety failure. So I'm closing the book on S/N MD6XX.

Here is a breakdown of the round count.
Caracal F MD 6XX

GECO 124gr FMJ 250
Ranger 124+P FMJ 500
Federal NATO 124 FMJ 200
Rem UMC 115gr FMJ 300
Federal Target 115gr FMJ 300
WWB 115gr FMJ 1100
PMC Bronze 115gr FMJ 2200
Aquilla 124gr FMJ 2200
Rem Golden Saber 124gr HP 62
Hornady Custom 124gr HP 50
HPV 124gr HP 80

Total 7242


Stoppages 0

Field strip and cleaning every 100- 350 rounds . Pistol was never detail stripped. Recoil spring assembly was changed at 6942 rounds.

Holster used for training (S&T VSM basic) , practice, carry, and IDPA, was a Kydex OWB by RKBA Holsters.

I snapped a few photos before packing it up.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/Urban_Redneck_photos/103_0336_zpsf6c40c43.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Urban_Redneck_photos/media/103_0336_zpsf6c40c43.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/Urban_Redneck_photos/103_0341_zpseeaecbea.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Urban_Redneck_photos/media/103_0341_zpseeaecbea.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/Urban_Redneck_photos/103_0340_zps5d682fbe.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Urban_Redneck_photos/media/103_0340_zps5d682fbe.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/Urban_Redneck_photos/103_0343_zps95b6b27e.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Urban_Redneck_photos/media/103_0343_zps95b6b27e.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/Urban_Redneck_photos/103_0346_zpsc99db8bf.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Urban_Redneck_photos/media/103_0346_zpsc99db8bf.jpg.html)

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg59/Urban_Redneck_photos/Caracal%20Holster/DSCN0562.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/Urban_Redneck_photos/media/Caracal%20Holster/DSCN0562.jpg.html)

[newyork]

Excellent write up. What does a Caracal cost? What are your thoughts of the pistol overall?

[223to45]

Instead of cleaning every 350 rounds, see how any rounds it takes before it chokes.

[brickboy240]

A co-worker of mine has both the full size and compact 9mm Caracals.

He says i ought to borrow them and give them a whirl. He has never had a lick of trouble from either one.

...might take him up on that.

-brickboy240

[Urban_Redneck]

Excellent write up. What does a Caracal cost? What are your thoughts of the pistol overall?

Last I know MSRP was $499. I paid $459 and $419, for my F and C respectively. With the exception of the sights- IMHO the front is too wide for the width of the rear notch for fast acquisition. For me, this condition is masked somewhat at short range, as the pistol points naturally in my hand. My replacement pistol will have a green fiber optic front sight installed by Caracal.

Other than the sights, for an out of the box striker fired pistol I haven't seen better (PPQ is close).


Instead of cleaning every 350 rounds, see how any rounds it takes before it chokes.

I've thought about that, but, I'm a simple fellow, hardwired to clean a dirty gun at the end of the day.

[jpmuscle]

This makes me want to buy 1, or 2. :D


Anyone have a line on who is stocking these?

[morbidbattlecry]

This makes me want to buy 1, or 2. :D


Anyone have a line on who is stocking these?

Pretty much non exsistant at the moment.

[Urban_Redneck]

This makes me want to buy 1, or 2. :D


Anyone have a line on who is stocking these?


Pretty much non exsistant at the moment.

Yes, that is the bad.

Caracal USA is replacing or buying back virtually every pistol imported into America due to the aforementioned drop safe concern. Additionally, certain batches of C model slides http://www.caracal-usa.com/press/Caracal-Model-C-Recall-Notice/ received improper heat treatment. Thankfully, my C model is outside that range as it is my EDC.

The replacement process has been slow in rolling out, I have no inside info. Speculating, it's not hard to imagine BHO directing the State Department and Customs to take their sweet time approving permits and clearing shipments. Last I heard from Caracal USA, my replacement Compact is still "weeks" out. Obviously the recall is absorbing a great deal of production and resources.

For me, the recall has been more an annoyance than a real issue, I've worked both my pistols over with a 2lb dead blow hammer weekly, and have never had any concern carrying or shooting them.

On the plus side, Caracal USA now has parts for sale, including fiber optic front sights that are $29, installed in your replacement pistol. The "Loyalty Package" for those exchanging pistols includes a free magazine (if you send in your 2 original mags, they'll exchange those as well) and a discount coupon for future purchases.

Caracal has been extremely forthright about the issue(s) and recall since day one. Replacing pistols ought to be an absolute resolution of the situation. IMHO, that's a company that appreciates it's early adopters and is serious about it's presence in the US market.

I've loathe to post too much re: Caracal, concerned that I come off as fanboi :dirol:. For those seeking info from a more well known shooter, Scott Ballard over at MSW has a series of articles covering his experience firing 10,000 rounds through his Caracal F. The majority of my industry experience(now, ten years removed) is in blue steel/walnut long guns and German scopes/mounts/sights. Serious handgunning is a recent avocation.

[Gary1911A1]

Just sold my Compact. For me the PPQ in 9MM is a better pistol. Like another poster I feel the rear sight is to tight to see light on the sides of the front sight.

[Spiffums]

Instead of cleaning every 350 rounds, see how any rounds it takes before it chokes.

That makes about much sense as not changing your oil till your motor locks down. :suicide2:

[SteveS]

Instead of cleaning every 350 rounds, see how any rounds it takes before it chokes. 350 is a good amount of rounds . Cleaning would help insure operation reliability for the ops use.

[M67A2 Zippo Tank]

That makes about much sense as not changing your oil till your motor locks down. :suicide2: Agreed. Take care of your tools and they'll take care of you, too.

[Urban_Redneck]

It begins again... I received my replacement Caracal F, Friday. I had Caracal USA install a green fiber optic front that definitely improves the sight picture (I blacked out the rear dot as well).

106 rounds so far :cool:

:v:

[Omega Man]

The Caracal is an impressive pistol. I had the F and C model and loved everything about them other than the sights. I sent them in for a refund when the recall started some months back. I will wait and see if they come out with better sights and especially good night sight options.

[Urban_Redneck]

The Caracal is an impressive pistol. I had the F and C model and loved everything about them other than the sights. I sent them in for a refund when the recall started some months back. I will wait and see if they come out with better sights and especially good night sight options.

They showed the .40 at SHOT with a dovetail rear. I think the front is a 2.0mm dovetail IIRC, most Sig pistol dovetails are 2.1mm up front, that's 3 swipes on the file if true and the heights work out :eek:

It's all part of the early adopter journey (blues).

[yellowfin]

Anyone gotten a threaded barrel for one and shot it suppressed yet?

[Omega Man]

They showed the .40 at SHOT with a dovetail rear. I think the front is a 2.0mm dovetail IIRC, most Sig pistol dovetails are 2.1mm up front, that's 3 swipes on the file if true and the heights work out :eek:

It's all part of the early adopter journey (blues).

Sounds good. I will be on the lookout for these updated sites on a 9mm Caracal C.

[houdini23]

Nice! AT 2500rds on my model C and no stoppages or any issues to speak of.

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2148/3057962/23892873/406649539.jpg

Nightstand duty
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2148/3057962/23892873/406649528.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2148/3057962/23892873/406649534.jpg

[theblackknight]

What exaclty was wrong with the drop safety function?

Because I liked that idea, a sliding bar instead of a plunger. I also remember they changed the slides for '13 for a normal beavertail rear sight.

These sound like great guns. People rave over how nice the trigger is for a 5lb pull.

sent from mah gun,using my sights

[jpmuscle]

I really want one of these.

[Urban_Redneck]

All Caracal said was "out of spec frames". The trigger on my F was a little gritty, though several sessions of enhanced interrogation never released the striker.

The replacement gun trigger is very smooth. The little schtibbitz in the trigger blade seems to extend out a millimeter further than my old gun.

I've been out of town a great deal, maybe next week, I'll do a detailed comparison with my pre-recall compact with photos.

[theblackknight]

I'm not a sling shot type even on a 1911, so what's that slide release like? It appears small.

sent from mah gun,using my sights

[Ed L.]

I'm wondering if they changed the slide release since the first Caracals were imported to the US.

Here is a photo of the slide release of the Caracal C that I had bought. It was one of the first to come into the US. Do they still look like this or have recent ones gotten smaller?

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/caracal1.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m115/edagain/caracal2.jpg

[RogerinTPA]

I've been seriously considering obtaining one once all the bugs have been worked out. I'm glad to hear the Caracal is going strong.

Has anyone performed a dust cover test (applying force down on the dust cover) to see if you get a click or a bang while doing support shooting like the Glocks?

[Urban_Redneck]

As far as I can tell, the slide release it's remains unchanged, I don't have any trouble releasing the slide with my gun hand thumb from a normal firing grip.

[houdini23]

^^^^this

[brickboy240]

Anyone know where you can purchase a Caracal F nowdays?

Pricing?

They seem to have disappeared as of lately.

-brickboy240

[brushy bill]

Yes, that is the bad.

Caracal USA is replacing or buying back virtually every pistol imported into America due to the aforementioned drop safe concern. Additionally, certain batches of C model slides received improper heat treatment..............Caracal has been extremely forthright about the issue(s) and recall since day one. Replacing pistols ought to be an absolute resolution of the situation. IMHO, that's a company that appreciates it's early adopters and is serious about it's presence in the US market.


Although I would never own one due to country of origin, this is a vastly preferable approach to addressing issues than Glock's stereotypical denial of most all problems. In my book recalls distinguish the company involved as one that is honorable enough to acknowledge a problem and take positive action to address it, even in the face of potential bad press among the uninformed.

[Vulture38]

A Caracal F is on my shortlist now. I hope that they start hitting the general market again soon. I figure once all the recall stuff is taken care of, it will happen.

[Moose-Knuckle]

OP, thanks for the info you provided. Been interested in these since the vids from the UAE first appeared on YouTube.

[papasan]

I looked at these awhile back and like the idea.

one question I had is the odd tab that sticks out of the middle of the mags. what's it for and is it annoying? snagging on clothes if you pocket carry, etc.

and ya, there needs to be more sight options before I would buy.

[plouffedaddy]

Been interested in these since the vids from the UAE first appears on YouTube.

http://imageshack.us/a/img12/11/img1575zk.jpg



I've had my replacement F back for a few weeks and still love them. I did a quick review/update video with some shooting and testing of the new vs. old trigger below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfqvdandLCA

[brickboy240]

Anyone know where you can order one of these pistols these days?

-brickboy240

[theblackknight]

Whats it hold at 25 and how easy to get extra mags is it?

[morbidbattlecry]

Anyone know where you can order one of these pistols these days?

-brickboy240

They seam to have dropped of the face of the earth. I've been looking for one for a while as well and can't find them anywhere. They are distributed by Lypseys. Perhaps you could go on there site and find a dealer and go from there. If you find some give me a call too lol. I wish i would have picked one up when they where going for 450$

Also if you hunt up the .40 version it has a regular rear sight instead of it attached to the rear plate. I'm kinda hoping they will make that a standard feature for the 9mm guns as well.

[Urban_Redneck]

Anyone know where you can order one of these pistols these days?

-brickboy240

One can only hope the recall exchange for the F model is nearing the end and some new pistols will make into the supply stream. I haven't been notified of an impending exchange on my C model yet, so imagine the wait for those will be longer still.

I believe JJ Racaza is shooting/testing the yet to be released, .40 S&W version with the dovetailed rear sight. Who knows- those might hit the shelves before the 9mm guns are common again.


Whats it hold at 25 and how easy to get extra mags is it?

I need to get out and do some group testing with the new F. I did shoot a local IDPA match last weekend (after a 6 week hiatus) and had no trouble making -0 on the longer shots.

Mags and replacement parts are available from Caracal, I stocked up spring 2012 when an online dealer was selling them for $20.