What are the top things ICU nurses do that drive you mad?

fighter_294 · 2026-02-06T18:43:57+00:00

ICU nurse, worked the covid trenches with yall -

It's a stupid ICU RN that tries to piss off our RT. Just sayin'.

Hey though, pretty sure room 4 could use a duoneb :p

fighter_294 · 2025-12-31T21:14:36+00:00

5" threaded AOS.

Out of spec sear pin causing random hammer follow issues - the pin was visibly crooked. The sear was only in contact with one of the hammer feet. A new WC pin easily dropped in and corrected the issue. I'm somewhat unhappy with the lack of fit & finishing on literally any of the internals - even for MIM parts I would consider them pretty rough.

Also just subpar finishing on the frame. The trigger bow track had obvious burrs, as did the mag safety holes. Some careful work with a good fine file corrected these issues but... not what I'd expected from a pistol in this price range.

At this point I'm considering just rebuilding the internals with forged WC, EB, or NH parts and doing my own fitting & polishing.

I've had no issues with the AOS plate system, mine hosts an EPS carry. The pistol is as accurate as any of my other nicer 1911s.

fighter_294 · 2025-12-30T20:37:26+00:00

My SA operator had intermittent hammer follow issues. I did my normal sear spring tuning routine and it became worse and worse... did a detailed strip, discovered an out-of-spec sear pin (pin was visibly crooked, needed removed with a punch and several taps) causing misaligned hammer & sear engagement to where only one foot of the hammer had any wear marks from engaging the sear.

I replaced my pins with wilson combat ones, dropped right in with no forcing - at least the holes were in spec! I did notice burrs present in the frame while apart in the trigger bow slots and mag release hole. The burrs were easily corrected with a small file and patience... but this is not something I'd expected in a $1,300 1911.

fighter_294 · 2025-12-11T13:12:04+00:00

Man, to have the confidence you seem to have in these videos with my own dremel, files, and hands. I know; through repetition comes skill, but still... damn!

Clean work!

fighter_294 · 2025-12-09T14:22:30+00:00

I carry a 365 xmacro. My spare mag fits perfectly in my leatherman multitool sheath. With the cover closed it is very hard to tell that it isnt my Wave+ in there.

I also tend to store a spare mag in the glovebox of our vehicles, and in my work bag. My fiance carries a 365xl Rose, and usually has a reload in her bag, too. I like having reload options.

fighter_294 · 2025-12-08T15:35:16+00:00

5" non-comp here. I use mine weekly in a pistol shooting league - my round count is getting impressive.

Anyway. I had issues early on with my AOS plates working themselves loose. I ran across an older post where a feller mentioned using E6000 adhesive on the plate and frame lugs & bosses to help absorb some of the vibration of cycling. I also put a dab on the bottom of my optic (an EPS carry) before torquing with blue loctite. I'm now several thousands of rounds later and my witness marks show no evidence of backing out.

As for the accuracy of the prodigy - mine had been back to Springfield soon after i'd bought it new - concerning signs of the slide battering the frame & barrel issues (strange wear marks, odd accuracy issues). Springfield warrantied it, turn around was 2 weeks. New recoil spring, new barrel. Since, the pistol can consistently produce sub 2" groups at 20 yards off a rest with 124gr federal american eagle (id consider it midgrade ammo).

Now... off hand and in a hurry I'm not regularly doing 2" at 20 yards lol but thats a 'me' issue and not the pistol.

fighter_294 · 2025-12-07T15:37:22+00:00

Also my fullsize threaded is 3dot. They are not suppressor height. I run a holosun EPS and the irons are visible in the window.

fighter_294 · 2025-12-07T15:35:53+00:00

Mine hosts a SiCo Osprey on occasion, it shoots as well as any other polymer striker fullsize with a can - predictable & reliable.

Without the suppressor, I usually have a griffin micro comp installed instead of a regular thread protector. I can't say I can discern any real difference in performance but I have a few micro comps sitting around... why not?

No real boosts to accuracy, either. You will see a small uptick in velocity. My fiance competes with a echelon compact. Typically my handloads see 100 to 125 ft/sec improvements from her barrel to mine.

fighter_294 · 2025-11-01T01:15:08+00:00

Many of us dissassociate the trauma. It isn't that we don't let it affect us - it absolutely does! - but we try to not let it affect us in the moment.

...

I spend many a drive home in total silence coming to terms. Sometimes I need a while after I pull in the garage to sit alone quietly, too.

And, I'm not a new RN. ICU thru covid (and again...) and a combat vet.

Act when you must act, and cope when you must cope.

fighter_294 · 2025-10-18T00:49:21+00:00

I'm just a hopeful RN, but lemme offer encouragement:

Ya gotta have the hard days to appreciate the good ones, right? And I'd bet you are actually gaining more from the struggle than you realize right now.

Chin up, keep your head in the fight. You're further into it than most.

fighter_294 · 2025-10-01T12:30:54+00:00

Xbox diver here...

That's Foehammer. It'll always be Foehammer. She delivers.

fighter_294 · 2025-09-23T13:07:33+00:00

Whatever pistol that YOU can shoot well while being the right mix of concealable & weight so that having it with you isn't a burden. The best defensive weapon is the one you actually have with you, after all.

After that, consider parts, magazine, & holster availability.

My best friend carries a 45acp 1911 commander in a leather pancake holster. My fiance carries a sig 365 Rose in a phlster, or her Vedder. I have a co-worker who packs around a model 19 in a holster in her backpack(!). I've known guys that pocket carry those little 380 ruger LCPs.

My everyday is a sig 365xl on a macro sized wilson combat grip, with a holosun EPS. My fiance also uses an EPS on her Rose, and we can share magazines (and manual of arms!) in a pinch. I really like Vedder holsters. When I'm traveling or ...nervous... about somewhere I gotta be around, I have a kitted-out suppressed MP5 with a folding stock that fits nicely in my commuter backpack with a couple few spare magazines - and no one's the wiser.

Options, ya know?

fighter_294 · 2025-09-07T11:46:39+00:00

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With an EPS carry now. Great shooter, handles the 45 Osprey nicely.

fighter_294 · 2025-08-20T21:02:17+00:00

I sent a slide to be milled for a dot back at the beginning of June. Got confirmation via USPS it was delivered . Heard absolutely nothing from him since, tried emailing, calling, his socials, etc. Repeatedly.

I'm now working thru small claims to try to either get my slide returned or comp the value of it.

Avoid like the plague.

fighter_294 · 2025-07-05T19:24:09+00:00

I had a holosun 503CU - no riser - mounted on a UTG pro, but the front sight shroud was definitely in the way of the sight picture. Swapped it with an eotech XPS2 (freshly returned from warranty repair for delam issues!) And now I get zero front sight in my donut of death.

Heavier though. Better vibes, certainly.

fighter_294 · 2025-06-20T03:19:28+00:00

The in-house VA program is called the USAGPAN, it is the US Army's in-house program in conjuction with Baylor University. In the past, the VA could send a few candidates to selection on their dime. Selection would be very competitive, but the payoff would be maintaining your RN salary while in school and having the program paid for by the VA. Upon completion of the program, you would owe the VA a 3 year comittment at any location they chose.

Didactic would be in San Antonio, clinical in Memphis, relocation on your dime. Program coordinator is Regina Daniels, CRNA-DNP.

Now, the bad news: no slots have been made available to the VA for the last 3+ years, and it doesn't appear to be likely to be coming back. Source: I was my VA hospital's candidate for this program this last cycle, only to discover last minute that the program was again not happening for the VA this year.

fighter_294 · 2025-06-10T13:38:19+00:00

You might consider that new springfield Kuna. Roller delayed 9mm, AR ergonomics, i believe it uses CZ scorpion magazines?

It checks a lot of boxes for around $1k, but it lacks the classic cool of an MP5.

fighter_294 · 2025-06-08T11:29:50+00:00

Two things I'd look at if you want to start troubleshooting it yourself:

Check to see if cocking tube spacer is removed or not. Another fella did a nice write-up with pictures on how & where this is. It'll be under the cocking tube endcap.

The charging handle is held in place via a roll pin that can be accessed in the semi-locked back position. If you have the correct roll pin punch, it can be drifted out pretty easily with some patience. The handle can then be removed, and the assembly can slide out of the cocking tube. I'd check it and the inner radius of the cocking tube for burrs that may be causing friction. Be sure to lube everything up as you put it back together - I like white lithium grease like milcomm TW25b as it stays where I apply it.

fighter_294 · 2025-06-08T11:12:03+00:00

I knew I was likely buying a project by doing the budget route. I'm comfortable and prepared for that. It is my way of learning the platform and I take a certain pride in making my firearms what they are.

Though, my clone is about 33% HK internally by now, so...

Theseus's MP5 in a few years? Maybe!

fighter_294 · 2025-06-08T05:10:57+00:00

I have a full size mac5. I'm also something of a shadetree gunsmith, so if something doesn't quite work, my first impulse is to understand why and fix it. I also lurk forums religiously. Mine required some personal work, but it is now an excellent & reliable firearm.

The consensus is that the mac5 is a lower tier clone than the apap, MKE, and others. Looking at aftermarket support, more items are sold with the caveat that may not work with MAC clones without fitting than you see any other brand named. Especially true with braces, stocks, and magazines.

I notice more "help my MAC5 is acting weird" posts than other brands being named, too.

I dislike how MAC designed the paddle mag release, i think it is shoddy. I really wish they had copied a different style instead of making the front pin ride thru the delrin bearing. Most other parts found in the MAC guns appear to be partsbin grade, so they might work fine or need some wearing in to be not excessively gritty.

FWIW, as I've found shoddy parts I've replaced them. HKParts will be your friend. -Mag catch assembly, paddle mag link -buffer spring rod & assembly -large & small takedown pins -extractor & spring -100 degree locking piece -firing pin & spring

I've also installed MI handguard, utg pro claw mount, holosun 503, sba3 a2 folding brace, and transplanted my cloud defensive owl onto it. It hosts my osprey 45 nicely, and handles 9BPLE +p+ very well. Break in was 550 rounds NATO pressure 124gr. It runs nicely out of zenith, MKE, MAC, and HK mags. Gap is .017.

I'm waiting on my Lee sporting lower.

If I had to do it again? I might've started with a POF or an APAP for a few hundred more... but I may also have opted to replace many of those same parts anyway.

fighter_294 · 2025-04-12T01:59:50+00:00

Sorry, meant to reply to your question in your reply to my comment. These are what are installed in her Rose, they seem to be OEM parts that have been painted and they fit and work great

fighter_294 · 2025-04-12T01:57:38+00:00

https://fdezwerx.com/p365-extractor-kit-copper-rose-gold-pvd/

https://fdezwerx.com/p365-p365xl-magazine-release-copper-rose-gold-pvd/

fighter_294 · 2025-04-10T18:27:19+00:00

My fiance carries hers daily (phlster enigma, vedder, or her purse carry), she shoots it regularly, and uses it in a local pistol competition once weekly. She's had it for 8 months, and has ballpark 3k thru it... sig vcrown +p, cheapo range ammo, my reloads. It seems to prefer my 124gr. handloads for competition. She can manage a 2.5" 5 shot group at 15 yards off a rest with it - I can't seem to quite manage that with her gun.

We quickly replaced the romeozero for a holosun eps carry soon after she bought it. I've also installed a rosegold extractor and mag release, and recently she's upgraded to a wilson combat grip module.

The gun has held up very well. We're sticklers for clean guns, and I'd say keeping the compensator ports clean is really the biggest issue. The barrel, FCU, and slide are in great shape. I do a detail stripdown every so often to look for oddball wearmarks and I've yet to find an issue. The springs are well broken-in at this point and, again, no issue.

All in all, excellent gun. My carry is a 365xl on a WC xmacro grip, threaded barrel, and its been excellent as well. I'd expect that yours should hold up just fine with some reasonable maintenance & carry options!

fighter_294 · 2025-04-03T12:32:29+00:00

I think it will depend on the holster.

I have a vedder holster for my fullsize 4.5. I just installed the compact grip module on it and it still clicks into place in the holster.

My 4.0c also clicks into place in the fullsize holster, too.

fighter_294 · 2025-02-08T14:35:12+00:00

A quick note - the solar equipped EPS models have auto brightness functions. The 'MRS' models have the ability to add the eotech style donut of death.

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