Jack1951

Just recently tried a 14.5 variable rate spring in my Gov't model 45 ACP. Previously shooting 14 or 16# springs. Having shot 2 matches with the variable weight springs I've noticed a couple of occassions when the slide was slow in returning to battery and lockup. No malfunction, but I think I'm going back to the standard springs.

I've had a 3011 for about a year. On the plus side: + Quality ... Nice piece! As previously mentioned the gun is well fitted and locks up very tightly! + Trigger ... I'm a trigger snob, it has to be light and crisp or its not worth shooting. All of my 1911's that I use for compeetition have been modified with Cylinder and Slide trigger/hammer kits. This trigger was so good out of the box that I've done nothing to it except adjust the over-travel. + Weight ... yep it's "heavy" but the weight helps soak up the recoil of the 45ACP. The bull barrel and squarish dust cover help keep muzzle flip to a minimum. + Accuracy ... these old eyes aren't good enough to allow me to shoot 25 yard groups anymore. None the less, my imperssion is that the 3011 is the most accurate "1911 style" gun in my collection by a wide margin! + Reliability ... the gun has been virtually 100% reliable since the 1st round. No breakin was required. Estimating 1000 rounds through the gun at this point. + 14 round OEM style magazines are available through Greg Cote for less than $25 a piece + I had Robert at Red Hill Tactical make me a holster just for the 3011. Negatives (and I'm really getting picky here): - I wish that MAC offered a 9mm or 40 cal version ... I'd buy another 3011 tomorrow if a 9mm was avaialble - I'm looking for replacement grip panels (anyone know of a non-metallic replacement that fits). - Higher capacity mags are available bit are very EXPENSIVE - I prefer a narrower front sight and smaller fiber optic ... I will replace eventually with a 0.100" from Dawson Precision - I prefer a flat faced trigger blade ... someday I'll get around to replacing the factory trigger blade Bottom line; Lots of people look down their noses at the MAC pistols ... they're missing out on a great value! Buy one, you won't be sorry. Jack

Does anyone have data on the difference in velocity when using large pistol primers and magnum pistol primers for the same powder, charge, bullet, crimp and COAL?

I shoot (try to shoot) USPSA Single Stack with a couple different 1911'a both of which include Dawson Precision mag wells. In 2013, I purchased 8 Metalform 8 round mags with the rounded follower top and have used tem without incident since. Last summer I purchased 6 more Metalform mags to have on hand in case I needed to replace one of the primary mags purchased in 2013. The mags are unaltered except for extending the mag bases so that they protrude below the mag base but still fit in the "Box". Last week, a follower in one of the 2013 mags started sticking and rather than fussing with the sticky mag I pulled out one of the backups, swapped out the mag base, dropped the backup mag into my range bag and headed off to a match yesterday ... without testing. In the middle of the 2nd stage of the match, I attempted a reload using the backup mag. After failing to get it to seat I discarded the mag and completed the stage. After the stage I inspected the mag and finding nothing obviously wrong, I assumed that the fumbled reload was due operator error (not an uncommon occurance). I intentionally took this mag to the line on the next stage and tried to seat it under the RO’s supervision ... mag wouldn’t seat no matter what ... discarded the mag, loaded the gun and shot the stage. Last night I found the gremlin … the only part common to the mags purchased in 2013 and 2015 is the little plastic piece that locks the mag onto the body; · mag bodies are shorter · mag springs are shorter · nose and tail of mag followers are shorter · stop on mag base is shorter Both mags function perfectly in a stock 1911 and with the correct base the 2015 mags will seat in my race guns ... the parts just aren't interchangeable. Moral of the story ... never make a change to ANYTHING and go to a match without thoroughly testing!

I find it hard to believe that changing mainspring weight would affect point of impact (POI) ... but I've been surprised before. A softer main spring will let the slide move rearward sooner and faster. Does this relate to a higher POI?