MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 I've been shooting USPSA Open with an STI Steel Master. I'm shooting the gun well. However, shooting minor in open has officially caught up with my skill set. I'm going to buy another open gun this week with a 4K budget. I'm going to buy a factory built gun and once I settle into major, I'll have a custom gun built. I'm the meantime, any insight with regard to gun and 9mm/.38 S. Would be sooooooo appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mro111lland Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 I feel 9 major is the way to go brass is almost free it's easy to find so if u loose it not out much. As for the gun ccan't go wrong with sti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 For $4K, I'd go with a CK Arms Hardcore gun with a steel grip. But, for around $500 more you can get a true custom from someone like Atlas in a reasonable amount of time. Both of my guns are in 9mm Major and I have no regrets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 I have 2 other race guns in 9mm. That only makes sense.. Thanks guys. I have an STI DVC LTD and DVC 3Gun... May only make sense to get the DVC Open.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 CK in 9mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy1111 Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 I really like my DVC open 9mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 CK arms 9mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanks Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 CZ 75 TS Checkmate is designed for open I think. http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-ts-czechmate-9mm-black-2x20-rd-1x26-rd-mags/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 Sarge, I was just reading your older posts on this topic. I have 4 STI's. I sent an email to CK a few minutes ago. I'm all over that. Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Yeah I'd say your budget and situation means 9mm is the choice. I'd also go a ck arms open. Can probably get one off the shelf from sc or ssi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Call Dan Bedell and see how long to build a gun for you. Your budget is real close to what it will cost, Ie Bedell customs He builds Max Michelle's guns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Can't you just re-spring the Steel Master, and shoot Major? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 Dan's guns look awesome. He's at a 3-5 month lead time. I think I'm going to get my hands on the CK and give it hell. I really don't have the time behind an open, (major) gun to know what parts and amenities I'd prefer over the next for a custom build anyway. Hi-Power, my Steel Master could be adjusted to shoot major I suppose. The gun was built for minor loads and with all of the lighting of the gun and the internals, I'm not sure how it'd hold up. I'm not interested in destroying a perfectly good gun and my wife gave me "the look" when I even mentioned selling it. Apparently she's fond of that pistol. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S&W686 Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 I would go with CK Arms in 9 major. I have two of Bobby's guns and they have been flawless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 I should be a proud new owner by Thursday, (shipping).. Went with a CK Thunder series in 9mm and the RTS2 optic.. I'm done with the plastic slide ride CMore's.. I'd never even heard of CK Arms until i took my questions to the forum. Thanks again for all of the feedback! Now... 9mm major load data is next.. I'm running Autocomp in minor. Anyone run that powder for the big boy loads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 Before I started using HS-6 and 115 grain bullets, I was loading 7.0 grains of Autocomp with 124gr PD JHPs at 1.165 OAL. Gave me 171 PF out of a 5.4" barrel with 2 holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 That's funny, when I was buying HP-38 for my 3Gun 9mm loads last weekend the sales clerk, (everyone seems to be a competitor here in Arizona) was a huge proponent of HS-6. Are 115's the "standard" for major?? I run 124's typically.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 (edited) You'll see a pretty large number of folks in both camps (115 and 124). Most of the 115 grain camp argue that with the extra powder required for the lighter projectile, you get more efficient use of the compensator and a flatter shooting gun (at the expense of some snappy recoil). The 124 grain camp believe the heavier projectile with less powder produces a softer shooting gun. These are just generalizations based on reading several threads here on Enos. You really have to try both to get a sense of what you prefer. In my heavy steel gripped guns, I like the 115s with 8.8 grains of HS-6. BTW--nice choice on going with the CK Arms. I've got one of the Thunder Limited Guns and it's been fantastic. Edited June 20, 2016 by tyler2you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 (edited) You'll see a pretty large number of folks in both camps (115 and 124). Most of the 115 grain camp argue that with the extra powder required for the lighter projectile, you get more efficient use of the compensator and a flatter shooting gun (at the expense of some snappy recoil). The 124 grain camp believe the heavier projectile with less powder produces a softer shooting gun. These are just generalizations based on reading several threads here on Enos. You really have to try both to get a sense of what you prefer. In my heavy steel gripped guns, I like the 115s with 8.8 grains of HS-6. BTW--nice choice on going with the CK Arms. I've got one of the Thunder Limited Guns and it's been fantastic. Awesome. Thanks Tyler! Edited June 21, 2016 by MKitzmiller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 If you look at the statistics for nationals 124's/125's are the norm in open by a very wide margin. I shot 115's for a few years and liked it fine but now I'm migrating back to heavier bullets. I really like Montana Gold 121 IFP OVER 7.4 WAC @1.165. PF 172-3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 20, 2016 Author Share Posted June 20, 2016 Nils Jonasson turned me onto these Berry's HHP 124's and I'm hooked. I JUST ordered another 2K yesterday. I have some Montana 130's and some Bayou 115's.. This will be a blast.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 statistics for nationals 124's/125's are the norm in open by a wide margin. WOW!!! I'm surprised. I would have guessed (guess I'm wrong) that the majority of M/GM's would be shooting .38 super with lighter bullets (115's) ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 21, 2016 Author Share Posted June 21, 2016 My open gun will arrive to me on Thursday. I know that a "break in" period is a bit of a controversy. However, I'm wondering if I should go through the labor of building a bunch of major pf 9mm or maybe reduce the spring and shoot some factory stuff. ANY recommendations would be most appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 My first gun ran straight out of the box without a hiccup (9lb spring and major PF ammo). My second gun wouldn't cycle the slide far enough to get a second round in the chamber. For that one I had to drop down to a 6 lb spring to get it to cycle at around 75% reliability. I was starting to think it was never going to work when magically around the 400 round mark, it started running like a top. I was also able to go up to a 9 lb spring on that one as well. I think it's all going to be gun dependent, but I'd bet you won't need to put more than 200 rounds of major PF ammo through that CK before it's running reliably. I wouldn't waste my time with minor PF ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKitzmiller Posted June 21, 2016 Author Share Posted June 21, 2016 10-4. Thanks Tyler. I guess its to the lab to make up some bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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