FrankD
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Thanks Mike for the information.
My SVI is a early model with no holes in the barrel just a compensator.
I tried 3N38 once with not much luck at 9.0 grs. SVI recommends 3n37 for barrels with just a compensator. I had better luck with 3N37with 9.2 grains using a 124 gr FMJ. I also tried Auto Comp with 6.0 grs. yesterday and its just not enough powder.
SVI also recommends a 17lbs. hammer spring. The spring in the gun made the hammer very hard to pull back using your thumb. I installed a 15 lbs. spring with the Auto Comp at 6.1 grains.The max load according to Hodgdon Reloading Sheet is 6.3 grains. Seems to me still not enough powder.
So I plan on going to 6.3 and 6.5 grs. of Auto Comp. Atlas Gunworks suggested Silhouette powder. He presently building me a 9mm IDPA/USPSA gun from a STI Frame Kit that I've had hanging around for a few years.
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Hey Frank,
LOL! I'll be honest, I have no idea what the hammer spring weight is. My primers always pop and the triggers are great on both guns. I do know the STI Grand Master has a stock hammer spring, whatever weight that is.
Regarding load work-ups: you can load just about any powder you want and get the bullet out of the barrel but that is not what you want to do. The thing with open guns is that you must use a powder that generates a lot of gas. That will make the comp much more effective.
I have a friend (Master class shooter) and he is running 10.4 grains of 3N38 and his power factor is about 179. But that is what works his comp most effectively and makes his dot track better in recoil.
I would ask around locally and see what others in your area are using for powder. I've never heard of anyone using Silhouette for an open gun. Most people I know are running 3N38, 4756, 3N37, 105, HS-6 (for open 9mm) and Auto-Comp for powder, small rifle primers (handles the pressure better than pistol primers) and some kind of 124-125 grain projectile. Just about all the guys running 38SC in my area are loading to an OAL of 1.235.
Here is a link for what I call the 38SC Bible :
http://38super.net/Pages/Major.html
There are tons of really good information here.
Regards,
Mike
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Hi hanexp, You answered my email on troubleshooting my SVI open gun last month. I'm still playing with powder. I did use 3n38 and 3n37. The gun to my surprise didn't like the 3n38 starting with 9.0 grs. I when up to 10 grains with a hard hitting impact to the hand and muzzle flip.
I had better luck with 3n37 which SVI's website recommends for guns with no holes in the barrel. Still fine tuning that powder.
My gun does not have any holes in the barrel just a 3 hole comp. I noticed that the hammer spring take some effort to over come if you cock the gun by hand. SVI uses a 17 lb. hammer spring. I ordered a 15 and 17 lb. hammer springs from Dawson a few days ago. I think the hammer spring I removed took too much powder to overcome the spring that was in the gun.
What is your thoughts on lowering the grains and going to a 15 lbs. spring. I was wondering if you ever went down this road with your gun?
I think some of the information I provided was not clear on my part. I should have mentioned that the gun had no holes in the barrel.
Thanks,
Frank
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Hi Blair,
Thanks for the information. I think Brandon is a great idea. I think the spring I took out was a 19 lb spring. I tried WAC with 6.2 grains with a 124g FMJ. I just didn't have enough powder. So I'm loading a batch with 7g and 7.5g. I did read on SVI website the they recommend 3N37 powder.
Thanks for your help,
Frank
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Hi,
I use WAC for 9mm only. The advantage of 38SC is that with the longer case, you can load slower powders, like 3n38,N105 etc. With the commander length barrel in my 9mm shorty (not the SV), 7.0 g WAC, 125g JHP, OAL 1.625 gets me Major PF. In that gun, I use 7.5 with 115g JHP. I do prefer the 115g bullet load. YMMV in your gun, altitude, etc.
3N37 is probably a great powder; I don't have any experience with it. With the 38SC (three holes), I like 3n38. N350 is pretty close to 3N38 in my pistol.
I am interested in what Brandon's might suggest may be optimum for a barrel with no holes, if you learn anything.
Best,
Blair
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I plan on following BeerBaron's advice. I think it was the powder. I was looking for feedback since this is my first Open gun. I think we probably have the series same gun. This also has three holes This was a sponsorship gun according to SVI. I contacted them for some history prior to purchasing it. Looks brand new. All the area you expect to show wear are exceptional. Thanks for your advice.
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Thanks Tino for your time and input.
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I was thinking of calling them today. I think the powder is the problem too. I used 231 for 9mm loads in a few of my machine guns and it was what I had available.
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Your ideas are great and I want to thank you for taking the time to write this long post.
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Case will not eject. I basically have single shot pistol. If I use a test bullet and rack the slide all the way back the case does eject. I'm thinking the powder is the problem. I was looking for confirmation or ideas before I move forward.
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That's a good idea. Thanks
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The case is not ejecting at all
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Thanks Eric I'll give it a shot.
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Thanks I will change the COL and locate some 3N38 powder. I had this 231 available for the 9mm I load. Checking the extractor tonight.
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Flying a little blind here! I purchased the gun used from an auction. The write-up has the weapon listed as a .38 Super. So at this point I'm assuming (which is not a good idea) that it is correct. I contacted SVI last year to inquire about the odd serial no. Shooter 1. SVI confirmed it was a .38 super build.
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Hi Folks, Looking for some advice. I have a .38 Super SVI open pistol with a case ejection problem. I used the following items: Winchester 231 Powder Winchester Small Pistol Primers Starline Cases 125 Gr. FMJ Bullets I started with 5.4grs., 5.6grs. and the max load of 5.7grs. according to Hodgdon Reloading Data. The cases are taper crimped with a COL 1.275". My problem is the case doesn't eject or stovepipe. The case sits perfectly horizontal after firing. My first batch at 5.4grs. was not taper crimped and those did stovepipe. I been reading BallisticianX topic on Accurate No.7, 3N38 and N105. Win 231 is not the powder of choice for an open gun. So any advice is deeply appreciated. Thanks, Frank
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My deciding factor was really travel time. The USPSA matches were South of me and IDPA matches were North of me. I shot USPSA first and found it easier to shoot. IDPA rules are different and probably closer to real world encounters. Plus IDPA does not have a $3100 Open gun division. They are both fun expect to spend the day the last match I shot had 78 shooters. This makes for a long day bring a chair.
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Pete, Where in Massachusetts did you get your CZ SP01 Custom and how do you like it? FrankD
