or2d2 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 (edited) Alright gonna catch some flak for this but oh well. Live and learn. I had been wanting to go to open for a bit I've been shooting production and just loved the idea of a 9mm open gun. So this was listed on the USPSA forums as a Bedell custom and I picked it up way, way lower than what the guy was asking for it so regardless I think I got an OK deal, but I can't tell if it is what he says it is. He couldn't provide a parts list or receipt and he said he was the original owner but I know there's people out there who don't really care, just want a gun. So here she is. Photo album http://s1283.photobucket.com/user/or2d2/slideshow/2011 What I know: KKM .355 barrel with 2 popple holes Appears to be a Bedell 7 port compensator Wolff springs Dawson magwell STI frame, assume slide Cmore STI undercut grip, stippled and flat trigger Trigger breaks at 2.7ish lbs I think its a Doug Koenig hammer I had the safety but can't find it now. Swenson? I had to turn the mag button around because I kept dropping the mag with my support hand. Aluminum shock buf The mount is not original, and I think the inside messed up screws are from that. I think I see a CP etched in the frame, but its almost electro pencil and have no idea when/how it was really done. What I don't know: Lb of recoil spring Guide rod/internal parts list Do the wear marks inside the gun and on the barrel look? Not really sure there the wear on the locking block area (or whatever it is on a 2011) look less than ideal. How she shoots: Owner said 8.6gr of HS6 with a 124gr. I thought that was a bit hot and although the gun handled 8.6 no problem (working up to obviously), I have it down to about 7.9 with home coated 128gr. I have shot about 750 so far with zero malfunctions related to the gun. I had issues with the new style STI mags but loading long to about 1.165-70 fixed that. The gun will still cycle with 4.0gr of HS6....... should I get a new recoil spring?! To me that really can't be good for the gun but I see a lot of guys are running low spring weights. So just looking for info. If you can identify any parts or problems please let me know! I emailed Bedell but didnt get a response and don't want to press the issue. Thanks! Edited July 13, 2017 by or2d2 edited to explain the backward mag release Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Well, looks like a good used gun, how it runs is really what counts ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Refinish it and keep on shooting it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Or just keep shooting it until you are sure you like Open. Open guns are high maintenance. Be sure its running good first. Then if all goes well, get it refinished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edge40 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Def looks like its been shot a bit but if its running who cares. Doesnt matter. One question tho, whats up with you mag release button? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 2 hours ago, Edge40 said: Def looks like its been shot a bit but if its running who cares. Doesnt matter. One question tho, whats up with you mag release button? It seems to be on backward. Hmmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Hello: Looks like an early Bedell pistol. I think it has an old Cheely racker, Swenson ambi safety, Dawson big hands magwell, and a STI grip safety. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
or2d2 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 19 minutes ago, Nugget said: It seems to be on backward. Hmmmm. Yessir! I wrote that post rather hurriedly. I turned it backwards because I kept dropping mags mid stage with my support hand, it's too big. I plan on changing it out but for now its out of the way. And yes, she's running 100%. Again 750 rds no malfunctions after I bumped the OAL out. I'm most concerned with the fact she'll eat 4gr of HS6 as well as 8.6, seems like the recoil spring may need a replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
or2d2 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 1 minute ago, Aircooled6racer said: Hello: Looks like an early Bedell pistol. I think it has an old Cheely racker, Swenson ambi safety, Dawson big hands magwell, and a STI grip safety. Thanks, Eric Thanks Eric. It's not the original racker either it was a zig and the old owner switched it out. Appreciate the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Hello: Guide rod looks like a Briley aluminum one also. I would use a 8 or 9lb ISMI recoil spring also. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Service Desk Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 The winningest guns are not always the prettiest guns, so IMHO.... Oil it, load bullets and go shoot ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottlep Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Looks alot like Max Michel's older Steel Challenge Open gun. Also looks similar to Max's new gun he had built this year. Max's is a single stack in 38SC, but this gun looks alot like it. Slide cuts are very similar and the single line down the top of the slide is almost a dead giveaway. Bedell does all of Max's 1911/2011s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
or2d2 Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 (edited) Awesome thank you all for the feedback. Any thoughts from anyone on the fact that the gun will cycle 4.0gr of HS6 with a 128gr? I don't want to keep shooting it if I'm beating the crap out of it. I figured new recoil springs are in order regardless but I don't know if thats a common thing that open guns can/will do. That is, cycle on low velocity and high velocity. I guess that depends on the user and what they like their spring weight at. Edited July 13, 2017 by or2d2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
js1130146 Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 I run an 8# variable in mine and it will eat everything I've tried. Major loads, factory loads, production loads that barely make minor. It might be a little on the light side but I like the way the dot tracks and how it feels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue edge Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 Looks like one of Dans gun and by the scope mount 2005 or newer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallisticianX Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Thats a Bedell "Shorty" Gun with full length recoil system, no doubt. I have a hardchromed twin to it. Mine has a Shuemann barrel with 3 popples instead of a KKM. Its his old style 7 port comp. It runs an 8lb Wolff recoil spring. Dan always runs Wolff recoil springs at 8lbs in all his open builds whether short or long slides. Back then I believe he also used Wolff mainsprings but Im not sure what weight he used then. His newer guns run an ISMI 11lb mainspring. If you need any particular info on it give Dan a call, he will happily tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooldylocks Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Quit asking about the recoil spring and just change it. Cheap insurance. Either an 8 or 9, in standard or variable. You'll have to play with them to see what you like. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now