cheers623

As long as you're cool with the 2.5 moa dot: http://www.evergladesammo.com/shooting-accessories/gunsmithing/ega-deltapoint-pro-scope-mount.html

So, the slide is currently just cut for the small footprint of the Jpoint sight and tapped for the two screws. No locator pins. The horizontal surface of the machined area is cut with a 1 degree down angle. My idea is to machine out a larger area on that same 1 degree down angle and drill and tap a cutout for some sort of MOS adapter plate that could be swapped out to accommodate different mini-red dots. Anybody got a lead on someone that specializes in something like that?

Hey guys, I had a great local smith build me an open gun with Jpoint mounted on the slide. Had problems with two different Jpoints in a row. One had auto brightness issues, the other had zero-wandering issues. Without arguing the pros/cons of slide mounted dots, my question is does anyone know a smith that could machine my slide to accept something similar to the Glock/S&W/SA MOS plates that can allow the use of multiple optics. I'd like to try a few different ones before giving up on the slide-mount option. Help is greatly appreciated, Cheers623 DVC

Bladetech does. You just have to select the STI Edge from their pulldown menu. Its got the same width dust cover. Its longer but shouldn't effect the overall fit of the holster and will still provide a secure hold on the pistol.

Sarge, this reply contains some helpful perspective too. The case fullness would be an issue for me...OCD rules the roost on my reloading bench...can't stand powder spillage... However, it doesn't seem that HS-6 would present a terrible problem with that issue. Or...does it? No experience to rely on personally. Any help is appreciated!

I'm an A class shooter on the verge of making Master in Limited and Single Stack. While spending the time piddling around with different powders is fun, spending more time with one powder, trying different weight loads, and finding one that runs the comp best while also getting trigger time seems....more fun and productive. Neither powder will make me better...duh...just looking for experienced Open shooters who've tried both in a 5" no-holes 9 Major gun and that have informed opinions about which one they'd buy 32lbs of. One of my most highly respected shooting friends started with N350 for .38 Supercomp a number of years back based on my recommendation along with others who had experience with that caliber. Now he's a GM and one of the best Open shooters on the scene. He's never found any reason to experiment or try anything else. I'm just throwing this thread out there in hopes of finding out if there's a similar consensus between the Autocomp and HS-6...because when I do buy whichever powder...it's going be a bunch! Thanks for the helpful feedback thus far...greatly appreciated. Keep it coming...

Gonna be keeping only one 9mm projectile in the supply line. I've got an awesome 9 Minor load for my wife in Production and Limited, and for general practice with our various carry guns. That load uses 124gr PDs. A long time ago...during my first go-round in Open, I tried a bunch of loads with both 115 and 124 Montana Golds. Out of a 5" gun with a traditional comp and no popple-holes, I decided I preferred the 124gr over the 115.

Powder Valley announced that they're raising prices in 2017. Eventually going to shoot Open and have decided on 124gr PD hollowpoints and either Autocomp or HS-6 for 9 Major out of a 5" Trubor barrel with no holes. I'm going to lay in a large supply for next season and based on the group-think of BEnos Open Borg-Collective have narrowed it down to these two powders. I know the popular answer is "Try both and see which one is right for YOU"...however, I'm of the opinion that it's really a wash in the end and that it's more important to just start logging time behind the gun. If you were going to just start loading one of these two powders....which one would it be? Thanks in advance!

Just saw this thread. Thought I'd chime in since I was just in his shop on Monday. You'll not meet a nicer, more genuine, professional gentleman! His shop is a model of organization and cleanliness. Step inside and this business is obviously top-notch. His 1911 custom builds are beautifully crafted, functional works of art. Slide to frame fits, machining, barrel lockup, and triggers are second to none and his pride in workmanship is obvious in every detail. He also does Glock work and appears to include a full-service menu on them as well. From functional "business" modifications, all the way thru "gamer" mods. True one-stop-shopping. While I was tire-kicking I noticed an older flyer from his earlier years and saw some "old-school" Open Gun builds that would make you drool! Think single-stack comp guns with iron sights. This gent has clearly been in the business since IPSC became a thing. Anybody within driving distance would be well served to go and see what true craftsmanship is. Oh...and apparently he knows something about precision rifles too...gross understatement of the year...

You can also get 200gr Bullets in both calibers too. Loading .40 with 200gr Bullets makes it feel identical to 200gr .45 loads, in my personal experience. Having shot Single Stack for the last 4-5 years almost exclusively, with most of the first 3 years being .45 caliber...once I switched to a .40sw Single Stack....id never go back to .45. The main reason is the fact that I can use the same load in all my Limited guns too. Now I only have to buy small pistol primers, I don't have to sort out .45 brass with different type primer pockets, and I can find tons of used .40 range brass for free. From a recoil perspective, once the timer goes off I can't tell the difference on the clock. The only downside of .40 Single Stack is the relatively smaller selection of pistols and magazines to choose from. However, the choices that are out there are all high quality and it's relatively easy to get a good reliable setup in .40 now. If you think you might ever shoot Limited Division, I'd go with a .40 and not look back. Hope that helps!

Having both the Ice version and the IPSC version, I don't feel that the IPSC version is in any way slower than the Ice version. Also, I'm even more secure seating stiff, loaded mags with the IPSC version.

Alright...after many years of accumulating parts for an Open build, I'm at a decision point. I've literally got every single part of the build, chosen from the best sources around, sitting in a box...waiting. Now I've just got to choose a builder. One small caveat though...it'll have a slide mounted red dot...specifically a Leupold Deltapoint Pro and be chambered in 9Major. It's a long story...but I'm left-handed and have LARGE hands that tend to trap ejected brass. So mounts are out of the question. Even with the 90 degree mounts I trap brass. The local guy I used in Seattle, John Larson, makes great pistols but I moved to Kentucky. He's a possibility still. The rest of the short list looks like this: Bedell, Cheeley, Freedom, CKArms, Lonestar, Eddie Garcia, and Cameron's. The sticking point may be the red dot milling for the slide though. I know Bedell does it with the Deltapoint, he's posted photos on his website. Any other thoughts or suggestions? I don't want this thread to turn into a p****ing match though. Please, helpful/informative feedback only...pretty please... Cheers623 DVC

I've used these Magwells on 3 STI Trojans in 9mm, .40, and .45ACP. All different vintages. Also used on 3 different Springfield Operators, including one from the custom shop that had the frame blended to an SV Single Stack magwell. I'm currently using the Dawson IPSC version on a custom STI Duty One in 9mm. Hope that helps. Cheers623 DVC

Well...I hope this is helpful for those like me that are constantly OVER-ANALYZING their gear to improve their shooting! So, I've been shooting Single Stack almost exclusively for the last 3 seasons. I've won every match of the last 30+ I've shot except 2015 and 2106 SS Nats and 3 club matches in the last season since switching to 9mm Minor. All three of those club matches I had problems with my pistol running reliably. I mention this to provide perspective on my experience, so take it for what you will. Specifically, I'm posting to share my experience with the issue of Magwells. I started out shooting SS using an SVI Aluminum magwell that i fitted myself. I loved it and still do. Feels great, pretty low profile relative to the frame of the pistol and have rarely had problems reliably seating mags in 9mm, .40sw, and .45ACP. I have had a number of MAJOR disasters in actually getting the mag in though...not necessarily the magwell's fault...but some exposed edges of the frame have proven tricky...YMMV Switched to a Dawson Ice for 1911 and have enjoyed it. Feels good to load, very smooth and consistent. Looks a little crappy...my opinion...but performs well. EXCEPT...Using stiff magazines like Wilson, etc...I have had numerous problems reliably seating the mags. Both on and off the clock. It's so deep that your choice of basepad can really make or break this magwell's performance. By the way...I exclusively use Dawson base pads for whatever mag/caliber I'm running. Regardless...problems... Just got a Dawson Aluminum IPSC 1911 magwell and....I'm in love. Thus far it's been no less reliable for consistently hitting my reloads...maybe even a little smoother...but it seems to be the best of all worlds. Seating any magazine is ZERO issue! Great ergos for me. Lighter than all of the others...A BIG DEAL when shooting 9mm SS pistols! I dunno...I can't say enough good things about it! I've attached photos that I hope help for those of you that are looking for one! The order of photos is: Dawson 1911 IPSC, Dawson Ice 1911, SVI. I've not used the TechWell versions and can't provide any input on them. They look like great magwells but the grips are a deal-breaker for me. Too heavy for SS minor 9mm pistols. Hope this helps...this forum has been an invaluable asset for me and my improvement in the USPSA sport! Cheers623 DVC

You'll need to order a 6" Holster for a 1911 with a light rail. Or custom order one. The reason is that the DVC Single Stack pistol are built on a wider frame than standard 1911 pistols. Other STI models that you might look for in the Bladetech website would be STI Rangemasters or 2011 Edges, Tacticals, etc. Another difference between the DVC model and others is the shape of the trigger gaurd. Hope ths helps. I use an old Bladetech holster for the Edge model with my 5" Duty One with a light rail. Cheers623 DVC

With the Bomar/Style rear sights, .160-180" will all work. Many of the Edge type STI guns shipped with iron sights around .175". Using the .170" is a great middle of the road compromise. Only problem with the .180" height is, as mentioned above, having to crank your rear sight elevation up so high. My experience with this condition is that it may increase your chances of having the elevation screw eventually sheer off under recoil. I've had it happen 3 times on three different STI factory guns that had the .180" front sights installed. I replaced them with .160 or .170" front sights and new elevation screws, along with having to crank the rear sight back down lower and have had no more problems for many years. Your experience may vary but I hope that helps! Cheers623 DVC

Awesome advice on searching! That's how I'll do it from now on! Also, was able to find out what I suspected...you can do it...but...YMMV! Thanks guys!

Tried all the forum searches I could think where it would be appropriate and may have been covered. Again, stuff covering 9x23 to Supercomp, etc. No luck on 9x19 to .38 Supercomp. I realize fhat 9x19 is a tapered case and .38 Supercomp is straightwalled. However, becasue .38 is a longer case, is there enough "meat" left in the chamber to ream a 9x19 chamber to Supercomp and not compromise the case support at the bottom/lower portion of the case?

Ok...I suppose you could've been helpful instead of being an ass. I've searched already and find tons of stuff about slides/breechfaces/etc. No luck for my particular question. Also, tons of stuff about going the other way, i.e. shooting 9mm in a .38 barrel. However, I've not been able to create the magic search parameters wherein I'm able to find these 100s of times this question has been answered that you allude to...so ANYBODY else that feels like helping have any info?

Is it possible to open a barrel chambered for 9mm to .38 supercomp? Or is the profile of the 9mm at the base of the case too big, leaving the .38 case unsupported?

Specifically, can an RO touch the hole with their finger? Of course they can touch it with an overlay. But can they touch it with their finger. I.e. Putting finger into hole or touching behind the hole from opposite side of target?

Hey guys, just wondering where I can find info about what an RO can and cannot do while scoring holes in targets. Can't find it in the rule book about looking at target surface, front, back, etc. I know I've seen it somewhere and I already know about the rule that says competitors may not touch the target. Any help is appreciated.

Sorry to further complicate things but...talked to Dave Williams from the Springfield Custom shop when I was at SS Nationals and asked him specifically about whether the RO Operator in 9mm would make weight. He said "it should, it would be close, if you used a GI guide rod and light grips...it would"...so...the "official" answer is....maybe? Sorry! Cheers623 DVC

The standard model for the STI Edge will fit all of the models you listed. https://dawsonprecision.com/blade-tech-holsters-with-dropped-offset-stingray-attachments/ The dust cover on the Edge is the widest of all the models and so a holster designed to accommodate it will leave more than enough room for any of the other models. I've got 3 Bladetech holsters for the Edge and have used them with no problems for years for my various STI Tactical models, Springfield Operators, Edges, and other 2011 pistols. I just adjust the retention screws to whichever pistol is going to be used with the holster. Hope that helps, Cheers623 DVC