Joe

I'll add my recent experience also. I widened the factory fixed 3-dot rear notch on my Commander from .125 to .150, keeping the front at .125. This has given me a very fast sight alignment. I did the rear notch because it was the easiest to modify. I took a flat file and ground flat one of the edges so I wouldn't change the depth of the notch. I did one side at a time, measuring the width often so as to remove the same amount from each side. This kept the windage from changing. I'm still able to keep all of my rounds in an 8 inch circle at 25yrds and somewhat consistantly hit bowling pins at 40+. Remember I'm still a BEginner but I recently did a 7yrd Bill Drill that had 2 targets side by side, one being inverted, six rounds each w/a mag change between in just over 9 seconds with all A's. I'm also shooting a lot more A's than C's in our regular COF. Thanks again for the Great Forums. Joe

I bought a factory crimp die as I was having problems w/some of my load not chambering w/lighter recoil springs. I was limited to the 16lb in my Commander. The die has corrected the problem AFAIK. I tried the 14lb next and couldn't tell much difference in felt recoil or muzzle flip. So I switched it out w/the 12lb. All I can say is simply amazing. Muzzle flip has been reduced to nil. I haven't a known standard for split times but if they didn't half I'd be surprized. I may re-install the 14 and compare splits. I was using an 8" white circle target I make and I couldn't miss either, even out at the max 25 yard range, freestyle. Can't wait to see what happens tonight at the match. I'm using just one Wilson Shockbuff in front. I may need to place something thinner at the rear. Now I'm wondering what the 10 lb will do? Thanks for all of the great info, here and in Brians' Book. Joe

Did a seach and the only post I could find was July of 2001 that covered this. So I thought I'd ask again. I am going to use my 26 for Production. It's my CCW and I want to get some quality trigger time w/it. I used it a couple of series ago at our local club matches in L10 and did well. Right now I'm shooting L10 w a single-stack .45 and will continue w/it. Anyway, I have a couple of mod questions. I've changed the serrated trigger for a smooth, have the extended slide and mag catches and Pearce pinkie extentions on the mags. Is this legal for Production? If not what do I need to change? Also I'm taking for granted that Trijicon's and the NY1/3.5# trigger combo is legal along with my DeSantis E1 holster and UM kydex mag carriers. TIA, Joe

We shot CM99-37, Steel One not as a CM but just as a match and everyone seemed to enjoy it. Steel, lots of mandatory mag changes and some strong hand. http://www.uspsa.com/classifiers/cm99-37.gif Joe

I hit .4 about 7 out of ten tries. I used to bracket drag race though. Joe

Thanks, 'Man of Knowledge'!!! Somehow I 'knew' without 'knowing' you'd 'know'. I'm getting it, slowly. Thanks benos! Joe

If this has been discussed before please direct me to the thread. I don't recall see it. I also have Brians' book and don't recall it there either. What things should I be concerned with during matches and practice that I should keep a record of? Thanks for this great site and all the great info!!! Joe

Could be. But the way I see it if that were the case all of my rounds would do it, not just a random few. I could be wrong but I think the case lengths vary enough that the crimp die bulges the longer ones slightly. I'm hoping it arrives today. Got another 1000+ to do on my RockChucker. I'll post the results. Thanks for the tips incase this doesn't help.

I just purchased one from Lee Saturday. $19.98 shipped. http://www.leeprecision.com I'm having problems when using lighter recoil springs. My reloads are causing the slide not to lock. The round won't fully chamber stops about a quarter to an eighth. I check my rounds as Speer suggests, with my bbl. Insert round into bbl press in w/thumb, invert bbl, round should fall out. I find that some of mine don't no matter how I adjust my crimp die. I'm confident the new die will eliminate this problem. I'm ready to try out all of these recoil springs!!! Joe

I participated in my first sanctioned match yesterday!!! Did I have a great time. This stage was my 3rd of the day. I'm going to post more about the match in the appropriate forum. Here is how I did (Please don't laugh too hard) 14 A's, 3 C's and 1 D for a total of 84 of 90 points. My D was weak hand on the very last target I engaged. My time were 9.28 (had a malf ), 7.81 and 9.34 for a blazing 26.43 seconds. This gave me a Hit Factor of 3.178. 3 more to go!!! How'd I do for a BEginner? At least a 'D' Classification? Joe p.s. If I've violated any policy please take the appropriate action.

Thanks for all of the replies. I've been practicing twisting and I almost have the hang of it. By almost I mean that we fired 'Speed-E-Standards' at the last match and under stress the last mag change when you shift to weak hand I did both my weak hand thumb and the strong thumb twist simultaniously. Still did decent enough for me, no misses and nothing under a 'C' at an ice-age slow 16+ seconds. Don't laugh too hard, remember I'm still a BEginner. Thanks again, Joe

In truth a super accurate load in my gun may be the worst thing you ever fired out of yours. Just too many variable in manufacturing or even custom buildings. You can develop a load for yours though. If you already have a favorite load you can try tweeking it. I would load some test rounds that are .1 above and below the charge your using now. If one of those are satifactory but still need improvement then I would experiment with different over all lenghts. Most time increasing the OAL without allowing the bullet to touch the bore improves accuracy. Different crimp dimensions will also change things. Lot's of things to try. That is part of the fun of reloading. HTH, Joe

Now to get some of those "U's" changed. LOL!!! Our Club isn't affiliated yet. But I'm going to try and make another Club's Match this Sunday. Hope they have a couple of CM there. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks, Joe

I've used it as an RO but I'm not familiar with using it for par times and such. Fiddling with it right now I understand a little about it. What do the F/R/I functions do? The Pres is out of town and left everything with me for the match this week. I of course forgot to ask for the instruction manual? I'm going to do a websearch and see if I can find out any more. Thanks for the help. Joe

Quote: from Peter K on 4:40 pm on Feb. 18, 2002 Detlef, I think the german "caliber" is the best! Meanwhile I know some of the guys who make this magazine and they know what they are talking about! Do you can buy "caliber" in the US? I've never heard of it. Is it published in English? Is there a website? Joe

For IPSC shooting 'Front Sight' of course. I believe that international memberships are offered. Or you may be able to just subscribe to the mag. http://www.uspsa.org. I like 'Combat Handguns'. http://www.combathandguns.com It covers exactly what the title implies. From military, security and civilian carry. I find AH difficult to read because of the 'boxes' the text is in. Sometimes I'll read the 'boxes' out of order. Other than that I like it. May just be me though. I also read Peterson's Handguns. It's OK but I don't think I'm going to re-subscribe. HTH, Joe (Edited by Joe at 9:24 pm on Feb. 17, 2002)

On CM's if the instructions state "Engage T1-T3 with..." does that mean in order. T1 then T2 and so on? Or is it free style? I know the rules state CM's aren't required to comply w/'as and when visible' thus my question. Can a regular COF stipulate order? On manual safeties, when are they required to be engaged? I understand when holstering or placing on a table or some other prop but at what other times? Thanks, Joe

Sorry thought it was obvious. Competition, specifically USPSA Limited 10. With a search Wilson seems the overall choice. They don't list any fronts though other than the fixed sets and the one night. What manufacture offers a dovetail front partridge of various widths/heights in basic black? TIA, Joe

I'm going to have my slide dovetailed for a front sight and the rear milled if necessary. I'd like to have one w/o milling the rear but is that possible or even advisable? What are the 'best' adjustable sights for a Commander length slide? Should I consider a night sight? Those new tru-glow tubes for the front? Dots or no dots? Ramped or target front? Are smaller width front or larger notch rear available or would that be something custom? If I'm going to spend $100 to mill the slide the price for sights isn't really a problem. I more interested in how sights will appear to my eyes. Any links and of course your comments will be appreciated. TIA, Joe

I posed these pics but glockboy9mm shot them and is hosting them. Thanks gb!!! It is a 'U' Model SS Commander. I did all of the work on this myself. I didn't do anything to the sear, disconnector or hammer except polish all contacting surfaces. The 80 Series firing pin safety is fully operational. I adjusted the sear/disconnector leaves to read as close to 1lb each as possible. Here's what I've done: Ed Brown 2-Piece Guide Rod. Wolf Variable Reduced Power Recoil Spring-I have the set and currently have the 16lb installed. Wilson Shok-Buf. STI Adjustable Trigger-No adjustment was neccessary. Wilson Extended Safety-Non-Ambi. Ed Brown Extended Mag Release w/a #2 Wolf reduced power spring. Smith and Alexander Arched Mainspring Housing/Mag Well-I matched this to the mag opening w/a dremel and some time. 15lb Wolf Hammer (Main) Spring-This with the mentioned leaf adjustments and the STI trigger gave me an outstanding 3lb 14oz trigger pull. I would like it at about 3/3½ but for now this is great. I'm using Chip McCormick 10 round mags (5) and UM Kydex Holster and 2 mag carriers. So far it has been 100% reliable. But it was close to that before the mods anyway. Finally here are the pics: http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos_share...6%2E5%2D151%2E5 What do you think? Joe (Edited by Joe at 8:03 am on Jan. 30, 2002)

I'm going to cherish every one of these and learn to 'not know'. Joe

.45 ACP. Joe

Of course I didn't do it in one sitting. I broke it up into different tasks. Somewhere around 10-12 hours total. I've got to get a turret press. Joe

This is for anyone whos club puts on a weeknight match. How many stages? Lately one, sometimes two. How many rounds? If it's one stage around thirty, if its two, 12+ per. Size of range? 25 yard indoor about 13 yards across. Indoor or outdoor? See above. Types of stages (speed shoots/field courses)? Recently our Pres has come up with some very interesting original ideas that conform with DVC and USPSA. We sometimes shoot CM's as close as we can set them up in the limited space. Match fee? $10 for Club Members, $20 annual membership fee. Extra fee for non-range members? Range membership is not required, we rent the range per hour. Non Club members pay $12. We are a new club but we are growing weekly. We have over 20 people usually show up. We rent the range for 2 hours and are usually finished by then. Once in a while we have ran longer. Check out our website: http://www.louisvillepracticalshooters.com Joe (Edited by Joe at 4:47 pm on Jan. 24, 2002)

Hey Friend!!! Glad you decided to join in. Lot's of outstanding information here. Best of all are the Great People that make up this site. Thanks!!! Joe