ChrisMcCracken

Excellent points. My question about the G34 then would be whether a stainless steel CCF slide has that same problem. I'm not hung up on getting the Caspian. A standard slide, tweaked to my preferences would be fine. That conversion barrel info is exactly what i needed to know. I'm getting more amenable to shooting the 9mm. I guess the only other concern I have in going with 9mm would be how it limits my use of this gun in limited class. Would the 9mm be harder to make major in a limited gun compared to an open? I'm looking at the STI guns for sure, but I've got zero experience with them. My predeliction to glocks stems completely from my familiarity with them, my ability to modify and tweak them myself, and their overall cost compared to other race guns. I am proficient enough with a glock trigger, that I'm sure I could get it shooting to whatever level I'd need to be competitive. The actuall form factor of how the gun points is not as significant for me. I do love the feel of a glock in my hand, especially the fact that the forward frame is the same width as the grip, making a high forward position with my supporting hand/thumb easy. I've just recently gotten good at controlling my G30 at rapid fire by modifying my hand position. I may get the same results with an STI, but I've never held one. I'm a tinkerer by nature and love to do my own work. While I have no compunction shipping it out to get custom machining done, I would rather not have to do this for trigger tweaks. I'd appreciate any links or info you have that can enlighten me on the benefits of an STI and how to set one up to be competitive for as cheap as possible. I don't exactly know why, but Glocks really are addictive. Chris

It taunts me from home, in pieces, waiting to be finished...

Thats the plan, but I at least had to start somewhere in my head. Unfortunately there weren't many open guns at the last match I went to. Hopefully summer matches will have more people out than a rainy Sunday in January. That makes sense. Any particular reason for the G17 over the G34? What about a long slide G17? I'm working on getting my reload setup now, so I'll have plenty of time to become proficient. I'm not ready to give up on this one yet, but I may go ahead and buy a G17 first and then swap parts in and out rather than build it from scratch out of aftermarket components. That way I could get the gun and get it shooting well, then change the frame and see how it differs. I don't mind the history part so long as the product is well made. Nothing has a history until someone tries it. One reason to consider the stainless would be to correct any flex in the frame. Someone recently mentioned this flex as a reason to go with the G17 over the G34. I don't mind ordering a component that will take a while, since I'm in no rush, but i'm curious about what extra tweaking may be involved. Alternately, I was just considering getting the stock slide refinished to match the frame if I did go with a stainless frame. If I had it drilled for to lighten it or add ports, I'd have to have it refinished anyway. I'm certain they can still be had, and if not, there are a number of other clones. Some of which are supposed to be ok quality. I'd just rather go with something low profile rather than a c-more or tube. What I might see if Gram could do is make iron sites that attach to the milled/posted area the same as the optics do, sans dovetail. It would be a little higher than if the sights were buried themselves, but it might be a compromise that lets me shoot open & limited. If his setup is as good as it sounds, I shouldnt need to re-zero every time I swap either. Valid point, I hadn't considered it, but it sounds easy enough to look out for so long as you know it exists. I don't mind a wetblanket so long as the points are valid. This gun is at least a year off, as its likely going to get funded by graduation money. Edit: Fixed

I've got my very first workbench in progress, a 2'x4' work top with pegboard back straight out of a Lowe's kit. I absolutely can't wait to finish... too bad I'm on call tomorrow and I have to sleep. There once was a day, perhaps when I was single, when I just wouldn't have slept until I was through. I'm giddy with excitement. Step 1) bench. Step 2) 650XL to go on said bench. Step 3) ? Step 4) Profit!

Merlin, Thank you! After posting, I figured it must be a topic of endless debate. I'll read through some of them. Anyone else with ideas, substitute G34 or whichever model you prefer along with whatever other suggestions you have. Edit: I would like this gun to be able to shoot Limited and Open, depending only on whether I have the Dr. optic or iron sites in place and whether I have the comp'd barrel in or not. I don't know how much impact this would have on caliber choice or other planning.

Merlin, would you mind giving me some reasons? My reason for picking a .40 was to make it easier to make major. As I understand it, I could also get a 9mm barrel that would work in the .40, should I decide the extra ammo per mag was important. Like I said, I'm willing to rethink this though... easier now while its on the drawing board.

I'm contemplating the prospect of setting up an open blaster. I think I would like to go with a Glock 35. Here's what I want: Stainless Steel Frame from CCF race frames Stainless Steel slide, likely Caspian, as this is the only maker I know. Dr. Red-dot rebuilt and low mounted by Gram Engineering. Possibly, low mounted iron sites that are exchangeable with the Dr. if Gram can manage. KKM Compensated barrel Tungsten guide rod and spring kit to play with I would do all the trigger mods myself. I'd likely use a 3.5# connector from lone wolf, an ultimate trigger stop or some other form of stop to prevent over travel, a bend where the trigger spring attaches to shorten the travel before firing, and a whole lot of polishing. I'd even considering attaching something behind the trigger to function as a stop instead of the UTS, as I don't like the extra flex in the trigger bar that the UTS can cause. I'm also considering a siderlock trigger to replace the stock trigger because I like the way theirs is built with easy to access pins and a spring operated trigger safety. I'd probably leave their extra safety button off. I'd like to get the frame and slide chrome finished to match if possible. Has anyone setup something similar? I'm completely open to other suggestions of ideas I haven't though of or for alternate products to those I've listed. Chris

That sounds awesome! Is there a website or contact you could provide for more info? I've done one GSSF indoor shoot and one uspsa. I know of a range that does IDPA a couple times a month near hear. I love any opportunity to shoot.

Checkout the email I got:

My wife's graduation for her masters in dance.

Thanks for the advice. I don't assume the rules are different, but they were pretty lax last time. I brought my G30, which is most definitely modified enough to not be production. They let me shoot production anyway, though in hindsight I should have shot limited10 for the major points. That and they didn't care about my duty rig either. I'm sure the GB would be no issue, especially since I'm just having fun and no where near competing for the top yet. As far as your research and any new info is concerned, I'd love to hear about anything cool you find. The GB is definitely a one of a kind design. It didn't get the recognition or contracts that it deserved, and glock coming on the market drove the last nail into the coffin. I love learning about different firing mechanisms. I'm reading through Hatcher's notebook right now. If you're not familiar with it, its one of the most comprehensive texts on firearm history, designs, and all kinds of experiments with ballistics and such. My dad got me an awesome leather bound, gold leaf, edition. I highly recommend it for the occasional read.

Thanks Flexmoney! I figured there would be some story like that for why it wasn't on the list, and its good to know where it won't qualify. Unless I set the course ablaze with it on a couple local matches, I won't worry too much about going to higher levels. I may just stick with my duty rig, too, since a) I already own it and no body at a local match will give flying fart about what type of holster I use most likely. Thanks again! Chris

I'm in Portsmouth, VA. I'm not familiar with the Beretta, so I've got nothing to which I can compare. I just know that she is big... bigger than a G17 would be my guess, as its an 18rd mag without protruding past the grip. I shot my G30 at my first USPSA competition a couple weekends ago, and I want to make a G35 open/limited gun. My GB will likely just be for fun at local matches until I get to build my blaster, which may not be for another year and a half or more depending on how graduation and graduation presents pan out in '08. I'm scheming to have a reloading bench setup by this summer. I've got the master plan laid out. I just have to put the pieces in place. Chris

I'm not worried about local matches. I know there wouldn't be an issue. It's just a good gun, and I'm happy about any recognition it gets. Any ideas for a holster? Should I post a separate thread to ask? Thanks!

Thanks Flexmoney! I sent one in too. Hopefully we'll hear back with good news.

Next important question: Does anyone know of a competition holster that would fit a Steyr GB? Its a large frame gun. I have a duty setup for it, but that would require keeping the flap on the holster. Thanks again! Chris

I'm not very concerned about parts. I can always pull parts from one to fix another. I have 5 magazines, which should be enough. Ideally, it would be a production gun, but as I understand it, there is a 10rd mag cap for USPSA in that division. I know I could leave each mag half full, but thats just a waste of good magazine space. It may be there really isn't any one niche that will be perfect for the GB. I may just have fun with it at local shoots. Any other thoughts are welcome. Chris

I've got a Steyr GB that I'd love to shoot more, well, three GB's if you count the other two my Dad has. Can any of you think of a class or type of competition that would be best for this gun? If you're not familiar with it, its a 9mm automatic, 18rd, double action/single action. Its got a pretty stiff first pull if you aren't allowed to cock the hammer first, but the single action release is oh so sweet. Its probably one of the tightest shooting guns you'll ever find right out the box. They don't make them any more, so they're hard to find detailed info on and even harder to find accessories for. Parts are non-existent. I'm a believer in the idea that guns are meant to be shot. I don't want these to be relegated to "gunsafe queen" status. Thanks! Chris PS- I'm new to the forum and appreciate all the help I can get. I've just started getting into competition, and I'm looking to start reloading as soon as I can muster the funds and stake claim on a space to setup a bench.