All-Gator

+1 on 3.1 Clays A-G

I can say something about the Clays load. I use 3.1/3.2 of Clays behind a 147 JHP to make a Power Factor of 130 in my CZ85. The 3.0/125 combination must be way down from that. Additionally, I'm using a much lighter recoil/main spring combination. A-G

Thanks A-G

Are the CZ-Custom slim grips legal in Production?? A-G

I've been shooting one for the past few months. What's your questions? A-G

Wonderful word of the day: Should. Arrghh...now I'm feeling defensive. The scorer "should" have the correct shooter and correct score sheet matched up and ready to go. The shooter "should" know the stage. But I also know that what "should" happen is often different from what "does" happen. I also know the unit does well what the commander checks. I guess I prefer to err on the side of a smooth-running, glitch-free stage. But from this thread, it is obvious that some do object to any deviation and find it distracting. So, once again, it seems no good deed goes unpunished. Whatever. A-G

A good question...but, probably, no real answer. My approach is as follows. I use my CZ Kadet to begin practice with practicing trigger control and sight picture/alignment on long shots (25 to 35 yards...head shots.) No multiple shots...just slow fire. Then I practice drawing and firing the first shot...I still don't have the hang of the first shot double-action requirement. (I'm just starting Production and IDPA after years and years of shooting USPSA Open.) Then I go to transitions...again one shot on each target. The idea is that practicing double taps, etc., with no recoil isn't that beneficial. I do this until I begin to loose focus...maybe 100 to 150 rounds. I then use the CZ85 to practice double taps, recoil management, movement, and whatever: Typically 30 to 50 rounds. BTW, I always include strong hand/weak hand for a few rounds. Over the years, I've run into two basic live-fire practice philosophies: One...shoot till you are ankle deep in brass; and, two, shoot far fewer rounds, but make every shot a quality/focused one. Obviously, I prefer the latter. However, which ever fits you, it is more important to practice your gun handling skills (drawing, reloading, etc.) by dry firing. Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire...it's the cheapist and best way to Grand Master. A-G

Got to the thread a little late, but want to add my two-cents. Typically, I begin by asking the clipboard holder, "Who's my shooter?" (Even if I damn well know the shooter.) Then I ask the shooter, "(use his name) do you understand the COF?" This sequence is more for my administrative purposes to assure that we have the appropriate score sheet and the appropriate shooter. I guess I could just ask, "Is that you?," but, asking if he "understands the COF" seems a little more friendly and does allow me to assist the shooter if needed. Most times the shooter will nod and I begin the official sequence of commands. Sometimes a question is asked...usually to confirm starting position. Importantly, on occasion, we find it isn't the correct shooter. I can't think of anytime that a shooter has shown...either verbally or with body language...that this sequence has disturbed him. After reading some of the posts, an inquiring mind wonders. A-G

You are asking about the inserts and screws, right? I use 'em and haven't experienced a noticable difference. With that being said, they do take out one potential source of slop. A-G

That's kinda' like asking what makes a woman beautiful. It's most often in the eye of the perceiver. The CZ is really, really accurate; it's ergonomics are outstanding (for me); parts, upgrades, and smithing are available...though you have to look for it; and it's less expensive. The 85C comes with most of the upgrades in place from factory (ambi's, etc.) I'm sure there are other reason. A-G

Erik, No arguement, but the thread was about 9mm. I load Clays for production which only uses minor scoring. My edit was directed at Clays not being appropriate for 9mmMajor. I use SP2 for my open pistols. And use 125's. I've used Clays for .40 and had no trouble reaching a 165 PF without undue pressure signs: There was minor flattening and some barely detectable cratering. This was true for both 165's and 185's. My preference for .40's is VV340. A-G

The rifle primers are a harder cup. I started using them "back in the day" when .38 supers at a PF of 175 definately needed them. I use them for all of my reloading (9mm, .40 cal, 9mmMajor, 9x23) out of habit, but there are advantages: Particularly, I find that seating the primer goes better/easier in my 650. BTW, I don't experience light strikes of which others complain. The primers are seated firmly and I use extended firing pins and a very light Koenig hammer. A-G Edit: I want to make sure you understand that Clays is fine for minor PF. Don't try to use it for major PF.

You are getting the typical warnings from many on this forum. With that being said, I've used Zero 147 JHP's and 3.1 of clays for years in my CZ85. No signs of over presssure (WSR primers with an OAL of l.ll8) and a 130 PF. Clays is a fine shooting, clean, and safe powder. Just use typical reloading caution in working up a load for your pistol. A-G

After twenty-plus years of shooting first .38 Supers; then .38SC; and, finally, 9x23's I found a recovery percentage to be about 60% (at best)at any match. Plus it was really time consumming to find them among the .45's, .40's, and 9mm's. With the number of production shooters who do not reload, I can quickly and easily pick out the shinny once-fired 9mm brass...with a recovery rate exceeding 100%. It's a blessing to not worry about finding my brass. If you are trying to use 115's with a slow, slow powder then case volumn does enter the equation. 124's and above lead to no problems. A-G

Availability and cost of brass. Otherwise...nada. A-G

J-hon, After reading your post, I spent a great deal of time/effort trying to get a handle on this mag problem. It seems there is a lot of archived internet traffic complaining of fully loaded TS mags causing "nose dives" in the first several cartridges. However, noticably few complaining of the problem in CZ75 mags...even the 26-rounder...as eveidenced in several previous posts in this thread. I emailed Angus about the problem and your post. No answer. Finally, I called CZC and spoke to the gunsmith. He said they did not make the conversion grips, but that CZ-USA had such a conversion kit. I called them and, yes, even though it's not listed, they do have a kit with thickened grips; a shadow mag release; and, a fitted mag well. Now, it's in the mail! I will continue in the quest...and will succeed by damn!! I will have a functioning big stick of some sort. A-G

Call Bobby Keigans at Freedom Arms. He doesn't have the history of some of the other names, but he does a fine shooting weapon. A-G

Hands down the FIPT in Titusville. A damn shame it went away. A-G

I think a previous email got lost in cyberspace. I'm headed down to Bobby Keigans (Freedom Arms) to discuss putting a bigstick together with ridges that go lower than the OEM mags. Or modifying a factory mag. If any ideas come about that seem to be doable I'll share them. Question: Does anybody know if another mag (eg, EEA, Tan, etc.) will fit into the TS/CM frame?? A-G

I can't emphasize enough that the RaceMaster is head and shoulders above all of the previous holsters that I've used. And I think that I've tried 'em all over the years. A-G

The Double Alpha RaceMaster is the best holster I've ever had. I prefer it over my Guga. It doesn't have a factory-ready block for the TS, but has a block for the SP01. It required a slight, quick...and easy...modification for my CzechMate (same frame as the TS.) A-G BTW: Saul Kirsh has an on-line tutorial for the required modification.

MHOP, Not the weld...it's smooth. I'm refering to the strengthening ridges (indentations from the outside of the mag) that run almost the entire length of the tube. When fully loaded the compressed spring is below the end of the ridges. I think that is where the problem lies. As I said, if you add the +3 mag extension, the spring doesn't kink and the problem goes away. Don't have a gauge, but it's too long to an eyeball measurement against a legal STI mag. Maybe the short +1 CZ-USA extension would be legal and solve the problem. Right now, I don't have one to try. A-G BTW, I'm barely computer literate and have never figured out how to attach photos. Sorry 'bout that.

FYI One more "aha" experience: Went to the range and suddenly the CMJ's were somewhat less than 100% reliable. Oh, hell!! Well, I happened to look in the bottom witness hole of a fully loaded bigstick. I could see that the coils were packed completely against each other and were slightly kinked to the side. It came to me that the kink might be catching against the bottom of the raised guides which end slightly above the witness hole (and the kink) and not allowing the spring to apply upward pressure. I placed a CZ-Custom long mag extension on the mag...which removed the kink. VOILA!! The mag functions 100%...even with the JHP's. Ok, now, I think I know the problem. But the added extension makes the mag illegal by some silly millimeters. I'm thinking that extending the raised guides to the bottom of the mag will be the cure. I'm not sure what I'm biting off here having to mill a pattern mold, heat the mag, and pound away! I may just shoot with a slightly illegal mag for awhile. Any comments/suggestions?? A-G

Yep...knew and understood that: The taper is to ease extraction. But, I've shot 9x23's for years and years in my SVA/STI bigstick mags without any problems. I've encountered no problems when I changed to 9x19 Majors with spacers. There seems to be something about the CZ TS/CM bigstick's engineering/configuration that isn't quite working (at least for me.) I understand that the CZ75 bigsticks do not have a problem...it's just the TS model. I've shot Zero JHP's for years and years...and I hate to change to another bullet. But what works...works. Therefore, Montana Gold has a new customer. A-G

I really do not like shooting a bullet with an exposed lead base. That is one prime reason that I've choosen to shoot JHP's for years...there are other reasons as well. I had some soft-point round nose bullets that did not solve the problem...the soft lead point went into the bottom of the ramp, dug in, and jammed just like the JHP's. The Montana Gold 124g CMJ bullets have a point covered by the hard jacket material and a rather severe ogive. They are the only bullets that will feed reliably. NOTE: As I said before, this is a problem with the first four rounds in a fully loaded mag. It functions perfectly with 22 rounds..JHP's, soft points, whatever at a wide range of OAL's. The gunsmith at CZ-USA suggested that I go ahead and slowly spread the front of the lips until the cartrige comes up higher/sooner...he said it wouldn't void my warranty. But I really don't understand why it works fine with a partially loaded mag with the lips set to factory specs but not when fully loaded. I'm afraid to adjust for the first four and then find the others come up too fast. The CMJ's are shooting accurately and have a shielded base...so I won't more "fix it" if it's finally working!! A-G