seanr

Always fun... But always a bugger to shoot well. Interested to see the catagory numbers. It always feels like there are more open shooters at matches IMO but the numbers say something else! Goodbye Cmore... It's been an interesting 12 months but its time to move on

Mind over matter??? With my 627 in .38 super the comp that came with it seems to yield better performance when running hotter loads. I am talking about 140+pf as opposed to the 123-125pf loads I run for ICORE. Yes I know more gas gets comps working better (such as on a multiport IPSC open auto), but the compensator on the 627 seems to be nothing more than an oval hole...I am amazed it would do anything at all to be honest. Anyone had similar experience (or with the Vcomps)? Also is anyone making aftermarket versions of the comp cap that are a multiport design??

Thanks! I use the North Mountain Speed loader holder that was sent to me via Chuck at Shooters Connection (I am in Australia) - Excellent product and I would not hesitate to recommend. To your question to the Comp III in the 333...there is a "tag" (for want of a better term), that you need to use with the Comp II and Comp I and REMOVE with the Comp III...it is in the centre of the holder and is retained via plastic barbs...unless they have changed the design you are good to go

Frustration!!! I wonder if the key is that statement about hitting the bottom of the mag to cycle the round home? It could be that the mag lips have become damaged (bent too close together or a burr) and that the round is not presented high enough. Is it on all your mags or only one (you ay need to place a temporary number on your mags to identify this). If it is only one or two mags that cause the issue there is the problem. If it's all check the slide stop (although a damaged slide stop usually causes problems all the time not every now and then as you indicate...) Also Hrider may be onto something with the extractor, if it's not dirty, check that it is under the correct tension or that the hook is not damaged. Try a heavier recoil spring... I know of a ramped 1911 that won't feed ANYTHING without nose dives with a recoil spring at 14lb or under (competition gun)... Stick 15lb Wolfe progressives in it and it feeds EVERYTHING... Good luck

If you have ONLY polished the trigger bow and trigger, then it is almost impossible to change the hammer hook/sear geometry by pulling apart and reassembling. Generally when you do a trigger job: Ensure the trigger bow/trigger are smooth in the frame... Stone the sear face... Stone/polish the hammer hooks... Set up the sear spring... Check that the safety still engages the sear and then recut or replace. Its almost impossible to say why you now have an inconsistent trigger pull after you have only polished the trigger bow... Did you remove any material from the rear (where the sear "legs" and disconector flat sit)? That face needs to be square... Honestly take it to a local gunsmith that knows 1911 for a look

Try "boosting" the trigger... Simply cock the hammer, push against the hammer with your thumb, then pull the trigger (your thumb will "follow" the hammer)... Do that 4 times if the creep is still there, change the mainspring to a new one. IMPORTANT: you may have polished the hammer hooks to the point that it's smoother and you can feel the "creep"... Changing the mainspring to a rating 1lb higher will remove the issue. There is a BIG difference between polishing and removing metal though... If you have removed metal then it's to a gunsmith for redoing the hammer hooks, maybe recutting the sear... And a new safety...

yes...perhaps should mention that the "normal" price here in Australia is $1700.00 USD (!) firearms in Australia are EXPENSIVE, so consider the "releative" or equivilent price for the one I am looking at would be about $300USD for a new GI Para

any thoughts? I have been offered one at an excellent price (due to restrictions on calibre in australia you need a special license to own 45 ACP guns and this one has become an orphan) price is about $790USD new with 2 mags... is it a decent buy??? (note that I own several STI's and S&W revolvers - I am not a new shooter, we just dont see the Para here that often)

my 40cal/.357 SIG Major STD gun developed cracks. Average Power Factor of my loads (and the load was round well before the grips) was 178PF. Gun only stopped when the crack got to the mag release hole...

I like it. Thanks, Sean. Any idea where to get those 105gr SWCs? . In Australia - yes "Topscore" and "Bullzi" make them and "HRBC" make a 100gr SWC...as for the States - no I have no idea. I would assume that there would be someone as Lee does make this mold (358-105-SWC) in both a double cavity and a 6 cavity mould. Part numbers are 90316 and 90315... Perhaps someone here on the forum (well over there!) can help out? Where to purchase 105gr SWC Lead projectiles? (the load is really that good - try to track some down!)

here is an intresting one (shoots like a .22 and is VERY accurate) 105grain lead SWC over 2.6 - 2.8 WST. Seat the projectile so the tip of the procectile is about 1mm (.0040") BELOW the mouth of the case (so the projectile is totally inside the case) I can group 1" at 25y free hand ALL day with these from my 686 L frame (3.5" barrel) AND very, very, soft

my 2 cents from the other side of the world. I went the STI slim grip for 2 reason: 1) I prefer a slim grip (i actually would rather shoot a single stack than a 2011 but try to get 10 rounds of .357Sig in a single stack mag and have it fit in the box!) 2) I am one of those mad buggers that actually enjoys some experimentation and "tuning" to get things just right I ordered the Slim STI grip before the whole "they crack" thing became the topic of this thread but, was commited to it (financially) so went ahead. Now I am a tool maker by trade in a past life and I have had years of experiance fitting things to other things CORRECTLY. I followed the thoughts on this thread re the frame keys and fitted the grip to the frame. this is what i observed: The grip needs to be fitted as detailed elsewhere (those that have done it, know what to do so I wont bore you) The mainspring housing Pin was not cast/machined true to the hole in either my STI or (older design) SVI magwells...some filing with a needle file corrected. My STI mags did not fit correctly (drop free) - some 600 wet and dry and a steel ruler + 3/8 dowel corrected My RESCOMP hi-cap tube will not fit (EVER). This is because the radius at the rear of the grip opening for the mag will not allow the smaller radius of the tube to fit without removing a high ammount of aluminium from inside the grip. The things feels much better in my hand, has a better feel in recoil and looks ace... The last line was why I was so pissed off, when after all my efforts and about 5000 rounds...you guessed it "CRACK" STI is sending me a new one (happy with the service), but i feel from experiance that where the crack starts (mine is the same as the others in the thread), STI will not be able to address unless they redesign the thing. They are very good to use though. My intention is to fit the replacement BUT always carry a spare polymer one that is prefitted as a "drop in" for emergency

when i started shooting IPSC a few years ago, we were limited to minor guns and 10 rounds (we have a calibre restriction of .38). I shot a single stack STI Rangemaster in STD - AND LOVED IT With the introduction of .357SIG as a major load, I went to an STI EDGE - I REALLY DID NOT ENJOY IT - the fatter grip and the plastic "feel" was not as nice as the SS. I went out and got a SLIM STI Aluminium grip and fitted it to the EDGE and shoot Major with it - LOVE THE FEEL, really really happy with it... ...but the results (in terms of match performance) are basically the same. Its the Indian not the Arrow...but if the indian likes other arrows go for it

Roy...the mag tubes are STI 126mm not SVI... do you see any problems in using the SVI components suggested (follower, base pad and spring) with STI tubes in lieu of the SVI? The gun has an SVI magwell fitted...(on an STI aluminium frame) hence the mag tubes issue. There seems to be some documented discussions that the tubes (in the frame of the gun) are not interchangable (due to SVI's new mag release design) Please be aware that Mag tuning here is non-existant as generally we are limited to 10 (hence the silly question)...the idea is to have an "international mag" and i will have limited testing time prior to the match - any help now is better than gold!!!

no doubt...the "stock" STI springs were much heavier than the ISMI 15lb springs. I do not have empirical data (I havent tested them other that using the Mk1 eyeball and my fingers) but after several years as a mechanical engineer and a toolmaker, I know the weight of the STI is heaver than 15lb/or the ISMI 15lb is lighter than the STI...moot point in many respects. We decided to stick with the ISMI in the unicorn simply because we had a "known result"...we knew what springs were in the gun and we knew that while it shot really well, the light strikes were a killer. The extended firing pin solved the issue, no doubt the effect of the given kinetic energy was multiplied by the "deeper" strike of the extended pin. Gun works, customer happy...problems solved (till he needs new springs ) Thanks for the input guys!

heading off to and international IPSC shoot (well it is what the "I" stands for afterall!) going to be an interesting time as I have grown up in an era where ONLY 10rd mags are permitted in this country... Can you give some suggestions for base pads, followers, etc for .40cal STI 126mm std cap mag updates? (note - I am not chasing the 21 round uber mags, just something reliable to hold 15 - 17 rounds that fits in the international box)

Unicorn captured We ended up using the following combination: ISMI 15lb mainspring Cylinder & Slide Ultralight hammer and sear (the Koening gave a lighter but "mushier" hammer fall, so we ditched it!) ISMI 11lb recoil spring with 1 x Wilson Shok Buff on a Tungsten FLGR McClaren Extended firing pin with ISMI firing pin spring. No more light strikes (was the firing pin that did it), one awesome shooting EDGE and one happy customer thanks for the input

some facts: The unicorn is running a 15lb "ISMI" main and 11lb "ISMI" recoil spring - I know as I opened the packs for them. The rounds are using crush primed Federal Small Pistol...these go off in custom ICORE revolvers with LIGHT triggers no problem. The stock mainspring spring in the unicorn was heavier (much heavier), than the 15lb ISMI that replaced it. We have a Mclaren Extended firing pin on order from the states...but have yet to test (takes awhile to get to Oz) We want to run the ISMI combination because that was what gave the really nice results (sans the light strikes). To ask a modified version of the orignal question... (apart from the extended firing pin issue) does anyone have experiance with a functioning, no light strike EDGE with ISMI 15 Main/11 Recoil? We are also getting in a Koenig hammer as well - customer is happy to spend some coin on the chasing of the unicorn (and there is nothing wrong with me bodding the slightly used C&S ultralight hammer for the parts bin!) Thanks in advance!

I too had seen the famous "15lb main spring in STI as standard", but from memory it was on a forum and not on anything official...please feel free to correct me if i am wrong. One thing i CAN say without question - the mainspring that I remove from the Edges, Trojans and Rangemasters i have worked on is significantly heavier than the 15lb (or even the 17lb ISMI springs). Maybe these are put in by the local agent - its a moot point, the felt recoil and hammer fall is reduced using the ISMI product... We are getting a Mclaren Extended Firing Pin for the "unicorn" and we will see what happens. thanks for the input the suggestions are a nice way to confimr the ideas we had locally!

OK in the pursuit of the customers desired "fastest/flattest" gun cycling we took a 38 super (minor STD/Limited Gun) EDGE tricked the trigger with Cylinder and Slide components - the hammer is light, then fitted a 11lb recoil spring and a 15lb mainspring (both ISMI) Recoil (flatness) and Recovery (sights returning to desired location for 2nd shot) were AMAZING very flat, very fast - a joy to shoot... the cloud in the silver lining was light strikes (lots of them) - Tried using (crush primed) Federal small pistol to no real avail still getting about 4 in 10 clickers, in the end just to get the thing to function test we cut about 10 coils of the firing pin spring. Works but seems like a short fix and we don’t want any run aways here!!! The hammer fall is frankly pissweak with the 15lb and it’s no surprise we are seeing the light strikes...all the guns I do normally have 17lb mainspring as a minimum, but we are chasing the unicorn here... Any suggestions to what we can try to get more ignition reliability without removing 1/2" of the firing pin spring?

King 45 - Yes covered that and put enough tension on the middle leg to make the disconctor "hang" the slide (and then backed of to a sensible level of tension). Maybe i went too far and then back too far and never found the "happy middle"? Is it the disconector leg of the sear spring or the sear leg that keeps the hammer at half cock??? TMC - only checked with the grip safety off (only way you can really see what is going on, i agree)...nothing seems untoward

Fitted an SVI interchangable trigger and C&S hammer and sear to STI EDGE. After spending some time opening out the grip frame (the customer HAD to have the black anodized trigger! ), re cut safety, fitted Wilson sear spring and BINGO - nice crisp 3lb trigger (there are reasons we stay at 3lb in Australia). At this point check half cock (drop hammer to half cock - pull trigger - hammer stays) Customer then wants a Tri Gilde Titanium SVI sear spring (the one with the ball on the disconnecter leg) - bend up, fit in, pull trigger (2.8lb NICER Feel than the Wilson - seemed a little smoother) BUT... No half cock retention (drop hammer to half cock - pull trigger - hammer falls ) NO OTHER CHANGES except the sear spring. At this stage have not adjutsed Over travel beyond what it was with the Wilson (and yes there is more than enough pre-travel, in fact the SVI trigger shoe was about .0015" shorter than the STI I replaced). The Wilson sear spring = all good, the Infinity spring = safety issue At the end of the day, the gun owner will accept the Wilson (i wont give him a choice) In case it makes a difference the trigger IS a triglide (it has the ball as well). Not having any experiance with the Infinity was wondering what the story is here with the lack of half cock retention (and why is the tab at the top of the sear leg not bent at a right angle???!!!)

Let me give a little background of a shooters life in Australia...we have some very strict and restrictive gun laws here that really limit what we can do. No caliber handguns over .38 (so forget your 625's) No pistol mags over 10 rounds (so forget your tuned IPSC mags) No semi-auto rifles AT ALL (sigh every time I look at all the stuff available for the 10/22 and the AR15) No pump action shot guns (don't even dare think about a semi auto...) Anyway that's life and you deal with what you have got, lobby like fury or move to New Zealand (perhaps not!) and despite all this we still have dedicated IPSC, SERVICE (think PPC) and ICORE shooters that keep the spirit alive. Now one other thing that is tough is getting parts simply because the market is so limited because of the restrictions so we tend to rely on the Internet and on line transactions to get us what we need. Now there are some traders that won't send to the other side of the world and there are also some shifty sods who...well let's not go there! Then there is Tom at TK Custom...a number of us here in Melbourne have purchased gear from TK recently and have always found the prompt service and delivery really good. The product is also excellent (using one of his moonclip loaders at the recent Queensland state titles where both my wife and I shot over 300 rounds EACH, really saved me from moonclippers thumbs!) About a fortnight ago, I decided to give .38 short colt a run, so after selling some rocking horse poop for the brass, also decided to get some of the TK "HeartCO" clips as well...order was placed and within about 7 days they hit my office desk. Now there was a minor problem and by minor I mean more a problem of conveniance rather than anything that would render the problem serious, but I sent Tom an email on Saturday to explain... The responce is worthy of a post...not only did he go well beyond what was required to correct the problem but he also did it on a Saturday and took the time to send a reply to me. This is service to be proud of and frankly is way more than expected. It should go without saying but you are blessed with having a vendor that not only has excellent product with high levels of service but that he also seems by his actions to be a bloody decent bloke who cares about his customers . Well done to TK and frankly if you don't support this guy with your custom you have rocks in your head!!! Thanks Tom! Sean and Lisa