parsonm1

Well, here's my experience with "Wild Bill"... I ordered a Speedster holster for an STI Edge to use for three gun. Told it was no problem with about 8-10 week turn around (that was in May of 2003). Around August, I received a holster made from a single layer of leather (Speedster is supposed to be double layer) that in no earthly way would fit my STI. So I sent it back after talking to Bill who said it was his mistake for letting one of his guys do it unsupervised. About November I receive another holster. This one is made very well, but the whole front of the holster has been cut away and two plastic cross members have been used for the front. Boy is it HELL on fiber optic sights...and that was just testing the insertion/extraction of the gun. I contact Bill again and ask for my money back as it obviously isn't working out. He asked if I would be interested in another product that he would personally make and ship ASAP, belts, another holster, etc. I told him I could use a holster for either a 4 inch L frame with lug or a 5 inch N frame with lug. No problem, he said. I can have both, no charge! So, I wait. And wait. January 2004. March 2004. I drop him an email and he says leather has been cut out and they are laying on the bench. About another two or three weeks since he is backlogged over 100 holsters. June 2004. August 2004. Still nothing! So, my advice...take your business elsewhere! If there is anyone on this forum that knows Bill (and where he lives), I am entertaining bids on someone going over to his place and kicking a couple of holsters out of his royal arse!!! Marv PS. He charges your CC once the leather has been cut (so he says).

Here's something else to look for (I don't think it has been mentioned)... I had the exact same problem. It was the primer assembly. I used a little too much arm to cycle the ram with a primer flipped in the little disc that picks up and feed the primers. The channel in the aluminum block was scratched by the forcing of the arm to feed the primer. After a few cycles, I noticed I was getting more flipped primers and the press would stop halfway through the down stoke which is when the primer disc is supposed to turn. I called Dillon and asked if I should replace the primer assembly or return it. They said use a polishing wheel on the channel in the primer feed and make it as smooth as possible. Worked 100%! I haven't had a flipped primer or cycle stoppage in over a year! Hope this helps. Marv

5.11... 1-866-451-1726 to order. I used a mac running Panther... For anyone in Columbus, OH, Vances Shooters Supply has a few in stock (up to XXL). I checked them out and was quite surprised at the weight. Feels like a half pound of lead in each front side panel. Marv

A set of squib rods can also be built from brass or aluminum stock from a place like McMaster-Carr. I bought stock sizes to make rods for 38/9, 40 and 45. I made sets for friends and sold a couple of sets. Material was way cheaper than buying a set from Brownells and I still have some stock left to make a couple more sets. Marv

Yea, he retired recently. He has quite a resume for LE. Nice to have as a neighbor too. When I lived in Marietta, within 2 blocks of our house lived Ken, two city policemen, a deputy sheriff, an OSHP commander and an asst. prosecuting attny (plus I was a deputy US Marshal in the mid eighties)! Not a neighborhood to try to start something!!! Great place to live! I really miss it!

No, he wears street clothes like everyone else. I shoot about once a month with Ken at Ft. Harmar IDPA match. He's a regular guy (I also used to live a couple of block down the street from him). Nice to everyone. He just got back from overseas training a SWAT team. The guy really gets around. I don't know when he had time to work a real job! Marvin

I am a former 646 owner. The 646 is an L frame titanium cylinder bored to 40 cal. The rest of the gun is steel. I was planning to use it for IDPA and some revolver side matches my club has. Comments: 1. Grip too small for good control. I have large, but not monsterous sized hands. 2. Gun is very light. I shot some factory 180's and they were tolerable, but not overly comfortable. 3. The 646 comes with six moonclips. Three clips that are .034" thick and three that are .040 thick. The revolver is very sensitive to case size and some rounds didn't want to go off. You can buy extra moon clips from Brownells for about $35 for 10 of one size. They're currently out of stock on both sizes. 4. If you lighten the action, you will have to go with the thicker clips and use only Federal primers (softest). A friend lightened his trigger and ran into many problems with failures to ignite. 5. Since the 646 is an L frame, 610 clips will not work. N frame holster are also a little loose. Overall it was a nice revolver...but I sold it and bought my old 625 back. Moonclips are plentiful and inexpensive and I haven't had a single failure in two years of revolver matches. YMMV. Feel free to email me if you need any other info.

Or maybe somebody here might have an interest in your slide at a good price. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.

I read an article a couple of years ago about a female competitor who didn't make major during a chrony test at a major match. Can't remember the name and I believe it was in either FS or American Handgunner. The article was about position of the pistol before firing and the position of the powder before firing. In the test I remember that if the pistol was held muzzle up (ala bullseye shooters) and then brought down to eye level, the velocity of the ammo was a few hundred fps faster than if she went to low ready and brought the pistol up to fire. At the range she used for practice, she used the muzzle up position when testing the ammo for pf. At the match, they fired her pistol from a low ready! She had to borrow ammo to shoot the match. I will see if I can dig up the article in my "library" or hopefully somebody else will remember the article and remember who, where and when. Marv

Actually, check out Hornady's 200 gr. CT. It is identical to the H&G 68 only jacketed. I've shot 1000's, expecially for night shooting. POA stays close enough to lead SWC that no adjustment is necessary. They used to make Blazer ammo with that bullet, but they discontinued it a few years ago. Bullets are still made. Cost is about $85/k.

Just wanted all the long dustcover folks to read what I got back from Safariland about the 010... From: Nancy Reid, via Loretta Nunez at Safariland >Hello, In regard to your e-mail we are making the 010 however not one for your weapon. >Thank you. Thought you might want to know in case you wanted to heat up the oven to "roll your own". Guess I'll use the Bladetech I ordered. Marvin

I had this same problem a while back. First time I noticed it, I thought it was the priming system. I found that one of the little brass buttons at the shell stations was slightly over sized and would occasionally stop the press in its tracks. To check this, next time you have the press freeze, try spinning the brass in the shell holder to make sure it hasn't bound up. You can use sand paper and a drill or gremlin tool to turn the edge down slightly. The second time I started having this problem, I found that a primer had flipped in the primer feed disc and had slightly gouged the under side of the aluminum of the primer feeder. I called Dillon and they told me to just take a gremlin tool with a polishing wheel and smooth out the gouges. It has worked perfectly for thousands of rounds. Hope this helps. Marvin

I have one of the new 646's. Used it in a couple of "side matches" my club has each month. I sold a 625 to buy it. Pretty nice, but I haven't gotten use to the lighter weight (34 oz.). I will like it much better when I get properly loaded ammo for it...the first matches were shot with my major USPSA load (180 gr. Ranier/5.3 gr VV 320). Not pleasant at all...reminiscent of the Treasury load 38+p+ from my USMS days. Its a very accurate revolver. Brownells carries moon clips, but they're rather expensive (about $35 for 10). Hard to come to grips with when you paying 5/$1 at the gunshows. Marvin

Ok Merlind, If you die, we have to have an unbiased witness to certify cause of death! I would never tell anyone NOT to go on a diet. Just be careful, get good advice and do something you can stick with. And most importantly, go see your doctor before you start. Most folks I know that have tried Atkins and been somewhat successful (long term - 1-2 years) have all had the same piece of advice...READ THE BOOK. Sometimes folks try the low carb thing and don't have the foggiest idea as to what a "carb" is. Good luck and keep us informed. To make this a valid scientific test, any chance you could get 2000 of your friends to join you and keep good research records?! Marvin P.S. GnS...Convincing someone anti-gun they should be pro-gun is like trying to convince someone pro-gun that they should be anti-gun. Same with dieting, buying a car, underwear, comp guns, etc...

Bert, Didn't mean to sound so negative about Atkins. I just consider it kinda like smoking... You can smoke for 50 years and never get cancer, but your odds are increased. With Atkins, the increased potential for cancer, liver damage and kidney problems just aren't worth it either. Diet-review.com says of the Atkins diet: - weight can return quickly when you stop (i.e. doesn't promote healthy eating) - Has a high drop out rate during induction (the 0-carb period) - Bad breath is a side effect - High in cholesterol and saturated fats (see Web MD for volumes about the bad stuff about this) - Low in vitamins and minerals, especially during induction For a comprehensive review, read this link: http://www.thedietchannel.com/atkins.htm Sometimes, "what works for me", isn't the best or smartest path to follow. Marvin

If you look at some of the more recent research on fad diets (by the ADA), Atkins is NOT a good plan if you want to stay healthy over the long run (one to three years is nothing...plan for the next 20-30 years!). The only way to reduce weight is to stop the intake of calories and find a balance between caloric intake, exercise and healthy food choices. My wife (who is diabetic) wanted to loose weight. She went to one of the registered dieticians here on campus (Ohio U.) and after some calculations based upon goals and expectations, the dietician came up with a healthy eating plan, recommendations for an exercise program and a list of things to watch out for (as far as balanced diet) as she progressed. That was about 13 months ago...today my wife has lost over 80 lbs, is off of her diabetic meds and has blood work that puts most to shame. She has been a great example of what healthy eating and exercise can do. I started an eating program about 2 months ago (designed for me by the same dietician) and have lost over 30 lbs and am continuing to loose at a reasonable rate. I'm starting to add exercise and hope to be 100 lbs lighter by next summer (I'm a BIG boy). The key to the program I am on is that I can eat anything I want, I just have to count it. Not heavy on carbs, has some fat, but not excessive and requires that I eat certain levels of fruits, veggies, proteins and milk every day. You can count fast foods (this is an exchange based program) and has allowed me to eat the foods I enjoy, but in moderation. I can even drink beer if I want...I just happen to be one of the few people that can't stand the taste or smell of beer. Probably goes back to my alcoholic relatives when I was young. Anyway, if anyone would like to know more, please feel free to contact me off list and I will tell you what I know or will hook you up with Francie (the dietician) who is one of the best CD's I've met.

Isn't this a similar question to the "optic mounted to slide or to mount" question. I thought that having an optic mounted to the slide (like a doctor or optima), would be more distracting and harder to use due to the movement of the slide and the the sight moving in and out of the sighting plane. But, after talking to quite a few shooters with guns set up both ways, it doesn't seem to make that much different except for having the sight closer to the more natural sight plane. Most open shooters I asked said one of the more difficult transitions to using a mounted sight was having to hold the pistol in a lower position, away from the trained/natural optic plane. Most who switched to the slide mounted sight said it fit more naturally to their trained POI. YMMV.

I bought my STI EDGE from Dawson's and I am at a round count of over 3000 rounds with no failures to feed. The only mod I made to the pistol was to replace the night sights I ordered on the pistol with a standard rear and a Dawson fiber optic front (.090). Buying from Dawson is almost like buying a custom pistol without the custom pistol price. Best piece of advice from above...shoot as many pistols as you can to find out which pistol version/gunsmith you like the most...and then buy that one. Good hunting!

Hey Bucky, If you want to change your Edge to an Eagle (no long, wide), there is a thread here somewhere that says there's a guy who will do the necessary machining for about $75. Cheaper than buying a new gun, but be prepared for all the naysayers who won't believe your Eagle has "EDGE" written on the slide. Marvin

TL, "If your pistol only does 2" at 15 or 20 yds, could be tough on you." This doesn't matter whether the sights are fixed or adj. 2 inches is 2 inches. "I don't think only M and GM shooters benefit from having the BEST gear avaliable." I agree. I am just saying that alot of shooters can't shoot up to the level that their guns are capable of and buying a better gun may help you do a little better, but there are limits as to how much score you can buy. Then it comes back to shooter ability. "How are the needs of any M or GM shooter different that the needs of the lowest class shooter at the match?" Basics, maybe. Good trigger, clear sights, a sighted in gun, ammo that works 100% of the time. But most lower class shooters aren't going to be able to take full advantage of the $5k wonder guns. If technique is not as good, equipment won't contribute as much. "When I'm spending 3200 for a pistol, I ought to be able to keep myself in ammo, AND enjoy the confidence of adjustable sights." I thnk most lower class shooters would do better to buy a $1500 and spend $1700 on a Dillon and lots of components to practice with. Quick example...a B shooter in one of my clubs wanted a hi-cap pistol in the worst way because he thought he couldn't be competitive with the guys in A class (we shoot A, B, C, D, S, L) with a single stack. So, I told him if he could consistently shoot 80% or better, I would sell him one of mine (P-14 with Novaks, 3/4" at 20 yds). He practiced and did it, so I sold it to him. He practiced and shot the next match with it. His score improved slightly (1-2%), but when I told him I shot a single stack with 8 rd. mags that day (and beat him), he realized it's mostly the shooter, not the gun.

"As a fixed sight shooter, I'm sure you are familiar with "Kentucky Windage". I didn't know the term till I tried to shoot a match with a borrowed gun with fixed sights." Unless you had time to sight the gun in minutes before the match, fixed or adj., you would still have to use KW. "you have to do it yourself. It might be close, but you know what they say about close...horseshoes/hand granades..." True, but with most shooters would be close (within an inch or two unless your eyes are really off). And with most matches under 20 yards, close enough. " if it has fixed sights and shoots left or right you can drift the rear to where it needs to be, and if it shoots high you can reduce the front sight till it is correct, but what do you do if it shoots 6 or 7 inches low and has fixed sights? Do you have a taller front sight put on, and then file it down till correct? For ME, it is easier to install an adjustable sight." Actually you have that backwards (if it shoots low, shorten the sight), but I got the point. I just replaced the sights on my Edge (adj.) and still had to re-replace the front sight (too tall). I admit adjustable is easier, I am just saying that if you don't experiment with loads every week (which most shooters don't), fixed sights are just as accurate, more durable and cost half as much. Spend the extra money on ammo and practice! "how many GM shooters do you see at USPSA matches who are shooting a 1911 platform with fixed sights? Why don't dot sights come without adjustment , sighted in for 25 yds? How many L10 guns do you see for sale that have fixed sights on them? Browse the gallery topic on this forum and see how many COMPETITION pistols being made by a whole host of 'smiths have fixed sights...I can't recall any at all." Apples and oranges. GM's will experiment more than the average or above average shooter with loads, guns and other equipment. But they are in a class that requires a different level of equipment. And most of the guns the great smiths are building will shoot WAAAAAY better than most of the guys that are shooting them. You can only buy som much of an advantage and then it comes back down to talent of the shooter. I am sure Brian, Todd or TGO could whip most of use pretty severely using a gun with NO sights. All I am saying is that 90% of competition shooters would be well served by a set of fixed sights. If everybody wanted or needed adjustable sights, fixed sights would fade away, but don't categorize all shooters in with the GMs because their needs are different. If you aren't a GM or M, spend more time practicing with your fixed sight gun and less time fretting over a lack of adjustable sights. "If PPete is looking for adjustable sights, my advice is to weld up the hole and remachine for BoMars. Save the fixed sight which comes off the pistol, and when you have 100 of them, put them into a tomato can and you can hold down one end of a trot line with them." Sure, go for the Bomars. I don't have a problem with that, but don't pin all confidence and accomplishments on having adj. sights.

"Go ahead and bite the bullet and mill the slide and put on the BoMars. You'll like them." Totally agree! Except he'll have to have the old slot welded and then recut. Might consider putting on Novak adjustable sight or replacing the slide. "It just amazes me that people who plan to shoot competition, any kind, would knowingly buy a pistol with fixed sights." Totally Disagree...most competitors have their pistol setup for one load and rarely make changes. I've shot USPSA and IDPA matches for over 10 years. I have changed loads once since I started shooting and setup all my pistols shoot the same 200 gr. bullet and Clays powder load since I found it. Most people just don't take the time to sight their pistols in properly and if fixed sights had no appeal, people like Wayne Novak would be broke by now instead of having sold over 1 million sights! Fixed sights have the best durability. "The very first time they change bullet weights or for that matter perhaps a different brand of ammo, the gun shoots to a different point of aim." See above. "After you are on the line, and the command LAMR has been given, trying to remember if the POI is 4 or 7 inches low at 20 yds, can't be a good thing." No "good" competitive shooter I know does this. Maybe the newbie who just showed up and had no idea where the pistol printed. If I don't know where a pistol is shooting, it stays in the safe until I have time to go to the range and properly sighted in. Most gunsmiths have you send along a few loaded rounds to sight your gun in when you have sights installed. "When will the manufacturers stop trying to save pennies and put on some quality adjustable sights, set low into the slide...I guess when the people who buy pistols stop buying pistols 'cause they have inferior fixed sights. " If a manufacturer can install a set of quality fixed sights (cost of sights, machining, etc) for $100 (10000 pennies) less than adjustables, then they will sell more guns, which will meet the needs of 80% of the shooters. Ajustable sights are nice (and I have both fixed and adjustables), but I have had my a$$ kicked in matches by guys using "inferior" fixed sights. Remember, it's not the gun, it's the driver. Just my two cents.

Happy Birthday, Kyle! Since folks are starting a parts collection for you, I would like to offer a whole crap load of Tupperware containers that I have lost the lids for... Maybe you could store the donated REAL gun parts in them while you're building it! Or maybe I should just be quiet since you routinely kick my arse at PCSI matches... Best Wishes. Marvin

You have to separate the game from reality. Why would you want to run anywhere with a gun empty or incapicitated if you suspect baddies are hangin around? In other words, don't waste good cover. If you are running down a hall with no doors on the sides, one of three things has happened. 1) you are running down a hall with a door at the end and you have NO idea what or who is on the other side with no way to go if the door opens from the other side. 2) You're running down a hall intersecting with another hall, left, right or both with NO idea who or what may be or come from around the corner. 3) You've just trapped yourself in a dead end! Meeting any of these scenarios is not a place to go without a gun loaded to capacity BEFORE you move! You want your mind on the unknown that is ahead of you, not trying to run while you're thinking about reloading your gun. Unless you're going into a situation where time is of the essence (like a raid or a hostage situation gone bad), time is on your side.

Us Buckeyes (Ohio) have a minor difficulty when it comes to 40 round mags...they're illegal to use. Ohio considers mags over 31 rounds to be in the same class as a full auto. (ORC 2923.11E...any semiautomatic firearm designed or specially adapted to fire more than 31 cartridges without reloading...except .22 short, long or long rifle). I don't know of anyone prosecuted under that rule, but it is a felony (state) and could cause a WHOLE BUNCH of trouble for you. LE's I've asked tell me it is OK to own the mag, just don't put it in the gun, especially with more than 31 rounds. Marv, in Ohio