jnikoley

In order to make weight I am replacing some high carbon steel parts on my gun with stainless steel, one of which is a guide rod plug. The stainless plug is fit to a conventional guide rod of common steel, and when used together for USPSA SS makes weight. For IDPA, I use a recoil master, which is lighter, and allows me to make weight for IDPA CDP, however, after adding grip tape, my gun is 1 gram overweight for IDPA. Replacing the carbon steel guide rod plug that came with the recoil master with my stainless plug reduces the weight under the limit. The stainless plug ID is .002" undersized for the recoil master though. Without purchasing an expensive reamer to open up the plug, could I just dremel it?? Assuming I could do so, would the additional clearance prohibit me form using the same plug with the standard (smaller by .002") diameter standard guide rod?? Could this cause reliability issues?? I would assume this can be done, and wouldn't think a few extra thousands to be critical on a guide rod to plug fit, but if you know otherwise, please enlighten me. Thanks.

In the early 90's I owned two different Glock 19 pistols. Both came with steel non-captured guide rods. Steel or plastic, what does it matter so long as the gun makes weight anyway? Just my two cents....

Based on my interpretation of the rule book the CR Speed and Safariland 773/771 ammunition carriers are absolutely legal. I won't use them only to stay out of this obvious gray area of the rules that others may interpret differently. Better to be safe than sorry. I would like to add that I would hope that we don't start banning any piece of equipment solely because it's marketed for "competition".

Follow up: STI tech support responded that they use 9/38 (small) firing pins in all their guns.

Makes sense. It is a brand new STI. Glad I measured it first before ordering the replacement. Thanks.

I wasn't able to measure it with my calipers, only the firing pin itself. I tried to insert a .088" dia punch through the breech end, and it wouldn't fit. The firing pin hole is noticeabley smaller, and the .065 dia firing pin fits with no slop, so I'd guess the firing pin hole approximately the same size. I emailed STI tech support to confirm, but I can't figure if they use the same size firing pin for all calibers, why they offer two size firing pins. Maybe this is a recent change across the board, or a simple manufacturing error.

This was probably the case but it was purely unintentional. I may have pulled the trigger on 5 or so rounds, but I guess that was enough. Usually I put hot melt glue in the primer pockets but laziness got me this time... Lesson learned not to do that again. Thanks again for the help and hope this helps someone else. Same thing happened to me tonight. Dry fire, dummy rounds w/no primer. Pin got bent on the 5th round. I straightened the pin, but decided to order a new one. When looking for a replacement, I measured the old pin. It was .065" (9/38/40). Odd thing was, my gun is a 45 ACP (standard pin dia = .091"). I confirmed by trying my "45" firing pin in my STI .40. It fit. Has anyone else come across this? The .45 in question is an STI Sentry, BTW.

Updated classifiers and added a folder with individual classifiers. New link: http://24.243.160.159/Classifiers/

My Links to files are now removed (dead). Use J. Thompson's link for all the files.

New address for downloads: http://24.243.172.107:7000/Classifiers/

Updated "Classifiers" with 3 additional classifiers: CM 03-14, CM 08-02, CM 99-14. Updated "1999...", "2003, 06', 08'..." (with shots) to include 3 added classifiers. Updated ".rar", and ".zip" archives. Note: To manually update older files, download the new classifiers individually, and open it in MS Power Point. Also open the file you want to update. Copy and paste the new classifier(s) slide into the older slide show. Alternatively, download the complete newer version, but It is much faster to just download the new individual classifiers. Also, there are not "no shots" versions of the new files. If you don't want the gun shots, highlight and delete the bullet strike animations from the new slides and your good to go. More updates to come, though I can't say what or when. Link to download: http://24.242.52.3/Classifiers/

Although I didn't intend this for live fire, I don't see why you couldn't do it. I did intend this to also be used for airsoft, projecting the targets onto a hard wall or sheet of paper, or even on a large tv with a plate glass shield to protect the display. What I would like to see is a professional software developer create something like this. They already use such simulations to train military and police.

No prob fitting the grip to frame. No prob with STI mags. The Rescomp mags wedge in the magwell of the grip, on or off the frame. I was able to get the rescomp mags to work, however, it did require re-contouring the interior of the grip. Took about 5 hours. I used spray paint inside the grip and seated the mags noting where the paint wore off. I removed the offending areas, mainly reducing the radius at the rear of the magazine well, bottom to top. As a side affect, the STI mags go in and out of the gun like greased snot. I do like the aluminum grips slimmer profile. I measured it, and it was substantially narrower side to side, and it feels a lot more comfortable in my hands. Hopefully it wont break.

Just got one today. Fitting was tight. I am concerned hearing about all the cracking problems. On a side note: Rescomp mags will not fit the small aluminum grip. They (mags) are 5 thousands thicker, and wedge 1/4 of the way in. Very disappointing as my rescomp mags allow me 21 + 1 in limited. I'll be removing the alum, and going back to plastic.

LOL.... Did I mention not to use live ammo?? Seriously though, yes you do run the risk of shooting your tv. You are pointing a gun at it, and stuff happens. Any time we dry fire, we violate basic safety rules, but in this case if you have a mishap, instead of putting a hole in the wall, you destroy your hdtv. Under no circumstances should you dry fire without "clearing" what is "down range" of your muzzle. I have a brick wall on the other side of my tv, and no person will be forward of the "180" in my house, in any room, when I dry fire. I accept the risk of losing the tv. Besides, if I did happen to "accidentally" shoot it, I would have an excuse, I mean, um, the necessity, to go buy a bigger/better one.

Bulletin: I'm shutting down the original links. Use the link JT posted. It will allow you to download all files very quickly. In order to use the downloaded file, you will need to extract the files using a program called "winrar". Google "winrar", and download the free/trial version if you don't have it. After installing WinRar, double click the downloaded file "classifiers.rar" WinRar opens, and will ask you if you want to buy the full version. Select "no". In the menu bar at the top select "extract to". In the new dialog box that opens, select ok. The files will be extracted so that you can use them. If you have any issues, PM me.

Jason - The link is bad... I was able to get the others from JThompson. However, 2009 Classifiers no Shots failed to extract. The fast download should be fixed now.... feel free to use the Quinn link. JT Thanks, JT. I tested it out and the download and extraction worked no prob.

Jason - The link is bad... I was able to get the others from JThompson. However, 2009 Classifiers no Shots failed to extract. Roger. My ISP kicks me if I use a static IP. New link is: http://24.242.52.3/Classifiers/

I put the "slow" rar back up. It's 191 MB. I noticed the "fast" rar was only 50 MB. I'll PM JThompson, and see if he can fix the fast one.

Thanks. "RAR" and "ZIP" compressed folders added: http://24.242.52.3/Classifiers/

Check the original post. I corrected the link, it was bad (oops). here's the link: http://24.242.52.3/Classifiers/

Files too large to email. give a minute, and I'll fix the link.

I've created some dry fire drills in Power Point to be used on a large screen TV. Copy and paste the following link into a separate browser window to download: http://24.242.52.3/Classifiers/ edit: this link is shut down. Use JThompson's link for all files Notes: Ensure your gun is empty! Run the power point slides off of a laptop connected to a large screen hdtv or projector. If you download a power point file with the extension "ppt", selet "slide show" from the menu bar at the top, and choose "start show" (+from the beginning for office 2007). The file with the extension "pps" will automatically start in slide show mode. Follow the on screen instructions when provided. A buzzer will provide you a start signal, and a Classification timer is included for the Classifiers. Simulated gun shots are provided with some files titled "with shots" in order for you to work on cadence. These shots are set up for GM class runs. If you are proficient with power point, you can modify the timing for your particular class. Recommended download: "All classifiers with shots". It's a large file, be patient. I'm using my home computer as the server for these files, they will only be available for a limited time. I will stop providing these files by 1700 hrs 08182010 as all the downloading slows my internet connection, etc. Hopefully, you can all share these with one another. Have fun! p.s. Feel free to re-host this on your own server. I made these for everyone to use.

I too have a Shuemann AET barrel in 40 S&W. I noticed that the barrel is finish chambered, and should not need to have to be finish chambered by your gunsmith, however, there is no free bore what so ever (freebore is in front of the chamber). The free bore is necessary so that your rounds wont headspace on the bullet, but on the case rim, as they are supposed to. If your gunsmith didn't cut the freebore, this could be the cause of your problems.

Thanks Kyle. Hopefully I won't have to use the open bolt technique, and can get through the stages clean, no extra shots, and all bolt forward re-loads. No matter what, an open bolt re-load will always cost you an extra second, even when done perfectly. Some how though, I always seem to fire an extra shot, leaving the gun in open bolt during the stage, so you could wisely bet you'll see me do the new technique Saturday. Gook luck, and see you at the match.