Alan Adamson

*if* with the shellplate set such that the ball is fully in the hole on the underside, and the primer plunger is still off alignment, there is only one option, that is get the timing/alignment tool from Dillon and re-set it. I know of no other way to fix that problem. On my 650, the enitre head needed to be turned to allow the powder funnel to align with the case, but the primer to shellplate was perfect. And obviously, the bearing made all the difference in keeping the powder in the cases ... Alan Thanks Alan it's defintley something other than the shellplate now that I have the bearing and the xylon coated shellplate installed. At times it seems to be the primer ram catches on something and other times maybe its just me. As a white guy I have little rhythm so I'll have to work on getting a smooth cadence going with less jerk in it. Which reminds me of a saying "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast" or something like that but in all likelyhood it probably just means replacing the "jerk" pulling the handle. Since I'm sorta new at this I'm going back through all my brass and checking for a military crimp and other problems with the primer pocket, and my other handloading methods etc. etc. Wildkow Specifically watch for S&B and Fed NT, S&B have undersided pockets and I have to run them thru my 600 swagger if I decide to use them. And Fed NT have crimped pockets and have to have the same... I have so few of both, that I usually just throw them aside until I get around to messing with them. Alan

I know that Tod and Rob are shooting the Z6i and in looking at the 3rd shooter, pretty sure he's shooting the 6i as well. Alan

*if* with the shellplate set such that the ball is fully in the hole on the underside, and the primer plunger is still off alignment, there is only one option, that is get the timing/alignment tool from Dillon and re-set it. I know of no other way to fix that problem. On my 650, the enitre head needed to be turned to allow the powder funnel to align with the case, but the primer to shellplate was perfect. And obviously, the bearing made all the difference in keeping the powder in the cases ... Alan

There ya go... I kinda figured that after I wrote my first version... the simple answer, with all the caveats. Alan

Maybe I can sneek one comment it... I believe it's perfectly within the rules and within the Stage Brief to stipulate that your walls are hard cover, as a result, any shot that goes thur the wall, didn't penetrate and as such the associated hole in any target would not be there - it would be a mike. Someone mentioned it prior, but it seemed to get glossed over. It's the same as stipulating that a flexible wall that may not go from top of ceiling to bottom of floor (in an indoor range for example) "covers those extents" and is usuall specified in the stage brief. While it doesn't prevent the wall from being shot, and it does put a scoring burden on whoever is RO, it does have the effect of offering a -10 penalty for a wall strike that isn't made up with a clean shot. Alan

Let's try one more run up this hill. If you are crushing primers, then you are too tight. Also the note about beveling the index holes in the shell plate will do more harm than good... you would want a slight bevel (which should be there already). Here's why... the index hole that the ball fit into is actually part of the alignment as well. It's what centers the plate at each station, so if you are crushing primers, check this. With nothing in the press, crank the handle a few times. Now without touching anything else, look at the hole where the primer ram comes up thru the shellplate and as you are looking just take your left hand and rock the shellplate back and forth, if you see/feel it click/move into place, then you have it too tight. Basically, you are not allowing the index hole to pull the plate into the center such that each station is lined up. If it's didn't move, then you may have a press that is slightly out of time... Crank it thur a few more times and this time on the last crank, attempt to put the press thru the primer seating motion and while watching the priming station, see how centered the primer ram is to the hole in the primer disk and the shellplate. I can't tell you what is in or our of time, but it should be a perfectly aligned each time when it's correct. hope this helps, Alan

I continue to see this *firebird* product discussed, but short of the limited info on the benos vendor section, where/how do you find out more about it? Alan

Thanks, I looked at those as a complete gun, will a JP CTR-02 upper fit a regular Milspec lower, in this case a RR? Alan

BTW, I had been offered this recommendation Larue upper 17" noveske barrel ionbonded PRI low profile gas block PRI carbon competition forearm PRI gas buster charging handle Young Ultra light NM BCG - ionbonded SJC Titan comp Yes, I know the ionbond isn't required for function or accuracy, but hey, I want the thing to last and look nice Alan

Ok, so optics aside.... Is there such a thing as the *perfect* upper for 3gun? And if so, what are it's components. I'm looking for good accuracy, and low weight, with excellent function. Thanks in advance, Alan

Opps, I double posted for some reason, please delete this second one. Try tightening the shell plate bolt every so slightly, until the pull handle won't snap back up with your hand off the handle from mid stroke, Just to the point where you feel tension on the upstroke, but not too tight. There is a little magic, and you'll have to play around, but others that are loading N320 with .45's and me with lots of powder that pretty much fills a case in 9mm Major have no spillage. Also, the bearing will take a *set* after a few pulls from a new install while it squeezes out the grease that it has in it... that will also loosen the tension, so it may take a couple of adjustments to get it where you want it... Alan

Try tightening the shell plate bolt every so slightly, until the pull handle won't snap back up with your hand off the handle from mid stroke, Just to the point where you feel tension on the upstroke, but not too tight. There is a little magic, and you'll have to play around, but others that are loading N320 with .45's and me with lots of powder that pretty much fills a case in 9mm Major have no spillage. Also, the bearing will take a *set* after a few pulls from a new install while it squeezes out the grease that it has in it... that will also loosen the tension, so it may take a couple of adjustments to get it where you want it... Alan

Just to add to the list. 7.2gr Autocomp Win Brass 124gr MG JHP 1.175 OAL average for 8 shot group - 168pf Std Goverment Storm Lake barrel in an Anglin open gun, no holes except comp

Just heard from Mike again... looks like those waiting will have a merry christmas .... More as I know and I promise to share it. Alan

Yeah, glad to see that he's shipping finally!!! Excellent news, those on my list, should also be contacted by Mike. Alan

yes, that is correct... Alan

Ok, so basic assessment is that to meet the spirit of the rule (yes we all know there's the letter, which I can't even attempt to respond to), that if the trigger guard is blocked in such a fashion as to not allow ones finger to enter the trigger guard while the gun is holstered, then this holster meets the spirit of the rule and in fine fashion. I suppose if I were so inclined, I could lay up some carbon fiber and remake the outside plate such that it extends approx 1/4" aft and curved to match the contour, that would probably satisfy both the letter and spirit of the rule, but would one think that is necessary? Mind, you, I was just as blown away as anyone that this even became a discussion point last night, was the last think I was thinking about when it occurred (mostly, how the heck did I get 1 mike/ns on 2 different stages ). Alan

The specific rule is 5.2.7 and 5.2.7.4

Yes I noticed that and failed to mention that once I saw that in those pictures, I took the lock off, adjusted the nylon screw all the way in, and reset the grip in the holster, the rest of the pictures are with it in this fashion. The lock is off, the trigger guard in as far as possible and making sure nothing is hitting the mag release button. Alan

Pictures for your reference... I'm curious if this is a one off that has just surfaced or if others see a similar thing. I've verified that the trigger guard is all the way in, and I even backed off the nylon screw so that there was pull out play when the gun was in a locked. Alan

Please don't read this as suggesting that it *IS* illegal, simply a discussion to discuss if what I'm seeing is being evaluated correctly... Granted this won't make any sense until I get a picture... that will be a bit later as I simply don't have the time at the moment... As Angus said, if 15 years no-one has brought up this issue... so perhaps I'm being over cautious... Alan

I've heard back from Angus and he'd like a picture which I'll take and post here as well. Mine is a RH STI version with an STI in the holster.... I've not looked at any other models... hopefully the picture will help show what to look for. Alan

I have been shooting a ghost now for 6mos. Never had an issue with it... but at a local match last night an RO came up to me and was looking over my new open gun. In the course of that discussion, he paused, scratched his head and said... You know, these ghosts might not technically be legal. Of course I was taken aback by that comments, but we explored it a bit further. The issue is with an STI in the holster and it's trigger guard coverage, and keeping the trigger fully covered per the rules. It seems that at the back of the trigger guard, and the rounded end of the ghost, with an STI seated fully (we tried 3 different STI's just to make sure it wasn't this one gun), that there is enough of a gap that you can physically see the trigger and an object approx 1/8-3/16 in diameter could be inserted into the gap and you could actuate the trigger. Its the most pronounced with a silver trigger on the trigger bar such that it highlights the contrast of the black holster. I've sent Angus an email as the US rep for Ghost asking if this has been brought up before, however with the recent change of rules around *full and complete* coverage of the trigger area by a holster, I figured I'd see if anyone else had noticed this? If you haven't go stick your STI in you ghost and notice the gap... Alan

Scott, Shooting with you, while I normally see you shoot your Revo, you actually were pretty dialed in and shot very well. Your finish, even with the classifier, which we won't go there, was excellent. Keep it up... I've got the book, cherry picked parts of it, now have renewed interest in re-reading... Thanks, Alan

New to open, just got a JVDynamics 9Major from Jojo, would like to share thots, ask question of those who also shoot one of his guns. Drop me a PM or email me at adamson (underscore) alan at hotmail dot com. Thanks, Alan