TeamGE

Most likely too much headspace on the reloaded ammo (shoulder of case pushed back too far).

Hi nhglyn, scirocco38s stated the facts correctly. I do not sell my follower by itself. It is available as a "Follower Kit" with a spring attached, ready to install into a mag tube. I do it this way so I can guarantee the quality and function of my product and eliminate any possible problems with the end user installing the product into their mag tube. This eliminates a lot of costumer questions on how to attach the follower correctly, and also the wrong brand of spring trying to be attached. When the spring needs to be replaced, then it can be done. If the follower needs replacing (which is not very often), then you will need to buy the Follower Kit. You will need, and use all of those replacement springs you have now, down the road.

boo radley, I design and manufacture a Follower Kit that covers a wide range of mag tube designs (SPS/STI/SV), a wide range of calibers (9mm/38/40/45), and different length mag tubes. First priority for my design is function, then capacity. My follower is designed to be "aggressive" on slide lock, so one can tune for slide lock function the way they want it. With the wide range of applications, and the wide range of the tube tolerances themselves, you can see why some slide lock function tuning may be needed. As I stated before, if you have questions, you can call me.

Hi Tucker, slide lock function problems can be associated with how the mag tubes are shaped and how they fit the frame, how high the follower sits in the tube itself, and the shape of the slide lock paw, and how much tension is on the plunger. In other words, everything mentioned needs to be looked at. First thing I would do is take the top end of the gun off. Install the slide lock back into the frame by itself. Then insert a mag into the frame, with one round in the mag, and see how the follower and slide lock relate to each other. I would be happy to help by phone with the finer details of what to look for.

Springs wear from cycling the spring, not leaving them compressed. This is not be be confused with the spring taking a "set" when being used for the very first time. If the quality of the spring is good, then the spring will stay in this "set" length for many cycles. Every time you load and unload the spring, it is one cycle of use. Never pull the spring in the opposite direction of compression. This may seem to help the spring tension for the next cycle, but in fact you are causing major damage to the spring.

Trapr, I understood the match concept. If you only want 2 division, and you want as many 223 and 308 shooters to show up, then I guess your scoring solution will suffice.

Trapr, Your scoring plan does make for more competition between the two calibers. On one side, I can see the match being easier to run and score. On the other side, I am questioning why you want to push the two calibers to compete against each other. Are you trying to see which caliber choice is better? There is already divisions set up for the 308's to play together and compete with the disadvantages or advantages (which ever you want to look at it), of shooting the 308. The shooters that are using the 308 now, are doing so because there is a place to compete fairly, with no reason to complain about how many rounds one can carry or hit on target. We all know that a 308 can do things that a 223 can't, and vice-versa, but to try and come up with a special scoring format to make the 308 and the 223 head butt each other in competition is likely to start a "mine is better then yours" rules war. As everyone knows, USPSA rules have had the power factor rule since it's start, and to this day, major in rifle is not popular, mostly because the 223 has an advantage in scoring. Heavy Metal Division fixes this problem, and because of this division, more 308's have come out to play. I don't think you will ever get the 223 verses 308 differences to come together. Right now, under IMG rules, power factor for 223 is not controlled, where 308 is suppose to be controlled. Are you going to make 223 crono for minor? That will make a lot of shooters rethink there ammo choices. Just one question of many I can come up with. IMHO, keep the 223 and 308 separate. As a manufacture and tinkerer, I would have to say the 308 will always have it's own place, for what it is designed to do, and more technology will come as the 308's power is recognized for it's advantages in the real world.

Flyin40, the screw is of coarse not a standard item at the normal hardware store, but it is available at most industrial/manufacturing supply shops. Goggle it for your area. I do not have that particular one myself. I would refrain from using anything other then the TorxPlus driver though. Nothing else can match the power driving strength. I use nothing else when the screws get that small. I am surprised you had one break. Most likely, the screw came loose, then broke from having the assembly pounding on it.

Flyin40, The screw is a 4-40 x 1/4" long, pan head, with a TorxPlus #8IP driver. The threads are probably Loctited and I do not think you will find an easy-out that will remove it. Your best bet is to machine it out, using the right size carbide end mill, and chasing the original thread size with a 4-40 tap. There is enough room in the area to go up a size if you have to.

I am not going to arguing what you saw Benny, (I was not there). I am only stating what I know on how springs are made, whether it is a mag spring or any other style of spring. For those that want to, we can argue all day about how long one brand of spring will last compared to another. I for one will pick and use a Wolff spring, mag or what ever, over an ISMI spring, every time. I have my proof, you have yours. What counts is what works for your expected function and reliability.

I would have to disagree with that statement, Benny. Wolff does not wind a spring after heat treating the wire.

Hi Chris, I can set you up with a Limited Legal 9mm mag kit that will hold 23 rounds. Call me if you have any questions.

Hi Mark K, If a mag worked for one month, and then fails the next month, then something changed with this mag. It is probably the spring, but it could be a change in the mag tube (surface of inside walls damaged by running a dirty mag, or shape of walls and feed lips are out of spec from being dropped or stepped on). If you have a mag that runs reliable, then swap the spring and follower from that mag to the mag in question. See if the problem follows the spring or the tube. If it is the spring, and it is relatively new, then it is a bad spring (bad heat treat) and should be replaced by the manufacture.

The part #s of my base pads correspond to the length that they will add to the mag tube. Thus, my BPS-4 will add 4mm to the "over-all-length" of the mag. Also, the base pad is machined to make the bottom of the pad (and inside floor) perpendicular to the back of the tube. This allows for the most efficient use of internal room, and allowing the proper fit of the "Mag Length Gauge". If the mag does not fit the gauge, then the tube is longer then it is suppose to be from the factory, and will need to be modified.

Sorry Stipo, I will not be at the Florida Open. Call me with all your tubes in hand, and a measuring device. I will be happy to help you figure it out over the phone.

Limited Legal mag- (fits the USPSA gauge at 141.25mm: .40cal = 21 rounds, .38/9mm = 23 rounds. Open Legal mag- (fits the USPSA gauge at 171.25mm: .38/9mm = 29 rounds. All round counts are in the mag, re-loadable.

Premature slide lock activation with one round still in the mag is a tuning issue between the mag tube, follower, and slide lock. You can get this with any follower if the feed lips hold the cartridge higher then normal or if the slide lock has very little tension from the plunger. I can't see slide lock with 2 rounds left in a mag. That would be a bullet nose or weak plunger spring problem. Anyway, my follower is designed to aggressively activate slide lock so that the mag and/or gun can be tuned for that operation. With the inconsistent tolerance of mag tube dimensions, different styles and manufactures of slide locks, and mechanical condition of the guns themselves, it is impossible to make one follower work in every gun with out tuning something. If you don't want it, then modify the slide lock to not activate. You have to remember, that my Follower Kit is designed to push ammo up the mag tube, every time, and increase capacity. Having the slide lock still functional is yet another plus, and it can be had if you want to take the time to tune for it. I like my slide lock to work, and lot of my customers do too.

I do find it funny, watching a shooter drop the hammer on an empty chamber, then rack the slide, then find out that the mag is empty, then reload, rack it again, and continue shooting. All because they opted to de-activate the slide lock. If the slide lock works, the gun will tell you it is empty. If you can't reach the slide lock to release the slide, you can install an extended one, or tune the lock to deactivate when you pull back on the slide.

Alaskapopo, The round count of a particular magazine is determined by the parts you use and the condition of the mag tube. Most factory (OEM) mag tubes with factory type "flat" base pads will hold 16 to 18 rounds. The reason for this fluctuation of round count is because the tubes are coming out of the factory with inconsistent internal dimensions. If a STI/SV tube is tuned correctly, and you add an "Extended" base pad of the right length to fit the mag length gauge, 20 rounds will be easy to get. You will need to use an aftermarket competition "Follower Kit" to make all the room you can inside the mag. If you would like to have a 21 round Limited legal mag, call me and I will be happy to answer any questions.

www.docterusa.com

It is true, I have made a Follower Kit for the Caspian/Tanfoglio/EAA Witness large frame mag tubes. The follower is mark "Grams T" on the bottom, and is different from my ST/SV model. The follower is designed to work in any of the calibers with special attention put toward the .40 cal function and reliability. Part numbers are FKT-11 and FKT-13, with the numbers relating to what coil count spring comes in the kit. These kits are available only from Henning Wallgren ( www.henningshootsguns.com ), or myself ( www.gramsengineering.com ).

Length of loaded ammo is critical in the SPS 40cal tubes, due to the design of the spacing groves. If you load the cartridge past 1.175", the bullet will contact the inside radius of the front right hand corner of the tube. This will intern cause capacity and reliability issues. In the most part, I have never seen any benefit in loading 40cal longer than that, and have recommended this OAL for many years.

The Jpoint, Trijicon RedDot, and Tasco Optima 2000 are all made by the same company called "FirePoint", so all are the same fit. The Docter Sight has the same spacing between the hold down screws, but is in a different relationship to the 4 corner pin holes, and is a different footprint all together. The Burris Fastfire is a direct copy of the Docter dimensions, but quality control being in question.

Hiro, Business has me stuck in the shop, and I only have time to quickly scan benos land for threads that need attention. If you need anything, or have any questions, contacting me directly will get the quickest response. Otherwise, my shooting time is definitely suffering, and I have to plan trips to the range day by day. Thanks for asking.

Mag tube length has nothing to do with how many coils you use by it self. It is the "over-all-length" (OAL) of the tube and base pad combined that my recommendations are based on. Also, what brand of tube you start with will have different results on reliability. STI and SV tubes are two different designs to fit the same gun frame design. STI/SV tubes in the so called "140" length really measure 137mm long (+or- 1mm). If you add a 4mm base pad to this, you get 141mm OAL. If you add an 11mm pad, you get 138mm OAL. My recommend cut off point for using an 11 coil spring is 145mm OAL. The biggest reason for using the 13 coil spring in a 146mm mag (or longer) is to keep the bottom cartridge from slipping past the follower as the cartridge is being loaded past the end of the spacing grooves of a STI mag tube. This problem is common when mag capacity is pushed past 23 rounds of 9mm/.38cal. Older SV tubes will have the same problem, where as the newer SV tubes have been changed to make the spacing groove lower on the tube. A 13 coil spring is the best choice and will give you the best chances of finding a reliable combination of parts. If you choose to use an 11 coil spring in the above describe mag combination, do not load past 22 rounds, and you will still be taking a chance on reliability. Also, a properly "tuned" mag tube with attention to this problem will make a reliable mag.