45 Raven

NIB 9mm STI Eagle 2011. 5" barrel. To be used for IDPA ESP and Limited in steel (no major/minor PF). After a front fiber optic sight, what other changes/additions/modifications are recommended?

What are your options if the extractor tunnel is oversized?

I own an STI Tactical 2011 in 9mm and had similar issues when I first purchased the gun NIB. Consultation with STI resulted in them sending me a new STI extractor. Since installation of that extractor, I've not had that issue, but have had a couple of failures to feed over around 2000 rounds downrange. I also had the hammer start to follow at about 800 rounds (no work had been done on the trigger as purchased), but that is another subject. I would be very interested in hearing a follow-up from the OP with how this problem is ultimately resolved, just for my personal knowledge should I experience the same issue at some time in the future. Thanks.

Brian: The "free throw" comments likely came from the book "Psycho-Cybernetics" by Maxwell Maltz. I clearly remember those comments from that book.

Nice to see that my path is helping others with what I feel is a good choice! Of course Stuart is terrific to work with and can help you find something you might specifically prefer. In any event, the HTAC sight is a great sight, and getting that custom "tweak" isn't that difficult when you have a place like CZC to help you. Good luck to you guys!!

I am absolutely not trying to be argumentative, but . . . . Sorry, but NOTHING is fool proof. De-cock the way you feel safest, but don't assume ANY method cannot or will not, let you down!

Very hard questions to answer! Do you plan to use (or think you may use) the rail? If you prefer the aesthetics of the pistol without the rail and don't see yourself using it, then I would not purchase the pistol. Would the rail add value to the pistol? For some (those who need or plan to use a rail) . . . . yes. For others . . . . . not so much. So it is likely a personal thing for most potential buyers. Is there a better gun in this price range? I predict you will get variable answers. There are certainly other pistols on equal footing in this price range, with Wilson Combat and Ed Brown being the top two I can think of, but there are more, I'm sure. And while others will likely disagree, I think the Dan Wesson Valor is in the neighborhood, for LESS money. Now, if I were answering just for myself: I don't care for a rail on a 1911, I own a Wilson Combat, an Ed Brown, two Colts, a Dan Wesson, an STI, and a Springfield, and none of them have rails. And if I ever get in the mood for yet another 1911, it will likely be a Nighthawk . . . . without a rail. ( I like the Falcon model). And if I ordered a Nighthawk Falcon and they screwed my order up, I would hold out for what I wanted to begin with. But differences of opinion and in taste is what makes life interesting! Whatever you decide, hope you are happy with your decision!

If you want a Nighthawk and are paying for it, you should get EXACTLY what you want, and not compromise!

PM sent to OP

Thanks very much for taking the time to share the video. And the comment about mags occasionally coming from the factory out of spec certainly makes sense. I have shot two matches rotating my magazines as often as possible since I exchanged the one giving me trouble and haven't had any more problems. My Woolff +10 % springs should be here in a few days, and now I've seen the video, I'll know what to look for in the way of lips specs. Coincidentally, the gentleman that made the video is a shooter that shoots at the same range I do, so I may have the advantage of seeking his guidance if I need to tune any mags!

I would be very interested in hearing back from you after the mag tuning you plan. I will also share anything of interest that comes from the +10% springs.

I had exactly the same issue as mentioned here for the second magazine: It would strip the round but not completely chamber the round, and when the slide was racked back to clear the round, it would feed two into the chamber. I cannot explain what was causing it, but I returned the magazine for an exchange, and the replacement magazine (along with the other five stock CZ 18-round magazines I own) work fine. But I have +10 replacement springs on order from Woolff, and when they arrive, I intend to replace the springs in all my CZ stock 18-round magazines.

This is very similar to my experience. I've never had much luck getting great groups from plated bullets in a 9mm Glock pistol. My G34 with Montana Gold 124 gr JHP's and TiteGroup at 1077 FPS provides an average of just under 3" at 25 yards off a bench. Some of the best groups have have flirted with 2" at the same distance, again from off a bench. I have shot a lot of groups from the standing position in the 2" or less range with that same bullet/powder combination, but that distance has been at 15 yards. Never shot enough standing groups at 25 yards to get a meaningful average . . . . likely because I probably wouldn't like the results!

$40

My pleasure. I really like this sight combination on the Shadow.

Here is an I-phone photo:

Thanks very much for taking the time to assist me with my questions, you guys. I really appreciate it.

TennJeep1618: Thanks for your comment. Which poses another question from me. Did you notice my question posted earlier about the +10% springs? The Woolff websites says the following about magazine springs: "Note: For the CZ75 only the +5% spring will be +10%. The +10% spring will be +15%" Can you tell me how you ordered your springs? Did you order +5% springs so you would actually receive +10% springs, or did you receive +10% springs and actually receive +15% springs? Confusing, at least to me!

ArrDave: Thanks for this information. Very much appreciated.

I looked at the Woolff website to determine costs on +10% springs for the CZ 18-round magazines. This is directly from the website. Pay attention to the part in bold print that says "Please Note" Based on what it says on the website, here's my question: If you want to purchase the +10% springs for a CZ75 Shadow, do you specify the +5% (because for this model pistol, the +5% springs are really +10% springs), or do you order +10% springs (and receive springs that are really +15%)??? Magazine Springs FULL SIZE MODELS ONLY Magazine springs are available in +5% and +10% extra power. Extra power magazine springs help improve feeding with extra power recoil springs and when factory springs have weakened. For use in: CZ-75*, AT-84, TZ-75, P-9 - Standard (full size) & Longslides - All Caliber's Except 10mm Including Full Size Baby Eagle with 4.4" barrel. * Please Note: For the CZ75 only the +5% spring will be +10% The +10% spring will be +15% Magazine Springs (Full Size) - Pak of 1 74261 TZ-75/AT-84/P-9, XP MAG SPRING +5% Pak of 1 - $7.4974271 TZ-75/AT-84/P9, XP MAG SPRING +10% Pak of 1 - $7.49 Add to cart: Magazine Springs (Full Size) - Pak of 3 74263 TZ-75/AT-84/P-9, XP MAG SPRING +5% Pak of 3 - $17.2974273 TZ-75/AT-84/P9, XP MAG SPRING +10% Pak of 3 - $17.29 Add to cart: Magazine Springs (Full Size) - Pak of 10 74264 TZ-75/AT-84/P-9, XP MAG SPRING +5% Pak of 10 - $47.9974274 TZ-75/AT-84/P9, XP MAG SPRING +10% Pak of 10 - $47.99 Add to cart:

About 1" high at 15 yards with 124 gr. FMJ @ 1065 FPS.

Quack: Great information. Thanks very much.

Quack: So if I understand you correctly, you are currently using 17-round MecGar AFC magazines and 18-round plated CZC magazines, both with Springer Precision pads, correct? And are you running +10% springs in any or all of them? And one more question . . . . . who makes the +10% springs and where do you get them? Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions!

z40acp: Great bit of information and greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I've heard some positive comments about the Mecgars, and I believe they may be less expensive than the CZ magazines (individually priced - not on a per unit basis in the 3-packs of CZ mags). Does anyone know if there is a replacement base pad for the 18 round CZ magazines that might solve the mentioned problems? Thanks, Snapcap