45 Raven

I've had great results with MG bullets in both 9mm and .45 calibers. Terrific customer service, prompt shipping, and high quality. Can't think of anything else to ask of them!! Highly recommended.

Hey Clyde. Welcome to the forum. Nice to see another AZ shooter. This forum is addictive and there is much, much, to learn!

Clean it with cue-tips and alcohol after each use. Once a year, put it in the sonic cleaner for about 10 minutes.

Another source for hearing protection is Overstock.com. The HL Impacts I recently purchased were $50 and that included shipping!

I agree with the comments on the Howard Leight Impact ear muffs. Recently switched to them after my Peltor 6S muffs died on me. I liked the Peltors, but the batteries are extremely difficult to change, they are easy to get turned on accidentally, the battery life wasn't that great, and towards the end, they developed "crackling" and "hissing" noises in one side. (Now that I think about it, why did I like them?) Battery replacement in the Howard Leight Impacts are significantly easier than the Peltors, amplification volume and quality are superior in the Howard Leights, and they don't tend to get turned on accidentally. And they have an "auto off" feature. Jury is still out on battery life . . . .haven't had them long enough to decide how they compare to the Peltors.

You will definitely get better results by separating the seating and crimp steps. It's worth the investment for another die.

Montana Gold. Excellent pricing and availability, high quality, and great customer service. I really like the 124 JHP's in 9mm.

I switched from an XDm in 9mm to an STI Tactical 5.0 also in 9mm. I like both pistols, but the switch was easy. In addition to the better trigger in the STI (and I had a very, very good trigger in my XDm - done by KS Customs), the STI is considerably more accurate. Had a bit of a challenge getting the extractor tuned on the STI in the beginning, but now it runs very well. So, for me, here are the major differences I have seen in switching from an XDm to an STI: STI has better trigger STI is more accurate XDm less ammo sensitive and more reliable out of the box XDm magazines are far less costly and less sensitive to abuse The deciding factor for me was the fact that I am far more experienced with the "1911" type platform and just seem to be able to shoot them better than the XDm or Glock pistols. They are all capable of providing better speed and accuracy than I am, so try them, make your decision, have fun, and switch if and when you feel like it!

This may be a thread drift here, and if this question belongs in a different place on the forum, let me know. Anyway, here is the question: Has anyone any real, personal experience with performing tests with stock barrels in Glock pistols, then comparing them with aftermarket barrels such as KKM or Barsto? By "tests" I am referring to accuracy tests at 25 yards (not 10 or 15 yards). Five 5-shot groups at 25 yards with a known accurate load in your Glock pistol with the stock barrel. Same pistol and same load - Five 5-shot groups at 25 yards with each aftermarket barrel. I think the data from such tests might be interesting! Thanks.

Or we could just look at your profile on this forum and see your first and last name right there where you put it!

I've found either 1.135" or 1.140" to be the best two COAL's in my G17 when shooting MG 124 gr. JHP's. The MG 124 gr. CMJ's seem to perform better at 1.150".

I have used the Montana Gold JACKETED bullets weighing 124 grains in all my 9mm pistols (Springfield, Glock, and STI) and they have all performed well. The two bullets I have used are the 124 gr. JHP's and the 124 gr. CMJ's. Every single one of these bullets I have ever checked for diameter show either .3550", .3555", or .3560". The best load in my Glock G19 Gen 3 pistol has been the Montana Gold 124 gr. JHP loaded to a COAL of 1.135" over 4.2 grains of TiteGroup with CCI small pistol primers and in mixed brass. Average MV is 1112 FPS with excellent accuracy. Crimp measures .377" to .378". Good luck with your load development!

To ask the question again: What is the .424" diameter you referenced in your earlier post?

Lots of other folks have responded to your post and provided you with some alternative suggestions that may help you when shooting through a barrel. But I'm with bpaz on your comment about "being chided upon" or given a "bad rap" for shooting through a barrel at the TNS match at Rio Salado. I've been shooting the TNS matches for a few years and have never seen a rangemaster criticize a shooter for shooting from inside a barrel. On many occasions I have seen them make suggestions to new shooters that it would be much easier to hit the targets with less distraction if they shoot from outside the barrel. They were doing this in an attempt to be helpful . . . . not to "chide on" the shooter or give him/her a "bad rap". Who knows it may have been me that made the suggestion? Take it for what I'm sure it was intended. Helpful advice! K I don't know what "gave me a bad rap" or "chided upon" means but I have been at many matches at Rio, both Tuesday Night Steel and the weekend USPSA matches, and never seen anyone upset by a shooter with his gun in a barrel. What I have seen is that almost every time it happens, someone (or several someones) will try explain the drawbacks and suggest alternative methods. And a huge drawback at night is that the barrel blocks the light and will make it hard to see your sights.

First, let me make it clear that I am not a gunsmith and never will be. But I have experienced similar issues with different brand magazines in 1911's made my different manufacturers. As an example, I most frequently use Wilson 47D magazines and Chip McCormick Power Mag 8-round magazines in my 1911's. The Wilson magazines fit perfectly in two Colt Series 80's and one Wilson 1911. Insert easily when fully loaded, drop free easily. The McCormick magazines fit perfectly in an Ed Brown SF and a S&W 1911PD Sc. Insert easily when fully loaded, drop free easily. When fully loaded to 8-round capacity you can only get the Wilson magazines to fit in the Ed Brown pistol if you beat them in with a hammer. Almost as bad when trying to seat them in the S&W (you just don't need the hammer - a fist will do it!) Download them to 7 rounds and they fit the Ed Brown and S&W pistols fine. The McCormick magazines fit the Colt pistols okay. Insert fairly easily when fully loaded, and drop free easily. Does that mean I think the McCormick magazines are superior to the Wilson magazines? Nope. Just different fit at the interface of the pistol and the magazine. YMMV. One final note: Any competent gunsmith with 1911 experience should be able to adjust your pistol to fit your (good quality, name brand)magazines to your pistol for reliable operation in a short period of time for a reasonable price.

The Montana Gold CMJ bullets in .45 and 9mm are both excellent. No experience with the .40 caliber. Prompt delivery and shipping is included in their prices.

Msfinlayson: Welcome to Tuesday Night Steel at Rio Salado! Your plan to shoot your STI is a good one. You might even want to try the Kimber, and allow the sport of shooting steel help you determine which pistol you shoot best. Over time, you might decide to try a different platform or caliber, and there are lots of good choices. The main thing is to: Be safe Have fun Don't worry about what is "in" or "cool" - shoot what you like because YOU enjoy it Use this forum (and others) to educate yourself, ask questions, and don';t let information overload have a negative effect on you. KW

I use exactly the same load as Codemonkey (5.6 grains) over a 230 gr. FMJ at exactly the same length he specifies (1.265"). Very reliable, with good muzzle velocity, and good accuracy in a variety of handguns, including: 3 1/2" bbl Colt OACP 4 1/4" bbl S&W 1911PD 5" bbl Colt GM 5" bbl Ed Brown SF 3.78" bbl Glock G36 4.6" bbl Glock G21SF 4 5/8" bbl Ruger Blackhawk with .45 ACP cylinder installed KW

Wilson Spec Ops 9 in a Garrett Industries STX holster. 1911 ergonomics and trigger, high quality, lightweight, extremely accurate and reliable, and 16+1 capacity.

I shot my first steel match with the STI 5.0 Tactical last week and it was a great experience. I had been shooting a G17, G34, or G19 and the reduction in recoil with the STI was pretty amazing. I actually struggled the first two stages waiting for the gun, when the gun was already back on target. As a long-time 1911 shooter, I much prefer the STI trigger to the aforementioned Glock pistols as well as an XD(m) in 9mm that I also tried for a while on steel. Nothing wrong with the Glock or XD(m) - the STI just works better for me due to the trigger and added weight. I have a lot of work to do even approach shooting up to this pistol's capabilities, and I am looking forward to the experience. Don't remember if you asked this in your original post, but I am using stock STI magazines (17-round capactity) and a Blade-Tech DOH holster.

Montana Gold 200 gr. JFP and 230 gr. JHP, Winchester 230 gr. JHP, and Speer 200 gr. JHP and 230 gr. GDHP all work in my G36.

The narrower sight is faster. The wider sight is more precise. Older eyes seem to need the extra light provided by a narrower front sight. YMMV. Brian has a formula somewhere on this forum for calculating a proper sight dimension, IIRC.

You are definitely on the right forum to learn about the things you mentioned! Welcome to the forum and have a great Thanksgiving!

One more vote here for the Troy BUIS. Bomb-proof. High quality. Worth the $$$

I have a 1911PD that I have carried a lot over the past 1 1/2 years. Until I purchased my Ed Brown, it was the only 1911 I had ever purchased that didn't need a little tuning, particularly on the trigger. As mentioned in an earlier post, this pistol has the habit of tossing a case back on to the brim of my cap sometimes, but that only happens about once every 20 to 25 rounds. So far I have had ZERO malfunctions with the pistol, and have shot hand loads, factory ammo, hard cast, jacketed, RN, TC, and HP ammo in it. I have used the factory S&W magazines and Wilson 47D and Chip McCormick Power Mags. Runs with all the combinations. Plenty accurate, as well. I found that these pistols have proprietary sight cuts in the slide, and the only night sights I have been able to find for it are made by Novak, which are not my first choice, but are entirely serviceable. Also, the finish on this pistol is showing wear a bit sooner than I expected. At some point in the near future I intend to send it to KS Customs in AZ for installation of the aforementioned night sights and a refinsih with TAF-1. This is a good, solid pistol of a reasonably light weight in a major caliber and fits my needs for a daily carry weapon. I also like the fact that it has the 4 1/4" barrel instead of the 4" barrel found in so many "Commander" style pistols today. YMMV Ken