45 Raven

The only other advantages would be capacity and faster recovery between shots due to lower recoil. But it is a personal call.

Some of the power factor issues would be self-correcting, and the IDPA sport would more closely depict realism in caliber power if the PF for major was increased to a minimum of 180. Using only the .45 ACP as an example: Typically, almost every major ammunition manufacturer makes ammunition for the .45 ACP. The ammunition that is loaded with a 230 gr. bullet designed for self defense almost always breaks 825 FPS in a Commander length barrel, and exceeds that in a 5" barrel. So let's assume that a "typical" self defense load from a factory ammunition maker (using the 230 gr. projectile) generates at least 800 FPS when fired in a 4" to 5" barrel. 800X230/1000 = 184PF. So why is the current PF at 165? Make it 180 and align with real self defense ammo that is most likely carried on a daily basis. Isn't the "realism" factor important to IDPA? Then let the .40 S&W, 10MM, and .45 GAP calibers shoot in CDP if they meet the 180PF. Just thinking out loud. I'm sure others have different viewpoints. Ken

That definition is used in places other than USPSA as well. This is from Wikipedia: "A squib load, also known as a squib round, pop and no kick, or just a squib, is a firearms malfunction in which a fired projectile does not have enough force behind it to exit the barrel, and thus becomes stuck. This type of malfunction can be extremely dangerous, as failing to notice that the projectile has become stuck in the barrel may result in another round being fired directly into the obstructed barrel, resulting in a catastrophic failure of the weapon's structural integrity".

The definition of a squib load is one in which a projectile fails to exit the barrel. So you have answered the question by noting that the bullet exited the barrel and struck the target.

I really appreciate this conversation. I shot my very first IDPA match about three weeks ago and intend to participate more in the future. The local club was very helpful in walking me through some of the rules and procedures, and I privately wondered why an emphasis was placed on loading to division capacity. Now I know!! Ken

It's those unexpected pleasant surprises that make up for about a dozen jerks. Kudos to the cashier and to you for appreciating it and sharing the story. Ken

Sounds like you have a real lemon. Box it up and send it to me, and I'll send you a check (deeply discounted of course, due to the problems)!! Seriously, if the gun runs, consider yourself fortunate! Ken

Have an STI 5.0 Tactical on order and expect it to arrive next week. I have seen and heard much discussion about the recoil master. This pistol comes with one installed. Are there any reasons why I should consider removing it and replacing it with a different guide rod? What are the advantages/disadvantages of the recoil master? Thanks, Ken

Another vote for the Troy BUIS here.

My G34 with the MG 124 JHP seated to a COAL of 1 120" over 4.2 grains of Titegroup gives me a MV of 1161 FPS = PF of 144.

I'm not certain anybody asked what the end use of the 9mm single stack will be. Is your wife going to shoot competition with the pistol? If so, there have been several great suggestions already provided. Is she simply going to carry the pistol and use it for self defense? If so, another pistol I would highly recommend is the Springfield EMP. High quality, very reliable, and very, very accurate. Lightweight and easy to carry and conceal, too. Just mt 2 cents worth.

That is exactly what I have been told and have observed in conversations in the past . . . . the "senior" guys seem to prefer the green optic. Also noticed that Wilson Combat is sending their pistols out the door with green fibers in the ones they sell with the F/O sight. Ken

FINALLY! I have experienced something discussed on this forum! Just shot a steel match in which a stage started to "slip away" from me. In the past, I would have "camped out" at that point of the stage and put a great deal of thinking into what I was doing wrong and why, resulting in a blown-out stage. This time, I "paused" just long enough to understand that I needed to relax and resume driving the pistol, and as a result the issue turned out to be little more than a "hiccup" in the stage.

Thanks very much for taking the time to answer my questions. Much appreciated. Ken

Guys: Thanks very much for your help in answering my questions. The photo was especially helpful. Now I'll ask yet another question: When purchased new, do the STI pistols typically need trigger work? I like a 3 3/4 to 4 lb. crisp trigger on my 1911 pistols, if that is any help in understanding what I mean when I inquire about trigger work. Are there any special tricks to STI trigger, or are they configured like a Colt, Springfield, etc.? Thanks again for your help. Ken

Duane: Could you provide some information on the STI pistols? I am currently considering the purchase of a 5.0 Tactical in caliber 9mm. My two questions are: 1. Have you found the STI pistols to be reliable and durable? (I am thinking of my purchase for steel shooting competition). 2. How is the STI customer service and support? 3. Could you explain the differences in the 126mm and 140mm magazines besides the obvious dimensional difference? Does the 126mm magazine fit the pistol reasonably flush? Are you aware of any functionality/reliability differences in the two different size magazines? Thanks very much, Ken

Great info on the loads and the data is much appreciated. I have two questions: Who is the manufacturer of the bullet in the data you provided? Can you tell me what the COAL of the loads you tested was? Thanks again for providing this information.

Welcome aboard, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Most folks on this forum are patient and glad to help new members.

I completely agree with Hi Power Jack regarding his suggestion to change one parameter at a time. Good advice which should help you reach a sound decision. All the loads you suggest should be well within safe pressures, but again, Hi Power Jack's advice about checking MV as you increase powder charge is spot on. Your gun will determine what is the best COAL for that specific bullet in that specific pistol.

The COAL you listed (1.200") for the 230 grain bullet is significantly shorter than COAL I am familiar with for a 230 grain RN bullet in the .45 ACP. Typically, 1.240" to 1.270" is the COAL I am familiar with for this bullet weight in this caliber. Also, your load sounds light. 5.6 grains of HP 38 has produced average MV's of around 800 FPS in a 5" 1911 in my past experience (with a COAL of 1.250"). Dropping the load 1/2 a grain to 5.1 should still produce a MV of around 750 FPS Good luck in your search.

Here is some of my Chronograph information with 4.2 grains of TiteGroup and the Montana Gold 124 gr. JHP at a COAL of 1.120" if it will be any help: Springfield EMP = 1017 FPS - 126 PF Glock G26 = 1112 FPS - 137 PF Glock G19 = 1121 FPS - 139 PF Glock G17 = 1118 FPS - 138 PF Glock G34 = 1161 FPS - 143 PF I found it quite interesting that there was virtually no statistically significant difference in velocity in the G26, G19, and G17.

Your comment really has me interested. Are you referring to 147 grain bullets in caliber 9mm? Do you need to get a MV of close to 1100 FPS with 147 grain Berry bullets to produce acceptable accuracy? Can you compare relative accurace between MG and Berry bullets at different velocities? Thanks for any information you might be able to provide.

Are you positive that the distance from the muzzle to the center of the chrono screens was exactly the same in you back to back tests? Did any environmental conditions change during your tests? For example, did cloud cover move in or out during or between your chrono tests? I would suggest that you repeat your tests on another day and see if the differences remain constant. I suspect that if you used five different brand chronographs, you might see some differences across the chronograph brands on a reasonably consistent basis. I think you will have to actually shoot at desired distances to see the point of bullet impact. Chronographs make it "close enough" for most work, but I understand you want to be more specific than that. Elevation, relative humidity, barrel length, barrel machining differences, ambient temperature, barrel harmonics, wind direction and speed, etc. will all have variable affects on the actual bullet flight path. And the chances that your load in your rifle at your location will exactly match the equipment and conditions that produced the bullet drop and drift data you are currently looking at are very, very slim. The chronograph information gets you in the "neighborhood". The only way to determine with 100% confidence where YOUR rifle shoots YOUR ammunition at YOUR location is to actually shoot it and see. The knowledge you have gained with your "pre-work" with the chronograph should position you so you don't have to spend an inordinate amount of time confirming point of impact. Good luck.

I think everything that I would say has been said already, but I agree that your proposed load sounds pretty light to me. Also, I have had problems with both 9mm and 10mm Rainier bullets tumbling when fired in Glock pistols at MV's over 1100 FPS. And in the loads that DID NOT tumble when using these bullets, accuracy was horrible at distances beyond 15 yards when the velocity was approaching the aforementioned figure. YMMV.