ERIC

Sorry guys, I screwed up. I meant to put this thread under "3-Gun/IPSC Shotgun - Technical Discussions".

I would like to get into 3 gun matches but I need a shotgun. My buddy has a Benelli M1 Tactical in great condition (less that 100 rounds) and would like to sell it to me. I've also been looking at a Remington 1100 Competition Master. Both are in the same price range. The Benelli holds 7 and the Remington holds 8. I'm not too familiar with 3 gun matches and don't know if the additional round is a major benefit. Opinions, please.

What do you guys use for 3 gun matches?

I use them in my gun that is fitted with a 10mm and 40 barrel and had a problem with them. Since it places the round higher, the rim was hitting the bottom of the ejector and causing feeding problems. With the slide locked back and placing a full magazine in, I can see the round was pointing higher and to the right. A gunsmith shaved a little off the bottom of the ejector and the problem was solved. I only had that problem with the 10mm and not the 40. I guess the shorter round had more space to straighten itself out before it chambered. Besides that, my only other complains are the price, 10th round is a little difficult load and the base pad makes it a little harder to conceal (not an issue at matches).

I know a lot of people like VV N350 for 38 super in open guns, but what about light loads for steel matches in a limited gun where power factor is not a concern. Do I want to go with a faster burning powder like N320 or will N350 be fine?

lynn, Stick with the name brands (Cannondale, Diamondback, Giant, GT, Specialized - I'm sure I'm missing a few brands). If your son is planing to do some real mountain biking, don't get anything less than $600. Trust me, the cheap bikes have cheap parts that break very easily. You can easily spend $200 to fix broken parts. You'll have to fork out another $200 if you want a decent full suspension bike. If you're son is only going to be riding back and forth to school, get a $300 bike. You should be able to find some deals on older models and with 2004 models coming out soon, 2003 models should go on sale. If you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, there are bikes out there that are $4,000.

Mountain biking is one of my other expensive hobbies. I've been doing it since 1994, but I don't get out enough to keep my weight down. I try to get out at least 2 times a week but I always get distracted with work and my other hobbies. Sometimes I don't touch my bike for a month. I usually ride 7-13 miles on Arizona's rocky trails. After taking a month off, my ass usually gets sore for a couple of rides but I get use to it again after that.

I was told the +2's push you over the 140mm maximum but the +1 are fine in limited class. Does anyone have experience with this. I also was wondering the same thing with the 170mm in open class.

Dawson sells one for 38 super STI/SV 140 tubes that let you get 25 rounds in them. Has anyone tried these and what do you think?

Can it safely be used without the part that keeps the tip of the barrel from moving around. Here's the background to my question. I mis-timed having work done on my gun and won't have it back in time for a steel match. I can use my compact hi-cap, but it is too short (4") for that piece in question to be effective. I would rather be at a disadvantage with the shorter barrel than miss the match, but if safety is an issue, I'd rather miss the match instead of having my gun pop out of my holster.

Last time I was at the range, I ran into a guy who was shooting a STI Eagle 5.0. I was curious to see what he thought of the gun and started asking him questions. He told me he shoots major with it and switches to a 38 super barrel when he shoots steel matches. The only thing he changes is the barrel and he uses 38 super magazines. He's been doing this for 3 years without any problems. Has anyone else tried something like this? I always thought it wouldn't work because of the breech face. This guy didn't even change the ejector or extractor. Gunsmiths tell me this can't work and that guy is just lucky, but they never tried it and are not willing to try it. I didn't have a chance to see it in action because the guy was packed up and on his way out when I started talking to him.

I replaced it because I was having problems with the old setup and my gunsmith recommended I try a new spring. I've read a few posts about Grams and wanted to give it a try.

I recently replaced the stock spring and follower in my 40 caliber STI magazine with Grams'. When I load it up to capacity (20 with a Dawson base pad), sometimes I have rounds jam in the mag. It looks like two rounds manage to line up side by side and get squeezed so tight in the tube, that those two rounds get stuck in that position. I never had this problem with the stock parts. Has anyone else run into this problem?