Parallax3D

If you get the Joey Hardy spacers, they come with some extra material that allows them to be fit to the length of the basepad. You can also use something to fix the spacer in the tube as well, as stated earlier. I'm using a 170mm STI tube with the stock STI plastic spacer, (held in place with double-sided tape), Grams internals and a Dawson SNL basepad, and it works just fine for me. I get 29 rounds, and I've never had issues with it, and it still fits the USPSA mag gauge.

I'm using an STI tube with Grams internals and a Dawson +1+ S.N.L. basepad, and I get 29 rounds, and it still fits in the USPSA mag gauge.

From what I've heard, you can't cram enough Longshot into a 9mm to make 9 Major, and even if you could, beyond a certain level you start getting lots of unburnt powder, and no measurable increase in velocity. IMHO, Longshot simply isn't a good Open Major powder.

If you order stock STI 9mm mags, they come with a plastic shim.

Like Sarge said, stock STI mags hold fewer rounds. Stock STI 170 holds 26 9mm/.38S. With the right springs, follower and basepad, you can get at least 29. You're better off getting a tube and aftermarket internals and basepad. It will be cheaper in the long run.

Gee...this topic seems familiar. http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=455717

Like I said, if the gun shoots POI=POA off the bench, then changing the zero off-hand is only masking problems in you shooting technique.

If the gun can hit then center of the target from the bench, if you are not on-center when shooting offhand, it's not the gun's fault, it's your technique.

And Quinn. Predator, Allchin.

I want the gun to shoot flat, regardless of the power factor. If I need a higher PF to do that, then so be it. Steel doesn't require a PF anyway, so I just go with a slow open powder with a slightly lighter bullet. The PF may be in the 140-150 range, but the gun shoots flat. I tried the 95 gr bullet, and even with a full 9 major charge it wouldn't cycle reliably. Currently, I'm using: 115gr plated bullet 7.2 gr of HS-6. 1.170 OAL Small pistol primer.

In theory, the flat trigger is better, since no matter where your finger touches the trigger, it's the same. It's personal preference though. My open gun has a medium flat insert, (was like that when I bought it used), but my carry 1911s have curved. Personally, I don't really feel a difference.

Most factory 9mm is in the 140-150 PF range, and should run fine without changing springs. I run a 9# spring in my open gun, and I never have to change it for "minor" loads, because all of my "minor" loads are in the 140-150 PF range. If you want to shoot 126 PF, then yeah, you probably need to use lighter spring.

Checkmate makes very good mags. They are standard on Dan Wesson guns, and Kimber sells them as the KimPro series mags.

I generally would want to practice with the same ammo I shoot in a match, but I do understand that with the cost and scarcity of reloading supplies that you may HAVE to compromise. Personally, I used to shoot Steel Challenge with major ammo, but recently I've been loading a cheaper alternative for steel matches. Of course, my "minor" steel ammo is still in the 145-150 PF range, just with cheaper bullets/powder that won't make major.

Except for the fact that the Prod. division is using 9mm as well. When I go to a local match, there may be 3-4 open shooters, but there are a dozen or more Prod. shooters, all shootin 9mm brass that I can pick up and use.

Which just proves that 9mm vs. .38S or .38SC, and arguing that none of the top shooters use 9mm is a stupid argument. It's the indian, not the arrow!

If you have a VERY good gunsmith, they could put a TIG weld bead around the circumference, then re-fit the barrel.

So what? That proves absolutely NOTHING. BTW: 2013 Open Nats: 2 KC EUSEBIO A36570 22 GM Major 2212.7537 98.013% (Shooting a 9mm Open Glock!)

Welcome to the dark side. You'll love it.

I've been shooting 9 Major for about 2.5 years, and the extent of my "tuning" of any mags was: Stock STI mags with polished tubes from Thunder Mountain Custom, (unfortunately they're closed now, because the owner took an assignment with the Army in Korea for 4 years.) Grams springs and followers. Dawson +1+ S.N.L. basepads. That's it! No tweaking the feed lips or messing with tube dimensions. All of my mags drop free, and I get 23 in a 140 and 29 in my 170, and it still fits the USPSA mag gauge.

Yeah, slapping the trigger works fine when you have a big open paper target that's REAL close and you need fast shots, (CM06-03 "Can You Count" is a good example), but not so much when you need accuracy.

I think that years ago you might have been able to make the case for 38S because of case volume and the better selections of powders that could make major in a 38S, but now? Powders have come a long way in the last few years, and I can name at least a half a dozen powders that can make major in a 9mm. I use Autocomp, and at 173 PF, the case is only about 3/4 full. Comp design has come a long way as well. All of the Master class shooters that I shoot with regularly are using 9 Major, and it doens't seem to be holding them back. As others have said, I think nowadays it comes down to cost rather than performance of the round.

COULD you use them? - Yes. Would I use them? - No.

If you're going to shoot 9mm Major, I would get a good barrel with full chamber support from KKM or Wolf.

For steel, I use plated 115gr for my open gun. For a non-compensated gun, I'd use whatever is cheapest.