xdnok

I'm another that seriously dislikes shotguns, tried 3gun for awhile and just had no fun with the shotgun. I had a really nice custom M2 so it was not the equipment, it just felt like the wrong tool that was clumsy to reload in a high speed environment. Besides three guns is A LOT of gear to keep up with and drag around the range. So yes I would be willing to attend a 2 gun match as I really like my Stag 3g

I love my ProChrono, it has been within several fps of what I get at majors this year. So far it has never missed a shot but then again most of the time I use the indoor lighting kit and pretty much enclose the unit with cardboard. I have used it with the standard reflectors and a moderately large cardboard shade tapped to the top with great results as well.

I would consider shooting this match if my 40 single stack could be in major, interesting choices for a match.

As a follow up question, what do you do with the broken gun? Put the lower (frame) back in the holster and carry off the slide and barrel? I have never had a gun in more than 1 piece as an RO before.

Other than the silly compensator that came on my 3g I have been very happy with mine. I put a JP compensator, a Burris MTAC scope to round finish it out. Yeah it's a little heavy but it's nothing compared to putting a full Surefire 60rd mag in it

Perhaps the sun is effecting your chrono, I have seen some off the wall numbers out of mine and added a large sunshade (cardboard) to the top and the numbers improved. For the most consistent results at a major match, they put the chrono in a box to avoid inconsistent results.

I tried 3 gun for awhile and have to admit I enjoyed it but, carrying around 3 guns and all of the stuff along with the time needed got to be real old real fast. Sold the M2, kept the AR's and back to USPSA only for now.

The 200's in 40 that I have tried felt a little sluggish and to be honest I thought a little clunky feeling, my favorite load is a 180gr moly with WST.as it feels quick but very controllable.

I felt the same way when I first started, almost to the point of tip-toeing around. I'm sure it was due to always being told to be VERY careful when handling guns. It is going to sound silly but take your time to develop good pistol handling skills by being and careful making sure you keep your finger out of the trigger and muzzle pointed downrange when moving, these basic skills have to become second nature, then start picking up the speed. In my case dry firing and moving about the house and back yard helped to develop my confidence.

4.7gr of WST @ 1.140 with a BBI or Bayou 180gr bullet gives me about 168 PF at 95 degrees.out of my STI 5 inch Eagle and Sentry. Start a little lower and work your way up with a chrono.

I like their 170gr in my 6" 2011, 5.1 gr of WST or 4.7gr of N320 @ 1.140 gives 1023 fps at 95 deg. Yes a little smoke but not bad, about 1/3 as much as plain lead.

Definetly try an aluminum guide rod as that will remove an ounce or two from the front end. I remember the change from a 5.25 XDm 9mm to a STI Edge40 S&W, wow what a weight difference........ almost sold the Edge but got used to it then went to a 37 oz 6 inch from Benny Hill and it feels very light.

You don't have to clean an STI every time you shoot it, but you do really need to know how it works and be willing to give it what it needs to run well. I've seen dozens of STI owners struggle with the same problems match after match and not approach solving those problems in a systematic way. If you want something you can just buy and shoot and not worry about it... keep walking. You might get one, and if you get a tuned Edge or a custom gun from one of the real pros you'll have a good chance of getting one, but it's still a roll of the dice. The 2011 isn't a good platform for dabbling. You need to commit to it. Kinda agree, My STI's have been very reliable but they DO need some tinkering from time to time and my custom guns are very reliable as well however 1 or 2 needed some tweaking to make them work right. I would advise an M&P or Glock to get started as after a few mods for trigger and fiber front sight they are good to go, then sell it after you get comfy with an STI at some point down the road. It's not like you will lose a lot since a good competition M&P or GLock will retain a lot of value.

Dawson used to have an option called "super tuned" that basically had a gunsmith look it over and tune the trigger. Out of the box STI 2011's have a very stiff trigger pull, 6 lbs or so and it's a great choice getting the trigger job to bring the trigger pull down a little so you can enjoy your new toy. Don't forget mags, they are expensive and worth the $$$ to have someone tune them to start out with. I have some custom 6" STI's that are hard chromed that are standing up well to the abuse they get. I also have an STI Sentry single stack and a Eagle 5.0 in standard black and can say that the Sentry has a fair amount of wear on the finish due to kydex holster but the Eagle 5.0 has very little since I use a Double Alpha race master holster that holds the pistol by the trigger guard.

3.5gr N320 with MG 147gr 1.125 OAL gives 130pf out of my XDm 5.25 9mm. I would start a little lower and work it up for your application

I use all three depending on availability My 6" limited gun likes the Precision 170gr but they are on a pretty good backorder as I just received my order from early February, the Bayou 180gr have the least smoke but are even harder to get as I just received my order from December the other day.......... BBI has good availability due to their order restrictions (2 cases at a time) which I think is a good idea for fairness considering the conditions we have right now. All are great performers and are great improvement over plain lead and each manufacturer has some nice features.

I have been waiting on a Precision bullet order from February still no show but I'm sure they will eventually make it, However I did order some from Black Bullet International recently and received them in a couple of weeks, you are limited to only 2 cases on your order though. Nice bullets, I might order some more while I wait on my Precision order.........

In my 6" STI's I used to use MG and N320 but like you but the availability of components has pushed me to experiment/use other brands and have to say I REALLY like Bayou moly bullets with both N320 and WST very little smoke and the molys feel a little softer than MG. Have also used Precision moly with great success as well with a little more smoke but overall very good results. I'm not a big fan of plain lead, but they work and is better than no bullets........ Xtreme copper plated bullets seem to well with zero smoke although in my case they needed almost as much powder as a MG bullet.

chronographed some ammo today: 5" STI Sentry 40 S&W 1911 180gr Bayou bullets moly 4.5gr N320 1.135 OAL .421 crimp 961FPS High 945FPS low 6" STI Benny Hill custom 40 S&W 170gr Precision moly 4.7gr N320 1.135 OAL .421 crimp 1025 high 990 low 180gr Bayou bullets moly 4.3gr N320 1.135 OAL .421 crimp 960 high 935 low 180gr Xtreme plated 4.7gr N320 1.135 OAL .421 crimp 964 high 930 low

I had two Dawson ST Edges that worked very well but have since sold them and now have two Benny Hill "Fat Free" 6" limited guns that are nothing short of AWESOME. I did not think I was going to like the "tri topped" slide at first but after having for awhile everything else looks..... heavy. The Texas guys have no shortage of great gunsmiths but my experience has been very good with guys from Triangle shooting sports.

4.5gr of N320 and 180gr moly Bayou bullets with OAL 1.135 gave me 170pf out of my 5" edge. Should be pretty close to start with.

Yes, happened to me twice................ just get a sold guide rod and plug for your Edge and a 13lb recoil spring and never look back. The Dawson no tool kit is awsome but not required.

I like the FCD die for fmj but I seem to get better results just using a standard Dillion crimp die to .422 on lead, moly and copper plated bullets in my STI limited guns.

I think a 19lb main spring comes in it but I use a 17lb in mine with a 13lb recoil spring in my Sentry 40 S&W, maybe 14lb recoil spring with your 45. The gun shot much better when I took the recoil master out put a standard guide rod and spring in it.

I have been using Extreme plated bullets recently and find them a good alternative to FMJ's. Only issue I have had is they seem to be a little picky on the crimp as in don't use much on them