xdnok

I ran into the same problem last night on my 650 where the primer wheel would not move. After a few times on a off with the primer tube and wheel I backed the primer seating assy/plunger out from the bottom of the top of the ram and it started working. I compared the small primer assy with the new unused large primer assy and the problem was very appearant in that the plunger was not fully retracting. Well an hour later of cleaning and lubing and cleaning it works pretty good, but i'm going to buy a new one or two to have on hand. I'm thinking I have about 25-30k rounds though mine so I don't feel so bad about replacing a few parts now and then.

So far I have found 2 loads that work well in my new 6" STI, Xtreme plated 180gr with 4.7gr of N320 at 1.140 making 168 PF and Precision moly 170gr and 4.7gr of N320 at 1.140 making 170 PF. I kinda like the 170's better but they have a little more smoke than I care for

Might take a look at this one http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/vid=947/pid=42270/Product/Bald-Eagle-Precision-Products-Work-Bench

What those guys said I love Dawson stuff but the Grams follower with spring is a VERY good choice

The Grams follower needs to be modified to work correctly if you want the slide to lock back. I have to remove a small amount of material at the front edge of the follower that contacts the slide stop to get reliable lock back.

Most of the time I tend to not be a Lemming but sometimes the Lemmings are on to something and in this case the sheer number of people using a Dillion really says A LOT about the product, it just plain works. With all the resources and goodies available for Dillions you do get to just make large quantities of good ammo with minimal hassle. I run a 650 and a 550 for convenience and have to agree the small/large primer change out issue is a pain but after getting the process down it's tolerable. Most of the guys I know that run multiple machines do it just because time is in short supply and well............... it's kinda cool just to sit down in front of a machine and go to work.

Recently installed an ICE magwell on my STI Sentry and love it! Have an S&A on my Kimber that works well but it not quite as nice as the ICE. Only downside to the ICE is you need longer basepads on your mags to fully seat the mag, I used the Dawson extended basepad for the Cobra mags and it seems to be just enough.

I have a XDm 5.25 in 9mm that I used to shoot production with and made the mistake of purchasing a STI Edge for Limited. Now the XDm mostly sits in the safe as the STI is very sweet to shoot and will make you a better shooter I did take the XDm out the other day and have to say it's still very nice and I actually shoot it much better now so you might get a win win out of the deal

The gray and yellow lens in my M frames work well for me

4.4gr of N320 @ 1.135 out of my STI Edge String:,2 Date:,12/2/2011 Time:,2:13:36 PM Grains:,180 Hi Vel:,0 Low Vel:,0 Ave Vel:,0 Ext Spread:,0 Std Dev:,0 Bayou moly 180gr N320 4.4gr Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs 958, 172.440, 366.78 936, 168.480, 350.127 950, 171.000, 360.679 963, 173.340, 370.618 964, 173.520, 371.388 952, 171.360, 362.2 961, 172.980, 369.08 966, 173.880, 372.931 959, 172.620, 367.546 960, 172.800, 368.313

One factor that is important to me is the feel of the load. With Bayou 180gr moly, 4.4gr of N320 @ 1.135 OAL PF avg 170 feels less sharp out of my STI edge than 4.5gr of WST @ 169 avg PF on same bullet. For practice I use WST with moly or cast bullets and shoot matches with the N320/moly loads, very little smoke out any of these loads. Well maybe some smoke on the cast bullets but during practice it does not seem to matter.

I say go for both I love my 5.25 and my 9mm Kimber but like most I did have to work at the 1911 to get it to work right all the time. It's kinda picky on mags and ammo but is very accurate and flat shooting. If I could only have one it would be the XDm though, it's dead nuts reliable, accurate, any ammo works and certainly less expensive. The slide stop issue can be worked out and in my case to my advantage as it just nudges my thumb when the last round goes into the chamber, kinda cool.

Short answer is yes......... I compete in the production class (B class) and while the XD tactical is a fine weapon and have worn a few out, the larger grip give me better control with my large hands and the lighter slide makes the pistol swing and feel lighter during a stage. Yes it is more accurate but the first two items outweigh the accuracy difference.

I also have large hands so I know what you are referring to. Springer Precision and a few others I think sell a grip safety that has a larger bump at the bottom that helps to further engage the safety and makes it a non issue. I have one installed on all my XD's and XDm's just for the confidence factor of never having to worry about the grip safety.

I have a DP super tuned STI Edge and Sentry both in 40 and both have been awesome. The Sentry works well with both Wilson and Tripp mags. :D

Kimber Pro series 4" might fit the bill and they are made in Yonkers, NY

Hodgen site has some good info. 180gr Berrys with 4.5gr of WST @ 1.130 OAL should get you in the ball park. 4.3gr is a nice plinking round but does not go major PF, 4.6gr barely makes major in my STI Edge.

+++ on the Dawson tuned Edge, just got mine a couple of weeks ago and it is a dream. Yes the extra for the tuned version is well worth the money, a stock out of the box Edge is ok but needs work.

Just getting into Limited with a new Dawson Precision STI Edge in 40 S&W with 5 new "tuned" mags and have a newbie question about the mags. These mags have STI followers in them as I like the slide to lock back on empty but I have one Mag that after dropping on the floor a couple of times the follower will not stay completely in the magazine. The front edge sticks up at a 45 degree angle and you have to work it a little to get back in. If I take the follower from another mag it seems to work fine so the tube is in good shape but I only have used this mag 3 or 4 times is that the life of a follower? Obviously I need a new follower but should I go back with a STI or there another better option? I'm used to XDm and M&P mags that almost never have problems with followers. Thanks

I'm using 3.5gr of N320 with 147gr MG at 1.130 OAL. They chrono at 130-132 PF out of my XD9 Tactical, have not put them over the chrono with my XDm 5.25 yet. Very nice shooting load. I finally got around to checking my loads in the 5.25 with the chronograph yesterday and they came out to 129-131 PF. So just a tick less than my XD9 Tactical but likely just a difference in the powder lot. Anyway I'm extremely happy with consistency and accuracy of this load and can count on it to work now.............. if I can just keep my part of the deal

I have one and it is nice, very fast and holds the pistol securely!!! David KNOWS how to make a very nice competition holster Thanks. Is this the best way to get one? I'm sure they are available in many locations however this is his website http://www.kytac.com/

I have one and it is nice, very fast and holds the pistol securely!!! David KNOWS how to make a very nice competition holster

I was talking to the gun shop owner yesterday that I got my 5.25 from and he said had several 40 S&W versions on order but did not know the delivery date. If the 40 is anything like the 9mm I'm in for one.

I'm using 3.5gr of N320 with 147gr MG at 1.130 OAL. They chrono at 130-132 PF out of my XD9 Tactical, have not put them over the chrono with my XDm 5.25 yet. Very nice shooting load.

My 9mm Kimber started off great but after 200 or so rounds it started double feeding which I finally realized it was a failure to extract and no amount of factory ammo or combo of mags made any difference. To me the extractor seemed to hold a round in place like everybody said to for and there was no damage to it so I compared the tension to what I had in my 9mm XD tactical and it was way less. After learning how to adjust the tension I adjusted it to match the XD and low and behold I had a dependable 9mm 1911, awesome! Many thousands of rounds later it's working like it's supposed to. Since then I purchased a extractor tension jig and tension gage set from Brownells to have a way to test the extractor and I do test it from time to time but it has not changed. I'm sure there is a "proper" tension but for now its a copy of my XD.