Mike in CT

Hello all, Just need a quick refresher on Pistol classes. I have an STI Eagle (2011 in 40S&W) (bushing barrel that I shoot in ESP), that one I am pretty sure is the right classification I have an STI Trojan (1911 in 9mm) that I *think* would be in SSP, Is that correct? Of course my M&P with only grip tape would fall in SSP as well, Appreciate a reply. I am signing up for my first regional match and want to be sure I use the proper class, Mike

Glad I found this thread. I am soon to be the proud owner of a new M2. I am on a budget so knowing what I 'have' to do is great. IceDevil, Hi Viz makes a couple of sights specifically for the tactical guns including a 'snap on', see http://www.hivizsights.com/products/shotgun-sights/plain-barrel.html Can I get some clarification on the Slug POA POI stuff? I am hearing about bending the barrel (sounds extreme and expensive) but also the Hi Viz Tri Comp sight, or I also see a Hi Viz turkey sight with windage and elevation adjustment the Tri Viz sight. I also saw the 4 in 1 and that looks pretty cool. I guess the first thing I need to do is get the gun on the range and check out a few slug rounds and see what I have to work with before making any sight choices. (did I just answer my own question?) Thanks for all the info. I would love to just send it to Benny but since I stepped up my initial purchase from a 930 to the Benelli I am going to have to step lightly with the modifications for now, Mike

Looks like I am the lucky recipient of the used M2!! Just need to get it shipped out to friendly CA. I have a couple of questions, Benny, how much is the feeding work? As far as shooting slugs do I need to add a rear sight or replace the front with a taller one? I did see that some are using the Winchester Ranger low recoil and they hit at POA. I know I need to get the lifter modified and a +5 extension tube. Any other must haves for a beginner that was shooting a pump? (I am not the fastest in the West, but have fund doing it) Thanks Mike

My offer still holds. If someone will make one of these I will buy it, just let me know the price! Mike

Oh Man, That sounds like a great deal but I cannot register on the AR forum as I only have a Yahoo email address. Any suggestions on how to get ahold of seller? Mike

This might be a dumb question but what or where is AFRCOM EE? Mike

Hello all, I am looking to buy my first rifle (I do have a 10/22 and shotgun)and have found a couple of choices I would appreciate opinions on. I am looking to test out 3-gun and I am shooting at an active club that has 3-gun and rifle only matches. I do not consider myself a great shot, but I do have fun trying. I shoot IDPA and USPSA (classified in both) and switch between an M&P Pro, STI 1911 in 9mm and STI Eagle in 40S&W. I reload as well. My goal is to get a 'decent' rifle that I can start with and grow with. I am looking to spend about $1,000 total, so any trigger or action work would need to be factored in. I have found these two choices (cheap and available). STAG ARMS STAG 15 – M4 .223/5.56 16” 1/9 twist barrel A3 flat top upper A2 butt stock triangle hand guards RRA 2 stage trigger Nikon M-223 3-12x42 scope Nikoplex reticle M-223 mount full lifetime warranty on optics. $1100.00 (Like the scope but would likely swap out the trigger, do not think I would like the 2 stage) RUGER MINI 14 95% condition roller bolt includes 1- 5 rd & 2- 10 round magazines & scope mounts $550.00 (I would have money available for modifications and ammo) Also open to other suggestions, Thanks Mike

Thanks for the info. I moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, likely Sonoma County. I see there are some local IDPA matches in Richmond and maybe some in San Rafael. I am looking for other shooting areas in the area as well, Mike

Where are you located?

I have used several thousand cases from Brassman with no problems. You should be good to go, Mike

Where do you measure the crimp? on the edge of the case or the bullet where it meets the case? Mike

Darn, forgot to mention they are 40SW 180grn. I was thinking about returning them but probably not worth the return shipping. It is only a 1,000 rounds, so I think I will just load them the same and shoot them up. I am using WSF and have found that at 5.5gr I can have a reliable load. I shoot an STI Eagle (similar to the edge but with a short dust cover). Thanks Mike

I have loaded but but just started to chrono my loads. I have run the CMJs through the chrono, will the FMJs perform about the same or do I need to run them through as well? I bought the FMJ by mistake.....I usually pay the extra $1 and get the CMJ. Mike

+1 to watching the profile of the bullets. I just switched from round nose to truncated cone and had to test chambers and more importantly the magazines for fit. Most of the shooters I know use the 180 CMJ Montana Gold in 40SW and use the 124 gr JHP in 9mm. Mike

Thanks BBB!

Just got back from the range and 5 ammo tests. I was scanning through the forum and was hoping to find a sample spreadsheet or log book record. I have the velocity from 5 types of loads, finally after a year of reloading and shooting I can now find out the details behind my loads. If anyone has a format to share please let me know. Mike

I did some searching and it looks like I am in the right range, I found other loads listed at 1.150 and 1.135 Think I have answered my own questions with the search function. Mike

I am hoping someone else has already solved this question; what OAL for MG 147gr Truncated cone bullets? I have always loaded Round Nose bullets at 1.169 and they work fine in all my pistols. Now I have a case of the truncated round nose from MG and have found that 1.169 does not work in all my pistols. Since the truncated nose of the bullets has a different profile they need to be shorter to feed in the magazines. I have found that 1.15 works in my STI 1911, but I also shoot a Sig 226 and M&P in the same caliber. Any first hand experience with these bullets is welcome as I continue to experiment. Mike

Thanks for all the replies and good to see CocoBolo reply, I have read many of your posts in the reloading forums. I made up a number of test rounds and went down to the range today for some initial testings. Since I was going from the longer bullet to the shorter one case volume was of less of a concern. I found that all 3 of my test lengths fed fine and none of the cartridges showed any signs high pressures. I am going to load some additional rounds and try to get the chrono out tomorrow. Mike

Thanks for the replies. I actually found my Wilson wrapped in plastic and oiled for storage! I used the barrel until I found it !

Superdude Thanks for your post and links. That answers all my questions! Mike

I am loading 9mm and switching from a round nose bullet to a flat nosed Montana Gold bullet. Does the shape of the bullet nose effect Case Overall Length? I was loading at 1.169 and noticed that with the new bullet I had to back off my seating die. Wondering if that will adversely affect pressure? seems that with the flat nose bullet, less seats into the case and likely less pressure. Mike

I went to switch back to 9mm and cannot find my case gauge. I remember reading that different gauges may have different tolerances, does anyone know which is the tightest or most accurately match SAMMI standards? I am reloading to shoot out of a STI 1911, Sig P226 and M&P, all in 9mm. Mike

After the first several hundred or thousand rounds I had to adjust the pawls but have not had to since. What I did was just make a big adjustment (remembering what that is) like a full turn on one of the pawls then seeing what affect that had. If it was moving the plate in the right direction I kept working on that, if it went in the wrong direction then just reset it back that full turn and try the other direction or other pawl. Mike