OperationHitFactor

Maybe I am assuming and yes I was being a touch dramatic, but there are a lot of people that read this forum. If not him, someone else might read and decide to go on the adventure without enough knowledge to pull it off. I have seen it on several occasions at the range and in the shop where people have paperweights from what they read on the internet. I feel confident most of the people in this thread can pull of developing a non comp major load. Sure the original poster will probably do a little more research now before getting brave. The problem is the people passing through that have enough knowledge to experiment, but not enough to recognize danger. Lastly, most of the velocity is gained in the first inch of travel and all most all the velocity is gained in the second inch. The longer barrels add a bit of velocity, but mostly just help stabilize the bullet. That is why holes, ports, and comps have little effect on velocity. sure there is a little velocity lost but not a lot.

It's not that bad? Really? Ok let's reverse. Yes, shooting a major round through a gun is a bit harsher than plus p. If developed right and pressure signs are good, it's perfectly safe. On the other hand, not reading up on what will work and what doesn't work. Jumping into the experimental, I have big hands, this is my theory, so now I'm going to play with out of spec loads. You are right. Nothing wrong. No problem. It's not that bad. Fingers are no biggie. Let me pose this. What happens when he decides shooting major ammo without a comp is a bit harsh, then reads fast powders help soften recoil?

If you are actually serious. Please do not do this. Not that it can't be done, but to put it blunt. You give off the impression you are going to hurt yourself.

I can totally respect being a traditionalist. Since you are squared away with a reloader treat yourself to a nice gun. Sorry for assuming, I just always see people buy or wanting to buy a top notch gun but don't reload and then don't have money for ammo. STI is my vote, with the amount if rounds most of us put through our guns. It is nice knowing 10,000-15,000 rounds in that you can send it in to be fixed if you discover the frame or slide is not wearing properly. Maybe Les Bauer does that too, but I know for a fact STI does. On a final note, don't be afraid to check the used STI market either. New or second hand STI will still stand behind their product.

Never tried 45, but 180 grain and titegroup or N320 at about 140 powerfactor is sweet! I'm sure 185 45 minor load would be a good shooter as well. I like to keep the powerfactor between 140-145 shooting those heavy bullets. Otherwise the slide is just too noodle like and feels like I'm shooting butterflies not bullets. Try it, it's probably great especially with lead.

Actually the 550 and the Trojan is a nice idea too. My whole point is if you don't reload(which you might) get a cheaper gun and a Dillon. Now if you reload already, then yes it is time to treat yourself to a nice pistola. Like others brought up, why single stack and CDP? Don't get me wrong, I like a classic .45 single stack, but a double stack 2011 in 40 is way more fun. It's hard to really push yourself to go faster in single stack. You always have to worry about running dry and not missing. I'm not saying it's not possible to shoot single stack fast, however, it's much harder to learn to shoot faster in single stack. If you like both IDPA and USPSA get an STI Eagle in .40 You can load minor for IDPA ESP and major for USPSA Limited.

I would say you should buy a STI Spartan, then switch out/upgrade the extractor, ambisafety, trigger parts, have them installed by a professional who also will tune the gun. Buy 8 quality Mags, a Dillon 650 or lots of ammo, and last buy a delicious steak dinner.

The way I understand it, is that in 2013 yes with the new rules, but as it stands right now no.

So verdict, 5.4 Hybrid vs the 6 inch Bushing? Pros and Cons of each? Also, I know the new toy factor may have you starry eyed, but realistically, if you could only choose one? IPSC isn't a factor for me.

Call David Cup @ STI. PM me if you want the number. I had feeding issues and it turned out the frame was out of spec. Not saying that's what it is but the one of the only pros to buying an stock Edge is you get the lifetime warranty. They do stand behind their product, so if don't get it running after some minor tinkering. Call STI.

There you go, for that system I would call Matt Cheely. He will also advise you on setting it up for steel, falling steel, and USPSA major. With minor changes, you will be able to jump between platforms. Literally, the most bang for your buck.

Mr. Flexmoney, we need comps, because the 9mm minor is too much for us on the darkside to handle. In addition, other people use comps, so it must be better! Right? Umm...

My ideal 2011 based steel gun would be: Scheumann Commander Bull Barrel. Do not port the barrel. It won't do jack but bleed off the precious gas. Bedell Titanium Comp with all but two chambers cut off then the last/second chamber side vented. Goverment slide cut back to commander length and lightened. Goverment recoil system with the comp cut on the bottom for guide rod clearance. 7 or 8lb recoil spring Swenson safety or Krebs style thumb shield (Thumb drag will jam a lighlty sprung minor gun) Good mags with plenty of tension to feed. Now this would be a hefty investment for a dedicated steel gun. This is where an Open Glock, XD, or M&P would shine for much cheaper.

A good steel shooting comp would be the millenium/scheumann 3 chamber titanium comp or the bedell titanium comp. If the comp is made of steel a cone config would be ideal. Then cut a chamber or two off using only one or two chambers of the original comp. If you use a fast powder like N320 it doesn't create a lot of gas, so it doesn't require a big comp. The idea is to create a lighter, yet soft shooting gun for rapid transitions.

Can you clarify what you mean by "two holes" ? are you referring to two barrel holes ? Thanks Yes two barrel holes. I wouldn't go anymore than two barrel ports for 9 major. You should really try and shoot a gun with barrel porting first. A lot of people hate porting, so make sure.

Empire of the Sun

The Azone or Shoto. Shoto - If you don't mind holes and prefer a lighter front end. Two holes 115 grain HS6 Azone - If you don't like holes and prefer a touch more weight out front. No holes 124 grain Shillouete or N350 Both great systems, both systems are highly competitive, and both will deliver fantastic results. Flip a coin, if you don't know what system you want from the above description or pick it based on which you like the look of. For the others Trubor or Bedell. Those are great too, if you don't plan on lightening the slide much. With and 11-12oz slide they kind of just cruise. Soft and easy to time. Bottom line, pick one and practice. Any of them will work great, just different paths to the same destination.

Do you know a forum member named Quentin Tarantino? No, but it was written with Roger Avary

Got to be Pulp Fiction.

Well you've got me stumped. Those velocities are off, not way off, but off. This could be an issue more with lighting on the chrono or some other random event. 10.2 gave you 1356 once outside of that, everything else is the same ballpark. Are you measuring OAL on each round for consistency after crimp stage? Make sure it's not getting any OAL variations. Also maybe try a tad more crimp.

With that Dawson comp try N350. With that set up, it should be very soft and give a nice straight up and down dot track.

Also what primers are you using. I like small rifle primers and other guys have success with magnum pistol primers. If you are using small pistol sometimes it's not enough to get a good burn with a slow powder like 3N38.

What are you using to drop your powder? Also scale? Usually it's in the powder weight/drop area as this is where you are making changes.

Hmm, I'd go back over the press step by step to make sure everything is right. Then start at 9.8, then do 10.0 followed by 10.1 record your results and see what happens. When I encounter things like this I start back at square one. I usually find it is user error on my part or an equipment malfunction. 3N38 shouldn't be plateauing at that velocity.

I'm no Matt Cheely, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Good luck tomorrow