Carlos

www.shootersparadise.com - which is the website for Phil Strader's place in Woodbridge, VA. They had a number of copies in stock when I bought my copy last night. Drop Phil an e-mail or give them a call.

This may be obvious to some here but keep in mind that there are, in effect, 2 Production divisions: 1) IPSC Production and 2) USPSA's exceptions to/variations of the IPSC Production division rules. For those reading this discusion in the USA, keep in mind that the rest of the world selects a Production gun based on, among other factors, maximum factory mag. capacity (they are not limited by 10 rounds), a 5" barrel max length (no 34/34 and apparently no HS2000 - AKA "xd") and a min. 1st round trigger pull of 5 lbs - another reason the 34/35 is banned as it comes stock with a trigger that is entierly too light @ 3.5 lbs. While an international IPSC production gun will always be allowed in the US (provided only 10 rounds loaded in mag), a US Production gun will often have mods not permitted in international competition.

I usually leave it on. Use sparingly - you don't need much. Sometimes I overdo it w/ too much & then I take it off w/ 10 min. tumbling in clean corncob. Vibraclean loaded rounds?!?!?! Sure. Live on the edge. I do.

FireGlock: Yeah, I am starting to think that the C ports are doing so little to reduce flip that for GSSF, these guys are better off w/ 120 powerfactor loads & just ignore the ports altogether. These guys shoot 3 or 4 GSSF classes - they are WAY into GSSF! (they have just recently discovered IPSC). I realize there are 2 very different ways to reduce flip - 1) light bullets going slow at low pressure light a light steel challenge load or 2) light bullets going very very fast to work the ports (and comp like an open IPSC gun) only there is no comp on the 17C. There is another site called GlockTalk.com & Dale Rhea recently chimed in over there w/ his favorite Glock load (he does not mention which gun) - I believe he mentioned a 124 Montana at 120 PF. He seems to have gone the steel challenge load route. Dale is an accomplished USPSA/IPSC shooter so its no wonder he is top dog in GSSF. I guese the 17C ports are just too small to work in competition. Thanks for the heads up on the 24C - talk about ports!! I am considering one of these just for fun since its capacity limited for competition use in IPSC/USPSA - but I think I'd have much better luck keeping a 24C flat w/ light fast bullets & slow powder. Will keep at it & tell you what I discover.

First, my experience to date: some non-IPSC shooting friends asked for my help in developing a load for their Glock 17C or "compensated". This glock comes from the factory with 2 long sid-by-side ports (similar to those done by the MagnaPort company) through the top of the 5" barrel. There is no compensator, just 2 ports. They are seeking a minor load for GSSF & steel. To that end, I loaded up some Montana 115 JHPs - the lightest thing I had on hand, over super slow V V N105. There was no data on the site for this powder and the 9x19. However, there was data for the 9x21 using a 115 XTP and N105. The OAL was 1.160. I know generally Glocks take a max of 1.155 but I tried 1.160 and it seemes to work OK, though load was quite compressed. Instead of the max load of N105 (listed as well over 1300FPS) I backed off by .2 grains I think the max was X.8 grns and I loaded X.6 grns. I know in open, the top dogs often go well beyond 165 PF to get the gun flat. I did not want to wimp out on the load as that would not take advantage of the ports. In my regular 17, this load was quite unpleasant! Primers were a bit flat but not severely so. Lots of blast and a very sharp recoil. Next, I only had a 19C on hand so I tried that. It blasted so much crap off the cieling tiles that it seemed to snow after every shot! Really blew back my hair too. Less flip though. I imaging it would work the same in a 17C. Still, I think my non-open gun shooting friends are going to complain about the blast the rear-ward recoil over a whimpy load (that does nothing w/ the ports). I doubt I found the "wonder load" for a 17C. Now, question: What load will really work the ports? They have the gun and access to powders from N310 up to N105. Plenty of 115s. For their purpose of shooting in GSSF, I can't really use advice like "go buy an SV" or "convert it to .38 sup" - we are trying to make this work through a tailored load. I went the way of very high PF but a 125 PF load would also suit their purposes - only thing is the light stuff does not seem to work the ports at all (shoots the same as a regular 17). Anyone have some advice? Thoughts? Ideas?

I thought there was a survey of open gun reloading components from last years nationals. Certainly not "proof" of whats best, but it might tell you what others are most often using at the premier match. I thought Montana and Zero were the top 2 for bullets and folks use either 115 or 124 grn, not much heavier. V V was the powder of choice though I seem to recall Hodgdon, winchester and AA being on the list, as well as Vectan (hard to find these days). Nothing wrong with Starline Supercomp brass; some prefer .38 TJ and there are some who never seem to have a problem regular old w/ .38 super brass. I doubt you will find many people running small pistol primers. Personally, I use V V N105 under a Montana 115 RN and Starline 9 Supercomp, & Winchester small rifle primers. I do not run hybrid ports. SV w/ 5" schueman non AET & 4 port comp.

Don't count 105 out. Some will tell you it won't work in 9/38 Supercomp but it does work and shoots very flat as a compressed load under 115s or 124s at 1.260 (I do not run hybrid holes). NO pressure signs - you heard me - none. I pack in as much as I can and still the primers look all round like there was never a bullet or charge in front of them when they went off. This is safe stuff in that I cannot get enough in a Supercomp case to show any pressure signs. Now, you are running an open gun. Where are our European friends on this? Wouldn't there be lots of guys running in Modified with the load you need? I thought Modified was min. 40 cal for major and ports/comp allowed as long as it fits the box? If 105 fails, the next step faster on V V's burning rate chart is 3N38 w/ a rate between N105 and N350. I believe it takes up less space than N105. As for light OPEN bullets, here is a radical thought: look in the small classified section of Shotgun News under reloading components. You should find a guy selling zinc bullets. Solid zinc. Very light. Back when open guns were all .45ACP w/ single chamber comps, one trick to get the comp to work much was light zinc .45 bullets. Not sure what results you would get w/ an open .40 but I understand zinc bullets are very cheap. As for toxicity & build up on the comp, beats me.

I hear you! Right now I have way too many (shooting) irons in the fire, so to speak. Lotsa 1/2 finished projects laying around. I envy the fact that you have access to machine tools at work; living in a condo & working in an office means I only get to work on stuff during friends spare time. Now that the shooting season is in full swing, I spend what free time I have practicing, going to matches or reloading. BTW, what will be the final configuration of your new blaster? DVC! D.C. Johnson TY44934

BTW, BJ won it in Production. Pre-lim results are up at www.shootersparadise.com - all this by a junior who did not win the match using his new "catch the mag" trick (which is WAY more tactical, I'm sure!). Congrats BJ!! Good shooting, a sound plan & smooth movement paid off.

"As far as I know all handguns must be registered in the U.S. in some form or another. That is why handguns and frames must be shipped to FFL holders. Paul " Zak is right on this. There is NO federal registration requirement. There may be some state registration schemes and you are stuck following those if you live in such a state. I do not break any laws, state or federal. I make my own guns, including handguns. I don't ask permission & I don't register them with anyone becuase I don't have to - that's not the federal law nor is it so in Va. Again, I don't break any laws & I also do not put serial numbers on my guns when I make them. That's right - NO serial number is required when an individual makes a firearm with the intent to retain it for his own personal use. I have taken to stamping some random number on my guns because too many law enforement officers are ignorant of the laws they are supposedly charged with upholding. This is not news & if you want more information, check out the link I posted above. There is also info. on the ATF website. Sorry for those of you who live in Michigan. I do hope that things change for the better up there; I occasionally worked in an officein Detroit over a 2 year period. There would appear to be a great need for Michigan residents to have ready access to the means to protect themselves.

Running: Kel Tec P-32. Working at the range/gunstore: Glock 19 or Steyr, either M9 or M40. Winter time "pocket gun" for jacket/overcoat: S&W 340PD .357. In this area, N. Va., I may not always "need" to carry, but as a right and a matter of principle, I often carry. I feel it is important to be proficient if you carry and IPSC/steel/pins/GSSF etc. are part of that responsibility.

ATF or morons? Take a look at the morons on E-bay sometime. Do a search on "Gun parts" & you are likely to find stuff like "1911/ old pistol frame - note to e-bay, this is just gun parts & not a gun! don't delete!" And sure enough, E-bay leaves it up. Happens all the time & there is never a mention of "FFL" I have seen many shotgun receivers sold that way on Ebay too - though in fairness some of these might have been pre 1898 so OK to mail right to individuals. Still, most of these guys are clueless. Slightly more savvy are the magazine sellers. I get a laugh out of the adds that say "AR-16 Magazine, Model #30, holds 10 shots (this magazine WILL hold 10)" Gets around e-bay's stupid prohibition on normal capacity magazines.

Build your own frames? Me too. We are not required to "register" here in the US although some states have gotten away with this. Are you in the US? If so, where??!? Check out www.roderuscustom.tzo.com. So far I have done AR-15s and am working on the Sig 228 & AR-10. My own 1911 is in the future at some point too, $$$ permitting. Asking permission to buy a gun from an FFL & registration are both unconstitutional bull. Building the actual frame or receiver yourself from raw materials is a much better way to go. Have fun. DVC!

Well, lets not call it "double crimp" but rather, "progressive crimp" (how's that for political correctness??!?). Anyway, I do this on 9 Supercomp though without the FCD. Why? I load Supercomp/9x23 with 115 Montana bullets and V V N-105 powder - which requires a compressed charge of this very slow powder. Problem was, I would seat the bullet on one station and by the next stage, the crimp stage, the OAL had changed! I almost gave up on N105. Then I found an old RCBS 9mm combo seat & crimp die I had laying around. I ordinarily do not like these type of dies because they are hard to set up, hard to change OAL on and I believe inconsistent. However, I was able to fiddle w/ the thing enough to put enough crimp on the case to keep the OAL where I wanted it - at least temporarily. Last stage is now a real crimp die (the Dillon 9mm crimp die w/ the excellent bell on it) for a real firm crimp - sadly my compressed loads need a more healthy crimp to prevent OAL "growth" over time. I do not see a problem w/ "double crimp".

EERW is on the money - as usual. Try Wideners - they often have some 9x23. What brass are you using now? If its Starline .38 Supercomp or Super (or comparable) you will have to adjust your loads down to compensate for the lower case capacity of the 9x23. I have personally sectioned 9x23 brass as well as Starline 9 & 38 supercomp and there is considerable difference in thickness, and thus case capacity (9x23 being quite a bit thicker). 9x23 was once a way to avoid the dangers of loading .38 Super to old 175 Major (and beyond) and using it in a totally unsupported gun like the 1911. Another (and better) solution to the problem is in the form of the ramped, fully supported barrel for the 1911, making the use of the original thick 9x23 brass optional. If your barrel is a traditional non ramped (and thus unsupported) 1911 barrel, use only 9x23 or stick to factory loadings of .38 SUper (which do not exceed old major).

Nice work Ned! That is one very trick gun you built; I especially like the frontstrap. Question: "The grip is the smallest and highest I have ever seen" Why would one want a "high grip"? Do some brands have a "higher" grip than others?

Setback. Here is why: the Dillon sizing die. I am a die-hard Dillon fan but not when it comes to their sizing die. 1st, understand that crimp does not hold the bullet in an autloader cartridge; its the tension from the re-sized dimension of the case. The Dillon resize dies seem to be the most generous ones out there and they re-size the LEAST amount of the case. They just do not grip the bullet enough. I just happened to be practicing w/ a friend this AM loading .45 on a 650 and he noticed significant setback on several loads that had been chambered & unchambered. Lucky for him, setback has not resulted in a KB probably because he loads 230s to 1.260 over a charge of VV N-320 that is BELOW the min. VV manual load (and it still makes major). A setback w/ a max load of a fast, high energy powder like Titegroup would be another story. Keep the dillon press, but replace that Dillon resize die w/ something else (like a Lee "U" die & some OneShot).

I'm w/ Eric on this - ejection port towrds ground & let it drop. Spook - I hear you, but remember the frontsite article on ejectorfire specifically mentions the .40 1911 platform; doesn't Grauffel shoot a CZ/Tanfoglio/EAA/IMI941/Baby desert eagle/P9 (call it what you want) platform in .38 stuper or one of the 9s?? I do not think its a fair comparison to the guns most of us shoot. Is Eric's gun immune to ejector fire? Beats me, I shoot 1911s and Glocks. I nearly blew up Phil Strader the 1st time I met him w/ my attempt to cause an ejector fire (search on my old post in "Match Screw Ups") and that was with a .45 1911 no less, not even the .40. I no longer see any reason to violently yank the slide to the rear at show clear. Just pull it back and let the round drop. Why take a chance on something that has happened to lots of guys & nearly happened to me? I don't see a point to the "flip".

Agreed. BTW, Jeff, how about including reloading data on Major9 loads now that it has been approved? I have looked at your collection of 9x21 data for loads under 1.155" OAL and yo do have some there, but what about a seperate section for 9x19 only w/ cautionary notes? Thanks for the excellent website Jeff! DVC TY44934

Let me get this straight; I have an old aftermarket Glock high-cap that I trust to use as a stripper mag but not much else. I keep it in my front pocket & at LAMR, I load one round out of that, put it back in my pocket, then grab a fresh mag from my belt. Never paid much attention to how many rounds I put in it. If I accidentally had 11 in it, but only used it as a stripper, that bumps me to open? I agree that this policy (not a rule) should not apply until the shooting starts, if at all. I understand the concern w/ possible cheaters, but most timers count the number of shots anyway so it should not be too difficult for an RO to catch the offense.

Add Quakers to the list of anti-gun churches; back in 1980 I was given a choice of 2 fine private schools to attend, one quaker and one non-denominational (but the second school had a dress code requiring boys to wear a tie - blech!). Turns out the non-denominational school had a rifle team - that made my choice easy since the quackers told us they were pacifists and opposed the existance of arms of any type. I learned to live w/ the tie.

In a similar vein, Fox News chose to have a retired military officer (I think he was a retired Major) comment on the incident Sunday in NJ where three confused teens were about to carry out 3 planned murders of their classmates followed by a random killing spree. Thank God it was stopped. However, Fox News (I bleive it was yesterday's "Dayside" show) had this uninformed vet indignantly spouting crap like "these kids had an armory, an ARMORY!" and "these were not a couple of target rifles, one of these was a sniper rifle!!" He was talking about a U.S. M1Carbine that the owner had equiped w/ what appeared to be a cheap 3x9 scope and a plastic barrel mounted bi-pod. That constitutes a "sniper rifle"?? As for this vet, despite his credentials he convinced me he is now merely a major idiot rather than a retired Major. Journalistic ethics is a an oxymoron.

fayettevillebaldguy wrote: " 'Cause everybody is waiting in line for a Rem 1100 Comp Master!!! Why wait? Phil Strader has THREE (3) of these in stock as of this morning! He can ship one out to your FFL today or tomorrow and you could be shooting a Competitionmaster by this weekend, just call him at (703) 491-4867. His website is up and running at www.shooters-paradise.com I think Benny might have some left as well. Worth every penny!

Neil: thanks, that about covers it. A couple of thoughts on the implementation: please make sure that there is NO "fully locked back" requirement; this would effectively eliminate guns that lack the capacity to fully lock open - like the AK series rifles - from ever being in compliance. A chamber flag or a mag block that incorporates a flag (both should be allowed) is sufficient to be a visible indication to all that the weapon has been made safe after a COF/departure from safe area. In the interim until (if) the flag rule is put in effect, there should be an informal policy on the dust cover issue; there are enough shooters who are veterans or active military for us to show leniency when a competitor closes the dust cover as trained. Apparently, the servicemen who protect our freedoms are trained to close the dust cover and they do it instinctively. Closing the dust cover should NOT result in a DQ. Rather, the RO should take corrective action and direct the shooter to show clear and keep the cover open.

Would like to know the same thing & possibly obtain the other piston if it would allow me to shoot lighter loads; my 1 1/8 Oz Clays loads would not operate the SX2; I switched to Universal Clays and the loads work 100%, albeit w/ more recoil. Similiar experience w/ Red Dot & Green Dot loads and the low recoil remington slugs do not run 100%.