Carlos

Hi Lee and Welcome. I agree w/ Flex on this, take another look at the book; Brian makes it clear that your 1911 has to group under 3" at 50 yards, not 25. You will not be able to compete w/ the accuracy you describe (5 to 6 in. @25 yards). W/ that accuracy, you would be hard pressed to keep all your shots inside the A zone @ 25 no matter how slow you shot. How do you expect to hit alphas when the targets are out to 40 yards or more? Moreover, shooting minor, you will need as many A's as you can get. Sounds like you gun may need some work. Is it a bushing gun? You might consider a bull barrel installed by a competent smith. Please send us some more info. Always happy to help. DVC

You are using THAT for IPSC? Can't be - you must be shooting that IDPA sport.

Started out w/ reddot (fast burning), then switched to greendot (medium burning) at same velocity thinking it would recoil less - wrong! In trap loads, it kicked noticeably more. Go w/ the fastest powder for which you have reliable data - the Hodgdon site does a good job of this. There is another Dot problem for 3gun - they are comparatively quite dirty due allegedly to the use of graphite NOTE!! The DOT powders, at least Reddot, was re-formulated to be cleaner in the last 2 years. Good work though I still prefer Hodgdon. HOWEVER, Hodgdon makes cleaner shotgun powder IMHO. Which semi are you using for 3 gun, the Remington, the Saiga, or something else? I found that for gas guns, Universal functioned best.

Kurt - fair enough & I agree the quality of the lower does matter as far as correct fire control/safety position, mag catch position and magwell - my only remaining pre-ban is based on an Oly lower from the early 90s that has a tight and slightly long magwell that has trouble w/ Israeli & Canadian mags going in all the way - and that does affect function. Have not tried Oly recently, but I have seen excellent work from RR Arms. For everyone that is interested, the ealier site I posted was http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com and it contains information on machining an AR lower from scratch, thus allowing you to machine in any dimensions you want. Not exactly a money-saving venture but is does allow you to build whatever 3gun rifle you want. Regards, C.

The "new" Shooters is not related to the store in New Zealand; no franchise (yet). Here are a few more details about Shooters Paradise, Owned and Operated by Straighter Shooting, Inc.: -New centerfire rifle-capable (up to .50 Caliber) indoor range w/ lead-trapping backstop at 27 yards. Positive fresh-air ventilation w/ heaters in winter. -Shooters wishing to safely practice their draw for USPSA/IDPA/cowboy (strong side only) are welcome at Shooters. Try THAT at most other gun ranges! -Both USPSA/IPSC and IDPA targets available for sale; electronic target carriers allow target placement from 7 to 27 yards -VA CCW and basic pistol class every Saturday from 1 to 4:30 PM. Cost is only $75 and the price includes instruction, firearm rental, ammunition, targets and upon succesful completion, a certificate that satisfies Virginia's concealed carry permit application requirements. Class reservations can be made by phone at 703 491-4867. -Beginners USPSA/IPSC class; more info available at http://www.vamdsection.org - Handgun rental as well as sales of handguns, rifles and shotguns, both new and used. Sale of gear for cowboy action/SASS, USPSA/IPSC and IDPA, including rifles and shotguns for 3 gun. -In the works: both IDPA and USPSA/IPSC competitions; class III rentals; intermediate and advanced pistol, rifle and shotgun courses. DVC TY-44934

Beyond a good factory trigger like the JP, its all about the upper receiver. Forget "match lowers" - don't buy the hype!! Loose upper/lower fit? SO WHAT!!! Upper/lower fit does not matter for accuracy so get any old lower and concentrate on good upper parts suited to your needs. Here are some resources: Glen Zediker's Book on AR-15 Accuracy - the bible of ARs http://www.snipercountry.com - look around for a trilogy of articles on how to build your own AR upper at home - not hard to do. http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com good advice on machining your own lower at home as well as gunsmithing the AR. BTW, are you B.J.'s older brother? If so, stop by Shooters sometime and I'll let you try out my ARs to see what you like before you buy. DVC TY-44934 (Edited by Carlos at 10:11 am on Jan. 27, 2003)

Do a google search on "the FAL Files" or check out http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com under the forum: "Building an FAL at home from an 80% complete receiver". Also, please don't post questions like this in the open gun forum; it belongs in the 3 gun section ro questions that don't fit forum. (Edited by Carlos at 10:02 am on Jan. 27, 2003)

Do a google search on "the FAL Files" or check out http://www.roderuscustom.tzo.com under the forum: "Building an FAL at home from an 80% complete receiver". Also, please don't post questions like this in the open gun forum; it belongs in the 3 gun section ro questions that don't fit forum. (Edited by Carlos at 10:02 am on Jan. 27, 2003)

Dick is correct - the dissipators have full length gas systems which are more reliable/less harsh than the shorties. Check out the add in Small Arms Review (Class III rag) for an ad about the "pigtail" gass system for shorty ARs; itsa corkscrew shaped full length gas tube for shorties to assure reliable cycling in full auto (not that you would want that for 3gun). but it makes the point.

1st DON"T BUY THE PORTED GUN! Will not work for USPSA sice you be in open competing against $2500 race guns w/ 28 round mags. Really 2 ways to go if you want to be competitive w/ the XD (nothing wrong w/ the XD! Good gun). 1) 9mm 2) 40 Why? 1) Production treats all guns at 9mm or over the exact same way for scoring. Most experts agree that the right ammo in a 9mm makes the gun easier to shoot in our style competition (USPSA and IDPA) than a .40 S&W. (for the rest of you: Yeah, I know about Todd's .40 Para - blah blah blah! shoot a 9 in Production for crisake!!). Also, the XD can handle the hottest 9mm ammo out there and w/ the right hoolowpoint ammo, the 9mm is an excellent defense round (flame suit on). Don't buy the hype about .40 and .45. I have a CCW and I carry a 9. 2) If you do buy the non-compensated XD in .40, thats OK too. You can shoot it competitively in L-10 class w/ the mags you buy anywhere. DOn't get wrapped up in the limited classes & hi-caps, just save your money for match entry fees and practice ammo. If I were you, I'd buy the 9, buy a case of Blazer 9mm ammo from Natchez (still like $4.85 a box - even less at some sporting goods place in the south). get a $15 Kydex holster from U. Mikes (make sure its Kydex!!) matching mag holders and go shooting! You might be surprised how well you can do!

Well I sell Kimbers and Springfields at the shop where I work part time and they are both reputable manufacturers. Any of their full sized 1911s in .45 would serve you well in limited-10 and they have 2 advantages as I see it: 1) you can shoot them competitivly out of the box and add any number of custom parts later to suit your tastes and 2) .45 is one of the best semi-auto calibers to start reloading for USPSA/IPSC. Money savings are greater in .45 than say 9mm or .40 and .45 is more forgiving of the inevitable screw ups than .40 or .38 Sup (however, you should never EVER make any reloading mistakes!). I shoot an STI Edge .45 and an SV open gun in 9x23 in competition - they are certainly nice guns, no doubt about it. But there is no need to break the bank w/ those guns; for under $800 you should be able to buy an L-10 .45 that will not hold you back against the competition. Besides, you will need the extra $$$ for practice ammo.

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OK Deke - fess up! Where'd you find the slugs for that price and do they have any more for sale? DVC TY-44934

Gary Stevens - there is a conflict b/t FAA which prohibits opening a locked firearms container WITHOUT the passenger present and TSA procedure which REQUIRES TSA personell to open the contianer without the passenger being present. Check it out http://www.brianenos.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard...6&topic=157 Also see the "what I hate" forum under "Airline broke into my gun bag". DVC

New members: I am with Sam and BSeevers 100% on their ideas. Perhaps an addition to the Area 5 website is in order: an "Info on how to get started in IPSC" page might help - something to strongly state that a new shooter DOES NOT NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT to shoot. This is one of the biggest myths out there among non-IPSC shooters (BTW, we may call ourselves USPSA but we are still IPSC to the rest of the shooting world). A brief page to take some of the mystery out of IPSC would help new shooters understand that they are welcome at any match and after learning a bit about our safety rules, they can enter a match with nothing more than the gun they already own and 4 or 5 reduced cap. magazines or 6 speed loaders, a $15 Uncle mike's holster and a few mag pouches. Thats all they need to start shooting besides eyes and ears. I REALLY like the idea of VCR tapes played at gun stores and why not gun shows too? It could be sold to owners as a win-win proposition to get shooters to do MORE shooting than they otherwise would. What about USPSA demonstration shoots at Cowboy, Pins, steel, and GSSF matches? Politicaly challenging, I realize, but why not try? Please pass this thread along to the director of Area 8. Thanks!! D. TY-44934

We had a new one in the shop a few weeks back and the new incarnation uses a new polymer lower and the traditional stamped sheet metal upper of the original. Bolt is an AR-style that locks into a receiver extension just like the AR- and that is where the AR & new 180 designes excel; the uppser receiver has little to do w/ accuracy - its all in the bolt/barrel extension fit. To this extent, the AR-180 should match a similar AR-15. Now the down side: the barrel looked like an 18" standard weight AR barrel that was NOT free floated - did not get the chance to check outside barrel dia. The handgaurds are mounted different so an AR free float tube will not just bolt on. Will accesories follow? Lets hope so! Accuracy of the current production gun should be on par w/ a standard barrel A2 w/o free float handgaurds. I say "should" since it was a new gun and thus I did not get the chance to test it out on the range. The advantage to it is by design; the gas taped from the barrel stays in the gas tube like a Garand or M1A; in the AR system, the gas must reach the carrier and bolt to function the weapon. Check it out. You decide.

"Strader is a firearms insturctor with the D.C. Police. " Oh BigDave - how could you? Phil Strader is with Capitol Hill Police, who work on Capitol Hill - technicaly in DC I supose, but having nothing to do w/ the D.C. police (aka Keystone Cops IMHO).

Reddot and IPSChic are on the money; in an old Caspian single stack w/ comp. I tried N340 loads and it "worked" to the extent a comp will work on a .45. You could also try N350 or even N105 to get the comp working - and light bullets are the ticket. You can find an ad for lightweight Zinc bullets in the back of Shotgun News or try the Westcost 155 grn non-lead sintered plated bullets if the National Bullet 155SWCs are not to your liking.

This is the gun we should all be using; it features a standard gas piston like the M-14/Garand or AK-47 and is more reliable than the AR system - plus it keeps most the fouling out of the action instead of dumping it into the carrier like the AR. You will not find the parts selection like you would w/ the AR, but its still a better gun out of the box than a stock A2.

I f you are relaoding and this occures, then it has been said here many times that the crimp does not hold a bullet in position, the crimp merely removes the bell from the seating operation. So how do you increase the hold on a bullet if not w/ the crimp? Small base or undersize carbide resizing dies. These dies are machined to re-size the case slightly smaller than ordinary dies. Lee sells carbide "U" dies for under $20. Are there disadvatages to these "U" dies? 1) works brass more and might reduce its lifespan slightly 2) more press handle effort. You can ruduce this by a light spray of Hornady One Shot or Dillon case lube; the OneShot can be left on the cases w/o affecting performance. As for a reloader's "Setback Test", it is NOT to push a loaded case against the bench! Instead, make a dummy round w/o powder or primer but resize, bell, seat and crimp EXACTLY as you would for a run of loaded ammo. Load the dummy (or 2 or 3 of them) into a mag. Try to rack the slide and release it as fast as possible to simulate firing conditions. Now measure OAL of the dummies. Did it change? A slight reduction is normal; major set-back will cause problems. Back to your gun; is the problem limited to one magazine, or one brand of magazine?

Check out Will Schuemann's site - there is a link on http://www.uspsa.com. Check out cleaning for SS barrels like yours. In a word, stop cleaning the barrel. Ever. Clean the chamber if you want, but not the barrel. It will last longer. I have broken my original Edge ectrator ( its numbered to the gun on the inside) and the ejector is coming loose after the 15,000 rounds I put through it; no idea how many rounds were fired BF I bought it.

Duane: the photo shows TGO shooting a gun that clearly lacks a bushing, i.e., a bull barrel. I did not see that model on the springfield website. Where is the 6" bull barrel model on the website?

Paul wrote: "Still like the N350 best, would love to try some 3N38" If you want low pressure, heading in the direction of 3N38 is the way to go. I read that 3N38 falls between N-350 and N-105 as far as burning rate. I have used BOTH of these powders in 9x23 and frankly, the N-105 loads generate such low pressures that there are NO discernable pressure signs on the small Remington rifle primers I use. It looked like the primer from a dud round - just an impression from the pin and a nice round edged primer. This was not the case w/ major N350 loads where there was some flatening of the primer. If 3N38 is indeed between N-350 and N-105, it may be the answer to your problems. HOWEVER, the N105 loads I use are severly compressed in the larger 9Supercomp cases I use; not sure if you will be able to fit enough powder into the 9x19 to get to 165PF even if pressures are acceptable. What about hte use of jacketed hollow base bullets? Sure, it'll lead up the comp more than a JHP, but it might get this project off the ground w. the 115 grn bullets we want to use.

Been in your shoes - had a G19, spent $1000 for a used STI Edge (L and L10), then had to hunt down pre-bans, a Dillon reloader, race rig, reloading components, etc. Total bill? Over $2500. Save yourself the trouble I went through. You have $1000 to spend so here is a thought: The Springfield Armory copy of the ParaOrd in .45 (sometimes called the Twin Pines & advertised on the back of Shot Gun News). Why? Its about $400 new and the steel is less prone to crack than a Para; later you WILL want to put your own custom parts on it that YOU choose (we are all like that) like adj rear, front (which style? width?) safety (ambi, of course, but which one?) trigger (which trigger? which insert?) grips? magwell? guiderod? Why pay lotsa $$$ for somebody else's idea of what is "right"? Before deciding on all that, just shoot lots of matches w/ it as is, learn from others and decide over time. Get a few 10 rounders from http://www.cdnninvestments.com and spend the $500 or so left over on practice ammo. Sure, the .40 may be better for limited (more rounds in a 140mm mag) but 45 is simple/forgiving to reload and brass lasts forever - besides lots of the top guys WIN w/ .45 in L-10. Alternatively, a used Para will save you some $$$ too and may have parts on it you would want to buy anyway. Nothing wrong w/ a para - especially at 1/2 the cost of my STI. Is my STI a better gun? Maybe, that depends. Certainly though, the extra $$$ I spent on it did not leave me as much money for the most critical thing you NEED in order to win: practice. LOTS of practice.

Tony, I actually think you are right about major 9 catching on; Jan Barnes is contemplating building one; Ed Lott has had an additional 9x19 upper for his SV for several years and is building them for others in Area 8, and Rob Kamenski shot matches all the time w/ major 9x19 under the old rules by loading it long (in a P9 I think). BTW, anyone test out the latest lot of Hirtenberger L7 to hit the US? The old stuff we tried made major and generated well over 40,000psi pressure (we had it tested). At $109/thousand, factory major 9 seems feasible.