Carlos

Nicht die RN! While a switch to a round-nose bullet may treat a symptom of the problem, I would like to know the cause of your gun's problem to begin with. Your .45 should run 100% reliably with SWCs - in fact, there are those who believe the H&G 68-style SWC is actually more reliable than the RN (CST gunsmith - are you out there? back me up on this would you!?!). While the RN is an option (hey, I use 200 RNs in my STI) I would not make the RN bullet switch to cure a feeding problem - I would solve the feeding problem first, then decide what bullet profile you want to use. Then again, Detlef's Roundnose solution might get you back to shooting in competition as soon as tomorrow, and it is difficult to argue against that. Seems worth a try if you have or can borrow a few RNs. Please let the rest of us know what course of action you decide on. Regards, Douglas

Velkommen! I had the same "nose dive" problem you describe in your post. I solved the problem by changing springs, but not recoil springs. Instead, I changed my STI high-capacity magazine springs to Bevin Gramm's larger diameter wire magazine springs (this was in an STI .45 cal Edge). In addition, there was an excellent post on this website (with photographs) of Brian's modification to STI magazine springs to prevent nose-dives. Now, I realize your gun uses single stack magazines. The modification will probably be different for your springs. Alternatively, this could be a problem with overall length of the SWC loads you are using. But I will defer to the likes of CST gunsmith or Bevin as to what they think is causing the problem. Guys?

Hurray!!! Looking forward to them re-introducing the Optima 2000/Firesight and give us an affordable option other than the doctor. Its such a good sight I can't imagine they wouldn't. Thanks for the update.

Tested some .45 ACP 165 PF loads with thick plated Westcoast 200 RNs at 1.260" OAL using either stright H. Clays or Titegroup and mixed cases, WLPs, over the weekend. Out of an STI Edge .45, the loads were indistinguishable as to pereived recoil, sight rise, or recovery from 3 shooters who tried them both. No difference in shooting performance. There seemed to be a very slighty difference in sound - the Clays producing more of a "crack" sound and TG producing more of a "boom". However, TG was MUCH dirtier than stright plain old Clays and at 165 PF in .45, the TG badly "flamed" or blacked one side of every spent case (see related thread) - though this seems more of a cosmetic concern than anything else. Accuracy for both was good. Due to cleanliness snf reliability, I am sticking to my beloved Clays.

Hi Dave - missed that writeup though I think Kokolius (sp) reviewed it for SAR. Any class III folk out there care to dig out their back issues of SAR?

Mostly comps are used to tame recoil - check the archives using the search function on the word "comps" for a lengthy discussion of folk's preferences/qualities of comps for the AR15 for 3gun games. Not aware of a gas system to tame recoil, though there are plenty of alternate systems for reliability (though find me an objective test of their value) including cork-screw shaped gas tubes for full auto 16 in guns (Small Arms review) double/split gas tubes (LaFrance? see Brownells catalog) and adjustable gas systems from Fulton Armory and SSK - like those on the FAL (though SSK's is for suppressed guns). There are some buffers that are supposed to achieve a reduction, like the pnuematic Colt buffer and the "counterpoise" buffer (gay name for a gun part, IMHO). Don't think you'll need any of that crap to win. Just get one of the recommended lowers and a good, brand name, non-chrome lined, pre-ban (i.e., threaded) match grade 20" barrels (though not a full 1" under handgaurds National Match job - too heavy) and have the comp of your choice perm. attached (dont forget to mill off that bayo lug) attach it to an upper w/ a round free float tube and spend the saved $$$ on gobs of practice ammo. Forgot to mention that Bushmaster has a contract to produce 20mm guns for uncle sam - they are no fly by night outfit. To boot, they share technical info on their website - unlike Colt who don't think civilians ought to own firearms.

Bushmaster follows military specifications for their lowers so most uppers (esp those that also claim to be mil-spec) should drop right on w/o a problem. Note: a loose upper/lower fit will affect accuracy NOT AT ALL!!!! Check out Gled Zediker's book on the AR available through Brian (Check the links section). The Bushmaster should work out fine. My personal observations as to lowers lead me to avoid some products (though they may have updated/corrected the problems I had). Specifically, I have an Oly lower that is a bit sloppy as to mag catch and bolt hold open specs. I personally would not buy another from them - you do what you want. Also, the DPMS products I've seen were phenominally accurate but sometimes finicky feeders; I understand they use tight or minimum specifications. I would not buy into the "cult of Colt"; there stuff does work fine; but so do some of the lower priced products from other places. Finally, avoid Hesse arms at all costs - sketchy quality and non existant customer support IMHO. If you have not seen it, check out the latest Frontsight - seems like ARs with 20" SS, 1-8" non-bull heavy comped barrels w/ floater tube, tac-latch, redi-mag, and a 40 round magazine are all the rage for both LTD and open (subject to personall preference).

For those of us who insist on "stealthing" a stage, it would be less egregious if we did so while helping the squad in front paste their targets. Just make sure you don't come off as pushy. I am not at a classification where I'd bother to stealth and I have rarely been scolded for offering to help out. About the only time I was turned away from helping to tape was at a sectional where the 3 ro's at that stage insisted on doing all the taping themselves (no competitors other than the shooter downrange) - something about scoring fairness and avoiding re-shoots (fine by me).

Hm - interesting that 320 was closer to Int. clays than straightClays. Just finished off the last of a 4lb jug of Clays last night. Your post has inspired me to expirament this weekend with that 1lb can of Titegroup that has sat untried at the back of the powder magazine since last December. Will let you know what I discover.

To add a piece to the puzzle, I find 2 faster burning powders would lead to a softer load: VV N320 and straight, regular old Hodgdon Clays. While the Hodgdon is cheaper (and I am a huge fan of this powder), for 40SW competition use I would use the 320. Anything that can go wrong, someday will. Clays -can- lead to pressure problems in the 40SW under certain circumstances like excessive summer heat; I have never seen pressure signs with N320 under any circumstances. Now, how about a debate on specific loads? Anyone?

You: "It is my first attempt at gunsmithing. The barrel fits pretty good but it probably could be a little tighter fit in a couple of places. There's a little more play than is probably optimal but I'll know next time." REPLY: Good man! Glad to hear there are those who do not shy away from gunsmithing their own 1911s. That ramped barrel you installed should be just fine for the loads you will encounter here or at Jeff Maass' site. Since you are shooting plates (I assume outside USPSA/IPSC competition), you may want to tinker with the 90 grn bullets usually made to shoot in the .380 (9mm Kurtz or 9x17mm). At speed, (say, above 1400fps) they will work on most plates calibrated for 9mm (9x19), they shoot flat, and if you have the chance to try such loads in a friend's comp gun, you will barely feel the gun go off. We are limited here to 115grn bullets in the US and I think 121 grn internationally. Otherwise, I'd shoot 90s.

Second what Shred said. Funny how the reloading companies caution against max loads in unsupported barrels and then add "SUCH AS GLOCK" as if that is the only unsupported barrel out there. The original 1911 design from the turn of the century lacks a supported barrel and it has been kept that way for over a century in most 1911s, but yet it seems somehow sacreligious to fault the 1911 for anything - even when it actually has faults. Sounds like you may have the antique-style 1911 w/o a ramped, supported barrel. The majority of guns discussed here and on Jeff Maass' page are modern competition designs with fully supported ramped barrels that can easily handle 165+ power factor loads. Many of our loads could be dangerous in the average 1911. BTW, S_I recognized the design improvements and calls their guns "2011" rather than 1911, though thankfully the trigger system of the original is retained. For your gun, I would suggest a powder quite a bit slower burning than 231 (sim. to HP38). Most reloading manuals (such as Lyman and Lee) have a burning rate chart to help you select a more appropriate powder. You might look at Vihta Voury or Vectan brand, although I know most shooters will simply turn to the domestic companies' offerings. Finally, pay VERY close attention to the reloader's guidelines since exceding the maximums will likely revive a phenomenon we used to call "superface".

Oy! Puh-lease! Blazer is US marketed, public-safe (read: low powered and idiot proof) ammo for the masses. It is VERY safe and ideal for both production and practice in a Glock. Thank you CCI, for an excellent product. Your Glock is built to take hundreds of thousands of rounds loaded to CIP (not wimpy SAAMI) specs. You won't wear it out. Hell, I shoot that Danish Norma (VV) surplus 9mm subgun ammo (read HOT) with mild steel jacketed bullets through my G19 all the time - it does not wear the barrel any more than copper jackets. OK - rant mode off; will have to switch to decaf.

Agree - and note most makers give you a choice except Bushmaster. Their enhanced accuracy models (ie heavy and bull barrels) likely have as much accuracy as you "need" for 3 gun, but unless a smokin deal comea along on a BM, go for the stainless 1/9 or 1/8 in 18 to 20".

Have posted on CDNN here in the past. My take is: if you know what you are buying, then CDNN has the best price, bar none. As for things like aftermarket EAA mags, I would not get your hopes up until I saw the product. I took a chance and bought 3 "mystery mags" for the 9mm AR-15 - very reliable 40 round mags that were very inexpensive and have a total crap finish. Still, they were such a good deal that I bought more. CDNN is a fair company IMHO, just don't expect a silk purse for the price of a sows ear. Search here on word "CDNN" and you should find more info.

reloaded a bunch of winclean .45 cases - no problems as far as I can tell.

Try a couple of back issues of frontsite and look for Emidio Gaspari and Assoc. ad - I think he has what you seek.

9x23 Win cases are helatiously strong and safe, also somewhat hard to find. Nearly identical strength can be had with the easily available Starline version, the 9Supercomp (interchangeable w/ 9x23). Starline sells this brass new for very good prices and the supply is limitless. IMHO, this case is superior to .38 Super and safer; most people consider the "new" .355/.356" open cases (such as 9Supercomp/38Supercomp/9x23/38TJ or todd jarret) to be improvements over the traditional .38 super as to strength and feeding. I consider 9x23/9supercomp to be the best of the lot.

TAPCO (not usually a company I recommend) has flat top risers for $9 to $14. I am satisfied with mine. Their service is good, but many of their products are junk; the riser is an exception.

Agree that Steven Segal is no IPSC shooter and the "tactical-wannabe" crowd -especially those in the print media - do us all a disservice with continued talk/demonstration of the "pinch-check". I would urge all the ROs out there to exercise restraint when they see this done in a match - it will nearly always be a new shooter who does it so please try to inform them in a tactful way that the pinch check is out. I've not yet witnessed a newby pinch check but I have seen too many ROs aggressively pounce on obviously new shooters and turn them off to the sport. On the bright side, I want to thank the ROs out there and NROI for doing what amounts to volunteer work. We could not shoot without you guys (and gals) - THANKS! D.

Buy used. I have a STI Edge bought used for $1000 and a good friend recently bought a used Para LTD fixed up by Ed Masaki (HI) for about $700. This was before sourcing preban mags. For a total beginner, the Para will do about 95%-99% of what the STI can do in the same hands (with the Para advantage of greater mag capacity). However, since you have some experience with USPSA, get a used S_I. You will appreciate the difference in shooting quality and take advantage of the S_I's bull barrel and long dust cover. These S_I guns do not wear out beyond repair. If the trigger is not to your liking, buy the SVI tri-glide - it is the ultimate and frankly its a bargain. Hacked up grip frame? Less than 100 bucks gets a new one - and you can tailor it yourself. Barrels that look totally worn out often still shoot well. If you do decide on a para design, I think DS Arms and others do a better job of building the same gun using top quality metal - better metal than the crack-prone metal used in the Para. Nothing wrong with the Para design, I just think others do it better. As for dawson, his deal on the STI naked or unfinished gun looks like a bargain. Anyone shoot one of those??

Yep - Quantico on the 9th. Check here: http://www.vamdsection.org If you get a slot for Sunday, there is a good chance that you will be shooting in a match with local grandmaster Phil Strader (Capitol Hill Police) - one of our official team USPSA guys who we are sending to South Africa for the World shoot. Try to watch him shoot a stage or two if possible; I would not bet against him as the next world champion.

OK - this is all 2nd hand, hearsay, etc., so take it for what its worth, but the owners I have spoken with a t the range liked theirs a bunch. Couple more thoughts: It can easily meet rifle minor like a .223 so unless your club puts steel targets beyond 100 yards (nobody does - at least around here), its a 3gun rifle. if you put it on your S_I, you can use the same mags and since you already know magchanges from pistol shooting, your rifle mag changes will be much faster than me fumbling with my AR-15. I believe it comes with a break installed. I chose a 9mm AR, but the Mec Tec looks quite workable to me.

The good & bad: Several area 8 clubs have a policy whereby 1st time shooters don't pay entry fees; at least one club offers 50% off entry if you bring a new shooter to the match (excellent idea). One bad idea is a certain Area 8 club's required 1/2 day "safety seminar". I am not against safety (so don't go there). I have seen plenty of other clubs safely instruct new shooters during the course of a match (under the watchful eye of a good RO) without making them sit around for 1/2 day just to spend the other 1/2 shooting. Its a drag; worse, they sometimes cancell the class thus closing USPSA competition to new shooters! Regardless of the good intentions of such a class, it has had the effect of turning away potential new shooters. Moreover, its unnecessary. I like the ideas of free cookies (gets the non-participating spouse/kids involved) and the brick of primers give-away. Keep sending in the terrific ideas.

gm inprod: I tested out the N350 load you listed; actually an older VV manual I own lists .1 grn more than that so it is what I used for use in a very strong, modern, rifle w/ 1x fired military style brass (S. African) and Montana Gold 115 JHP. Did not go with rifle primers but encountered no problems. For testing purposes, I fired 1 such round through the G-19 without evidence of a bulged case or excessive pressure from WSP primer appearance. The N350 load was quite unpleasant to shoot in the Glock. At any rate, it was very accurate and reliable in the 16" AR-15. Unfortunately did not have the op. to chrono; perhaps next time. With such a slow powder, I am expecting 1500 fps +. If not, may try N-105 supermagnum. However, my cursory and unscientific testing of factory loads lead me to the conclusion that the 147 grn is the way to go; recoil was quite noticeably softer which lead to less upset of the front sight. We used the Russian silver bear 145 gr. JHP which claims 1200 FPS. - it actually chronoed at a little over 1100 fps out of a comped 5" STI 2011 - still respectable velocity. Feeding was about 80%, so will not be using it in the future. I predict that the ideal factory match load for the AR will be the 147 FMJ offering from Federal (American eagle), UMC/remington yellow box, or Winchester whitebox. Smoney: the trend here in the DC area is towards indoor rifle ranges - up to 416 Rigby (sorry, leave the 50 BMG at home). There are 2 such ranges currently, soon to be 3. Any standard/magnum rifle is OK, though the hot 30s and short barreled rifles are unpleasant to shoot next to. Not sure what the backstop is made of; it is under a constant cascade of filtered liquid. More results to follow.