Carlos

Which gun are you reloading for? Some .380s are blow-back. Some use a much stronger locked breach design.

Drill holes in your hard case and U-lock both pistols to the inside of your suitcase through the bars at the back. I am not joking. Unless you physically attach the pistols to the suitcase, they can be removed and easily take home by baggage handlers (they often get their hands on TSA master keys for the TSA approved locks). TSA can insist that the bag not be locked or that a TSA lock be used. It is not up to them whether the guns are attached to something bigger - like your entire suitcase.

Berdan primers have been non-existant in the US for several years. Some die-hards find ways to "convert" really obscure Berdan calibers to boxer - but that is far too much trouble for .308/7.62.

This is common with Toyota Carollas, Matrix and the Pontiac Vibe (same motor/tranny). What happens is: -tranny fluid is accidentally drained from pan (but about 1/2 of it remains in the torque converter - so the tranny still "works" sort of). - oil filter is removed, so SOME of the motor oil is removed. The shop "replaces" it with 3 or 4 quarts - leaving a LOT of excess oil in the motor. Result is a shot tranny. Try finding a used Carolla or Martix tranny anywhere - they do not exist (made worse by some faulty tranny bearings in 03 or 04 Toyotas). BTW - In 1997 I had an issue with a cracked tranny in my Honda civic after a guy in an SUV turned in front of me (his fault). Dealer missed the crack, the oil slowly leaked out, tranny siezed, and Honda did not want to warranty it (dealer said it was not his problem). I contacted BOTH the dealer who fixed the car and Honda USA and informed them that if ONE of them did not pay, I would be happy to meet one or both of their lawyers in small claims court, as the car had only 2000 miles on it with a non-functioning tranny. After that, Honda changed their mind about the warranty & installed a new tranny for me.

I recall that was the case at the old Shooters Paradise range/pro shop: they stocked the carbines but not the handguns because the handguns were far too inferior to anything else - even in a similar price range used.

We all seem to agree that there is no logic to this rule. Rather, it is a case of "the rules are the rules - period." So be it. It is also unlikely that most SOs will check for such a trivial "infraction" - particularly since it adds NO competitive advantage. And becaus it adds no competitive advantage, our fellow competitors should not be concerned with your gun's factory configuration except in ONE instance: -invoking this rule against a competitor in order to have his gun DQ'd and thereby improve YOUR standing in the scores. I would personally have a big ethical problem with someone doing something that low (IMHO), but as I stated, that currently appears to be covered by "the rules are the rules." Perhaps it is time to adjust the rules?

Dunno. BUT, a comparison to SASS members/ CAS shooters often comes up. They have more total members. But if you dig a little deeper and look at active members (those who shot during the last 12 months) - we have some advantage. Still, with the number of handgun owners out there (and heck, the number of CCW holders) - we can always do better. Have you brought a friend to a local match lately?

I think that some guys who make their ARs into Class III (actually Title II under NFA) guns - such as "short barrelled rifles" are supposed to have a caliber designation. But ordinary ARs most of us buy at the gunshop and own? Use whichever upper you like without regard to what caliber is listed on the receiver. I made an AR lower at home for my own use. It has no caliber listed at all. It also lacked any serial number for a long time too - and it was and is 100% legal. Its all approved of by the BATFE & its listed on their FAQ.

"Estimate" is the problem. Don't know what computer program they are using to reach their estimate. But, if it is QuickLoad, then that program is notorious for being "pessimistic" about predicted pressure for straight-walled pistol cartridges. In other words, Quickload predicts higher pressure than we would see in real life/crusher/piezio pressure testing. If that is where Accurate got their "estimates" - then it is no wonder their data is so far off for 9mm. Some one needs to tell them to do real pressure tests. They have potential to really expand their market for this powder. That's the salient point. In .45 (don't know about other calibers yet), results mirror published data pretty well both in the way the loads feel and over the chrono. In 9MM, a lot of guns do not cycle even with, their mid-range data. I normally run a 15 LB ISMI spring in my G-35 and although it cycles and ejects the 3.4/147 grain combo fine, it don't exactly send them flying...and this gun feeds & cycles with very soft loads. I'm sorry but I'm just skeptical of the pressure information they provided (as an "estimate", of course).

Might actually be do-able. I thought I had read about some expiraments in the 60s or 70s (using rifles) where they found that oversized bullets did not have as much effect on raising pressure as logic would suggest. A concern might be that they are so large that they do not properly seat in the chamber - which could leave the gun slightly out of battery. But a pass through the Lee FCD could cure that. I might try it.

Welcome! Actually, for your goals, there are many, many combinations that will work just fine. And, for your peace of mind, consider this: -your first post mentions you being cautious. Nothing wrong with that. -the three guns you listed, (G19, a 75 and an M&P) are all modern designs (which did not exist before 1975). Thus, they are extremely strong and well-built. The data in your reloading manuals however, must be safe in 9mm guns that are up to 100 years old and of any/every design. -I have personally shot 9mm Major ammo out of 2 of those guns you listed (a 75 and G19). The guns can take it. Take a look around here on be.com at 9mm Major - it is not blowing up guns now (and the 165 PF) and it did not blow them up before at the higher PF. Point is: for what you are trying to do with YOUR 3 guns, you have a VERY wide safety margin. For lead, I'd use Solo 1000. Regards,

Guntests was the last magazine I read that was (at the very least) not simply a bunch of whores addicted to free loaner guns (such guns were probably all hand-selected "ringers" anyway). Frontsight is an exception, of course. Turned my back on Guntests years ago for the same reasons the Alex just listed. As for the other major magazines on the news stand shelves these days, they employ writers who can't shoot and they even publish pictures of themselves using things like the "cup and saucer" two handed grip. If you are going to shoot a handgun with two hands, at least try to do it properly. The pictures are just the beginning of the stupidity I see on those pages. As for the handloading magazines, I see little new and nothing novel in them. Rather, the only data given appears to be simply reprinted from reloading manuals. And some among the mainstream writers are the ones who spawned the evil myth that "Shooting IPSC will get you killed!" - it amazes me how wide-spread that myth still is today.

One reason I promote Solo 1000 here is that I hope more people start using and the company keeps making it. I love the stuff, and I use it for everything. To me, Solo 1000 is THE replacement for Vihta Vouri N310 and N320 (which I used to get at cost, but now I don't).

The Limited is a .40 cal 75. I don't have a Tanfoglio Limited, but I did use Solo 1000 in a different 75: mine is the CZ brand Standard IPSC (which is about the same as the CZ brand .40 cal "TS"). Soft recoil, accurate, and no pressure signs.

what he said! plus trust your 'smith's opinion. VV list 6.0 max for 124gn per there web site -but V V and other powder companies generally WON'T tell you about 9mm Major - at least few will give "published" data for a 124 grn bullet. If you are not comfortable exceeding published 9mm loads, then 9mm and 38 super are probably not for you, and you might consider shooting another division in USPSA. Darianis: I am betting that the load you copied was for a gun with LOTS of holes in the barrel (ie "hybrid" holes). Probably that load you copied was for a gun which begins venting powder/gas after about 2" to 2.5". Are you shooting a gun with a full 5" barrel? If so, the loads will be very very different. Also, what OAL are you using? Many of the Major 9mm shooters are loading 9mm out to 1.200" using the Montana Gold 124 JHP - and if you are loading shorter then you will have pressure problems. Can you tell us more about your gun, your barrel and your OAL? Finally, what 9mm Major load did your gunsmith suggest? If he is not familiar with 9mm major, then either find another smith or switch divisions. Regards, d

Certainly could be some change in the composition over time; Solo began life as "Royal Scott 1000" then became an Accurate Arms product, and in 2004, Western Powder (Ramshot) acquired Accurate Arms (link: report from 2006 SHOT ). Agree that the longer AOLs we use make Solo 1000 a safe bet for minor 9mm with 124 through 147s and for Major .40 (and of course 45). I use it for all three. Not a chemistry major but whether it's a single based powder or not, could there have been a change in the raw materials that they're using? Considering the lot to lot variances seen with other powders.... Also, the new data shows some very short OAL's. I don't think I'll have any issues since I'm loading at 1.18+ for 124 grain bullets.

Go to the be.com reloading section and search on the term "backlash" - it may help you reduce much of the variance from your Dillon measure.

Sadly, I have to agree with you (and I am a lawyer). Frankly, I think the company-supplied numbers are FAR too conservative. Moreover, I did not see OALs listed (nor pressures). I think that the weights we are using are perfectly safe with longer OALs such as 1.130" to 1.155" - and experiences here on be.com certainly backs that up. Remember, this is a single-base powder.

Is your .380 carry gun a locked breach design? Or, is it straight blow-back? Fact is, the locked breach guns are much MUCH stronger, and you can easily go as heavy as 115 grns in .380. There is data in the Lee manual (only about 10 to 15 bucks) that is worth owning. The Kel Tec and the new Ruger are both locked-breach designs. I believe the old Colts are too - though check on that. No idea about the Sig. As far as your concerns over set-back - that is a very valid concern. .380 has such small case capacity that reducing it further through a set-back would cause higher pressures. My answer has always been the Lee brand "U" carbide resizing die. You have to call on the telephone to order it from Lee. But its only about 10 to 15 bucks - and worth the peace of mind.

Can you be more specific? Bigger mills require re-wiring your household electrical outlets to "3-phase". Figure in tooling as well. If your budget is less than $1500, you should take a look at either the Enco imported mills or a chinese mini-mill (which I own) and contrary to the machine snobs' opinions out there, the small Chinese mills CAN yeild enough precision to perform the machining operations on an STI/SV (including milling the frame for a ramp) - AND they teach you how to machine. You can also sell that mill for most of what you have in it in a few years and then make an INFORMED decision on what mill to buy next. Look, would I like to drive a Maserati, 7 series BMW or loaded Hummer? Sure. Are they nicer rides? No doubt. But our new mini-van meets our minimum needs. Moreover, OP is only using the mill in his free time (when he ain't shooting or dry firing that is). Air powered collets & bridgeports are nice for full-time, paid machinists. Anyone think they are needed for the OP's planned hobby work?

NHRA restricted to 1000 feet? Sad. I never thought much of "drag" anyway.

Under the rules, you can use a 10 round mag and it does not have to be single stack gun. Been a while, but I used a 75 in .45ACP. Specifically, a CZ-97B converted to single action.

Think that is right, though I'd have to dig some guns out of the safe to check - think you want the OEM spring from a 40B (aka Colt Z-40) or possibly from a .40 cal 85 Compact (think they changed the name of that one). d

Not that I know of. But, your neighbor, Johnny in Sweden, managed to make some fit his 10mm loads (40SW actually but same bullets). Here is a link to his site: www.strictlyIPSC.com

That is what I found. GAP is not the answer. If you want shorter cases, then trim down some .45 ACP cases - BUT WATCH OUT FOR PRESSURE. Reduced OAL WILL raise pressure.