Carlos

Yes and no. Frontier makes TWO types of plated bullets. One type uses a SWAGED LEAD core - and is (as you point out) just like Berrys, ranier, extreme (former West Coast) and similar to the thick-electroplated Speer bullet (including the Gold Dot - an excellent plated bullet). But Frontier is also the only company I've run accross that makes a true plated CAST core bullet. You can see the remnant of the sprue cut right on the base of these, and they are marked so on the box. I had excellent results with these. The cores are actually hardcast lead. I know about the old National copper-washed bullets- but the Frontiers were nothing like that. All Frontiers have a thick electroplating. I agree with the others that the price-point does not give much incentive to use plated over jacketed. YMMV.

Indeed - same designer (and he used to work for Glock early on). Similar ideas with FEWER parts. Kinda wide in the slide, but should otherwise be a winner.

+1 exactly. Any positive depiction of the shooting sports on TV will "help our cause". (1) People are angry because "it not an exact TV show of _my_ sport"... c'mon it's just entertainment, don't take it too seriously. Without shows like TopShot, the only time the average person sees a gun in TV is going to be in a negative context. 1: Outdoor Network shows doesn't count, only people who watch that are _already_ shooters. I agree totally. Yeah , it's got it's flaws and for real competition shooters a lot of it is pretty lame but IT SHOWS SHOOTING IN A POSITIVE LIGHT. We can't get enough of that. Could not agree more. Look at Mythbusters - based in one of the most anti-gun areas of the USA: the bay area (my former home). They featured a cameo by our president. And? - they PROMOTE gun ownership by showing guns in a positive light. Folks, these programs are just the kind of thing we NEED, even if you are not personally a fan or don't like the format. Personally, I like the USPSA "format" best, but I support shows that support our national interests.

Experience suggests they will make an immediate impact. While our president, Phil Strader, is best known for his accomplishments in Limited/Standard Division, he has won SSP IDPA using a really beat-up, bone stock Glock 17 (not a 34). And the GTO won Production with an XD (2006? 2009?). If it is any measure, recall also that some competitive GMs even tried out for U.S. Olympic "rapid fire pistol" - which is shot strong-hand only using very different open sight guns (Jarett was one of them; don't recall the others). They matched the best folks we had in the US at the time & could have gone on to represent us. Point is, fast guys (and gals) are simply fast & they understand what it takes to win in USPSA. I predict an immediate impact. This development is also VERY good for the sport & for USPSA's relationship with sponsors.

Manual safety? Blech! A manual safety does not belong on this gun. It needs such a safety about as much as a J-frame needs a safety (ie not at all). I like the safeties on my 2011s & 1911s just fine, but please offer a version of the new Shield WITHOUT a manual safety.

If you want a 100% Italian-made M4 with collapsable stock and full capacity tube, just but it from Benelli: The Benelli H2O version has all the "evil" features and NO compliance parts! So, HOW is Benelli getting around 922R? -the Robar coating. Why would a Robar coating change anything? Because: Robar and many other FFL-holding gunsmiths have been ordered to pay an "excise tax" for gun manufacture even if they only coat the gun as Robar does, or perform other work. Robar & Benelli apparently turned this loss into a win: they argued that if they are forced to pay a manufacturing tax, then anything they coat becomes "manufactured" in the US. Since the Italian M4 becomes an "American-made" M4 if you ROBAR-it, 922r no longer applies. Some have speculated that the recent Saiga import ruling had an effect. This is red-herring and NOT a factor. If this were a factor, then M4s with "evil features" would be available in other finishes besides the US-applied Robar. BTW - this "loop hole" could be applied to ANY semi-auto banned from import for civilians if one simply had the gun Robar-ed. Think about the posibilities: H&K 93s or Semi-auto G-36s? Galils or Tavors? FN-FNCs or Swedish AK-4s? Canadian C7s? CZ 802s? Beretta ARX-160s? ALL could be available to civilians.

I appreciate this post & sounds like you identified the probable source (pistol powder). Couple of AR-KB observations: 1) When bottle-neck rifle rounds have a bullet set-back, it actually LOWERS pressure - the opposite of what pistol rounds do when the bullet sets back. 2) The bolt is locked into battery. When some event locks the bolt in that position, AND the bullet passes the gas port, then massive gas pressure travels into the carrier through the tube (gas tubes are obviously over-engineered). The carrier tries to move to the rear while rotating the bolt. Since the bolt is locked, the carrier can't rotate the bolt. Instead, the bolt forces the carrier to rotate. Since the mass of the locked bolt is effectively the a part of the mass of the barrel now, the carrier rotates with great force. 3) When the carrier rotates this way, it pryes the upper appart like a clam-shell. Notice the cam pin canted to one side? You will find a deep gouge in the left half of the upper right in the track that the cam pin follows. Glad you are OK. I hope your flinch goes away quickly & you are back in the saddle again soon.

I was going to ask about this myself. I'm no M or GM in Limited (or any other division), but I don't feel like my CTS gives up anything to a 2011-type pistol. It limits your accessory and aftermarket choices in everything, but mags that work are readily available for ~$100 finished and hold 20 at minimum. I'm very pleased with mine, other than the grips. And that I'm about to fix. If you've got a SAO CZ that you shoot well, it's at least worth your while to explore that platform while you're making your choice. I think the CZ TS (aka Standard IPSC) is one of the best-kept secrets in Limited. I have owned 2 & shot a friend's gun too. 1) The trigger comes from the factory at 2 lbs. It settles in at 1.75 Lbs All 3 gun I tested were this way. Like the STI, the trigger is polymer. You can buy a steel one if you want. And its adjustable. 2) It is reliable and uses factory length ammo. IIRC, the max OAL I could get was 1.170" 3) It is accurate. As in 50 yard A-zone accurate. 4) No customizing needed for reliability. No mag tuning. No trigger job. No "reliability package." And I have never had mine "follow" - the "trigger job" just does not wear out like my SVs & STIs. If there are any down sides they are: not as many aftermarket parts (don't need them) and its a heavy bitch in stock form. I still like my STIs & SVs. But the CZ is their equal.

Maybe the math just isn't working for me but how can plated bullets that cost 9.5 cents apiece be a low cost boon when compared to premium Montana Gold Jacketed bullets at 8.2 cents apiece? Well now. No one has EVER accused me of being good at math!

Congrats Patrick! You reloaded previously, so you know the hobby. But, the 550 brings one potential pit fall I think you should be aware of: -while the Dillon 550 is MUCH faster than a single stage press, it is possible to double charge while taking advantage of the newfound speed. ANY press can be forced to double charge. But I prefer an auto-indexing press like the Dillon SDB, 650 or 1050 for safety's sake; I also use the Dillon powder check die. Should you use your new 550? OF COURSE! It is an awesome press. But knowing the possibility for a double charge, I would opt to add an LED light shining right on the station after the powder charge & pay attention for possible double charges. And most important of all: reload with NO distractions at all. No music, no interuptions, put the dog in the backyard while loading, etc.

Greetings Maxim, In your area of Russia, are shell-carriers like this one available? http://http://www.demooner.com/uploads/images_products/231.jpg

Sure looks that way. His magazine also seems to confirm 300 AAC Blackout. And, if the white numbers on the side of his gun mean anything, it also looks like he might have used 155 grain bullets. Anyone know what weight bullet was used? -I thought Major was obtainable with 175s, but not easily obtainable with other bullet weights? (just curious).

Don't laugh. Last year, I heard of some Canadians who were considering switching over their club to follow USPSA rules rather the IPSC rules. I believe there is at least one non-U.S. club (perhaps in the Caribbean?) which is affiliated with USPSA by choice, rather than IPSC. Personally, I believe there are inherent dangers in further fracturing of the competition community as a whole & I do not see IPSC going away anytime soon.

If true, then this Berry's is a departure from their other electroplated offerings which had a thinner (but sufficient) plating. This new bullet could also approach or match the excellent electroplating on the Gold Dot bullet by Speer. Gold Dot and speer "TMJ" plating is usually thick enough to easily withstand .357 Sig and mag velocity (i.e. - open gun velocity). NOTE: In general, there is NO fixed limit on velocity for all electroplated bullets; Federal Fusion rifle bullets are electroplated and work fine at 3000+ FPS. The controlling factor is the thickness of the plating. OP: barrel ports can be tough on plating - especially thinner plating. In my experience, SOME brands of plated bullets can "spit" small particles of plating out of open guns (found this out while RO'ing a friend using such bullets). Not a big issue & he reported accuracy was acceptable. The new Berry's might solve that issue altogether. Please let us know how these work out for you. This could be a low cost boon - at least for practice ammo if nothing else. -fan of plated bullets.

Same here & followed that routine with plated bullets as well. No complaints.

I have the same gun. Agree - do not take it apart. Our guns have a reputation for cracking the Scandium frame following many .357 Magnum loads. An internet search should show you where they usually crack. If you are determined to go over the gun, I'd get some very mild solvent - like Gunscrubber, and de-grease the areas of the frame where cracks typically appear. I shot an ICORE match with it once. Shot the whole thing from a pocket holster (as I carry that way). It was eye-opening; my gun has the early Titanium cylinder and it was quite "sticky" on the ejection of the .38 rounds I used (357 would have been worse). I love to carry it, but I really hate shooting the thing.

Thoughtful response; that one hit home for me. OP: as you said, you cannot pick your family. I've had to remind myself of that a lot recently.

I think Nick is originally from Germany; he might have some insights. Wife's also German (great folks, BTW), but she finds my interest in guns "odd" and has no useful experience to pass along.

Agreed. Without re-reading the GV debate, I imagine the proponents sought to make IPSC "more freestyle." I understand that sentiment & agree to a point. However, I previously designed matches for indoor clubs. "Non-freesyle" features such as boxes, FT, VA count stages, etc. allowed a lot more variety within the very limited confines I was otherwise forced to work with. I think the sport is overall worse off without these long-standing rules on the books. I confess though I REALLY hated FT stages.

Mixed brass Zero 147 grn JHP Winchester or Federal small pistol primer 3.2 grns Vihta Vouri N-310 1.150" OAL About 875 FPS from SP-01 cz75; slightly more from a Glock REPEAT: see warnings and disclaimers posted by Noah. This load is NOT a "published / book load."

Sadly, it seems to happen all the time - if one bothers to even look. Have people lost all sense of shame in this country?

Solo 1000 has been my go-to powder for 9mm & 45, plus it works for 40 at major and minor. Very clean & soft shooting. It is a single-base powder, like the Vihta Vouri powder line - only at a fraction of the cost!

If it delays the whole match, inconveniences the rest of the squad & causes me to get home later than I otherwise would, then I am against it. If some shooter really insists on ratting their every stage brass, they can stay after the match & go fetch it then. Otherwise, leave it lay & get on with what we all came for: shooting!

What is "Rocky Mountain's rules" and where are the rules posted online? Thx.

I also worked at a gun shop part time 2003-2007 & our Berettas always cracked blocks @ under 10K rounds. These were rentals so the rule was: OUR GUNS = OUR AMMO ONLY!!! All of it was low powered factory ammo. The block is the weak link in the Beretta system.