Carlos

-a pound of straight Clays: $15 -advantage gained over Titegroup: Zero dollars -your RO's health & your peace of mind: Priceless -not to mention that the damage in the photo above seems to add up to about $300 for a new slide & $200 for Schuemann barrel - plus the cost of having a gunsmith build it assuming the frame's salvageable. Major .40 w/ Clays in a Glock is really, really asking for trouble. Please reconsider using it. Regards, D.

I did it. Search on my old posts. Fits VERY loose int he moons. D

straight Clays information for .40 IS on the Jeff Maass website: it under the section: "WARNING!!! DO NOT USE CLAYS FOR MAJOR .40!!!!!!!!!!!" Now, I know that the warning re=printed below reference OLD major and that some loads that are TOO LONG for a glock are now, once again being used at the present time since the reduction to 165. And for Minor - Clays is great. But Major .40 in short Glock ammo?!?!? My sincere advice to you is: Don't even think about it. Here is the warning from Jeff Maass' website: "SPECIAL .40 S&W LOADING SAFETY NOTES: Since I began gathering data for the .40S&W, I have heard numerous stories of people having guns blow up due to inappropriate loads or failure to heed good load development practice. Interestingly, more people have reported catastrophic failures to me in this caliber than in the “pocket-rocket” 9x21! All IPSC loads in the .40S&W are high-pressure loads, and generally all of the loads listed below are at or near to maximum pressures: this is not your momma’s .45ACP! I don’t recommend that an inexperienced reloader attempt to load .40S&W for IPSC Major. Powder Choices When it comes to selecting a powder to use in loading a new caliber, reloaders tend to try to use whatever powder they have on hand or which they have traditionally used for other calibers. In gathering these loads, I received numerous reports that the .40S&W is dangerously unpredictable when loaded to IPSC Major velocities with fast-burning powders and heavy bullets. These reports have come from enough independent sources that I have taken them to heart, and I have omitted from this list any load using the fastest powders (generally, those faster than VihtaVuori N320). In particular, you are urged to avoid any load using Hodgdon CLAYS for IPSC-velocity .40S&W loads. Although many of the ‘Super Squad’ shooters are using Clays, Hodgdon’s loading data shows a maximum IPSC power factor of 153 for CLAYS. Although it is possible to load to a power factor of 175 using CLAYS, especially in guns that allow a cartridge overall length of 1.200” and greater, there are FAR SAFER options available with the medium- and slower burning powders. For the same reasons, Accurate Arms #2, while used by some IPSC shooters, is not a recommended choice. A better choice? Titegroup.

SmittyFL wrote: "I kept waiting for the punchline.......you mean you're serious?!?!?" No, of course I am not serious. The watch IS real & Botach did spam me about it. However, I do not wear a watch & afraid I do not own any 5.11 products. My posting about this watch was worth it for the humor in all the replies - especially the "X% More Tactical than Previous Versions!" Puting it in the humor section would have been just too much of a give away. D. (pisgarifle - have you been down to shoot a match at Shooters Paradise yet?)

"I wish I had Showtime. Maybe they'll bring it to DVD" I hope so. Better yet - FCC the name & bring their show to Network TV. I think that there is so much BS in the mass media (from many sides) that the United States screams out for a show like Penn & Teller's. Very refreshing.

Old ammo w/ normal primers - OK (priming compound is: lead styphnate). New Speer brand lead free ammo? The current boxes are maked "Use by 2008" After that, expect more & more mis-fires until its all virtually dead in under a decade. One more thing to LIKE about lead.

Good news! There is no need for "wings" since a feature of this year's Bianchi Cup was the introduction of the "Open Modified Division" specifically for USPSA Open guns (who won OM Division this year, anyway??). This newly-launched Division does not allow the use of the baricade, but otherwise the guns & COF are identical to typical USPSA Open guns so NO modification is needed - just shoot the same gun in both sports! I think that this new division is THE way to go for you. Best part is that the NRA pays a hefty prize ($500 or something) to the winner of "Open Modified Division" at the Bianchi cup & there are relatively few people entering. $500 would at least pay for most of the stock Glock you plan to build on. Anyone have access to this year's Bianchi results? Regards, D.C. Johnson

)off topic) You are a good man even if it does feel (at times) as if you are tilting at windmills. Keep up the good fight & best of luck to you both.

Just got an e-mail ad from an unreliable company (botach) regarding the perfect watch for IDPA: the 5.11 Tactical watch. What do you guys think? Here is the copy from the ad: "Precision on the go! Calculate point of impact by inputting critical variables that determine elevation and wind adjustments. Works on all MILDOT, TMOA, SMOA and clicking rifle scopes. Punch in data about the ammunition you are shooting and the conditions you are shooting in and the watch will display the appropriate hold over for a sure hit... It's that simple. This enhances a shooter's confidence to engage targets out to 1,000 meters with "whenever/wherever" portability. Data is easy to enter - even through gloves - with the most critical information arranged for fast change and access. Accuracy on your wrist! Shooting software (developed in partnership with Horus Vision LLC) Titanium case with uni- directional bezel (60 min countdown) Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet) Easy-read robust watch hands with luminous coating Over-size dot Includes two watch bands: solid pin connection interchangeable by Allan- key > Diver-style black P.U. > Classic black leather matrix digital readout (back-lit for night view) showing: > Day, date, month calendar readout > Second time zone > Alarm > Chronograph/stopwatch function 1/100th second, with lap time > Countdown timer with alarm" Watch sounds perfect. Again, I recently had a bad experience w/ botach & cannot recommen them but I am sure the tactical watch is available elsewhere. Regards, D.

I use the very worst possible brass there is & have never had a case head seperation. Most of my brass comes from the recycled brass bucket at a commercial indoor range that sends all brass to a commercial reloader who, in turn, sells it back to us again and again. Its been reloaded - 5 times? 10 times? 50 times? Only God knows & its all been "glocked" at least once. How do I avoid KBs? -Lee brand "U" or Undersized die & Hornady case spray -Only Single based powders; particularly Vihta Vouri N330 & N320; I believe there is a reason that the Open gun shooters that used to push 180 PF adopted VV as the powder least likely to blow up guns. -Lee Carbide factory crimp die - only one with a Carbide ring made. -only Standard small pistol primers (never rifle or magnum); Win or Fed -at least 1.160" OAL (for the Standard IPSC model CZ) or up to 1.200" for SV .40 w/ Schuemann or KKM. I also cull out the brass marked "FC" & "Amerc". I use jacketed 180s from either Zero, Star, or the hard-cast & plated Frontier 175. I personally believe that most case head seperations are caused by set-back. Next most common problem: cheap, spikey double-based powders. It takes more effort to load with the Lee U or undersized die & VV costs more, but so far I have had zero problems with .40 after 3.5 seasons & about 35,000 rounds. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Without venturing into the forbidden territory of politics, I bellieve that Teller is a fellow at the CATO institute (which is a Libertarian think tank). The CATO institute was the 1st party to independently file suit in Washington, D.C. seeking to have D.C.'s handgun ban declared unconstitutional (the suit later being subverted by the NRA & lost). While I am not a member of the aforementioned political party, I personally believe many of their positions have merit & I try to keep an open mind when they voice their views. Thanks for the heads up on P&T's latest.

I own both the Safariland and the CR speed belts; NO comparison, the CR speed "high torque" belt is far far supperior. It is the most stiff & stable belt I know of. I do not like the CR mag holders though. 771s are the way to go there. As for holster? Limcat. D.C. Johnson

Apparently the tubes are 140mm, but what is the length with the included SPS basepad? At USPSA 140mm, what is the real capacity of these?

Ron - I think you did a fantastic job running what was a great match. Hats off to you. Ron specifically designated the barrels as soft cover even during the lightly-attended Friday shooters meeting when I shot; apparently he did the same thing on Sat & Sun.; I do not have the match book or stage descriptions handy but since softcover was consistently designated, it appears BJ was in the right. Whether it is safe to shoot barrels (the Frontsite article's point) - that is another matter not relavent to TRN's question. I do tend to agree that empty barrels downrange are to be avoided if possible. As for the free-style language of "as they become visible" - that is not the same as "only while visible"; thus, the targets that BJ shot WERE visible. After they became visible, he shot them. They may not have been 100% visible at the moment that he shot them, but that was not required in the stage briefing. I do not see how they could have been scored as mikes within the rules that were in place at this match. Were they hard-cover, then sure, the hits did not occur. But under the circumstances, they were properly scored hits.

Chills1994: Your numbers are WAY off for the 147 grn load's Power Factor. You wrote that its 125 PF but: 147grns x 1082fps / 1000 = 159.05 Power factor. Your post states: "147 gr L Truncated Cone also from Williams Sales, all Win headstamped brass with an OAL = 1.148, 4.7 grs of VV N 330 AV= 1082 fps ES = 34 SD = 11 Av. PF = 125" So, you want to add LESS powder to the 147 grn load instead of "Other than adding a little powder to the 147gr 9mm " As for a 147 grn lead & N330 (at a PF closer to 127-130) that sounds liek a pretty good load to me. I like the fact that you used an AOL of 1.148" - long is good when it comes to 9mm in order to keep the pressures low & for good feeding. As long as the lead alloy in the bullets is relatively hard & you do not mind the smoke, such a load should work well for you with minimal leading problems. Regards, D.C. Johnson

9x25 wrote: "If you are serious, you will where what you normally conceal with. I allways wear heavy cotton Hawaains, but sometimes just draw from underneath at T-shirt. Tac vests are phony, nobody wears them everyday, not even photographers or cops....." I have to disagree; the serious shooters & operators all use the 5.11 vest. As for tee shirts, that is not tactically acceptable because it violates the rulebook's requirement that concealment garments be split in front/center - like the 5.11 vest. I think the good reason for this rule is that if you get an unsound garment like a tee shirt tangled up in your gun on the draw, you can get killed in a tactical engagement on the street. Just my 2cents.

lycanthrope wrote: "I liked it, but I swear the angle funnelled every piece of hot brass back into my forehead." Noticed a similar thing on the turret though for me, the hot brass landed & wedged between my finger & the gun. No problem, it just added to the challenge. Its all good. As for the artwork through out the stages, that was great & I think it added a final professional touch to the match. Well done. Here is another vote for next year's Nationals at East Huntington. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Agreed. Not so friendly at other forums. Makes me appreciate be.com all the more & particularly those whoe work to maintain this place as it was inteded to be. Regards, D.C. Johnson

I shot this match yesterday and it was the very best run Area match I have ever attended! Hats off to the East Huntinton / New Stanton crew & ROs for a well thought out and very well run match. Wish I could say the same good things about my shooting. My best stage was the chrono (174 PF in Limited). At least "Quick 2" / Stage 8 went well for me. Looking forward to the next big match at East Huntington. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

What - no he-man?!?! As the former "he-man of Thurmont" I was really looking forward to some excessive ft-lb fun at the next match. Oh well. Bam bam, Bill, Don & the rest of the ccrew always put on a GREAT 3 gun match & this one promises to be a doozy! Its good of you guys to put this on. As for no he-man, I'll just break out the mouse gun & see everyone at the range w/ a few other local 3-gunners in tow. Really looking forward to this one. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Whodunnit? My guess is: it was the bullseye shooter, in the parlor, with a lead pipe! (in Virginia of course).

Titegroup is an excellent powder but it is also known to have the highest content of Nitro among the double based powders (about 36% according to the Blue Press article). It is also known to burn rather hot compared to other powders. Are these two facts related? Dunno, but likely so. Could the greater heat generated by TG be the cause of your throat erosion? If so, how about a switch to a cooler burning powder like the Single base powders from Vihta Vouri (single base = NO nitro content).

Greetings Chris! Looks like you are shooting 9Major in IPSC, where the power factor for Major will be only 160 (this is good). In USPSA, our Major power factor floor is 165. Your Q. was: "Is possible to make it run" - the answer is: Yes. You did not specify which brand Open gun you are shooting but I suspect it is either an SPS 2011 or an imported STI/SV. If this is the case, then you will want to obtain SV brand magazine tubes for use with Major9; these seem to work unmodified w/ 9x19mm. If you use STI mags, you may need shims at the rear of the mag. Other than mags, you will just need a barrel and possible a new/re-tuned extractor plus a gunsmith experienced with 2011/SPS guns. NOTE: If your gunsmith claims that 9 Major will not work in a 2011, then he is likely saying "I don't know how to make 9x19mm work in a 2011". You should find another gunsmith. At last year's USPSA Nationals, a few people in the top 20 used 9x19mm; they would tend to prove that reliable 9x19mmMajor in an STI/SV/SPS IS possible. Regards, D.C. Johnson

I searched your other posts & they include your post: "What weight are you guys using in a 9major open gun? 10lbs or less.Can you modify a 10lb to let's say an 8lb" Looks like your original Q. re: bullet weight refers to major9. Use 124s. If not, then Production: 147grn 9x19 and for .40: 180. C.

I am getting 19 rounds in a 140 mm mag for the .40 caliber "Standard IPSC" model handgun (made by CZ). I can manage 20 w. a modified SV follower - ad that is with the older mag bodies. Size of the Standard IPSC mag is similar to the XD though I will have to get home tonight to measure & confirm. What modifications have you made to the follower? Since ..40 S&W cal 140MM Glock mags are able to hold 20 rounds, I would be very surprised if 140mm XD mags were limited to only 15. Regards, D.C. Johnson PS do a search on my posts for a photo of my Standard IPSC with Taylor Freelance basepads.