Carlos

Depending on the rules (which change from club to club/week to week) you could use the 7.62x39mm AR-15 upper. If Major PF is a criteria, take a look at Wolf 150 Grn ammo; from a 20" barrel it should excede major. The 30 round magazines in this caliber are NOT relaible loaded to 30 rounds. Lucky for you, most he-man rules allow no more than 20 rounds in a mag and at that low number of rounds loaded, they become fairly reliable. Otherwise, if .308 is your caliber, get an Eagle Arms AR-10 lower & an upper with a 16" barrel w/ fiberglass free float tube would be a good place to start.

need to add a warning about that photo: "may cause temporary blindness". I feel scarred for life. The horror . . .

Chuck, I respectfully disagree. You wrote: [the smith & wesson is] "Nowhere to be found in a product catalog and unobtainable by the general public without a factory "connection." "" That is just it; the SP-01 is on dealer shelves in Europe right now & has been for weeks and *was* on the way here to the USA in sizeable quantities for sale to EVERYONE. The P-01 has been for sale here for nearly a year & cost was on par or below the cost of a Glock 34 yet the P-01 was banned - the given reason being an aluminum dust cover. They banned an inexpensive gun the size of a Glock 19. Who uses the P-01? Every Czech police officer. Does not sound like a race gun to me. [the Stock Custom is] "nothing more, nothing less than it's Top shelf Standard/Limited Division gun with a double action/first shot feature. I believe that Standard/Limited guns from SPS/STI/SV start at about $1600 and a "top shelf" standard/limited gun runs well over $2000. CZ-USA did not have the chance to set a price on the SP-01 in the USA; the store where I work was given a confidential dealer price on the Stock Custom by EAA for US sales. The Stock Custom was going to sell for well under $1000 - RETAIL. We could order as many as we liked. In fact, our store had 5 Stock Custom on order from EAA for RETAIL SALE until this rule change. We cancelled our order through EAA. Less than $1000 retail does not sound like a "top shelf" race gun price to me. [the stock custom] "defeated the intentions of Production Division as I believe them to be. Whether they are described in detail in a rule book or not isn't really relevant. From a personal standpoint" I read that as: "intentions" "as I believe" "personal standpoint" I would prefer that this matter be governed by fair, clear rules that are published for all to see and that apply equally to every manufacturer. CZ & Tanfoglio followed the published rules of the divisions (IPSC and USPSA) & built guns just for our sport that should sell for under $1000 in the USA (if European pricing is any indication on the SP-01; I know EXACTLY how much the stock custom sold for retail). I believe CZ & Tanfoglio were treated unfairly by the IPSC BOD. It is my sincere hope that at least USPSA will correct what I consider a mistake by the IPSC BOD. This would certainly not be the 1st time that USPSA did not agree with IPSC nor the 1st time they excepted a Production division gun banned by IPSC (i.e., the Glock 34, 35, the Croatian HS-2000/springfield XD). Just to clarify, I am in favor of letting those guns, as well as the SP-01 & Stock Custom, in USPSA Production. That is, those guns along with the Elite II, the Sig 226 with the steel frame & long/ heavy dustcover, etc. Let the guns in & give shooters the freedom to shoot what they want. The mag capacity issue is a non-issue in the US anyway since we only load 10. "costing WELL over a grand in U.S. dollars" I believe this is a false statement. Can you tell us where you obtained this information? Regards to all who are participating in this discussion, D.C. Johnson

Agree - wrong length ammo. 2 & 3/4" ammo has an OAL all over the place. You simply can't use that ammo & get 9 in the gun. Use a shorter brand. C.

That is a good point, Rob! I would never buy anything off that list unless the person was a USPSA member & I doubt that anyone listing stuff for sale there will sell to you if you are not a member. Another good reason to join; at least for a year. C.

Use a fast powder/147 for lower recoil & better time/HF. Some old timers who do not compete may offer you advice that you should use a slow powder which is really bulky so that you will more easily see a double charge. My take on that is: if your reloading practices routinely create the possibility of a double charge, you should not try to correct that possibility by using the wrong powder. Slow powders belong in open gun loads and magnum handgun calibers for hunting. The beginner using 147s should look at Hodgdon Tightgroup.

It is certainly worth it to join. Is there a reason why you have not joined yet? Give it a try for a year; you might like it.

Dedicated steel gun? C.

"I would still be scared that 8.2g would end up in a case by accident." -and therein would lie one of the powder company's primary concerns; the consequences of a severe set-back or a double charge of a very fast powder like N310 would be quite severe - probably more severe than with a slower burning powder such as those listed in the reloading manuals. I personally avoid setback with a U die & use the powder check system on a 650; many .40 reloaders don't bother with these safety steps & probably should not consider using the N310 load. For the record, I am still using 320 for now, but I appreciate the data (thanks Noah).

That was actually really REALLY funny. Now there have got to be a bunch of guys looking for a chance to test out your theories at the World Shoot; if things turns ugly, at least they can flee the country at the end of the match.

You wrote: "major PF w/ 180 JHPs" USPSA or IPSC major? I assume 165 pf. " 5" Ultimatch barrel" So you are loading for a 1911 or a 2011 that will likely tolerate loading to OAL of 1.200" or more; that extra length is very important to lower pressures with a spikey powder like straight Clays; if you load to 1.200" & are able to nearly prevent any possible chance of set-back with a Lee brand "U" or undersized die, then MAYBE i would consider using straight Clays (except on really hot days). "and want to try an alternative to Tightgroup" Problem with TG? I found little difference b/t TG & straight clays outdoors (indoors, TG's blast was noticeable, but not problematic). "- would you recommend the use of Clays or Universal Clays? They are both readily available in my area." Last time around, I think most of us agreed that U.Clays becomes dirty & a little inconsistent at lower pressures but if the OAL is "short" (i.e. the manual recommended 1.125 to 1.145" OAL) and its loaded to major, then its OK. I tried it w/ 180s & found it just OK. Seemed to kick more than TG IMHO. What would I recommend? 1 TG 2 N320 3 U.clays if you load it short & to major 4 if you must AND you honestly know what you are doing (ie U-die) straight Clays. Go easy on the PF. C.

Flex wrote: "I think there might be (at best) 30 of them in the USA right now?. (Carlos, is that the latest count?)" My understanding is that Angus is expecting or has just received the initial 20 SP-01s brought into the USA through Customs/DHS. In addition, he owns the gun he used to win the Europeans last year, so there are perhaps 21 guns total in private hands in the USA right now. If its any indication, CZ-USA Shooting Team member Todd Sindelar (Turtle) showed up to last month's club match with the 85 Combat since he had not yet received the SP-01. AFAIK, the SP-01 has not yet won a single Production competition in the USA & yet it has been deemed unsuitable for Production due to a feature which allegedly provides a "competitive advantage" in USPSA. Where is the evidence that these guns will not be suitable for Production division? Has the P-01 (which is widely available) been wining every match in the USA? Can anyone cite a Rule (IPSC or USPSA) which these guns violate? The real problem I have is with IPSC's tortured logic in banning the guns from Production (full-length dust cover). There are other guns with full length dust covers including Glock. Does our sport really need another lawsuit? I hope that the BOD will reconsider their decision. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

I agree w/ JKushner re: the TS; I own two of the near-identical CZ Standard IPSC model and they are fantastic limited tools; on par with the STI-SV out of the box & starting at about $1000 retail. If you want to try one out during my match or at Vlad's practice, let me know. And, take Tupperware's advice if you wwant to see how competitive a Limited Glock can be. Regards, D.C. Johnson

At the March 05 match with the Eastern Shore Practical Shooters over in Maryland, I shot this one in Limited & though the hits were OK, I neglected to start "wrists above shoulders" (and I was not the 1st one up). My own stupid fault for not paying attention. Hence, the -10 procedural. Oh well - would have been a great run! B Limited, Major 59 pts - 10 procedural 7.53 seconds HF 6.5073 D.C. Johnson

Agree 100% w/ Vlad & Bear. Anyone remember the .356 TSW (which once stood for "team smith & wesson"). How's that team doing these days? How about the guns, the ammo, the R&D costs? Where did those go? (last time I saw mention of TSW products, they were dumped on a close-out seller for pennies on the dollar). Seems to me that S&W is now home to the Winter Nationals; - the IDPA winter nationals that is. IPSC had better think long and hard about the monumental mistake they have made; lets hope that USPSA has the good sense to differ with IPSC on this point. D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Not happy at all that IPSC did this & even less pleased with USPSA's decision. However, if you are still interested in a CZ, take a look at the 85 Combat in 9mm. For .40 Minor, a tuned 75B is an outstanding gun. Angus Hobdel at www.ghostholster.com has a number of factory production parts for both guns (such as Heinie-style fixed sights). Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Excellent, those were exactly the directions & dims I was seeking. Thanks very much.

Considering the justification given (long/heavy dust cover) I do not see why the P-01 was included on the banned list since it has an alloy frame and is about the size of a Glock 19. Who was responsible for this?

Need same info; have a lathe & mill w/ dividing head; I just nee specs. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Mcoliver: I used an STI in my last build because the dia. is greater than other full-profile bull barrels. Otherwise, I would use Schuemann or KKM. D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

I have seen the mythical Brazilian 19 rounders since Phil brought a couple back to the US last year; they run flawlessly & have enough room to reload with all 19 rounds on board plus they fit the box. Couple of thoughts: I know that parts, including SPS/STI/SV mag springs, may not be as available or an inexpensive in the rest of the world as they are in the US. Forum member Iron9 has found a way to bring thos mag springs back to life & posted it on his IPSC website: www.strictlyIPSC.com - go to "miscelaneous" and "mag spring tempering". Even if you only do this for your practice magazine springs, it will let you use fresh, new spring in competition & extend their life. Maybe it will save you a few Euros. I have tried it & it works. Regards, D.C. Johnson

"I have been told by many who also like the feel of the 1911 that the CZ and XD point more like a 1911 style gun than anything else." After going back & forth on this, I have concluded that the Czechs borrowed a lot from the Browning High Power in creating the CZ-75, 85, and 85 Combat. Compare the early (pre-70s) High Power barrel hood to a CZ-75B barrel hood; identical. If you like the Browning, you will really like the CZ.

I favor 200 grn RNs over Clays or N320; I think Clays gets the nod for being clean. Had to go a little over book load w/ plated 200s for a safe margin into major, but then again, guys are using unmodified 625s for shooting .45 Super (some brands of +p brass & really hot loads sending 230s faster than 1100 fps). I am not worried about my Clays loads. I understand that N310 is supposed to be an exceptional .45 powder.

I never ever clean the barrel on my .40 Limited SV, CZ-85 Combat or Glock 17. The chamber? Sure, I brush that out, but its been well over 10,000 rounds through each of the above guns with nothing down the bore other than bullets. I go the idea from Wil Schuemann's website - Wil makes "match grade" (whatever that means) barrels for 1911/2011. Other than that, wipe down the rails & re-coat w/ slide glide, brush off the carbon & light coat of Slip 2000. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Mar 15, 05; Shooters Paradise monthly match/ set-up crew squad: L-10 Major/SV Limited .40 6.13 Seconds 52 Points 8.48 HF Looks good for a low to mid 80% score nationally; look out B class, here I come! D.C. Johnson TY-44934 www.shootersparadise.com B in Limited; C everyplace else