v1911

I wouldn't recommend the krebs magwell. I ran one for a year in IDPA. Definitely compact as far as magwells go, but very, very little benefit as far as reloading. It only adds a small lip of additional surface to assist with reloading. The down side, good luck trying to clear a mag malfunction with it on. I removed mine and went with the STI Tac and Dawson base pads. If you'd like, I can post some pics later today.

I definitely don't shoot major matches for the prize table. Knowing the overall expense of attending a major match I try to keep them local enough that I don't have to spend more than I need to. It's definitely a great time to be had. I've only been shooting IDPA for a year but attended a tier 2 and 3 match so far. It's a great learning tool.

Sounds like you may have already made up your mind. IDPA is like any other game. There are rules to be had. You either play by them or you don't. It may not be for you. Maybe try USPSA or Steel Challenge if it's available on your area.

I shoot less in the summer months. Regularly I can get 4-5 matches a month. I don't have a membership to a range that would allow the type of live fire practice I need, so the local matches also double as practice. Also get about 2-3 major matches a year.

Some of those SS may already be at an EX level. They either haven't shot a classifier recently or are looking to get a trophy and match bump at an upcoming major match. As others have stated, it's not about the destination as much as the journey. Before you know it, you'll be progressing through the ranks. Enjoy the ride and be safe!

If running 125gr you can get away with not going the FCD route. I found once I started running 147gr, I was failing the case gauge 2 out of 10 attempts. The Lee FCD got that back down to about 2 out of 100. Mind you that was the case gauge, plunk test would result in 100% success ratio. YMMV.

Try Ryan Flynn at Aquilla Custom Gun Works. I believe he also has a Facebook page.

Wilson does indeed make a bullet proof extractor. Mine has provided me flawless service. Would another brand perform the same? Possibly. The few extra dollars for piece of mind is nice though.

Nothing special to my knowledge. Looking at my build sheet, I'm just using a standard length Wilson BP firing pin. I've run just about every primer brand with probably less than 3 failures total. The last one I can recall was with a tula primer and it didn't appear to be a light strike.

17#, which was recommended by my builder.

+1 on the dryer sheets. Not all dryer sheets are equal though. The store brand are not as effective as national brand. I cut up 2 sheets for every batch I clean. Also add a cap of Nu finish and dillon polish on occasion. I've never had to replace my walnut media and I've cleaned about 15k-20k worth of brass. Those sheets come out a very dark grey each time.

^^ this.

Serrations on the slide top is fine.

Just a thought... Have you ever left your mags fully loaded and left to sit for a few days? If the tech at STI has a broken in mag or half loaded mag that he tests your gun with, he may not have the issue you have.

There's a side by side comparison of 3 varieties of the ghost pouch. From left to right: SS quick release - double stack quick release - double stack belt mount The quick release models definitely fail in a big way. The threaded version is noticeably closer to the belt line, but I'm uncertain it actually makes the cut. I don't have a dowel on me to test the distance.

Not legal: fails the dowel test in a big way. But man are they smooth on the draw.

At 1.180 you're probably at the max OAL your mag can handle without taking out the spacer. Have you tried working with a shorter OAL? Looks like you're hitting the bottom of the feed ramp. I've loaded as far out as 1.190 but gained nothing in accuracy as opposed to the shorter 1.50.

I'll add ramshot competition. Keep your eye open. PV just had a shipment of N320 last week. So powder is out there, just need to move quick.

I might have lucked out. Was able to bag 2 4lbs containers before they sold out. Thanks for the heads up!

It's looks like it would make for a wicked Steampunk finish on a gun.

I was temped to try for the 1st go around. I probably would have been happy with the results. I have a feeling that the pics and vids being posted don't do this polished finish justice. Probably looks even better in natural light. Waktasz, let's see what it looks like on one of your POV match vids.

Too much bling factor for my taste. I wouldn't mind seeing the bead blasted version though. Let me rephrase that. Too much bling for my competition guns. But if it were a BBQ gun.....

Have you tried reaching out to STI?

^ This. If I know I'm in the hole, I'll pay extra attention to the shots from cover, the weight on any prop I may have to run with or where I may need to round dump. All while pasting targets or resetting a stage of course. =)

Double post.