HOGRIDER

https://www.ssusa.org/content/max-michel-and-the-sig-sauer-p320max/#:~:text=The SIG P320MAX is now,it legal for the division.

IMO, if your experiencing issues when switching to the larger OD bullets, then you need to consider switching to a larger expanding powder funnel: https://www.photoescapeinc.com/products/9htc-ptu.html

Robert posted this on his FB page two days ago: https://www.thesigarmorer.com/

I'm another 110% satisfied user of Kenneth's fully processed brass! I've always contacted him by email and he is very quick to respond! Highly recommended!

@mrvip27Yes, I think that is the consensus even though the Sig springs are normally installed with the "open" end towards the rear/breech face, ISMI recommends on their packaging to install with the "closed end towards the rear of the gun", which is as you noted above the "breech face end". FWIW, I got the opportunity to shoot a plate rack with some friends today; and the Max never experienced a hiccup shooting 124 AA Elite, 124 Federal Syntech, or my 147g Match CZ reloads! This is with a new ISMI 12# Sig length spring installed with the closed end towards the breech face/rear of the guide rod. HTHs PS: Pic is from back of ISMI packaging............

@echotango Good point! I do the same with mine as ISMI states the springs will "grow" during compression. Thanks for your reply!

@ddcI've got right at 200 rounds so far..............sad, but to be honest my recovery from the procedure is taking a bit longer than I expected. Few days after, I went to the range to check some rounds across the chrono. With the extreme heat E. KY has been experiencing, I knew quickly I was pushing myself way too soon. Luckily I got everything torn down, loaded up, and back in the cool of my GMC. A bit unsettling to be at the range by yourself with no cell service............. But I did get some good velocity numbers......... Coupe of weeks ago, I loaded some more slightly reduced power loads to run across the Ransom Rest, and after getting several FTEs and weak lockup, I found out I had left my sample 1911 and Sig factory springs home. Looking at the target I was seeing cloverleafs, 2 touching an 1&1/2" away, then random flyers 2-3" away. IMHO, the 14# 1911 spring was weak in lockup and too strong for my reduced power reloads. Was not a successful test session........ Sorry for the long-winded reply, but I am much improved and hope to be back at the Ransom Rest next week for some final testing. I do feel the KKM is going to produce some excellent results once I find the right combo! Hope you are doing well!

One thing I'd like to add to the discussion............... Many questions have been asked by newer P320 X5 platform shooters about the "direction" the recoil spring should be in; especially when using the longer Sig style springs. With the 1911/2011 springs we've always been used to putting the closed/painted end on the rear/breechface end of the guide rod. After a very informative conversation with IMSI tech support, it seems that "IF" we have/use a constant diameter style guide rod: https://shop.springerprecision.com/sig-p320-x5-tungsten-guide-rod-1911-springs-share/ Then the longer Sig style factory or ISMI/Springer style springs can actually be used with either end towards the rear. Sig does ship there P320X5 pistols, AFAIK, with the open end of the recoil spring towards the rear. If the guide rod your using has the "step" just in front of the guide rod "head" such as this one: https://shop.springerprecision.com/copy-of-sig-p320-tungsten-guide-rod-1911-springs/ Then ISMI definitely recommends and notes on their packaging the recoil spring should be installed with the closed end to the rear towards the breechface! HTHs

https://www.shootersconnectionstore.com/Wolff-19112011-Variable-Recoil-Springs-P3490.aspx Or: https://shop.1911parts.com/Wolff-Recoil-Calibration-Pak-Reduced-Power-Pak-RP-Variable-13115.htm

@echotangoThanks for your reply!! Wondering if you have any of your pistols fitted with KKM or BarSto barrels; which usually provide tighter lockup?

Wondering if any users/competitors have used the 1911 recoil springs; then switched back to the longer length Sig factory style springs? Was doing some testing couple days ago (Ransom Rest) and was having numerous FTEs along with weak lock up/return to battery. My MAX does have the KKM match barrel. Discussed it with TSA, and he recommends using the longer Sig length springs. Of course I have the 14# and 12# factory springs. Also ordered some ISMI 13# and 12# long length springs this morning. I'm thinking my FTEs were due to a too heavy (1911 style) 14# spring; while I think the weak lock-up was due to the short OAL of the 1911 springs in general. Appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

This information was given to me by one of our industry's true innovators! I'm also sold on the Hornady One Shot for lubing my wet cleaned brass. And similar to using some lanolin, I take a Q-tip with One Shot sprayed on and swab the funnel expander prior to a reloading session.

@yekcohThanks for the feedback! I did buy a spare as I like to keep extras just in case. But I don't have enough time/experience with the MAX to know of it's weak points. Any aftermarket suppliers that you know of that's offering a better replacement?

I'm trying to figure out how the reset spring would only last 1,000 rounds when the Armorer's Manual shows the Striker Assembly replaceable every 20,000 rounds in 9mm.............

Glad you found it!

I agree with @BC27!

Got a chance to set up at the Range yesterday, but with the intense heat/humidity, I should have waited until a bit cooler day! I did get a few base line chrono figures; and have to say this KKM barrel is FAST! My guesstimates of N330 yielded a higher velocities than I initially expected! My goal is to get somewhere between 1050-1100fps, and the "slowest" batch I tested was averaging 1138/141PF. I do believe I've got enough data for some slower tests rounds! The "slowest" group from my plastic bench rest:

Straight from Bar-Sto:

@VizornIf you do try the KKM and are looking for max 50 yd performance, the AMU uses the 1:18 KKM barrel with Hornady 115g XTPs. ~.75" out of a test fixture at 50 yds.....

Hope the bump helps performance! I've asked several "professional" people that supposedly know the P320 platform, and it appears the radial play in the slide to FCU fit is not a big factor in determining accuracy. That barrel to slide fit/lockup is what's claimed to make it work along with having a smooth transition once the trigger pull is started. As an old 1911/2011 shooter/tuner, it does not help me to understand the how/why with this platform! But Robert is doing fitment work for Max Michel's competition pistols; so I guess I'm not in a position to question his experience!

To be perfectly honest, I had so many questions! And we were discussing so many things concerning his barrel, I was asking then writing down his answers as fast as I could! He probably gave me a good reason and I just didn't get it in my notes fast enough to remember. But I'm sure I could talk with him again and he would provide a very legit reason. He was sharing a lot of what the AMU does when testing/using his barrels; and if I was guessing, I would say it was to "season" a barrel to help determine the accuracy "potential"...... but again, this is just my WAG.

@WaltK I'm curious as to which rifling you chose for your KKM barrel? 1:16 or 1:18? I plan on doing my first bench rested accuracy tests this weekend; but one thing Luke stressed before doing any serious accuracy testing was to run 25-30 FMJ, plain jane (WWB) ammo through the barrel/gun before testing my own reloads. Just prior to finalizing my order, I told him I wanted to use 124/125g JHPs (PD and Zero) to start with. He recommended the 1:16 rifling and to work toward a 1050-1100fps average velocity. HTHs........

I have a Bar-Sto GS fit match barrel; and then the KKM became available. Discussed it with Robert Burke telling him I was totally dissatisfied with the fit/accuracy of the Max's stock barrel; and while the gun was in his hands, I wanted the best accuracy potential along with fit/chamber/etc. He said let's do the KKM. Although I hope to start initial testing by this weekend, I did have a couple of in-depth phone conversations with KKM and feel I definitely made the right choice! Had the KKM not been available, I would have had no problem with having Robert do the GS fit Bar-Sto. HTHs!

Awesome! Looking forward to some detailed reports once you've spent some time with it!