Maxximuss

I recently had several 2011 frames, slides, barrels, and small parts coated by Crystallume PVD. They do great work and don't require you to fill up the whole batch. The offer a TiCN in a copper color or gray/blue. They have an AlTiN in a black (slight tint of violet under direct sunlight). I personally did both of these coating and they turned out great. They offer DLC, CrN, and TiN also. I have a couple pictures of them completed but can't get them to post here. Let me know if you can help me post some pictures again.

Does the SP01 have about the same break down as the TS? That is a really well done post/tutorial! I don't have an SP01 yet, but will likely get one soon.

Are there any good videos out there on the complete dis-assembly/re-assembly of the Tactical Sport? I need to completely strip it to put a new coating on it. I have searched Youtube and have only found a couple mediocre videos on the CZ75 and Checkmate.

Here is a good video to demonstrate the benefit of .40 on a spinner. Go to the last 10 seconds, the rest is a long boring multigun stage. This video was from a great match in St. George, UT called the Hard as Hell Multigun.

If you are going to buy one gun for USPSA Limited Class and multigun... buy a .40 If you only shoot multigun... buy a 9mm I run the same 2011 in Limited and multigun, so it is .40. I LOVE my 155 grain (Berry's hollow base flat point) minor loads! They make a 127 PF and shoot like a dream. When I have a spinner I use 200 grain (Berry's flat point) loaded pretty hot. It usually takes me less than 5 seconds to spin it with these, top--> bottom--> over. The only draw back is I can only fit 21 rounds per mag, if it was 9mm I'd get about 2-3 more. The cost to reload the 155 grain .40 is identical for me as 124 grain 9mm.

I recommend getting the 140mm mag body, TTI 11 coil spring, TTI follower, and TTI base pad. This will give you 21 rounds per mag. I believe with the same set up with 126mm body is 16-17. I'd get it ordered this weekend, I believe TTI has a sale going on for 20% off.

All my 2011 loads are at a 1.175 OAL. I use 4.9 grains of N320 for a 171 PF. There is no reason to punish yourself with extra recoil, give yourself a cushion so you don't go Minor and call it a day.

This is a great match! I recommend it as long as you like CRAZY! There's nothing like shooting while driving a golf cart, scaling walls, and diving through snowy/muddy tunnels...

I run a 11# ismi spring in my 2011 with light loads. If you really had "bunny fart" loads for 9mm I am sure 9# would be great.

+1 for buying reloading equipment vs. a 9mm top end. You can load 155 grn .40 really soft. Mine are a 126 fp for multigun and steel. You can save a ton on reloading your own; +/- $100 for bullets, $30 for primers, $10-$20 for powder, and collect your own brass...that puts you at about $150 per 1000 rounds.

I like the feel of the ISMI 11lbs sping in my STI Eagle 5". I started with the 12.5 lbs but found I like the impulse of the 11 better. It's just personal preference on feel.

The above post was referencing to .40 obviously. The round count would be higher for 9mm.

I agree about the cost of extras being the same price as a new mag, but those extra rounds really pay off. If you are going to play the game you might as well be competitive. There are plenty of stages were 22 rounds will get you through multiple arrays and 17 will make you run dry. I would rather have 4 21 round mags than 8 17 round mags.

I recommend a one piece guide rod vs. the Sti recoil master. There are a couple companies that make springs for it, I run ISMI. I like the 11# and 12.5# spring feel. I do the 11 in minor and 12.5 in major.

Thanks for posting that, Zimm33. I think that is what a lot of people have been looking for.

I have a STI Eagle in .40. Your Glock 23 will be much more "snappy" compared to the 2011. If you don't shoot a TON of 1911/2011 you probably won't notice too much difference between the two. The impulse will be slightly different with a 230 grain .45 bullet vs. 180 grain .40. I wouldn't worry too much about it. On reliability: I personally load my .40 at a 1.175 overall length vs. the factory length of 1.125-1.135. I ran the entire USPSA State and National Championship without one malfunction (about 1k rounds). I don't remember seeing my gun malfunction in the last 4k rounds or so. On factory loads I will once in a while get a feeding malfunction, maybe once every 500 rounds.

5"

It looks like I should start a company of coating guns through Calico. The draw back is these coating are not cheap, you are looking at probably $400 for a frame and slide on a 2011. But, you do get what you pay for, the coating is extremely hard and slick. If I tried to be a middleman and make any money it would really become expensive. Cryptic Coating owner is an employee at Calico. All the "Mystic" names are just special names for standard TiN, TiCN, DLC, AlTin, CrN and TiAlN. Probably a good idea so it doesn't confuse people.

It has been a learning experience for Calico on coating gun parts. They lost money on the first batch, the parts we sent in filled 3 batches but they only charged us for 1. I did a second batch and they had to raise the price, costing everyone involved significantly more. I didn't make a dime for either batch. I have had several other people express interest in doing another batch, it's just kind of a headache for me. I'll IM you my number if you are interested.

That's a sexy gun Matt! Is black nitride a PVD? Similar to TiN, TiAlN, or TiCN?

Where do you buy extra buffers and how often do you change them (round count)?

IDPA is smothering themselves into extinction. They are taking the fun out of the sport.

It looks like Glock pouches are the way to go... I just hate having to "ninja rig" my equipment.

Cha-Lee shot like a champ! Especially when motivated by bacon wrapped turkey from Rodizio!

I was going to stick with Safariland, I have several 50% off coupons from Holsters.com. Most of my duty and competition gear is Safariland.