Todd7446

There's another solution that works real well, too. I don't have any pictures so I'll try to describe. In the above picture see where the bullet drop tube comes through the tool head? See how there's a lip on the OD of the tube at the bottom? Measure the main diameter of the body. Now you can go to a hardware store (I went to Lowe's or HD, can't remember which) and in the hardware section you'll find compression springs. Get the pack with a spring ID close to the tube OD. Measure the length exposed below the tool head, cut the spring so it is just slightly compressed when in the free state, and install it. You're good to go. It won't bind when the dropper is adjusted right, and it's completely out of the way. Works great. I put one on 9mm, 38SC, and 223 heads.

Sorry, don't have free samples of this product in the lineup.

Well I wasn't going to say anything (look at my signature line), but Lucas Bore Solvent/Ultrasonic fluid is not aqueous based, so it doesn't evaporate. And it does have a small amount of lubricant in it, so when the parts come out of a hot bath, they're left with a very thin film to protect against flash rust. And yes, it really does a good job of cutting crud.

I've thinking about getting one, maybe this winter. I have a friend who's a 3-gunner out of MO who has one. Picked it up from a prize table and hadn't set it up for almost a year. Set it up, added a good cleaning fluid to it, and now says he can't believe he hadn't done it before. Everything comes out clean and hot (assuming you use the heating element), so they dry quickly. Use the right fluid and there's no concern with flash rusting because it is non-aqueous.

Can't speak to the CK, but the PT EVO grip has more contour on the rear, and with the shape of the beavertail ( it and MSH included in EVO "kit") I don't know how you could get a higher grip on a 2011. The EVO also has shape on the sides (think palm swell) that fills in where there would normally be a gap with metal grips. People with both large and small hands will say that it fits their hand very nicely because of these two things. Also, just to reinforce what has likely been said before, the beavertail on an EVO is non-functional in terms of a grip safety. In other words, it is locked in place by the MSH, and there isn't a tab for grip safety. Done since most competition 2011's have this disabled anyway.

Thanks guys.

Logistics question since I've never been there before. Should we plan to bring carts, or do you drive from stage to stage?

Mike said they're not going to be posted.

Yes, it's a new range. Ten bays were carved out of the natural terrain at the Lucas Cattle Ranch.

I'm picking up on a red dot (or green, depending which gun I'm using if shooting 3-gun) instead of a FO, but Oakley Prizm lenses really do make the dot pop out. Highly recommend them, too.

It is a mount that Phoenix Trinity made as a "generic" mount to accept any of the microdots and my gunsmith finished it with the mounting pattern for the Venom.

I've had a Venom 3MOA on a frame mounted Open gun for ~5K rounds so far. I always shoot Major PF loads, even though the majority of the time I'm using it in 3-gun. After many bumps and dumps in a dump bucket, it hasn't had any zero drift, or any problem. I'm very happy with it. I may look at a 6MOA to use on my pistol and move the 3MOA to an offset sight on my rifle, though.

Warne mounts are great, too. Very solid and take the dump bucket abuse well. (By the way, I've got a new red and a new blue one for sale in the classifieds now for that scope ).

I have a Firebird TAC-12A1. After finding the right ammo (Fiocchi 1 1/8 oz, 3 dram equivalent for me), adjusting the gas down to a safe, comfortable range, and tuning the mag feed lips, it has been flawless. I do use Tooth & Nail mags (10 rnd, 18 rnd, & 28 rnd) and had Josh at T&N install a JP Roller trigger in it. I love the gun! I wanted to put a brake or comp on it, but the barrel isn't externally threaded so I couldn't use a VEPR style, and I didn't want to drill a bunch of holes in the barrel for a mid-barrel brake. So, I machined my own patterned after the SJC Titan .223 brake. I did "sled testing" similar to the series of tests you've probably seen comparing a variety of AR brakes/comps and got about 20% recoil reduction by using my clamp-on muzzle brake. Lan & Michael (Dissident Arms) are both great guys, so I'm not dissing them or their company in any way. I liked the AR pattern gun better. Matt & Josh (Tooth & Nail) are also great guys. I preferred the fully machined uppers and lowers from Firebird.

Shot it. Worked it. Thought it was really good, especially for a first effort at a "big" match.

I started with a Shooter's Connection belt, used a leather punch to make the holes and a soldering iron to "cauterize" the fabric. Worked great.

Have you contacted Adam about that? He has quite a few "blue guns" for models and adds more frequently.

Thanks Josh. I thought I'd read that somewhere.

I use a DAA Racemaster for USPSA. The lock lever is too small and not enough tension on it for me to feel comfortable using in 3-gun. I started 3-gun with a new Limcat. More substantial lock lever that has a lot more "feel" of tension to it. Still really never liked the race holster for 3-gun. Adam Weber of Weber Tactical in the St. Louis area made me a great Kydex one that is very secure. It fits my comp'd 5" with thumb rest, racker, and frame mounted slideride.

The Tooth & Nail all steel mags are great! I run them in my Firebird TAC-12. That said, I still do have to fine tune them because I'm getting an occasional double feed. IIRC, the most common cause for that is feed lips too wide, correct?

Good reason to buy a slick-side upper with no FA in it if using this bolt.

They do pretty sweet work on MKA-1919 mag pouches, too, don't they?

Didn't do the kydex myself, but Weber Tactical in the St. Louis area made a really nice one for me.

Eric - With all of your work on testing different buffer systems, have you ever tried something like the Blitzkrieg hyrdaulic buffer? Haven't read a whole lot, but the people who have one seem very happy with them.

Thanks.