SMS2

Hi, I am in need of some advice from those of you who have the Phoenix Trinity SS Grip with the DAA Racemaster holster with STI insert. I just ordered 2 Phoenix Trinity SS Aggressive grips and have 4 complete rigs set up with DAA Racemaster Holsters. 2 of the holsters have the STI insert for the polymer grip. My question is once you installed the PT SS grip did it still fit and function in the Racemaster with the STI insert or did you have to change or modify your existing STI insert. Also I am installing SVI triggers for both PT grips. I was anticipating USING the tri-glide and was wondering if those that did the change themselves had to do any modifications to the trigger or bow. PT told me they are designed to accept the SV trigger w/o any modifications and was curious as to the real world experience. I would also like to pass on my experience with the new upgraded DAA Racemaster MAGNETIC insert. I ordered 1 STI magnetic insert to try before upgrading all my inserts. I can tell you that I am extremely pleased with the new magnetic insert and it completely solveed the problem the original inserts were having. There is a slide knob on the side of the holster that if not in the up position when re-holstering you have to manually lift it up so that you can re-holster your gun. This is no longer a problem as the redesign of the insert eliminates that completely as there are 2 magnets inside the insert that grip and hold your gun. You still have the ability to lock the gun in place with the same toggle switch that is on the current insert. Overall the gun re-holsters every time and with less effort, and the draw is as smooth and consistent as it was if not better. I look forward to some feedback from those with experience on the 2 questions regarding the PT grip. Thanks for your time. Stephen

Hi...............does anyone have the answer from a "higher authority" so to speak if the NEW MODEL of SVI MAGS are compatible with STI W/ POLY GRIPS ?? NOT LOOKING FOR GUESSES! As the CONSENSUS ANSWER WILL COST ME OUT OF POCKET. Thanks in advance for your knowledge and effort. REGARDS, STEPHEN smschatzman@aol.com

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Hi I am looking for references for quality refinishing for Black Ion Bond. I have an 8 month old Akai in IonBond that looks like it has never been shot. I have a new top end that I want finished in Ion Bond to match the lower on the Akai. I would be most grateful for any references that you feel do very hi end quality work. If by chance you should have any experience with their cost and turn around time that would be most helpful. However the most important point is the quality of their work. Thank you in advance for you time. Stephen

Hi, I'm looking for some solid references for Ion Bond refinishing. I have an 8 month old Akai in Ion Bond that looks like it was never shot. I have had a new top end made that I want Ion bonded to match the Ion Bond on the frame of the Akai and would be most grateful for some solid references to have this top end finished in Ion Bond. Also if you have any experience with cost and turn around time it would be most helpful, though the single most important issue is the quality of the finished job. Thanks for you time, Stephen

I use a 2 (preferable0 or 4 MOA on all my optics where the intent is for bullseye competition. I use an 8 MOA on all my open guns. I was shooting Bullseye for 4 years before I bought my first limited gun and began competing in USPSA. When I had my first of 4 open guns built I naturally assumed I would use the same 2 MOA. Shay at Akai, who built my first open, insisted I would be making a mistake with a 2 MOA as their purpose was completely different. I was reluctant to accept his advice but did and never looked back. I think anything smaller than a 6 MOA puts you at a disadvantage in USPSA. Your targets are so much larger and closer compared to Bullseye and your primary interest is not .5" groupings but rather Alphas and time.

I use 124 JHP from both MG and Xtreme. When I buy MG I always buy at least a case, $368 / 3750 otherwise the cost is prohibitive. Xtreme you can buy 500 for $42.40 Buying that way the MG run you just under .10 and the Xtreme 8.5 cents. I find the performance of both to be excellent and notice no difference. If you don't want to buy a case at a time of MG I would definitely use the Xtremes. They can easily handle the PF, even with the 115gr.

Eric.........I think your elevation explains your PF with only 7.4gr, of A/C. I'm here in Miami, which if not careful the 6' above sea level can lead to severe cases of vertigo. Since I'm going to be experimenting with a MG 115 JHP that I've never used before I think I will also try a higher PF to see if the gas is in fact more efficient allowing the gun to shoot flatter. As to Seanc's question regarding the Xtreme heavy plate I have not used them and to date have only shot their standard 124 JHP and their 165 and 180 JHP 40s. Thanks for the help

Eric............I'm surprised that 7.4 gr. of A/C gets you to major with 115 gr . I use 6.9 A/C with 124 JHP which gives me roughly 172 PF. I thought it would take a larger load to get the 115 to major. Based on the replies I am going to try some 115 and see how it compares to the 124. Are A/C and HS6 the 2 best powders to use for the 115? I was a little concerned about pushing the Xtreme plated bullet to 1500 fps, even though Xtreme says it is perfectly stable at that velocity, as those of you who use it say it performs fine with no shredding or peeling of the plating. Whatever recipes you can pass on for the 115 JHP would be great. I'm also a bit surprised that there were no strong supporters for 124 to chime in. Thanks to all for your help. Stephen

Jack.........Thanks for the input. I never thought about the 121gr. I wasn't really looking to switch size as I'm very pleased with the MG 124 JHP I was just offered a very good price on 10k MG 115 JHP and since I have no experience with them I thought I would throw it out to the forum. I should have known form my own experience when using HS6. It fills up just about the entire case and seating the bullet is a task w/o loosing some powder. Thanks for the help. Best, Stephen

I have always shot 9 major using 124 JHP at 165 - 170 PF. What difference can I expect between the 124JHP and 115 JHP at the same PF? Behavior of pistol, recoil, control, etc. I vary between MG and Xtreme, would I still be able to use Xtreme plated as they approach 1450 fps Any personal advice/experience would be most helpful. Thanks, Stephen

I've always used STI tubes with Dawson SNL+1 and Gram guts in my Limited and Opens. I would always get 20 reloadable in my Limited 40 and in my 9 major would get 23 in the 140s and 28 in the 170s, all reloadable and very reliable. I just got a new 9 Open and tried Taran 7mm and 4mm all with Gram guts. After experimenting I get 24 in the 140s and 29 in the 170s using the 7mm Taran......all reloadable. I then tried them on my limited mags. I now get 21 in the 140s - reloadable and reliable. I also have a 40 open that I now get 24 in the 170, reloadable and reliable, up from 23 with the Dawson SNL +1. I just bought more 7mm Tarans to change all my limited mags.

It looks like a very nice gun and glad to hear it performed well. best of luck

20 is fine for Limited, but you should be getting 23 rounds of 9/38 in a 140mm mag. Thats worth an extra 30 buck to me....or at least it would be if I shot open.. I edited the above to 23 which is correct and what I get in my 9 major and 38SC. Got a little confused as I also shoot limited which does get 20 and when I saw 20 in the original post it triggered the "limited" in me.

Having both commissioned new builds and purchased like new pre-owned open guns I have followed the secondary market for pricing. It appears to be an older base model Infinity with some after build modifications which is fine. That said the most important thing is how it performs. If it meets your expectations as to performance, accuracy, trigger, etc., The market value is in the $2500 range. I know some put a premium on SVI mags but they neither perform better and are no more reliable than STI. New STI mags with Grams guts and Dawson's SNL+1 (or pretty much your basepad of choice) are $104/ea. and they will hold 23 without any problem. I edited the above to 23 which is correct and what I get in my 9 major and 38SC. Got a little confused as I also shoot limited which does get 20 and when I saw 20 in the original post it triggered the "limited" in me. One important thing to take into account is that the gun is local and you are not buying a mystery. If you agree on terms I would ask to have the gun for at least 1 day so you can take it to the range and put it through its paces. If it has any significant or endemic issues they should show themselves within a few hundred rounds. Best of Luck.

Thanks for the input. All my guns, open and limited have #1.5 triggers which are very crisp save one. It has a #2 with a slight bit of pre-travel. Since I was having my gunsmith work on the trigger I thought I would give the SVI trigger a shot. I had a chance to try one on a friends gun and didn't care for the way my finger melded to the trigger, not bad just different. I thing I will stay with the STI trigger and just have the slight creep removed and lightened.

Is there any preventative maintenance schedule to replacement of the firing pin or mainspring. If not what might symptom be that would warrant changing them. I also see no # tension noted on firing pins. Are they all the same # tension? Even though I use ISMI I notice Wolff recoil springs come with a firing pin spring included, do you automatically change the firing pin spring when changing recoil spring? Thanks

Gentleman, Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. Despite being pleased with present performance I want to know if there is a better performance out there just waiting. I'm going to order some #7,#8,#9 recoil springs and do some experimenting. Perhaps I find that I am presently at peak performance or maybe a little tweaking might result in some slight improvement. Either way when finished there will be no unanswered questions. Thanks again and will let you know. Stephen

When you shot it in the 6 matches while waiting were you shooting 38SC or 9? If 9 how did it perform? Not at all surprised you chose a new comp with fewer ports for the 9 retro fit. I was certain I would do the same, and still may, for the new 9 barrel. That was my first inclination as well as the advice I received from several well known custom builders I spoke to. However, since shooting it has performed so well with the existing comp that is on the 38SC I just might use an identical one on the 9.

I just purchased a like new open gun where both gun and Cmore are essentially brand new. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Cmore other than it has the regular switch which the rheostat knob is both smaller and resistance very tight, normal on that model, in comparison to the click version. Before doing what you suggested - selling and purchasing a click switch- I thought I would inquire if anyone had ever sent theirs back to have the switch changed. Also I think I will try the Arredondo overlay knob which is supposed to ameliorate the issue. Should neither of these 2 options resolve the problem it will have to go as I find it intolerable.

Eric, I bought it with that exact intention. However I was very surprised at how well the 11 port comp works with the 9. I thought it would expel the gasses far to quickly as to not allow peak performance. At this point I am considering using the same comp for a newly fitted 9 barrel or just getting another identical comp for a new 9. The latter giving me 2 complete set ups to shoot 9 or 38SC. Since I do practice indoors I can use the 38SC and recover 99% of the spent casings.

I saw those available. Do they make much of a difference in ease of operation and being kinder/gentler on thumb and finger?

What are the improvements you notice over the plastic STI trigger? Thanks

I'm using #10 and #11 ISMI recoil springs in my 9 major open guns using MG 124 JHP with 172 PF. The guns function/perform/feel perfect. I'm just curious as I see others refer to their 9 majors using recoil springs ranging between #7 - #10 with similar PF. Despite they're running exceptionally well what would be likely to happen were I to drop the springs# by that much? Would they possibly shoot flatter, softer, etc.? My assumption is they would loose their timing, have feed problems, etc., "if it's not broke don't fix it'. However if I'm missing an opportunity to improve performance I'd like to know. Thoughts?