ksf141

ive been pouring over this topic for some time as well. While i do own both a Marvel unit 1 and a Tacsol Upper for a standard 1911 lower, I consistently compete with my Rugers and Volquartsens. The muscle memory thing for me doesnt pan out. The only thing I "really" like to be the same is the feel of a 1911 grip angle which you can acheive with a Ruger 22/45, a S&W model 41, and a Volquartsen. Other things like slide release, mag button, etc dont matter a whole lot because there is no reloading in steel challenge. If you have a significant jam to clear, your stage is over regardless so it doesnt matter if you have a slide racker in the same spot as your open major gun. These other guns have all proven ridiculously accurate, reliable, and cheaper than the 1911/2011 conversion builds. The conversions have a cool factor but if you're looking for pure competition, I think there are better options.

STI also produced an "STI" branded 22 conversion upper for some time. I believe it was either just a re-branded Marvel or Tacsol conversion but either way it was marketed directly to STI owners for use on their STI guns. You can find them on gunbroker every now and then, in fact I think there is one on there right now. If you had issues, might be able to bug STI customer service.

i prefer cmore 6moa for USPSA and 8 or 12moa cmore for steel challenge shooting.

Hi folks, I fully understand the process of purchasing a suppressor directly from a retail store (store fills out their part of application, you fill out your part and write a check, store a ubmit applications to atf with check for fee, wait for approval, once paperwork comes back the gun store calls you and you go pick up your suppressor). my question is how the process works for purchasing one online such as gunbroker? I assume first you need to find an FFL that will accept the item and do a transfer for you. But it what happens after you purchase online? How does the seller submit the paperwork to the atf if you are 10 states away? Once approval comes back, does the seller the ship it to your FFL? Looking for insight on this process. Thanks!

No comparison in what sense? Which setup are you saying performs better?

hey all, I dont see or read much discussion about the EAA Elite Gold open guns. I know they have more of an international following but curious what the opinion is on them? There is something attractive about the pricepoint ($1800 out of the box with compensator and magwell etc) and some even come with a major and minor load barrels. What is your experience if anyone here runs one of these guns? Good value for the money? 9mm versus 38 super? Thanks for the help?

Thanks for all the feedback, some extremely helpful insight here. Lots to think about as I keep my eye open for a pre-owned open gun. Would love to see some more open guns built with the Schuemann Tribrid barrel and no comp. the shorty guns with the steel grip looks like a nice combo but adding up the cost makes it tough.

THanks for these videos. Curious where you end up with tuning then shorty. It seems apparent in the video the shorty has noticeably more recoil. Appears to jump higher and do it quicker. Maybe it’s an illusion. iPhone slo-mo is great.

Hmm, this starts to link up with my post from the other day about bringing back Para framed open guns. Could build a Para framed shorty for half the cost of a steel frame STI build.. maybe a shorty Para open gun with Schuemann tribrid barrel and no comp, very hipster I’d say.

This is a really interesting concept. I’ve seen tribrid barrels before but I don’t think I’ve ever seen them used in uspsa open glass without a comp like your setup. I’d be really curious to know how this performs versus a more traditional setup with an external comp. Anyone else running a rig like this to add to the conversation? I think they look look awesome without the comp on the end. Have to wonder though why this isn’t a more popular setup?

This is a beautiful gun! Thanks for the info. So if I’m reading your post correctly, your PF dropped from 175 to 168 in the shorty gun with the same load? Do you think it would drop even more with a 3 port comp?

Thanks, I was afraid that might be the initial feedback. Im guessing why its also easier to find them on the used market for slightly better deals. They are more limited in their versatility. Im guessing if you had a full size gun and shot steel, you probably wouldnt be wishing you had a shorty gun but the same is not true for the other way around.

Hi All, currently looking for a used STI 38 super or 9mm open to get back into the sport after a long break. Ive seen a few STI Matchmasters/Steelmasters for a decent price and remember when these were/are popular for steel shooting with minor loads. My question is whether or not some of you can speak from experience on the viability of using these guns with major PF loads for USPSA? Does the shorter barrel make that much of a difference in recoil/snappiness with major PF loads? Or is it mostly hype and these shorty guns can be set up fine to shoot major PF for uspsa? Do you have a different opinion on 38 super vs 9 major? Thanks!

my two cents having built a few. start with stock 10/22 bull barrel, get a used one. In order of priority/return on investment: #1 upgrade: drop in trigger group like Volquartsen ($200+-) #2 upgrade: C-more railway red dot 8 MOA #3 upgrade: buy about 10 factory mags and as much high quality ammo as you can. #4 upgrade: drop in barrel like TacSol (lightweight) #5 upgrade: lightweight stock like Hogue (keep it simple) no big bulky wooden thumbhole things. These above will take you as far as your skill will go.

thanks for the input, good options

Hey folks, Ive been on a 10 year hiatus from shooting open and am thinking about getting back into it this year. When I left the sport I sold my Dillon 650 so Im starting from scratch again. I notice more and more places are offering factory loaded major PF ammo specifically for competitions use (Freedom, Atlanta Arms etc). I see they are fairly expensive but this may be a nice option to ease back into shooting for a season or two before committing all the time/money/energy to building a reloading station again.. Curious, what are youre thoughts about the options out there in terms of best value?? I havent decided on 9 major or 38 super yet so Im curious about thoughts on both.

I still also have my old Para P16 Limited .40 that I shot limited class with for man years. I still love the gun but if Im being honest with myself, I replaced every single component in the gun except the frame and slide. All internals, sights, and barrel were replaced which make it shoot like a dream but I had numerous issues with the para right out of the box.... Youre right in that the way to go is a used STI and call it a day... shoot straight.

All makes sense, was curious if there were other things I may not have thought of. The addition of MBX magazines really has me considering getting a para frame again and building a top end for it to resurrect the para open gun! One plus is that I can build a gun for less money than a comparable STI. Getting back into the sport after a long hiatus so looking to do on a budget. Thanks for the insights.

10 years ago I shot a Para hi-cap framed open gun for many seasons and it worked beautifully and was well balanced. They are almost non-existent today and Im wondering why especially now with MBX manufacturing top of the line mags for them (used to be an issue particularly with big sticks).?? Ive been out of the game for years but was considering building an open gun on the cheap and getting back into it a little bit. I can pick up a para wide body frame for not much and build a top end for it, curious what others thoughts are. I like the fact that a para frame uses all 1911 parts as opposed to a caspian frame that has some proprietary tid-bits (and mag issues). Anyone else out there still shooting a Para framed open gun today? There was just something I always liked about the weight balanced of a steel frame as opposed to STI polymer based setup. Shoot straight.

Thanks, what has me a little confused is that 1) these are supposed to work on a factory 1911 which often have even higher trigger pulls over 5 or 6lbs so it seems odd that a 3.5lb pull would be considered heavy enough to cause a hang up at the disconnector and 2) I tried the conversion on another frame, all stock colt custom carry and had the same issue (3lb 10oz pull on that gun). I do do think I’m going to take the springfield 9mm frame and disassemble and maybe start over with fire control parts, i purchased the gun used and don’t know what internals it had, appeared some work was done at some point. May at least redo the sear with the Harrison sear your previously recommended and new disconnector and hammer. My marvel unit 1 works just fine on this frame which is frustrating. I want to get the tactical solutions unit working for steel challenge shooting. Thanks for your input.

Thanks steve. I have seen these but they are for the single stack frames. There are one or two other brand wide body double stack mags for the kit to be used with an STI frame and thats whatbim curious about. TacSol makes nice aluminum ones that are $100 each. Was curious if the advantage arms ones or marvel ones worked for half the price. Thanks for your post, I’ll check these out for the single stack frame.

Hi all, I’m having an issue with a new tactical solutions 2211 conversion. When the slide starts to move forward (from being pulled all the back) it hangs up briefly on the disconnector. It’s enough to slow the slide and interfere with feeding. Thought it may be isolated to the springfield frame but put it on a colt frame and same issue. Anyone have this issue? Do I need to Dremel down the ridge on the underside of the conversion that pushes down the disconnector? Do I need to shave down the top of the disconnector? Is there an issue with the machining on the conversion unit? Thanks for any thoughts, it’s a frustrating issue.

Hi all, Anyone have luck with using the Advantage Arms widebody mags with a TacSol 2211 conversion? Or any other widebody mags besides the 2211 mags? (marvel?) Considering an STI rimfire build but looking for ways around the $100 tacsol mags. Thanks in advance.

aside from the cost/parts availability issue, I would second the argument that weight is one of the primary reasons you dont see more of them. Its a heavy gun to begin with and when you hold it next to a Ruger 22/45 Lite or a Volquartsen Scorpion, it feels like a lead dumbbell. Given SC is a game of pure speed, there is a heavy preference for featherweight gun set ups (aluminum frames, aluminum sleeved barrels, etc etc). 41's are sweet though and everyone needs to own two.

I am considering building a dedicated single stack steel challenge open gun and am curious what peoples thoughts are on building the lightest weight single stack rig bottom end. With a 2011 style gun there is obvious weight savings in the polymer frames. Im not aware that a polymer frame single stack 1911 frame exists (why not?). 1) Use a standard steel 1911 frame and be done with it? Provide lots of lightening via the top end/slide etc. 2) use an alternate material 1911 frame such as aluminum (Caspian/Foster) or a specialty alloy like Smith Wesson's Scandium allow frame. 3) something else I dont even know about? Thanks for your thoughts.