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Dito above: Slide mount optics are a carry optics format. Everything done to open guns is to speed of the slide and get back into batter as quick as possible for follow up shots. From the frame mounted optics to the sight tracker barrels ( island barrel ) lighting slices, etc. All focused on removing material from the slide to make it lighter and faster. The average time for an open gun to cycle is under.1 sec. I have witnessed follow-up shots ( from a top GM ) at .11 seconds. You mount the optics on the slide and he would have to wait. Crazy to think, but we all want to be that fast, so do not limit yourself with your set-up. Kris

Definitely go with the open. I am a high C shooter in USPSA and averaged around 56%. I bought my first IMMI open infinity and my first 2 matches with the new gun were 81% and 83%!! They shoot so flat and are so reliable that it seems hard to miss. Good luck Kris

I am getting ready to send a pistol in for refurbishment. I like this, will talk with them about adding to my rebuild. Kris

thanks for Reading and responding. I agree with most post both good and bad. I agree that SV customer service could use a bit of help, clarity is what they need. As far as the" safety "was concerned ( adrone ) If you bought that gun new, and that happened, I would be shocked!!! If you bought used, they have no way of knowing if it had been replaced in past. Changing a thumb safety can take at the most an hour if you have done before. They know that, but not everyone has fitted one ( I have ruined a couple over the years ) so not everyone else knows that. They are amazing guns when they run, if your's doesn't, then you are more frustrated than the average, because you spent so much, to get a gun that will just run.. I had an SVI 38 super that would get the worst malfunction, where the casing would get driven into the slide when trying to go back into battery. could not figure out, emailed Brandon and he was able to trouble shot based on my description of the problem. I did what he suggested and malfunction gone. They are a great source, and I believe they want to stand behind their guns, but only their guns. Be persistent, if necessary. Kris

I have read several posts that address SVI's lack of willing to maintain existing firearms. I have been is a two month email discussion with them about that. I have emailed back and forth with Brandon, and can say with confidence that they are willing to maintain "their" product. He has committed to me to re-furbish an older IMM open gun. He has also expressed that they will do gunsmithing type work on "their " guns. That is the secret, and modified firearm, or other brands, they will not work on. They are focused on their product only. They are also only interested in returning a firearm back into competitive service at a "like New" condition. So understand that. The cost to restore an older firearm could be as high as 1/2 the cost of a new, but you will get a "like new" firearm back into action for 1/2 the cost of a new? That might be expensive, but in my opinion a better option for some?? Anyway, thought I would share my experience, because it was better than expected, and hopefully it helps someone looking to restore and older IMM open gun, or any competitive firearm from SVI. Kris

I reached out to SV last year about getting a barrel from them to replace a Scheumman barrel, and they said there were no replacement options at this time!! Not what someone wants to here who has an older SV.??

I have several SVI open guns. A close friend ( Class A shooter ) bought an Atlas. He held and shot my SVI and wished he had dropped just a little more and got the SVI. SVI is a true Custom build. All SV parts, Great gun. My newest SV ran flawlessly in very first match, and has never had a hik-up!!! Kris

I have my first DP Pro, and not real happy. I have the a couple of the older delta points and they have been bulletproof. this new one has been trouble. Had to go to back up gun on first match, dot was so dim could hardly pick-up on a cloudy day. then it would not turn on. Got home, turned on dim, put new battery in twice and seems to be working. Honestly I hate where the on/off switch is. When you do want turn off, you cannot see if dot is off until you move your finger, if not back in, frustrating.

you will never be disappointed with SVI. They are the best, last "forever" or at least it seems. I have one that has over 32k rounds, and frame/slide fit is still great. Still great. You can find ( if you stay aware ) Infinity guns used, for sale. If you are willing to spend up near $4,000 you will get a spectacular gun, without the 20 month wait. I have purchased many, and have never been disappointed. Kris

Maybe research Dura-coat? It is surprising easy to apply ( 4-8 light coats) and looks good. Not like cera-coat, you can buy and paint yourself. Sand-blast, clean, and paint, if its your gun it does not have to be perfect, but It will be better than no coating at all. Kris

I have several, both the SVI sight-tracker, and the STI Island Barrel ( like on the Apiero) one thing you are overlooking is the fact that the front sight is no longer mounted on the slide, but on the end of the barrel. It is not all about reciprocal mass ( which is important ) but the front sight does not rock back and forth with the slide, but sits fairly stationary ( rocks down and back slightly as barrel unlocks ) The SVI sight tracker is huge compared to the sti island barrel, but the front sight is the same. As far as weight is concerned it does move more weight out to end ( solid Steel mass on upper end of barrel -vs- a slot out of the slide, it is more. and it is more where you want it!!

I was kinda surprised no bolt hold at all?? But doesn't really mater, just one less thing that can go wrong. Don't really feel a need for last round hold?

where do they have practice stages at a match? WOW what a concept, I would love that. Work out kinks without destroying a whole day. Get a little extra work. I am going to suggest at the next match. I have never seen it done in Washington area.

I have built a gibbz arms G-9. And although very nice, it has issues. Some have had trouble with cartridge ejecting, I have had no problems there, but loading a magazine was a totally different issue. Problem is the bottom of the bolt is not tapered at all, and when loading the left feed lip hits edge of bolt and will actually bend down after a couple of attempts to slam it home, then its worse. I had to mill a taper cut into the one side of the bolt. Not for the faint at heart. There is another post from a guy with pictures of what he did. This seems to have fixed that problem, loads smooth now. Ambi mag drop work great and right side charge is awesome. Hoping all my problems are over. Working on buffer systems now to soft recoil just a bit to improve follow-up shots.

YES indeed. You are right about not having to mag change much, but any malfunction your hosed, any skills challenge your hosed, any mandatory mag change stage your hosed. It sucks. I have tried three different block system to convert a standard AR lower to a PCC lower and they are ok. But anything is better than having to drop magazine with support hand and then retrieve new mag. That's crazy if you think you can be competitive.

Great pic., and funny, I noticed bent feed lips as well, I just took edge off bolt, but I like what you did. Did you just need to do on the one side? I also notice that the extractor had no real tension on the casing, it is pulling out but if you move slow it will just drop into mag well ( if no mag inserted ) typically extractor will have some " spring tension " on cartridge?? Have you removed extractor and tried to adjust like you would a 1911? Kris

I have built mine and it does seem to run well, but I have a very difficult time getting a magazine to seat against closed bolt. ( and kinda weird, but no apparent way to hold the bolt open?) I saw your note about cutting a relief cut in bottom of bolt? Do you have pictures of what you did there as well? Kris

Do you have a picture of what you did? I am not having any trouble with the system running ( have cycled 250 rounds through without a hic-up ) but I am having trouble getting a magazine to seat. With open bolt, mag seats no problem but not wanting to seat against closed bolt.

I believe you need to carry what you shoot the most and the best. I shoot 2011/1911's in competition, thus I carry a 1911 for conceal carry and a 2011 for open carry. I know all the controls on the 1911 platform without thinking, thus in a life threatening incident, I feel confident in my ability to defend myself or my family without having to think about where is the safety or the mag button when under stress!!! Should not matter what it costs. We practice for competition" your time to first shot", this has practical application!! Whoever gets the first shot off will usually be the last man standing.

I have been trying for months. Went through, grams, Taran tact., MBX, STI, standard followers, thin, different springs. All to find 29 seems to be the limit, push to 30 and followers start rolling, just seems like always bad things happen. Now with the 140 SV mags and 40 I have had great luck. The SV tube with Taran tact. thin follower and the 11 coil taran spring I can get 23. Functions smooth, and reliable. With STI ( I have old gen 1 tubes ) you are pushing it at 21. The Gen 2 tubes are more like SV so guessing you could push to 23 with thin follower.

I just received 2 brand new SVI 170 mag's, and the dimensions kinda surprises me. For STI mags, dawson recommends .355 for back and .360 for front feed lips. I put a mic. to the SVI mags and they were set solid at .330 front and back. Function tested and the feed in 4 different guns no problem. Loaded to capacity at got a solid 29, no more. I've come to the reality that that will have to be enough. STI you get 28, SVI you get 29.

I just received 2 brand new SVI mags, with svi guts, and 1mm base pads. ( tuned by sv, and fit gauge ) I was going to do it for me, but I will post later all the spec's on new tubes.. I was then going to tune my other SV mags to these spec's.

I pray that I do not have to go this route. I have assembled and run two 30 rounds mags through without a hic-up?? when did you first start having problems? and have you contacted Gibbs Arms with this mod? thanks, and you are very fortunate to have friends with those skills!!

Not my thread, but I still appreciate the input. I comment on Main spring weight because my understanding is the typical main spring is 17lbs, but SV sells a 14lb spring. My Understanding is the 14 is because SV and QB Hammers are lighter ( similar to the Split hammers and bobbed ) I agree you must get Hammer hook cut right and sear must mate up at exact angle for a crisp pull. My understanding as well is sear spring should have an empty pull weight of just 8 oz. and sear and disconnect legs should have a combined pull weight of just 16oz. The trigger pull is a multi faceted complex issue..