Morgan

Title says it all - due to my hand size/grip style the Shadow safeties won't work for me, but Angus is out of the standard SP01 units... Any other sources?

If you're going to use moly or lead bullets avoid Tightgroup - burns hot, smokes a lot. Fine for jacketed bullets.

Funny, at L Nationals this year on the "board of shame" was a 163 ish power factor - next to it was "Thanks, Atlanta Arms!" They do have a stellar reputation, however. As for the original question - go with Clays (loaded long - over 1.20") or VV320 - that's where you'll end up eventually. When I was newer I liked the softer push of the 200gr bullets, but as I improve I find 180gr, for me, make the sights track MUCH better. The 200gr now seem slow and sloppy. To each his own...

The one Nemo suggested works well - I still have to cut the off side down to a sliver and relieve the back/rear to keep from knocking it up.

Cy - give Steve a call (I can get his number for you if you don't have it). For just a few bucks he'll do it right.

I have to shave the off-side safety WAAAYYY down on my STI's or I'll knock them up with my strong hand. Same problem with my Shadow, so I replaced the safety's with standard SP01 safeties - problem solved. Actually, (thread drift alert!) Angus is out of the right side SP-01 safety and I need one - anyone know another source where I can buy one (or trade my Shadow safety for one)?

I have long hands, and used to use a really long trigger. I've since moved to a really short trigger, and I'm playing with something in-between. Little difference in my times/hits, but I'm much more comfortable with the medium to short triggers.

My understanding is that .40 caliber Tangfolglios run best on very long loaded ammo - I'm pretty sure Henning is running longer than my STI with the same bullet - and I'm at 1.220". I know a few guys who run standard length ammo in their STI's, and they run fine. I run long because of my powder choice. That said, I think you can do good work with either pistol - but if you're not going to reload, get a 9mm and shoot production...

If you use a standard IPSC high thumbs grip and ride the decocker (like most of us ride the safety) at all, the gun WILL NOT FIRE. I don't ride the safety on my guns with much pressure, but the decocker CZ's just don't work with my grip.

Friday - You've noticed that I have someone video me on almost every stage - like Charlie said, it's a fantastic tool. To build in your basic handling skills - transitions, reloads, draws and the like - dry fire is king. On a par timer. Pay attention to what makes it easier to call your shots before the par time ends, and keep bringing those par times down. Sometimes it's gripping differently, what you're looking at/seeing and when - often it's just economy of motion, which the par timer helps you see and keep track of. Just make certain you're calling your shots in dry-fire, or you'll be sloppy in live fire. Keep a journal of what you're trying, how it feels, how it works on the clock, what you see and feel when a practice (dry or live) or stage goes well.

I've used 200gr MG and 200gr lead (Colorado Cast), both with Clays (load long - 1.220"). VERY soft. Too soft for my liking, actually. Let me know if you want some data.

Overall Length - Long-Flat 2.4” (6.1cm), Short-Flat 2.2” (5.6cm), Long-Curved 2.3” (5.8cm), Short-Curved 2.1 (5.4cm). Medium is just between each.

There's an excellent chance it wasn't the firing pin at all - if the trigger job is getting long in the tooth the hammer can fall to half-cock instead of all the way, and in the heat of a stage you don't even notice. The tiny dent on the primer can be from the FP inertia as the slide closes (like on an AR). Have your smith inspect the fire control parts.

I shot my duty USP45 in L10 when I started this - reliable, but as someone else posted, you cannot overcome the high bore axis. Even with reloads at about 167pf the gun was flippy, and I just couldn't get to A class. I switched to a custom S_I build and Limited, and never looked back (recently minted Master, thankyouverymuch...). The M&P, CZ and Glock are WAAAAYYYY better that the USP. Free advice, worth every penny, from someone who's been there.

Chris - I assume these use the same tensioning screws as the holster?

From the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ass...orial_1666.shtm

Looks like a knockoff of CR Speed pouches, without the finger adjustable tension (the main reason I like CR over Safariland).

Is it +p or standard pressure? The 124+p runs about 1250 fps in most guns - about 155 pf.

Clays 4.0 gr Colo Cast Lead 185gr WSP 1.220" 925.2 Av. Vel 171.16 PF 19.8 ES 7.3 SD Clays 4.55gr Montana Gold JHP 180gr WSP 1.220" 945.0 FPS 170.10 PF 21.5 ES 8.0 SD Great loads.

Colorado Cast: http://www.sanjuanrange.com/ccb_prices.htm The best, least smokey lead bullets I've ever tried.

How much do they weigh?

For the rice, just use regular rice. I finally broke down and purchased a 50 lb bag at Sam's Club. The brass feels like you used case lube when you run it through your machine - really nice. Wish I remembered who told be about it...

An old dryer sheet torn into strips with each batch keeps the dust and "gummyness" down - makes the rice last longer.

Don't know if this helps, as the load is significantly longer... 200gr Colorado Cast Lead, WSP, 4.1gr Tightgroup, 908 fps, 181 pf. I'd start a good bit lower - that's a pretty hot load (I certainly didn't expect 181pf), and you're loading shorter. Tightgroup and lead = SMOKE. I'd use a different powder. Good luck!

Try using rice for media - you won't need any polish at all. Sounds crazy, works very well.