Wolfactual

Your loads < 3.7gr don't make PF, so I'd just discard them. I think somewhere you also mentioned only 5 rounds per test? Increase that to 10 or more, and your numbers (SD, ES) may well change. Here's some additional CFE-P load results..click to make more legible. I haven't gotten back to doing more with it, but am seeing it act a bit slower, and needing on average, for my loads, ~.2gr more CFE-P to make same velocity vs my WSF loads. I have seen that spreadsheet and used it to create a starting point. I have found Bayou Bullets to have more velocity than those of other manufacturers. Is that possible? Also, next time I will increase my sample size. I was being cheap and stingy.

Thanks BC. I am too new at this to give advice on which powder but I've read a great deal and would love to get my hands on some VV 320, Clays, WST, WSF. I have tried Unique and liked it. Good luck!

I chose 1.15 as my Glock likes them. I was also trying to see if it made a difference in felt recoil and accuracy compared to my usual 1.14 OAL. Nothing remarkable. I failed to mention this was a secondary test. I had tested higher loads and was trying to edge closer to 850fps.

My wife (and I bet yours too) thinks of matches as her break from me.

Disclaimer: You may want to view this data with the knowledge that I am relatively new to reloading (about two months now). I tend to be a perfectionist. I am a trained scientist, a doctor, and the son of an engineer so I come by it naturally. I have been known to drive away otherwise willing partners with repeated measuring and an obsession with details. YMMV but I think my data is good. I think. I load to practice and shoot USPSA / IDPA. Set up: Reloading with a Hornady LNL AP Progressive loader with Custom Dies. Stations loaded as follows: Full Length Size Die -> Powder Measure with Pistol Micrometer insert and PTX Expander -> Powder Cop -> Bullet Feeding Die -> Taper Crimp Seating Die with Micrometer Insert Materials: Mixed range brass; CCI Small Pistol Primers; CFE Hodgdon Powder; 147gr Bayou Bullets Equipment: Prochrono Digital Chronograph; Glock 34 Gen 4 with stock barrel and stock recoil spring Conditions: 80+ degrees at 0800 to 0900 this morning in Liberty Hill, Texas (near Austin) All rounds were OAL 1.15 inches (see below). All 9mm, of course. Results: [Powder Wt. -> High fps -> Low fps -> Avg fps of 5 rounds tested for each Powder Wt. -> Standard Deviation] 3.3 -> 814 -> 742 -> 784 -> 22 3.5 -> 840 -> 817 -> 828 -> 9 3.7 -> 880 -> 845 -> 868 -> 12 3.9 -> 951 -> 897 -> 922 -> 21 Subjective: The SD for the 3.9 load is high compared to the 3.5 and 3.7 loads which may indicate that the highest fps for that trial was an outlier. I went back and checked the OAL setting for the 3.9 load and sure enough I somehow moved the micrometer and it was loading at 1.145. The other loads were measured with digital calipers to 1.15. It was late when I did the (last) 3.9 loads and I do not remember measuring them. Also, a mouse appeared at that time in my reloading room (WTH?) and was running around my chair at times. Traps and cheese purchased today so no more excuses after tonight. My guess is that at 1.15 the average would have dropped to about 900fps. There seemed to be about a 40fps gain with each 0.2gr increase in powder weight. The 3.3 loads did not cycle the gun reliably with 3 of 5 jamming as the slide did not travel back far enough to chamber the next round. CFE is a somewhat slow burner. With 147s, it did not feel near as soft as with TiteGroup [ 2.8 to 2.9 gr -> 881 -> 857 -> 867 -> 8 ] or even Unique. CFE leaves a fine black dust, more than TG, Unique, or VV. I don't think I will be using the CFE if TG or V V is available (or others that I want to try). Comments?

Another vote for DK Custom Triggers. I've had others. I have the Custom Kit in my Glock 34 Gen 4. Not a 1911 but close!

Thanks HR! This gives me a place to start with 147gr Bayou Bullets at 1.14 OAL. Wolf Actual

Thanks my Ruston friend. Question: Since this is a "Hardened Steel" GR, does it weigh more than SS? If it does then it would bump me out of SSP and ESP into... USPSA? I'm not entirely sure. I don't think it weighs any more than a SS rod. I've never really understood all the weight categories in USPSA, and I know next to nothing about IDPA. My club I shoot USPSA with doesn't ever weigh the guns, so I've never worried about the weight. If I understand the rules correctly, USPSA Production Division allows you to change the guide rod assembly as you wish but you cannot increase the gun weight with empty mag more than 2 oz. (56.7 grams). IDPA allows you to change the GR if it weighs no more than one made of SS.

Ah, I was afraid of that. Thanks for the quick answer. Guess I can live with a dual spring SS GR for IDPA and switch to the other if I want when shooting USPSA.

Thanks my Ruston friend. Question: Since this is a "Hardened Steel" GR, does it weigh more than SS? If it does then it would bump me out of SSP and ESP into... USPSA?

Which one would take me out of SSP? The new rule book seems to state I can use a stainless steel GR: 8.2.1.3. SSP Permitted Modifications (Inclusive list): 8.2.1.3.4. Recoil spring guide rods and dual spring recoil systems made of material that is no heavier than stainless steel. Are you saying the Gen3 GR would bump me out of SSP? In other words, I would have to use a dual spring (but it could be SS)? Thanks.

I am new to the Glock world. Just picked up a G34 Gen4 for IDPA and USPSA. I have read a lot on this forum and others regarding the benefits of adding a stainless steel guide rod for the extra weight. My confusion surrounds the benefit of staying with a dual spring version like that which came with the gun versus using a Gen3-type single spring. Is there an advantage for one over the other. Will one kick me out of Production (USPSA) or SSP (IDPA)? Thanks for your input.

Thanks. I installed a PRP Easy fit into my XDM 3.8 9mm and love it. Really easy to do. I am partial to XD/M's myself. A really well-built gun. I agree, the 5.25 looks nicely engineered.

That is a definite must. Luckily, I have a couple of indoor ranges within striking distance that will allow me to try all three before I buy. It will probably come down to the Glock vs XDM. The Glock for the reasons you mentioned. The XDM because I have two other SA models (XDS 3.3 9mm and XDm 3.8 9mm Compact) and I like them both. The are enough available aftermarket add-ons for the XDM at this time and I think the PRP trigger betters what is available for the other two guns. I will give all three careful consideration.

That's what I was looking for. Thanks so much. I have been looking at M&P40 Pro L (not sure about the DA) vs Glock 35 Gen4 vs XDm .40 Competition 5.25" (PRP trigger job). I could shoot Prod, Limited, and I guess L-10 with the correct mods (or without them). That should be versatile enough to get my feet really wet. I can pick up a 1911 for SS at some point. Just so you know, I have wanted to do this since I saw a "combat handgun" competition on TV circa 1990 but I did not know USPSA or IDPA existed until about a year ago. Finally getting to do this. Should be a blast! Thanks again for all the input.