XD Niner

My brand-new PSA 9mm carbine arrived today. After a thorough inspection and lubrication, I took it out for its maiden voyage. Everything went great for the first 35 or so rounds. I only needed one minor adjustment to zero my Eotech red dot. Then disaster struck. I had a catastrophic case separation on one of my reloads. The brass base came completely off and the cylindrical portion of the casing lodged in the breech. I was able to easily dislodge it by tapping the barrel on the table. I checked over the lower and couldn’t see any issues. Unfortunately, I failed to look up the barrel from the breach end. As near as I can reconstruct, a FMJ bullet lodged about an inch and a half into the barrel. It was definitely not a squib but I believe that almost all the energy was lost through the rear opening. After reassembling the rifle I chambered and fired another FMJ round. Bad idea. The second bullet rammed itself in the barrel after the first and there was another case separation. About this time I began to get an inkling of the problem. I was able to pound both bullets out from the muzzle end using a ¼” brass squib rod. It took a hammer and a fair amount of force to break them free. The bullet closest to the breach came out in one piece. However, the original one came out with only the lead core and jacketed tip. The cylindrical part of the casing broke away and stayed in the barrel. I can see that the entire circumference is wedged in there. I’ve tried using the squib rod to remove the jacket. I can feel the broken casing rim and get the edge of the rod on it from the muzzle. However, I can’t get the remaining jacket to budge because the rod just bounces off the thin jacket rim when I strike it with a hammer. I’m hoping someone out there might have an idea that I haven’t. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I figure at the worst I’ll need a new barrel but I sure would like to avoid that. Thanks for your interest and help.

Thanks for the in-depth report.

The following are my observations comparing my new SHOTMAXX-2 timer after three practice sessions to the SHOTMAXX-1 timer that I owned for several years. In general, the functions of the SHOTMAXX-2 closely mirror those of my CED 7000 timer which isn’t a surprise considering DAA and CED collaborated on this one. You can download the SHOTMASS-2 user manual from the DAA - CED website if you want details on the various functions. Things I like about the new version: 1. It keeps track of the last 9 strings of fire. My CED 7000 does 10 but 9 is plenty. I use this feature repeatedly during my practice sessions and it has also saved re-shoots during matches if a time was not entered for the previous shooter. 2. The three buzzer tones are very distinctive. The highest pitched one is similar to my CED 7000. The mid-range one seems to be just slightly lower than a PACT timer. The low pitched one is almost soothing, which is probably not what you want to feel when your run begins. However, we have a couple of shooters who have poor hearing. My suspicion is that they will be able to hear the low-pitched tone much better than those of other timers. 3. The 7-level beeper volume adjustment works great. For practice, I set it at level 3 and can hear it perfectly. I had it set at level 7 on the mid-range tone when I was playing with it at the range the other day. We had eight shooters under an overhead cover shooting together on an outside bay. While I was playing with it I heard a “What is that beeping?” from a shooter six positions or about 30 feet away. That while multiple people were firing away between us. I was using the accelerometer function at the time. As with my SHOTMAXX-1 timer, it worked perfectly recording only my shots and not those of the other seven shooters. 4. I purchased the white face this time. My SHOTMAXX-1 had the black face which was the only style available when I bought it. The white face may be a bit easier to read when outside but truthfully, I have no problem with either. I don’t shoot indoors very often but when I used the V1 with the black background I had no problem reading it. The white face should be even easier to see in a darkened area or at twilight. 5. The buttons are easily activated through the silicone skin. I didn’t have one on my V1 so I can’t comment on whether this one is better. 6. It fits in the protective case from my V1 although the fit is quite tight. 7. The charging cable end is the same as used on my Samsung 6 cell phone. This was true for the V1 too. I don’t have to bring the second cable as a result. 8. I used it for over four hours and it’s still showing 100% charge. I think the next increment will be 75% but it appears that the battery in this version will take a much greater charge than the V1. Things I don’t like (all minor issues for me): 1. Aesthetically, the timer looks a bit like a hump backed whale mated with a Casio G-Shock watch. Generating the louder beeper volume came with a compromise apparently. I occasionally wore my V1 to lunch after a shooting session. This one is pretty ugly so I doubt I’ll wear it off the range. I bought it as a shooting timer and not a watch so this isn’t a big deal for me. 2. One other odd aspect is that when the beeper goes off it generates a puff of air against your wrist by the timer. The first two times it went off I thought a bug had landed on my wrist just as the beeper activated. It didn’t bother me any more once I figured out what was happening. 3. The Spy Mode delay doesn’t seem to be very useful. It is intended to offset the reaction delay we all have upon hearing the buzzer and beginning our draw movement and is adjustable up to 0.50 seconds. I tested the SHOTMAXX-2 on SPY using my CED 7000 to generate the actual start beep. In theory, the difference between the two time readouts should have been reasonably consistent if my reaction time was about the same. They weren’t even though I focused on quick and consistent reaction times. It made no difference if I started with my hands relaxed or in a surrender position. The good news is that if you’re using this at a match to check your transitions and splits all you really need is the “official” time and you can subtract the first shot time from the SPY reading. The difference between the two times will be your true first shot time. All the shot time splits after the first shot in SPY mode were perfectly in sync with those on the CED 7000. 4. With the silicone skin installed, I have the buckle tang in the fourth from the last slot. If I remove the protective skin, I pick up another slot position. My wrist circumference is probably in the typical range at a measured 6 7/8-inches. If you have thick wrists the band may not fit. Unfortunately, there isn’t any way to lengthen it. 5. The plastic screen protector included was an absolute POS from China. I think one piece of cover film that you remove during installation was missing. Neither of the two protectors included worked. Fortunately, I had a collection of protectors from old cell phones and simply cut one down to size and installed it. Using this technique, I’ll have enough for the rest of my life or the timer’s, whichever comes first. Overall, I’m quite happy with the new version and will use it routinely. I have no qualms about using this to RO shooters at a match in addition to my practice sessions. Only time will show if it exhibits any reliability issues like those many experienced with the original version. Hopefully, the good folks at DAA have eliminated those gremlins. BTW, I have no relationship with DAA or CED other than as a customer.

Crash, when you use it in dry fire practice and at max sensitivity, will it record the first hammer drop if you're using a pistol with one?

Well, I took a leap of faith and ordered the SHOTMAXX-2 with with the white face from DAA/CED as a birthday present to me. They had sent a $5 off coupon to me for my birthday which helped tip me off the fence. It came with a free silicone skin and screen protector as a promotion. Its still on as I write this. It comes with a one-year warranty and I opted to pass on the extended two-year warranty which would have added another $25. It arrived today (standard USPS 2 day priority delivery) and I've charged it up. It only took about an hour to get to 100% charge even though they recommend 3-4 hours before the first use. I'll charge it overnight just to make sure. Crash, the instructions note that the little charge icon only shows half-full while charging. If you put it into the watch mode and hit the Set button 7 times, it shows the actual charge level in percent. It was even set to the correct time and date already. How did they know I live in the Eastern Time Zone? Big Brother must be watching. I had no problem locating and downloading the firmware updating software from the DAA site (make sure you grab the V2 version, not the one for the original) as well as the latest firmware update. The procedure is identical to that used for the SHOTMAXX-1. I'll give it its maiden voyage tomorrow morning while practicing at the range. After reading the instruction manual, it operates largely the same as the V1 timer. The new features are a larger battery, three beep tones, adjustable beep volume and the string review. The adjustable beep tone and volume are very nice additions. WARNING: Based on my single experience if you set the beep tone to 3 (highest pitch tone), the volume to 7 (loudest) and then test it in your family room you will spend a good ten minutes trying to coax your dog out from under the bed. I never expected to see our 13-year old Jack Russel Terrorist jump that high again. I'll try the various tones tomorrow with my electronic ear muffs on. I strongly suspect that with the louder volume it will be very usable when I RO a shooter at matches. I'm particularly excited by the string review feature because I use that consistently during practice. It has also saved us from a couple of re-shoots at matches. The lack of this feature on the V1 was a deal-killer for me. I also plan to play with the spy mode in the morning. It no longer has a Bluetooth connection but that was a major disappointment anyway so I don't consider it a loss. I'll post an update after I use this timer a couple of times and let you know my likes and dislikes.

Let us know how the charging issue goes. IIRC, it took longer than 3-4 hours to completely charge my V! unit the first time.

I too had a SHOTMAXX V1 but unlike many others had no problems with it. It worked quite well for me, My primary disappointment was that it did not retain more than one string. That's the reason I'm considering a SHOTMAXX 2. I know that many folks had major reliability and durability issues with the original version. I'm hoping that someone with SHOTMAXX 2 experience can chime in here.

Has anyone purchased the new generation SHOTMAXX-2 timer? If so, what are your thoughts? Is it worth the $50 above the CED-7000?

Amen! Great to see that these incidents were the acts of a single individual and that the punishment befits the crime. Now hopefully we resume our regular programming.

This is an investigation that will require questioning and likely re-questioning of a variety of individuals. This will all take some time. Not everything can be resolved to provide near instant gratification. Look how long the powers that be have been trying to find the missing IRS emails. Give Chuck the respect, assistance if you can and time that he is due.

I think you are referencing the wrong quote above.

I generally reload around 400 to 450 per hour of 38 Supper on my XL 650 with an RF 100 primer loader running in the background. This is an easy cruise speed for me. When you add in the time for case prep, loading primers into the RF 100 and boxing up the completed rounds it is probably more like 300 rounds per hour. I don't like to rush this activity because I am more interested in quality than quantity. I listen to my iPod while reloading so I'm in no hurry.

Before you do a lot of work, change out parts or make any modifications try shooting your new JM Pro with a variety of ammo. Mine may be atypical but it has swallowed more than three dozen brands and loads of bird shot, buckshot and slugs with only one failure to eject in 1100+ rounds. I haven't changed a thing on it other than to add some sling swivels and a red dot scope. Do make sure, though, that you clean and oil it thoroughly before shooting it for the first time. Mine was full of gritty dirt.

I actually prefer the black background because living in Florida I'm almost always shooting in bright sunlight. I've worn it twice at indoor ranges and had no problem seeing the readout. The accelerator function really comes into its own at an indoor range. My single continuing complaint is the lack of storing the previous results as many other timers can. I can't believe it is all that difficult to add that capability.

Although some shooters use the same gun for carry and competition many of us have carry guns that differ from our normal USPSA or IDPA competition pistols. If so, how often do you practice with it?

This is an interesting thread. It seems that apples, oranges, lemons and limes are all being compared to each other. The costs for the various 1911's spans from $400 to at least $1500 and that's without any modifications. I see little point in arguing the merits of guns that are so dissimilar in cost. OP, how much can you afford to spend from start to finish? I have a 9mm Rock Island Tac FS II that I bought for $540 all in and it has all the features most people would desire. It shoot fine, is plenty accurate and I have used it in competition. Further up the price spectrum I have a 9mm Dan Wesson Guardian at $1400+. The quality of parts, fit, finish and accuracy are far better than the RIA. With its bobtail grip it is intended for carry and SD not completion but there are other DW models in the same price range that are eminently suitable and would likely need only a magwell and perhaps a front sight of your preference. Even if I chose a different Dan Wesson in the same price range and added some more bells and whistles to it I seriously doubt that my match performance would be significantly better. I am convinced that moving up to a Nighthawk, Ed Brown or other high end 1911 would probably result in no significant improvement over a DW at less than half the cost. My point is that you should figure out what modifications you want to make along with the estimated cost to do so. Most shooters look at changing out sights, grips and even safety levers to meet their personal preferences. Adding a magwells if allowed by the division rules is almost mandatory. Trigger jobs are often needed especially for the less expensive pistols. There are many other modifications that shooters make as well. Next set a total budget for the project. The difference between the two numbers will be what you can afford for the basic gun. Check out the 1911's available in that price range and pick the one you like the best. This is just a starting point because some guns will need fewer or less expensive modifications than others. The reality is that you're unlikely to end up with the first 1911 you buy as your "ultimate" competition gun. Just take the plunge, find out what you like and don't like and move on from there.

I have an $88 Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 on my JM Pro. It has worked fine for nearly two years and maintains its zero. These are shotguns for Pete's sake. Is a $400+ red dot really necessary?

Will a LM choke pass a slug?

It was indeed a terrific match. The highlight was standing around with the more "mature" shooters and watching the youngsters slide around on their backsides in the mud. Don't you guys know that speed kills?

The UF Pistol Team put on a very successful and safe first USPS match Sunday. Over thirty shooters were challenged with four great stages plus the ever popular Can You Count classifier. Kudos to both the UF team and the Gainesville Target Range for their continuing administrative, logistical and financial support for these matches. MNBob helped setup on Saturday evening even though he'd not yet shot with the north central Florida gang before. On Sunday we rewarded him by providing his first experience shooting in the Sunshine State sauna. We gave him a break from the heat though by treating him to a f 15 minute frog strangler between the second and third stages. It's always nice to be able to use your scuba equipment at a USPSA match. He and about twenty others then had the joy of shooting the classifier while standing in three inches of tepid water. Watching at least three fast but foolish shooters do their personalized slip-n-slide act supplied the comic relief. Not on of them DQ'd to each shooter's credit! I'm already looking forward to next month's match. The range will also host its first ever three gun match on June 21st. Now I just need to get my hands on one of those cool UF Pistol Team shooting shirts!

Many of my drills are multiple strings with total points counted at the end. To be a truly great tool for me the Shotmaxx trainer program needs to allow the use of strings and then require only total points.

Are you sighting with your strong, dominant eye? If so, try closing it and using your weak side eye. Also, try just putting the tip of your finger on the trigger face. Finally, try an entire training session using weak hand only.

+1 on the mouse pad. I don't have the rheostat yet two old mouse pads stacked on top of each other does the trick. I also have an in-line lamp dimmer that I can use in place of the rheostat but with the mouse pads I don't need it.

Today's offerings are on the site now. Lots of 9mm.

+1. I really like this scope and its reticle. It's much better than my old Millet DMS-1 but of course it cost more too.