mikeinctown

I appreciate the input, thanks. Now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just try to get a steel frame CZ 75 compact or a used CZ85

Sorry if this seems silly, but I'm contemplating picking up an XDm Competition. The various models can be had for relatively cheap currently and with the 4 magazine rebate ($150 worth of mags) I'm really considering picking one up. The 9mm is like $630, and the .40 and .45 can be had for $50 less than that and with a total of 7 mags, plus holster and magazine holder, it seems like a fantastic price. I've only shot a polymer pistol in .40 before when I had my Sig SP2022 and I hated how it felt, but then again I really don't like the feel of my P229 either so I'm thinking the .40 would probably not suit me. I already own a couple CZ 75s, one a regular SP-01 and the other a SP-01 Shadow Target that I want to use for USPSA on the various weekends near me. However, I found an IDPA club that shoots after work on Mondays and Tuesdays. I was thinking of picking up the XDm for IDPA shooting OR for my girlfriend to use if she wants to shoot with me at some point. (and lets be honest, who doesn't want more guns?) Since IDPA has different rules, does it make sense to pick up the XDm 5.25 for the local IDPA use and just use my Shadow Target for USPSA shooting?

From the person I bought my Shadow Target from last winter; I haven't used 147s yet so this is where I am going to start since he managed 20,000 rounds downrange and the gun was still in fantastic shape.

Not even gun related... Why oh why did tips for something suddenly become a hack? So tired of seeing hacks for everything under the sun. 10 hacks with white vinegar. WTF? Hell I even get emails from babies R us with 10 baby hacks! Give it a rest already.

Thank you, Fastlane. I will never understand the IDPA with some of their rules. It is one thing to have rules banning ports in the slide and doing significant work, but to outlaw work needed to install a new sight is just absurd. At least now I can compete more local in one class.

Late to the party but I'm trying to wrap my head around this. Last fall I picked up a used CZC Shadow target to use in USPSA under the assumption is wasn't IDPA legal due to the milling for the rear sight. So ow the Shadow Target is legal in IDPA? Which divisions would a target be legal assuming it is in stock form as shipped from CZC? (I don't have a magwell or anything else on it) This would be great news and the closest USPSA ranges are an hour away from me where several IDPA ranges are within a half hour. (or used to be)

I too started using 135 blue bullets. Accurate as far as I can tell. I'm using 3.8-3.9 hp38.

Actually you did by your choice of words. "primers are mixed wet, worked wet, and stored wet"

It's not about the gun, it is about the mainspring. The Shadow I have will run reliably on anything with the 13lb, but it has the 11 in it now which will run Winchester and Federal. The person I bought it from let me know it will run Federal only if I wanted to go down to the 8 pound spring for decreased DA pull.

Yes, it is the 66564 set. Thanks. maybe because the set was on my wishlist it had a diferent web address attached to it.

I have a cheap Harbor Freight punch set that works for general use, but I'd like to get something more geared to specific gun type applications. I was looking at this set from amazon (Tekton) and was wondering if anyone may own it or can recommend something else in the general price range that may be better. Currently the set is $39 https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-66564-Gunsmith-Punch-18-Piece/dp/B012TKY0VI/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1481648602&sr=1-1&keywords=66564

No, it won't be in the humidity for the next 4 months because the containers are sealed. Unless some new magical humidity comes along and can permeate that plastic jug, you are only dealing with temperature changes, which shouldn't be an issue.

As long as it remains sealed then I wouldn't worry. however, when you bring it in to use it, let it warm for a few days before opening otherwise you will get some of that condensation. (Not much though given the ultra low humidity)

I just went from 45ACp to 9mm and aside from changing from large primer to small primer it was cake. As mentioned if you get a new tool head and powder measure you will never need to readjust your dies. Slide the entire tool head in and out when you do the conversion. the caliber conversions are about $80 plus shipping. You'll change the shell plate, locator pins, the two colored plastic things at the case feed, and a threaded spacer under where the color casefeed things are. You'll also get a powder funnel to install in your new toolhead with powder measure. The complete setup with tool head plus powder measure and caliber conversion is roughly $200 lus whatever dies you select. Seems like a bunch until you change for the first time and don't have to touch any of your dies or powder settings. Then you will be glad you spent that extra hundo. If you go on youtube and search 650 caliber conversion you'll find a series of videos by a guy changing from 45 to 9mm. He really explains everything in detail, including the primer assembly which you won't need to touch. Good luck.

Everything by me has been available pretty much all along except Federal SPP. Those were on sale a year or so back locally for like $22/1,000 but ever since then I haven't seen a single box anywhere. I can buy any other Federal, CCI, Winchester, and even a Remington.

Never a problem with any dies. (I load 45 and just started 9mm) My fingers turn black after I play with my gun for a bit, but some soap and water takes care of that too.

What caliber? 9mm can be had for $20-25/1,000 nearly everywhere these days, except for some people who haven't realized the ammo shortage is mostly over. I buy 1,000 at $25 and 5,000 is like $105. .40 is as cheap as 9mm from my experience, if not cheaper in some cases. .45 has crazy swings. I buy mine at $30 or less per 750. I see lots of people charging that for 500. 380 auto is the same way. $40-$60 per thousand. I pick up whatever I can now and just add it to a pile to be cleaned at some point. When I get enough of a pile together then I'll dump a bunch into the bin and let it work while I watch television or load something else. Still haven't used a single case that I've cleaned as I'm still working my way through brass that I've purchased from others. I've bought one batch of 9mm from a guy on Ar-15 and a batch of .40 from a guy I know on another forum. Everything else I've ever bought was local from a gun show. Usually at the show you can buy in bulk and the person is usualy willing to knock off a few bucks a bag if you are buying a hundred bucks in brass. The downside is carrying it all back to the car. Hopefully since i plan on shooting in 2017 in USPSA, I'll be able to pick up all the brass I can get my hands on once i get done helping tear down at the end of a match. Then I won't need to spend a dollar on brass anymore.

What model magazine and what gun? I got 500 ETM mags with my Sig and never had a problem. Just upgraded to the Wilson flat wire springs and you can tell they have a bit more strength to them than the OE 500 springs.

IDescribe, the FCD is really no different than the Dillon die in my findings when the die in station #1 correctly sizes the brass. The key is to actually follow the instructions and not adjust the insert too far down to start and then to sneak up on your target. For 9mm, the Lee die in station #1 sizes the brass correctly and so the FCD does almost nothing in station #5. Can you adjust too far down and screw things up? Sure, but one would assume people at least read the instructions.

Get yourself a steel guide rod as well. The stock plastic one will look bowed or way deformed after a short time.

Sorry, I didn't respond as I didn't realize my post had been moved here. I guess it could be that McAfee had this site listed as whatever for the words firearms or gun or whatever, but there was definitely something else. Anyway, I have found that this morning I am no longer getting that message and the pages are working just as they always have been. So whatever the site admin did, thank you!!!

Looks like the vast majority so far say ghost. Guess I'll order a couple and see how they work in practice.

I want to start shooting USPSA Production in 2017 and am trying to decide on what pouches to start purchasing. I just bought a DAA Pro belt and a PDR Pro II holster. I am planning on Shooting a CZ SP-01. (SP-01 Shadow and stock FPB SP-01) My budget and time is limited so I'll most likely only be able to shoot one or two matches a month and I really can't justify $50 plus on a single pouch. That said, I've been looking at the Ghost 360 pouches, CR Speed pouches, and a knock off I've seen on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/302037219944?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT So I'm looking at $25 max a pouch. Ideally I'll be picking up 6 of them, but would like to grab 2-4 to start so I can practice magazine changes at home this winter. Wondering what input you all have for each different design and what has worked for you. Also, I may want to try single stack with my 1911, so if these pouches would work with single stack, that may be a plus.

I'm so glad I read this. Local place has this on sale for $99 an 8 pound jug. They have one set aside with my name on it.

Thanks for the heads up. I think my local place may have N320 on the shelf. I know they got tons of titegroup, but every reloading manual I've read pretty much showed the HP38 being a universally liked powder for 380 and 9mm. In the Shadow, I have an 11 pound return spring. Did you notice that you had to go with a stiffer spring or were you able to keep a lower weight spring in there? (if you use a different than stock spring?) I don't have spares at the moment and would probably need to order a few spares for testing.