redwoods

I carry an STI Tactical 4" with aluminum frame while on duty. Its a 40 and I use Federal Hydra-shok ammo now, but we are switching to the win ranger rounds. I used to carry a 5" steel frame model, but wanted to cut the weight so I went with the 4" aluminum frame which is 28 ounces, much closer to the glock 22 and 21s that we are issued if we want one. We can carry anything that is reliable, accurate, and that we can shoot well with. the glock is not a good fit for everyone. Only one time did not gun not go off during a training since my hand was too high on the beavertail and I had to regrip the gun. It is reliable with the ammo I shoot. I use a 126mm mag and then the 140mm mags for my two extra on my belt. Randy

I had some replies to my first post about my method being "unsafe". That is why I replied by stating "I never cover the ejection port when I do this". I think it IS unsafe to cover the ejection port with your hand when you rack the slide, especially if you do it quickly. My method only involves reaching to the right with my right hand when the round ejects to the right. I think a video would be helpful on any one of these posts. Randy

I never cover the ejection port with my hand when I do this. My hand is about 1-2 feet away from the gun when I catch the round. If the round goes off, my hand is on the back of the slide as it is being racked. My hand goes from the back serrations to the far right side to catch the round after it flies to the right from being ejected.

I just got into trap two years ago and had been playing with choke selection. If I shoot it before it starts to drop, I am using Light Modified. If I shoot it after it peaks and starts to drop, I am using mod or Improved mod. You should be able to hit with modified almost all the way out. I would stick with Mod unless you want to buy a choke for shooting at the 27, then get Imp Mod. I even shoot with Improved cylinder at the 16 yard line sometimes. So mod is fine for you for now. Randy

Anything that holds the mags while you run and gun. Most common are the USPSA limited/open mag pouches. CR Speed, DAA, Safariland 773/771. I sometimes have limited setup for all pistol stages and then a 3 gun belt that I change stuff around on and then only use 2 pistol mag pouches that I have extra and only have to take off the holster on my pistol rig. I use the CR Speed mag pouches.

Using a 1911, I install an extended slide lock/stop lever that is longer and possibly a little wider with a flat shelf. This allows me to seat the mag with my right hand and then reach up with my right hand fingers (middle one) and release the slide. Works great, but I am going to try method "D" of putting my trigger finger on the stop and see how that works. Randy

Here is a write up on a new pistol that uses 2011 mags and is striker fired or single action. http://bearingarms.com/army-wants-new-handgun-way-can-now/2/ It can be found at www.detonicsdefense.com It looks good.

The 11 coil springs are for the 126-140mm mags, the 13 coil springs are for the 170mm mags. I have some mags that were tuned by a gunsmith and are 126mm with less coils than 11. You can cut them down for capacity and/or reliability, but I think it is more for capacity. Randy

Which gun are we talking about? For my 1911 single stack, I found an interesting way to do it. If you are not running a 1911, fastest way is to use thumb/web of thumb on slide in front of ejection port with right hand. You could also grab slide on rear serrations and pull back and release.

I would start with 45 since it will be easier to load and you will learn the machine faster. 223 takes case prep and you need to run it slower and it takes longer to get it running right. Have fun, it is a great setup!

I just bought a new upper for 3 gun. You may be interested in this black Friday deal that goes until Dec. 1st. www.dsgarms.com 16" barrel with seekins 15" handguard ff Adjustable gas block Comes with upper receiver, barrel, forend, BCG and bolt. mid length gas system $399

I have an STI Tactical 4" with aluminum frame that I use as a duty handgun as a police officer. The 40 is supposed to be more reliable in the double stack STI guns than 45. I have a recoil master in there since it came with the gun and it Is reliable. I carry it with a 126mm mag and SV wedge base pad, the extra mags are 140mm. As long as you have reliable mags (tuned), it is a reliable gun. Make sure you shoot your self defense rounds out of it to make sure they feed with the gun. I am using Federal Hydrashok 180gr. right now, but we are moving to 180gr Winchester ranger rounds. The alum frame gun is around 28oz I think. That is why I went alum, cause I wanted to save on weight. About the weight of a glock. It does shoot more snappy than my limited STI full length dust cover gun, but that is to be expected. The grip is familiar as well as the controls, but it does flip a little more. It would be a good carry gun if you make sure it is reliable. Mine also had a reliability tuning by dawson, but not sure all that was done since I bought it slightly used (from another officer). Randy

The safest and easiest way to...as the title says "Ammo Catching @ Match" is to shoot left handed, as I do. At ULSC, I keep the gun pointed down range with elbow at 90 degree angle (just above hips) Take my support/weak hand and rack the slide Reach to the right side, where the round was ejected and attempt to catch it. (90% catch rate) Then go back and move slide to rear again to show clear I never have to flip the gun, the gun never moves I keep it parallel to ground and pointed down range My support/weak hand never goes in front of the barrel, only to where the gun naturally ejects the round The round would have no way of detonating on the ejector, since the gun is designed to be racked that way. I don't drop the slide when I rack it, I ride it. I put the round in my pocket or in a mag after I am holstered. FINALLY AN ADVANTAGE TO BEING LEFT HANDED!!! Randy

I used to live in NEPA (Northeastern Pennsylvania for those who don't know the acronym). I live in Colorado now but would love to come back to visit relatives and shoot a match. Let me know where you shoot. Randy

By horizontal you mean the side of it? And by vertical the hole would be going from the top of the rod to the bottom when installed in the gun? Any specific drill bit I need to buy? What about a size? I was going to look at the hole in my 5" rod and find a bit that fits it for sizing purposes. Any worries about the rod breaking with a hole in it? This is for my duty gun as a cop. Thanks, Randy

I have an STI Tactical in 4.15" with an aluminum frame. 40sw. I am taking out the recoil master and replacing it with a FLGR. The gun has a bull barrel and reverse plug. The Wilson guide rod has no holes in it and I cannot get it into the gun. I have not found a 4" guide rod with a takedown hole in it. I am using the reverse plug in the gun but need to drill a hole in the guide rod for a takedown tool. Anyone ever drill a hole in a guiderod for this purpose? Thanks, Randy

I am shooting Standard in this match. I have never shot an IPSC match, only USPSA. What do I have to be aware of regarding differences between Limited vs. Standard? Besides... 1. Must make 170 power factor instead of 165. 2. Mags cannot be 140mm, must use 126 or 124mm mags (but what is the overall size?) I have dawson intl and SV wedge basepads. 3. Gun must fit in a box, so I pulled off my Dawson Ice magwell and replaced it with my STI magwell 4. I can't use my 6" sexy limited gun, so I am bringing my 5" to fit in the box. 5. No sight picture prior to start signal. 6. My mag carriers have to be like production and single stack, not in the front but on my side. Thanks, Randy

If you do decide to go with Brownells, ask for the small package rate. It is like 5.95 or similar. They do it for small packages.

He was a c class SS shooter at the Florida Open in Feb, then got 16th overall at SS nationals. They bumped him to B. I am sure he will be bumped again when he attends the next area match.

Are u crimping your rounds? If u are, that might push the shoulder down a little. That is what I was told when I had a similar problem.

You start shooting 3gun with what you have. If you decide to build an AR for 3 gun, wait a while to find out what would work best for the matches you attend. in general, 3gun AR builds go similar to this 18" or 20" barrel rifle length gas system Effective comp Fixed length stock gas impingement system, not piston system rifle or longer length handguard 12-15" Any AR will do, but if you build one specifically for 3gun, you need to know what to buy that will allow for accuracy and fast follow up shots. Randy

I have a limcat dragoncat 38s open gun and don't recall having any jams or malfunctions with it. once you get it, just don't go and start changing springs and guide rods and stuff. I had a problem once in another open gun, not my limcat, and it took me forever to figure it out, but it turned out I changed my bullet and didn't check the OAL. It was shorter and it needed to be longer, then it ran great. Limcat guns are the nicest looking guns out there. They will run from the factory.

The final scores on practiscore show raw time, penalties, and the final time along with your ranking for that stage.

11 to 12.5 lb spring 40 major in an sti 5 and 6 inch gun. Buy both springs and find out which one you like better.

There are a bunch of threads in the Multigun section regarding the best barrels for 3 gun. I have searched and read a lot, so here is what I came up with. 18-20 inch barrels with rifle length gas systems and not a bull barrel seem to be what most people think are the best. If you are only going to shoot 200 yards or less, then a 16inch will do, but you will loose out on the softer impulse of the rifle length gas system. If you already have a gun, use that one for a few matches until you figure out what other people use and if it is an advantage to what you use. It all comes down to if you want, need, or are a gear junky. Randy