[2011 must have spare parts list]

Like other said, I always have a backup gun.  Also carry an extra firing pin, batteries, grip screws, recoil and main springs, aftec springs.  Also a small tools kit and a cleaning kit

[Open shooters, do you clean/lube during match?]

I never have during a match.  I'll usually do it before a major match.  I have been using the lucas oil lube

[Mount problems converting to micro dots]

I have the Brazos mount on all of mine but one which has a limcat mount, I never had a problem with any of my open guns with mounts not fitting

[Preferred Dot for Open - 8 MOA or 10 MOA]

I have (2) 6 MOA RTS2's and (2) 8 MOA RTS2's.  Both are very bright in the sun and i like the shape of the window.  I have also tried a friend's 2.5 MOA DPP, both dots are very nice in IMO.  Try both to see which one you like best.

[Steel grips]

i just picked up the lone star aggressive texture.  I'm currently getting it installed by my gunsmith Venom Customs.  I love the texture.  I currently have the DVC grips on my open guns.  Excited to try it out live fire 

[Glock 35 9mm open?]

I started out USPSA with an open glock 17 gen 4 with a lone wolf barrel and a carver custom comp.  You can definitely play in open but it definitely doesn't run like a 2011.  I love glocks but for open IMO the 2011 is the way to go.

 

If you're just looking to shoot in open though, the glock will definitely work

[Favorite Trigger]

I like the glock triggers edge trigger for my gen 4

 

[Any other 9mm "DVC Steel" shooters out there?]

Not a DVC steel, but I still have my first steel open gun, an STI match master.  I needed to have it worked over by Venom Customs to get it working, but now its running fine 100%.

[MBX mags better than older Gen1 STI?]

I love the MBX mags, never any issues.  I honestly haven't had any issues with my STI Gen 2 mags either

[9 major]

I'm chrono WAC 6.9  at 171 PF.  Precision Delta JHP at 1.165 OAL

[Thumb rest on open guns, experiences....]

I love the GoGun.  Definitely wouldn't shoot without one either.  Have them on all of my open guns

[Coated bullets]

I've used blue bullets and black bullets before.  Blue seemed to work better for my gun but they're definitely not as accurate pushing major PF

[DPP or RTS2]

RTS2 for me I’ve just made the switch for this season but they’ve held up great so far.  Both of mine are the V4

[Sunglasses and red dots]

i use polarized rayban sunglasses.   They work great

[Need 2011 mags, suggestions]

+1 on the MBX mags.  The gen 2 STI mags have been working pretty well too

[Gun case]

I have the same Pelican 1470.  Fits the guns great and like others said perfect for traveling

["Shorty" open guns for USPSA?]

Yep exactly, yes the shorty is lighter, if that’s what you are worried about transition wise, but not to the point, in my opinion, to make you any better.

 

Im sure some do like it over full size guns, but that’s the nice thing about open, it’s all personal preference.  I was lucky where I was able to try out a full size gun from a friend compared to my shorty.  I think you’ll enjoy shooting the full sized gun more

["Shorty" open guns for USPSA?]

I had a STI Matchmaster, definitely can tell the difference between the shorty and the full size.  Shorty is for sure snappier for major loads, I for sure like shooting the full size gun for major loads

 

Running minor through the shorty isn’t bad though.  If I had to do it over again I would have started with the full size gun

[Stock STI.]

My first all steel open gun was an STI match master.  Had to buy an Aftec, have my gunsmith install a slide racker and work the ejector, after that it ran smoothly

 

I don't know what rates your local gunsmith charges or if you have one by you.  For the cost i bought my STI match master new i could have had my local gun smith build me a gun.  I currently have 3 builds from him now working on a 4th.

[Dillon Square Deal Shell Plate Bolt]

I broke quite a few bolts on my SDB have over 60k on the machine Dillon always sent replacements though.  Seems like it’s common 

[Magazine round count critical?]

Agreed I’d rather have more rounds than not enough just in case....

[2011 mags]

MBX.  I have Gen 1 mags with grams springs and followers with a TTI basepad.  Gen 2 mags have had no issues either.  MBX ran just fine out the box no tuning needed.  

[.40 or .45 Single stack?]

I have both a .40 and .45.  The .40 is custom built and my 45 is a Colt.  Never had any issues with either just prefer the 40 for reloading purposes.

[2018 Goals]

Win a level II match, place top 3 in an Area match, top 25 in Nats

[2018 powder scale recommendations ?]

I use a Dillon as well.  I also have a cheap electronic scale as well, Frankfort Arsenal, I purchased it off Amazon and it has been pretty reliable as well.