Bamboo

I always use the thumb safety for a thumb rest, don't know if I could shoot a 1911/2011 well any other way. Agreed, some are wider than others, but my thumb rests on them all.

^^^ Yep, that is what I do. Grease rails and lugs and then cut with a drop or two of light oil. FP10 is a favorite of mine, but will also use Breakfree CLP or Triflow. Slide glide is very good, but other greases like Super Lube, Rig +P for stainless, Lucas red n tacky work well when cut with a little oil also. The only area I use pure grease is on the sear > hammer hooks, and there I use an engine assembly lube like Crower.

Nope. I have one lonely unopened 12 oz bottle on the shelf. It may be the last of its kind. Anyway, I have switched to other powders and probably wouldn't buy more even if it did become available again. If you are really stuck on S1K might want to consider trying a pound of American Select which is a double based powder with a very low NG percentage that IMO is very similar to S1K in performance and feel, plus it seems to be a little more consistent lot to lot. Also worth trying is Vectan GM3 which is a single based ball powder. It has been working out real well for me in minor 9mm gamer loads - very clean, consistent velocities, meters well once it has settled in the hopper, pretty cheap, and is readily available. The charge weights are less than those for S1K but supposedly it is a slower burning powder around the SR7526 range.

Yeah, from what I understand the need for fitting is hit and miss. I ordered a 9mm long slide conversion from EAA and when it arrived I literally took it out of the mailer box and ran it on my Limited Elite frame. I later got a .40 long slide off the forums and did the same thing. No fitting required. However, be prepared as I hear some do need minor fitting.

I purchased a 9mm long slide kit from EAA (pre price hike...whew!) and it works fine on my elite limited frame. I would rather have had the Elite Limited upper but the wait was stupidly long at that time. As it was I waited about 10 months or something like that. EAA is the only retail source I know, but people sell them here on BE. There is a buy/sell thread dedicated to Tanfos. Might want to look through that and if you don't see anything then post what you are wanting to buy and maybe somebody will have it. I have a few Tanfo items I'm been meaning to sell and need to post, but no 9mm uppers.

For Steel Challenge I re-tooled my holster rig and am recycling an old Safariland 008 which has the grip riding a little above the belt line. I always liked the draw from that holster and right now I think it's position gives me a more consistent draw for Steel Challenge stuff. We'll see!

I found that the 9mm data for Short Colts is a good guide, but I get less velocity out of the Short Colts from my 627 5" revolver than I do with the same loads in 9mm from a 5" 1911 or 4.75" Tanfo. Might just be my 627 but i figured it was because of the cylinder gap and cylinder>forcing cone pressure losses.

Thank you. I am only 1 second away from a screw up, and appreciate the reminder to exercise discipline and vigilance when reloading.

I shoot a 627 also and have to ask....you stated: "I had a little reloading issue and seam to have bulged mine a little." Would you mind sharing your experience? I appreciate when folks share their "Lessons Learned" stories.

Using a little lube makes all the difference. Easier on the brass, easier on the machine, easier on you.

8 to 10 was an improvement and the upgrade went without a hitch. As others have said, not going to upgrade any of my windows 7 machines.

I like that, a lot! Thanks for the pics.

Anybody have any experience with the BladeTech Pro Series Speed holster? Looking at pictures from the Rev Nationals (last years?) it looks like at least a couple top folks are using that holster and a Safariland USPSA hanger kit to attach it to the belt. If it wasn't a Bladetech Pro Series holster it was one that was cut down and looked a lot like it.

Yes, except that the datum for the headspace on that drawing is not used for the Nonte reamed 38 super (or supercomp, of course) chamber. If you are looking for how deep to ream, that is up for debate but I think that .917 is too deep, and .900 is not deep enough. I try to get in the .908-.910 range so that well shot range brass doesn't cause any out of battery jams.

"What weight bullet was you using before trying the 135 bayou? I have shot them for almost 2 years and love them but have been thinking of trying the 125TC that bayou has. I have heard that they are really accurate." Mostly 125 grain bullets out of the 9mm guns. Generally, I like the snappier feel of a lighter bullet.

Last week I tried some Bayou Bullet 135 gr bullets in 9mm loads and really liked them. These were sized to .358 as I got them initially for revolver but decided to do some 9mm load development in a 1911 9mm and a Tanfo. I loaded all loads to 1.140" OAL and tested at power factors from 125 to about 140. The accuracy was pretty good in both guns - about 2" -2 1/2" or so at 20 yd. off bags (about as good as I can hold with iron sights these days), they fed well, and there was no barrel leading at all. The Tanfo barrel was throat reamed by Beven Grams (recommended if you have loading long issues - he does a good job for very fair price), and the 1911 is a stock Dan Wesson barrel which seems to accept most bullet profiles loaded out to about 1.150" OAL. I really like the way the 135 grain bullets feel and think this may become my go-to load after I expend my current stash of 9mm minor bullets. I may get some .356 sized bullets to try before placing a big order, if there is no difference I may go with the .356 sized bullets. Didn't realize SNS was making a 135 grain bullet, but I've used SNS before and they make a good bullets. Probably worth trying a sample.

After trying one for a while I think it is a good idea and a good mount. I have Serendipitys on a couple guns and like them, and a Cheely offset that came with another Out of curiosity I thought I'd try the Cheely for a while and if there were any issues take it off and install a DoubleTap mount. Frankly, I thought it might have kind of a funky feeling or affect dot acquisition, but so far...nope. After using it I see no reason to take it off as I can't tell any difference and the offset isn't an issue whatsoever.

This may be an odd question - with the STI gunsmith fit trigger has anybody had any success adding material and reshaping it? I have one that is a little short for me and was wondering if there an epoxy (maybe JB weld with micro-balloons to keep the weight down???) that could be used to add trigger length and then the trigger reshaped?

Some powders are known to vary quite a bit from lot to lot (SR4756, Solo1000, etc.) and some are pretty consistent (the VV powders, ball powders like 231, Bullseye, etc.) I usually try to get as much of the same lot as possible and places like Powder Valley are usually really good about giving canisters from the same lot when requested. When changing lots it is best to load a sample and chrono check to make sure before loading up a boatload of ammo ASSUMING the velocities/pressures will be the same. Having 1k of loaded rounds that makes 163PF kind of sucks.

Unfortunately, my account had a glitch and I don't have any PM or posting history, and I don't recall the name of the BE member making the heavier straps. But, the service from Safariland is pretty good and if you call them and tell them you broke the metal keepers they will send you replacements. I'd ask for extra and run two doubled up.

I've never used trailboss, but do use the dillon extra small charge bar for loading 38 Short Colts. The extra small charge bar made a noticeable difference with throw consistency with powders (shotgun flake) like Clays/Clay Dot, American Select, and 700x. I believe Mike NM is correct, the opening was squared so the flakes would pack in more consistently. If you are having consistency issues I'd suggest polishing the powder measure and if that doesn't make things better then spend the 30 bucks and get the extra small charge bar from Dillon.

Agreed, if you could get something like a used weaver T-36 that would be ideal. Several years ago got a BSA 36x fixed scope from Midway as a black Friday special thinking it would be a total piece of junk. I now use it for the exact purpose you are describing. I'll use it to develop a load or maybe shake a rifle out, then put a better scope on it with less magnification. The glass isn't great, but it is good enough and the turret movements are repeatable and consistent. These are less than 100 bones and the Midway return policy is good. Not sure I'm recommending it exactly, but this has been working for me so far.

^^^ Nice!

I've used Shooters Source before and can easily recommend them. They have good product with outstanding service. I'd like to find a good source for once fired .308 brass that is reasonable.

I have both and can't tell (or measure) any difference between the lee and EGW brand. However, I do agree with supporting EGW when possible, great company. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=211664