[45 powder problem?]

I shot some of my cousins reloads today out of my 1911, and when I was shooting I noticed powder flying all over my arm. I know he loaded them with titegroup, but that's all any suggestions on why there was powder going everywhere

My favorite bullseye pistol load for 25 yards with the 45 ACP is 3.8 gr HS-700X, Rem 2.5 behind a 185 gr. LSWC - accurate and mild ca 720 fps velocity. The only minus is the unburned powder grains down my arm.

[Berrys 185 HBRN .45 ACP]

.. tested a bunch of powders with the Berry's HBRN.

Did you try any light loads? I've got some of these bullets, and want to load some bunny farts for practice use in an alloy Commander. I'm getting old and can't handle an extended session of recoil any more: I'll pay for it for days afterward.

I normally use WST, but if I go below 4.0 grains the burn becomes erratic and case obturation is spotty (lots of black soot along the case). This is with 230 FMJ in an HK45C, which is my EDC/shoot-a-lot piece. 4.2 of WST under the 230 ball bullet is perfect in it, but I doubt this Commander will attenuate recoil as well as the HK does.

I'm willing to change powders, but don't have the time right now for an exhaustive "test"; just looking to see if anyone has stumbled upon a good, light-recoiling load. I realize I'll probably have to go to a lighter spring, but that's okay too.

Bottom line here, I haven't fooled with a 1911-style pistol, shooting or reloading, in a very long time. I've also got some 200gr Bayou Bullets SWCs.

Any suggestions appreciated...

.

For lioght loads I use Trail Boss powder. I have also found that V V N-310 brns fairly clean with low velocity loads.

[KB close call, need case/ammo diagnosis]

I only pick up once fired brass and for the high pressure cartridges such as 9mm and 40 S&W I toss the brass into the scrap heap after 4 reloads. With low pressure cartridges such as 38 Special and 45 ACP I tend to use the brass until it strats to fray at the mouth.

[.38 super minor load using 160 bayou bullet]

I have used 3.4 to 3.6 gr. WST with the Rainier 151 gr and Berry's 147 gr. plated bullets in a S&W 627 reolver.

[Dumb Question TIme]

There may be uneducated answers but there are no dumb questions.

[Tell me about the STI Tac Sol .22 conv]

I have used several 22 conversion untis on my 1911's. Given that the only difference between the single stack and wide bodied conversion untis is the "external filler" to build up the magazine I would believe you would expereince the same results.

If you want bullseye level accuracy then the Marvel #1 is the unti for you. However it has an aluminum slide and does not lock back after firing the last round. Being an old bullseye shooter I instinctively count my shots so have never considered this a limitation. My two units have been totally reliable with SV ammo.

The Advantage Arms #1 unit is similar to the Marvel but has a small steel insert placed on the insdie of the aluminum slide. In my limited expereince this steel insert shears/loosens it's retainers and does not provide a relaible slide lock back feature. The unit is designed to run with HV ammo.

The all steel Tactical Solutions conversion unit is an improvement on the older Jarvis unit. Functions very reliably with CCI Mini Mag ammo. Infrequently one has a fired case which does not totally eject and prevents the next round from chambering. Accuracy is not comparable to the Marvel but more than adequate for any practical pistol events.

[2 calibers one gun]

A number of years ago I was able to acquire a Dan Wesson Pointman with two uppers - 9mm and 40 S&W. It's a neat idea on paer but in actuality I tend to use the individual complete guns rather than changing uppers. The use of multiple uppers on a single frame is widely practised in parts of Europe where the number of handguns one can own is severly limited.

[Steel challenge 22 caliber guns]

Shot a Steel Challenge match today and watched the .22 pistol shooters... It seems like almost every shooter had some kind of jamming problem...

Is it common for .22 pistols (in general) to jam up a lot?

22's are dirty ammo and guns chambered for 22's are ammo sensitive. I have a Walther GSP and Pardini SP which have had more than 10,000 rounds each fired without a single malfunction using Wolf MT and SKJagd ammo. The Walther will also digest CCI SV but the Pardini hiccups with it. My original Marvel 22 conversion unit has been totally reliable with the above ammo as well as Aguilla SE SV ammo. I also have a Jarvis and Tactical Solution conversion units for my 1911's and they prefer HV ammo with a distinct preference for CCI Mini Mag. My S&W Model 41 runs perfectly with CCI SV and Aguilla SE SV as well as the two imported brands.

[Steel challenge 22 caliber guns]

The S&W Model 41 right out of the box has a superb trigger, very reliable with SV ammo and is outstandingly accurate. Besides the S&W 41 one can consider the Browning Buckmark, Ruger and the Marvel 22 conversion unit on a 1911 frame.

[S&W 625 JM trigger job problems]

If you have an extended length firing pin from either Apex or Cylinder & Slide installedin your gun, you should not be experiencing any problems using fully seated Federal primers.

[Moonclips]

I place my rounds in the moonclips before tha match and then package them in recycled small priority mail boxes which I tape up with cello tape. Virtually no additional weight or space in the small bag I carry with me at the match.

[My 16-40 Limited Customization list - Thoughts?]

I replaced the factory "innards" with a Dawson set (DK Hammer, C&S sear, disconnector & springs) and forget whose steel mag release. I also replaced the factory grips with a set of Pachmayr rubber. Otherwise the gun is stock. I determined that a magwell does not really improve my reload times and they are not the critical factor in limiting my shooting peformance.

[5" 627 vs 5" 625]

For fast reloads nothing beats gravity and those big holes in the cylinders of the 625. Those 45ACP's loaded with 230 gr. RN bullets almost drop in to the chambers as if they were magnetized.

[Anyone else use a Para LDA in Production?]

I have the P18-9LDA Limited - excellent accuracy and reliability. One has to familiarize onself with the unigue long double reset of the PO LDA trigger.

[Single Stack Minor]

Personally I can control 45ACP major a lot easier than 40 S&W major loads. The 45 gives me more of a shove while the 40 gives me a whack.

[Glock 27 .40 Kaboom this weekend]

I wonder if you had a squib/reduced load which went partly into the barrel unnoticed and then was followed by a normal load.

A fellow shooter had that happen to his 1911 in 45ACP and never noticed the squibb/reduced load. Then hefound that he could not open the slide. Luckily the 45ACP is a low pressure cartridge and he bulged the barrel but did no other damage. In a 40 S&W that would have become the disaster you describe.

[If I have a squib]

i purchased some round brass mill stock and made myself some squibb rods in 9mm, 40 and 45 with very close for to the bore. I would never use a wood dowel - too much risk of a broken piece of wood.

[WAA Lite in 45 ACP ?]

Has anyone tried using WAA lite in 45 ACP loads with either 185 gr. lead or jacketed bullets?

I purchased a keg for 12 ga reloads, found it to be very clean burning but cannot find any data for it's use in 45 CAP. It appears to be a fast burning powder much like VV N-310.

[610 vs 625]

There is something about those big holes in the 625's cylinder which makes for speedier reloads with fewer hangups. The added mass of the 230 gr. bullets also is an advantage.

[1911 grips]

I find the ERGO grips suit me well and have them on all my 1911's.

[SA Trophy Match vs TRP?]

I purchsed a SAS TM several years ago. It is tightly fit and shoots very accurately. My only gripe with the SA TM is the lousy trigger pull. I replaced the cast seart, disconnector & hammer with a set from Frerking Gun Works at Camp Perry two years ago.

Does the TM have that Schwartz lock on the inside of the magwell as do some of the other 1911's?

The SA TM has a lock which is activated with a key on the rear of the mainspring housing. When I replaced the innards I also replaced the mainspring housing.

[SA Trophy Match vs TRP?]

I purchsed a SAS TM several years ago. It is tightly fit and shoots very accurately. My only gripe with the SA TM is the lousy trigger pull. I replaced the cast seart, disconnector & hammer with a set from Frerking Gun Works at Camp Perry two years ago.

[Who is the best Smith for cylinder chamfering]

I'll second buckarro45's comment. I had a local "butcher" (purported gunsmith) do the moonclip conversion on ny S&W 586 - I was appalled at the very crude machining. Send it in to TK Custom ot Clark and get the job done correctly.

[Best 38 spl brass for moonclips?]

I have a 586-0 which uses Ranch Products moonclips with either federal or Remngton Brass. The Ranch products moonclips for my 627 can use either W-W Ni or Brass, federal or remington but are stiffest with W-W nickel. Pick the brass which best fits your moonclips - not rocket science.

[Never Under Estimate the Value of a Case Guage]

O vcase gauge all mu semi auto rounds but have found that my newer Dan Wesson PM-9 has a very tight chamber and it is best to use that guns barrel for any brass which has been reloaded more than 2 times.