open17

Yes. Just started using one the past year after I noticed some questionable results when tuning a couple of open guns. Was REALLY surprised by how far off some springs are. Worst was probably a new spring marked 9 lbs that was actually 6.5 lbs.

Contacted customer service a couple of weeks ago asking about the full size core 2.0. Below is the reply. Pretty much the same reply I got when I asked the same question shortly after the Shot Show. "Thank you for your e-mail and your suggestion regarding Smith & Wesson or Thompson Center products. For over 167 years, Smith & Wesson has manufactured high-quality, innovative, firearms for professionals and consumers alike. At this time we don't have any further info on what products are coming in the near future but we consider customer input a valuable resource from which to draw on during the decision making process. Please watch our website and Facebook pages for new product announcements. Your comments are being forwarded to the Marketing Department and appropriate Management Team for review and consideration for future production. Thank You for choosing Smith & Wesson / Thompson Center products. Have a great day."

Well heck. REALLY wanted to print off a copy before we hit the road.

But it's a dry heat? 70's might be a little optimistic. It doesn't hit the high heat until mid afternoon. I'm shooting AM/PM/AM to avoid the heat and wind as much as possible.

Long term weather forecast looks nice. 70ºish, no rain. That said I've seen it rain HARD at the range for no reason--be prepared. One thing you can almost be sure of is afternoon wind. If you are shooting PM, be prepared for wind. I've seen it flatten a stage, and I've seen it suck one up into an impressive whirlwind with targets hundreds of feet in the air. It's right at 3,000 ft elevation and desert---stay hydrated and don't forget the sunscreen.

Under the old rulebook, if not otherwise stated the default start position was facing downrange hands at sides. New rulebook----if hand position is not stated it can be whatever you want, as long as you are not touching the gun or an ammunition holding device (magazine/moonclip). One other change to the 2019 rules---"facing downrange" is now anywhere within the 180. "Facing downrange Not facing uprange. Any position facing side berms or backstop within 90 degrees of the median intercept of the backstop."

My load is the same 115 PD and HS6. I run a OAL of 1.173. EGW U die, mixed brass. What works for me with MBX mags--YMMV. Set the feed lips around .342 at the back, .350 at the front. I set mine so the bullet contacts the feedramp about 2/3 of the way up. Whack the loaded 170 mag base on a flat surface. Shake and listen. If it rattles at all it will do a nose dive malfunction about halfway empty. Weird. No problem with 140's, no experience with 155's. Looke at the front of the mag and see if the feedramp is hitting it. KKM barrels will hit. Schuemann does not. Trim feedramp as needed.

You have the decimal point in the wrong place. It belongs between the 7 and the 5.

Amazon.

Ran a 6 for a couple of years. In bright sunlight I was cranked all the way up. Switched to an 8 before Area 1 this year. Now most bright stages are around the midpoint, with enough brightness adjust left for those "into the sun" stages. The only place i notice the difference in dot size is on the occasional 25 yd. headshot.

Take a look at the Double Tap ambi with shields. A bit more money than some, but the fit and finish are outstanding. Easy to fit to the gun too.

Local rules are covered in USPSA rule 3.3.

200 gr Bayou coated RN, 4.1 N320, 1.200 OAL. 171 pf out of a 5" with a KKM barrel.

Try Simple Green. Full strength or 1:1. Works better warm. I had some carbon remover from brownells that worked OK--kind of milky with a strong citrus smell. Some of the Orange citrus cleaner (same isle as the Simple Green) might be worth a try.

Emailed Bob at Brazos this morning re the source on their bald slides---here is the reply: "Contracted out to our specs – not STI or Caspian." Might have to give one a try!

Are they making the slides in house or are they actually STI? It gets a bit confusing. Lots of slides out there, but who actually makes them. Phoenix Trinity and SV appear to be in-house. Assuming the Ed Brown/Les Baer/Nighthawk slides are STI or Caspian? CK is/was STI? How about Fusion? Looks like STI and Caspian are the available slides at present? A previous thread says that the JEM manufactured slides under whatever name are not availavble until they get their machinery fixed--a few more months? If the Brazos bald/classic is made by Brazos I'll give one a try----

Care to elaborate? What is the proper way to lighten a slide? Always interested in learning new things----

9 Major open guns--eventually a side will crack. I've had a couple crack, and now I'm MAYBE seeing a crack starting on wifes gun. Time to get ahead of the process. What's the current wisdom on the best bald/classic 9/38 slide? I'm a little leery of STI---seen a pile of them crack in the past few years, but they are available. The slide on her gun is a CK--would buy another but no one has them in stock. Caspian QC seems a bit iffy at present. Brazos? Or is it actually a STI? How about Tripp? Suggestions?

I use the Belt Keeper from Arredondo Accessories on all of my CR and DAA belts. Easy to manipulate, won't fall off, comes in several colors.

N320 is by far the most common. N330 was specifically designed for 9mm. I've loaded it in the past with a 124 gr and it is a clean soft powder, but I can't say it's better than N320, and you use roughly 25% more.

Had a cracked one recased in January. Total invoice including return shipping was $67.75. Turnaround was around a month.

So how did the entire squad not pay attention? (Everybody that shot it loaded gets a re-shoot) Written Stage Briefings 3.2.1 A written stage briefing approved by the Range Master must be posted at each course of fire prior to commencement of the match. This briefing will take precedence over any course of fire information published or otherwise communicated to competitors in advance of the match, and it must provide the following minimum information: — Scoring Method — Targets (type & number) — Minimum number of rounds — The firearm ready condition — Start position (this should be demonstrated by a Range Officer) — Time starts (audible or visual signal) — Procedure 3.2.2 The Range Official in charge of a course of fire must read out the written stage briefing verbatim to each squad.

Try American Mountain Supply http://www.americanmountainsupply.com/ I had them do a XL case in Purple with my wifes name embroidered on it for her open gun--she LIKES it. They have a couple of double pistol cases and a double SBR case that looks interesting. If they don't have a stock item, I believe they will do custom. Made in USA products.

Colt MkIV series 70 9mm really likes Tripp mags. Did NOT like some Wilson ETM's I tried in it. Springfield SS 5" 9mm likes Dawson. Will run with the Tripp's--but not 100%