Hunter1998

I have experience with three CK Arms and Freedom Gunworks and have had no issues. Matt Cheely has always been there to answer any question promptly and offer advise. I feel they are cut above STI, just my opinion. Almost everyone I speak to uses 124 grain in there open guns.

I run them at 1.165 which is a little short but never have a feeding issue.

I called several times when I was purchasing my GMR13 and never had an issue, this was a few moths ago. I always called early in the morning and the team there was always helpful.

It is hard to be able to justify the cost difference in semi custom to custom in words. I own both CK Arms 5.0 and now a 5.5 Limcat Battlecat with HBAR. I think it is more of a personal choice. Custom guns can be ordered with more personal preferences and should have more attention to details. The additional half inch is a good compromise between the 6.0 and 5.0. I recommend to try to look at both and go with whichever one you like the most. I am sure the Atlas would serve you for a long time and do whatever you need. You may enjoy the custom more from pride of ownership. Remember most customs do have a long wait time vs the semi-customs are a lot more available. Whichever you decide you should be fine. Tough decision !

In his original post he asked what gun out the box. If he wants new , still recommend taking his time and buy what he wants and not to limit himself to a dollar amount. I do agree, that used guns are a great place to start. visit local matches and try to shoot different models and talk to people and get opinions before buying.

Blue loctite on bases and nothing on rings. A lot of instructions online.

Look at the JP GMR13, mine has been wonderful. Very accurate, flawless feeding, lightweight. Installed an AImpoint and bought some Glock mags and ready to roll right out the box.

I would take the time to do homework on what pistol you want. You may be better waiting a little longer to save to buy what you really want. At that spend level it is better not to settle. I prefer CK Arms above the STI Trubor. A lot of choices just in sights and mounts etc. Try to buy once, it will be a great savings in the long run.

The hardest part for me in the transition from revolver to 2011 was the grip safety. I could not engage it every time when I tried to keep my thumb on the safety I shot 6 months with my thumb below the safety, then was instructed to rubber band the grip safety. Once that was done I was able to keep my thumb on the safety and hold the gun correctly. My accuracy improved immediately and now very comfortable and would not want to shoot anything else. I am happy I worked through the issues. I recommend visiting a local match and talking talking to 2011 owners maybe even get the option of shooting one. They are a lot of different options and builders out there. Do your homework before buying, may save you some money in long run.

There are plenty of great custom builders I just purchased a Limcat BattleCat limited pistol and very satisfied. Spoke to a lot of LImcat owners before the purchase and their devotion to Limcat was what helped me make the final decision steel or polymer is a personal choice in grip have had great luck with CK arms DLC coating in the south new Limcat is stainless

STI or CK arms with double alpha holster, mag pouches and belt would be my choice. Go to a local match and see what most shooters are using.

I have watched people spend more money trying to save than a good pre-owned gun would cost. Also not to mention the time spent building and trying to get pistol to perform correctly. One or two mistakes can be costly patience in the used gun market is important if you buy It local you can shoot the gun to make sure it is up to your standards

All of my experience is with MBX mags only issues experienced was early spring failure. Replaced all of my 40sw mags with Gram spring and followers and have performed flawless. I have a friend that only uses the SV mags and highly recommends them. What is the difference in the mags body? What springs and followers do they use ? Will they work in all 2011's thanks

Practice your draw with plenty of dry firing. I switch from my limited gun to open with RTS2 on a 2011 without an issue. Practice presentation and draw with a empty gun and will help it become easier to find the dot.

Your issue should be with your mags, find someone in your area with experience with 2011's. You should have to grind off a tab on your follower. Should be easy project aight a bench grinder. That should take care of both issues, not locking back and leaving last round in mag

Replaced springs and followers with Gram on 40 mags. Still can load 20 and has been flawless on my 4 mags

Have had good luck with it shooting indoors, outside took me some time getting use to the controls and increasing the brightness trouble free

Purchased a GMR13 and added an Aimpoint. This is one sweet running Carbine. Not only for competition but plinking and teaching new shooters

One 170 one 155 two 140's has served me well

Only issues I had with my MBX mags was the overall length in front. One pistols feed ramp was slightly extend and was hitting causing mag to roll inward causing feeding issues. Trimmed mag and never had an issue again. I did replace mag springs to grams on my 40 mags. Will do the same when my 9mm mags springs weaken. i have no issues removing base pads. I often clean mags during a match

Was introduced at a local match, have two friends using them in a 9mm open guns shooting major and had no issues with comp.

I have had good luck with Bayou bullets and recently introduced to swamp popper bullets. Some friends has had good luck with them including shooting them in their open gun.

My minor load for steel is 4.2 WST with 140 grain Bayou bullet or 143 GAT cast. I have some veterans that shoot 3.9 WST with same projectiles but was sluggish in my pistol. Would be a good place to start. Very soft shooting.

200 grain GAT cast bullet with 4.3 WSF makes major and has been very accurate. Shoots extremely soft in my opinion. Also works with Bayou Bullets 200 Grain, have not chrono this load yet.

You may want to try a 200 grain projectile, with major loads recoil seems softer not as snappy.