ScottieShootz

That appears to be the entire hollow section that overhangs. I wonder if I'll almost mill through the entire blast shield to make it work. Maybe ill order the everglades rts2 mount since its $65 and if I cut the whole blast shield off then oh well.

edited: If I run the romeo3 with a cheely rts2 mount, i understand the blast shield will be in the way. Any idea how much? Almost wondering about taking the mill and cutting a groove in the blast shield to snuggly fit the romeo3. Do the rts2 nubs on some of the mounts line up with the romeo3? or should I take my cheely slideride mount, and drill/tap the holes for the romeo3 and just have it push up against the blast shield?

nice looking blaster. With that said, I don't understand how a crack on the front of the port has anything to do with someone building a gun. It doesn't appear to be milled down or anything to where it would kill a slide. But I also don't know what horrible tolerance means either. Did the whole gun rattle like a salt shaker or something?

That's what I'm thinking I'll do. If it becomes a pain in the butt I'll swap to 9major down the road.

Ya 4g2 pads for 140 and 170s

I didn't even think about that. Pick up my brass and sell it for the 38. Still thinking it may be a better option than dealing with 9major and having someone else load for me. Can always change it over down the road if I wanted to.

i think he meant 9mm brass? There is no way to "collect" 38 SC brass without losing a hand. Correct, I have been collecting 9 and 40 brass since I started about 5 years ago. I knew at some point I would reload for limited and wasnt sure if I'd touch Open or Prod so I pick up 9 as well. I dont pick up at matches, but I clean up after practice and other range days. 38sc would be factory ammo only for me.

That's pretty much the numbers game I'm playing in my head. Obviously, $1k isnt a drop in the hat, however, all my uspsa/3gun friends shoot limited and aren't set up to load for me in 9major. Which ultimately is why I figured Id shoot 38 at $21 since that is cheaper than $24 from AA for 9major and just order ammo as I need it. I had a member message me the other day and said to ask around about someone loading for you in 9major as they have a member at their range who loads for quite a few shooters.

For that exact reason - tweaking and tinkering is my enemy. I learned that in the car world with building a track car and my dirtbike, I can always tweak and tinker with it. I don't want to do that anymore with this hobby, I want to find a load that works correctly and shoot the heck out of it. I don't want to reload myself as I'd rather budget my time/ money to purchase all the equipment plus the limited space in my home to my family. I have me time as it is for dryfire and working on the car, I'm not looking to add reloading to the mix. Maybe in a year or two when we move to a larger home, but for now, I just want to dryfire and shoot.

That's good to know, I'll look into that. I see bass pro carries Autocomp at $30 for 1lb. I guess if I only need a 1lb it may not be bad, but buying in bulk paying the shipping/hazmat would be better.

Ok, I'm in the process of building an open 2011, and will not be reloading myself for this. I originally had planned to shoot factory 38sc and call it a day. So from AA 38sc is $21 a box, and if I can make the gun run properly with Geco 38super at $16 a box I'd use that for practice and AA at matches to help with the costs. Now, I did find a local company will load 9 major for me for $80 per 1000. I supply all components. For $15 extra they will roll size as well. I've not ordered a barrel or extractor yet for this build since I'm now rethinking my route. Was looking at going KKM and either Cheely titanium comp or Bedell titanium Comp cut down. Using another member's load info on here with a KKM barrel and popple holes with 124 MG, 7.gr Win 572 and a PF of 173. Using Mid South Shooter Supply for my pricing with my own collected range brass (I've been smart over the years), 124 MG bullets and winchester SP primers (I will ask around my club to see if someone can work up a few loads for me to do testing on before I settle on a load to drop off with the company.) I used the handloads.com calculator for the below: Component Cost Powder 1 lbs $19.99 (for 1k loads, I probably need 1.3lbs or powder) Powder Charge 7.3gr Primer 1000 $28.99 Bullets 1000 $135.00 Calculate Cost / round $ 0.185 Cost / 50 $ 9.24 Cost / 1000 $ 184.84 ----------------------------- Plus $80 fee to load all components and $15 for roll sizing Which gives me roughly $14 per box of 50. + Shipping estimated $30 + hazmat estimated $25 + gas to drive 40min to drop off/pick up everything ---------------------- $334 total roughly over 1k rounds = $16.7 per box Am I missing anything in my calculations? Are there any cheaper bullet options I should consider or a different primer brand? I know everything is subjective as I've read through pages on pages of load listings and everyone has a slightly different variable (hs6, or a different bullet brand). I do have a Bass Pro across the street from me and a few LGS, so depending on what they carry and if I can use it in Open I can cut some hazmat fees down.

I'm still liking this load a lot. and I forgot to add that I'm running 1.165" OAL with this load. are you running FMJ, CMJ or JHP from montana? Thinking of giving this powder a go as my first set up for open.

Any new load info on this powder? 115s or 124s?

I definitely understand the savings on reloading components. It just doesn't interest me in spending the hours setting up, making multiple major loads and making range trips on what is accurate, what works the comp well, etc. I realize I can search this forum for loads to use and speed up the process, but at this point in my life, I'd rather just go to the range and practice with my $16 a box ammo. Maybe I'll find a local open shooter whom I can pay for major ammo from in the future......

I'd rather spend that time behind the gun or in the gym. Reloading doesn't interest me, I'll pay a bit more for someone to load for me and not have to worry about setting up a workbench for reloading. I'm curious what the math is for someone to break even and start saving money for 9major or 38sc when they start with nothing on a Dillon 650.

I have not, just ordered a new slide to use for the build. So far I've fitted all my lower parts with the exception of a Xline standard trigger as that has not arrived either.

I've heard and read from a few people these mags had issues with them feeding or not dropping free/ sticking and they had to polish the finish off. I've considered having mine done in a pvd finish or something.

what comp are you running? any popple holes? No Comp. No popple holes. that's what I was figuring, but had slight hope!

what comp are you running? any popple holes?

I shoot plenty of carbine and 3 gun already, I enjoy the handgun only side of USPSA. Since I have not ordered a barrel or comp yet, I'm going to reach out to AA and see if they have a recommended twist rate or comp style to best suit their load. I forgot my frame I ordered is Clark cut, so the trubor is out since its Wilson.

I wonder if I go without popple holes if it will hit 160ish. Maybe just run it as practice ammo and use Atlanta Arms as match ammo. I wouldn't want it to be a huge difference in feel as that won't be worth my time.

Thanks Frants! I wonder if it would make PF on a full length barrel and no popple holes.

how many ports on the compensator? as I'm assuming you are saying you have 3 popple holes in the barrel with it. Thanks Frants!

I know the 2011 world shoot article says it didn't make power factor and that was years ago. I've heard and read people claim Geco changed their load after this being a problem to make it hit power factor. My question, has anyone recently given this a go to see what it does for them? Caliber: .38 Super Bullet Type: FMJ Bullet Weight: 124 Grain Muzzle Energy: 546 ft lbs Muzzle Velocity: 1411 fps $17 a box of 50, is better than AA pricing of $21/box. Which is better than AA 9major at $24/box. I have not called AA to see if I buy bulk X,000 rounds if they would offer a better price. I don't reload, I don't plan to, I don't have time to add those hours to my schedule. I roughly have 1 hour or less of free time a night(ish). I use this for dryfire practice and gym/2mile run. I currently shoot limited and have borrowed a friends open 9major to play with and have rather enjoyed the red dot race. Seriously considering selling my current 2011 and turning the new frame and parts I just picked up into an open gun instead of a sight tracker as I have not ordered my barrel or slide yet. My other thought could be to buy a trubor blank and cut the ports to make powerfactor with cutting 1 port and testing at a time. Tedious but could be an option.

I'm going to fit this frame to a slide which was used as a dual top end and it worked out the frame is 0.758, and my old slide is 0.751. I wasn't sure how much i'd have to play with if any and planned to buy an untouched slide if necessary.