Titaniumbadger22

A few folks have indicated that the SP-01 Shadow would not be allowed in the ESP division. My understanding of the rules is that it is allowed. From the IDPA Rulebook: "8.2.2.1.7 All firearms legal in SSP are legal for use in ESP. This provision may be used for firearms that violate an ESP rule (for example, a firearm with a steel dust cover or rail over 3.25”) to still be used in ESP, provided the firearm meets all SSP requirements." This seems to allow the SP-01 Shadow to be used in ESP and start cocked and locked. I used mine to classify in ESP. Maybe certain clubs interpret that rule differently, but it seems pretty clear to me.

I'm still fussing with my M&P Pro, but I think I'm getting closer. It has an Apex trigger kit and Apex grade barrel, Dawson fiber optic front sight with adjustable rear. My first outing with the Apex barrel wasn't as good as I hoped, but I think I have that problem figured out thanks to TacticalReload (spring in the barrel). Went out today and the vertical spread was better, but I had to move the rear sight so far to side to get where I wanted that I was no longer inline with the bore axis. I didn't have the tools with me, so I called it a day. I did shoot my factory barrel and Apex barrel back to back though. My Apex barrel was about 4" for 5 shot groups at 25 yards and my factory barrel was about 6"-7". Yesterday, just after installing the Apex barrel I took it out to compare it to my CZ SP01 Shadow with a variety of drills. For accuracy at 25 yards, my CZ shot a 2" group of 5 shots, my M&P was 5". I then did a 5 yard 50 shot dot torture drill, 2" dots. CZ was 45 and the M&P was a 44. Next I did 4 strings of timed plate rack at 15 yards (6 plates) from surrender with a draw and threw out the worst time. CZ was 6.93 seconds average, M&P was 6.31 seconds average. I want to use my M&P as my IDPA SSP gun. I don't like to de-cock my CZ or have to deal with both DA and SA trigger pulls. I want to just use my CZ for ESP and other games. So for skills that matter for practical pistol games, The M&P is still performing just fine. I'm still trying to get it to shoot 3" groups at 25 yards, I think I would be perfectly satisfied with it if I can. 4" groups consistently would be good enough. I moved my front sight tonight, then my rear with the laser. I need to go adjust it for real and then repeat the 25 yd accuracy test against the CZ. If the groups are not more than twice the size of the CZ, I guess I'll be ok.

I didn't get a controlled group to measure against before I changed barrels. I think after I get mine seated properly I'll go back out and get results with my stock barrel and the SDI.

Thanks for the help! It all makes sense to me. After shooting it today, there are wear marks on the top and bottom, I'm guessing that would be a good place to start.

Now that I'm playing with it, it does have spring to it. With the barrel in the slide and the slide upside down, I have to push it to get it to go all the way down. It looks like the front of the barrel is putting tension on the barrel. I been staring at trying to figure out if it would be better to take a little off the top or the bottom of the front of the barrel. It looks like if I took a little off the bottom very near the end and a little off the top about 1/4" from the end to the end of the lug might help. Have you seen this issue?

I shot my M&P Pro with the SDI barrel today. It functioned perfectly, but I had an unusual spread. 5 Shot groups from 25 yards, Vertical spread was 4", horizontal spread was 1". For comparison, my CZ shot a 2" group and my RIA shot a 3" group with the same ammo. If I could reduce the vertical spread to match the horizontal, I would be very happy. When I fit it, I took a lot of material off the back and not near as much off the lugs on the bottom. I didn't want to go do far, but maybe my gun is too tight and not consistently pushing the barrel into the same position? If I slingshot the slide from full back it will fully go into battery, but any less it requires a nudge to get it to go. I shot about 100 rounds through it today and had no misfires or feed failures. I'm thinking I need to remove more material, but I'm not sure if I should go after the back some more or the bottom lug? Anyone else have this issue?

I picked up a RIA single stack 9mm a couple weeks ago and love it, so now I'm convinced I need a HC .40 for limited. From what's available right now the Pro Match is $300 more than the tactical. For a different rear sight, slightly different dust cover and a vague promise of a better fit, is the Pro Match really worth a $300 premium? Does anyone with a 51782 wish they could go back and upgrade to a 51738 for another $300? That's what it is today, it looks like the difference wasn't as great in the past.