martyg00

If I remember right, I think my load for the 160 grain lead bullets when the power factor was 175 was 7.5 or so of AA-7. Never had any powder compression issues using Winchester brass and Winchester small rifle primers. Shooting these heavy lead bullets is easy on the gun and the barrel should last forever. I have about 4000 147 grain lead flat points that were given to me about 5 years ago, and with the price of jacketed bullets, this thread has got me thinking.............. Marty

Sargenv, I shoot a Caspian Hi-Cap .38 super that was built in 1993. For many, many years I shot a 160 grain lead bullet using WW-571, Hs-7 and after that about 30,000 rounds behind AA#7 when the power factor was higher. A very accurate load in my pistol. I would most likely be still shooting these heavy bullets but my source retired and I had the itch to try something lighter and that didn't smoke. Went to a 150 grain zero for a short time, I now shoot a 135 grain zero bullet behind HS-6. Since both me and the gun are a little old, I refuse to subject my old warhorse pistol to the 115-125 grain rockets. Enjoy Marty A-7424

Thanks Benedetto, I have been shooting IPSC since 1987 and have always shot the Open Class. I shoot a 14-15 year old Caspian Hi-Cap with an Aimpoint... talk about old school...... I semi-retired from competetive shooting for 3-4 year and just started back about a year and a half ago. I'm 49 and am not near as competitive as I was in the middle 90's but stayed in the sport for the fun and the friendship of the people I've met over the years.... not the "I've got the win attitude". This Sarcoma cancer is really rare. Less than 1% of cancer patients have this form. I decided that I could stand around and feel sorry for myself or continue to do the things I enjoy for as long as I can. Something like this really changes your attitude. Thanks to all for your sopport. Marty Thanks Benedetto, I have been shooting IPSC since 1987 and have always shot the Open Class. I shoot a 14-15 year old Caspian Hi-Cap with an Aimpoint... talk about old school...... I semi-retired from competetive shooting for 3-4 year and just started back about a year and a half ago. I'm 49 and am not near as competitive as I was in the middle 90's but stayed in the sport for the fun and the friendship of the people I've met over the years.... not the "I've got the win attitude". This Sarcoma cancer is really rare. Less than 1% of cancer patients have this form. I decided that I could stand around and feel sorry for myself or continue to do the things I enjoy for as long as I can. Something like this really changes your attitude. Thanks to all for your sopport. Marty Now if I could learn how to preview the post I meant thanks for all your support

They might have beenl. This was the first time I have shot in West Frankfort. Driving down was Cliff's idea. He drove from Springfield, Missouri and I drove from St. Louis. I figured if he could drive 4 hours I could drive 2...........

Prior to this Sunday, the last match that I shot was the Illinois Sectional in October at PASA. Had been having some health problems since about August and had lost about 40 pounds and was very anemic. January 3rd I had my kidney and a 9 pound tumer removed. I was informed that I have Sarcoma, a very rare form of Cancer. I shot my first match since then yesterday in West Frankfort, Illinois. It would be nice to say that I beat everybody, but the truth of the matter is I shot faster and a little better than I expected. I FEEL GREAT! Thanks to all my friends for their support especially my friends at PASA and Cliff with the Central Ozarks Practical Shooters. Doctor says cancer may return or may not, a waiting game for now......... Marty A-7424

Will these holsters fit a Caspian Wide-Body?

JRD83 I have been shooting IPSC since 1987 and have only shot the open class. Started with a single stack .45 comp gun. Then over the years 2 .38 super single stacks and since the early 90's my current open gun, a Caspian wide body with an aimpoint. All 4 of these guns were built by a St. Louis gunsmith, Otto Matyska. I agree that there are a lot of great builders out there, but keep in mind when you are purchasing an open gun or any custom gun, you are also buying the pistolsmith's vision of what he considers cutting edge at the time as far as short comp, long comp, snappy recoil, soft recoil, etc. I hope you get the Idea. Back in the late 80's and early 90's the open gun was evolving so fast that if you had a 6-12 month wait time to get it, you were already behind the curve. Now that is not the case. I also do not favor the cookie cutter approach to gun building and am very proud that my old war house Caspian was built to my hand, and my shooting style. I doubt that Otto has built the same Open gun twice, as every one that I have seen I would consider a one-off, or as he calls my gun, a prototype. Take your time and try to shoot as many different open guns as you can and then take the plunge... If you get to the point, (as I am) that when you step to the line you believe your equipment is some of the best obtainable... you've made the right decision. Then Just Shoot! Enjoy Marty A-7424

Very nice Cliff. The problem now is that after having the 9 pound baby tumor removed...... I am eating everything is sight. I may gain back the 40 pounds by match time. I will waive my temp rule if the weather is nice. Marty A-7424

14 year old caspian hi-cap (round trigger guard), semi-profile compensator with 4 chambers and 6 ports (holes) with an aimpoint comp scope on a modified red buff mount. The bottom of the frame was cut and a longer magazine funnel was added along with a longer aluminum mainspring housing that was built and fitted to the gun, and a pivot trigger. All work done by St. Louis gun guru, Otto Matyska. Just got the gun back yesterday from Ottos to replace the thumb safety. After all these years and over 60k rounds it broke. Believe it or not, I still shoot 150 grain bullets out of this old war horse loading AA-7 major. Talk about old school!!! Enjoy Marty A-7424

I wear a "turf-type" soccer shoe and have in competition for the past 18 years both indoor and outdoor matches. The current brand I'm wearing is a Kelme, but have also worn the Pumas. The little bumps seem to work good in the gravel and also on concrete, or a hard durt surface. I'm sure a more agressive football or soccer cleat would work better in the mud. These shoes never hurt my feet and seem to be a good compromise. Enjoy Marty A-7424

The light heavy discussion has been beaten to death. When it comes to open it's all personal preference, there is not right or wrong. I have light 37.0oz, meduim 39.5oz and heavy 47.9oz. open guns and the all shoot pretty flat, the difference is how much they hit your hand. I've settled on the meduim weight gun for not too severe recoil feel and quick movement, but that's me. I know guys who love the really light violent feeling guns because they are so easy to move, other folks like the heavy gun because they are so soft shooting and these folk aren't slowed down by the weight. You need to shoot different guns and decided what you like. On the EGW gun above, I think the cut down full profile comp is a combination of style and function. I like good looking guns and the sculpted comp keeps it (the comp) from looking like an afterthough . +1 TMC I have owned 4 open guns since I joined USPSA in 1987, other than the first one (full profile) all have been a semi profile design and all 4 have been built by the same gunsmith, Otto Matyska. I doubt if Otto has machined the same compensator design twice, as every open gun that I have seen him build I would consider a one-off or as he calls my 13 year old caspian hi-cap, a "prototype" I think in Open class when you are buying a compensated pistol, you are also buying a pistolsmiths philosophy on what he considers cutting edge at the time and what he as desinger and machinist or in Ottos case a "pattern maker", feels is his best design work. The semi-profile comps I feel look much cleaner than a pipe attached to the barrel. That being said I dont think my old gun gives anything away in terms of performance as long as long as I do my part................................... Enjoy Marty A-7424

The smell from that Hill Leather is fantastic. My first holster rig was a Hill LE model that Ernie sent me in 1987. When I ordered it I told him I was putting a check in the mail from Missouri and when he gets it mail the leather, he replied the leather would be shipped that day with a bill and to send a check when you get a chance, and if there was anything I didn't like about the pouches etc to call him and he would send me something else. I've heard some negative stories about Ernie since then but he was always super to me. Marty A-7424 The problem with the lock was that if I tried to draw the gun while locked I would about pull my belt off....... That lock really locked. Marty

Both holsters fit a compensated 1911. The 625s means that the holster is 6.25 inches with a scope cut out and 65 is a 6.5 inch holster with no scope cut out. It would be hard to determine which one you would need without sticking the gun in one. I have 3 of these models 2 7inchers and 1 6.25. Very beautiful holsters but a little heavy. I currently use an Ernie Hill Jet model but I'm old school. Enjoy Marty USPSA A-7424

I'd call Otto Matyska here in St. Louis An old school pattern maker from Europe that can design and make any comp you want 314-638-3327 Marty