WAlamo

No, is the DVC Open and that is why it seems to be weird. I’m already thinking it is a production error with the barrel. unless it needs to be broken in or something like that

I finally received my DVC Open, 6 months waiting. I received the 2018 model. Previously I had asked here for 9 major load info including the OAL. From the responses I got the following two OALs 1.15 1.165 I'm using RMR bullets JHP 124 grain. My surprise is that none of those OAL worked. The slide didn't fully closed when the new round loaded, it stayed about 1/4" or less open which created a jam failure. However the loaded round was in the chamber. Upon further inspection, taking barrel out and dumping a bullet in it, it was clear the bullet was too long as it didn't went all the way in and got a bit stuck. So I went back home and tested different OAL settings until 1.12 AOL was the one that worked. But I keep asking myself, is it that the new barrel was modified and it doesn't take longer bullets? Is it that it doesn't "like" JHP bullets? Seems odd to me that previously 1.165 or 1.15 were used and this 2018 model doesn't like those OAL. Anyone here going through this?

It is what I have been trying to find out. Here is the thing in PR for those that don't know. 1) We need to get an "explosives" license which has different categories and a limitation on the amount you can buy daily. To get the license you have to go through several stupid steps that will take 1-3 months to get it done and on top of that the local police visits your house to see if you meet the requirements to buy, transport and store your powder. Oh so damn stupid, waste of time and money. Yes money because you even need to get an affidavit to request the damn license. Phew! OK I got tired even writing it. 2) I have asked many people and everyone said the hazmat fee is too high 3) I have called a few places in the mainland and none were willing to ship here 4) I called local ATF office and they told me there is no problem with them if I receive a shipment of gun powder, but I need to check with local police 5) And finally I called a friend today in FL who will go to UPS and FedEx and find out if he can ship it to me. So the only thing I need to find out is if the local police will require something special and stupid for me to receive the shipment. I guess, in my case, they won't because my license has the "import" check mark on it. But here in PR dealing with the local gov is a 2 edged blade. If local PD doesn't give me a hard time, and UPS or FedEx can ship it. My good friend will buy it for me and send it my way. Oh, and i called some of those companies that bring shipments only on ships (thinking it was going to be cheaper) but none were willing to transport gun powder. This is F___ing insane.

In an effort to educate myself better given the fact that I searched over and over and couldn't find info. what you are saying is that TG will spike suddenly at a higher degree even if the same amount of charge is used? For example (not real numbers) - 5 grains = 1000 lbs of pressure in 1st shot, then, 5 grains = 3000 lbs of pressure on second shot?

Would you care to share the correct way to increase a load? I mean, if you know I’m doing it wrong then you must have experience on this subject.

Thank you for the info,

I'm from Puerto Rico. Can't find a place online that ships it here due to hazmat licenses required. And I checked on the hazmat fees and they are expensive. So you add all of that to the price and is the most expensive powder you'll get. FYI, 4 lbs of Titegroup cost about $140. The comp seems to be doing his work nice, but I'm sure it would be better with a different powder. And with better I mean that I will notice the difference.

Hi, before you all go crazy on why using Titegroup. The only reason I use it is because were I live is the one and ONLY powder you can consistently find. If I wanted anything else it will be ordered only when the store current supply runs low. On top of that it cost about twice as what you guys pay for in the states. With that said, is no wonder why I decided to try Titegroup. I'm still waiting for my DVC Open to be at least sent from STI to the local re-seller. In the mean time I shoot with my STI SteelMaster. The SteelMaster comes ready for minor loads, I just replaced the recoil spring with different weights to find the one that works best with my major load. As far as the load, I began my test using about 2 grains over the recommended 9mm max load for a 124g bullet. Then I increased the load about 2-3g and tested again. My test consisted in: check cases for signs of too much pressure (over expanded cases, cracks, base separation, etc.) check the cycling of the slide with the current spring. Was it slamming back to the rear or wasn't opening properly and causing jams? Was it moving forward too strong that will cause the dot to dip? Chrono test switch recoil spring to the best one it worked with. So this are my results, keep in mid were I live is summer like weather year round. 124g JHP, 1.156 OAL, 5.6g Titegroup = 167PF 124g JHP, 1.156 OAL, 5.9g Titegroup = 170PF I guess based on my experience (I'm no expert) that this same loads on a DVC Open which barrel is longer than the SteelMaster will produce higher PF. So maybe dropping a .1g or .2g from the load will produce the same results. I had no issues with the cases, I noticed only 2 cracked but I'm talking after thousands of rounds being shot. The current recoil spring is 11lbs. I think 12lbs is the perfect match but I don't have one to test it out, 11lbs is working great so far so I stick with it until someone let me borrow a 12 for testing.

Hi guys, how much would you pay nowadays for a slightly used Steelmaster with 3 mags (2 - 140mm and 1 - 170mm)? I ask ‘cause I don’t have an idea how the dvc steel affected the selling price of the used steelmaster.

Ok, so all I need to do is pull the slide all the way back and see if it hits the comp. If it doesn't then mine is properly fitted.

Can anyone post a pic of the differences in the compensator once it develops a crack and is returned from warranty? I have been trying to find out what exactly they change that prevents it from cracking again.

Thank you!! Now I have a better idea of where to start. I will order a few 124gr round nose and a few HP both jacketed to test both. I was shooting production, then CO using titegroup. A friend is going to give me some CFE powder for the open gun. That should set me up to prepare my load. Again, thank you for all your help.

Hello to all of you. I'll be getting a new STI DVC open. It will be 9mm and I plan to shoot 9mm major. I have experience reloading, but not 9mm major. I'm looking for suggestions as far as OAL, powder and qty to begin loading major for this gun. I'm planning on using 124gr round nose RMR bullets. My first approach was going to be using the maximum suggested powder qty found in reputable reloading books for 9mm + 1gr. Any recomendations are welcome.