Ben53
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Posts posted by Ben53
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I'm using Federal SPM's for my minor 147 grain CO load with Sport Pistol. Accuracy is great; no problems at all. I don't think you'll have any problems at all.
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DRock, thanks for the picture and info about the update. Unfortunately, I think I have the newest one as it looks just like the one on the left.
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Old thread, I know. I've been using the ABLP for about 6 months now, for both 9mm and .40. I have had problems with the primer feed so I prime by hand. I recently purchased a Lee Load Master and have moved my 9mm reloading to that press, and only load .40 on the ABLP. That said, I have had no problems loading coated bullets in either caliber in the ABLP, using coated bullets (Blue bullets). Adjustment is key, but not difficult. I've been loading for several decades now, and have been using Lee products for a long while, as well as most other brands. I have presses from Blue, Red, Orange, Green and pretty much everyone else. They can all be very good, and any of them can have a problem or two. But I do like the ABLP and Loadmaster. Properly adjusted either one will spit out good ammo with little effort.
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I'm a licensed, trained (Colorado School of Trades) gunsmith who's been in business for the last 29 years. Mostly retired now. Lots of things involved if you're going to do it proper and legal; if not, you're headed for trouble. First you need an FFL. Period. Second, if you're going to be buying components and fitting them into firearms for sale, according to the last time I talked to my local ATF agent, you need a "manufacturers" license"... assembling parts is now considered manufacturing a firearm, and there's an excise tax per firearm associated with that. Unless that's been changed, so you would need to check with your local ATF agent for their interpretation of the law. Also don't forget you're going to need a buttload of liability insurance. One mishap, your fault or not, and you're open for a possible big-time lawsuit. Lawyers don't care if you're guilty or innocent, your fault or not; you will be paying for one, and you might not want the cheapest one around, so good insurance is a must. I carried one milliion dollars; for that kind of money the insurance company will help with the lawyer...
There is a market for the work, and you might be able to do mostly 1911/2011 work, but until you get your guns out there doing well, not many folks are going to give you big bucks to make a firearm for them. AR's are hard to make much money on as the parts are cheap and readily available to nearly anyone, and everyone and their brother seem to be able to put one together in a few hours that will shoot MOA.
So what you're left with is making a small profit on parts (which you want to get at dealer price) and labor. Frankly, there's not much margin in either one unless you have one of the big names/reputations as mentioned in an earlier post. Where you make any real money is in the margins on equipment, for the most part... magazines, ammo, holsters, bags.. in other words, the stuff you have in the store to support your gunsmith hobby.
So you want to get in? Can you go to one of the colleges or schools that offer gunsmithing? Can you be an apprentice to someone with a good reputation in your area? Take a correspondence course? Get a job in a local gun store? None of these are absolutely necessary, but you'll do better to look at those kinds of opportunities probably than to hang out your shingle and hope to make it to the big time. I wish you well, I have all the business I want, but it's taken me a long time to get here. Good luck, look into it carefully, and be aware of all legal and financial obligations. Business savvy is very important here. Ask around... talk to gun business owners... and here's wishing you all the best as you begin this journey!
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Byron,
I've been watching this post off and on as I'm also looking for the same thing. Can't believe that you've gotten no answers in 9 months!! I'm thinking we need about 725 fps to make 130 pf with 180 grain bullets. That load should be stupid soft!! I was going to start out around 4.5 grains or so and see where I am, but my chrono is on the fritz. I'm going to keep searching, and if I find anything useful I'll let you know. If you have something, I'd appreciate it if you'd post here as well.
Ben
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Yes, old thread! But, +1 on the NDZ. Here's a link to the one I use:
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Old thread, I know. I just got one; haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, even. But detail stripped and cleaned it, and it looks good! Operation is very smooth, and the two magazns I have drop free. Looking for an opportunity to get it out to the range.
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I'm running a Burris Fastfire III on mine; with the 8 moa dot. I like it!! No issues so far and running great! I have most of the mods mentioned above, shooting 147gr at 130 pf with 13# recoil spring. Good luck and have fun!!
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My USPSA holster for the FXs came from Black Scorpion. I like it.
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I have an SFx as well and agree with the above comments. Put in a Freedomsmith trigger and you're good to go. The pistols seem to be very accurate with good ammo. If you need to play with recoil springs, I recommend this one:
I found that a 13# recoil spring works fine with my 147gr 130 pf loads. YMMV! Best of luck!
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This is the one I used on my SFx. I got an 11# and 13# spring, and found the 13# works great with my 147 grain 130 pf load. I highly recommend it. I have no interest except as a satisfied customer. Noticed that this is an old thread but will post it anyway in case anyone else is interested.
Sport Pistol vs American Select
in 9mm/38 Caliber
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I'm loading 3.2 grains of Sport Pistol behind 147 gr. Blue bullet in my TP9SFx for 129-130 pf. Brass comes out of the pistol clean.