ALF

The comp on my SVI IMM has two cracks in the rearmost port and needs to be replaced. Sending the barrel and slide to SVI is not an option for me. So what I intend to do is to have a qualified gunsmith machine off the comp and then thread the barrel and put a new comp on. Any suggestions for a suitable comp? I have looked at Brazos custom and EGW and they both have designs that looks as if they would work. My IMM has three "holes" in the rib so I dont think that one of them long comps will work that well.

I pass through O`Hare at least twice a year to and from Europe and as long as I do the right things (go on red at customs and so forth). Have I had very few or no problems at all.The only problem that was of the serious kind was when a lady at the Scandinavian Airlines check in counter told me that I couldnt take my handgun with me as handguns where illegal in Sweden(really)! It took me about ten minutes to convince the lady that she was wrong and that I indeed had brought my handgun with me on a Scandinavian Airlines flight about three weeks earlier.My handgun permit and EU weapons passport and the US import permit didnt help at all. It all ended with that her supervisor told her to take a break.After that was it smooth sailing as they say. But it didnt end there though, just before landing in Stockholm when they tell you about custom procedures and luggage and...,did it end with :and those of you that travel with weapons must declare those to the Swedish customs!

This will be my fourth Florida Open. It is IMHO a great match.

If there is a power above(and I do hope that there is), will Michael Jackson have to answer to him. The man is dead leave him alone!

There are a lot to say about Michael Jackson, But in my mind and many others was his musical talent unquestionable.Unfortunately was the focus more on his personal life than on his music, for a number of years. I dont know what is true about his life, and frankly I dont care. I want to remember him as one of the greatest artists of all time. As I write this is my favorite Michael J tune going on the CD "Dirty Diana". Peace Michael!

I used Atlanta Arms .355 Super at this years Florida Open. PF in my SVI IMM was 168. Accuracy was good to say the least. When I tested it a month ago was the spread 12 fps (10 rounds), which is very good.

My new bag (a Shooters Connection Ultra) that I got earlier this year is within the size limits for carry on luggage. Great bag by the way. On my way home to Sweden from Florida Open two years ago had I an incident that I can still have nightmares about. My schedule took me from Orlando to Chicago and then on to Stockholm. I was traveling with my SVI Limited in 40S&W and about 150 rounds of ammo that was leftover from the match. From Orlando to Chicago no problem with TSA at all, but in Chicago was it a different story. The airline that I was flying home with (Scandinavian Airlines) wanted to take a peek at my gun, no problem there but after that was it TSA that wanted to take a look.They opened both my bags looked at the gun and the ammo no problem. But just as they where about to close the bags came someone with a piece of "cloth" and rubbed inside my bag and after testing came the result "EXPLOSIVES". Everything and I mean everything in my bags was taken out and looked closely at by a bunch of people. I didnt feel at ease at all to be honest. What they came up with was powder residue on my clothes and shoes that I had used during the match. The senior TSA guy told me to wash my shooting clothes next time before boarding a flight (Yes Sir I will do that). While all this was happening was there plenty of people queing at the Scandinavian counter. I felt like a terrorist, but when it was my turn at the counter was I told by the friendly lady that checked my bags. I have upgraded you from coach you look as you need that. So it all ended well but it is not something that I would like to do again ever.

Have anyone any info on the next years Florida Open,or for that matter if there will be a Florida Open next year?

It seems to me that the grips are worth it after all. I would like to thank those who wrote about their experinces with the SVI grips. Whats next then? Well I will order one grip for my limited gun of course.

I use N320 for my 40 S&W, I think that about 5,4-5,6 is about right( I dont have my load data at hand at the moment). My OAL is about 1,2" (31.0 mm).

That there are many discussions about the grips is true .But most seem to be about the price how they feel and so forth. What I am looking for is input from someone that have actually used them.

From what I understand are the help of a gunsmith needed in order to fit the grip. As SVI´s are sold where I live and gunsmithing services are also available, am I pretty sure that the fitting of the grip can be done locally.

I have looked at the new SVI metal grips for a while, and although they seem to be of very high quality, are they priced accordingly. I have given some thought of getting one for my limited SVI in 40 S&W. The question is are the grips worth the money?

I would like to thank everyone for giving me so much info about these two great matches.I will have plenty to think about before I decide whitch match to shoot. Once again: Thanks guys!

At this years Florida Open was I using my Open class SVI IMM in 9 Major. I decided to shoot Open after reading about AA .355 Super so I ordered 1000 rounds and had it shipped to friend of mine in Phoenix . When I tried the ammo was I impressed to say the least. The chrono showed a factor of 168 that is major with room to spare. What impresses me most is that it is very consistent and the accuracy is good to say the least at least in my gun. I know for sure that I will use Atlanta Arms ammo again, they arent cheap but quality seldom is.

Stage three at this years Florida Open was a fun stage as was all the stages (almost). But my vote for the best stage of the match goes to stage 2 "Proceed with Caution".A stage where many shooters missed a taget or two(I know I did)- Whoever designed that stage must have had a field day, my hat goes off for that guy! I lean more and more towards Florida Open. Back home is it snow on the ground in February sometimes a lot of that white stuff.It is much more fun shooting a match in the sun (although Saturday morning was a bit cold) than knee deep in snow.As for a prize table I dont care if there is one, I am there for the shooting and to have a good time. Thanks for the info by the way!

My plans for next year is to shoot one big match in USA. I have narrowed it down to either Florida Open(great match been there three times) or Double Tap Championship. From what I understand is DTC a great match, but so is Florida Open. Any advice or info is greatly appreciated.

For my IMM is the load 9.2 gn of 3N38 with a 124 gn FMJ,it makes a PF of about 170. Works great, to have something to compare against: at this years Florida Open was my ammo the 9 Major load(355 Super) by Atlanta Arms it made for a PF of 168.

This years Florida Open was a great match. I hope that Frank&Co will do another "Florida Open" in 2010!

A great thanks to all those that worked at the match. And yes it was a good one. If I am lucky will I be back next year!

What weight bullet and how much powder are you using with the 3N38? I'm guessing the case has to be nearly full right? I use 9.2 gn of 3N38. The bullet is a 124gn FMJ usually Magtech. And you are right the case nearly full. The primers are Fed 100. For practice though is the case and primer S&B and a 123 gn FMJ bullet from MFS.

I shoot 9 Major and for me is it the best thing since sliced bread. I use mostly Fiocchi cases but also Speer and Norma will do for match use. For practice is S&B the most common brand. I have tried several powders, Vith N350 and 3N38 Hogdon HS6 and Vectan SP2. The one that works best for me is Vith 3N38. My Open gun is a SVI IMM.

Ok thanks for the info.

Last weekend after some much needed pracice was there the usual small talk, and the discussion came into Florida Open and its match director Frank Garcia. One of my shooting buddies was positive that Franks wife was one of the top ranked female shooters in the 90´s. Is there any truth in that?

My pleasure!