BayouSlide

Helped a buddy recently pick up a Glock 30. I run the Wolff two-piece guide rod and springs in my 10mm G29, but don't know what spring weight would work best for a G30 in .45. FWIW I run a 21# for 10mm...a little heavier setup than OEM. He's shooting mostly his own reloads but I'd like to set him up with something that would run also work for factory and self defense ammo. What are you guys running? The Wolff site lists weights from 15# to 23#. Curtis

Two to three per year recently...definitely less next year. As always time, distance and expenses become the determining factors. Worked Area 4 for the last two years but 2011 in Tulsa is just too much of a stretch. Working a major is a great learning experience, especially if you get the chance to work with some topnotch, experienced CROs/ROs. Curtis

Forgot to add...I ended up with my Edge because I shot a new Executive my buddy had. I loved how it handled and felt. He has the Recoilmaster in his. Now that I have mine sprung adequately, next time we practice together we're going to compare the two back to back just to see if one setup feels significantly better than the other. Curtis

Paper clip works great once you get the hang of it...don't think you'll find anything else better...even the factory manuals recommend it. 14# is stock. With our reduced loads 12/12.5# depending on your brand of spring seems to be a common choice. And yes, with my loads (around 168 - 171 PF) muzzle flip was significantly reduced. When I replaced the spring in the pistol when I bought it (because I was uncertain how old and worn it was) I was really disappointed with the stock weight...probably fine for full power loads but way oversprung for what we shoot. Some people go even lower. I'll probably stick with 12.5#...some go lower but the muzzle flip is close to what I was used to, and with enough spring to avoid battering the pistol. Personally, I'd recommend starting with a 12/12.5# and shoot it for a while so you can see how it feels before going lower. Curtis

I faced a similar situation with the used STI I purchased. It had the solid guide rod. I started with a spring at factory-stock weight (14#) but the pistol felt like it had too much muzzle flip and felt oversprung for the loads. I switched to a 12.5# ISMI and it feels much better to me. YMMV. Curtis

Muzzle of the gun is the only thing prohibited from pointing uprange, per 10.5.2. Keep the muzzle uprange and retreat at will. Curtis

There is one other option before making the call on penalties in particular: "Let's check this to make sure," then you grab your handy rule book. Some of the rules—like reshoots for non-existent squibs—are easy. Some you run into only infrequently and double checking the book before finalizing the score makes sure the call is right—and the correct call then gets wired into your long-term memory for next time. Everyone on the squad learns something. If there is any doubt, look it up. But if you find you're doing that more than once in a blue moon, that might be a sign it's time for a little homework or a refresher course Curtis

Been in your shoes. Our radar that tells us to run, not walk, away from deals like that has let us down...again. To take a riff from Robert Frost's "Good fences make good neighbors," I've found that written contracts definitely make for good business relationships. The freebies need 'em as much as the big buck jobs...maybe even more. At least with the profitable jobs somebody is paying to make your life miserable. Curtis

As other posters have said: know the rules, carry a rule book and cite the specific rule. When you show the RO in b&w, a good RO will admit his or her mistake and thank you for correcting them so that you will get the score you deserve. If not, take it up the chain. That's your right, so stick up for your rights in as polite and nonconfrontational a way as possible. And as ROs/CROs, we all owe the sport our maximum effort to raise the standards of officiating to the highest level possible, especially at local matches. The competitors at a local match deserve the same quality of officiating as at a Level II or III in my opinion. If an RO at your local matches is a little fuzzy on some rules, make it a point to educate them—in a friendly way that won't embarrass them in front of the competitors, if at all possible. Sometimes it may be brain fade or an honest mistake...it's happened to all of us. Curtis

If the opinion is more than a year old, don't rely on it. And only published interpretations count (Front Sight or uspsa.org). The Production rules were clarified on June 25, 2009. And, as stated below, it requires a "specific rules clause or published interpretation". (bold type throughout is my addition for emphasis) From the NROI Interpretation for the Production Division Equipment Rules (Appendix D4) June 25, 2009: "The burden of responsibility is on the shooter to ensure that his/her equipment is compliant with these provisions. If a modification is disputed – either by a Match Official or a competitor, under 11.1.2 and 11.7 – the competitor may be required to provide evidence of a specific clause in the rules or published NROI rulings which specifically authorizes the modification." "21. Authorized Modifications (strictly limited to these items and their stated guidelines) Please note that, during a match, a shooter may be required to demonstrate that their gun is in compliance with Division rules by identifying a specific rules clause or published interpretation which authorizes any disputed modification. If the shooter cannot identify an authorizing rules-clause or published interpretation, the RM shall rule that the modification is PROHIBITED for Production use and shall move the shooter to Open Division." Curtis Edited: 'cause I hate tipos typos!

No one needs one...but like you, once I tried one I definitely wanted one, too. Scratched that itch recently and am really enjoying the new iron. Should be the same trigger and trigger parts in either, BTW. Curtis

The 13# ISMI was always my choice for either a G34 or G17 with either the Atlanta Arms or my 147gr loads, too. A very common setup that has served many of us well over the years. Curtis

We prefer the term "hardcore metallic cartridge recycling enthusiasts" I personally hate seeing a precious natural resource go to waste...it's the Scot in me coming out, no doubt Curtis

I've dealt with Eric for a number of years for Trugrip for my Glocks. As I understand it, over the last couple of years, he may be away for weeks or more at a time on his day job. I've always received my orders, just sometimes it takes a little longer than it used to and I may not hear from him right away. Curtis

I'm with g34 and Sarge. I'd change to a fresh recoil spring. Before you do, you can, during dry fire, watch and feel the barrel and barrel hood to see if it moves just a little bit when you pull the trigger. If so, you can be firing just slightly out of battery. Curtis

That is exactly I've been using for with the same setup as you (Vanek, etc.) with 147 gr. Zero JHP and 3.3 gr of Titegroup. That what I normally recommend, especially with loads as light as you're running. Works for me, YMMV. Curtis

In my 550B, I've had absolutely no problems with bulged brass just using the Dillon dies and the Lee Factory Crimp die. Later I did replace the Dillon seating die with a nice-to-have—the Redding Competition Seating die—just for ease in shifting settings between various bullets and perhaps a little more precision in seating. Curtis Edited: 'cause I hate tipos typos!

Can't help but think about an incident I read about in the local paper recently...the K-9 first bit a deputy sheriff and then the suspect Curtis

Recently picked up a used STI Eagle 5 in. for Limited after years of shooting a Glock 9mm. My standard Dillon 10mm/.40 resizing die works fine with brass previously shot through Glocks. I've had IIRC only two 10mm cases that wouldn't gauge due to a bulge, but never a problem with a .40S&W. I do use the LFC die. With a Zero 180 JHP loaded to 1.183, 4.7 grs of Titegroup nets me a PF of 171, but 4.6 cuts it a little too close for comfort at 167. As always YMMV. Curtis

Welcome fellow brother of the bayou...lots of info here to help you in your shooting journey. Also, check out lagator.org for info on matches in South Louisiana. Curtis

Looks like a lot of fun in store for the South Louisiana clubs—and your stages sure hit the ground well at Area 4. It's nice to see someone motivated to really work on their stage design chops and toss out their work for critique from this demanding crowd...we all get to benefit. Keep up the great work. Curtis

Spread feed lips have caused this for me in the past. Curtis

The Vanek super trigger kit is superb. Go for it. Consider a set of sights from Dawson Precision. Adjustable rear, .100" wide FO front. Awesome, IMO. Dawson Precision ICE magwell. And some Millenium Custom grip tape. Great advice here on trigger, sights and magwell...you will love the Vanek Curtis

Welcome to THE best shooting resource on the net... For info on Louisiana pistol matches check in to www.lagator.org if you haven't already. Curits