Factory Ammo

[Iggy42]

So I am thinking of moving to USPSA Limited and acquiring an EAA Witness Elite Limited to compete with. Give my spacial restrictions (house too small) I can't do my own reloading, even though I REALLY want to someday I will figure out a way to fit a bench in here, so I was wondering if a stock gun can handle factory .40S&W loads for those times I can't afford to place and order with Atlanta Arms and Ammo. That being said is anyone using Atlanta ammo on a regular basis and can toss me a price along with what they use from them in their Witness. In a perfect world I would get 165pf ammo all the time (and if the price is right I will be) but I may have to use ammo from my local sporting goods store. If the gun cannot handle factory loads it would be nice to know, if nothing else I know going in what I am looking at.

All that being said if I do purchase a new EAA Witness Elite Limited any recommended changes (I know Henning is the guy to go to for parts) and who to have do them. Fiber front sight, trigger job and the flat trigger come to mind primarily.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Iggy42

[Iggy42]

Well I see Rich at Canyon Creek is the go to guy for EAA work so I guess that answers that

[bayoupirate]

You don't need a big set up to reload.

I built a small and stury table. 28 x 28"

mounted my square deal b on it and reloaded on that for years.

I built it that size, because it could fit into the closet.

Took about a year before my wife found it.

[Nealio]

You may want to try the flat trigger first. I personally don't like it as much as the stock SA trigger.

Honestly you don't need to change much on these guns. The only upgrades I have on my Limited are: grip screws, front sight, firing pin, sear pin, and reduced power hammer spring. However I have had to clean up the face of the sear several times (haven't got around to fitting my EGW sear yet).

[Iggy42]

You may want to try the flat trigger first. I personally don't like it as much as the stock SA trigger.

Honestly you don't need to change much on these guns. The only upgrades I have on my Limited are: grip screws, front sight, firing pin, sear pin, and reduced power hammer spring. However I have had to clean up the face of the sear several times (haven't got around to fitting my EGW sear yet).

The flat trigger appeals to me since I played paintball for 18 years and many a gun I used had "blade" triggers which where the same thing just built for two fingers instead of one. While I will admit it is an entirely different animal, it just seems right for me.

[Iggy42]

No one knows if I will have any issues if I have to run factory loads? Only ask because I heard that back when the major power factor was 175 a pin was cracking internally and naturally I really do not want that to happen.

[Mo Hepworth]

I doubt you would have any problems. I shoot a 180gr FMj and also Plated at 176pf out of my Limited Custom, and with the comp'd barrel the same ammo makes 178-179pf. I have shot lots of that ammo out of that as well as some 165 Winchester ranger (which is hotter). I have no problems using the lighter recoil spring.(11.2 lbs.est)

You could try the heavier recoil spring at about 12.5 lbs if you feel the gun is getting beat up shooting factory ammo. I heard Winchester 180gr is not that bad.

[Iggy42]

I doubt you would have any problems. I shoot a 180gr FMj and also Plated at 176pf out of my Limited Custom, and with the comp'd barrel the same ammo makes 178-179pf. I have shot lots of that ammo out of that as well as some 165 Winchester ranger (which is hotter). I have no problems using the lighter recoil spring.(11.2 lbs.est)

You could try the heavier recoil spring at about 12.5 lbs if you feel the gun is getting beat up shooting factory ammo. I heard Winchester 180gr is not that bad.

Thanks Mo, I got a pricelist from Atlanta Arms and it is looking like I will be using their reloads. I need to crunch a few number yet and pick which round I am going to use (leaning toward remanufactured brass 180gr TCJ 1.180OAL) but I don't know if that comes in major or minor pf. If so then I will be using remanufactured brass 180gr TCJ major pf. Still kinda confused on the options, but I am learning. I am assuming that the "long" (1.180 OAL) is availible in major or minor (will need it in major) but I will naturally confirm this before I place an order. Well will help to have a gun that is chambered in .40S&W first but hey that's a minor detail

Speaking of which anyone running into the nose dive issue with .40S&W using Atlanta reman brass and the .40S&W mags from Henning?

Edited November 9, 2010 by Iggy42

[boulderchild]

I have been shooting .40 with a 1.185 oal and never had an issue due to that. I am using 10mm mags with hennings base pads and the only time I have had an issue was trying to put 19rds in one with new springs.

I haven't been shooting matches for very long though so you may get a better answer from someone who has been doing this longer

[Iggy42]

I have been shooting .40 with a 1.185 oal and never had an issue due to that. I am using 10mm mags with hennings base pads and the only time I have had an issue was trying to put 19rds in one with new springs.

I haven't been shooting matches for very long though so you may get a better answer from someone who has been doing this longer

I thought the Henning 140mm mags held 21 in .40s&w, or is it a case of needing to break the spring in a bit to get to 21?

Also on that note, if I pick up the Henning tuned mags am I safe using the .40S&W mags or do I need to get the 10mm to prevent the nose dive issues that I have been reading about.

[boulderchild]

I have been shooting .40 with a 1.185 oal and never had an issue due to that. I am using 10mm mags with hennings base pads and the only time I have had an issue was trying to put 19rds in one with new springs.

I haven't been shooting matches for very long though so you may get a better answer from someone who has been doing this longer

I thought the Henning 140mm mags held 21 in .40s&w, or is it a case of needing to break the spring in a bit to get to 21?

Also on that note, if I pick up the Henning tuned mags am I safe using the .40S&W mags or do I need to get the 10mm to prevent the nose dive issues that I have been reading about.

It is a matter of needing broken in a bit. A lot of my brass has/had the "glock bulge" which, combined with the new spring caused the rounds not to feed correctly (read nose diving). after they break in they will run 21 rounds though.

I haven't used the actual .40 magazines, my first witness was a 10mm so I ended up using the mags from that. If it helps everybody I shoot with who shoots this combination uses the 10mm mag bodies.

[GrumpyOne]

You don't need a big set up to reload.

I built a small and stury table. 28 x 28"

mounted my square deal b on it and reloaded on that for years.

I built it that size, because it could fit into the closet.

Took about a year before my wife found it.

Really? You have a closet that isn't full of her stuff?

[GrumpyOne]

No one knows if I will have any issues if I have to run factory loads? Only ask because I heard that back when the major power factor was 175 a pin was cracking internally and naturally I really do not want that to happen.

Winchester white box 165 FN is listed at 1060 FPS, which gives it a PF of 174.9. It won't hurt your gun....

The Win White box 189 grn FMJ are listed at 1020 FPS for a PF of 183.6

[JThompson]

When you start shooting USPSA, ask around... I bet someone is using the load you want for your gun and they might be inclined to load for you if you pay them for the components.

JT