Steel Open Gun

[Dump1567]

This question is a liitle late since I've already bought this project, but here it goes. My gunsmith (Will O'Hara) told me about a project that a customer of his was selling. He wanted a 5 inch comped .38 super built for a carry gun. Here's the catch. It had to weigh 28 oz. or less. This guy had $2k into this project and ran out of money. I bought all his parts for $1k. Here's what I got. Caspian single stack aluminum frame that's been accu-railed and fitted with a commander lengh STI slide. The slide has also been lightened. A 2 port custom made comp, Shuemann ramped AET .38 super barrel, 5 mags, extra accu-rails, and about all the parts needed to finish this gun. I was going to add weight back into it (tunsten guide rod, 1 piece M/S housing W/ magwell). I'll also need to spend about $400 on parts (C-more sight, etc.) and another $1K to finish it. When it's done, the overall lengh with the comp will only be 5 inches. I basically know nothing about open guns. My question is, will this gun make a decent minor load steel gun?

[BrianH]

Sounds like you got the fixings for a really awsome rod! Although I don't think it's going to cost quite as much as you think to finish the job. The rails are done...that's the big part.

The only trick to setting up a gun like that to run good is spring length/weight. It can be kinda tricky, but you just have to be willing to buy different weight springs and clip them up...once you got something that shoots all the time, write down what you used and stick to it.

Sounds like a cool project....

[BillL223]

I think you're off to a good start. I wouldn't add weight till after I tried it out. The items you suggeted are drop in anyway. You don't need a big magwell because you never reload in a steel match. The ceiling on power factor is about 150. Most run under 130. I heard that Koneig is running 95 gr bullets. I use Zero 115 Softpoints and Titegroup powder. This needs about a 7-8# spring in a 5" comped gun

[Dump1567]

I'm having both a steel and tungsten FLGR cut to the appropriate size. I'll try both and see what I like. I also went with the S&A M/S housing with magwell. There's a local steel match that I shoot that may require reloading. Once again, this is something I can remove If I don't like it. Thanks for the input. Now comes the 5 to 6 month wait. It should be a good christmas. He's also building me an IDPA/Limited gun which should be done around the same time.