JFlowers Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I got my new Open gun put together a few weeks ago and since then I have had no time to shoot. Friday, I finally got down to the range and had a chance to run the gun hard. But I found a few problems and I am hoping someone can give me some pointers since I am trying doing most of the work myself on this one. Technical facts - Para frame, STI 38 Super slide, 3 port comp and 2 barrel ports. Load is 3N38 under a 115gr, same in 38S and 38SC brass. First problem is 38 Super Comp.... The gun runs like a champ with 38S but with 38SC, I get periodic ejection problems. The case ends up with the tale-tale double creases in the case mouth, so my guess is that it is hitting the CMore and bouncing back into the ejection port. I know how to tune the ejector. But is there anything else I need to be aware of? Second problem is the Para mags... Para 38 Super bodies, Dawson Para basepads, Dawson spring, Para factory follower. At 20 rounds or so of either 38S or 38SC , something sticks and the magazine just become a hollow tube full of rattling bullets. After I dump the rounds, I can see the follow and two bullets hung up in the mag. I am thinking its hanging at the joint of the tube and basepad. So I was thinking I just need to polish the inside well and blend the joint. Anything else this might be? Thanks guys for the ideas and help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn jones Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 (edited) are you using a long ejector? para mags suck. get some sti mags and modify mag release catch slot to fit the para. lynn Edited May 31, 2008 by lynn jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 If it runs with Super but not SC it is probably an extractor tension issue, the extractor set up needs to be done specifically for the cartridge used. An Aftec is slightly more forgiving, but I still don't recommend shooting both cases in the same gun, one is going to be too tight and the other too loose no matter what you do. Rounds hanging when they go from in the magazine to in the basepad is very common. It is something you probably won't get past. Load 18 or 19 in them and get some different mags to use for higher capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Keep your eyes open for a 170mm STI made for Para tube, some just sold here. I have found the best 40 setup for Para's is the Factory tube, factory follower, wolff para springs, and the Dawson extended pads. I got 20 rounds of 40, the same setup in 38 should provide 24 25 ish ? The the smaller 38 round may benifit from a spacer that eases the transition from pad to tube, you didnt mention them and dawson says they are required for 38 and 9mm para's when used with their extended pads. http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDeta...0002-1134161784 if the link doesnt work it is dawson part 501-007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirpy Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Just a word about Para mags...They do not suck! I have a Limited .45 built on a Para frame kit (complete guns were not available when I had mine put together!!!). My mags have been tuned using original parts. With quality ammo - either factory or my handloads they have worked for years. Don't let the experiences of others make a decision for you. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 Para mags in Super with extended basepads need the retainer with fingers, like the post above. Without it, the rounds will get caught on the bottom of the ribs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBoyle Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 The the smaller 38 round may benifit from a spacer that eases the transition from pad to tube, you didnt mention them and dawson says they are required for 38 and 9mm para's when used with their extended pads. http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDeta...0002-1134161784 if the link doesnt work it is dawson part 501-007. I think this is the problem with the mags. I use to have a para 38 super and I never had a problem with rounds in the magazine (not in SC anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlowers Posted May 31, 2008 Author Share Posted May 31, 2008 I will put the spacers in the magazines, I was use to running a Para 40 which never needed the spacers. The AFTEC is on back-order. The STI for Para big sticks run just fine. Its only the Para tubes that cause me problems. We are assuming that the bind is side to side. What OAL are you all using in your 38S/SC Paras? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I would not expect a gun to run 100% on both rimmed Super and rimless (Comp) brass. People will say theirs do, but watch them at a match sometime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlowers Posted May 31, 2008 Author Share Posted May 31, 2008 Well, my long term plan is to go to all Comp, but I have a lot of Super and a little Comp brass at the moment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm with shred. Sell some brass, buy some of the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeAZ Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 This is interesting...long before thr modular frames came out I tried a 38 Super Para ..never could get the thing near 100% running,... always, figured it was the mags (got the rattle can effect, like you at 26/29 rounds). Not one to give up after 15 or so years????, I just started to build a Para in 9mm for steel... See the same thing happining.. Have the Dawson pads/w/the Purple extender. I run a long 9mm out to 1.200 (no spacers) Can see it's a timing issue... I think it always was but we didn't have the mag tuners out there like today.... Does seem like that Todd guy ever had all those problems, so they can work??.... my $.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZ Bagger Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 I've had a similar problem where I had taken too much of the tension (playing with the springs) out of the aftec. Too much tension and it would not chamber every round. Too little had the rounds bouncing off the scope mount. Pretty easy for someone else to see if they watch you shoot some rounds off. Sounds like at least part of the problem may be not enough tension on the SC's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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