msg73

Were the stages setup any different than what's described in the first post? Plate rack of six 8" plates and a popper at 11 yards?

What are you using for your production gun? If you're using factory 9mm ammo and don't plan to reload, you might not get much benefit out of a comp...other than added weight. Cheapest/easiest option is to put a red dot on your production gun. Glocks have a nice optic mount...or you can try a slide mounted red dot like the Burris FastFire 2. Deltapoints and RMRs are a bit more expensive.

Thanks, but I definitely don't want a key that I have to keep track of. All, of the in-wall safes that I've seen seem to be fairly large (~22"h x 16"w). Looking for somthing like the Secure Logic in size but with more security (looks flimsy)

Any suggetions for a decent in-wall handgun safe? Looking to mount it between the studs in the wall next to my bed. Don't want it too big...just something to fairly discrete to fit a handgun and couple of mags. Electronic keypad or biometric. This one looked interesting but doen't seem to be very secure... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019J8PNK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p60_d0_g60_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0CX9QMHSRNN71878F25Z&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846 Thanks

Just wanted to add that Glocks, M&Ps, etc are considered DAO but behave more like SAO. To clarify, the sear has a slight bump that the striker has to go over before it's released. Therefore, it's technically DAO because the pull of the trigger drops the sear causing the striker to pull back slightly. This seems to be less functional but more to get it classified as DAO for law enforcement.

Recently chrono'd some loads and wanted to share my results. These where shot at an indoor range at ~65 degrees. Spartan 5" 1911: Precision Delta 124gr FMJ, 3.8gr N320, OAL 1.15" = avg 124 pf Precision Delta 124gr FMJ, 4.0gr N320, OAL 1.15" = avg 128.5 pf Precision Delta 124gr FMJ, 3.7gr Titegroup, OAL 1.15" = avg 128 pf Precision Delta 124gr FMJ, 4.0gr Titegroup, OAL 1.15" = avg 131 pf M&P 40 FS: Precision Delta 180gr FMJ-FN, 3.8gr N320, OAL 1.13" = avg 124 pf Precision Delta 180gr FMJ-FN, 4.0gr N320, OAL 1.13" = avg 131 pf Precision Delta 180gr FMJ-FN, 5.0gr N320, OAL 1.13" = avg 166 pf Also tried some N320 loads at 4.4gr and 4.7gr as I worked my way up to major pf. Can't remember exactly but they were around low 140's pf and low 150's pf, respectively.

IT guy? I thought Nick was a spunky latina girl

Thanks Maks. Your Tangfoglio numbers seems to match up pretty well...you use a tad more powder but at a longer OAL.

Should be getting my 4lb jug of N320 today and wanted to see what you guys were loading. I'm thinking of trying the following (+/- .1 gr) with CCI SPP and targeting 130pf and 170pf: 9mm minor - 124gr Precision Delta FMJ w/ 4.0gr N320 @1.15 OAL 40 minor - 180gr Precision Delta FMJ FP w/ 3.8gr N320 @ 1.13 OAL 40 major - 180gr Precision Delta FMJ FP w. 5.0gr N320 @ 1.13 OAL The 9mm load will be for my 5" 1911 Spartan The 40 load will be for my M&P40 FS Any thoughts on my starting loads above? Thanks, Mike

Did one of the NJ lawmakers hack into Ray's account? What next? Stop using guns alltogether...along with secular music, dancing and drinking?

Have you checked out CJ? I'm not a member but shot water bottles and other misc targets in the pits. It's a bit far from Bergen County so I'll be very interested in an alternative as well.

In the last ProAm match, I recall stage one had 14 plates, stage two had 17 (including a Texas Star) and stage three had 22 (all of stage two + 5 of stage one). The fourth stage was a tiebreaker stage with 6 plates. Dennis put a steel plate in front of the Texas star blocking the bottom third. Contrary to normal protocol, you have to make sure the star spins to get the targets up above the plate.. I think only 2 people were able to get all 5 down...but most didn't even get to shoot the star at all.

Thanks for the heads up...just ordered one.

I assume this is when you're staying up in Bergen county. If so and you don't need ultra small/portable, gander mountain is having a sale on one. $12.50 and free shipping. I just ordered one myself. http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=450791&pdesc=Outers_28_Piece_Universal_Economy_Wooden_Cleaning_Kit Mike (Guy with the Spartan at Tenafly)

Added Wilson mag well, Hogue grips, Wilson extended mag release and polished up the thumb/grip safety. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Thanks. I'm really amazed by how light, crisp and short (hardly any pre/over travel) you can make the trigger on a 1911. I thought the trigger on my M&P40 was nice, but this is in a different league.

Shot another 150 rounds. This time I used four Tripp Cobra 10rd mags, the Wolff springs (9lb recoil, 17lb main) and tuned the trigger pull to 3.2lbs. Everything performed perfectly. Tried with the mags loaded with 10, 5, 6 rounds and with/without one in the chamber and it took them all fine. Great gun!

Harry - What's wrong with your GSG? Conversions kits seems to cost as much (or even more) than some .22lr 1911's (GSG, Chiappa, etc.) 2Alpha - correct on the spring weights. I did a crude measurement and the Wolff was 8.9lbs and the Stock was 11.8lbs. Didn't get an accurate measurement on the mainspring but did measure enough to know that the stock was heavier than the 17lb Woff. I also noticed that the Wolff recoil kit came with a firing pin spring. In comparing to stock, the Wolff was a bit heavier. All the Wolff springs were longer than stock.

The 9mm Spartan V is everything I'd hoped it to be. It came generously lubed, so I tore it down to wipe the excess lube and headed to the range. While I've only shot 155 rounds (Walmart Fed 115g), it functioned flawlessly and was accurate right out of the box. The trigger was around 6lbs and had a bit of creep. Overtravel was set exactly like I prefer from the factory (i.e. hardly any overtravel). The mag was easy to seat with a solid click and released smoothly. The slide/barrel had a nice fit without any play while still feeling smooth when I racked it. I noticed that the cases were only ejecting a couple of feet. Made it easy to pick up the brass, but may be a sign of heavy springs. I contacted STI to confirm the stock spring weights and they told me 10lbs for recoil and 15lbs for hammer/mainspring. In comparing the stock springs to a set of new Wolff springs (9lb recoil, 17lb main), the Wolff springs seemed lighter. I've heard that the stock springs were 12lb recoil and 19lb main and that seems more accurate than what STI told me. When I got home, I started to fune tune it (trigger job, polishing, etc). I installed the Wolff springs and it was a bit easier to rack. I'll see how it shoots at my next range session and play with different springs, if necessary. The feed ramp on the frame seem polished a bit as the parkerizing was polished off but I took out my dremmel and buffed the frame/barrel ramps to a mirror shine. I also polished the trigger bow and bent out the pre-travel tabs to get rid of the play. Now there's hardly any pre/over travel. I then tweaked the sear spring and got my trigger pull to 3.6lbs. I'll shoot another 500 or so rounds and see if the trigger pull lessens. If not, I'll probably tweak it some more to get it around 3lbs. I ordered 4 Tripp 10rnd mags as I've heard many positive reviews. I expect them to run fine, but will reply back if there are any issues with them. Also picked up new magwell, grips, extended mag release, holster and mag pouches. Overall, I'm extremely happy with my purchase and would propose that it's one of the best bang for the buck 1911's. Yes, you can get others that are double the price but I can't imagine they perform twice as good. Mike

The Taurus is a series 80 with firing pin safety. Make sure you try out some series 70 1911s without the firing pin safety to see if that's what you want.

If it's purely a gaming pistol, then take a look at a 1911. RIA tactical is nice and less than $500. For a little more, you can get an STI Spartan...mine should be arriving at my FFL tomorrow! If you want a polymer, then definitely take a look at the M&P. If possible, feel it and shoot it before you make your final decision.

If that was an RIA Tactical, you can get the Spartan for about $100 more. You'll get a FO front sight, STI internals, better barrel (?) and the folks at STI looking everything over. I also think the Spartan is better looking, but that's subjective. I've read that the Spartan series is more in-line with an RIA Match instead of the RIA Tactical. I'm probably going to order several of the Metalform 10rd mags and a Blade Tech Revolution hoster from midway...any bad reviews on these?

Thanks everyone. I just placed an order for the 5" Spartan in 9mm. Need to get some mags now

Good to know about the Ruger...one less to think about. While the Taurus does look nice, I scratched it off the list as I didn't want the series 80 FPS and have heard iffy things about their QC. One other factor that I just thought of was caliber. A single stack 9mm 1911 really isn't that practical for competition (other than steel). I know I could still shoot single stack but only in minor. I'm wondering if I should get a 1911 in 40S&W to be more versatile. If I do, I would also consider reloading...but would a 40S&W reloaded to minor pf be as soft shooting as a 9mm? Some say it could even be softer but not sure what the consensus is. What would be a good 1911 in 40S&W in my price range?

Decided to pick up a 1911 9mm with my last permit. My budget is around $650 and am considering the STI Spartan, Ruger SR1911 and RIA Tactical. Which do you think is the best? This will be solely used for gaming and not HD. I would consider a better used gun but only have 2 weeks left before my permit expires, so not much time to find something. I think the Ruger looks the nicest but not sure how it compares to the Spartan in terms of performance. The RIA is the cheapest but it also looks cheap...don't mind spending the extra $150 or so for a better looking/performing gun. Also, should I get it in 38 super instead of 9mm (in case I want to turn it into an open gun)? Would these even be able to converted to a decent open gun?