Dro8

So I just got a new STI Trojan 9mm. Great firearm. I cleaned it up and then ran about 150 rounds through it right after I got it. I did a lot of practice emergency reloads releasing the slide with the slide stop on a new partially full magazine and never had any trouble. However, the following weekend when I used it in an IDPA competition, I had 2 occasions where after a reload with a now full magazine (Dawson Precision 10 rounders - 9mm), the gun would not go into battery when releasing the slide with the slide stop. After those 2 incidents I switched to a sling-shot slide release and didn't have any trouble. Do you think my issue is with spring tension in the magazines? I'm more of a Glock guy so trouble-shooting a 1911 is a bit new for me. Any help suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks Polak, but I already have those 15 rounders from Estrella. They're' very nice, but I can't change the base pads on them since they're permanently altered. I need extended base pads so I can use them with a magwell. I'll have to settle for the 10-rounders with extended +0 base pads. I can always use one of the 15 rounders to start the Stage, and then reload with the 10 rounders.

Thank you all for your comments. Polak had the info I was looking for. Guess it's +0 pads on the 10 rounders...

Does anyone know if you can put on a +2 base pad on a Glock factory 9mm 10-round mag (for a G17 / G34)? I've never seen the inside of a 10 rounder, so I don't know if it has a normal spring etc. I want to put a magwell on a G34 for ESP use in IDPA, but since I live in NJ, I'm limited to 15 rounds, and the only way I can think of adding the base pad for the mag well is on a 10 rounder. Any help/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Has anyone seen any G34 Gen 4's around in South Jersey? 'Bout time that I picked one up....

I gave up on Jersey and bought one on GunBroker. Thank you all, Gentlemen, for the replies.

I "need" a Walther PPQ 5" 9mm. Anyone seen any for sale in central-to-south Jersey?

I say Glock 26. I have a 19 and a 26 and even though I'm in my own house, I still prefer the smaller 26 in an IWB holster (Galco King Tuck). That holster will hold either one but the 26 just feels less noticeable. Of course I'm a pretty skinny dude, so that may be part of the problem. If that's still too big, then I say a S&W M&P Shield or something like a Sig 238. I had one of those for a while and when I wore it I had no idea it was there. However, it just seemed a bit too small... even for my small hands. I would stick with a subcompact 9mm.

Seems like the majority of the votes are for the Glock. Thanks for all the input, Folks. I'll advise when I make the final purchase!

So I've been flip-flopping over the past few weeks between getting a G34 or a PPQ 5". Does anyone have any hands-on experience with both that they'd like to share? I do appreciate everyone's input, but comparing to a G19 or G17 vs. a standard PPQ 4" etc. isn't really what I'm looking for. I really would love to hear about people's experience with the G34 and PPQ 5" specifically. My main concerns would really be the extra muzzle-flip that I hear about on the PPQ and the amazing ergonomics/trigger that I hear about in the PPQ. Let me know if you can, thanks!

Woolwich is usually pretty good. The longest I've waited is 2 months. I'm 1 month in at this point. Fingers crossed.

I'm with David on this one.... Glocks rule but, Maaaan that's a sweet looking gun. The trigger looks really fat/wide, though. I feel like it almost looks too wide. Guess I'll have to shoot one to see.

I say 1911 also. I had a P229 - it was actually my first handgun. After years of not wanting to get rid of it because it was my first, I finally traded it in. Interestingly for a Sig 1911. I'm very glad I did. I'm not a big fan of SA/DA semi-autos... I say stick with DAO or SAO to keep that same trigger pull every time. Grab a full size 1911 and enjoy!

I actually don't really care which division. I'm not like a super-competitor, and I have guns for pretty much all (non-revolver) divisions. I actually shoot a G19 for SSP, an M&P Pro for ESP, and I have a 1911 for CDP. I was just wondering if people have experience with both and can make any recommendations. I don't shoot USPSA because... well.... I just never have and I don't know where to do that, to be honest. My local club has IDPA every month and that's what I do. Not really for the competition aspect, so much as just to have some fun and practice practical shooting. I just can't decide between the 9mm and .45 so I'm hoping for some advice from people that have experience with both.

My brain says I need a 5" Glock. I cannot argue with my own brain. The problem now is to decide on which. Do I get a Glock 34 or a Glock 41? I'm hoping the fine members of this forum can help me decide. It will be used mainly for IDPA competitions and I'm set on one of the two. I do reload my own ammo so ammo price isn't really a factor other than the cost of bullets. Do any of you have either or both of these firearms and can you give me any insight or recommendations? My brain and I would appreciate the help. Thanks!

Yea, my recommendation would be to go bigger if it's hurting your hand. Try a G21 or a G41. Or do you prefer those smaller guns for concealability purposes? If you have no need to conceal it then a 21 or 41 might be a good choice for you. They would likely be easier on you due to the larger size. If you don't have to stick with glock then a 1911 might be the way. I have small hands too and my full size 1911 treats me very well. I'm also trying to get my hands on a G21 or G41, but I'm waiting on permits.

+1 on a Sig. I got the bottom of the barrel sig 1911 - the XO stainless 5" - as my first 1911. I just didn't want to drop that much cash on my first 1911, so I did a lot of research and chose Sig. Even their "worst" 1911 has a lot of good features for the money. Like JP said, it doesn't have the MIM parts, and it's got nice front strap checkering amongst other features. I paid just under 800 for it. I will say that when I first bought it, I had some FTFs - enough that I wan't happy. I sent it right back to Sig. They fixed it up had it back to me in a few weeks free of charge. The customer service was great and it's run flawlessly ever since - I absolutely love shooting it. I added a couple of mods on mine like a FO front sight, over-sized mag release, and Hogue grips. She ain't the prettiest gal at the dance, but boy can she move.

I'm going to trade my M&P Pro .40 for one, I think. Just need my permits! Waiting......

I'd say I should move to your town, Gunnz, but I sure love Woolwich. The PD is great when it comes to firearms, and just in general, actually. I've never had a need to extend my permits... the urge to buy before 3 months is just too great.

I just got rid of my .380 (Sig P238) in exchange for a Dillon 550B press. I'll certainly use that press a heck of a lot more than that .380. Forget the 42 and just buy a 41. 5" .45 Glock makes my eyes raaain.

Yes, you have to pay twice. The first $18 is for the state police to do the background check. That has to be paid up front. Then the second payment of $2.00 per permit goes to the local PD (I think). Either way - there are 2 payments. I have no experience with the online thing that Pizza Bob mentioned, so I can't really comment on that. Love those "convenience fees" though. Heh. As Gunnz said, they're valid for 90 days, and can then be extended for another 90 days. That whole issue can vary by PD. You have to take the permit back to the PD to get signed by Chief of P for the extra 90 day extension, but there seems to be a bit of a gray area as to when to take it. The last week of its first 90 day validity period, the last day of it's validity, or I've heard some PD's will extend it even after the first 90 days expires (if you bring it in within a week or so of it expiring). I would check with the local PD so you have the right info for your area. If you don't renew them, or if you do renew them and the 180 days is up... then they're worthless at that point and you would have to re-apply to get more permits. In regards to the actual form, yes... at the top you just check off the handgun permit box and enter how many you want. Don't check off any other boxes - unless of course any of them do apply, i.e. change of address etc. And you're right about the "N.J. FIREARMS ID CARD/SBI NUMBER" box on the form. Just input the entire FID number (which also includes letters) from your FID card. Hope that helps!

You can actually just grab the forms online from the state police website: http://www.njsp.org/info/forms.html You need to grab these (links included): 1 - [sTS-033] Application to purchase a handgun (same form as the FID form you filled out originally). http://www.njsp.org/info/pdf/firearms/sts-033.pdf 2 - [sP-66] Consent for mental health records search. http://www.njsp.org/info/pdf/firearms/sp-066.pdf You may also have to fill out a form for a criminal records check [sBI-2l2A] which isn't available online, but you can just ask for it when you go to submit the forms and fill it out right there. You'll also need a money order for $18.00 (usually) for the background check. You will not have to get finger-printed again, but you'll need to bring your FID card and your drivers license. Just fill all that paperwork out, hand it in and wait. Once the permits are approved, the Police Dept. will call and tell you they're ready. You just have to go pick them up and bring $2.00 cash for each permit (i.e. if you applied for 3 handgun permits, bring $6.00). Pretty simple stuff and I'm sure the police will be very helpful. And like TheBEARD said, you will need to bring the actual permit to purchase a handgun with you to the gun shop when you plan to take delivery of the firearm. The permit will get filled out by the store personnel and give you a carbon copy of the completed permit for your records. Put that in a safe place. In most places you don't actually need the permit to BUY the handgun, but you will not leave the store with your nice new handgun until you give them a valid handgun purchase permit - So you can walk into a store with just your FID card and ID, buy a handgun, and they will hold it for you while you wait for the permits to come in. The only issue there, is if you happen to get denied, then you might lose some money if the gun shop wants to be mean about it. My advice is to wait until permits are in-hand. Good luck!

Thank you, Gentlemen. I'll check those places out.

So I'm toying with the idea of having the slide on my Glock 19 milled out so I can add a Trijicon RMR optic on it - along with co-witnessed suppressor sites. Sort of like an M&P C.O.R.E. but specific to the RMR site. I've seen this configuration a few times online lately and I like it. Anyone know any good local smiths that could handle something like that?

I'm also going to go with what Griz said, IF you end up going with Glock. I have a G19 and an M&P pro. I actually prefer the feel of the Glock in my hands over the M&P. That said, I actually shoot the M&P a little better. That has a lot to do with the Apex FSS Trigger I have installed in the M&P. I use that for range/competition only because that trigger is very light and short. I'll go with the standard answer, though... hold/shoot them both to see which you prefer and get that one.