Got my STI back from the Gunsmith today

FireFinder · Post by **FireFinder** » January 28th, 2005, 2:22 pm

So after I had this pistol tweaked last summer by a different gunsmith, I shot it quite a bit during the fall to wring out any further problems, and get it broken in. The last match I shot with it, I placed 16th of 85 shooters and won my class in my division. I gave the pistol to the same 'smith that tweaked it previously for final prep before getting it hard-chromed. That was the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The guy's CNC mill broke down, and he didn't get it fixed until New Year's, and finally got the pistol done and off to chrome (Tripp Research in Texas). I just got it back this morning, and will be shooting it tomorrow.

I had him add front serrations and mill the previous gunsmith's name off the slide, round the corners of the thumb safeties, blend the ejector and extractor, and remove the tooling marks from the components and bead-blast and prep it for chrome.

I really should have had this guy build the gun in the first place.

FireFinder · Post by **FireFinder** » January 28th, 2005, 4:48 pm

The trigger components are made by Strayer-Voight, and the trigger face is replaceable with a number of different styles. I chose the long-flat face for it because I would have to substantially break my grip in order to get more finger than I should have on the trigger. Its just a mechanical method of forcing the correct trigger-to-finger interface.

http://www.sviguns.com/catalog2001/page5.html
http://www.sviguns.com/catalog2001/page6.html

Horned Toad · Post by **Horned Toad** » January 28th, 2005, 9:14 pm

An even better piece now that you have the kinks worked out

lawdog · Post by **lawdog** » January 29th, 2005, 3:45 am

I still liked it when it went auto on you.

Beautiful piece you have there.

FireFinder · Post by **FireFinder** » February 9th, 2005, 11:07 am

Ranger want2race,

Thanks! I'm really pleased with it. I've been working on my presentation and reload drills and dry-firing quite a bit since I got it back. I should be getting a new classification card from USPSA this month as I shot well enough to move up to B in Limited (I hope).

The Brazos Lightning Rod fiber-optic front sight in green is really, really bright, even in low-light conditions like we have in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. Its almost like shooting a comped gun (for me at least). 180gr bullet at 950fps, and the muzzle doesn't lift at all for me.

Now I want to have a single-stack pistol built the same way with a long-wide dustcover and slab-sided slide and bull barrel. That will have to wait, as my 12 y/o needs some orthodontic work.

lawdog · Post by **lawdog** » February 10th, 2005, 9:46 pm

FireFinder wrote:Now I want to have a single-stack pistol built the same way with a long-wide dustcover and slab-sided slide and bull barrel. That will have to wait, as my 12 y/o needs some orthodontic work.

Straight teeth for the young one or a pistol to kill the bastards teasing him about crooked teeth? Where are your priorities man?

FireFinder · Post by **FireFinder** » February 10th, 2005, 11:32 pm

lawdog wrote:
FireFinder wrote:Now I want to have a single-stack pistol built the same way with a long-wide dustcover and slab-sided slide and bull barrel. That will have to wait, as my 12 y/o needs some orthodontic work.
Straight teeth for the young one or a pistol to kill the bastards teasing him about crooked teeth? Where are your priorities man?

Oh, I got that part covered.:D He can handle himself, he doesn't need me handling his battles. Its my job to make him a man.

FireFinder · Post by **FireFinder** » March 25th, 2005, 11:43 am

Ranger want2race wrote:I love the look of the full lenth dust cover and slab side, but it isn't legal for IDPA stock class and I don't want to limit my choices for competition.
What classes do you shoot?

I don't compete now, but if I build it I will want to shoot it. Rumor has it I might get to build a .45 as my work gun. Unfortunately I will be using a USGI spec frame as the base.

Ranger want2race,

I shoot 'B' Limited and 'C' Limited 10 with this pistol in USPSA. I use a Glock 34 for USPSA Production (C class there too). I just made B, and am only a few percentage points from moving up to B in Limited 10 and Production. I also shoot GSSF with a Glock 21 and a Glock 34.

I've never shot IDPA, USPSA/IPSC and Cowboy Action are the popular games here. USPSA 3gun is getting pretty busy as well.

Best all around gun for the most types of competitions would have to be a Glock in .40. Download it for USPSA Production, IDPA, GSSF, and Steel Challenge type matches. You can shoot USPSA Limited and Limited 10 with it, and also use it for non-IDPA-type Defensive Handgun/Concealed Carry matches. It is absolutely the cheapest way to start competitive shooting getting the most 'bang' for the buck (pun intended).

You can go to GSSF matches and have a better than average chance to win a gun certificate or cash prize. Shoot at the larger USPSA matches, like Area 2 at Rio Salado in November, and stand a good chance of winning more stuff. I've won a Green Mountain Sports Custom Original Bag, a few Benchmade knives, a 3gun cart, ShootingChrony Chronograph, clothing, a cash prize, and reloading components. It sure doesn't cover the cost of shooting, but I have alot of fun, and have met great people.

FireFinder · Post by **FireFinder** » April 14th, 2006, 9:41 pm

I won a raffle for a custom grip for this pistol, and decided to spring for the extra $20 to have it painted. The guy that does the work is Jim Shanahan of Advanced Performance Shooting.

The pistol just feels so much better in my hands, the trigger guard undercuts, texture, etc. really make a huge difference. The paint just takes the edge off the aggressive texture.