Nordic Components - MXT - Must Have Shotgun Upgrade

Nordic Components has always produced quality products and has been my personal choice of a company to turn to, in order to fulfill my shotgun capacity needs (as well as other parts and accessories for various other applications) for some time now.  Nordic's new shotgun magazine extension, the MXT (Modular Extension Tube) is no different, and in many ways, much much more.  The MXT is not yet available for public purchase as of 1/13/13, but in the weeks following the 2013 SHOT Show in Vegas, expect this part to go live.

What the MXT does better:

• The MXT maintains the durability and reliability seen in other Nordic tubes, a requirement for the rough abuse typically associated with active shooting (whether that be in competition or in tactical applications/training).

• The MXT adds a recess cut in the tube in order to accommodate a "locked-in-place" magazine clamp.

• "But I don't need a mag clamp, do I?" - While you certainly don't need a mag-clamp, the benefits of such an item are not to be quickly overlooked.  Many believe that the mag-clamp is only necessary on long extensions in order to provide some sort of rigidity in order to prevent the tube from bending or flexing if impacted or in the event it is used as a standoff device.  While this is one application for a clamp, the true value of the clamp is to keep the tube from unscrewing as you shoot.  If you've ever taken your shotgun and shot it extensively (more than 25 rounds in a single sitting or cadence) you must have noticed that you must constantly check to make sure your extension is still tightly screwed onto the stock tube.  With a mag-clamp, the extension cannot back-out of its threads during the intense recoil process of a Gauge.  It is for this reason I strongly advocate utilizing a mag-clamp on Gauges, specifically those setup for defensive use.  The Nordic clamp on the MXT adds an additional level of security via the recess cut keeping the magazine clamp also securely locked into position.  As a side note, Nordic also offers a railed clamp which can accommodate the addition of a forward sling attachment point.

• The MXT slims down the magazine nut to be flush with the extension tube, unlike in previous Nordic models. 

• The MXT alters the threads of the extension cap to increase their strength in order to allow for more vigorous abuse such as being dropped into a dump-barrel at a 3 Gun Match, or being used as a standoff device during defensive weapons applications.

• The MXT threads for the "end cap" and "magazine extension nut" have been matched.
• This allows the tube to be flipped either way (so there is no longer a front and back [they are now interchangeable]) allowing the user to change the position of the recess cut designed for the mag-clamp to increase the users ability to utilize a clamp in an optimal position based on the selected extension length as well as barrel length.

So as you can see, unlike many "Next Gen" products which change a few physical features and maybe fix a glaring problem from a previous generation, the Nordic Components MXT is really a new product.  The ingenuity and modular nature of this product is unlike any other on the market...keep an eye out for it and add it to your next shotgun!

How To Argue With Anti-Gun Folks.

12/14/12 was a dark day for everyone in the United States.  As further details emerge on the horrific shooting which took place at an elementary school in CT, the demands and cries for heightened gun control are growing louder and louder.  The purpose of this article is to present you with the proper factual statistics and logical lines of argumentation you should utilize in order to effectively convey a logical and accurate picture of what affect gun control has on society if you are presented the opportunity to do so.  It's a shame that the anti-gun crowd is so quick to turn a tragedy into a political discussion, but alas, we live in the United States and they have the right to do so.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER:
The burden of proof remains on the "Anti-gun" or "pro-gun legislation" individuals!  Whatever they might like to think, they are the one's who are trying to overturn hundreds of years of tradition, law, and court interpretation.  DO NOT EVER respond with an argument to someone who says "explain why you should be allowed to have a gun" or anything to the effect....always respond with "explain to me why I shouldn't...the burden of proof remains on you to showcase otherwise."  Don't let anyone sway you to the contrary or bait you into making statements which they can twist.  After they make an argument, you can then formulate your response based on their accusations.  This puts you in a massively advantageous position in any debate.  They must prove beyond a doubt, that their position is correct. 

PLEASE:
Read up on Professor John Lott.  Professor Lott is an economist who has done extensive studies on statistics related to gun crime and his findings are quite revealing.  Even if you don't agree with Lott's opinions, you can find some extremely valuable information in his statistical data.

ALSO:
Prepare yourself for the inevitable emotionally charged questions regarding the latest shooting itself.  While the event is difficult to fathom, emotion cannot outlast logic.  Providing factual data will always get you further than speaking out of emotion.  The most important thing you can do if posed with the question of "what about the kids in CT," is to suggest that in any specific case, we cannot gain by analyzing the method for the killing (as that can always change), but rather the reasons behind the killing which is what we can actively use to prevent further crime.  Try to steer the conversation away from the emotional and toward the factual.

SOME COMMON ARGUMENTS YOU WILL HEAR AND YOUR BEST POSSIBLE RESPONSES (some of the favorites I've heard in the past):

1. Assault Rifles Need To Be Banned, They Are Designed For Combat: 
1. Assault Rifles are already banned, you must be referring to "Assault Weapons" which is a government classification that describes a large group of guns on the market.  Assault weapons are nothing more than a certain class of "hunting/sporting" rifles which have had external modifications made to them.  Imagine an "Assault Weapon" like a Honda Civic which has had a Nascar body kit put on it, that doesn't make it ready for the Nascar track despite the fact that it may look like a race car and gain some slight aerodynamic advantages, just like adding external changes to regular stock sporting firearms doesn't make them "designed for combat" although they may have some slight ergonomic performance gains.
2. Britain/Australia Banned Guns And Their Gun Murder Rate Is A Fraction Of That Of The US:
1. Your absolutely right.  Britain only experiences approximately 50 gun related homicides per year to the US' 12,000.  However, there are some distinct differences between the US and Britain/Australia which need to be taken into account when analyzing this statistic.  First, while "gun related homicides" have decreased, the overall violent crime rate in Britain/Australia has risen to levels FAR above that of the United States.  For example, in Britain, 4100 of 100,000 are expected to be the victim of a violent crime whereas in the US, only 475 of 100,000 are victims each year.  (Statistics citations are available through the England Home Office and the FBI).  This showcases that while gun deaths may be decreased, overall people effected by violent crime increases as a correlated statistic to gun bans. Second, make sure to take into account that England and Australia are islands.  This means that when a ban goes into effect, the black market is limited in these countries...conversely, the United States has neighbors to both the north and the south...Mexico of course exports massive amount of illegal material (drugs and weapons) to the US on a daily basis already and has a network in place to smuggle even more weapons for a criminal black market in the US should it decide to expand and do so.
2. Do Note that the Assault Weapons are ALREADY BANNED BY CT LAW!!!  A ban does not work when the criminal has the ability to obtain arms illegally - not easy on an island, very easy when a country has borders with other countries.  Connecticut General Statute Sec. 53-202c.  
3. You Don't Need An AR15:
1. This is exceptionally subjective line of argument.  Although you may not feel like you need an AR15, you can only suggest an opinion as to whether or not I need mine.  For example, if 3-5 men attacked my home in an attempted robbery/home invasion, I believe I would NEED my AR15 or equivalent weapon to exercise my right to self preservation.  Although this scenario might not be probable, there is a perfect example right here of such an event transpiring:   Armed Men Assault House  
2. Further, an entirely separate line of rational thought would be the reasoning which the founders originally intended for the 2nd Amendment.  Of course the 2nd Amendment was designed to protect the rights of the populous against a tyrannical government.  Reading any of the founders memorandums or letters reveals this fact.  With this in mind, my AR15 or other "Assault Weapon" is one of the more modern weapons which would best allow me to best do this.  (While this line of logic is factually correct and still exists as a rationale line of logic today, many are far less receptive of this type of thinking and deem it archaic.  I always suggest utilizing answer 1 first, and using answer 2 if pressed on the issue).
4. The Founders Didn't Intend For The 2nd Amendment To Allow You To Own Semi-auto Weapons:
1. This is purely subjective.  You can't suggest that the founders suggested one thing or another unless you can produce a specific piece of factual evidence to back it up.  This of course is also not probable because in 1776, the founders suggested that private citizens owning cannons was perfectly legal!  Of course cannons were the most powerful means of weaponry at the time.
2. Further, an entirely separate line of rational thought would be the reasoning which the founders originally intended for the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.  Of course the 2nd Amendment was designed to protect the rights of the populous against a tyrannical government and this would mean the populous would be legally allowed to posses weapons at least semi-comparable to those the government has access to.  Reading any of the founders memorandums or letters reveals this fact.  (While this is factually correct and still exists as a rationale line of logic today, many are far less receptive to this line of thinking).
5. There Is Never Going To Be A Revolution In The US Again
1. Libya, Egypt, Syria, etc.  While it certainly isn't probable, it can be argued that it doesn't seem probable simply because the people still control the power of the government...thanks in large part to the ownership of firearms.
6. Did You Forget About The First Part Of The Second Amendment:
1. Conveniently, the Supreme Court has ruled that the right to form a militia and the right to bear arms are not the same thing but rather two independent clauses of a law.  DC v. Heller specifically showcases this.  So, to answer your question, no I haven't forgotten about it, our highest form of court has simply ruled that the two aspects of the law are not dependent on one anther.
7. Assault Weapons Kill The Most People:
1. This is actually an extremely inaccurate statement.  Only 2-4% of firearm homicides are committed using assault weapons.  This number is repeated in various studies by law enforcement agencies across the country.  Further, regarding the 94-04 Assault Weapons Ban, statistics show NO meaningful effect on overall gun violence...again, because only 2-4% of homicides are committed using these guns to begin with.  So, NO, assault weapons kill barely any people in terms of percentage.
8. The Danger of Gun-Free Zones Is A Pro-Gun Myth:
1. This is certainly difficult to support based on the statistics.  ALL multi-victim shootings in the US, 3 victims or more, (in the past 50 years) with the exception of approx. 1 odd circumstance, have taken place in gun free zones...VA Tech, Newton, and CO (the worst shootings in US history)  all come to mind.  Of course the Oregon Mall case was in a CHL friendly zone.....and a CHL holder stopped the crisis with minimal loss of life PREVENTING a multi-victim shooting. 
2. Note that regarding the shooting in CO, the shooter had the choice of going to any of 7 theaters showing the batman movie within a 20 minute driving radius, and chose the 1 which did not permit legal concealed carry (this was also not the closest theater).
9. Self Defense With Firearms Is A Myth:
1. This is flat-out false.  Although some statistics in given data sets can appear to support this statement, Dr. Kleck of FL conducted a huge survey on this topic and concluded that 2.5 million self defense gun uses occur per year in the US.  EVEN IF THIS IS AN OVERESTIMATE (which I'm inclined to believe it is) even if just a fraction of this number used firearms defensively, then the fact remains that self-defense with a firearm is indeed a real part of societal life with weapons.  Further, as shown in the violent crime statistics, the mere presence of firearms in the possession of law abiding citizens directly correlates to far less violent crime.
10. You Don't Need "High Capacity" Magazines:
1. Just like the "You Don't Need An AR15" comment, this comment is completely subjective...medical statistics show that the 9mm round usually takes between 3-5 impacts to a vital area (minimum) to actually kill an individual; if 3 guys jump me in an ally, that means I need 15 rounds assuming I don't miss to assure that I can protect myself.  If I want to own STANDARD CAPACITY magazines, I need to be able to do so as they are an integral part of firearm ownership.  (Citation - Former SWAT officer and current LEO instructor Steve Fisher)
2. Further, lets not kid ourselves...reloading a firearm takes approximately 1 second if someone knows what they're doing.  So to suggest that by limiting a criminals access to these items we will save lives is purely wishful thinking...the only thing such a law would accomplish would be to make law abiding citizens less able to defend themselves.
11. Red Gun Friendly States Have The Highest Gun Murder Rates:
1. This is half-true and a half-accurate statistic.  It's half-true in that California and Illinois are mixed atop the list of states with the highest gun homicide rates...both of course being extremely anti-gun.  It's half-accurate because the statistic doesn't account for city breakdowns on gun violence, just state population.  The most violent cities in the US are New Orleans, Detroit, Baltimore, and DC, none of which are red areas other than NO (which accounts for why Louisiana is #1 on the list of violent states per population (due to population concentration).
12. The NRA Formulates A False Representation Of The Public Opinion On Guns:
1. Again, a completely false statement.  While the NRA is a lobbyist group which caters to a special interest, overall national poles showcase that people in favor of gun rights v. gun bans is right about 50/50 in America at this point in time.  Further, regardless of where that line is drawn, until you can PROVE that the Constitution doesn't guarantee my right to ownership, then it doesn't matter if 75% of Americans want guns banned...the US is a Constitutional Republic AND NOT A DEMOCRACY because it is designed so that the will of the majority shall not infringe upon the rights of the minority.  

THE HEAVY HITTING/CORE VALUE QUESTION:

1. Do you believe in a a fundamental right to self-preservation? 
1. If anyone answers "No", then the best thing to do is to understand that you have a fundamental value set disagreement that runs much deeper than the issue of guns.  Unless you can change this persons belief on self-preservation, you will never change their belief on gun ownership.

SOME DON'TS - avoid making these arguments, they are not the most effective way of conversanting on the subject and some lead to false comparisons which your opposition will jump all over:

1. If you want to ban guns you might as well ban cars, people kill people with cars  
1. This is a Straw Man argument, don't make it.  Use knives as an example if you really want to use this line of argumentation.
2. Abortion kills more children than guns
1. For the love of all things holy, NEVER SAY THIS.  This is like putting your head into the noose.  You cannot argue legality of gun ownership and then say abortion kills...both have been ruled on by the same court...you delegitamize your entire argument by saying this.
3. If you ban guns you have to eliminate every other amendment
1. Although this might sound correct on the surface, most amendments do indeed have some form of limitation.  Prohibiting the ownership of Assault Weapons is no different than saying that you can't scream fire in a movie theater in the minds of anti-gun activists.
4. Guns Don't Kill People, People Kill People
1. Although it's true, please don't say it, it's very cheesy and doesn't showcase much thought.  Your far better off with a statement such as "guns make it easy for bad things to happen when in the wrong hands, but equally easy to prevent those bad things when in the right hands".

All in all, don't make extreme comparisons or talk in absolutes, it won't win you any rational debates.   Remember that having the discussion is what is important.  Our country is so polarized on issues because we don't know how to civilly discuss anymore.  Learn to civilly discuss and debate and you will be a select breed of people in this country.

Purpose Driven AR15's: The Competition Setup

AR15's are arguably the most versatile weapons platforms in the world.  If you need a rifle to do work within 1000m, odds are, you can outfit the AR platform to work for you.  With that said, what parts and components make up an AR15 of the "competition" variety?  We as shooters constantly hear terms like "tactical" or "limited" thrown around when describing classes in Multigun competition, but rarely is a rifle being shot in either of these divisions "limited" or "tactical" (in the popular gun-nut definition of the term, meaning "practical").  Most of these "race guns" are purpose built down to the the size of the barrel's gas-port, so let's explore what exactly makes up a Race AR, and why those parts are chosen.  Further, I will explain the drawbacks of using such a purpose built weapon in roles other than competition.

The "Race AR" is a platform which first and foremost, is based heavily on recoil mitigation.  Parts are chosen and selected with the number one goal of muzzle control-ability in mind.  Parts integrally connected with recoil control and mitigation are:

1. The Muzzle Device
2. The Gas System
3. The Bolt Carrier Group
4. The Buffer System

1. The Muzzle Device - Compensators

The muzzle device on a Race AR will typically vary greatly from muzzle devices used in other "practical" applications.  Opposed to in these other applications, where flash suppression and concussive blast bare equal importance to recoil mitigation, in the competition world, there is virtually no reason to worry about suppressing flash or minimizing muzzle concussion/signature.  With this in mind, muzzle devices which redirect gasses exceptionally well (at the cost of creating a fireball and massive concussion perpendicular to the muzzle) may be, and are, readily used.

2. The Gas System - Adjustable Gas Blocks and Gas Ports

In order to abstain from a lengthy academic discussion on gas system length, allow me to state that carbine systems (the short gas system) produce a large gas impulse heading back into the weapon's action, midlength systems (longer than carbine systems) produce less gas impulse than carbine systems, and rifle length systems (the longest system) create little gas impulse.  The more of an impulse you have, the more likely the weapon is to be able to cycle, but also, the more recoil you will feel.  With this in mind, Race ARs typically are built around a rifle length system with a tuned gas port to perfectly regulate the exact amount of gas needed to cycle the weapon, OR, a midlength system with an adjustable gas block.  An adjustable gas block allows the user to cover/close off a portion of the gas port in order to regulate the amount of gas flow and therefore lessen the impulse.  Although some shooters do run various combinations of gas port size and adjustable gas blocks on various length gas systems, I have found that on a rifle system, if the rifle has a properly sized gas port (for the shooters load), then an adjustable gas block will not do much if anything to reduce impulse.  On a midlength system, I believe that there is still enough impulse to warrant using an adjustable gas block over simply a smaller gas port size.  With this said, when utilizing an adjustable gas block, the user MUST be sure the adjustment screw NEVER deviates or else, the weapon may not get enough gas to cycle, and turn into a single shot gun.  The same goes for a weapon utilizing a smaller gas port.  As the weapon gets dirty, remember that there is less gas heading back into the action to help the weapon cycle, and short stroking can become a problem.  The gas system and alterations made to the gas system are some of the primary factors which effect weapon reliability, and while reliability is important in Multigun, reliability after 1000 rounds shot in a swamp after filling the action with mud is not.  

3. The Bolt Carrier Group - Lightened Carriers

Swapping out the standard BCG with a lightened carrier is common practice in Race ARs...based on the discussion we just had on the gas system, can you think why this would be the case?  You guessed it - by lightening the carrier, the user can reduce the amount of gas required to push the carrier backwards and

cycle the weapon.  So does swapping out the carrier cause any serious disadvantages to the weapons function in practical application? - Not on a round to round basis, at least I haven't experienced any with thousands of round fired.  What can be an issue however, is the longevity of the carrier.  Because material is being removed from the carrier, it is, despite what anyone may say, being structurally weakened...not by much of course, but certainly it will wear out sooner than a milspec carrier made with the same materials.  Further, many lightened carriers have had the teeth for the forward assist removed; rendering the FA unusable. 

4. The Buffer System - Lightened Buffers and Harder Springs.

As you may have guessed by now, tuning the AR15s felt recoil is all about using as little gas as possible to cycle the action, which in turn means cutting down as much reciprocating mass as possible.  As was true for the BCG, the buffers on most Race ARs are lightened to allow for a lesser force requirement to cycle.  On the flip side, buffer springs are typical strengthened.  What this does is allow the buffer spring, not the buffer (and in turn the rear of the stock tube), to absorb the energy coming back from the gas impulse and the reciprocation of the BCG.  Further, having a +10% spring also allows for a noticeably faster return to battery which means that the recoil impulse is cut down to a shorter time frame rather than a long drawn out push.  In short, it makes the impulse of the gun snappier, but despite how this might sound, this is desirable because it allows the gun to be driven back to target sooner (think standard AK v. Standard AR both chambered in .223...the AK has a long drawn out recoil impulse that doesn't feel like much, but keeps you off target whereas the AR has a shorter snappier impulse that appears to be more severe, but in actuality allows for faster accurate follow-up shots).

All the speed in the world isn't worth anything if the weapon isn't able to hold a a tight group.  The next aspect to the Race AR, much like other precision rifles, is a match grade barrel.  Most Race Gun setups run an 18" barrel or a 16" on the low end.  The barrel is ideally setup with a .223 Wylde chamber and a 1:8 twist rate in a SS platform.  The SS allows for increased accuracy over Chrome-lined.  The Wylde chamber allows for more case expansion than a .223 chamber, but also maintains great accuracy than the 5.56 chamber.  18" barrels tend to be the ticket right now in 3 Gun as they provide a a platform suitable for rifle length gas, while also being shorter than their 20" counterparts.  With a longer barrel, fluting or dimpling is also commonplace in an attempt to cut down on weight and to maintain an effective balance point.

Magnified optics or optics with a variable power capability are the primary difference separating "Tactical" and "Limited" class.  In Limited, only irons or 1X fixed power optics are legal.  In tactical, any single magnified optic is allowed.  Most Tactical shooters utilize a 1-4X or a 1-6X depending on budget.  Conversely, the Limited group is much more split, with some of the older shooters sticking with iron setups while the new guys have switched over to RDS.  Either way, no true race gun ever runs Back-Up sights; at least I've never seen it.  Back-up sights do little for a shooter utilizing his weapon in the confines of a flat range, and the removal thereof is a great way to shave off ounces from the rifle.  Obviously, if the rifle was going to be taken to do any serious practical work, the user would want to have some form of back-up sighting system.

With all this said, ARs and AR parts are harder than ever to find, thanks in large part to the political climate.  No matter what AR you have, you will be able to compete and have a good time, so go head out to a match!  While Race ARs allow for shooters at the top of the pack to cut down on their times even more, a rifle is only as effective as the shooter holding it.  Most of the best shooters out there could pick up an Oracle Carbine and continue to run far above most shooters who might bring said weapon to a match.  So, get out and practice until you have outgrown your current gear, and then move to upgrade.  Cheers all!

The Magazine You Can't Do Without

If you're interested in Multigun and/or you shoot Multigun competitively, there is a product you simply can't do without.  The Nordic Components  PMAG Extension is an awesome enhancement for your standard AR15 Pmag, bringing the capacity of the 28-30 round magazine up to a whopping 46-48 rounds; all while maintaining the PMAGs famed reliability. 

(Right to Left: 20 Round PMAG, 30 Round PMAG, 48 Round Nordic PMAG)

 In Multigun, rifle stages typical range in round count, from approximately 16 rounds upwards to approximately 50 rounds (on the very high end).  What this means is that when using standard capacity AR mags, you will most likely have to preform a magazine change once during each rifle heavy stage.  While this might not seem like much lost time, if you spend just 2 seconds preforming a reload compared to your competitors, you will see a significant drop in your stage point percentage; the Nordic Extension eliminates the need for such reloads.  The Nordic PMAG Extension is a plastic housing which replaces the base-plate of your PMAG and is shipped with a new magazine spring to account for the increase in required tension for reliable feeding.  Compared to some of the other "high capacity" or "extended capacity" magazines out there, the Nordic is able to strike the perfect balance between capacity and weight management - Some of the magazines which allow you to hold 60 or 100 rounds might sound even better than the Nordic's 48, but when you rarely ever need those extra rounds, they become just added weight to your weapon, slowing down your transitions and fatiguing your arms.  In a direct comparison to other magazine extensions of similar round count, I can attest to having seen numerous other brand extensions splitting open sending rounds flying out the bottom of the magazine mid-stage more than once.  If you want to maintain your magazine's reliability, but get that slight competitive edge over your opponents, the Nordic Extension is for you.

Best Value 1911 on the Market?

Best Value 1911 on the Market?

by Josh Mazzola of AR15Targets

                The 1911 is one of the most prolific handguns on the market.  Loved by so many in the United States and across the world, the 1911 design has been around for more than 100 years.  Despite its claims to the best handgun trigger of any modern gun as well as the upmost precision accuracy, in this modern day of machining, many ask, "can the 1911 stack up against some of the more affordable polymer guns on the market?"  As we all know, the "standard" modernized 1911 (non-government models) normally runs anywhere from 850.00 to 3000.00 in terms of cost.  For a 1911 enthusiast, this might not pose any issue at all, but for a practical shooter, the higher price of the 1911 makes it difficult to warrant a purchase when, for the same monetary value, a shooter can get a striker-fired handgun, some extra magazines, a holster platform, magazine carriers, and some ammo.  There is also the question of reliability of the 1911 platform when compared to the looser fit striker-fired guns.   Although some suggest the 1911 is completely unreliable, the statement must be qualified with "some poorly assembled and fitted 1911s are unreliable."  If you are dealing with a 1911 which has been built and fitted properly, you won't have any issues with reliability, assuming that you show the gun some semblance of cleaning and oiling.  Never the less, the 1911 has some perceivable shortcomings (such as its magazine capacity, weight, etc.) which make warranting a purchase more difficult for practical users. 

              

Enter the STI Spartan.  STI International has a record for producing some absolutely excellent championship winning pistols, and their single stack line is no less impressive.  Most of their product runs at approximately 2K, with some of their single stacks being slightly less.  So what if I told you could get one of these top tier 1911s shipped to you with a fiber optic front sight, adjustable rear sight, blended beaver-tail, skeletonized trigger, and skeletonized hammer for just $640.00 retail!  Yeah, I called bull too when I first heard this; this is the price of the STI Spartan as it ships from the factory.  So, like you, my next thought was, "well what's the catch?"...to achieve such a low price, STI does outsource the production of the frame to  Armscor, a Pilipino company.  However, the rest of the gun (aside from the base frame) is made of all STI parts, and the frame is quality checked at the STI factory before shipment making the outsourcing a non-issue in terms of function.  So for 640.00 (only about 15% more than a Glock or M&P) we have a 1911 from a top tier manufacturer, ready to shoot out of the box without need for any upgrades.  Not to mention, STI also takes the time to polish up the frame where the rounds feed (the barrel has no feed ramp), something which might not seem like such a big deal, but also showcases the attention to detail STI shows to their product. 

So, is the STI Spartan worth purchasing?  Heck Yes!  The gun is ready to shoot out of the box and for under $1200.00 you can get yourself a full 1911 setup rig ready to rock.  Even if you aren't big into 1911s, the pure value of this gun warrants a purchase;  I can only imagine that in the future this gun will only increase in price.   The next issue is whether or not this gun can "replace" the stiker-fired gun that rides on almost everyone's "pracitical" shooting rig.  My answer to this is "no."  But this isn't because the 1911 isn't a suitable platform, and it isn't because the STI Spartan is not a quality firearm.  STI makes some great firearms, and their weapons are touted as being some of the "tightest fitting" on the market.  Most shooters are super excited over this fact, because it means that STI's guns are more accurate and feel more crisp every time the weapon cycles.  But the downfall of having a tighter fit gun is that as it gets dirty, it will fail sooner than a gun with a loose fit.  Although the Spartan I've been shooting is not super tight, I feel confident suggesting that in a pure torture test, the Spartan will begin to experience failure sooner than a high end "combat fitted" 1911 (such as those from Wilson or Nighthawk) based on its accuracy/competition oriented fit.  The Spartan is a great starter 1911 and a great addition to anyone's safe purely in terms of the amount of gun you get for your money; I'd suggest that the STI Spartan is the BEST VALUE 1911 on the market for under $1200.00.

If you are a tinkerer, you might consider the following: 

·         Swapping out the mainspring housing to a metal one or one with a magwell - although there's nothing wrong with the factory part, swapping out the mainspring housing allows you to add a magwell or slightly beveled opening as well as get a more aggressive texture pattern to increase grip stability. 

·         Swapping out the front sight - although the front sight is perfectly fine to begin with, Dawson Precision makes a skinnier, "cleaner" front sight that you can add on to the gun which allows for a more appealing sight picture.

·         Swapping out the magazine release spring to a lighter one.

·         Trying out some lighter recoil springs to see how the gun feels during recoil - I found that the 9mm model needs a slightly lighter spring (8-9lbs) to function reliably with real light loaded 9mm.

·         Polishing the firing pin retainer and the Hammer guide in the slide.  Although the parts fit perfectly from the factory, some added stoning and polishing can produce a real smooth feel when working the guns slide.

·         Adding some grip tape to the front strap of the grip.

Sociology and Action Shooting!?

Sociology as an Explanation for Stage Plans

by Josh Mazzola of AR15Targets

Sociology can certainly be a field of study which seems to produce some obvious conclusions in many circumstances, but it presents some exceptionally interesting and unique case studies as well.  One such case study is Solomon Asch's study on group conformity.  Asch conducted a study where he presented a question with an extremely obvious answer to a test subject.  When he asked the individual for the answer to his question in private, 99% of individuals polled provided the correct answer.  Asch then introduced the individual into a group setting (of approximately 7 people) where he asked the question again.  Asch instructed the rest of the group to purposely give the wrong answer to see how the original subject would react.  In over 1/3 of cases, the subject (who had given the correct answer in private) changed the answer they had given in private to the obviously wrong answer after having heard the rest of the group answer incorrectly.  Asch's study is one which still remains prevalent in understanding group dynamics and conformity.

Now, although this is an interesting topic for discussion, what does it have to do with shooting?  Well, if you ever have the chance to watch multiple squads of shooters shoot the same stage at matches of the various action shooting sports, (from a Range Officer's perspective for example) you will notice that within each squad, most shooters will shoot the stage with very little deviation from one another.  However, when comparing shooters from one squad to another, we often find that these individuals are much more likely to shoot the same stage very differently.  In other words, each squad seems to have an original take on the stage, but each person in that squad typically shoots the stage the same way everyone else in the squad does.  Now granted, sometimes stages are setup in a manner where there is really only one way to shoot them effectively, but there are also numerous other stages where there are multiple effective ways to shoot them; so can we hypothesize a cause for this manner of deviation between squads?  While there are certainly other variables which can effect a shooter's decision to attack a stage a certain way, I believe there is no way we can totally ignore Asch's study on conformity when we have this discussion.  As Asch has shown, even in cases where there is a completely obvious answer, over 30% of people will divert their decisions to those of others, and as we know, in action shooting, there is very rarely such an obvious answer to the problems presented in a stage.  Due to this fact, I'd suggest that the ratio expected in the circumstance of shooting is much higher than 30%.  Remember, action shooting sports are unique in the realm of sports, in that "players" have the opportunity to watch their opponents compete before trying it themselves.  This means that, just like in Asch's study, individuals can be influenced in how they shoot a stage based on the manner in which others shoot a stage and/or decide and discuss how to shoot a stage.  Every squad which I have ever been in has shooters who will discuss (in the very least among themselves) the way they best see to shoot the stage and the reasons why.  Based on Asch's study, other shooters in that squad are implicitly more likely to follow the group's decision on what is "correct", regardless of their own opinions (assuming their opinions are overruled by the group).  I will further hypothesize that shooters within each squad will often mimic the plan of the best shooter in the squad, regardless of whether his/her plan works best with other shooters' strengths/weaknesses.  Like in many things in life, those who are the best at action shooting and/or the opinions of those who are the best are often held in higher regard than those of others.  While I certainly believe this phenomenon to be of greater presence among less experienced shooters, I don't think that we can completely rule out Asch's study from even the higher levels of shooters in at least some shape or form.

Remember, when you are at a match, do your best to analyze a stage and pick a way to shoot which best highlights your skills and abilities.  Just because most people are shooting the stage a certain way, doesn't mean that that way is the best way for you to shoot it.  In this same line of thought however, it is also important to ask and listen to why other shooters are attacking a stage differently, even if a large majority of the reason relates to group-think, skilled shooters will still be able to give you tips and tricks to think about if you simply ask and listen.  A great deal of learning the tricks of action shooting comes from listening to someone who is better than you.   

Understanding Power Factor

Understanding Power Factor - How Relevent Is It?

by Josh Mazzola of Team AR15Targets

In USPSA, the term "Power Factor" (PF) is one of the many demons that new shooters have to conquer to adequately understand both the basics of the sport, as well as the more integral aspects of gaming and scoring - reference my post regarding speed vs accuracy in IDPA and USPSA.  So let's answer the basic question of "what is PF?"  In terms for the everyday person, the answer is deceptively simple; PF is the "energy" (in a non-mathematical sense) of your round, how hard or soft your specific ammunition shoots.  That's about the extent of the easy aspect of understanding PF, from here it gets a little more complex.

There are two levels of PF, Major (valued at 165PF and greater) and Minor (valued at 125-164.99PF).  While the different levels effect how shooters are scored in terms of target zone values, shooters are not separated into different divisions based on PF in USPSA.  In other words, a Limited-10 shooter with Minor PF competes directly against all other Limited-10 shooters in his or her classification (A, B , M, GM, etc) whether their ammunition makes Major or Minor PF.  PF itself is calculated by multiplying the weight (in grains) of the bullet, by the velocity with which is exits the muzzle, and then dividing that product by a constant of 1000.  So let's take the example of standard factory 9mm...

Winchester White Box:

(115grains X 1180fps) / 1000 = 135.70PF

At a match (usually only sanctioned regional size or larger) your ammunition will be chronographed and a bullet weighed, to establish your PF for the match.  Because of the fear of possibly not "making PF", most top shooters suggest never shooting an ammunition which is less than 5PF above your PF Floor (the lowest possible PF you can have and still be classified within a given PF).  So that would mean if a shooter was shooting Minor, he or she should shoot a minimum PF of 130 and if Major, a minimum PF of 170.  Also, most top shooters will not shoot an ammunition which comes in at much more than 5PF above their PF Floor.  Doing so incurs unnecessary increases in recoil which can add microseconds to times.  Cooking up loads that make PF and shoot extremely flat/soft is something many shooters spend countless hours testing in a very raw trial/error format.  Generally, 9mm is shot at Minor PF (unless in Open Division where some shooters load 9mm to Major PF - WARNING, be sure you gun can handle the increased pressures of a Major PF load before trying), and .40cal is shot at Major PF.

So should you shoot Major or Minor?

- It's first important to mention that if shooting Production Division, there is only Minor PF; regardless of how hot your load is, you will be scored Minor, so shoot a Minor load.  In Limited, Limited-10, and Open, shooting Minor means that you will need to focus more heavily on accuracy, to the point where it almost becomes trivial.  In order to keep up with the shooters who are at the top of the brackets in these divisions, you really need to be shooting major so that you can collect as many points as possible when you send a round into the C or D zone of a target.  It is widely considered a handicap to not shoot Major in these divisions - again, if you reference the above linked article, you will see that the cost of missing the A zone when shooting Minor is mathematically double that in terms of the direct translation of a point to time when compared to Major.  In Single Stack division, there is more debate over whether Minor is a handicap or not.  Minor shooters can actually utilize an advantage in magazine capacity which is negligible in L, L10, and O when shooting in SS.  Major shooters in SS can fit approximately 8 rounds in a magazine while Minor shooters can get up to 10.  That's a 20% advantage in magazine capacity (if we assume 10 to be the standard) that Minor shooters enjoy in SS; so the need to be more accurate can be balanced by magazine capacity.

What's the difference in 5PF - is such a small difference actually even noticeable? 

- Surprisingly enough, the felt difference in just a few PF deviation can be dramatic, specifically depending on  what powders are being used, how fast they burn, what bullet weight they are pushing, and what that then equates to in terms of slide reciprocation speed.  While everyone has their own recipe for loads, the standard for Production (where I've spent the majority of my time in USPSA) seems to always be a heavy bullet moving slower opposed to a light bullet moving faster.  In other words, shooters tend to opt for a 147grain bullet moving at 880FPS rather than a 95grain bullet moving at 1375FPS, despite the fact that both have a PF of approximately 130.  What this really breaks down to is that each shooter needs to find a load which works for him/her and the only way to do that is to test a bunch of different loads.

But what if i don't have the time to reload my own ammo?

- No problem!  Not only can you shoot factory 9mm in Minor and be competitive, you can also shoot factory .40cal in Major without any problem as they are both WAY above the PF Floor for both classifications.  If you are more competitive and are looking for every edge you can get, you can buy reloads from various websites which manufacture their ammo to meet certain PFs.  Atlanta Arms and Ammo is an awesome place to do this.  They offer some top notch ammo loaded to whatever you can think up in terms of PF.

So let's recap...as a new shooter, the most important thing that you need to consider relating to PF is what division you should shoot in.  If you are shooting 9mm, unless you are competent in understanding how 9mm Major will effect your gun and you are able to load 9mm to Major PF, you are most likely best off shooting in Production.  You will get a more adequate comparison of your skill-level to other shooters because you won't be at any disadvantage in terms of the value of hits.  If you have a .40 caliber, you should shoot in anything BUT Production.  You will be at a disadvantage shooting a .40 against 9mm's when your hit values are worth the same.  Even if you have to shoot factory loaded .40 in L or L10, you will be better off doing that than shooting factory loaded .40 in Production.