New 625

[alfsauve]

A lighter pin will accelerate quicker and achieve a higher velocity, but carries less energy in the end. A heavier pin will probably have the same momentum but more energy.  Longer lock time. I would think a lighter pin with a skeletonized hammer would be the right combination.  But then again it may not be significant enough to make a difference.

Ignoring the weight I’d rather have the longer pin. 

I haven’t reloaded .45 in over 8 years and turns out I need to put more crimp than what I used loading for 1911. Had one bullet back out while testing today.   Had to demoon 150 rounds re-crimp then Re-moon them.  What a pain.

[Rastus]

<snip>
I haven’t reloaded .45 in over 8 years and turns out I need to put more crimp than what I used loading for 1911. Had one bullet back out while testing today.   Had to demoon 150 rounds re-crimp then Re-moon them.  What a pain.

Yes but now you are ready to go!

[alfsauve]

Shot a 6 stage ICORE match in the BIG 6 Division Saturday.  We did all classifiers.  Hmmm.  I don't want to do really good because that'll just put the peak classification time higher.   No I did try.  There were two of us shooting Big6.    Then on Sunday a 7 stage IDPA match. 

I learned that my short N frame holster doesn't have cutouts for Pic rail rear sights.  It fit my 6" ICORE/USPSA holster but not my 4" IDPA.  ALWAY TRY BEFORE THE MATCH.   Two things.  I hacked away a cutout with my knife and that worked for Sunday.  Look ugly.  Got home and applied the Patented Michael Bane Dremel tool and made the cutout look pretty.   But the other thing is the Picatinny rear sight is only temporary until I get a regular flat sight.

I also learned that HS-6 powder is messy, at least in .45ACP.  Lot's of residue, WHICH made it difficult on reloads.  Some of it even getting under the extractor.  I had to clean the cylinder after each stage.  Still had to push the clips in sometimes.   That was Saturday.  Saturday night I polished the cylinders with Flitz which helped a little.   Was able to get through Sunday's IDPA.   Only have about100 rounds of HF-6 left so I'll practice with them and switch to Tight Group.  I already have a load developed so not a big deal.  Was just using the HS-6 because I had more of it than TG.

Still futzing with the strain screw.  Order a couple of more extras since I only have one that's original length and I'm about to file it down some.

On the very positive side, my squad was most complementary of my groups on target.  I had no misses, no hits on Non-Threats and a very high percentage of Zero-downs.

ALSO:  I didn't realize in ICORE but the Big6 Division gets to count the B ring the same as the A ring.  So we're dealing with a 10" zero-down scoring circle instead of an 8" one.

[alfsauve]

This weeks "improvements" to my 625.

In order to make the trigger pull as light as possible, I'd screw out the strain screw 1/2 turn and if the gun shot reliably, I'd make a few passes with a small file and try again.  When I got to the point where if I loosened it 1/2 turn and it misfired, I'd stop right there. Put Loctite on the screw and tighten it up.

Of course now of days, being so much older an wiser I though I'd measure all my extra screws.  The critical part is from the base of the head to the tip.  There's no guarantee that all the heads are the same size.  And of course going from gun to gun such measurement is meaningless since you don't know the tolerances on the frame, or the depth of the screw's hole, or the exact placement of the main spring.  But for working with one gun I know what I need.  (See picture.)  I used the depth gauge to measure.  A very repeatable measurement unlike other ways of measuring. 

The strain screw that came with this gun was 10mm long.  (yes I've gone metric... for some things)  My longest spare screw is 9.4mm and produces misfires.  Best I can tell the pitch of the screw is 0.4mm.  So half a turn is 0.2mm.  Next trip to range I'll take micrometer and files and work it down in 0.1mm increments.  Just hoping I don't go too far.

THIS ISN'T THE PROBLEM.  It's a pain but it's the sacrifice to have a really slick gun.

Since all my screws are much to short for this gun, I ordered some spares.  I assumed they'd be around 10mm.  WRONG.  They are all 9.36mm.  They might be usable in some of the other guns, but totally worthless for this one.  Now I've got to find out how I can get the specs from the manufacturers before I order more.  At ~$7 a pop I could order one each from the other 3 makers and hope at least one is long enough.

[Rastus]

It's those hidden "understandings" that no one knows about unless they do it all the time that is the buggerboo.  Can't tell you how many times I've been bitten by the same issue.

[Sponsor]

[Majer]

Alf, in the past when I had the strain screw too short I took a spent small pistol/Rifle primer removed the anvil and used a small punch to remove the dent and placed it over the end of the screw and tightened it up. its a cheap quick fix in case you can't get or find a proper length screw.O r need the pistol right away .

[Big Frank]

A little weld bead would lengthen each of the screws, and allow them to be ground down to any length.

[alfsauve]

Thanks guys.  The primer trick is okay, but I'd suspect after a while it'll wear down.  I'd weld a little bead on there if I knew how to weld.

I'm good right now.  I've got a 9.7mm in there that I think (key word) will be reliable.  I'll test  it Thursday.  I hesitate to take it down any further without a backup. (originally it was 9.9mm, so I know they make them longer)

Checked on the S&W forum and the "standard" for round buts is 9.7mm, The ones Brownells sent are 9.4mm.  Of course they don't list the specific length, they just say these are for round butt frames.   So I guess I'll do 2 things.  One check with my two favorite smiths to see if they have extras and will sell me some (after I measure them), or, I'll just order one each from the other manufacturers.  I could order a Square Butt screw which is longer (much longer) and grind it down. 

Wait, wait.  Maybe that's what this was?  Maybe the previous owner put a square butt screw in there.  More checking