25 replies to this topic

[Iggy42]

So I am currently building up an XDM for USPSA Limited (just need the mag extensions), but I have to admit I really want a 2011. Problem I have is that more often than not I will have to use factory ammo, which from what I read here posses a problem. What I am trying to find out is if there is a 2011 that can run factory ammo well. I hear that the Para P-16 can, but from the Para subforum it appears that they need work before being competion ready. I mean do I have other options in 2011s that I can use WWB with, or am I stuck with polymer striker guns until I can save my pennies for a 2011 and a reloading press (or at least be able to get a steady stream of ammo from folks like DC/Atlanta Arms). I realize that I am a long way from out shooting my current gear, but the fit/feel of a 1911/2011 is FAR better to me hence my desire to attempt to get there sooner than later.


Keep in mind this would be a gun in .40 (I'm bad enough, no need to cripple myself further by going minor)


I think that all made sense, but being 5am at the end of a 12 hour shift its hard for me to tell.

[silver star]

Have no fear, have a beer.
Your well made custom 2011's will shoot most anything.
Yes the longer reloads are recommended for most.
But don't think you can go wrong with Atlanta Arms.
If you are thinking of building one yourself,
Have no fear, have another beer.
Good Morning!

[RH45]

I've owned 5 different 2011s in .40, and they would all run factory ammo. In fact, one of them I had shot the most accurate with Winchester white box, 165 grain, and chronoed at 171pf. I ran that combo at one of the area matches, several years ago.

[Mike21STI]

If you buy from a brazos or other STI builder just tell them you will be running factory ammo and they can make any adjustments needed so the gun will run. I contacted brazos and asked the same question, they said "it would not be a problem".

[polizei1]

Am I the only one that thinks he should sell the xd to buy a press and then get a 2011?

[JakeMartens]

Brazos I have runs factory just fine

[Joe4d]

I ran lots and lots of American eagle 165's through my STI eagle and my Para 1640.

[cheers623]

When I bought my first 2011 from Dawson Precision, the first thing I asked was ability to use factory ammo. Dave said "get the super tuning" package. I did and have on every 2011 I've bought from him since then. They all run factory ammo with no problems. I think that most problems came early on when the feed ramp angles that STI was putting on the barrels was too steep i.e. feed wall. Now, however, they are cut differently and should run factory ammo with little or no tuning. For peace of mind, I always have my feed ramps polished and check and tune the extractors but this should be SOP on ANY 1911/2011 pistol.

The other important factor is to ensure that the mags you use are within spec and feed lips in good shape. If they are, you shouldn't have problems running any factory ammo. My nightstand gun ONLY gets factory ammo put in it and it's never had a problem.

To be clear, I'm talking about 9mm and .40 caliber. I've never had experience with their .45 double stack guns.
Cheers623
DVC

[kalaur]

Many 2011s will run factory ammo just fine, but you can also purchase 'competition' ammo from various manufacturers that is loaded a bit longer and will still be major power factor. Many factory rounds are 175-185+PF, where the competition ammo is generally around 170PF.

[JakeMartens]

165gr Winchester white box out of Brazos and my Jim Anglin build limited guns runs 170-172

[Dr Mitch]

I got a new Edge recently, and while I reload and load long, I did run 100 rounds of WWB through it with no issues at all.

[MoNsTeR]

My Bedell works perfectly with factory ammo.

[diehli]

If a 'smith won't guarantee a Limited gun in .40 will run on factory ammo, don't buy his (or her) guns.

[Iggy42]

Glad to see that my interpretation was incorrect. Every thread I was looking at people where say that you need to load long (1.20 OAL) for STIs to run reliably. It is starting to sound like its a cup right next to the Glock Kool-aid.


And for those talking about people making competition ammo (i.e. Atlanta Arms, DC ammo to name two). I know about them, but due to my budget...restrictions it is often that I am not sure if I am going to shoot a match until a few days before. I will order form said companies when I can, but the small lead time I have before a match makes it very difficult to have comp ammo in time.

[JakeMartens]

If the gun is set up right it should run factory out to 1.22-1.24.

Depending on powder and gun when you look at loads if you load at 1.12-1.13 factory length you are over max pressure so you load out long.
I load 170 precision bullets to 1.18, Montana gold 165 and rainier at 1.16 and air around 170 with tigjtgroup

[blaster113]

two of my three 2011's would not run 100% with factory .40, and they were built by two of the top gunsmiths in our sport. Interestingly, the tuned Edge I had would run factory ammo just fine (even duty hollowpoints), but the custom/semi-custom guns wouldnt. it was a non-issue for me since I reload anyway. I load to 1.180 oal and have had almost 100% reliability (with the occasional hiccup) with the three different guns. Next .40 Limited gun I have built I will ask the builder to make sure it'll run with factory length stuff;, never thought of that. Once in a while its fun punching paper with a mag full of Hydrashoks, Ranger SXTs or Gold Dots haha

[rack&roll]

About 2003 I bought a box stock Edge, and had a lot of reliability issues with it. I had the slide stop tuned so it wouldn't lock back the slide, and I installed an Aftec extractor. These helped but it was still very finicky about bullet type and OAL. I finally gave up and sent it to Benny Hill. Week later I got my gun back and never had another problem with reliability. It will eat anything! WWB?...no problem. Long loads, hollowpoints, different bullet weights...? No problem. A guy I shoot with every week (practice mini-match) just bought a stock Eagle, and his works with factory ammo right out of the box. Don't know if that's just luck of the draw (no pun intended), or par for the course with the newer STI's. Tuned mags help, too. (Mine are not.)

[six-gun shooter]

I won an XDm that I shot for awhile, but sold it and bought a M2i 2011 off the forum here. I had a ton of ammo loaded to 1.125" for the XDm left, and it's shooting flawlessly. My mags are not tuned.

[trp]

+1on Atlanta arms and ammo!!

[MattYvip]

Like previously stated you can't go wrong with Atlanta Arms. I'd also check out Doug Carden at DCAMMO.com Doug does great work and is very very reasonable with pricing.

[Iggy42]

+1on Atlanta arms and ammo!!

Like previously stated you can't go wrong with Atlanta Arms. I'd also check out Doug Carden at DCAMMO.com Doug does great work and is very very reasonable with pricing.

Yeah Doug was king enough about a year ago to send me some ammo to try out in an EAA Limited that I had picked up. Shot great with his stuff, and I do plan on placing an order with him when I have the room in my budget to do so. Biggest reason I am investigating 2011s and factory ammo is that more times than not I am determining if I am going to be shooting a match just a few days before. Generally not enough lead time to place an order and have it in time for that weekends match. Plus that range I shoot at during the winter is range ammo only, so any shooting I do during the winter has to be done with factory.

Perfect world it would be a none issue and I would have either my own reloading setup, or plenty of ammo from Doug at DC Ammo. Unfortunatly its not a perfect world and I have to work with what I can. As of this time I don't have the budget for a 2011 (much to my dismay) but I am hoping that I can change that sooner than later.

[tagacali]

PM me, I'm selling my STI 2011 Tactical 5" :-)

[MattYvip]

+1on Atlanta arms and ammo!!

Like previously stated you can't go wrong with Atlanta Arms. I'd also check out Doug Carden at DCAMMO.com Doug does great work and is very very reasonable with pricing.

Yeah Doug was king enough about a year ago to send me some ammo to try out in an EAA Limited that I had picked up. Shot great with his stuff, and I do plan on placing an order with him when I have the room in my budget to do so. Biggest reason I am investigating 2011s and factory ammo is that more times than not I am determining if I am going to be shooting a match just a few days before. Generally not enough lead time to place an order and have it in time for that weekends match. Plus that range I shoot at during the winter is range ammo only, so any shooting I do during the winter has to be done with factory.

Perfect world it would be a none issue and I would have either my own reloading setup, or plenty of ammo from Doug at DC Ammo. Unfortunatly its not a perfect world and I have to work with what I can. As of this time I don't have the budget for a 2011 (much to my dismay) but I am hoping that I can change that sooner than later.

well I can only tell you my experiences as far as 2011s. I have a Camerons custom 6" in .40 and it has fed everything I've put through it. I've also had a p-16/40 for several years (about 10 I think) and it has also fed everything from handloads to factory. but like everyone above has said, if you spend the extra (when your budget allows) on a custom shop gun (depending on who you purchase it from it's not that much more than buying factory and upgrading till you're happy) you shouldn't have any problems with 99% of factory ammo.

[Kim Lorm]

I have a 6 in Fat Free STI 40 cal built by Benny hill from Triangle Shooting Sports, it shoots anything from PMC 165 grain factory ammo up.
Has never failed to cycle anything I feed it!!!

[jpasterjak]

I have two Para P16/40s—one for Limited and one Open gun (which is for sale, but the way... gratuitous plug). Both have always eaten whatever I fed them, especially the open gun. Whenever I did have issues it was pretty much always magazine related (dirty, burr on the follower, etc.). I have a 550 and used to load, but time is too hard to come by these days. I just order from Precision Delta and call it a day.

jgp