STI Eagle Question

[Spiffy]

I am starting to research what gun I want for a dedicated ESP gun. I'm thinking 9mm but if I get a 40 cal I can shoot Limited USPSA too and use the same minor load I run for SSP in my Glock. Does anyone have one they shoot in 40 cal with a minor PF load that also shoots a Glock 35? I'm trying to figure out if it would be better to just get the 9mm or go with the 40 for more stuff to play in.

I plan to shoot Atlanta Arms and Ammo minor pf ammo because its almost as cheap as what I can reload for here lately.

[RWF]

there are a few shooters, who shoot 40 minor in idpa with glock and M & P's. but they reload. we even knew some who used a download G20 for several years. it is just what you happy with.

[deerslayer]

If we are strictly talking about an ESP gun, I would go with the 9mm. If there is a chance you will shoot USPSA, I would get the .40. However, I would forget about .40 minor if I'm going to play both games. Not long ago, I entertained thoughts of getting a .40 Eagle to use for both games. However, I was going to only shoot major--one gun, one load, one recoil impulse to learn. I thought I would be better off using one load than I would bouncing back and forth between minor for one game and major for the other. I am not familiar with the Atlanta Arms ammo, but handloaded .40 major can be surprisingly pleasant. The folks who gripe about their "snappy" .40s have never shot handloads with heavy bullets and fast powder. Before I dumped $2500 plus on an Eagle and mags, new holster, etc., I picked up my old Glock 34 just to make sure I didn't need a 35 instead (I had been shooting 1911s for a year and a half). I ended up with a 35.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most Eagles, and most 1911/2011 guns in general, prefer .40 ammo loaded a little long. i don't know what length Atlanta Arms loads their .40, but factory-length .40 can be iffy in these guns.

Just out of curiosity, how much is the Atlanta Arms ammo?

Edited July 12, 2012 by deerslayer

[Spiffy]

The current price list gives the reloads at $260 a case (1000 rounds in a case) in Minor or Major for 40 S&W and the same price for 9mm. The match grade ammo is of course much higher. They have a 1911/2011 OAL load also, not sure of price off the top of my head. I don't reload a huge amount of rounds and get my stuff locally. Counting having to buy once fired brass it comes out to a quarter a pop for me and AAA is 26 cents a round.

I load the 180 FMJ over 3.2 gr Clays. It's a real pussy cat. I even shoot it for Production in USPSA when I shoot that.

What I like about the 40 is I can see the holes in paper easier. This is kinda what lead me from my 19/34 to the 35. The 40 guns are in stock most places I look in hard chrome.

[deerslayer]

Hmmm...I am loading my .40s for about 16 cents each ($160/1000), and that's with high-dollar Vhita Vhouri powder. Also, this price does not take into account that the brass is getting reused. What components are you using?

If I ever get another STI, it will be hard chrome. Their bluing sucks.

[McAllyn]

My STI .40's (custom 2011 and Trojan 1911) are setup for long loaded ammo. Actually, so long that the rounds don't fit in a Glock magazine. That is the only reason I shoot a 34 in production instead of a 35... well, that and my .40 load is major. I didn't want to develop a .40 minor load just for one weapon, and I already had a great 9MM recipe.

Mac

[Spiffy]

Hmmm...I am loading my .40s for about 16 cents each ($160/1000), and that's with high-dollar Vhita Vhouri powder. Also, this price does not take into account that the brass is getting reused. What components are you using?

If I ever get another STI, it will be hard chrome. Their bluing sucks.

I get enough locally in Lenoir City for 400 rounds a month for my match stuff.