OAL For 1911 .40 S&W

[ede]

got a couple of STI 1911/2011 coming and would like to load up a few rounds to get me started. i have some 155 and 180 moly coated bullets i'll use. anyway do any of you know what a good OAL would be for a sti 1911/2011 pistol? thanks

[AdamN]

Ede Ive heard a little of everything. From 1.135 to 1.270. Lots run 1.200 in their STI's . I think it has as much to do with getting the round to feed/chamber as just what will fit in the magazine. So you may try to see how long a round will chamber without hitting the rifling and go from there.

[ede]

ok i might make a few at 1.2 and see how they work when the guns get here. i'd hate to have too much loaded up that doesn't work.

[Tree Rat]

I never could understand why the UPPSA crowd insists on loading long.

I did it for awhile until I discovered my guns ran fine @ 1.135 with 180's.
Was able to reduce the powder charge at least a couple fractions to boot.

Is there something peculier with the STI barrels that require a longer loaded round...outside of the presurre management theories?


TR

[AdamN]

I think doods just do it cause the magazine will hold a longer round. If I had several "other" brands of 40 caliber guns I would certainly try to find a load that would run in all of them.

I think anything to make the reloading/storing ammo simpler is good.

Accidently grabbing a box of "long" 40's and a Glock would be pretty frustrating when you started trying to load the mags

[Steve Koski]

Some of the IPSC guns feed the longer rounds more reliably. I have a friend with a Para that does not like standard length .40 ammo.