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answers040312.htm

I've been using a 6" longslide for Limited 10 and it is a blast to shoot a single stack.  My question is this:   Is your limited gun a 6" also?  It appears that way in your photo.  Is the 6" an advantage?  If so, what are the advantages?   I was thinking of getting a Benny-Hill-built 6" fat free limited gun.  Are the shorter open guns that area popular now a days, like the SV IMM, holding up?

Lightened longslides offer snappy feel and better aiming potential.

Hey Ron.  Yes, I've been shooting a 6" longslide for Limited and Limited 10.  For the Nationals, the slide was in the stock, heavy configuration.  I have since then experimented with lightening the slide to approximate the weight of a standard 5" slide.  It's not the same, but very close.  The weight of a 6" bull barrel is very close to that of the 5" with a Tungsten sleeve. My guns, both 5 and 6", are now nearly the same weight.  The longer sight radius of the 6" shows aiming error in greater detail.  Some perceive this as higher muzzle flip, but in essence, you're simply seeing the sight at a higher point, as the 5" gun's front sight returns closer to the pivot point.  What this causes is a perception that the 6" has greater flip than the 5".  In actuality, the flip is nearly identical.  The appearance of the front sight being higher during recoil on the 6" is because it never comes as far back as the 5".  To test this, take a 5 and 6 inch gun and lock the slides back.  Point them at exactly the same angle up, next to each other, and see which one's front sight appears higher.  It's not flipping more, it just looks like it.  Recoil between the two is a moot point, as the difference is unimportant. 

I'm sure Benny can do a fine job in building you a lightened 6".  I look forward to getting my new lightened 6" from Springfield's Custom Shop.  I'll post a photo on the web site as soon as I get it.

Regarding the SVI guns, I have no experience with them.  I'm old fashioned and don't like the gun to be short.  Light maybe, but not shortened.   RL

Just a newbie question ... I started shooting last December, and I have a problem, which I cannot correct.  I have a small flinching problem.  No matter what I try, my eyes seem to want to close.  It's a bit frustrating and do not know what to do to correct this.  Any suggestion would be very welcomed.

My assumption is that you wear hearing protection.  If not, you definitely should!

What you describe as flinching is fairly common with new shooters.  It basically comes from not being comfortable with the muzzle blast.  It's not that you're scared of it, but it's still a little unsettling when it happens.  Mechanical things that can help are:  to shoot loads and cartridges that create reduced muzzle blast, and double up on your hearing protection (earplugs and earmuffs).

My son, Tommy, when young, was very intimidated by the gun going off.  It wasn't that he didn't like shooting, but an experience with a dog (barking at him and biting him on the cheek) had made him afraid of sharp, loud noises.  Simply practicing and trusting that the noise is there, but not doing any harm, helped him overcome this problem. 

As in most things, experience is the key!  A .45 creates a lot less muzzle blast and noise than an Open class pistol.  Large caliber rifles can create a flinch in anybody.   If the problem is severe and does not improve with exposure, back up, practice with .22s and work your way back to the gun and caliber you want to shoot. It's all a matter of trust.   RL