Alternatives to SGC 9mm

[saddler]

Now I am hand loading for my 9mm I have not got over the mental problem of loading 700 rounds just for one competition, for me that would involve a couple of days work.

DM

A Dillon 550 would do that in just under 2 hours

A Dillon 1050 - about 45 minutes

& WHAT comp. are you shooting in that needs 700 rounds of 9mm?

[Blue Lizard]

I've been a long time lurker on this forum, especially for the purposes of doing some pre-purchase product research with regard to the SGC LRA9. As such, I would like to give this alternate view for your consideration (and I'd also like to state that other than being one of their customers, I have no connection or vested interest in Southern Gun Company whatsoever)...

My club has seen several variants of the SGC 9mm over the past few years - members have owned everything from the original 'lever-grip' 9mm through to the latest 'lever-release' incarnation. I can corroborate that two club members with late 2011/early 2012 LRA9's (Glock mag model) both experienced significant feeding problems when they first received them, however I understand that these guns were returned to SGC, modified and have been running fine since.

I ordered an LRA9 in April 2012 and received it in August. In terms of the Glock mag feeding and general mechanism, I have had no problems whatsoever; the gun has worked reliably and smoothly in over 1500 rounds that I've put through it. There has been a *very* occasional issue where an ejected case gets caught behind the action (just above the trigger mechanism) and has to be shaken/picked out by hand, but this is pretty rare and in no means more on an issue than occasional feeding ramp problems I've experienced with Marlins and Winchesters in gallery shooting. Ammo-wise, I have been using PPU 115gr FMJ for the vast majority of this, with just 25 rounds of Federal 115gr FMJ for comparison purposes during zeroing. I intend to continue with the PPU 115gr as my ammo of choice for now.

I did have a problem with grouping of rounds upon my initial test-firing and zeroing. I contacted SGC and was advised that this may be due to crowning issues with their last batch of 9mm barrels. The gun was collected from me, re-crowned and returned by SGC (at no cost) within a week and is now definitely on a par with the accuracy I'm getting from my .357 Winchester at 25m distances. All in all, I was wary of the reports of feeding issues and customer service from SGC, but went into things with my eyes open and willing to give them a chance as a trader - as such, I'm very happy with my gun. As a past pistol shooter who enjoys action/speed shooting, I cannot see any other direct alternative at present, other than the W&M et al lever actions.

Some pics, and along side my S&W 15-22:






Some things to note regarding my LRA9 - I did send some parts into SGC first as I wanted a specific Magpul stock (requiring a mil-spec buffer tube), grip and ASAP sling point, and these were incorporated into the build. I also opted for their recent lighter trigger option which is a real improvement to the heavy 'battle trigger' on the previous models. Not as good as the Geissele on the .22 mind...

[Blackstuff]

I do not know how effective the .22lr conversion kit is or how accurate it is, perhaps others could comment, but it would be a good way of getting more with less.

DM

If you're talking about the Ceiner drop in kit i had one when i had an SGC Speedmaster. The accuracy was fine (at 25m anyway) but i couldn't get the thing to run for more than 2-3 shots before it jammed If i was going the full-bore/small-bore AR route i'd save my pennies and get a dedicated upper (preferably CMMG)

Nice LRA9 Blue Lizard!! tongueout

[techguy]

Very interesting BL! (A 15-22 is also on my shopping list too!) - Yes, I like black guns and I'm not ashamed to admit it :)

One question on on the SGC; are the glock mags standard glock mags, or are they modified to to fit the LRA9?

Decisions decisions!!

[Blue Lizard]

Thanks Blackstuff - I've looked through many of your posts in the past and you've certainly been contributory to my decision to go for the 9mm!

Techguy: mags are standard Glock 17. However, one of mine has a Magpul replacement floorplate (the one pictured in the gun) and the others have the Glock "+2" floorplate, giving them a capacity of 19 rounds each.

The 15-22 has been trouble free in well over 4000 rounds of CCI Blazer/MiniMag. The Sig also looks excellent, but I'd have no problems in recommending the S&W for mini-rifle comps

[techguy]

I was originally going to get the Sig 522, but after a recent mini rifle comp the reliability of the 15-22's sealed the deal for me!

I'm now swaying back towards the LRA9 again... Doh!

[Dangermouse]

Sadler,

We have a play on words here with "competition".

I was referring to the action weekends held at Bisley where by it is possible to enter several competitions on the same weekend as listed below with their entry fees:

25m Precision £8.50
50m Precision 8.50
America Match 11.00
Timed & Precision One 11.00
Timed & Precision Two 11.00
Multi-Target 11.00
Phoenix A 11.00
Multi-Target Three 11.00
1500 16.50
Bianchi 19.50
Advancing Target 11.00
Speed Steel Challenge 11.00
Surrenden 11.00
200m GRCF Open 8.50

Regards the press, I will keep an eye on the small adds but I really have had enough of spending on re loading gear for the time being. Chasing the dragon really has taken a toll on my bank account,

DM

[Blue Lizard]

HI DM - have received your PM, but unfortunately as I'm a newly registered member here, I don't seem to be allowed to reply to you by PM as yet! If you're happy for me to answer your question on this thread, just let me know...

[Dangermouse]

Go ahead others might be interested

[Blue Lizard]

Okay DM...

"I have not seen the trigger job advertised on the SGC web site, is it listed or did you find out about it another way?

Also, do you know how much he charges for doing it?
I have had a look at the trigger mech a number of times but there is no way I am fiddling around in that lot, and Mr Dremmel has done enough damage in the past for me to have learnt my lesson."

Having shot a couple of examples previously, I was aware of the heavy trigger pull on the earlier LRA9's so asked Bob about whether he offered a trigger job as an option. I've replaced the FCG on my S&W 15-22 with a Geissele SSA w. JP yellow springs, so am quite happy working on a standard AR-15 trigger, but didn't want to fettle with the LRA9 mechanism as it appeared to be integral to the lever release action itself. Bob advised that he was in the process of putting such an option together, and so I had this done as part of my order.

On the invoice/spec list for my rifle it's detailed as: "Tuned trigger and hammer with sear reduction device" and charged at £40 +VAT (at time of invoice 16/08/12). I don't know if this is a mod that can be applied to an existing mechanism or needs a full replacement - best to contact SGC to ask about the details.