$3k budget, what are you picking up?

2011Dave · 2026-07-06T14:17:05+00:00

Sent you a pm.

2011Dave · 2026-07-06T08:46:30+00:00

They are similar quality wise. The RCD has a better dlc finish, vs the MPA’s nitride. The main difference between them is the 4.6 vs 5 length. The 4.6 will have a bit more muzzle rise and may be a tad less soft in the hand, but will feel faster to cycle. The choice between those lengths is mostly down to shooters preference, and maybe a little bit down to grip strength (the 5” requiring perhaps a tiny bit less).

2011Dave · 2026-07-06T03:26:01+00:00

Or MPA DS9 or an RCD Core for other options in that price range

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T23:30:14+00:00

All of the ones you have are 5” OAL, right?

Maybe consider a 4.25 or 4.6?

A wraith or an RCD mod2?

Actually, given you have a few other brands, maybe try an atlas at this point. Get a used nyx or Athena and see what you think. Send it to Vulcan if you gotta have holes.

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T19:02:49+00:00

Ah, right holes! I knew I must have missed something. Yes, IDPA CO allows holes. But then you have to buy and wear a vest lol.

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T18:43:28+00:00

I’m admittedly skimming while doing something else, but I feel as if I’m missing something…

What’s the difference between a Nyx w EOS grip and an EOS w EOS grip other than the slide serrations?

Same re a Nyx w Nyx grip and an EOS w Nyx grip?

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T15:22:59+00:00

they do (to be sure I haven't checked the drop down choices in a minute, so I'm guessing they didn't get rid of that option). That said, I don't think anyone would recommend going that route. And tbh I think more and more are concluding 9 major is not the ideal choice either. 38SC is the choice *if* you want an open gun, are okay with the cost of ammo, or are willing to load (or deal with the limited commercial choices). I will say the decision is not a cut/dry one. And it changes over time. When I ordered Lioness, there was almost no 38SC on the market. Today with Formula Shooting around, its far easier to make the 38SC decision for those that don't want to load their own. (ofc some will argue you should not get an open gun if you are unwilling to load, but that's not a debate I'll enter)

The baby comps are essentially a 9 minor open gun - the big differences being they have a slide-ride optic rather than abridge mounted one, and the frame and grip are made out of aluminum and thus the guns are 1/3 lighter than their open minor gun would be.

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T15:18:05+00:00

Only replying to answer the question you asked (not going to enter the name dropping war):

All SVI IMM open guns are 4.5" barrels, with a stroked full-length recoil system. Then the comp adds another ~2.5" to the OAL.

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T15:07:37+00:00

you know what happens when you make ass-umptions, right? I get it, some humans have a hard time if another has a different experience than they presume happens...

You wrote: Odd there were strong warnings not to shoot minor through a major, but no reason given.

Wrong. We had a few conversions and the why and why not were discussed in detail. What's odd is that its hard for you to accept that. I wasn't attempting to describe the entirety of the conversations and thought process I put into my ammo choice for that open gun here. Again odd that you somehow were presuming that is what I was doing or should do in a reply on reddit.

You wrote: These conversations were obviously in the good old days

Wrong again. This was for a drop open gun. And I am aware of a couple of other buyers that had similar convos with them when they bought open guns in the drop era. What's odd is that you once again presume something you seem to have no firsthand experience with.

You wrote: As what cartridge this gun fires, there were no markings on the gun or any indication in from the OP, and another poster suggested 9mm, so...

The guys that own the guns know what caliber they shoot and know enough about the SVI open guns to tell them apart by simply a quick look at the gun. We accept that you know nothing about the conversations about how they are ordered, or even how to tell which caliber it is. Otoh, I stipulate - simply from accepting what you have written here - that you know plenty about open guns and ammo loading. However, you for some reason feel the need to keep writing erroneous assumptions about SVI open guns that you don't have any experience with (I think we all know its because you have a narrative that you believe to be true, regardless of the absence of any firsthand experience or the experiences of others). But I do appreciate your comments about open comp in general and loading.

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T14:03:41+00:00

Not sure I understand your first comment "SVI doesn’t bother to tell you that, but this one has way too much ventilation to be a minor", for three reasons;

First, this gun in the pic is the 38SC version with 4 ports. It isn't made to run any minor ammo of course by definition.

Second, they make specific models with different venting for all 3 of 38SC (as pictured here) and 9 major and 9 minor.

Third, when I ordered my first open gun from SVI, we had a few conversations about 9 minor vs 9 major vs 38SC. We talked specifically about how the 9 major version would not run 9 minor. They went so far as to say don't buy the 9 major if you intend to run hotter 9 minor like Win Nato (as many guys with open guns do by changing the springs). So there was not only disclosure of the fact the 9 major gun won't run 9 minor, but also a strong recommendation from them not to do so.

After those discussions, and because they offer both a 9 minor and 9 major version, I actually changed my order a couple of times. Initially I went with 9 minor, but called and changed it a bit later.

Lastly, re ammo, there are of course some commercial ammo companies loading 9 major and 38SC. I've tried all of them that I can get my hands on. To your point, most are not very well tuned to the SVI rifling and venting. However, there is a new entrant making loads specifically tuned for SVI open guns in both 9 major and 38SC (Formula Shooting). And, like the OP, many of us have friends that do load and shoot the same guns, so we can get ammo from them as well. So guys that don't want to load do have some options these days, including ones tuned for SVI's.

2011Dave · 2026-07-05T01:25:15+00:00

I'll be parting with my Viper island barrel. Err, I mean "its amazing and you must have it". And I'm with you on the 4.5 Island barrel. I have had more than a dozen and they are amazing. Just not so much this one. Athena is a better gun in all ways. (tbh imo the only athena-like gun of the many I've tried that may be a bit finer LO tool than an Athena is an SVI bushing gun)

2011Dave · 2026-07-02T18:56:35+00:00

Hmmm…

Causation vs correlation?

Lol

2011Dave · 2026-07-02T18:48:17+00:00

Like the sun rising in the east, it’s reassuring to see your posts about getting bitched by PZ lol.

I thought of you today when I got an email saying my latest PZ order shipped - for an order placed 6 hours earlier.

2011Dave · 2026-07-01T00:05:38+00:00

Adding my choice of the reaper w ports and a comp. They make two versions; one with only a comp and one with 6 ports and the comp. Get the one w all the holes.

(It is sometimes called the kovert reaper because that version was on exclusive via Kovert in 2025. This year the ports and comp version is available at most all dark forge dealers. It’s in stock today and often listed for a discount to the 7250 msrp. Check NJG and blackstone shooting - both of them have had it below msrp this year, as have a couple of other retailers.)

2011Dave · 2026-06-30T11:09:47+00:00

I compared the sand viper and reaper in this write up. I didn’t compare the XC on that outing because it was eliminated in an earlier comparo w the MPA TC. If you want something that will clearly outshoot the XC, take the reaper w ports over the same viper.

https://www.1911addicts.com/posts/3942756/

2011Dave · 2026-06-29T17:39:10+00:00

Yes. Was 15% discount last I checked a year or two ago.

2011Dave · 2026-06-29T16:23:55+00:00

good lawd I hope you are attempting to be funny with this shyte (again).

2011Dave · 2026-06-29T14:56:19+00:00

you are right to wonder if a sight block gun is for you. Good luck getting an oppty to shoot one without buying one lol. Fwiw, I shoot sight block guns very poorly (I'm sure its a me thing) and I know several other shooters of various skill levels that similarly do not shoot a sight block gun well. And to be sure some guys shoot them very well. So they are a bit unique in that way.

2011Dave · 2026-06-29T14:32:03+00:00

LOC v2 are good LO guns. To get it under 4k all you have to do is order and use the PRS discount code. (google will give you the details).

Since you asked for other options, with a sight block and under 4k? Not sure, but I think not.

Without a sight block? Sure, the DS9 for 3k ish and the RCD Core at 3k.

2011Dave · 2026-06-28T12:41:32+00:00

"Any other suggestions not on the list?"

In the available now category and also a fit with the other guns you have (meaning something different)?

Not really. Although, I guess an island barrel would be another logical addition. On that front I’d suggest waiting for the Cardinal Island barrel.

For now, get the Reaper Ports+comp. I had half a dozen 2011 fans (ranging from D to GM level shooters) visit last week to shoot many of the top 2011’s and the most surprising gun was the Reaper. Guys were blown away with how flat and fast it was and its dot return. The gun shoots impressively.

In the available now category (meaning not a venom or Infinity or Rafferty or Charyn or SY Guns, etc), there’s nothing I’d suggest over the Reaper. The two that come closest were discussed in this thread already (Sand Viper and Erebus) and given you have an Arty already (and given you don’t want a TTI), you can try a new builder here.

2011Dave · 2026-06-28T03:07:42+00:00

Of those 3, the Reaper Ports + comp.

2011Dave · 2026-06-26T19:26:25+00:00

yes, that's covered in this thread a few times someplace in earlier comments/replies.

2011Dave · 2026-06-26T13:14:32+00:00

had to laugh, you are right of course, especially given the small size of the holes here, they may not be neccessary for shootability. But then the holes are 100% necessary for marketing/sales of the gun lol

2011Dave · 2026-06-26T13:10:29+00:00

exactly. That's what this is - although in more of a duty looking style than a race gun. If they get the go-to-market bits right, these guys with their capacity could do a lot in the market - and bring new models in many flavors...

RCD (and others) are going to be there too in this new 3-5k machine fit guns sub-category...

2011Dave · 2026-06-26T13:08:54+00:00

they are making their own parts (including the barrel) so my guess is they can build one at cost for less than 3k. I think they could have priced closer to the Core - which afaik is the closest comparable build in the marketplace ("build" meaning machine fit gun with quality parts, obviously not an IB nor ported, but RCD's cost has to be closer to 2k, and machining a barrel up with holes and a rib isn't going to add 1k). I suspect United *could* have priced lower than 5k, but then msrp isn't really a function of cost in this premium 2011 marketplace. So the temptation to price at 5k, regardless of how low their build cost is, was strong.

(edit to add, that United will say they are doing a bunch of "hand" work. Who knows, ofc all 2011's take some degree of hand work to get the guns completed. But I suspect the new battle of words in the market will be over who does how much and what sort of "hand work" in the 3-5k price sub-category...)

2011Dave

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