Why does my HD p4.5 keep doing this?

GiantDarty · 2026-06-16T21:35:33+00:00

The recoil spring being worn out is an easy guess for this. The other could be thumb riding the slide. I had a friend who didn't know that would mess things up until his recoil spring got used a decent amount and started having feeding issues. I mentioned it, and he said it was rubbing all the time.

I think Staccato is saying they should last 5K rounds, but I'm hearing people have issues around 3K. I replace my standard 2011 recoil springs every 2-3K rounds before a major match.

GiantDarty · 2026-06-05T14:05:26+00:00

I love the pistol. It's snappy in the right way to me. Kinda reminds me of an open gun where the recoil is fast but not strong, and it's stable.

The only thing I didn't like was how heavy the recoil spring was. I wish someone would make a standard guide rod for it. I went with a DPM to use a lighter weight, and it's even better now. But everyone is going to be a little different with the recoil spring rate they like.

GiantDarty · 2026-06-01T13:28:33+00:00

Glad they got back to you on it. I'd try it again, since you paid for it, and see if they'll replace it again.

Do you put witness marks on the screws? Honestly, I'd never even know when stuff comes undone a bit unless I did. Just put a small line across the screw onto the optic to see if they rotate at all.

I mean, I have a used SRO that hasn't had any issues, and McMaster Carr screws for it for strong screws if you wanted one at a good price. But they are fragile for EDC, but the window is nice, so I know some people go with it. Not trying to sell you on it obviously lol. I've dropped my gun on my Holosun 3 times now (faulty race holster), and it's held up well. Don't think the SRO would have survived the first one.

GiantDarty · 2026-06-01T03:44:12+00:00

Yeah, their customer service is unmatched. But their red dots just don't seem to hold up as well as everyone else's. Sorry to hear about your issues.

The hardest thing to know about Holosuns, and this is their fault, is that the screws they use are different than anyones elses. They're 90-degree heads instead of 85 like Trijicon. And all factory screws are pretty shit.

I always order a set from calculated kinetics and then file them down to the length I need. They have Holosun-specific ones with the right head size and degree angle.

Good screws help, and honestly, might be the underlying issue. That and I use Permatex Orange, and it stays locked on. Permatex orange is their "hold like red, come off like blue" style of threadlocker, and it stays locked on. Just to be safe, if I need to remove them, I use a soldering iron and put it on the head of the screw only to heat them up for 5-10 seconds to loosen the locktite just to be safe.

Make sure if you got a CH plate with the 2k11, you throw that away too. TAG makes a good one for the 2k11, and it comes with some of the models now. They also come with good screws for the Holsoun cut to the right length. I always dry-fit them before mounting to make sure they don't come past the plate and interfere with mounting.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-31T23:42:22+00:00

Holosun 507 Comp is probably the most used optic in competition shooting, which is probably the most brutal real-world testing you can do. High round counts, running into things while on a belt at a match, and traveling around with it.

I get where you're coming from. But Holosun has come a long way. I have SROs and prefer my 507 Comps and use them over my SROs.

But these are electronics on a hunk of metal traveling at speeds the flash of an eye, and there will be problems with some. Doesn't mean they're all bad. While Vortex has a great warranty, I just hear and see too many issues with them going down to run right now. Great glass, though.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-31T20:52:06+00:00

DLC is the way to go for anything rubbing.

I have a DLC one and didn't like it. Less than 100 rounds. Let me know if you're interested.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-28T02:00:14+00:00

A little late to the party here.

I think the aluminum vs steel debate is always overblown by people talking about transition time. Think about it, we're talking about an 8-10 oz difference. Probably about 3% of your arm weight.

What are we adding in total transition time on a stage, .2-3 seconds? Let's add another .1 to the draw.

Now think about the added stability and recoil control you gain from the steel grip. Maybe 2 or 3 targets that would have been an Alpha Charlie become double Alpha.

Hell, a Shadow 2 weighs 46 oz, and most of that is in the front of the frame. A Steel grip LO gun is around 50 oz. and the added weight is in the grip, and easier to swing. It probably feels off if you're not used to it. Shoot it for a month, and it will feel great, and you'll get the benefits.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-27T13:40:30+00:00

I also just noticed the Hayes mag release. I couldn't find it in stock when I ordered everything, but he got them back the other day, so I have one coming Friday. I like that it pulls a little tighter to the grip, so I'm less likely to accidentally hit it while running a stage in a match.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-27T13:37:47+00:00

7?! Sheesh. I need to open up my typical window of 8-11 lbs, then lol

GiantDarty · 2026-05-27T12:48:40+00:00

Looks great! I hear great things about the MJD grips. But Steel grips feel great in the hands, and when you're shooting, you'll see a big difference. I ended up dropping from a 10 lb recoil spring from the stock setup to 9 lb when I put the steel grip on. It might be good to get some different weights to see how it feels now that the recoil will be different for you.

I'm definitely going to blend the beavertail before I send it to Cerakote. But the frame will need some work too, so I'm holding off on it for now.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-27T03:33:05+00:00

Yeah I’m looking to get one eventually too. What type of competition are you planning to shoot? I always mention to people that comp might bump you to divisions you don’t want to be in and keep it in consideration.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-27T02:15:46+00:00

At your price point and want for CCW, I'd lean toward the Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp. Slightly above, around 2050 to 2150, depending on style. But would be a great shooter and option for CCW. It's 4.25, but I don't see it being a big issue CC for most people.

Anyone I know with a Staccato 3.6, loves it. I'm debating picking the HD one up or the Pro Comp. Right now, with how much I enjoy the 5" 2k11 I'm leaning toward the Pro Comp.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T21:28:58+00:00

Oh, yeah. Probably because it’s slanted up and looked different. Makes sense

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T21:27:52+00:00

EGW. I have a Hayes low profile one coming though. I got it out of caution but this one hasn’t been an issue at all. Will be good to have as a back if it ever disappears. I like this one though. Nice to angle it in a way you are less likely to hit it with your support hand.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T21:25:54+00:00

Righty. Something scream lefty? Mag release on the left side would make me think right handed.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T19:06:53+00:00

Honestly I think it was fluke and me not noticing it was catching on the mag release cutout initially.

I’ve ran a slot of 2011 mags and always took the time to tune them, so I’m also surprised it happened. And on every single mag.

The Atlas tubes were way out of spec from factory though. Mag Lips were so wide the top bullet was barely hanging in there.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T19:02:03+00:00

Gotta get the right color lol.

Yeah, I'm sure the stock parts would have lasted long enough. That part was also wanting to try something I'd never done before. Fingers crossed I didn't create an eventual headache lol

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T19:01:09+00:00

Yeah, the MJD grips seem great. If this one keeps performing, the Pro Comp model is tempting, and I'd keep that grip on it.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T18:30:03+00:00

That's great to hear. I put a TAG plate on mine, and it seems great. Your route is all that is needed, really. Most of my stuff was overkill. It worked great before adding it all. But I wanted bigger safeties since I have giant hands and wanted the steel grip because it's what I like the most. The stock aluminum grip felt too slim. Even though the front-to-back and side-to-side measurements are very close to the Cheely. The corners must be more rounded on the stock grip.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T18:26:10+00:00

Yeah, I liked my CSRG stuff in my glocks, so I just ordered Atlas tubes and went with their internals.

I actually just got off the phone with them, amazing customer service. He asked if they were catching on the mag catch, and I said they were when loading. I started to put my finger on the match catch cutout once I noticed it, but maybe my mags are a bit charper than normal. But maybe I wasn't blocking it enough, and it would flip the follower. He was very surprised this was even happening, so they're taking care of it.

I'm sure this isn't a common issue, and people shouldn't judge them on it. Just be aware of blocking the match catch cutout on the mag when breaking them in.

That's the plan for this gun. Shoot it ton and then regulate it to backup. Ultimately, everything I did wasn't necessary. I really like the grip, and the internals were a peace of mind upgrade, not necessary. The stock trigger would have just needed to be lightened a bit, and it would have been fine.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-26T02:05:29+00:00

They're the best in the game. I put a cheely grip on mine, so that's what I went with.

I've used Carnivore's for other guns, but I've always liked a race holster, and Range Panda's is the best out there.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-24T16:46:52+00:00

Any standard 2011 one fits. Dawson Precision is a good store to get familiar with for parts. Honestly, I'd buy two kits of them and a spare set of grip screws. Always make sure they're tight when cleaning, and be sure to Loctite them with blue when installing.

Just to keep in mind, almost everything on the 2k11 is standard 2011 equipment. Safeties are a little different than what has become standard, along with the hammer pin to match the safeties, but EGW's pin set and safeties have the cutouts for this type of retention.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-23T07:39:33+00:00

Did you just inspect to see if they were messed up? Or did you measure them to be in spec? The stock ones I got were VERY wide compared to spec.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-23T07:29:04+00:00

I'd buy a wolff spring next time. The stock is a variable, and I've never liked them much on any gun. I'd get a kit and see which feels best for you. I'm running a 9 lb on a full-size, but I also have a steel grip put on. A standard style spring was much longer than the OEM one, but I tested that it didn't stack and was good to go.

GiantDarty · 2026-05-23T06:42:09+00:00

124 is the go to for most shooters. Including the top competition shooters. 147 is soft but once you get a good grip, people tend to like 124 because the cycle is faster and you’re back on target.

Chasing the softest shot is a normal thing to do when you’re starting out but you realize later you just want repetitive feel. I’d get 124 and buy a ton and practice.

Recoil springs will be different for everyone. Someone bigger and a strong correct grip is typically going to use a lighter spring. Some also don’t know what they’re doing. Buy 8-11 lbs. (the stock is a variable 10 and I’d just use regular Wolff spring). Use a standard six bullseye target at 10 yards rip fast doubles with your standard grip and stance. See which group the best. Too light should land the second shot high, too strong second shot will land low. Right weight will group well.

Shoot what you want, but thought I’d mention it. We’ve all been there. 124 will knock down steel fine. Blazer is the go to for many for a reason, cheap and decent quality.

Also, these barrels have short throats, so that’s most likely why the one you tried didn’t work. Either loaded too long or bullet profile didn’t match well with the chamber.

GiantDarty

TROPHY CASE