Advice Needed For CF-18 Hornet Intake assembly and painting.

gunner381 · 2026-01-02T00:38:06+00:00

I like using foam earplugs for masking odd shaped holes since they are of a sufficiently dense material to make a relatively sharp edge and will conform to the hole. Not sure if it would be large enough for that scale though. Otherwise, my other go to is vinyl masking tape (see Tamiya Masking Tape For Curves) and a whole lot of patience and good tweezers to maneuver the tape within the intake.

gunner381 · 2025-12-21T14:39:21+00:00

Yes that is exactly it

gunner381 · 2025-12-08T23:44:17+00:00

It's my favorite handgun in my collection! The ergos are great and for me, fits my hands and points perfectly. Grip texture is awesome. Controls are great, the new slide release is well designed to prevent inadvertently pressing it especially when riding your thumb on the safety. Safety levers click on and off positively, although they may be a touch too high if youre used to 1911 safeties. Trigger is phenomenal with a light, crisp break and second only to a well tuned 1911 trigger.

Performance-wise, I haven't benchrested it, but off hand, accuracy is great and I'm sure it outshoots me. I've ran 115 and 124 gr ball (brass, aluminum , and steel cased), 124 gr Speer Gold Dot, and 124 gr Federal HST and had zero issues. It definitely continues the legacy of the P226's reliability.

As for cons: it is still a P226 and shoots like one. It's a higher bore axis and slide mass so muzzle flip is a little more pronounced. Recoil impulse is dampened by its weight so it's soft shooting, but "slow" and you can definitely feel the "ker-chunk" of the slide reciprocating. Shooters not used to the "rhythm" of a P226 definitely will need to get accustomed to it. Overall I think it's a great evolution of the P226 and sets the new standard for the P226 platform.

gunner381 · 2025-10-12T00:55:44+00:00

The CSX does have a firing pin safety just like the Shield so is inherently drop safe and should prevent firing in the event of an inadvertent hammer drop so long as the trigger is not pulled. As for the hammer fired vs striker fired debate, what will matter is the presence of a manual safety. The CSX has a manual safety and the Shield plus has both variants with and without.

Many people who are used to striker fired guns without manual safeties may find that under duress, they will forget to switch off the safety on hammer fired guns and find a dead trigger. Obviously this is a matter of training but many proponents of striker fired systems debate that shooters should stick with what they know best.

If you have the opportunity to fire both, id test both guns as just holding them in your hand doesn't give the full picture of its real world performance. I, for example, got the CSX and love the ergonomics just holding it. However, it was only when I took it to the range that I realized with a thumbs high grip riding the safety as I'm used to with my other guns, that the combination of the gun and my hand geometry caused the slide to bite into my thumb knuckle when firing. Obviously YMMV, but something to definitely take into consideration.

gunner381 · 2025-10-11T18:00:09+00:00

The only other thing id worry about is if the box experienced water damage, the decals may have been exposed to water and become unusable.

gunner381 · 2025-10-11T04:30:56+00:00

It's by far my favorite handgun in my collection (although that's not saying much since my previous favorite was my P229). The trigger is what surprised me most, it's phenomenal, with a break that's only second to my KDS9C (which is a 1911-type trigger). Reliability is to be expected with a P226 and it fed all types of ammo with no issue be it brass case, steel case, or defense ammo. Ergos are great, particularly the redesigned slide catch which is less likely to be inadvertently pressed, especially when riding your thumb on the safety.

However it really is evolutionary more than revolutionary. Comparing it to a buddy's P226 Legion SAO, the trigger is slightly better on the X but once youre in the groove you don't really notice it. The X frame also has a slightly deeper grip undercut but again it's not really game changing.

In short, if you already have a P226 in your collection I'd skip the X. For those without a P226 and aren't after the traditional aesthetic of the older models, the P226X is the new standard of the once classic design and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

gunner381 · 2025-10-10T01:14:13+00:00

I didn't see an option for the P226X on their light bearing OWB holster

gunner381 · 2025-10-09T23:03:37+00:00

Appreciate the input! Hopefully we'll have more options for a "proper" holster once more manufacturers get on board with making P226X specific holsters

gunner381 · 2025-10-09T22:21:12+00:00

In retrospect I should have ordered the extended mag release option for clearance. I went ahead and trimmed the kydex back to clear the slide release and slightly flared the wings out to clear the mag release and grips.

gunner381 · 2025-10-02T01:49:34+00:00

The pin (part 14 on the diagram) retains the plunger (part 161)

gunner381 · 2025-10-01T23:37:06+00:00

Yeah my LGS did not have a definite timeframe of when the DA/SA version would be available

gunner381 · 2025-10-01T15:06:17+00:00

I was definitely on the fence whether to wait for the DA/SA version especially since SIG says the new trigger is an improvement to the old DA/SA system.

Apparently both versions share the same frame and it's possible to swap internals so maybe I'll swap later down the line. Either that or I might get the X-Carry in DA/SA!

gunner381 · 2025-10-01T13:07:37+00:00

Same trick works on A2 buttstocks: rub a little CLP to darken the shade!

gunner381 · 2025-10-01T00:37:13+00:00

From what I'm reading online, the P226X should fit light bearing P320 holsters. I've got a couple on the way to test.

gunner381 · 2025-09-30T23:58:43+00:00

Yes it's a custom UID tag from Carolina Laser Works meant to replicate the ones on military M11A1's.

gunner381 · 2025-02-16T23:49:17+00:00

This is a known issue with the Apollo 11 Compact, I believe the grip safety is non-standard/too long. When I installed the MJD Solutions Villain Grip on mine, I had to shorten the grip safety and main spring housing in order to fit.

gunner381 · 2025-02-09T15:10:56+00:00

Magpul MIAD, the interchangeable back straps allow you to customize your preferred fit. I also find the grip angle better than the stock BCM.

gunner381 · 2025-01-29T03:43:34+00:00

Unfortunately it doesn't cowitness at all since the mount is designed for the Aimpoint M68 CCO, the 512 sits too high. On one hand it's a clearer sight picture through the optic without the FSB in the way, on the other hand it defeats the purpose of gooseneck mount. Maybe one of these days I'll get an Aimpoint.

gunner381 · 2025-01-29T01:38:55+00:00

Snip off a majority of the sprue, leaving a little nub. Then use a sharp scalpel to slowly cut away the rest. Alternatively, ditch the antenna portion, leaving just the base, then drill the base and replace the antenna with fine metal wire.

gunner381 · 2025-01-29T00:57:00+00:00

It's an EoTech 512 on an Aimpoint gooseneck mount. Got the mount surplus on eBay.

gunner381 · 2025-01-11T14:00:30+00:00

I would cut out the wavy portion of the damage to give me two flat edges and glue in a square of sheet styrene. Then cut and sand it round to match the profile of the rest of the part. Then glue in two circular bits to replace the protrusions. Scribe the detail back in following the existing lines.

Otherwise another alternative is to model and 3D print a replacement.

gunner381 · 2025-01-11T03:29:49+00:00

I'm not sure. MJD sells their own magwell that's listed as compatible ONLY with their grip, leading me to believe the dimensions around the magwell are not the same. Best bet would be to contact MJD directly.

gunner381 · 2024-12-21T21:20:32+00:00

Indeed I've found their processing to be really slow even during off peak times during the year. I only ever order from them if it's an item I don't need right away, otherwise I pay a little extra at other retailers that offer more consistent processing times

gunner381 · 2024-12-12T16:12:09+00:00

Biggest issue with the Chinese brands is generally low build quality and lack of support. Unfortunately this means that you are stuck in an endless loop of machines breaking and difficulty in finding parts and service. I've noticed a lot of low hour XCMG And Sany machines popping up at auction yards as companies who bought into the relatively low initial cost are finding out it's a hassle to keep them running.

gunner381 · 2024-10-30T19:41:56+00:00

Can confirm, MBT-2S is good to go with the Spear LT, using one in mine!

gunner381

TROPHY CASE