My MechTech and G20, mags, and ammo of choice as of Feb 2016

[TSP45ACP]

For those that already have one, a question I forgot to ask the MechTech tech when I called last week is about the recoil spring/bolt/carrier.....do they have one (I know that have to have something similar to cycle), and if so...are they difficult to change and how often do they need to be?  Thanks, Tracy

[gandog56]

Almost had a catastrophe with my Mechtech. I had a case head separation (Many times reloaded brass) and I had the top of the case wedged in the barrel. I tried everything to get it out, nothing worked. I took it to my gunsmith and he fiddled with it and fiddled with it and he was having no luck getting it out. Then he found the magic formula. He took a .45 caliber Boresnake and run it through backwards just until the little metal bristles part was centered on the piece of case. Pulled it back out the back of the receiver and the shell bit came right out. I immediately went to a gunstore and bought me that Boresnake.

[cwlongshot]

GOOD JOB!!

I have a few, they are handi!

CW

[Keiichi]

For those that already have one, a question I forgot to ask the MechTech tech when I called last week is about the recoil spring/bolt/carrier.....do they have one (I know that have to have something similar to cycle), and if so...are they difficult to change and how often do they need to be?  Thanks, Tracy

There is a single recoil spring running the length of the bolt in a channel, attached by spring tension to posts (one at the barrel end, and one on the far end of the bolt); the aluminum tube keeps the spring in place.  It's easy to change, if needed, though I haven't put enough rounds through mine to need to.  Most of the recoil is mitigated by the  rubber bumper at the back of the tube.  I can post pictures at some point if you need more details.  Also, Mechtech recommends against disassembly to take out the bolt/barrel too often, as there's risk of over-tightening the screws that hold the rails/brackets to the tube and thus putting pressure on the internal components; also, there's risk of bending the spring, and thus requiring a new one.

[cwlongshot]

I had mine out last week and discovered something...  Maybe you guys who have them knew or will now be able to check this for yourselves...  It LIKES a firm hold!!

I was shooting at 50 yards off the bench in bags front and back. It was not shooting well... 100% reliability, I am talking accuracy... 4-6" groups with flyers. now this aint a target gun by any means, but I always was able to get 2" groups pretty easy at 50 yards with my red dot. I was thinking something had happened, I had missed a loaded mag after I cleaned up and decided to shoot them off too...standing. WELL...those 10 rounds went into a RAGGED HOLE 2 same 50 yards!! I opened up the bag and loaded up two more mags and shot them standing, supported by a pole. SAME RESULTS, group was just over 1" for 10 rounds.

Keiichi,
Don't know if your still around. You asked a question that I missed. (apologies) My "cover" is just some good camo tape. I did tape it together so there was no sticky underneath and left enough adhesive on the top side so it would remain attached to the tube. Nothing special, but works well and looks OK.

CW

[Keiichi]

Thanks for the answer cwlongshot... simple solution, I like it.

I haven't noticed any accuracy issues with a weak hold, but mine has some issues with "limp-wristing" or whatever its rifle equivalent would be called (more or less, not leaning into the rifle enough), especially with lighter loads, where the round wouldn't go into battery but get pinched between the lower lip of the barrel (side of case), the top of the barrel (bullet tip), and bolt (case rim).

I think I got it mostly worked out by sanding the sharp edge off the barrel lip, but I still need to stay forward on it to be 100%.

And yeah, my accuracy has been similar to yours, supported.

Edit: Actually, I do remember some time ago I noticed that the screws holding the rails on the barrel ring were loose after one of my range sessions. I don't remember if the accuracy was poor on that occasion, but might be something for you to check...

Edit again: went back and looked at your pics - since you only have the top rail attached to the barrel ring, that might likely not be your issue...

[jazzsax8]

Almost had a catastrophe with my Mechtech. I had a case head separation (Many times reloaded brass) and I had the top of the case wedged in the barrel. I tried everything to get it out, nothing worked. I took it to my gunsmith and he fiddled with it and fiddled with it and he was having no luck getting it out. Then he found the magic formula. He took a .45 caliber Boresnake and run it through backwards just until the little metal bristles part was centered on the piece of case. Pulled it back out the back of the receiver and the shell bit came right out. I immediately went to a gunstore and bought me that Boresnake.

I just had the same thing happen to me this week.  Used 9.1gr Longshot, 180gr Berrys, CCI 300, 1.252 OAL with Federal 2X fired brass.  Used the Boresnake to pull it out.  I also had one primer come completely out and another backed out most of the way.  This Federal brass might be less desirable than Starline.  Is there a thread where good loads are being run through the M.T.?

[DenStinett]

I find that the Chamber in my MechTech is crazy tight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHdWjm6iMYM

I've torn the Web off of more than a few Cases



My loads for the MG20 are:
165gr Berry's Round Shoulder
Behind 9.3gr of AA#5
Not a real hot 1475fps

[cwlongshot]

Only damaged cases I have had where bulged.    But I haven't checked to see if my chamber is tight... I'll make a note of it next time at range.

CW

[jazzsax8]

My chamber is tight resulting in a .425 head dimension on what looks like a very stiff load of 9.1 Longshot w/180gr bullet.  Pretty flat primer and two case separations is TOO hot!  Will try my faster CFE Pistol to see if I can get velocity before similar pressure problems occur.

[jazzsax8]

Another trip to the range with a new discovery.  I had worked up a load of 9.1gr Longshot, 200gr Xtreme bullet that was max in my G20 w/6" KKM barrel & 22# spring.  This load in the M.T. would smile brass, blow out an occasional primer or leave half the brass in the chamber.  Tried another recommended load of 8.0 Longshot w/220gr Xtreme bullet that would also smile the brass but safe in the pistol.  Backed down to 7.9gr Longshot w/200gr Xtreme bullet that seemed to work well but.......got a few failures to feed where the plated bullet dug into the feed ramp edge on the barrel.  My average OAL on all of these loads is around 1.258.  I now have a push back that measures 1.175!  I am wondering if some of my previous problems are a result of push back where the bullet makes it into the chamber then fires with disastrous results.

I noticed the feed ramp that goes on the pistol is just a little loose when installed on the M.T.  Mine measures .249 thick with the cutout/magnet area at .090.  If anyone could measure theirs and report I would like to know what you come up with.  I think I might try some feeler gauge stock to push this feed ramp tighter up against the barrel.

I also assume that using jacketed bullets ONLY would solve the feed problem the softer plated lead is allowing to dig into the edge of the ramp.

[Pablo]

I probably missed it and know nothing of MechTech, but is a chamber "clean up" and polish possible? I did it do my RMW and LW Glocks with great success. Sounds like it needs it. 

[jazzsax8]

Pablo

I agree with the polish idea and I did so on the pistol side feed block using crocus cloth and flitz but it was already pretty shiny.  I have not tried to take the barrel out of the M.T. yet as I have read about the process being a little testy.

[Pablo]

Honestly sounds worth it. We are not talking Glock slop, but there is a point of perfection just over "too tight".

Sometimes just taking down the asperities is all a chamber needs. 

[DenStinett]

I found that if you break the hard corner on the Glock Block it allows the Round to ramp into the Chamber cleaner
(sorry for the lousy Cellphone Pics)