Some noob (or possibly intermediate?) questions

[Soginator]

So I've gone through the basics of gun ownership being fairly new to owning. Now I got some questions for future purchases...

1) Why is it my XD9 magazine is somewhat hard to load when I get to round 9/10 but my 1911/AR15 magazines are easy to load all the way through? Are there better quality magazines etc?

2) I'm in the market for a better 1911 and AR. I've heard a lot of people talk about the different features etc, and often talk about customizing their guns. What is a good way to figure out what you like? The guns I have access to are usually rentals or my own, so as far as custom work I wouldn't exactly know how to "try" out different things to figure out what I want. Is there a guide to figuring this out?

Edit:
3) I am having trouble finding non steel case ammo that is 7.62x39. Some sites don't have it listed, so is it safe to assume if the case is a brass color it is brass and not steel? Also just a general question, why is it ranges ban the use of steel case?

[trigger945]

1) The mag may just be new so the springs need to be broken in. Try using UpLula when loading ammo and it will become a breeze. Alternatively, you just need to use it more

2) Kind of hard with a 1911 as my experience was that I had to go through a few 1911's to know what I want.

For starters though, try to figure out what sights you want - 3-dot with or without night sights or adjustable target sights (all black or with fiber optic front).

Then what mainspring housing you want - flat or arched, smooth or serrated or checkered.

Do you want extended magwell or not? Do you want ambi safety or not? Do you want the extended safety to make "riding" it easier?

What trigger do you prefer - standard, short or long? What pull weight do you want?

Sometimes just reading people's post and looking at pics can give you ideas. I am not sure if there is a comprehensive list of options unless you get it from a manufacturer or a custom shop.

Good luck. HTH.

[357magnum]

I have my XD9 for 12 years now, with 3 factory mags.
They are just as stiff now as when I bought them.
They use good springs in them I guess, that's why I got the UpLula loader.
Works great.

[Soginator]

I might get the UpLula loader if I have problems with any other guns. The XD9 came with a loader already so hopefully I can save $30. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't a problem with the magazine.
Trigger you are always around to answer my questions, thanks haha.

[ArmedCMT]

Edit:
3) I am having trouble finding non steel case ammo that is 7.62x39. Some sites don't have it listed, so is it safe to assume if the case is a brass color it is brass and not steel? Also just a general question, why is it ranges ban the use of steel case?

NO.

If its brass, it will say its brass and it will cost about twice as much.

Edit: Bookmark this page - http://gunbot.net/ammo/rifle/762x39/
Right now this Fiocchi ammo @ $.45/rd is the cheapest brass case, boxer primed, reloadable x39 ammo. Are you reloading or interested in reloading?

[ArmedCMT]

I might get the UpLula loader if I have problems with any other guns. The XD9 came with a loader already so hopefully I can save $30. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't a problem with the magazine.
Trigger you are always around to answer my questions, thanks haha.

I bought my Dad an UpLula loader for Xmas and he loves it.

[Soginator]

NO.

If its brass, it will say its brass and it will cost about twice as much.

Edit: Bookmark this page - http://gunbot.net/ammo/rifle/762x39/
Right now this Fiocchi ammo @ $.45/rd is the cheapest brass case, boxer primed, reloadable x39 ammo. Are you reloading or interested in reloading?

I'm assuming that means using the same case for new bullets? I don't trust myself yet with doing that, despite several people trying to convince me it is easy. I'd rather just go to a trusted manufacturer.

For my AR, are these steel or brass? http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/fede...-p-120887.html

[SoberClurichaun]

Rifle mags are easy to load in my experience even brand new. Pistol mags are usually stiffer till broken in. Brass cased x39 you will be stuck with fiocchi, or ppu. Ranges reuse your brass for recycling or reloading. Sorting out steel would be too much trouble. As for knowing what you like on a rifle you never know till you try it, read detailed reviews on products before purchasing always.

[Soginator]

Thank you sir. As for not x39, I usually purchase Winchester rounds (the ones you can get at Walmart). Are they usually brass? Not that I really care, because not a single range has ever stopped me from using them, but I just want to know for my own sake.

[SILENT GUNMAN]

Winchester and Federal both use brass cases. That ammo you likned is good to go and so is the Winchester you've been getting from Walmart.

[71MUSTY]

FWIW

Most ranges ban steel cases because their Insurance Company tells them to. The Insurance company doesn't want steel cases because they can cause sparks/fires.

[SoberClurichaun]

Last time I saw Winchester x39 it was at big 5 over a year ago. Haven't been in lately but you guys are finding it at wal mart? Lucky. Also isn't federals zinc coated steel case?

[9mmepiphany]

2) I'm in the market for a better 1911 and AR. I've heard a lot of people talk about the different features etc, and often talk about customizing their guns. What is a good way to figure out what you like? The guns I have access to are usually rentals or my own, so as far as custom work I wouldn't exactly know how to "try" out different things to figure out what I want. Is there a guide to figuring this out?

The only guide I know of is experience...because different people have different preferences and hand sizes.

I think I went through modifying 3-4 1911s before I figured out what I liked and didn't...and finally had it built

Part of what you go through is:
1. Separating what is popular and what you need
2. Determining what you are going to use it for
3. Understanding that some things that seem cool have no additional function.
4. Getting enough training to understand the function of the different modifications

I'd only been through 2 ARs, before settling on what I wanted on a build...learned from my 1911 experience not to just get what everyone else wanted...and I still ended up with 2 substantial changes during the build.

You don't have your location posted, but if you let us know, maybe someone close to you can let you handle theirs and explain what the different modifications are used for

[Soginator]

Last time I saw Winchester x39 it was at big 5 over a year ago. Haven't been in lately but you guys are finding it at wal mart? Lucky. Also isn't federals zinc coated steel case?

Negative on finding it at Walmart. The guy I talked to said they hadn't stocked it in over 6 years. The ones I have been finding at Walmart were handgun, shotgun, and AR rounds (223 556 308)

[Soginator]

You don't have your location posted, but if you let us know, maybe someone close to you can let you handle theirs and explain what the different modifications are used for

I keep forgetting to update it, thanks for the reminder. It is now updated. As a general rule, I don't keep any personal information on web forums because someone used it to track me down who was pissed off over a League of Legends match (I wish I was making this up).