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The New SVI double stack magazines:
This pistol came with the new model SVI double stack magazine.
The main differences between this new one and the old design
that my Xcelerators came with is that they hold 33 rounds
instead of 30, and the bb feed tower (for lack of a better
term) is made of plastic, instead of aluminum. I dont know
why they opted to change the design in this way. Perhaps the
old ones were getting bent when dropped, and the plastic one
could be replaced without having to replace the whole magazine
frame. I have not seen any problems from this change.... but
that extra 3 rounds per magazine is a welcome change. Even
with the changes in this magazine, the old SVI mags will still
work in the new Pistols, and the new magazines willl work
in the old pistols. Wish I had known this ahead of time, I
wouldnt have sold all my old magazines when I sold my Xcelerators.
Safeties:
As with all the SVI's (except the Prokillers) this gun has
ambidextrous thumb safeties. A hammer safety and a palm (grip)
safety. The thumb safeties can only be engaged when the hammer
is cocked back all the way in the ready to fire position.
The hammer safety can be engaged without the gun being cocked,
but I don't ever use it. You simply pull the hammer back slightly,
then release and it goes into safe, which prohibits the trigger
from being squeezed. Then again, the palm safety, which is
along the back of the grip, must be depressed or the trigger
can not be engaged. (Making sure it cannot be fired unless
you are holding the pistol properly.)
You can see the palm safety in this picture:
Slide action:
I used this gun in a cool basement (the TAPSS venue) that
was about 60 degrees F. I probably could have used HFC 134A
here, but chose to use green gas in this environment to get
a faster cycle time. Using green gas in this temperature provided
me with a good cycle rate, and the slide moved back with a
distinct "thwack" each time. The stock recoil spring
was more than adequate to pull the slide forward again quickly
and I was VERY pleased with the overal shot cycle time.
Trigger pull:
This has the sliding trigger like all 1911 style pistols
have. (As opposed to pivot triggers on other types of pistols)
and the trigger pull (Trigger squeeze) is less than average.
I would say its about 2-3 pounds, with about 3 mm of slack
before you feel the resitance of the action. Without measuring
equipment though, that is only a guess.
Tightbore Barrel:
The Expert models come standard with a 6.03mm tightbore barrel.
I can't say with certainty that I have noticed the difference.
The only way to be sure would be to get my hands on one of
my old Xcelerators again and compare them in shooting trials.
Sights:
The expert has different sights than the old SVI models in
that instead of the old Bo Mar sights, it has adjustable Novak
style sights. (with white dots)
 
Magazine release:
If there were one thing I WISH the SVIs had, it would be
ambidextrous magazine releases. (And slide release, to use
when going Dual Pistol) But those are very rare anyway. That
aside, the mag release is very easy to reach and the magazine
drops out smooth and quick.
Slide catch:
The slide catch is very crisp and catches solid on the last
shot, yet it is easy to release when you slap the next magazine
in.
Accuracy:
This was a part I was worried about during the TAPSS competition
last month. I couldn't seem to keep my rounds centered on
the target. I thought maybe the sights were off, but I found
out later they aren't. You see, I didn't do too well in the
TAPSS competition. I kept hitting the target high and to the
left. It turns out, I was having some vision problems that
day too though (Damn my diabetes) Once I got the gun home,
I did some short range (less than 20 feet) target shots, and
it appears that my problems at the event were caused by something
else. Perhaps I was just letting my hands drift while I was
shooting. (all the shooting stations in the event were medium
difficulty, due to movement, leaning, or fire from the draw)
I never had that problem before... so it was just odd. BUT...
all that aside, the accuracy of the pistol itself is spot
on.
The following targets were taken from 15 feet, in medium
soft light, while standing still. I was able to get 1.5 inch
groupings at 15 feet in both controlled AND rapid fire. More
than good enough for my taste.
Here is my full target for this test. Its an 18X11
inch target.
Here is the closeup of the bull region. This is 10 total
shots.
7 in controlled fire, 3 in rapid fire.
The dimensions of the shown area are 5in. X 5in.
The three shots in the upper left corner are the three rapid
fire shots. Apparantly, when I rapid fire, I somehow pull
up and left. (which defies all reason)
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