Anyone know if the TR Graham Glock Slide Lock is IDPA Legal for SSP Division?

[Therapydude]

I recently bought and installed a TR Graham Glock slide lock for my G34. Basically, it is a more precise design than the stamped factory part, providing a tighter lock-up when the gun is in battery. I e-mailed IDPA HQ a week ago concerning the legality of this part (I want to stay in SSP division and not move to ESP), but received no reply as of yet. As per IDPA rules for SSP, the gun looks completely stock with the new slide lock in place. However, the new part does extend slightly further than the stock slide lock (making field stripping a little easier). Anyone know the IDPA legality of this part? Thanks

 

[Jim Watson]

I have no idea what HQ will say.
It is an internal (maybe) modification to improve accuracy and should be ok.
Better you should have kept quiet and gone shooting.

I had to get a trigger stop deleted from my gunsmithing order on a P226 because it is externally visible.

 

[Chris Rhines]

Eh. If you're gonna play the game, you should play by the rules. Even if they are stupid.

Emailing IDPA HQ was exactly the right thing to do.

- Chris

 

[Jim Watson]

Not at all.
I am a certified safety officer and I am as well qualified to judge what is an "external modification" as somebody in Berryville.

 

[Therapydude]

I'm a safety officer as well, but this is something of a gray area, in my opinion. Technically it is an internal modification, but the edges of the slide lock are obviously visible. Personally, I think a strong case could be made either way. I could install the part and keep my mouth shut, but I would know it was there. Win or lose, I want to do it within the rules.

 

[Jim Watson]

I guess if you wanted to be absolutely positively in compliance, you could trim back the "ears" of the Graham part until they were no longer than stock. That way it would be nothing but "internal accuracy work."

 

[HighVelocity]

I have the Graham part on my G29. I don't use the 29 for IDPA but the part is nearly indistinguishable from the stock part. Honestly, after about 1k rounds with TR's slide lock I don't see that it changed anything except accelerating the finish wear on the front edge of the barrel hood and it is slightly easier to grab for take down.

It's like buying an aftermarket spring over a factory replacement spring. The difference is infinitesimal.

 

[Joe D]

First of all it is a total waste of money.

We all know that Jim Watson is a gamer. His guns are examined by the MD every match. I even heard that he is going to shoot a .45ACP in ESP.

 

[Jim Watson]

You betcha. Did so yesterday. Didn't pick up any points with the bigger holes but I did on Saturday.

Bear in mind that IDPA considers the XD a single action design not accepted in SSP so you could shoot the highly touted XD45 with ten light load .45s in ESP. Woo, woo.