It seems that the Mech-Tech CCU is finding its way into the competitive shooting sports! We understand that it meets power factors suitable for the 3-gun events. A recent article in Front Sight magazine, organ of the USPSA, indicates the presence of the Mech-Tech unit in PCC events (July/August 2001 - pg.10). It makes sense of course to use a familiar grip and trigger pull for long gun shooting. This eliminates some important variables when making the switch. The power gains available from the 16+" barrel are significant. The CCU is designed with a special long-lead chamber which reduces peak pressure by about 25%. In .38 Super loadings for instance we have acheived the following velocities: 115 gr. @ 1862 fps. - 214 pf. 124 gr. @ 1768 fps. - 219 pf. At these levels there is absolutely no indication of over-pressure in the fired cases!

Selecting ammunition for your CCU.

There are certain factors to consider when selecting ammunition for use in the CCU's.

The CCU is a 'blow back' type action. The main design element in a blow back is the weight (mass) of the bolt. This must be chosen to anticipate the 'hottest' loads encountered. The physics of a blow back action is such that the bolt mass and the bullet weight (mass) work together to limit the amount of the case which is allowed to move out of the chamber while the bullet is still in the bore. When the round is fired two things happen immediately

1) the bullet begins to move out of the case mouth and up the bore
2) the case begins to move to the rear pressing against the breech face.

To elaborate, the case acts like a piston pushing out of the chamber to the rear and the only thing limiting the amount of movement of the case is the mass of the bolt - contrary to popular belief the recoil spring plays a negligible role in the initial case movement. The real design issue is to limit to a safe value the distance over which the case moves to the rear out of the chamber over the time that the bullet is still in the bore. As long as the bullet is in the bore the gas pressures are high and the case must have sufficient support to prevent case head blow-out or other pressure signs

We will add more to this 'techie' discussion at a later time - for now we will look at how all this effects the selection of ammo for use in the CCU. The first consideration is that the ammo must be 'hot' enough to reliably cycle the CCU with proper ejection. 'Target' loads and other pussy cat loads are too weak to do this and you can tell by the too-frequent occurrence of 'stovepipes' and other fail-to-eject phenomenon.

The best way to determine the ammo requirements is to do it from the viewpoint of bullet weights and the bullet velocities required for the various bullet weights. We will show this data but first it is necessary to understand how it relates to barrel length. Most velocity data is taken from a specific barrel length. The CCU has a 16+" barrel while most pistols have barrels considerably shorter and we are talking about pistol ammunition.

The Mech-Tech CCU is a unique product of superior design, all CNC machined, which adds great additional versatility to your 1911 style pistol. The CCU functions in semi-auto mode and shoots the same pistol ammunition with an increase in muzzle energy up to 40%!  Several accessories are available as shown here and on the 'Home Page' photo. The fixed sight system (an accessory) is an aperture or 'ghost ring' style with a post at the front. The sights are adjustable for windage and elevation. The fixed sight system main rail has integrated into its design a Weaver style base running the full length between the rear and front protective 'ears'. A set of transverse grooves near the rear and also the front 'ears' allows mounting standard and long-eye-relief optics. By using 'see-thru' type mounts, both the fixed sights and the optical sight may be used. Finish on the main housing is textured powder coating. Absolutely no modifications to the pistol are required, quick and easy to reverse.

The CCU may be a different caliber from that of the pistol with certain limitations. A .45ACP pistol will function with a 40 S&W or 10mm CCU simply by using the appropriate magazine. Conversely, non .45 pistols will work with all CCU calibers - again use the appropriate magazine.

The 'Basic' unit (see above) is what you purchase. The customer supplies the pistol. The accessories are ordered separately.

Certain 1911 style pistols such as the Paraordnance line have modified receivers which leave an opening in the magazine well in an area critical to proper feeding when these pistols are used with a CCU. Mech-Tech has designed a clever insert called a 'Para Block' which solves the problem.