calcot7, you asked about the Thunder 45 Ultra Compact. I got one on an auction a in May, 2008. It worked fine on the half box of hardball I put through it. Started out getting a FTE every 15 or so rounds on my handloads using cast bullets. Tried all kinds of loads. The early ones have a reputation for FTEs. Putting a new recoil spring in was supposed to help. Tried it, but it didn't help much. I get a FTE about every 25 rounds, now.