IHAVEGAS

Locally it seems like there is a bit of a conflict between shooter's goals for steel challenge. Traditionally steel matches were relaxed and low key, 5 stages, enjoy shooting with the kids and grandparents, bring what you have. Currently steel is now taken seriously by many and those folks have different expectations. I don't know how common that transition/conflict is but it is something that we have been able to resolve with a little bit of communication and a little bit of tolerance.

Not often. The original IDPA classifier had a weak hand only start from low ready, have had to do it at a few USPSA matches but it is rare.

If the course of fire requires you to start hammer down and weak hand only I very much notice it, if the first shot is particularly challenging I'm aware of it and try to place extra focus on a tight grip and smooth pull. Regardless of the gun a tough first shot requires a little extra focus on getting the gun stable after the draw, for me anyway. Both situations are somewhat rare. The transition from 1st shot to subsequent shots I don't notice at all, I think it is like the transition from first shot with finger starting outside the trigger guard to second shot with all guns, it just happens.

Major loads? For 9mm minor on a typical setup (Dillon 1050) I suspect most of us are + - 0.005 or greater. I have never been able to tell any difference.

It would be interesting to select rounds 0.005 above and below target and see if you could tell any difference. I assume that something would be seen on the chrono but I don't know that a change to either feel or accuracy would be noticeable.

Went to a major where they had hired a bunch of kids to do the pasting. Seemed like a good idea but I found things boring as well.

I have never sorted the range brass I use, or heard of someone having significant variance in velocity due to using mixed brass in a 9mm 130 ish power factor load. You may have the answer but it seems a bit fishy.

I crimp just enough to leave a slight visible ring on the bullet. For coated bullets that has seemed to work well. I think I got there based on advice from SNS casting, if memory serves.

What does the bore look like? You could make a case that the jacketed bullets were cleaning lead out of the barrel for you.

Not in my one experience with a stock 1. In general I think given Tanfo's sort of random luck of the draw quality and obvious lack of inspection before shipment it would be hard to find somebody that could be top notch on dealing with gun issues , like Ruger for example, and still stay in business. I do like the guns when you get a good one though.

Don't forget to practice the safety stuff that used to be ingrained habit, reloads moving to weak side, general 180 awareness, etc.

Custom doesn’t mean good or even decent sometimes. The worst gun I ever bought was a custom gun and the worst joke of a gun I have ever seen was as well. In both cases it was hell to get the builders to do what was right. In general I think you are right though, just need to be careful and do your research.

Probably everyone has their own definition. To me a track meet stage is when you are basically running from close easy target to close easy target and never or almost never needing front sight focus. Otherwise a physical stage is one where your squad looks at it and folks say holy s#!t that is a lot of running, not sure what yardage that would be. I think that few, if any, get heartburn from having one stage of a particular flavor at a match as long as there is some balance overall and that the stage isn't extreme enough to weigh disproportionately in the overall score. The worst (just opinion) stage I ever shot was one that utilized a drop turner that some few could make a 15 yard dash and get to in time and the large majority lost several seconds waiting for its final presentation at the starting position, there was also a final 25-30 yard dash for no apparent reason to get to the last array.

There is nothing about concealment for the pcc folks yet but they do have a tiger team working on specifics for their attire.

As just a shooter I'd also rather have a physical stage. To me memory stages are a lot like being at work. If a major involves somebody chasing after dozens of shooters on a track meet stage, or it is a local on a hot arse day, I think the griping is an earned privilege.