Erik D

That's fantastic! I've battled eating healthy for at least 20 years now, and although I do eat healthy, portion control is critical. Americans have been conditioned to consume very large portions and to finish what's on the plate. In addition to the quote above, one needs to eat slower (my Achilles heel) and have the control to stop eating when full (my other Achilles heel.) Eating the right foods is a large part of the issue, but not the only part.

This is new to me. Granted, I'm new to competition shooting, so I'll have to look into this. Aside from trying a bunch of springs, is there a resource for this? I shoot 9mm 147gr. Federal Hi-Shock JHP. Hey, it's free, so I use it.

I'm trying to watch a variety of training and competition videos, and something struck me. First, it seems Bob Vogel loves to rack the slide of his (I'm assuming G35), and it seems to cycle quite easily. Of course it's difficult to tell from a grainy youtube video, but he doesn't put that much effort into cycling the slide. My slide spring, on the other hand, is quite stiff. Is this just an optical illusion or are there lighter sprung recoil springs?

Thanks Jman. I've been practicing my draw, getting on target, dry fire, trigger reset and sight picture. I got my 100 IPSC/USPSA targets in the mail today from MGM Targets, so I'm closer to getting some good trigger time. Fortunately the range I belong to has several suitable outdoor pistol areas with target stands, so all I need are targets, a staple gun and some tape. My next question involves the use of a timer and setting up practice stages. Is a timer a necessity for a new competition shooter, or can it wait? Obviously knowing my times would help judge my progress, but it seems to me that getting good muscle memory for the draw, getting on target and trigger control would be more important right now. Also, I want to vary my practice shots so I'm shooting at 5-15 yards out. Closer than 5 yards seems a bit close, but should I practice more at the longer ranges, assuming that will improve my closer shots? Are there any "benchmark" stage setups that I can use as a gauge for my progress? I'm also planning on shooting between 2-4 targets, usually at varying distances so I can work on transitions to closer/farther away targets. Now I just need to find the time............. I don't plan on incorporating movement or shooting around barricades at this point; one step at a time.

I did my first competition with my new 34 (with Warren sight and a Ghost trigger) and it was great. I carry the 19 daily, so you've picked a winning combination! That extra sight radius is fantastic. I don't know how my wife would react.....because she doesn't know I bought it. I'm debating telling her, but I probably won't.

After my second USPSA match today, I'm anxious to start training more. I have a new gun (G34) with a new trigger and new sights that I've never used before (Warren/Sevigny), and I'm using a new grip. I've always used the thumb over revolver grip and have switched to the thumbs forward grip. I have a lot of muscle memory to re-learn, so it's going to take a while. In searching for targets, I see the official USPSA/IPSC cardboard targets can be had for $.45/each if I order 100. Since they can be taped up a lot, this seems like a do-able price for me. Oddly enough, paper targets aren't that much cheaper, and I would still need cardboard backing. Target stands are available at the range I belong to, so all I really need are targets. So, my question to the group is: how far away should my targets be? I know varying the distances is good, but what is a general rule about how far away targets actually are in an official stage? I'm planning on putting up two or three targets, drawing from the holster and engaging each target with two shots as fast as I can accurately shoot. Not only am I looking to hit the A area, but I'm looking for consistent grip and trigger position. Close targets are not a problem, but I had a lot of C and M shots in some stages. Other people did to, but I know I can shoot better. Steel is not a problem for me; plate rack and poppers went down with ease today. It's all about getting the front sight after the first shot.

Tim, I'll see you there. I'll be in all navy blue (BDU pants, sweatshirt) and balding gray hair.

Nick, I'm a DRRC member, so I now go to the action pistol matches every 1st Saturday of the month. Maybe late summer or early fall I'll step up and go to Tri County for one of their matches; they seem to have a larger turn out with more competitive shooters. Right now, though, once a month is all I can swing with my family needs. I gave up motorcycling (long story, but it had to be done) and my wife understands my passion for the shooting sports, so she's been pretty good about my time, but I have to keep a balance otherwise she won't be so good about it in the future. I also did some dry fire practice and was able to fine tune some hand position issues and trigger press positions. I'm really looking forward to using my new gear on Saturday, and it's not supposed to rain! Hopefully I can shoot a box or two tomorrow during lunch.

Hey all, I guess this is protocol here huh? I shot my first USPSA shoot last month and I'm hooked. I've had a lot of tactical handgun training over the past 11+ years (LE stuff), but this was my first time in a competition setting. I used my duty gun (G17) and did OK for my first time out. Shooting production, I got 7th overall out of 17 against mostly open and limited shooters (6 stages: 12th in one, 3rd in another, two 7th and two 8th place stage results). It wasn't an official USPSA sanctioned event, but it was against USPSA members at a club I belong to, and USPSA rules were enforced. I was so hooked I went out and got a new G34 and put in a Ghost trigger kit (connector and all the springs...pull measures at 4# or just a bit under)and Warren/Sevigny sights. Following suggestions, I got the Blade Tech DOH holster, Safariland 773 mag pouches and a CR Speed belt. Right now, I'm running three mag pouches but will probably get one more at some point. My second shoot is Saturday, and I still have some questions, so here goes. Would you all suggest I stay in the production class, or move to limited? The only real difference would be I can load my mags to 17 instead of 10. Based on my past experience and having an idea about the demographics of those that participate, there are very few production shooters at the club I go to. With the exception of one stage last time (flubbed mag change and penalties for missing a target), I smoked the other production shooters. I guess the advantage of staying in the production class means more mag change practice. The advantage of being in the limited class means less mag changes = faster stage times theoretically, however I did most of my mag changes between stage sections. As an aside, I'm working on my grip since I've typically held my Glocks like a revolver (support thumb covering my strong hand thumb because I have really big hands) and have been working on a typical semi-auto grip with both thumbs pointing forward. I'm a pretty good shot and changing my grip has been hard to do since I'm trying to overcome a lot of muscle memory, but I think this will improve my shooting in the long run. The G34 is super accurate with the extra sight radius, and I'm getting used to the lighter trigger. I've only put a couple hundred rounds through it, and I know there is no substitute for trigger time, but I have a full time job, three kids and a wife that take almost all of my time. I'm also trying to figure out a way to actually practice this stuff; I don't have access to steel targets. It's a work in progress.....