pepperbelly

Look closely with a magnifying glass at the lens the dot is projected on. It may have some pitting or scratches on it. I have a C-More that I don't use anymore and always worried about the lens since it is totally exposed.

I contacted Blade Tech. They said the Speed Rig holster I looked at can be swiveled to point straight down if necessary. I think I will be giving that a try. I will look over the other holster recommendations mentioned in this thread. Thanks for all the suggestions. Jim

I shoot in falling plate matches at my club. We shoot from the bench so I haven't needed a holster. I will be shooting in speed steel matches at another club soon and a holster is required. I used to carry a 1911 on duty in an original Bianchi Auto-Draw so I am comfortable with the muzzle forward cant. I really miss that holster too. The club's match rules for holster are that it has to sit on or forward of the hip and the muzzle not point more than 2 feet away. I have looked online at the Blade Tech Speed Rig D/OS, but I can't tell how far forward the muzzle points. Can anyone help or does anyone have another holster recommendation? I want to shoot iron sights and optics- I have and shoot 1911s with both. Thanks, Jim

I have a Ruger MkII with a 5.5" bull barrel that I have been using for falling plates and bullseye matches. It has a custom comp that works very very well and it has a wide Volquartsen trigger. In plates this does not matter much, but in bullseye the trigger pull is a little heavier than I would like. I seem to pull a few shots off to the side now and then. When I catch myself before the shot fires I notice that it is about halfway through the trigger pull. I also tend to notice the pressure on the trigger more than I would like. It may not actually be that heavy now- I haven't checked. It doesn't feel rough, but a good competition setup should help. Has anyone used this kit? Is there a noticeable improvement? I am stuck in bullseye at just under 800- 797 twice, then a 793 then a 785. I really want to break 800 before the end of summer. I managed a 777 with my .45acp this past Monday night. Thanks, Jim

For falling plates at 25 yards the 8moa dot works very well. It's not too bad for bullseye- I managed to shoot a 797 in spite of some problems I had, but it seems like a 4 moa dot would work better shooting for the X-ring. Jim

There are times in bullseye that I wish the dot was a little smaller, but it's OK. Jim

I don't have an Aimpoint. I gave the C-More to dad. I am using Leupold/Gilmores and love 'em. Jim

I can't get used to keeping both eyes open when shooting, even though I have read many sources saying it's better. I don't squeeze my left eye fully closed though. It's more of a tight squint. I may try practicing this when I have enough range time to really work on it. Jim

I have figured out the red dot sights since I originally posted. The first plate match I shot after installing them, with very little practice, showed me what they will do. I was stuck in the mid 80s with irons. With the red dots I shot a 109.5 and won the match. I love seeing high overall next to my name. My times fell over a full second and accuracy went way up. The string where I shot the 109.5 also was the first time I cleaned my plates- 36 out of 36. They have also improved my bullseye scores almost a full hundred points. Thanks, Jim

I have shot with iron sights exclusively for about 30 years. I used to be a cop and carried a Colt Government Model .45acp and qualified quarterly on a combat course that resembles a modern IDPA course. I practiced about 300-500 rounds a week. When I raised the pistol my sights were there. I could close my eyes after looking at the target, raise the pistol, open my eyes and I was very close to a sight picture on target. I figure that after enough practice with these red dots I will be as familiar. I asked to see if there was any special techniques that would help. I figure that I will find them eventually, but tips always help. The first time I shot after installing the optics my time was 1 to 1.5 seconds faster and my accuracy was much better. When the dot is anywhere on the plate I can squeeze the trigger. That is much easier. I need to improve rapidly so at the next match I can swim with the sharks in master class. I have been stuck in AAA in rimfire and AA in centerfire for too long. As the other competitors have been telling me for years, "Do you know what you call a reddot sight shooter? Master class!" I have been having a little trouble with my sights that is probably age related. It's not so bad that I can't shoot irons, but I think I can shoot optics better. We will see! Jim

I have been shooting falling plate matches for a while now with a Springfield Armory Custom Loaded .45acp and a Ruger MkII .22 with a 5" bull barrel and a comp. I have been shooting with iron sights on both and my scores have hit a plateau- I generally shoot within 10 points of the same score. I have decided that, at 48 years old, it's time to stop being stubborn and shoot with optics. I installed leupold/Gilmore red-dot scopes on both and zeroed them at the range Saturday. It seems to be much quicker to get on target and it also seemed that I had fewer misses. The targets are 8" steel plates at 25 yards. Are there any tips exclusive to shooting red dots? I make sure I see the dot before I look up at the target, bring the pistol up and hope the dot is still centered. Recovery after recoil is much quicker. I plan on a lot of practice before next month's match- this is very different from shooting iron sights. Jim