Kevin Kline

Bill, Good post. I was just going over the exercise and debating whether to try it or not. I currently shoot with only one eye open, but I only slightly close or squint the one eye. I've been doing pretty so far (Master Limited with a 100% and 3 + 91% classifiers) but I've always wondered if I could improve that much more by shooting with both eyes open. I'll give the exercise a try. Brian and Travis, what do you guys think? You think it make that much of an improvement. Travis, do you still do the exercise on a daily basis? I remember an interview with Rob Leatham in the first issue of Gungames where they talked about the difference in shooting irons vs optics. I also remember that Robbie was winning everything is site before optics were introduced, then it kind of evened the playing field. I remember the writer saying something to the effect that Robbie shot irons SO SUPERIOR to almost everyone else and that was one of the big reasons he overwhelmed everyone and that the optics kind of leveled his advantage. Robbie talked about making quick focal changes and how important it is in shooting irons with both eyes open. Really makes me think now.

Single stack I know with my 40 STI Edge and the Sprinco compared to the Comminoli tungsten frame saver with two buffs, the Sprinco was definitely softer and had less recoil coming back into my hand. It also had much less visible muzzle flip than the standard guide rod and spring. I used the same weight spring each time I tested it, an 11lb. The only reason I didn't keep it and like it is that it seemed to recoil differently each time. The slide pretty much ended up in about the same place each time it was finished recoiling, but it took different routes to get there. It is not as predictable as the Comminoli or standard rod. I want the predictability, not the unknown. The Sprinco can make it more flippy if you have a heavier spring in it. Remember, that internal spring is very strong, (like a 24-25lb) so it will send the slide forward with a lot of force if you also have a heavy recoil spring. With a lighter recoil spring, it doesn't send it back into battery with that much force.

Kyle Thanks for the info. That explains why it chewed and shredded my buff so quickly. It didn't seem right, but I thought it was from the difference in the 45 to 40. Also Patrick, thank you too for the info, helps figure quite a bit out. Bam Bam, That is interesting about the video piece. I'll have to try and watch it. I agree with Erik though that what seems logical and in theory doesn't always work in practice. I understand what you are saying and you are partially right. I used to use a Sprinco guide rod in my Limited gun (STI Edge 40, long wide dust cover) with a 11lb spring. I switched to a Comminoli frame saver tungsten rod. I got less muzzle flip and recoil (back in my hand) with the Sprinco guide rod but it didn't seem to recoil exactly the same way every time. That made a difference to me because with the Comminoli guide rod, the recoil is almost always consistent and the same everytime. I can predict that it makes my shooting more consistent. I don't care how much the gun recoils or how much muzzle flip there is, as long as it is consistent and is the same everytime, I can work with that. I don't know if your familiar with the Sprinco guide rods or not, but they have a smaller (very heavy) spring in the guide rod itself. You put the recoil spring on the guide rod like normal and as the gun recoils, right before the slide reaches its stopping point, the second spring in the guide rod is enacted and begins to slow down the slide before it slams into its stopping point, thus cutting down the rocking of the gun and felt recoil you are referring to. However, it you have a heavier recoil spring in the gun to slow down the slide from slamming to its stopping point, it also slams the slide forward and back into battery with more force than the lighter recoil spring giving you the visual and perception of more muzzle flip. You have to find a compromise between the spring weight of the slide recoiling back and slamming into the frame compared to it slamming back forward into battery and still giving a bouncing effect.

Fred Craig produced a Caspian framed custom built Limited gun that several GM's shot. One in particular I think was DQ'd from the Limited Nationals in either 98 or 99. I think Jay Christy (GM used to shoot for the US Army Team, now retired from Army), Ron Avery and a few others shot the Craig piece or something like it. Apparently, the shooters shooting the Caspian Limited guns were DQ'd or something to that effect for the Limited Nationals, but I think that was because USPSA said the magazines were too long for Limited and the welded on dust cover was another issue for USPSA. From pictures I saw, it looked like a piece of steel was welded on the Caspian frames that made it into and look like an extended dust cover gun. There was a huge fiasco and threats of suing and what not over that. I think Fred Craig filed a lawsuit against USPSA because he said after shooters got DQ'd using his stuff, it ruined his name and business and he lost business. I think it was settled out of court though. I think Travis or Brian would know more though. By the way, Brian, Travis, Pat, or Erik, anyone know what Jamie Craig or Fred Craig are doing now? I haven't heard anything from either of them for a while. I know Jamie was really making a name for himself and appeared to be doing well and then I haven't seen or heard anything from him in a couple of years of Nationals.

charles, I'm not an expert on this but this is an experience I had dealing with a 45 and a 40 gun. Both are Limited guns, (no comps or dots). I shoot my STI Edge .40 (5 inch gun) with a 11lb recoil spring in it and no lightened slide. It is a Unique full profile slide. I have around 11,500 rounds through it of major IPSC power factor loads. I swap out shok buffs only 1-2 twice a year. There is no excessive damage to the gun or parts and the buffs are not being beaten up or excessively damaged or worn. However, I have a Para P13.45 (Commander size slide and frame) in 45 and had a 14lb recoil spring with 1 shok buff in it. I ran 130 rounds of factory Winchester 230gr white box ammo in it. Afterward, I broke the gun down and looked at the shok buff and was amazed at the amount of damage to it. The buff was so badly destroyed, it was SHREDDED and almost in two separate pieces. I couldn't have done that much damage to the shok buff by myself if I had my Cold Steel knives with me. Obviously, the recoil was too much and beating the shok buff to death. Now that is part of the shok buffs job is to take the beating instead of the gun and frame taking it. But this was way too much. It should last at least 1000 rounds before changing the buff. To me, this said the 45 has more recoil or at least different recoil than the 40, which I already knew, but didn't think it was that different. Lightening the slide and/or using a lighter recoil spring should speed up the slide velocity. If you're using a 45, just watch the recoil spring weight you put in and watch for signs of excessive recoil and damage to your gun. Maybe Brian can help.

Flex, I have an FFL and am a dealer and as long as he is shipping a complete firearm that was already bought somewhere else or parts, he (Matt K.) doesn't need a FFL to receive a gun to work on and then send back. Only if it is being bought or transferred.

Pat, Sorry, I wasn't trying to make a point on the Nationals thing, just tried to keep the record straight and it isn't often I get one on the Big Boys like you and Brian. But you are correct on dealing with match pressure and nerves. It's almost scary listening to you describe the way you handle it because I am almost exactly the same way. I mean almost everything you said you did and the way you do it is exactly the same way I do it. Seems to work for me though.

Shot 99-33 Raw Deal today. 55 points, 5.57 seconds, 9.87 hit factor, Limited. This one was pretty straight forward. I wanted a couple more points and could have probably knocked a few tenths off at least off the time. The lighting in the morning at this particular range is BAD for iron sight shooters. The sun glares just right giving you a glare for a front sight instead of a nice black sight picture.

Depending on what type of gun your used to shooting, the Glocks point high because the grip angle is so much different than most other guns.

I agree, sounds like a good idea. We should post our class, and make sure and describe the type of stage or skill and rules to it so everyone is performing the same thing as well as Open or Limited.

I agree the Hogue speed holster is a POS. I tried one and couldn't stand it. Even after using it for a while, you still can't get a decent draw out of it because your scared as hell it will fall out. big dave, Brownells has all kinds of Safarliand holsters and mag pouches. 641-623-4000. Or call me at 727-510-9251 and I'll find you some others. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Julien, The only other Nationals newer than those is the 97 Open and Limited Nationals. There was a company called "Action Shooters" out of Miami that did the 97 Nationals, Open and Limited, but thats all I can think of. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

I agree with Pat in his post when he talked about the consistentcy instead of winning each stage. (Actually I believe Todd won the 97 Nationals, Open and Limited. Thats the year of won both. He had won the World Shoot in 96. Jerry won both Limited and Open Nationals in 96 and again in 99.) But he is correct in saying that you don't have to win any stages to win the match or do very well. Also, believe it or not, Rob, Jerry, Todd and the other greats are probably not shooting at 100%. Todd had told me in a class to shoot to 95% of your ability, no more. His reasoning was that you want to shoot to 95% of your ability because this is what you can do on demand everytime. If you shoot at 100%, chances are pretty great that will go over and crash and burn and doing so in just one stage will blow your match, compared to the shooter who shoots at 95% for the entire match and has consistent match points. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

I also think that all the practice and dry firing will give you the subconscious you need to just pay attention to the shooting and seeing what you need to see instead of thinking about the grip, arm position, feet position, etc. After you have gotten to the point where the indexing and mechanics have become second nature, you then can focus your attention on shootintg and seeing more. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Chriss Grube, I definitely know the writing reports thing. That gets old quick. That's why when the Training Unit asks me if I want to instruct on the range for a day instead of taking calls and writing reports, I jump at the chance. Lenard, I 2nd Pat Harrison's post. Be consistent throughout the match and don't try to win every stage. Just shoot your game at your pace and consistently you will build your match points. You will do better that way than the guy who wins 7 stages out of 10, but crashes and burns on the other 3. Also, I will not look at the scores that are posted until I have shot my last stage and I'm done for the match. I was told this before I shot my first stage and it is some of the best big match advice I have. If you start looking at the posted scores or paying attention to others Hit Factors before you are finished with the match and see you aren't doing well, you will "push it" and try to go faster than your ability and most likely crash and burn. Shoot your game and let only pay attention to yourself. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Lenard, You just have to let the bad first stage go and not ruin the rest. After the match is over, I go back over my time and points and refigure what my hit factorwould have been if I hadn't blown it and then see where I would have finished. This at least lets me know what I am capable of and how I should have done. This makes me feel better. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

From what I experienced in my years shooting, if you change your plan after the buzzer goes off and you survive that stage, it is purely luck. I can only remember maybe once or twice ever being able to change game plans and not crash and burn completely. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

I guess I'm also like Pat. After the walk through, I get my plan set in my head and depending on how far down the list I am, I then joke around and crack comments with others until I am on double deck or the hole, then I stop and really start getting into "the zone". Joking around helps me with the tension and nervousness. It helps that we have great guys to shoot with. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

There is another club here in South Florida that shoots steel matches and we copied some of their stages. Also have some from Brian's book. One of our shooters here moved here about a year ago. He was from Washington state and shot the Steel Challenge a few times. They used to shoot it all the time in Washington and he has all the scoring and setups on computer disks. Its just a matter of getting the steel and thats it. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Brian, Also would love to have a trigger job book/video too. I had my gunsmith tell me a story once of a trigger and tri glide system when they first came out. The gun just didn't want to take the tri glide system and work and he sent it finally to Brian and it came back a miracle. Travis, Thanks for the info on triggers. Quick question, I've always wondered how the recoil spring weight plays a part in the trigger pull? Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Thats too bad. Pat, it's funny you say that. I also tried to get my surrounding clubs to pick it up and try it. Don't know why, but no one would try it. I do have them getting ready to try steel matches set up like the Steel Challenge though. I keep telling them that this will bring in a lot of new shooters and even the veteran shooters will love it. It's simple scoring, simple clean up, all brass in one pile, no stage setup or taping, you can shoot under an overhand to stay out of the sun here in Florida. It's great. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Ok, he said the slugs have rifling on them instead of little fins. Does this make a difference. Also, he now says the shotgun is a 20 gauge, does this matter? Also, does he need a special type of choke or anything or not? It is a semi auto 20 gauge, he thinks a 1100 series. How does he tell what type of choke it has if any at all? Again, sorry for the stupid questions, but I don't follow shotgun that much. I probably will now though, it's started to get me interested. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

My STI Limited gun trigger runs at 1 1/8lb or 18 oz. I have shot my other Limited guns for years with 2-2 1/2 lb triggers. The STI was about 2lbs until I put the Tri Glide in it and it went to 18 oz. I dry fire 6 days a week and have had the same gun for almost 4 years and handle it profusely and I think this is what makes if safe for me, because I'm used to handling it. It has a little take up or pre travel which is what I prefer, I like having that little take up when I prep it for tight shots. I also have very slight to no overtravel. Travis, I agree, it doesn't matter if it is 1 lb or 5lbs, I can yank it all the same. I also agree, trigger weight, pre travel, overtravel, reset and everything else are all individual. Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Brian or anyone else, Does anyone know if the S&W Pro Am is still being shot anywhere in the country? Brian, Did you compete in the S&W Pro Am Tournament when they had it? I know Robbie and others did. They had it on ESPN a couple of times. This was the tournament that is like the Skins Game in Golf. Different holes or stages are shot and the winner of the hole or stage wins the money for that stage or hole. I think it was $1000 a stage. You had a certain amount of steel plates and a given time. You had to knock down as many steel plates or shapes as you could in the given time and whoever got the most won the money for that stage. I think you had to shoot Limited guns and I believe you could shoot 9mm also. They put up more plates than you could possibly knock down in the given time. Any more of these being shot? Kevin/IPSC Supercop

Kelly, You said you recommend an Accuracy Speaks front sight? What is the width of it. I know Bushmaster makes .051 front sight that has sharp edges all the way around. It is supposed to screw right in and replace the factory sight. Another question, do you recommend shooting with your strong elbow up or down? I know a lot guys who learned to shoot rifle either in the military or a long time ago were taught to shoot with the elbow up or pointing out to your side. However, I was told at an Instructor school that the newer method of shooting rifle or shotgun is to do so with the strong elbow down. I am a LEO Firearms Instructor for my PD and on our Emergency Response Team. What do you think? Kevin/IPSC Supercop