Fast351

So my M1 is off getting some work done, and I'm shooting my SuperNova for the first time in a match tomorrow. I have a couple flats of 980FPS AAs and since this will be the first time shooting a really light load, I'm wondering if there is anything that you guys have found that those shells don't take down well? I will bring a couple boxes of game load just in case. My normal round is an 1145FPS AA out of my M1, and it handles everything fine, unless I choke wrong for a stiff spring star. But I have no experience with 980 shells. Less shot, less velocity. Any hints?

Daaayaaam I have some work to do with my Supernova

I'm not saying my M1 is about to crap the bed anytime soon (as a matter of fact it runs as good as ever) but if it were to happen, I know it'd be at the most inopportune moment. I consider a spare like a fire extinguisher. I'm not planning for a fire, but you never know

So, I have been running my M1S90 24" for 10+ years shooting 3 gun. It has been perfect. But I am shooting more major matches now, and I really would feel more comfortable if I had a spare ready to go in case for whatever reason the M1 quits running. So... Option 1) My brother has a NIB M1. I could get it CHEAP. Only problem is it's a 28". A 24" barrel seems like an impossible thing to find and when they do come up for sale, the cost of the 24" barrel brings the total purchase price of the M1 closer to the price of a new M2. Of course I wouldn't need a second set of chokes then. What about cutting the barrel down? What does that cost and is it a reliable solution? Option 2) Buy a 24" M2. Add the various Nordic pieces to get it ready for 3 gun, open up the loading port, and spend the $100 or so for the chokes I'd need to have. Option 3) Benelli Vinci or other shotgun. From what people tell me the Vinci shoots quite a bit softer. Not sure it matters much to me. The recoil on my M1 doesn't really bother me at all. But if I'm building new, why not take advantage of that? Or do I buy a different brand? You'd really have to convince me to switch from Benelli considering the stellar track record I've had with my M1, but is there a new holy grail of 3 gun shotguns out there? This shotgun would only be for 3 gun, so it doesn't need to be useful for hunting or home defense or anything like that. It might even become my primary if I like the way it shoots better though. Your thoughts?

I was an RO at the Tactical Shotgun Championship in Minnesota this weekend, and while it certainly wasn't the primary conversation, most of the competitors seemed to be at least aware of the basic gist of the story. The match director went through extensive steps to make sure that the electronic scoring for our match was beyond reproach, including witnessing the data transfer from the individual nooks to the master system, printed copies of the results given to random competitors to make sure the scores were not changed overnight, etc. If anything positive can come of this, at least it'll highlight the fact that honest ROs are not out to cheat the system.

Agreed. There are too many ways for an RO (anyone holding the timer) to cheat, by either flicking/tapping the timer to add time, or covering the mic on last few shots to reduce time, etc. I for one will be asking to see me last shot AND my last split at all matches (both Majors & locals) from here on out. I think all 3 people at the end of the stage (Timer RO, Clipboard RO, & shooter) should review the time visually & verbally OUT LOUD for all to witness. And regardless of admission into arbitration or anything else, anyone who videos another shooter should ALWAYS make sure to keep the camera rolling long enough to hear the time called out loud. It may not stand up in an arb, but it goes a long way in the court of public opinion. IMHO I guess at major matches it may not be a bad idea to verify the ROs skillset with the timer, but at least for me, at local matches, I know just about everyone at the match and certainly the people ROing. I'd like to think I know them well enough to know they're ethical. Hell, when I'm running people I have the timer behind me to let the scorekeeper record before I even look at it, and the scorekeeper taps my arm with a pen to know they got it, then calls it back to me. I can see where major matches might benefit from scoreboards. Heck, if anything it makes it more interesting for the rest of the squad to watch the shooter when they can see their time/splits live.

Figured someone might want this. You basically grind one of the round holes inside the forearm so it has a flat on it, which lets you put the flat nut inside: Did mine with a die grinder. Not super pretty but it's hidden from sight anyway. A guy could spend some time with a flat file to make it pretty inside.

Got a cabela's nearby? Kind of expensive, but: http://www.cabelas.com/product/A-Zoom-Aluminum-Snap-Caps-and-Training-Rounds/741263.uts?WT.tsrc=CRR&WT.mc_id=crrdtfd

Heh, I did break the edge on it to eliminate that. That said, after practicing with it for a while I decided to make it more "funnel-like":

Something like this?: http://www.gggaz.com/benelli-tactical-charging-handle.html

Find a company in your area that does these: http://www.earinc.com/p1-nonelectronic-instamold.php They're the injected plugs that form to your ear. Takes about 10 minutes to make, then they apply a compound that seals the plug material. Best $40 I've ever spend. They're the only thing I wear anymore, and just judging by the ratings of other muffs and how quiet they are, I'd say 30+ dB of noise reduction. Mine have lasted years, I'm getting another set too as spares. Don't interfere with rifle shooting either. Around here you can usually find a company that does them at game fair shows, gun shows, etc.

I did my own this weekend. It turned out very nice: OK, I cheated, my brother has a Bridgeport: It's almost mirror smooth: I am planning on bevelling it more on the inside of the load port and opening up the front some (I need to take a close look at where the tube needs shell support). I can tell you from shooting it yesterday that it makes a huge difference. Loading was much more consistent. I won't embarrass myself with a video from the match, but I don't end up fumbling the rounds anymore when I don't bring them up perfectly centered on the load port...

Just heard a pretty good reason for having the tube stick slightly past the end of the barrel actually. If you run something like those Carlson chokes with the knurled ends that stick out from the barrel, and you dump it in a dump barrel, the choke is banging on the choke threads. With a tube that sticks past the end, the hit is absorbed by a (much cheaper) mag tube...

Just friction like the ALS? The ALS is not a friction/tension holster. It locks onto the ejection port using a block in the holster. No way the gun is coming out without you wanting it to. Sorry I should have stated that better. For 3 gun, you will want a holster with more than just a friction lock. An example would be the ALS holster.

Another vote for the Remington 700. Drop in a Jewell trigger if you want something better than stock. See if you can find a 5R model, mine shot sub 1/2" at 100 (5 shot group) with factory match ammo.

Wow, that's a shooter. Very nice!

I run the non-lock Blackhawk Serpa holster and the retention is plenty to go prone, and it's a fast holster. Depending on how aggressive you move and what kind of obstacle course you're running though, I can understand the draw to a holster that has more positive retention than just friction like the ALS holster.

Thanks for the advice guys. I went to CopQuest and ordered an ELS setup from Safariland. I'll post pics when it comes in....

I've always used a Wilderness 5 stitch or a 5.11 belt through belt loops, but it's a pain to put on and I'm limited on what I can put where. I've been looking at different systems, but can't quite figure out what I want, because I don't exactly know what I'm looking for... I see CR speed has a inner/outer belt system that I presume uses Tekloks at any location. Safariland has the ELS system that looks similar. What are the advantages of each system? What are the other systems I should be looking at? Would be looking at mounting 3-4 shotgun caddies, 2-3 pistol mag holders, a rifle mag holder, and a pistol holster (tac optics class). Thanks in advance!

Which STI magwell is that? The one that came with the gun when you bought it? Was it silver finish like that or did you do something to it? How much did you end up having to shave off? Reason for the questions is that I'm planning on doing one of these myself...

ROFL, I did the exact same thing on my Meopta. It was working OK at 4x, then I turned it down to 1x and I couldn't see shit with both eyes open. I was like WTF... Turned the ocular out to 0 and poof, almost as good as an Aimpoint. Shot it for the first time last weekend, on my new JP15 rifle. I think I'm in love...

My first national 3 gun match, and wow, I may have to search out others I'll just echo what others have said. Great job by the ROs, great stages, wonderful job of putting it together by the DPMS crew, all the sponsors. All the competitors from the top guys, to the local guys, to everyone else was friendly as could be, and I had a great time. My favorites, the Zombie stage, and the tower. The run through the swamp was a close third though! Very creative stage design, and the whole match ran smoothly for the most part. I loved it! Now just to shoot a little faster

Having just gone through this: $349/1K at Wideners ($30 shipping on 2K) for Prvi Partisan M193 They also have Federal XM193 at $369/K if you buy 2K or more... AIM surplus has generic M193 loose pack for $339/K and I also saw they now have loose pack in 30 cal ammo cans for 170/500 (340/K). I've liked the Prvi stuff the best. I've shot about 5K of the 07 headstamp stuff, and so far only 1 round has failed to go boom. It's not quite as clean as the old Federal AE223 red box stuff with the FC headstamp, but it's much cleaner than Wolf Steel case. It shoots around 4" at 100 yards out of my lightweight barrel AR.