miyamoto

Good topic, The thing is to just train the mind to simply stop its life long conditioned response to label and judge everything in our lives automatically. This continual wallowing in subject and object is the greatest limiter to true living that there is. The problem is, its how we were born and its how we lived each moment since then. So every now and again, with pure effort (without effort) we find those snatches of what clear living can be like. This is where automatic judgement does not muddy our sense perceptions and squander our energies and pull our attentions in a thousand different emotional and meaningless directions. The ability to redirect the mind without conscious thought. Right concentration on things that count. Even in the midst of terrible situations, you have the ability and potential to see straight through what others try to push into your face. Sit No dwelling on subject, no dwelling on object. Both are truly the same if it were not for our conditioned mind seeking out comfort and putting all sense phenomena in its pleasant and labeled box for our inspections. As said here before, many tools can be used to move us along this path, from shooting to tea ceremony, from fishing to the martial arts. These are tools truthfully, to try to let mental attachments be realized for what they are and leave the mind. Its why Buddhists often take their vows and take the robe, shaving the head, etc. They take steps to minimize those things which we have always subconsciously put value in. Sitting meditation is simply another tool to help them on the way. Even terrible circumstances can show realization. Only you, have to accept your fate with a clear mind and a clear heart. Right effort counts yes, but the situation is what we are part of. They are not separate. I recently was hit by a car while riding my motorcycle, I was conscious without conscious thought of simply being part of the whole without judgement. I did everything I could physically to avoid damage, but emotion was not present. I smacked into the asphalt, got up, then passed out, then did it again. hehe. Thinking afterward, I felt right with my training. I won't lie though, I am pissed about my bike getting hosed lol j/k After a while, you will notice that everything around you and everyone is a valuable moment for realization and training on the way. Just be cognizant of the mind getting trapped into continual judgements for the sake of its petty comforts. Realize the mind getting caught and the circumstances behind it, then with subtle hands move the mind back on the way. Then, after a life of right effort, you can step into your grave with a glad heart and those around you would be allowed to share that too. That is only part of how we can influence future generations. A well lived life can truly help those in our sphere. Its nice to see people on here making good effort for the sake of their own true mind. Its the only true meaning of freedom.

I don't know about mim'd, but it is certainly cast. I just got a new guide rod after mine broke. Dry fired for only two hours, then the striker broke. I swore off smith auto's after I tried a sigma for a week. Others talked me into the m/p. Decent quality guns should be relatively free of these kinds of issues. I can only think s.w. has a quality control dept. not staffed by shooters. I am sure their customer service dept. is great, but I don't feel like I should be on a first name basis with them. If anyone wants to buy a "9L", then leave me a pm. You only need a new striker and I will throw in a set of dawson f.o. sights and about 10 mags.

Yeah hartzpad, don't worry yourself about what others do in the sport. Be rest assured, anyone who wins divisions at big matches is an absolute gamer and there is nothing wrong with that. I know this from experience. I have seen "tactibillys" who are famous for writing tactical articles out of gun magazines, quietly and discreetly scratch out fault lines during brass pick-up to run a faster stage...big name guys at nationals. So don't kid Yourself. My experience is rather similar to Duanes. I started idpa (idpa's first year) shooting master with a glock 19. Over the years the sport has helped me to realize that I will trade away some comfort to carry a larger and more capable (in my eyes) gun. These days my gun is too tricked out to even be allowed in my favorite ESP division. The smallest gun I use anymore is a glock 17 and only when I go running, or mountain biking, using a chest pack. And really, idpa is a sport run on a clock. When you see the president of idpa gaming up a stage, shooting a 38 super gov't 1911 at nationals, you know it is time to simply have fun and let it all hang out. Idpa should not be reduced to some kind of egotestical tough guy, back patting association. Those guys usually don't shoot well anyways! You can always pick them out of any crowd too, hehe. I always try to stand behind them in public places, they hate it. Have fun

Perfect, thank you.

Having used all the guns you mentioned in the past, I like the 5in mp 9mm as you can use it for production and ssp, or esp if you spruce it up a bit. You can also just use your .40 and make some nice light loads for idpa. 4, or 5 no biggee. Sights, Dawson precision has sights with two different width notches. .115 and .130 iirc

But seriously, humor aside. The only thing idpa needs is a harder division than master. I took two years off shooting and still comfortably shot master at a qual last month.

(humor, think humor) Hey this could be just like boy scouts. To add to this topic: When a shooter gets to master level...BERET! That is right...you have to wear a beret! Black...with a "master" badge on the beret of course. The only greatness above that you ask? Once you become a master in all 5 divisions, you earned the right to have 5, 5in x 5in badges on your beret, but wait! There is more! (humor, think humor) You get the ultimate badge ever created in the history of all shooting sports...the "I WON IDPA" badge which covers the entire back of your vest and it is made of plate steel! You also get an invite to a select BBQ held only for badge and beret wearing x5 gun masters. What goes on at these BBQ's and what ceremonies do they perform? Nobody knows! Now if this does not terrify noobs into training harder for that hard earned and heavy weight, neck and back debilitating man iron...I can't fathom what will! LOL I vote Duane Thomas as the ultimate troll/prankster. I think he had quite a few of you guessing and had me going too! This was damn funny Duane! (humor, think humor)

Do it the way they do it at nationals. 1. You follow along with r.o. through the stage as he explains cof. 2. R.O. asks if anyone has any questions. 3. Question are answered. 4. People shoot. This is the way I have seen it done at most places in AZ. and it works fine. As far as to say it is unfair to new shooters? New shooters are competing against new shooters, they learn otj, no problemo. They can always ask questions up to the point they shoot. Choreographing is for another sport that I also enjoy. Another thing, What difference does it make who shoots first. That guy is usually boned anyway in all shooting sports. Everyone gets their turn at being first at some point. How many uspsa shooters changed their tactics after they saw some guy flop with the tactics they were about to use? Damn near everyone I imagine. I know I have. Murphy loves the point man, deal with it. I like idpa because it is not uspsa...I like uspsa because it is not idpa.

Good topic, I generally shoot the classifier once a quarter as a gauge of progress. When I first started competition (idpa) in the 90's my first classifier score was 99 seconds. I stayed at 99 seconds for a couple months. I then went a few months without shooting a classifier. I concentrated heavily on refining and economizing my techniques. The next classifier I was at 79 seconds iirc. I continued to refine the idea of being smooth as possible with very little wasted motion. Before I stopped being competitive and doing nationals I was routinely doing mid 60's and it is not a big deal. I look at the classifier like it truly is. A series of simple drills strung together in separate stages. I strive to have -0- down in stages 1 and 2. Stage 3 is make or break for most shooters as that is about the only challenging part of the classifier. Anyone can shoot fast and accurate close in, but the accuracy part is where an average shooter will have trouble in idpa. I generally drop 5-10 points at stage 3 (most likely more in my current state, ha). Like Matt said above, the classifier has just about everything. Where people mess up is allowing a higher lever of tension to affect them in normal matches than in a classifier. The same way many lower level uspsa GM's tend to run certain classifier stages into the ground to get a GM card, then in match situations you see them beaten handily by A, B class shooters. People get comfortable shooting these set parameters. Maybe they tend to shoot classifiers with friends they are too comfortable with? This is an issue of mindset I would say. The challenge for people who might have trouble transferring their classifier mindset tension level to a regular match would be one of controlling that tension. I have noticed some people are simply unable to do this in front of strangers. Excellent shooters do not have this problem. Eh, I just wish bullets did not cost so much these days.

I've had both the 5.11 and the Woolrich. In fact, I currently have both the lightweight and heavy Woolrich. I like the heavy vest (with lots of pockets) for vacationing. You can carry a ton of crap around wally world with one of those things. Otherwise, I only wear the lightweight one during matches. It works very well for me. I use the concealed carry clothiers light weight tropical vest. Synthetic, breaths well, dries fast. I use this in Phoenix AZ. on the hottest of days with no problems. Then again, I am very fit as well so YMMV. You only have to watch out on windy days as the light vest likes to flap around unless you weight the pockets alot.

Leam good words, I believe you that zen is not your way. It is also clear that you don't need it. I have never really cared what people professed as long as they were able to live by a higher set of moral standards. If this serves to help your sphere of influence as well, then all the better. Ultimately we are all on the same path, good talking with you! Cheers <-Mine is a good dark stout...or two!

I second the recommendation for comp-tac. Their products have been great and durable and the service was good too.

Yeah, Leam one thing to be cautious of is that Zen seems..."tricky" if you take what they say at face value. There actually is no seperation of reality from thought of reality. Basically, If I am doing dishes and don't like it...I might rant and rave and be pissed...but the dishes get done. Now I am upset and only I allow this matter to sway my minds function. The dishes have no anima and really don't care that I am upset at how "stuck-on" they are. I am the one in the midst of reality suffering over reality because I have done exactly what zen says not to do...seperate reality from thought of reality. A zen buddhist will simply do the dishes without allowing negative emotion to get the better of him/her. We know that in a figtht, an angry person is much less efficient in delivering a blow. This means a personal fight as well as a large scale battle involving multitudes. Zen knows that an efficient person is one who is in control of their faculties. Zen buddhism tries to use various expedients to allow you to directs the minds energies where you want them to go. At times, if someone who only has a sparing glimpse into Zen reads a particular passage, it can create an odd perception. For example: A zen monk was told that all reality is non-existent...This zen monk thought he was greatly illuminated...he went to a nearby large boulder and punched it as hard as he could, breaking his hand in many places. He then yelled out loud "I REFUTE THIS!". This example is what happens when the conventionally conditioned and conceptual mind takes zen too literally. Non-existence means the boulder should not rule our thoughts in a negative fashion, thus creating a mental sticking point. It means the boulder is a boulder whether we care for it, or not. If the boulder must be moved because it is blocking the path...then get more ox to move it! If you insult my favorite musical band I will be extremely pissed and defensive and yell at you that they made the rock and roll hall of fame and have sold 900 trillion albums and gave all the proceeds to saving the humped butt whale. I could create an extremely detailed argument. But is the band actually insulted by you? Of course not, I am insulted because I have an imagined investment into something I find pleasure in. Something I associate with and have allowed myself to get insulated by is creating this insult in my mind. Yet, I was never appointed defender by the band...I am not on the payroll. Zen tells me that only WE decide to suffer over a particular issue. This in no way means separation from "doing". The eight fold path is without merit if we shut ourselves of from what has to be done in all matters of life. Most people I have introduced to Zen over the years have the same kind of understanding at first as you do, so I don't mean to presume Leam. It (zen buddhism) is simply different from the way we are brought up in non-asian areas. Also many western interpretations of zen are simply...bizarre to say the least.

Well that is a different take! I have studied for many years and was never aware it was vegetable worship! (not poking fun at you Leam) It is hard to have an understanding of being a Muslim by watching insurgents blowing themselves up in Iraq. It is also hard to have an understanding of being Christian by only studying how they tortured/burned/killed millions of females as "witches" in their formative years. It is also hard to have an understanding of buddhism by briefly looking into odd (especially modern) sects of buddhism, who think by being bald, robed, starved of meat with bruised sit bones means they have an exclusive insight to a sweet and special place called...dun, dun dun..."Nirvana". All the above will only compound the issues the OP (and all of us) has. Zen does'nt recognize and it does'nt, not recognize itself, nor any religious concept. So of course you are free to be as Christian, or as Muslim as you like. Just don't kill someone over it. Similar to what old yellow face said "if you see the buddha on the road, kill him". These ideas are not dissimilar, not by one fraction of planck length. The OP's question ifself was one of division. Just drop division from your mind and leave it alone. Don't worry yourself over finding and holding to a label and compartment for everything of experience. These things only obfuscate your mind from experience without judgement. Be dilligent in reducing the conditioned filtering process of your mind. Do not be swayed by events/emotion/opinions/sides/logic/illogic/happiness/sadness/up/down. All things happen of their own accord without our micro-management.

I have done what you have listed for some time with excellent results. Luckily we have a local Bone Doc who is also an excellent shooter, that kindly helps shooters out with these problems.

Closer to the point, you were experiencing moments of the conceptual mind taking a rest for once and realizing its truest state. It is not actually "Zen", just a quiet (mind) moment. Remember the Buddha never wanted folks making Zen into some kind of "moment". It is all moments and all things without our concerns confortably making another compartment for it, as if to control and analyze. Analyzing is error in and of itself. It is quite hard to be without judgement as we all know. I am also a life long martial artist. The only reason I started into buddhist studies 14 years ago was to make myself a better fighter. I was in the military at the time and very aggressive and was looking for anything to give me an advantage as I was street fighting a great deal. Years later I realize how I was fooling myself. Same mistake some Samurai made trying to use zen like some magic potion. Now, I have not had a fight in over a year and I really get more out of my martial arts than at any point in my life. Zen is a tool to redirect the minds energies instead of being at the mercy of societies perpetual conditioning. Martial arts, same as gardening, or tea ceremony, building a computer, or motor is the same tool technically for this type of gradual realization. Essence through repetition as the saying goes, keeping the mind without contrivance. I don't post much on these forums, but have been registered for a long time, so I would like to offer you a hearty welcome! Will

Well, I am sure he is right handed, shooting low left. Stay relaxed. Your grip and trigger finger are getting tense after breaking first shot. Leave your fast pairs alone for a long time and simply press clean shots for thousands of rounds. People add tension by trying to go too fast. I would not "try" for splits anymore anyway. I would also like to jokingly add: Since your first shot is dead nuts and second shot low left...aim the fourth shot high and right!

Yes, homework is in order. Years ago when I was getting into having guns tweaked, I made the mistake of thinking a gunsmith is a gunsmith is a gunsmith. I had a terrible gunhack turn my first sti full auto. I only wanted a slightly lighter trigger. A couple other issues happened in similar fashion. Now, I will only absolutely go to the best. This website will give you all you need on that. Take your lumps as a self-punishment and drive on. Will

ahahaaaha that too, is zen

Zen is poop on a stick

Thanks people, I am going to order a dawson extension as well as I have been told this is the superior option. Going to have to clean mags more often too...Now I will be just like all those people I always made fun of...cleaning mags after every stage. oh well, Have a good one, Will

I run an ismi 14lb recoil spring which is also relatively new and has been working great. I gauge all my rounds and have always prided myself on very consistent ammunition- redding comp seating die, lee fcd, etc. The only common thread to everyones problems at that match was aftermarket mag extensions. The arizona dust was normal. I have done self-defense training where I work transitions and simply drop an empty/problem gun (my g19) right into the dirt at my feet, to transition to a bridge weapon of some type for various scenario's. It runs fine dry and packed with dirt. So I can't look too far into that one. With these mag extensions I have been shooting them for a few weeks now in heavy dusty winds after being dropped in the dirt with no prob. I always clean them after the match. The stages were a good mix, 50y standards for a classifier, all the way down to a "burning down the house" hoser. I had malf's slow fire to rapid. My grip is always good and consistent. I am cursed with being left handed, so my thumbs don't contact the slide stop...I guess not so cursed then! Yeah, the gun is fully set up for limited: dawson ice mag well, tungsten guide rod (which I have used for years). Most peoples guns were tricked out in similar fashion. Olins gun is a really nice g22 with the slide all carved up. Very professionally done. racerba- I will take your advice into account...that makes about the most sense! Actually, I am going to order some ismi springs and see what I get with that. Little upsetting that the wolff(arredondo stock?) springs gave out so quick. Then again, this is the first time messing with extended mags. Does anyone have better luck with Dawson precision mag extensions? Do the ismi springs work with #6, #7 and #8 glock .40 followers? Thanks everyone for the help and hopefully all our normally trusty glocks will be just that once more. Will

Okay...looking for some kind of peace of mind to obtain. Was shooting a uspsa match this past Sunday and from the first stage through the last (five stages) I have failure to feed malfunctions. Happened on all magazines (6 mags) at random intervals. I use Arredondo 140mm legal (shooting limited with glock 35) mag extensions which are relatively new. Not more than a thousand rounds fired using these new mags. Worked great until Sunday. I use a stock barrel. Oal with Zero jhp bullets 1.135 which have been working flawlessly before this day. viht n320 powder. Major at 4.6gr weather: sunny, dry about 90 degrees in Phoenix. I thought at first, I was just Murphy's pawn, but then I watched several people have the same issues with their glocks...heard of several more having the exact same problem. Failure to feed malfunctions. The only person I am aware of that shot a glock with no problems was my lady who was using stock magazines in a glock 34. It seemed to me most folks were using Arredondo mag extensions...I am not sure of this. I have no experience with anyone else's mag extensions anyway. Everyone at the match was totally stumped! The 1911 guys were just as stumped as anyone else. Nobody had a clue why the glocks were all taking a dump like this. It destroyed my confidence and I just had a terrible match. Has anyone out there noticed this odd anomaly, if that is what it was? Thanks, Will

One of my favorites, good one. Old Samurai ditty, "Think not thinking. before, after...In front, behind. Only freedom, at the middle point". Will

g35 stock barrel n320 major load almost identical to cnemikeman oal 1.135 .422 crimp zero jhp 4.6gr n230 winchester sp primers, but switching to magtech soon. I am ordering a briley barrel soon as extra safety precaution, so will probably have to bump the load up some. At any rate, this gives me a soft shooting 170pf I am so happy I switched to VV powder. Worth the extra expense. Shoots softer than my titegroup load with less pressure signs for me using mixed brass. Good luck, Will