Nick Weidhaas

Forgot to mention that the Nightforce scopes all have illuminated reticles that are very sharp/precise. Batteries last forever as well. Nick-

You can't go wrong with a Leupold, but my preference is Nightforce. The scopes are built like a tank and I think glass is better than Leupold, IMO. The one I've used a lot is the 3.5-15X50 and it is just an awesome scope. The reticles are etched, no wires. The NPR2 reticle is a MOA ranging system (versus mil-dots) that can be used for hold over. You can find them for about $900 if you look around. Check the classified sections of the sniper web sites like www.snipershide.com and www.sniperscountry.com (emporium). Best, Nick

Great info. Very helpful. If anyone has anything to add, please feel free. Thanks again. Best, Nick-

For those of you shooting a JP rifle in Tactical I was wondering......... 1. Do you run the low mass bolt group? If yes, any problems experienced? Is it that much better than the ss standard bg? Concerned about reliablility with the LM bg. 2. With an 18" barrel, do you like the med or ultra light weight barrel? 3. Leaning toward a 1:9 twist barrel with 62-69gr. bullets. Anyone had a good experience going this route? 62gr ball is available to me for practice. 3. JP ACOG? If not, which ACOG? 4. If shooting the JP ACOG or another ACOG, what load are you using and does the BAC work out? Thanks in advance, Nick-

Hey George- I appreciate your comments and insight. Your comments about the lighter weight rifle being easier to "drive" makes sense. You are correct in that my statement about not liking the weight of the JP LW rifle was based on having shoot heavier rifles in hi-power and other "precision" rifle disicplines. 3 gun or tactical rifle is a different game for sure. Do you ever find yourself blowing past a target with a light rifle? I've shot a lot of sporting clays and I don't like a light shotgun as I have a tendancy to push the shotgun too fast and blow by the target. A heavier shotgun is harder to get started, but swings much smoother. Maybe not a proper comparison, but that is where my experience is. As I think about it, you certainly shoot more targets in a rifle stage and are not really swinging the rifle like you would a shotgun. Hmmm, you got me thinking. I really loved shooting that rifle match. I can honestly say I had way more fun than any pistol match I have shot (and I love shooting pistols.) My thought was that 2-Gun would be the perfect game. Rifles and pistols, transitioning between both in the same stage. Going to have to see if we can get something going around here. I've got to try and shoot one of the big 3 gun matches. Those have to be the most fun you can have with your clothes on.......... Hey Steve- Your killing me. Mini-Nick is going to cost me a small fortune if he starts shooting rifle too. He is worth it though. For those of you that are wondering, Mini-Nick is the name my 11yr old son goes by when he shoots with me. Poor kid. Hey Craig- Small world!!! Glad that SV is working out for you. Gott'a go check out those uppers in the classified section. Thanks guys. Later, Nick-

I shot my first tactical rifle match at the Harvard Sportsman's Club, MA this past Sunday. The club is a big USPSA pistol club and has hosted the AREA 7 many times. Unfortunately, rifle or 3 gun matches are not big in our area. The club ran 5 pretty cool stages, IMHO. Targets were not further than 50 yards, but required some precision shooting with partially exposed targets, small steel and a LOT of no-shoots and hard cover. 55 shooters showed up to get the dust out of their rifles. I used the match to test myself and my work rifle. I'm an LEO and am issued a Bushmaster A3 16" 1:9 twist. Rifle wears an Aimpoint Comp M2, ARMS mount and BUIS, ZM sling and Surefire light. I was happy to see this rifle set up held it's own against some high end JP and custom built rifles. It was a big confidence builder to run my work rifle and do well. I found the Aimpoint Comp's dot to be perfect for both fast and precision shots. I don't think this set up would be the best set up if targets were over 100 yards as the dot will cover 8" at 200 yards, but for up close to intermediate ranges it was awesome. Rifle and similar matches are a great placed for LE officers to train. It is unfortunate more do not take advantage of these matches. One lesson that a lot of shooters learned was where their rifle's poi is on close targets. Many a no-shoot sacrificed themselves show shooter that their sights and optics are higher than your barrel and will make you shoot low on close targes. Having shot a factory rifle in the match, I had a chance to shoot two JP rifles after the match. One was a tactical rifle with an 18" LW barrel, BC comp, JP ACOG, low mass bolt group and a JP BUIS on the forend. I thought the rifle was too light and found it difficult to hold on longer targets (went to a different range to shoot this rifle). If I were to order one (and I probably will) I would get a medium weight barrel. The BC comp was effective, (but not as effective as the JP Open Comp). I liked the comcept of the JP ACOG and the way it sits on the receiver. I thought the reticle lines were a little thin. The target background had a lot to do with how well I could see the reticle. The Open JP rifle was pretty amazing. It had a 3-9X scope with a Jpoint on the forearm. The rifle just shuddered when shot, but the reticle did not move off the target. It was pretty cool. That's about it. Thanks for looking. Nick-

Thanks for the info. Best, Nick

Hope you guys can help. Have any of you mounted a compact variable scope on an M1A. I have a M1A in a McMillan M3 stock (adj. comb) and a Smith Ent. weaver rail mount. I want to mount a compact variable powered scope on her, but am concerned about eye relief. The scopes I'm considering are the IOR 1.1-4X, Leupold 1.5-5X20 illuminated and Simmons 1.5-5x20. Do you think it would be OK to mount the scope using a single big ring in front like a ARMS Aimpoint M2 mount or Badger Max 50 ring. This would allow me to mount the scope back further for eye relief. I'm affraid if I use a standard front and rear ring set-up, I won't be able to get the scope back far enought for proper eye relief. Any thoughts?? Thanks, Nick-

Thanks PacMan. Larger than I wanted. Best, Nick

Does anyone know how big (MOA) the dot and circle is in this scope? I guess this is a new reticle option. I can't decide between this reticle and the standard duplex. How big the dot and circle is will effect my decision. Thanks, Nick

It was a great match. The stages were very well done. On Sunday we had one of the best days of the summer. It was mid 70's and Sunny. Really a good time. Nick-

Thanks for all the feedback. I kind'a figured it may be a problem even though I'm basically turning the G22 into a G17. You can safely convert a G22 to 9mm with a .40 to 9mm conversion barrel, new ejector, extractor and mags. Oh well... I guess I'll just shoot .40 minor and see how that works. Thanks again, Nick-

I've got a G22 I've been shooting for USPSA Limited and want to try Production for a while. I want to convert my G22 to 9mm. Is this a legal for production? Trying to avoid buying another gun (believe it or not). I can't find a specific reference in the rule book or through a search. Thanks, Nick

Dan, Since you want a single stack gun, I'd definetly go with .38super-comp. My son (age 11) shoots a gun like this and the thing is awesome. We originally had the gun built in 9mm, but could not get the gun to run reliably in 9mm. This was a magazine issue. One of the problems with 9mm in a single stack is that the bullets are short (like to nose dive) and they are tapered in that the rear of the cases will stack leaving the nose of the cartridge flopping up and down. We turned the gun into a 38 super-comp and run Wilson .38 super mags. The cases stack flat in the mag and the OAL is perfect for feeding. No problems and the gun is very pleasant to shoot with 115gr. handloads. (NOTE: I tried every single 9mm mag made and Wilson .38super mags and could not get this gun (Custom built Caspain) in 9mm to run. Bullets would nose dive coming of the mag. The caliber switch fixed everything. If you decide to build a wide body on an STI or SV, the caliber issue is not as big a deal. A good friend runs a 9mm STI limited gun and has no problems. The 9mm problems lend themselves to the single stack design. Hope this helps, Nick-

The advice has been appreciated and you have all raised some great points. I've talked with my son and he wants to shoot an open gun and have some fun. I can't blame him. I'm going to try and support him in this if I can find a gun. I am still looking for an open gun (SV) if anyone knows of one. I found one at Speedshooter.com, but price is a little high. Benny Hill can build him one for less money in 6-8 weeks. I've also got a email into George at EGW. Just trying to find one he can shoot this summer. If anyone hears of one, please let me know. Rufus is probably right, I should have just posted this in the classifieds. Thanks, Nick-

BJ, Thanks very much for your reply. Having "been there, done that" your words are from the heart and based on experience. I'm sure there are very good arguments on both sides of this issue. Believe me, I do not want to hurt my son's shooting development in any way. He loves to shoot and he loves to shoot with his Dad, which is a pretty cool. I want to foster this as long as he wants to do it. I don't shove anything down his throat. I'm just there to support him. I'll give this issue some more thought and do some more research. Your point about teaching him responsibility and having him share in the expense of his shooting is valid and well taken. I'm actually doing this now. He is not a spoiled kid who gets everything handed to him on a silver platter by his rich Dad. I'm a Cop and don't make a lot of jing. However, my son is a great kid, gets straight A's and does contribute by buying bullets, powder, and other supplies when he gets a little cash. Last year he wanted to try archery and bought entry level equipment with his own money. You are pretty insightful and obviously mature for your years. I appreciate you taking the time to offer your opinion. Shoot well, Nick-

Open guns allow a new shooter to see what is going on. They only have to worry about seeing the target. Limited guns require target focus and sight focus depending on the distance to the target and/or the difficulty of the shot. Secondly, a dot really helps you learn to shoot on the move, a critical skill. The accuracy, reduced recoil and muzzle flip should all give him confidence, which is a good thing for a new shooter. He has been shooting a .38 super single stack Caspian and a SV limited .40 for the last 7 months. He has been shooting a Custom Ruger 10/22 for the last 4 years and a shotgun for about a year. I think an open gun is the right move at this point in his development and skill level. I also agree that learing to shoot an open gun will make him a better limited gun shooter later on. Thanks for your input and suggestions. Nick-

If anyone knows were I can find a new or like new SV Open gun in .38 super comp, please let me know. My 11 yr old son and I just took a 2 day course with Todd Jarrett (highly recommended) and it was recommended that he shoot an open gun vs. a limited gun. I'm in MA so I can't get a STI as they are not on our State roster of approved firearms (SV is on the roster). I called JP rifles and SV Inc. and they have nothing in stock. If you know of anything, please let me know. Thanks, Nick-

Thanks Geek.. Nick

I tried the search function and could not get the data I was looking for. I have some 185gr. XTP's I want to load with Clays for a 165pf .45ACP load. Can anyone give me the amount of powder and OAL? Thanks in advance. Nick-

Thank you all again for the replies and advice. I should have probable mentioned that I do have a good deal of shooting experience. I'm a trained LEO sniper, firearms instructor and competitive shooter (USPSA, IDPA, Sportsman's Team Challenge, Sporting Clays, FITASC, high power rifle, etc.). I've tried just about every shooting game (except 3 gun) out there at one time or another. I just have not spent a lot of time with a relatively stock AR and didn't really know what to expect for performance. Thanks again for your input as you have definetly cleared up some things for me. Take care, Nick-

Thanks for the replies. George- I am going to take your advice (and Rhino's) and get the trigger done and see if that helps (I'm certain it will as the trigger sucks.) I was shooting from a very stable position and I agree, the gun may be capable of better groups with a good trigger and optics with higher magnification (and maybe a different load.) My bolt guns drop bullets on top of each other and I was hoping for the same with this rifle, but then again my bolt guns have Mike Rock barrels. As the barrel has a 1:9 twist, I don't know how the heavier bullets will work. I know it didn't like the 60gr. AMAX load I tried. Thanks for the help. Nick-

I've spent some time at the range recently with a new Armalite A4 20". I got the rifle for a song (new) and took it over to Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) and had them put on a modular free float tube, new gas block, and flip up front and rear sights. Trigger has yet to be done. Barrel is a factory chrome lined 1:9 and has a Armalite brake. I've got a EoTech Holo Sight on her now with standard circle dot reticle. What should I expect for accuracy with this rifle with good quality ammo? I ran factory Hornady 55gr. and 60gr. AMAX through it. It didn't like the the 60gr. at all. 4" groups at 100yrds were the norm. With the 55gr. AMAX the gun settled down and I had 5 shot groups from 1.5-2" as the norm. Is this good enough for 3-gun? I am kinda an accuracy freak and this accuracy just doesn't sit well with me. I thought that maybe because I was shooting the Holo with no magnification that I could get better groups with magnified optics, but the Holo is what I will shoot in 3 gun. Should I have a new barrel installed or just go with what I got? Thanks, Nick-

I run a wolf reduced power striker spring, lighting strike Ti striker and plunger. I like the feel and so far so good with this set up and my handloads using WSP primers. I tried the cut striker spring route before going to the wolf reduced power striker spring and experienced an infrequent failure to fire. I tried a little longer spring and got the same result. No problems since going with the WRP striker spring. Knock on wood.......... Nick-

Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone. I am a firm believer in spending quality time with your kids. It is a big bonus when you kids enjoy the same hobby you do and get excited about it. The local IDPA club is very supportive and will let my son continue to shoot. It is IDPA HQ that I am upset with. I can't believe they are willing to turn away a junior member due to his/her age. Amazing. I am happy that USPSA is not this close minded and is willing to support junior shooters. IMHO, the big issue here is safety. My son handles his pistol (Caspian 1911 single stack in .38super) in a very safe manner. He gets all his hits on paper (he might miss a upper A zone once in a while, but don't we all). I believe it is the parents responsibility to make sure their child is safe when they bring them to a match. I have a friend who is not letting his son shoot matches yet, because he does not feel he is ready. This should be a parental decision. A junior shooter should not be limted by a standing rule made up by a BOD. Take care everyone and remember to take your kids shooting. Nick-