Nick Weidhaas

I just started shooting IDPA. Shot my 1st classifier (CDP) and made Expert, just short (4.49) of Master. I shot 230gr. ball (S&B factory). In addition to some specific practice, it was suggested that I handload a 200gr. bullet at the 170pf as it would be softer and have less muzzle flit than what I'm shooting now. I last loaded 45ACP about 6 years ago so I am a little out of the loop here. I'm also not sure what the velocity of the S&B is out of my gun so I don't have a pf. For those CDP shooters out there, would you recommend I go with a handload or stay with the facory S&B 230gr. ball. If handload, what load would you recommend. I have a Dillon 550, Winchester cases, Winchester and Federal Primers and Clays powder available. I have no bullets and don't know what to go with. I'm shooting a Vic Tibbets built Colt 1911 with a 14lb recoil spring. (I tried a 13lb spring buy my shock buff was cut ot ribbons). Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Nick-

Since I last posted inquiring about the 952, I started to think that a STI 5.0 Eagle, 9mm (w/bushing) might be the best 1911 type design choice for ESP. I expect reloads may be faster than with a single stack (tapered mag into big mag-well). More money than a Kimber or S&W 952 though. Glock 34 or 17 is same concept, but they don't point well for me. Anyone shooting one of these 9mm STI 5.0 Eagles in ESP? Feedback? Thanks, Nick-

Bucky, That is the one. I was not sure if it was SA/DA or only SA. They can be had for about $1K and thought this might make a good ESP gun. Maybe not. Just interested if anyone had shot one. Thanks for your input. Nick-

Was looking at the S&W PC 952 and thought it might make a good gun for IDPA ESP class. Anyone shot one? Any thoughts on this? 9mm Glocks and 1911's are the most popular in this class I guess, but was wondering if the 952 deserved a look? Thanks, Nick

SMONEY, I thought your reply to my post pretty rude. If you took the time to read my post you would have seen that I indicated we wanted to start shooting IDPA. I also said we were not active IDPA shooters. This does not mean that there were none in the class, as a few of us have shot a few IDPA matches. The reason I posted it in the IDPA forum was to let other IDPA shooters know that Steve is a good resource. You know that old saying, "when you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all".........think about it. Nick Weidhaas

I first want to say that I have no interest in PSI, Inc. and have nothing to gain by the statement below. I recently brought Steve Broom of PSI, Inc. to my home club for a 2 day pistol course. The students were all law enforcement and NOT active IDPA shooters. We were looking to enhance our pistol skills and start shooting IDPA. Steve came out this past weekend and gaves us a great course. I'm a police firearms instructor and have taken quite a few LE firearms courses as well as Jerry Barnhart's IPSC course years ago. I'd put Steve's instruction up there with the best of them. He has a good personality. He is in no way condescending or arrogant. His instructional format is well thought out, clear and concise. Even after only 2 days, all students showed marked improvement. He tells you exactly what you will have to do to improve and provides you with drills to practice all the fundementals. His method cuts the fat from your technique. You will learn how an efficient technique, shooting relaxed and with confidence is the key. I've been to firearms training courses that I would NOT recommend. I'm pretty critical. I have no problem recommending Steve and PSI, Inc. Please feel free to email me if you have any specific questions. Sincerely, Nick Weidhaas

Thanks for the input. Maybe I will just shoot my 1911 and put the $$ into other equipment/supplies. I can always get another pistol down the road. Thanks, Nick-

Thanks Kelly. Nick-

Will start shooting 3 gun in 04'. If I shoot the tactical class, what is the most popular pistol. I was thinking a SV .40 or G35 or 22 would be popular choices. Would rather shoot he-man class with .45acp 1911, but if I don't, I was looking for best option for tactical class pistol. Thanks in advance, Nick-

Need some advice here. Will start shooting 3 gun in 04' and am trying to get gear together. This new he-man class sounds great and is what I'd like to shoot. Do you think class will be included at most 3 gun matches or will it be limted to just a few matches? Also, what are the odds that this class will go to a pump gun over a semi-auto shotgun? I have a 1911 and pump shotgun now. Would only need to get rifle (AR-10). If I shoot tactical iron sights or tactical scope class, I need to get (3) new guns (hi-cap SV or G35, AR15, and semi-auto shotgun). Buying three new guns is not a bad thing, but would rather shoot what I have now. I also shoot long range precision and would like to have/use same ammo for he-man rifle and precision rifle (BH .308 match). Any input/advide from those in the know would be appreciated. Thanks, Nick-

Henry- Check your email for an explanation on the EOPS v. AG's regs in MA. Nick-

Thanks for the help. Called JP and they have (3) in stock. Bompa, SV pistols are legal to bring into MA (STI is not). SVI submitted their competition infinity and their standard single stack and both were approved for sale. They are now on our approvoed firearms roster and any dealer can bring them in. The fact that we have to have an approved firearms roster makes my stomach turn. Thanks again, Nick-

Hello, I'm looking for an SVI (can't be STI) INFINITY limited .40cal wide body. Do any of you know of any SVI Infinity Distributors that have guns in stock? I don't want to wait for a factory build. Web site address would be appreciated. Thanks, Nick-

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it. Nick-

Anyone tried Hodgen's HS-6 in .45ACP? I know it is not popular in this load, but I have 3lbs that I tried for .20ga that I want to shoot up. I need suggestions for a load with a 200gr. SWC Precision Bullet, Winchester Brass, Win or Fed LP primer, and HS-6? I'm getting back into IPSC (Limited 10) and want to shoot up this powder. I always shot CLAYS before but I am out. Will likely go back later. Thanks, Nick-

Thanks for the replies. Good info and a big help. Nick-

Thanks for all the repsonses. Everything is clear as mud now. I use to compete in man v. man shotgun pin matches and ran a Benelli. Never gave me a problem and it was fast. I've also shot quite a bit of sporting clays and sportsman's team challenge. My 1st gun for these games was a Remington 1187 Clays. I had a lot of problems with the Remington as did others I shot with (not at first, but once we got over 3000 rnds). Breaking various parts just became a steady thing. We finally dumped them. I was wondering if Remington every addressed these issues as the guns just didn't seem built for a steady diet of shooting. I got the felling they were more designed for the guy that may shoot a few rounds of sporting and maybe a few pheasent per year. Take care, Nick-

Chris, MA has an "approved firearms roster" which are firearms the State has determined as "safe" and approved for sale. This law was passed as an attempt to get rid of junk guns or "Saturday Night Specials." However, all it really was was a play to ban or limit certain firearms. 1911 type firearms took hit. Right now the only 1911's we can buy from a dealer are Para Ord., SV, and the new S&W 1911 (go figure). The "Roster" was recently updated and SV was added to the list as they have compliant MA and CA guns. In MA they are the Infinity and Traditional. However, both guns are listed in .45ACP only on the approved list. I have no idea why. If the gun is approved, I can's see why the caliber would make any difference. Word of advice....don't move to MA, CA, NJ, or NY. It is going to get worse before it gets better. Thanks, Nick-

We use the Aimpoint M2 (night vision) at work. We only have 5 on line, but have not had any problems. They are very popular with the troops. One thing to consider is that it is easier to adjust reticle/dot brightness with the M2 or ML2 (no night vision) vs. the Holo. Don't get me wrong, the Holo is great and we looked at them hard, but the controls are not as friendly, especially if you have to make a quick brightness adjustment should you go from the outside to inside a darker building for example. The push button pad on the Holo was not real easy to use, especially with a gloved hand. I understand there is to be a new Holo with improved controls. Another thing we liked about the M2 was that should the dot fail and you don't already have your BUSI in the up positon, you can use the tube body of the M2 or ML2 as a big ghost ring for CQB. The advantage of the Holo is that it does have a smaller center dot (standard reticle) for more precise longer range shooting. Just my .02 Nick-

Just had a EGW fiber optic front sight put on my 1911 and the directions say to super glue the fiber optic tube into the sight. I called EGW and they say to glue it in the middle and if you need to change it, break the site off and then drill it out ot put in a new tube. Seems like there must be a better method or did I just get the wrong sight. Anyone use one of these that can shed some light on the topic. Thanks, Nick-

I can't buy a SV .40cal only a .45ACP due to stupid laws in MA. I was just wondering if anyone uses an Infinity in .45ACP and how they like it? Pros/Cons, etc? Thanks, Nick-

Can someone tell me which is more popular in 3 gun. Also, the pros and cons of each mfg./design would be appreciated. Thanks, Nick-

Good point Chriss. Nick

I was trained to have as much of your face (cheek) on the gun as possible as this gives a more consistent and stable cheek weld. When you lift your head or use a chin in stead of a cheek weld, I don't believe you are as stable. There are some advocates of chin welds and even chin stocks, but I never found them comfortable and I felt like my head wanted to shift, not allowing me to keep my eye perfectly aligned behind the scope. I actually set up a rifle so that I can get into it with my eyes closed and then open my eye. Everything should be aligned perfectly. I'm also a police sniper and I may have to lay behind a scope for long periods of time. By laying your face (cheek) on the stock your using less neck muscles and are more relaxed. I also shot a lot of sportsman team challenge competions. I experimented with all different rifle/scope set ups with my custom 10/22. Again, mounting the scope as low as possible and then building up the comb for a proper cheek weld worked best for me. Just my .02 Nick-

If you go with night force rings and mounts you can get them from D&B supply in NC. They are a night force dealer. Tell them the scope your mounting and they will send you the right rings. I'm not sure about ordering Leupold rings as I don't use them. Email me and I'll give you the link to D&B Supply if you need it. Also, Brownells carries Badger Ordnance rings and bases. If you call Badger Ordnance and ask them what size rings to use, you can then order them form Brownells. Nick-