Double

Grab a box of Federal with the flight control wad and test them out, it was an eye opener for me. I figured it was just marketing hype... not anymore, full believer.

There are many ways other than just limiting the type of bullets you shoot to assist you in lowering your BLL. I monitor mine every April and October (six months) as well as my staff. I've gone from the low 20's, to 19 to 12 to 9 and last month 8. And this is working in two indoor ranges with a very antiquated ventalation system operating at the lowest permissible limits. (with most lane averages listed as failing)

Mike doesn't mess around, I think he posted the results faster than he can reload a bottom feeder!

Hope everyone grabs a bit more ammo than what was sent out.... A few more targets were added when the plans were taken from paper to the shooting bays. Everything is all set and a historic first, the cadets even got to shoot four of the stages this afternoon, normally they never get to shoot the match, just work it. The weather is PERFECT and everyone is looking forward to a great match. Time to get some sleep!

Only FOUR open slots left on Sunday.

Start with light on and in reaction hand, cargo bay inspection. (Handheld light will be used)

Cover will be required on certain stages. (not a cover garment) There is plenty of free fire areas but one also has to remember that this is not the "Iron Man" HGC has a requirement that all rounds fired must impact the rear backstop. This was the greatest challenge and I think they came up with some really interesting stages (and more of them this year, you'll see two or three strings in the same bay this year) Dropping loaded mags, manage your ammo, you're in the fight you make the choice, don't worry about procedurals for this, PRESS ON. Mags, stuff them full. Just remember the length limits by division. The other thing I am going to ask be modified in the "Rules" is not only "Drum" style mags but to include those like the new Sure Fire 60 and 100. Technically they are not drum so I can see some folks trying to get an edge by purchasing these. Simple fix- stuff more than 30 in it and your now in open class. Competitor cost was a factor in this match and stage design. There won't be any "Round Dump" stages that will force a competitor to blast $40 worth of ammo from one spot at a single target. We added more shotgun because it's both cheap and challenging for the competitor. BTW, the boat was shot in a match the first year I was here, they still remember it and won't let me use it again..... I tried!! The order for the Combat Arms T-shirts is going in soon and will be available for purchase at the match.

No slugs, No Buck. The following sizes will be sufficient: #6, #7 and #7.5 (Lead only, Needed to note this just in case) No slings needed, optional item. Hot boxes will be used to dump long guns as needed for the stage. With the addition of pigeon flipper this year to some of the stages the decision to remove buck and slugs was made. This will increase safety by reducing the chances of someone shooting those types of rounds at the pigeon and it leaving the bay. The breacher used last year was sold. ETA: There are only 9 open slots left for Sunday. Saturday is sold out!

Using a large number of MGM 10inch flash targets. The distance will be no greater than 200. The plans also have a few IPSC flash targets in the mix. If used the breaching door wouldn't be hit with a heavy weighted breacher but rather have wooden pins that are blown with a shotgun, once cleared you push the door forward, pass through and then engage the given targets. This is a shooting match not a crazy running/lifting/crawling match..... plan on shooting. Plenty of consideration has gone into stage design for those that enjoy shooting this match every year not triathlons. The one thing I've learned from Frank Glover the last three years is that match directors/stage designers are in the entertainment business. Folks want to and should be challenged in the match however they shouldn't need to be in pain three days later because they over did it physically. Handheld light will be required for a dark indoor stage. Max shotgun on a stage..... One stage will test the non-shotgunners... plan on 25 rounds for a minimum for one of the stages, you'll start empty and can pre-stage your shells so don't run out and buy all kinds of carriers unless you really need an excuse. This stage also has rifle mixed in with it.

Registration is open. The dates are set for the 22/23rd of Oct. (one day match format) It's the same match format as past years and now that registration is open get in on it fast it's been up for 24 hours and over 50% full. The Cadets of the USCG Academy Combat Arms team have submitted final stage designs for HGC approval, our next meeting set for this Tuesday. We'll have the full round count posted by the end of the week. We've also lowered the price a few bucks from last year to $95. There will be seven squads of eight shooters with a one day format. Pick your day and pray for sunshine, we are limited to 112 shooters. The stages will have more reactive steel this year, you'll see a MGM Whirly-Gig, several plate rack and dueling trees along with some additions to our pepper poppers. If you never seen a pigeon flipper you might want to search youtube and get your shotguns ready. I know the twisted mind that came up with the courses. (hint, work on your balance) Shotguns are a blast and ammo is cheap so work on your reloads you'll be needing it. (keeping it simple with birdshot only this year, slugs ain't fun for juniors and just cost too much) You might just want to check out your sights for pistol shots farther outside your normal range. Scoring will be mostly IDPA as will be the cardboard targets used. One thing to announce here, use of cleats (soft or hard) will not be allowed. We have a few considerations on one of the stages, you'll be just fine in your boots/running shoes. Also, if you shoot on day one and video tape it, don't put them up until noon the next day. Everyone should have the same amount of prep time to come up with a plan of attack for each stage. If we get enough feedback we'll put a breaching door in the match again, I don't know what it is with that beast but folks like blowing sticks apart. Let me know quickly! We are ordering awards this year for the match, bragging rights aside people want bling! Open, Tac-Optics, Heavy Metal........ yep, pick one. HGC is looking at a few vendors showing up, EAR Pro will be fitting custom molded plugs while you wait. Food and a few others will be setting up some tables too so bring some cash. If you would like to be a sponsor or set up a booth, contact Mike on the registration website. He's handling match logistics, stats, food, targets, sponsorships, match director, range master, match safety officer, parking lot attendant, water boy, certified umbrella holder, media affairs and whatever else we can pile on. (Many thanks to Mike for all he does!) This annual match helps support the teams upcoming season and HGC is hosting it for a fundraiser. In years past they didn't get to shoot it, they set it up and ran everyone else through, we hope to get them on the range Friday afternoon. This is the same team that designs/builds and staffs stages at the CT State IDPA championships and for the last two years the S&W IDPA Indoor Winter Nationals. This year they have 5 seniors on the team making this seasons team the most experienced in recent years. With the National Exposure they have been receiving from winning the 2011 SSC Northeast Cup and the coverage on Shooting USA the Command has been taking greater interest in the team. We are attempting to build up the program to get these young men and women down to Ft. Benning this coming spring for the National Scholastic Steel Challenge match. The match is the same week as the collegiate national pistol championships. Check Matchreg.com for registration, updates and round counts.

How often does the CAT run a classifier? (I assume your on the Combat Arms Team)

Shot it last year in SSR but I have a 625 on order and plan on using it. I need to find a good holster and moon clip holder that is IDPA legal, any suggestions? -Gunner

My staff member eventually was able to shoot a match before he finished his training. (Not that night) Additionally at the 2011 Indoor Winter Nationals last month the entire team shot with duty gear without issue. Anyone who thinks there is an advantage to using duty gear has not spent much time in it.

Sure it can be done but it's not healthy for you to do so. I can't imagine what his Blood Lead Level (BLL) is or if he/she's ever had it tested. Smoking and eating on the range or doing so prior to washing your hands after shooting is asking for health risks. Take a break and have another SO step in for you for ten minutes, wash, grab a bite and puff away then come back (wash hands before you come back so you don't stink up my timer or score cards)

Did a 158gr test this past week with loads from 3.8 to 3.2 of TiteGroup. Lifted the muzzle for six shots then loaded muzzle down and slowly raised for those shots. Even at 3.2 raising the muzzle then slowly lowering so the powder was against the primer the shots were 664-680. However, starting from muzzle down just like you would while loading and it was a bit erratic from 470's to 580's. I could not believe the spread in FPS. This was a chronograph only test, accuracy and steel test is next week.

I was very disappointed today to hear one of my staff members was turned away from a very well known east coast locale club match in an area that he is at training for a few months. Years ago I was stationed in this area and told him while he's there to hop on over and shoot some of their matches. He took his duty gear, full belt with a 6004 drop leg as his holster. My teams have used these rigs in full blown sanctioned state, regional and national matches for the last three years. He's an SO and is becoming a pretty darn talented stage designer as well. The locale club MD turned him away stating he couldn't use a drop-leg. I could see not allowing a cross draw or tactical vest cross-draw type holster. (IMHO a tac-vest strong-side holster attached to a belt shouldn't be a safety issue.) Robert Ray was there while my guys were shooting, he didn't have an issue with it. My team designed and ran stages one and two last year at the Indoor Winter Nationals and we've been asked to perform a repeat this year. 8 out of 9 will be using strong-side Safariland 6004 holsters with their duty rigs. I'm the oddball out on this one, for the match I will be using a wheel gun with a concealment vest. I wish more SO's and MD's would stop reading things/rules into things that aren't of issue. Bottom line MD's and SO's are there to ensure safety and provide one other thing.... customer service/entertainment.... it's all about showing your paying customers a good match.

It would still work if worn behind the center line or I have seen some who cut the 333 into 2 pieces for a 2 + 1 arrangement. That would be true for the weak side. The new rules addendum state the third one must go on the weak side. I've always worn two in front of the gun and one behind the gun all on the weapon side. I'm not liking the way the wrote it out.

Craig took DC and there was finally enough for me to move up... (not in my class, rather I beat out ten in the class above me)

Bummer that Angie & I will miss you. We both shoot F/S, we should have flown.

The last few trips to the Sig Sauer Academy had us shooting steel at distances over 100 yards. With my Glock and Sig point of aim point of impact was the norm. Two of my staff that went with me had to aim 1/4 inch above the head, 9mm XD's for them. It got to the point that I was holding the Sig upside down in my non-dominant hand and pressing the trigger with my little pinkie finger and still ringing steel, YES at a 100 yards. (could not do it with the DAK trigger however, that sucker is hard to pull with your pinky) Bottom line is take your target put it up at 3 yards and shoot one hole groups. If you get a two or three inch group/string at 3 yards ...... well...... it highlights what needs to be done if you want good groups at any distance. Chad

We knew the weather was going to be bad and I could not confirm with Cadet training on just how many Cadets would get the chance to work the match. Resetting targets in heavy downpours, limited availability on steel flash, lacking flash observers and four days of set up and running the match with three people was a work of art. (the cadets showed up on game day to SO and reset.) Some of us even employed our wives to enter scores. The CWO in charge of the weapon section (me) also left at a moments notice just days before the match to take a fishing trip down memory lane with his dad who was found several weeks before ridden with lung cancer. I've heard mostly very positive reports from the match and I'm enthusiastic that everyone is looking forward to next year, we've already started stage concepts for 2010. All that aside, I took the staff to SigArms academy last month for the "Introduction to Competitive Three Gun" course. Needless to say they all fell in love with the shotgun again. Look for next years Maritime 3-Gun to be a little heavier in the shotgun usage. BTW, I left work early today to pick up my Mark I, now it's time to get a side saddle.

The only hiccup with the GP100 and Hogue grips is the wieght. In SSR the limit is 42oz unloaded.

Somehow the numbers of wheel guns in my safe has grown since last year. For three years I played with a GP100 for my IDPA enjoyment, it served me well and was used to train countless shooters. Last year I left the club match scene and started shooting sanctioned matches. At the Indoor winter nationals I used the GP100 and took third but I got a first hand look at the 686SSR and had it delivered the next week. I'm enjoying it much better and the last two matches have been incredible with it. The best thing that I can tell you is to go to a few matches and try some out. Look further than just the gun however, look at the choices of available holsters, sights and knowledgeable gunsmiths.

As cheap as they are buy a few of each and try them out. Later you can sell the type you don't like. I use the III's on my belt and keep two II's as my load and make ready holder. I've seen another brand that I make look at soon as I figure out what my goals are in this sport. I'd like to try the ones that Bones uses.

I changed over to SSR for the challenge of it. Round management requires you to focus on that front sight you just can't go back for any make-up shots. Well you can but that extra grab for the speed loader will take you from first to third in a major match.