BhmJeep

Finished the course No 180 violations (close a couple of times) No DQ Hit most of the targets (even a Texas star) AND HAD A FREAKING BLAST Shot at Brocks Gap in Birmingham AL, super nice folks, shooters taking their time to give me pointers, how to be more effecient, and tons of encouragement. Thanks to everyone that help me (and everyone else as well) out. This is not the last you will see of me. Mike

The AppleSeed Project is having a 2 day class in a few locations here in Alabama in April. $70 for a full 2 day class!! More info: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/search-states.php?filter=AL&statename=Alabama Mike Hancock

If I keep it up, I am going to have to get a little red wagon to get my gear from the Jeep to the firing line.... Guns, at least 2, ammo, mags, pasters, staple gun,, muffs, glasses, writing pad, oil, etc...etc...etc... When you go to a match do you use the same bag with the same stuff, different bag, repack your bag just for the match, ? Starting to feel like a pack mule. I guess as I progress in the sport I will finally find my right kit combo. Since I am just starting out I am in the "ooooohhhh, that could help.." put in the bag.... Anyway, Mike

Thanks everyone!! Man I love this forum.... Mike

Since Production is limited to 10 rounds do you guys buy 10 round mags or just load 10 rounds in the standard hi-cap mags? Mike

I'm good. Everyone has an opinion and everyone can learn something from all opinions. Told you guys I have VERY thick skin. If everyone always agreed life would be boring. twodownzero, I agree with you about having a blast at this game with totally stock guns. I just love to tinker. I want to know how things work. The base question I failed to express clearly was, if given the fact that you (me or anyone) would eventually end up with a gun with several legal mods, would it be more benificial to start stock, then add slowly over time or go ahead and and get the gun the way I "think" I want it? No matter what I just can't leave well enough alone. Maybe my alter ego is Tim the Tool Man Taylor... The club closest to me has shutdown the matches until March and then I will get a few posts up. Until then I just keep buying ammo when I can and practice everything I learn from here and lots of other places. My favorite term for Christmas presents for my son is "Some Assembly Required"... Mike

So this weekend I am picking up my Christmas present to myself a new Glock 34 for shooting USPSA production class. I have never shot in a match yet but have been practicing with my SA XDm .40 and did a workout with a great guy that shoots Limited. Herd mentality kinda sorta moved me to the G34 but there is probally a reason so many Production class shooters use it. I was not hitting very consistantly with the XDm even shooting .40 minor loads, the front sight on the SA is a white dot but very dull. I did go to a local indoor range and rented a G17 and ran 50 rounds thru it. Wasn't great, wasn't bad, but it did feel better than the XDm. So the real REAL question is, since I am just starting out, do I go ahead and swap out the sights with fully adjustables, install a new trigger setup, get my slide fitted, apply the grip tape (only to the weak side), install the extended controls, get the Blad-Tech holster and CR belt, buy the cleats, etc... etc... etc... Just because I can afford it does not mean I want to spend it. Does it help to start out with a tuned gun ready to go and start training with that, or is it better to learn on a 80% gun (or pure stock) and learn the basics on how to shoot well and then tune the equpiment and re-learn the "new" gun but with a better understanding. My gut tells me to swap out the sights (because of my eyes) and at least do the 25 cent trigger job with a set of Wolf springs for smoother crisper trigger from the start. Probally a BT holster beacuse I dont have a holster for the gun anyway. Thoughts? Opinions? Rants? - - I do have thick skin and don't offend easily so let me know what you think. I am here to learn, not to be petted on. Thanks again, Mike

I guess I can't escape my dad. Everything he had had to be spotless. I swear if he could, he would prolly clean between shots. I guess I could start some 12 step plan to quit cleaning.... but from beyond the grave... "Boy!! Did you clean your guns before you put them up? I don't belive you, clean 'em again..."

Pay close attention to your grip when you have a cast put on your whole right wrist and hand, it has a tendancy to cause you to adjust your grip somewhat... Just had surgery to remove a cyst on the back of my hand and woke up in a cast. No way to practice with dang thing on.... Anyways, I hope everyone is ready for the holidays and if I don't talk to you before then, have a great holiday and be safe!!! Mike "Lefty" Hancock

I have been paying a lot of attention lately to folks post practice / match routines and rituals. We are a very diverse group to say the least. I usually unload all of my mags and wipe them down with a clean silicone cloth, field strip and spray everything down with M-Pro solvent and let it sit a few minutes then run my bore snake thru 4 or 5 times. Nylon brush the breach, then clean and dry everything. Run my oily mop down the barrel a couple of times, then put it all away and head home. When I get home in the next day or so I do a through cleaning on each fired weapon. I find that cleaning my guns is relaxing. What about you guys? Mike

I keep seeing more and more from Alabama. Gonna have to do some meet and greet after a match this spring. Maybe a post match BBQ somewhere. Any ways, Welcome!!! Mike

Well I met AR Gunner at his range, FOP in Pleasant Grove and all I can say is WOW. Ken is one of the nicest people I have ever met and is a patient teacher. I was absolutely overwhelmed with all that goes on during a run on the COF. Ken drilled safety, safety safety into me and then taught me some safety lessons. I was nervous in the beginning but began to feel better as the day progressed. I have a long way to go but I am going to have a great time on my journey. This is a very very fun, but challenging game. Now the down side, I have to get into shape (my current shape is round and aerodynamic). We set up a COF and AR Gunner would fly thru in 12 seconds and here I come poking along at 30 seconds. And AR never even snickered at me. Anyways, Thanks AR Gunner, and to everyone else on this forum. This is going to be a fun trip!!!!!! Mike 30 Seconds today, 29 seconds tomorrow......

I was wondering the same thing but in reverse.... Anyone?

Well it looks like I might be able to meet up with AR Gunner this Friday at the FOP range. Get some practice and tips one on one from someone who has done this before. Mike

I know I have a lot of learning to do in saftey as well as everything else. I am, if anything, ALWAYS trying to learn and never a know it all. Always been that way. Mike