GOF

Another +1. As for contact drills... yes, they trash targets and blow pasters all over the place. The solution is to cut the 0/A zone out of the target (leaving a big hole) and just score the rounds that don't go through the hole. It lets targets last longer.... and I think those contact drills are valuable.

A BIG +1 to what Gryff just said. I've been through a number of 'blind' shooting houses (Blackwater, Gunsite, military, etc.) and the difference between knowing the target array from a walkthrough and going in 'blind' is VERY significant. On the other hand, the vast majority of Real World gunfights (sorry kitten) occur close & fast. I've shot matches with some of the Federal FLETC instructors and had many conversations with them regarding RW happenings. Speed truly does kill.... unless your clearing a building...... and if you decide to do that by yourself you are a FOOL. The gun handling/speed skills developed in IDPA/USPSA/ICORE are advantageous.

Those shooters who know what their front sight looks like will not suffer greatly under the D-1 one second Rule. They will just slow down a 'small beat' and shoot -0s. The ones who think the faster they go the better they are will be disappointed. The "Day of the Gazelle" may be over. I have no real idea why this D-1 = one second Rule was enacted. But, it will give older, more experienced, but slower foot work shooters a better chance. If that was the idea behind the Rule, it works. As a Distinguished Senior (MA SSP/BUG) I kinda like it. But, it does make IDPA more like ICORE, except with more bullets in the gun. Whatever the intention originally was that will be the result.

I had an interesting experience last weekend. Team Pro Arms in Live Oak FL put on a match. Four stages with a fast mover, a fast 'in & out' target and a 'up down' mover... then the last stage had two paper and 14 steel, with five of them being a Texas Star. First four stage run was shot under IDPA rules. Second run through was shot with USPSA rules, and guns. There were six shooters there with extensive experience in both sports. Under USPSA rules their times decreased by about 40% and their points down (IDPA targets and scoring for the USPSA run) didn't change a lot. I thought it was an interesting look at how the Rules in both sports affect the overall time/score. It was a lot of fun to shoot without a 'fishing vest' and without IDPA cover/target priority rules.

I have found that when the buzzer goes I have to resist the "OMG! The buzzer! syndrome".... and just draw the gun smoothly to get on the first target. My times on the first shot (and accuracy) are faster when I take the draw slower & smoother. One drill I did to help with that was to address a 8x10 white hanging plate at 25 yards... hit it on one shot from the holster. Smoother was always faster even though my 'mental computer' told me I was going slower. The "ting' was immediate and positive re-enforcement... then the timer confirmed that "smooth is fast". When I tank a stage it's normally because I hurried the draw and 'screwed that pooch". Once the gun gets properly into my hand, the rest of the targets are just that... the rest of the targets.

I think if you start with the revo and get solid with it, you'll find that your trigger control on the 1911 will get better. The revo does have a longer trigger pull. It forces you to hold sights on target until the trigger breaks. That's not a bad strategy, and the shorter 1911 trigger should fall into line quickly.

OP back... I did try it yesterday. 50/50 mix with no additives. 3 hours on tumble and the results were excellent! Even the insides were cleaner than with plain walnut.

I forgot Universal Shooting Academy... been there many times. Great place!

A couple other options (in addition to CFRPC and Port Malabar) are Volusia County Rod & Gun Club and Gainesville Target Range.... each is convenient from Central FL. Lots of options in this part of the World.

BillR... if you're having fun by all means keep it up and enjoy it. There are others who have felt differently, and that's their right as well.

Gryff....USPSA is thanking Berryville BillR... Not everyone accepts your "plugging away" philosophy... when it adds up to some serious money spent in an attempt to win a trophy for the wall. Only time will tell... but I do know a number of formerly die-hard IDPA shooters who now have USPSA member #s and spend a lot of their time there. I also know a number of long time IDPA SOs who no longer are... and a couple of clubs that have not totally dropped their IDPA membership... but aren't paying a whole lot of attention to the IDPA Rules when they put on monthly matches for their members. I wonder what IDPA's actual membership will be a year from now..... but only time will tell. I've seen some figures (admittedly on the internet) regarding the total number of classifications held by IDPA shooters that would indicate... to someone knowledgeable about the game.... that their paid membership #s are far less than they advertise.

BillR.... I think it does if you spend $500-$800 to attend a sanctioned match (motel, travel, entry fee, etc.)... and know in advance that you are 'not playing on a level skill field". Do you go to the match, knowing that you're shooting in a classification above your actual level? Do you spend that money, knowing you should be in the class below your classification? And then you ask yourself why the Classification system is not a reflection on reality. Just a question.

Interesting point! IDPA says you can't drop in classification without a complete medical review. Yet, they can change the classification procedures (the latest Rules change) and lower the times/scores to make classifications.... but you're still stuck in your current classification and can't do squat about it... even if you can't shoot the current classification scores. If you were a lower level Expert who now shoots the Classifier at upper level SS scores.... you're still an expert. Add the 1 second scoring to the current system and you'll have classified Masters shooting mid-Expert scores. Did anyone in Berryville think this whole process through? I would think that ... logically.... when the new classification scores came out that they would allow shooters to be re-classified via current scores. Not! Did they extend that lack of thought process to the 1 second scoring rule? I would hope they would make some process for shooters to re-classify to a realistic level... but I won't hold my breath, since they didn't do it with the first classifier time change.

A couple of squirts of Nu Finish for a normal Lyman Turbo Tumbler load of media? I do the tumbling outside, so dust isn't a problem. But the Nu Finish (I found some in my "stash") intrigues me. Is it a significant asset in making older brass look new, or does it just help with the resizing? I very much appreciate the comments...

Has anyone mixed corn cob tumbling media with treated walnut media? Have the results been worth it?

So how many times do you shoot them? Is there any order to the shooting order? What exactly are you doing with these three targets? From the holster? What hand start position? Please be more specific.

+1. That distance will cover you from near to far.

Alliant BE86 is an extremely clean powder and meters consistently. I have been playing with it, N310, N320, WSF, and have come to favor the BE86. A charge of 3.8 under a 147 Xtreme is very accurate, clean, and makes a 125 PF from my 5-inch CORE (ported barrel) and the KKM un-ported barrel. I can't see where N320 is better, and can definitely see where it is worse. N310 is another story... I'm loving it for Steel Challenge... and club matches where there is no chrono..... 2.9/with 147 Xtreme 9mm is right on the edge of 125... but it kicks like a .22LR!

Agreed again. But... if the PSO is watching the shooter's gun and arm then they are NOT in position to see "tight' cover calls. If they are, they're not doing their most important job. If the PSO sees an obvious/egregious cover violation, of course call it!. But the SSO is the one to make the "tight" calls because they should be the only SO in a position to see them ... at least, if both SOs are doing their job according to the Rule Book.

Mike.... You SOed my squad at 2011 IDPA Worlds (we thought you did such a great job that we presented your with the 'military salute'... a bottle of booze... at the awards ceremony). You have also shot against me in ICORE at Volusia and Orlando. You know I am not a "whiner". You also know I have been around the "games" for awhile. My comments are based upon that experience. After the infamous computer re-crert after Joyce took over, IDPA lost a large number of experienced SOs. It shows today.

+1 to ES13. The clearly defined responsibility of the SO on the timer is to watch the gun & shooter safety. That SO will NOT be in position to see any cover call other than the truly obvious/egregious, if they are doing their job as the Rule Book proscribes. The ASO is the one to make the tighter cover calls. Not all timer SOs have gotten that message. I have had cover PEs issued by an 'overly-officious' SO that, upon protest and review, were overturned by the ASO. FWIW I spent 8 years as a certified SO.

There is an excellent article in the NRA's competition shooting web magazine... ssusa.org... dealing with vision issues.. "The Right Rx For Aging Eyes". I think it's also linked at Ammoland. It was done with a Doctor of Optometry and has some good info of corrective lenses.

If you hit the cover with a solid shooting position to start with there should be no need to shift the feet for the rest of the targets. Leaning outward will get you there, even at 20 yards+. A key is to have your outside foot planted as far out as it can legally go and in a rock solid plant.

Thanks for the advice. You have given me some options and I appreciate the help! That is one of the great things about this forum.... experienced folks who have BTDT.

I've used a certain plated bullet supplier for years and been happy. The last 2000 rounds make me unhappy. They are all over the place, when compared to their bullets from previous lots. Can anyone recommend a bullet maker that I can call on the phone with a credit card, that is currently making in spec bullets that have shown decent accuracy. I'm looking for 147s to shoot from a KKM M&P 5 inch barrel, and the ported 5 inch barrel on my CORE. Lead is not an option. I need plated or jacketed. I'm sure someone here can help.