Bret Heidkamp

Now hold on there ! Somehow this thread went from "how helpful GM's are" to "how awful Masters are" As a Master, I resent that! I believe I'm helpful to anyone (I actually ASK to be squadded with any new shooters... just so I can hook 'em into our sport!!) and the other few Masters around here are also very helpful. In fact, I've not seen anyone ever ignore other shooters / not offer advice, etc. out of being "too busy trying to make GM." Ouch, that one hurts! I'm gettin' closer to making GM every day, but I'll be the first to offer stage advice, etc. Actually, I'm usually fighting to not say anything, out of fear the other person really doesn't want or care about my opinions. BTW, I'm not a "paper" Master! Could this just be people (the M shooters you know) being a bit scared to reach out? Or not really feeling comfortable talking to shooters they don't know well?? Let's please not start degrading other shooters or this great forum (God forbid!) could turn into the IPSC mailing list part deux. Bret

I've wondered more about getting them teflon coated or some other permanent treatment. For the last couple seasons I've been spraying them with Mag Slick (from Krunch, the same people that make ProGrip) and lightly coating the springs too. I keep a can in my range bag, and if I EVER drop a mag it gets stripped, wiped through with a rag, and re-sprayed. I have never had a mag jam since doing this (the silicone USPSA rags you used to get at the major matches work too, but that greasy silicone attracts dirt from the next county). Bret

Brian is right on with the explanation. I am one that tends to "open up" when pressured, which I enjoy and it makes shooting alot of fun. I remember when I finally had two holes drilled behind my comp, in the threaded area in the barrel. The first day I shot it I asked my "why on earth did I wait so long to do this???" So, shoot a couple of your friend's open guns, and decide what you like best. Personally, I swear by hybrids and wouldn't think of shooting anything else. While a regular comp works, I don't like waiting for it to return to the target from a big flip - the hybrids, for me, track true - just quicker back on target. Not soft shooting though, if you're sensitive to recoil.

I started a long time ago with an 8MOA dot in my cmore, but if you're learning, a bigger dot is MUCH better in my opinion. I've used all the way up to a 16 MOA dot in my Cmore and it is really, really fast to acquire and to use. Don't fear it being too big. It's really up to your preference. Years ago as a B shooter I got 3rd in an Area 1 standards shooting the big 16 dot !!! I've only recently switched to a 12 MOA cmore dot and that seems to be a good balance. The bigger dots are just easier for me to track and pick up when coming in to a target. I'm probably going back to the 16 this season... I kinda miss it. The 16 rocks for steel shoots!! For me, there aren't really any tight shots with even the 16. At 50 yards, it's the exact width of the A-zone (not that I like standards, it's just that people seem to think a big dot is a handicap on standards, and I'm tring to say it's not) Of course, I can't remember shooting much at 50 at any matches major or otherwise recently... Lastly, head shots and other tight shots are not a problem with a big dot - the dot is considerably smaller than the target area (even the upper a zone) at the distances we usually shoot (out to 25 yards) even on partials and concealed targets. Can you tell I like big dots? Try one - it's not that much cash, and it will really open your eyes. Just make SURE it is absolutely 100% round. If not, send it back. Football shaped dots (which I've seen lots of - go figure) don't work well regardless of their size. Oh yeah, turn your dot down to dim on standards, if we ever have to deal with those dreaded things again, no matter what size dot you've got.