steviesterno

I shoot these every chance I can! Steel challenge matches give me 5 times draws to every one at uspsa, and some of those are to a 10 inch plate at distance. It really helps you see how fast you can go without going too fast and missing. Plus, you can ramp up your speed at each take. it's good practice, and now I'm not scared at all on the long steel courses our local MD likes to set up ;P

Hey all, Even though I've been shooting competitively for about 4-5 years, I am just getting started reloading. I know, I know, but I justified that I could spring for factory ammo because I work a lot. Well, I decided to start shooting SS and L10 exclusively this year, and $33/100 for ammo putting out like 190 PF is getting expensive. Also, it's hard on the wrist, and I'm waiting for the sights to settle for almost ever. Also, If i can work up a minor load, I can shoot my les baer in steel shoots, making it my one gun to do everything with (probably?) just a spring change. So I have been reading everything, watching everything, and talking to everybody I can about how to set up, and now have a few specific questions.... Decided to go with a Hornady LnL press, as they seem to run nice, and a buddy and local open shooter/legend has offered to help me set it up and dial it in. Need to find that press, cabelas was out... calling midway today. I only plan on loading 45 Major, 45 minor, and 9mm powder puff loads for the GF and for local fun shoots, 3 gun matches... maybe 223 or more in the future, so I'd like to be able to expand. in addition to the press, i will need a shell plate, dies for each caliber, and anything else? I picked up a digital scale and caliper for checks, so I think I'm about there. For Brass... I can get once fired range brass, but it's all in a giant bucket. They would let me sort it and keep 45 and 9mm. Is there a way to sort at the range faster than by hand? Because that sucks. I have a cabelas tumbler, media (corn cob), and polish. Actually, running right now to polish the first pile of 45. Powder, primer, and bullets... I plan on looking around in the forum here for the most cost effective loads for the above. But how do I know which primers to get? Or are Large pistol primers the same if they are CCI (number 150?) or remington (number 300s or something). as long as they are large pistol, am I ok? I plan on working up loads slowly and in accordance with the recipes here and elsewhere. Just wondering how I figure out what recoil springs to use for each one, so I can order them a head of time and be ready to shoot. Anything else I'm missing or really need to get started? thanks all, steve

looks great! but how long until we start seeing uspsa guys rocking stippled kel tecs with mag wells, comps, ports, and little baby optics? :roflol:

Damn I shot that match in 09 I guess and it was a great one. Outstanding props and movers... Miss it!

I was using the mini mags :/

Nice work! I still can't figure out how that scoring page is set up, but it looks like I took 2nd in SS with 465 points.... seems pretty decent to me

Hey all, my wilson conversion kit (old style, I believe made by Marvel?) was running like a sewing machine on a dedicated frame I built for it. Until I need it in a steel competition yesterday. then it decided to choke and not extract any more rounds. Luckily, I could borrow a gun and shoot the match for fun, but I was pretty upset. Not overly surprised, it has probably 15k rounds through it, and nothing has ever been replaced. Basically, I'm wondering how to get an extractor for it or have this one adjusted so it works. I feel like there's almost no tension on it, and it looks to be worn and a bit rounded. Don't have a good camera, so can't take pics. Would love some advice/help how to get it running again! I love 1911 22s, but this frustrated me so much I almost bought a buckmark Thanks, Steve

couldn't you just take it, or at least the frame, to your local trophy engraver and have them do some work on it for ya? Get the numbers in a little better or even put them in a different place (If legal, I'm not sure!) and then re finish with product of your choice?

wow, sounds like a pretty cool set up... where did you find that trigger kit? I was thinking about stuffing my guide rod myself with lead or something, but it might be easier just to buy one. Do the new springs affect recoil or feeding with factory ammo?

ive got enough grip tape on my open 22 (steel shoots) that it will almost stick to your hands when open. Got it at a skate shop for $4 a yard. I will probably never run out. Did the same thing on my XDm for almost 3 minutes before I realized I hated it, and that grip was good enough already. My Baer SS/L10 is rocking larry davidson super aggressive grips, and with the front trap stippling and MSH it seems to stick just fine, even shooting factory loads. Just try it and see how it goes?

its because we're all so friendly with new shooters!how many people have you met at the range, told about shooting sports, and invited out? I even often to lend gear if I know the person well. I had one first time shooter and one second time shooter at the match in York sunday in the mud... Even though my gun broke and made me look like a rookie, we all had fun and would be back!

haha yeah, What ever part on that kit that kept damn rounds in the damn chamber... oh well. Thanks, not bad for being rusty and with unfamiliar gear. I liked your set up, and when you were running well, you were smoking fast! if we keep it up and we might have a chance at the state championship...

I hate that my wilson combat 1911 (in 22) took a dump on both my GF and me at her first match yesterday. wouldn't eject rounds anymore, so we had to finish what was left of the match with borrowed guns (thanks Dan and Robby!) I also hate that it was like 40 degrees with cold wind when it was supposed to be 55 and sunny.

I go with the slow is smooth, smooth is fast approach. Ever tried to really rush out of your house? it's when you drop your keys and spill the coffee. I try to make every movement be doing something, shooting, reloading, moving, whatever. Waste not time nor energy, and use as little motion as possible, but do it effectively. Like If I rip the gun out of the holster and swing up fast, it jiggles at end point. But if I just draw it like I'm supposed to, I'm right on target.

give the gun to me for a few weeks, and I will determine which to use. And then I will shoot it a ton. You may or may not get it back

Yeah yeah, it is "for her"... but somehow my 22 open gun has become her 22 open gun... and she says Home when she refers to my apartment... I'm starting to get worried here

ok, so I'm insane and went and bought it... I pick it up Saturday, and should run it in a steel match sunday. So, what are the best things to do to tune it up? I'm thinking trigger work, mag well, mag extensions. Any suggestions on inexpensive but still decent options?

We actually get great results at my office with this, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and more, using gua sha. It's a Chinese massage technique using tools. It hurts like a bitch, but it actually breaks up the calcifications. After 2 weeks, my shoulder tendonitis was cured and has been for 3 years now. PM me for more info if you'd like

man, you guys and your matches this year! sign me up.... I'll just have my paychecks forwarded to you :roflol:

we did a "combat gun day" at sporting clays, with our pump HD guns with 18 inch barrels, no choke. We also had the kid throw them as fast as possible and without warning. It was a blast! good 3 gun practice, too

one of the reasons I shoot USPSA is at my first match, i was watching an 13-15 year old kid shooting safely with his dad with full hour 45 out of a 1911. He did well except for one stage, where he couldn't get the last row of steel and was running low on ammo. A bunch of guys came up and started loading his empty mags for him so he could continue. He got them all, and I think that was one of the best displays of sportsmanship I've seen in a while.

Bruce, I picked those up through MidwayUSA.com. they are arradondo or however you say it. I get 23 rounds no problem. Little right to load on a chambered round, but never a hiccup. It feels like your gun will never run dry!

looks great! how do the lightening cuts interfere or enhance slide manipulation? I sling shot my M&P with the rear serrations... maybe i'm doing it wrong though

hahah, well that sure is a lot of learning in the first match. My first match I realized the trick to not hitting my love handles on the draw is to loose weight and get rid of the love handles... worked like a charm!

well I have no problem blowing a ton of rounds through something to break it in... I've seen me do it! Good to know about the reliability and stuff, I appreciate it. I'm used to having some issues with smaller guns. The pm9 I had was "sticky" until it hit about 400 rounds. after that, it was smooth as butter.