Bucky

I have Ernie's Level 3 and I haven't had any misfires. Although I always use the soft Federals in matches (as he recommends), I've practiced with lots of Winchester without incident. You could always get the level I trigger job which is guarenteed to ignite anything (reasonable) and is still a vast improvement over stock.

See the tough part of this is what are the circumstances. Are you in the wilderness fending for your life, or does life go on as it is - just that the toys have been restricted to one. For life as it is today, a CCW holder is likely to pick a handgun.

I originally missed the "you can only have the one gun" in the body of the first post. Well it's winter here and it is play time. I've been dabbling with any gun I can get my hands on. Beretta Vertec, Sig 229, Sig 226, Colt 1991A1, STI, SV, Caspian, Glock... I must admit when I first started thinking about it, I thought it impossible. After my recent experiment, it was clear to me. If I could only have one, it would be my Beretta Elite II... though I might trade up for the .40 cal.

Hey Keith, Don't worry, we'll convert you next As for Nik, I think he owns a large share of Glock stock. (I'm a poet and don't know-it). -- Bucky.

Michael, It would be nice if they ever get their Web Site up to date. What model are you using? Thanks, Bucky.

After helping a few people get started in the production game (and uspsa/ipsc), they've all settled on a Beretta Elite II. (2 of which were women) They found it easier to shoot than the G34 and Sig that they tried as alternatives. Does that mean this person should run out and get an Elite II? Of course not, they should try shooting a few different guns and see what fits them best. The situations I was involved with were unique, because these people got to try out different guns on stages at real matches. I've found that the opinions I have formed shooting a gun on a range at a common firing line are sometimes different than how I feel after shooting them at a match. As for Holster, I like the Dropped and Offset Bladetech. A few extra bucks over some Kydex, but worth the extra expense, especially for women. For IPSC I'd run 3 Single mag pouches (Blade-Tech or Safariland... though the Blade-techs can do double duty in IDPA) and one inexpensive double for the back two mags such as an uncle Mikes. As for Bag, I don't have one but if I were buying new I'd go with the Shooting Connection bag. Get some tupperware pieces at your local Walmart to hold tools and extra parts. Don't worry, they'll fill up quick. Get a leatherman, lots of tools in one package. Get eye glass cleaner and the proper rags to clean glasses. Throw in a 30 gallon garbage bag. If it starts to rain, you can keep your bag dry. Also, carry some oil (I prefer Firepower FP10). Consider other suggestions offered here as well. The more into it you get, the more you'll add. What is great about this sport is many people are willing to help with ideas or to lend a tool if you do not have one on hand. Be careful, as it is easier to get carried away with this. No exxageration, but my wifes shooting bag weighs less ready to go, then mine does before I add gun, ammo and magazines!

Vlad, Sorry I missed this one on the "show new posts" somewhere down the road. If you are looking for the most versatile powder, my bet would go for 7625. You can load 115 and 147 9mms, minor .40 loads. The cool thing is, you can also shoot major .40 safely out of a non-1911 .40. In fact, at the last OB match I was using 7625 to shoot major in a Beretta Vertec .40. Oh yeah, and it also works for both major and minor .38 super loads if you ever go to the dark side. The only thing I am not sure if it will do is .45. -- Bucky.

Dang, I've been trying to catch this movie for some time now. Hope this spoiler doesn't hurt it too much.

I'd seriously look at Blade-Tech's dropped and offset model. Not only is production legal, I don't think you give up anything in speed of draw for Limited. I use one for my production gun and I've been considering getting one for my STI for limited. It allows you to get a fast positive grip without fear of loosing the gun, which is possible with open front race style holsters.

I also shoot with someone who uses a Baby Eagle and he loves it! (Vlad, you weren't talking about Phil were you?). He is using a Blade-Tech dropped and offset holster. The gun shoots very flat and he's hasn't had any trouble with it that I know of. I'm amazed at how reliable it is. It has the smallest ejection port I've ever seen on a 9mm. The extended slide release is actually becoming a detriment, since it is very easy to rest a thumb on it, preventing the gun from locking back. This is even more of a problem in IDPA. I personally don't like the very radically curved trigger. Again, he's used a Beretta Elite II, a S&W 5906 and Glocks and this is what he likes. To each his own.

The SideArmor looks like it holds the gun a little too high, and judging by the picture, it doesn't look like that part is adjustable. Preferably, I'd like a unit that has the entire trigger guard under the belt, with only the grip above the belt. Let me know if my assumption about the adjustability is wrong. Thanks for the tip. I had given this some consideration. As for the SideArmor vs. Bladetech, it appears that the SideArmor is injection molded where by many of the Bladetechs are hand molded. The hand molding doesign give you all the nice lines. I like the Bladetech for competition because I feel the hand molding give you a looser fit, which gives you less resistance on the draw. Thanks.

howardw: Have you tried the carry with the shirt tucked in? If so, how does it work with a gun as big as a Glock 19? TIA.

I knew I'd get some great info here I've checked out the web site of every recommendation here, so your responses are all appreciated. Glockster96. Looks like a great rig, but don't think it will work for me. I wear my pants on the high side, so I'm looking for a holster that will ride the gun where the trigger is at or slightly below belt level. The Comp-Tac is looking very interesting. Looks like I can drop it nice and low, like I want, and there is the option of tucking in the shirt. Something in the back of my mind keeps saying leather, but the Kydex has sure come a long way. howardw: How long have you been using it?? Sixgun: Been looking at Wild Bills Concealment. The "no such agency" looks like it might hold the gun low enough. Pictures on the web site are rough, though. The single loop may move around a bit too much to. No one on the Safariland 27? I found a place carrying one for $35. Might just pick it up to hold me over until I make up my mind (and hey, it might even work out).

Rufus, You might want to try adding the Lee undersized dies to your setup. Also, don't be afraid of having the Sizing die and the FCD die kiss the shell plate. Also, could your sizing case guage be a little "overzealous". I load Glock brass all the time to shoot in my STI and 99% pass the chamber check guage. -- Bucky.

Duane, I had the oppurtunity to borrow a friend's Mitch Rosen holster. It is a slim line ARG model and very nicely made. It is smooth on the outside so it moves with you. It has a second piece of leather around the mouth or opening of the holster. It doesn't add to the thickness because this piece is above the belt line. It has no problem keeping the mouth of the holster open, even if you lean against it. Problem is, this holster is over $200 these days. Also, the model 27 Safariland says it has a polymer insert that holds the mouth open, which I would imagine would work pretty good also. Ed, yeah I figured as much about the "drawer full of holsters". That is why I am posting, hoping to learn from their mistakes. Ray, thanks for the tip. The extreme heat looks like it carries the gun to high for my tastes. The UnderCover looks really interesting though.

From the IDPA rulebook It is pretty clearly implied, since the S&W is NOT selective double-action, that it must start hammer down and any gun started in the cocked position, must have applicable safeties applied. I'm sure if you put in a call to S&W, they would agree that this guy's ready postion is NOT "appropriate to it's design."

Thanks for all the replies so far. Ed, I've actually looked at the fist for my Kahr, but I think for a Sig 229, that is not the way you want to carry it. Does the Milt Sparks W6 keep the "mouth" open so you can reholster with one hand? I'd prefer a leather holster, but want it thin as possible. Kydex is probably thinner. Mitch Rosen makes a "Slim Line" holster that is as thin as Kydex. Trouble is, it's also $200! Also, does anyone have any opinions of the Safariland Model 27? Good price and I can use it for my 226 as well. I know BE sells Safariland stuff, but don't see this model on his site

I've been on about 30 different sights looking at IWB holsters for a Sig P229. Anyone have any recommendations to share. I wear my belt high, so model that carries the gun a bit lower is preferred. So far I like this one: The Secret Agent 2 But it's a bit pricey. It'd be nice to handle before I buy, but not a lot of places have great holster selections. TIA.

Vlad, What kind of .40? There is a difference between a 1911 .40 loaded long and a Glock/Sig/CZ.... .40. For the longer loads, then N320 is good because it is really good in the 9mm and one of the better powders for .40 "LONG". I am a little hesitant of using a fast powder like N320 in a factory .40, though I know others that do. If that were the case, I'd go with a medium burn powder such as Universal Clays or IMR 7625 or N320. Note: I use Universal Clays in my 147 9mm, Dave O uses N320 in his 147 9mm. [Added] Fast powders are ok in "stock" .40s for shooting minor.

The mag extends 1/2" in the front and 3/8" in the back. If I remember correctly, the flush fit still extends the width of the base pad (1/8" perhaps?).

Does anyone know if a Caspian Widebody frame, built to standard 5" configuration fits in the IDPA box with a factory 19 round .38 super magazine? If not, how 'bout the flush fit pro mag? If it fits, is there any other reason this wouldn't be ESP legal? TIA.

I needed to do this mod on all my Safariland pouches, to include the single stack rig with 771s and 077s and an Old Ernie hill belt, my STI rig with 771s and old Safariland belt and my Production rig with Safariland 773s and new nylon Safariland belt.

Can anyone tell me what the XD grips safety does, specifically. (Yes, I know if prevents the firing of the gun ). For example, the 1911 grip safety blocks the trigger bow or like the kimber it also raises the firing pin stop out of the way. I was looking at a parts breakdown and it was hard to determine what is going on inside the XD. BTW: There are a whole lot of parts to this thing!! Not anywhere near the simplicity of a Glock... I was surprised to see this. TIA.

Nik, Thanks, I couldn't have said it better! Erik, Yes I read the PM after my post. And I'm sorry I missed that you mentioned the Executive members. Still, consider the actions I am discussing are due to a board meeting notice. It appears (and I don't know the bylass, so I say appears) that the board has some influence in what the rule book will be. Also, I feel it is good to discuss in case anyone sees something I've missed that solves the problem. I'll be the first to admit I just breezed through both the final draft of the rules and the board minutes, so I was hoping to see a ... yeah but rule x.y.z covers this. And as Nik said, the point wasn't getting across clearly at first to all. So the back and forth hashing shall cease, but I'd like to see the thread remain open for any new points or developments... of course that's up to you. Thanks for the PM. ~bucky~

Well, it didn't say you could only have one gun so I assume I can keep the ones I already have That doesn't say it makes this any easier. I even had to sleep on this. I'd say a Steyr Aug A2 (A2 has the rail). And we're talkin' the real one with the rock and roll switch!!