The Donald

I look at gas tubes as a maintenance item, the melonnite tubes clean easier than a stainless tube. I clean my gas tube with a shot or two of brake clean, then a couple blasts of compressed air. Then go through and clean the rest of the upper/barrel.

Ben Stoeger Pro Shop shopping@benstoegerproshop.com

I like the idea, but my 650 has a case feeder, any other way is a lot of time de-priming 5,000-6,000 cases

I have 3 presses, a T-7, 550 and 650. I load between 3,000 and 6,000 rounds of 9mm at a time, so de-priming on anything other than the 650 takes a lot of time. I'm kind of lucky I get all my 9mm brass from a Fed training range so it is indoors, no crimped primers and all the same brand. The brass has been dry tumbled, but other brass like .223, etc want to clean before de-priming and a serious cleaning.

Related to wet tumbling brass, do you guys clean brass at all before de-priming the brass to wet tumble? I hate running dirty brass through my press to de-prime.

Don't feel bad going to a big match and not being one of the top shooters. If the big matches were only for the top shooters then 30-40 people would shoot the match and everyone else could sit and watch. Shooting sports is different than most other sports, any safe shooter can shoot the match. You're not going to see just anyone pay their fee and race in the Daytona 500, or play in the U.S. Open, you you can shoot right with the big pros in 3 gun.

Contact SLR, they are good people and stand behind the product with both technical advice and service. One question, how old is the gas block?

I think it is more mental when you can do a good press, but then it all falls apart. Last weekend at a match we had a stage with targets with a lot of hard cover and it was Virginia count. I mentally got myself ready with 'sights, press sights, press' over and over mentally until i could close my eyes and see myself doing it. Got all 'A' zones on the stage and turned a decent time. Then did a classifer with all head shots, but did not mentally prepare. Was not pretty..

Strong probably, they are talking with Copperhead Creek where the match was at originally. The only thing I didn't/don't care for at Reville Ranch where is was this year is how dusty the ground is, but it is so big you can build some very interesting stages.

Red Stitch beats everyone elses using magnets to secure the paddle retainers. MGM's springs that hold the paddles wear out real easily and you have to buy the spring from MGM and they are expensive. Other option MOA Targets good quality and reasonable priced. MOA offers Texas Star kits too.

FLP's hate cheap ammo, Winchester AA, Remington Nitro 27 Golds will work. Buy a couple boxes of each.

Why on all these show everyone is a Navy Seal? I guess with gun shows getting scarce every Seals has to do something else. On the original show Thomas Magnum had been in Navel Intelligence, fits a lot better.

I bought a pack of 8-32 'Chicago Nuts' and button head socket head cap screws. For belts other than ELS, just drill a small hole, then push a soldering iron through the hole. For Velcro it pulls the outer nice and tight to the inner belt, I know guys that still have their belts lap over. I trim mine off so the have a 3-4" gap at about 4:30.

I bought 1" extended release buckle and tab, really love it the bigger buckle is a lot easier to tighten and release over the smaller one Carbon Arms sells.

Slides can be a bit of a wait from STI

A couple guys that shoot OPEN around here have built a 2011 'carry optics' type pistol. Use a sight tracker with ports in the barrel and slide mounted optics. Much easier to carry in a normal retention holster and they are 9mm, since 3 gun has no power factor.

Thanks for the tip on ratchetingbuckles.com, ordered a couple Friday had them Monday. Very good prices too.

Cabela's/Vortex scopes are a real good scope and many times are on sale. I bought a 20-60 angle Razor HD for $600 on sale.

400 yds isn't that far, but try 77 gr Noslers or Sierras. Both can be loaded mag length

ELS belt with a Carbon Fiber ratchet is the way to go. Just be sure to Locktite all the screws as you put stuff together.

I have a separate caddy for slugs and they are different color.

Do you want to shoot both IDPA and USPSA? If so get a M&P for production, or carry optics. Only difference is you'll need slight different holster set ups. To try to shoot the same gun in production and limited is really self defeating. Concentrate on one class.

I agree, none were hidden, just brain farts, either back up and shoot or let it stand.

My 1301 is 24" barrel IC chokes, have good luck with Freedom Munitions, B&P and Hertner slugs.

I heard stage 2 had a lot of DG's due to passing a target and turning around to shoot it.