MichiganShootist

Just to add a comment about having your lead checked. 1--- Do it!!!!!!! 2--- Understand in many states the health department will be notified if a test is done that generates a result of "over some mystic number". In Michigan that is any test over 20... then you will get a call from the health department collecting information on your exposure risks. I know - - - it's more government intrustion ... Which usually ticks me off---but in this case--- they are trying to find out if you have been exposed to lead at work etc. and it is really a good idea. They asked me for the names of the indoor ranges that I frequented ... and I said that wasn't information I chose to share. They didn't push the issue and that is fine with me. They sent me a pile of brochures on range lead control safety and I agreed to pass them on to the clubs where I shoot. Many, if not all, of the older indoor ranges (I have shot in some that have been around since 1930) have inadequate air flow and no procedures to deal with lead. We just need to check our levels on a regular basis and be alert to the risks of our chosen sport. Mark

It's more of a range management issue... but two of the indoor ranges that I used to frequent before this event....always swept up the brass with a push broom after every shooter. I know we all want to save our brass but the person who contacted me from the health department said that sweeping that often during the shooting just fills the air with the lead dust. I've bought a respirator and will be wearing that this Winter and trying to get the ranges to re-consider their behavior.

My doctor said I wasn't serious enough for the therapy indicated above... it has some MAJOR side effects. He put me on 1K Mgs of vitamen C a day and had me track my water intake (which is generally large any way)... then He wanted me to and double the water intake.... which I did. The fact that the lead bonds with other elements is one of the dangers. Many think it bonds with the calcium and as such is stored in your bones.... only to be release when you reach super senior status potentially leading to alzheimers etc.

Late last Winter I started getting some tingling sensations in my toes and finger tips. At that same time one of the guys I shoot with at an indoor IDPA club announced that he had serious case of lead poisoning and wouldn't be around the club for an extended period of time. I googled Lead Poisoning and found that peripheral neuropathy (tingling of the toes and fingers) is a common symptom of lead posioning. So for the first time in my decades of shooting... I had my lead tested and it came back at 21. Anything above 10 is reported to the health department and anything over 20 is considered medically serious. (My shooting friend was at 40 and had to undergo a series of medical treatments including transfusions and he's a newer shooter in his 20s). So I worked at it all summer and as of yesterday my level was down to 9. I seriously suggest that every shooter or reloader get their level checked every year. That tingling and numbness will last forever. Here are the steps that I followed to get my level down... that you can do to avoid the problem the first place. 1 Complete elimination of indoor shooting or wear a respirator/face mask made for lead protection 2 Polish all brass out doors 3 Wear laytex gloves when handling lots of dirty brass or lead bullets 4 Brownells sell some "wet naps" which are made to eliminate lead...put some in your shooting bag. 5 Brownells also sells liquid hand soap which will eliminate lead on your hands and face. Put it in the bathrooms or your gun clubs. 6 Never eat while shooting unless you have cleaned your hands with one of the above mentioned products. 7 When you come home from a match dump all your exterior match clothes in a bag for the laundry---don't spend the day in them or put them in the clothes hamper. 8 After a match always take a shower before you go to bed. If not you will transfer lead dust from your hair to your pillow and then into your mouth and nose. Stay safe and good luck. Mark

If you guys in Fort Wayne need to lighten up-----If you want to really see Winter. This February hop in your car (a four wheel drive truck would be better) and drive about 9 or 10 hours at about 70 mph straight North. If you can find my house in the snow banks you are welcome to stop by.

I use Tite Group in 45 ACP reloads have have experienced the same thing in my 1911s and my 625 if I have the load a little too light. I will see that at 4.4 grains but not at 4.5 or 4.6

Its probably the same range.... but my 5" Springer 9 mm came from the factory with a 9 pound spring. I run a 10 pounder up to a 12 with 139 PF ammo and have never had a problem

I suggest that this thread be closed. It is going to be trouble ... and I believe the OP knew that.

Check out IDPA.com. There's lot's of information there. I love IDPA and USPSA.. they are both great shooting sports... but I don't see them "merging" or anything like that in the next 100 years. There are many Indy clubs at which you could sample "the other" shooting sport. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you want any further insight... this forum is VERY careful not to allow any controversy between the two "games... Which I believe is a good stance.

I'm a retired Management Consultant who worked in the technology end of the financial services industry for 40 years. How do I support my shooting habit???? I've been an NRA and State of Michigan Certified handgun instructor for 10 years. My classes include basic pistol, home defense, and the concealed carry class required in Michigan to get a carry license.. I also have two security companies that use me to train their new employees.

I made two signs that currently hang on the left and right side of the back window of my car. They are positioned for any one I pass or anyone who passes me to see. I drove from Michigan to Oklahoma a couple weeks ago (for the IDPA Nationals) and literally received thousands of horn honks and thumbs ups from other drivers. The two signs say Re-Elect No One

I'm a five division IDPA and 4 Division USPSA shooter. Some guys claim it's no problem... but I see a dramatic drop off in my shooting when switching back and forth. Jumping from my 625 to a 1911 is like starting damn near over (at least for me) As of 2 years ago... I pick a gun/division in February and stick with it for the season. It's increased my consistancy for sure.

None of the conversion kits I've seen will work with any form of ramped barrel. Hope that helps.

I shot SSR and ESR for 5 years and found a dry cylinder was less likely to fowl. In long matches I would brush out the cylinders a couple times during the match to keep that wheel clean.

I'm on squad 10 Friday A. M. and Saturday P. M.

Thanks Brian. (and all) Those are good insights. I think that since many of the people who are my "competition" are 30 or even 40 years younger, faster, have better equipment, and better training.....that I tend to push too hard and over run myself. That all goes along okay and I can hang with them based on experience and attitude...until there is a bump in the road and them my little train goes off the tracks. Mark

Lets See: Your truck/car pistol rifle shotgun dog school state fishing hole girl friend etc.

Thanks for all your input. GMan-Bart may the closest to helping me. On both of the stages mentioned in my post above... something went wrong... right at the buzzer or on the first set of targets and apparently I never recovered to "save the stages". One stage was a weak hand, strong hand,free style drill and I had left the safety engaged on my gun for the weak hand start...so when I tried to shoot weak hand nothing happened. I got flustered while taking off the safety with my strong hand and the SO screamed "cover" in my ear while I was taking off the safety (the SOs on this stage should have had swatikas on their arms) From there on it was all down hill. I had burned valuable time screwing with the safety and had "used up" my cover warning for the stage.... so I probably went a little faster and earned a procedural and missed a point blank head shot free style. I need to really give the mental preparation part of this game as much thought and time as I do dry fire drills! Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. Mark

If there is a pattern ... I can't see it. On the two stages at the MI match that I trashed.... one was lots of long shots and I took far too many extra shots and ended up with very few points down... but a terrible time.... but one target had a FTN penalty too. The other disaster was a standards stage where I received a "cover" procedural and just missed a couple point blank shots at very close range. The only common factor in those two stages was that they were late in the 13 stage match on a VERY hot and humid day. Yes I was hydrated... there is always lots of G-2 in my cooler:)

I am a B/Expert level 65 year old shooter. In the 2010 "season" I have shot in dozens of club matches, three level 3 USPSA matches, and 4 Sanctioned IDPA matches. (I shoot a lot more IDPA over the year than USPSA because of my access to USPSA clubs is limited) I have won or am generally close to the top of the pile in Super Seniors/Distinguished Seniors.... but in the middle to bottom of my classification over all. (At the MI state IDPA match -- for example -- I was HOA Distinguished Senior but dead last place out of 10 ESP Experts) After spending some major time reviewing my score sheets... a pattern is really clear. I SHOOT AT A VERY COMPETITIVE LEVEL IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF STAGES... BUT---I TANK ONE OR TWO STAGES AT EACH MATCH SO BADLY THAT IT DESTROYS MY SCORE. (In the 13 stage MI match two stages accounted for 33% of my score. More than triple the top shooters.) YIKES !!! So is this just what I should expect as an aging shooter, or an issue of having a Senior moments, or is there some way I can amp up my focus to be more consistent. There seems to be no common thread on the "bombed" stages...that I can work on.. so it must be mental???? Any suggestions, especially from "seasoned" shooters would be appreciated. Mark

I have a twin of the OP gun. Mine was built in 1981. I bought it from the original owner. It had never been in a holster and according to the seller he probably shot 2 boxes of ammo through it. The only thing missing was the box:( It's a safe queen now:)

Thats what I'm talking about!!!!! This is all good information and not "stuff" that is on the USSA www site or that has been provided by the IDPA thus far. Thanks !!! The videos of the range make it look so G-normous... I was worried about the logistics. My Uncle-in-law will be a major distraction.. but I wanted to make sure this was an effort that he could physically handle. Any other insights from shooters who have been at an IDPA National event at this venue would be greatly appreciated. Mark

Yes you do. CDP was increased but ESP stayed the same.

I shoot the same exact pistol you have and I also run Tripp mags. In choosing mag. wells and other optional parts you need to be careful about weight. It is VERY easy to pass the 43 oz limit in ESP/IDPA. I use soft rubber slab grips and the Wilson mag well that hooks over the grip bushings. It's not the largest... but it allowed me to "make weight" and with the flexible grips it works just fine. BUT IF YOU ARE SHOOTING ESP AT THE NATIONALS.. I'D SUGGEST THE BIGGEST HEAVIEST MAG WELL YOU CAN FIND

I will be participating in the IDPA National Match in Tulsa, OK at this facility in late September. What can you tell me that will be helpful about the facility. My wife's 83 year old uncle lives in Tulsa and he will be hosting me during the match... In return he wants to accompany me so information on what we can expect or what we need to take along would be helpful. I have a range cart and am already planning on a cooler, a "bag" chair so that he can rest, and probably an umbrella for shade. - - Will we have a 2 miles walk from the parking lot? - - Is there any shade? - - How about rest rooms? - - How about a place to buy food or drinks? You guys get the idea. Thanks in advance for your tips. Mark