A38337

Ensure you have good lighting and visually verify the powder charge looks correct before you seat each and every bullet.

VERY much looking forward to the Paul Howe stuff since that will be the closest I can get to training with him.

Dillon's service is A+++

You will wonder how you managed without it. Be sure to get the Dillon vibratory primer loader, if you do not already have one. Take a little time to get to know the 1050 before loading mass quantities. There is a learning curve to it. And as noted above, changing cartridges is not that hard if you have a conversion ready to go, and especially if you are using the same type primer (9mm to 40, for example).

The Panteao videos are not out just yet. Soon. I'll be looking to buy some of them, as well.

XDman - DEFINITELY take the class with Matt (or any top shooter). In 2010 I took classes from Matt Burkett and Ben Stoeger. I've previously taken a class from Travis Tomassie. I would take classes from them again in a heartbeat. Classes teach you so much more than watching videos. You have a top GM looking at YOUR shooting, telling you how to improve YOUR shooting. Well worth it.

Will be hard to stay to 3k. I'd look at a tuned STI from Dawson or Brazos, or if you are willing to spend more, a custom from any of the big names.

Both are necessary, but . . . If you are capable of a high degree of accuracy, you can sacrifice some accuracy for speed when the situation dictates. Remember, the entire brown target is not what you're shooting for. The A zone is your true target. Generally, you want to be shooting 90% A's at your best natural speed. If you are shooting out of control, you won't get good results.

Have the following: Burkett (all) Cooley's rifle DVD 3GM (both) Magpul (all carbine and rifle) Jerry Michulek's carbine DVD Also, recently Watched Saul's Masterclass 1, 2, and The Mental Game None of the DVDs cover rules per se (with the exception of Burkett's IPDA DVD), although they are mentioned in passing. Best way to learn rules is to take a RO class (it'll make you a better shooter, for sure). None of the DVDs specifically address production, although it is covered. All of the DVDs have different styles and pros and cons. None of them are "bad". You can get ALL of Burkett's DVDs in a package deal right now for $135. That is a killer deal. http://www.predatortactical.com/DVDs-and-Books-c17/ After that, I would get Saul's Master Class 1 and 2.

Please advise: What do you want to do with it? Which sport? Which division? Are you going to reload for it?

AAR: IPSC/USPSA Shooting Class Sep 11-12, 2010 at the Renton Fish and Game Club Range Instructor: Ben Stoeger (shoots a Beretta 92 like it was an open division gun) About the reviewer: 12+ yrs shooting IPSC on and off, and 5+ yrs shooting IDPA on and off. Attendee of prior IPSC focused classes, and numerous other shooting classes. Caveat/warning: as with any/all AARs, there will be errors herein, any/all of which are solely the fault of the author (me). I just want readers to know that when I write Ben said, to take my words with the proverbial grain of salt, as context and meaning is subject to interpretation. If you want to know what Ben teaches, my best advice to take a class from him (which I highly recommend), and not rely upon this AAR for the definitive this is what Ben teaches. This was an advanced level class (it was understood prior to the class that it would not be a basic level class), comprised of 6 experienced USPSA and IDPA shooters (several M and A classifications). For this class, all but one shooter used production division guns, the lone ranger using an open division gun. The class was very informal yet well structured, and much learning occurred. The excellent instructor to student ratio allowed for a high level of interaction and feedback. Most of us can't afford to take a 1 on 1 class from an instructor. However, since this class was so small, it was the next best thing to that. While Ben taught to the group, he also did a LOT of teaching to the individual. This high level of observing and providing feedback/critique was great to have. Ben reinforced what we (as individuals) did well, and provided specific, individualized things to improve on, and methods to do so. Day 1 was spent mostly on skills and drills. Day 2 was a 7 stage match, after which problematic stages/arrays/targets were revisited, discussed, and reshot multiple times in part and/or in whole, with tips and critique from Ben, so students could make further improvement in problematic areas. How would I rate this class? Both thumbs up, to say the least. I was more than satisfied with the class and would train with Ben again in a heartbeat. Ben was a very good instructor. As opposed to some other instructors, he first observed the shooters to get an idea of the proficiency of the shooters, and then formed his class around what these particular shooters needed, as opposed to teaching step by step from a pre-determined lesson plan. If there was something the shooters weren't getting, he spent extra time on it. If we got it, he moved on to other stuff. In addition to content, teaching style was excellent. Ben presented things in a simple way that made sense, and was always able to explain the why behind the what, and the pros and cons of alternate methods. Ben was very open, approachable, and down to earth. In something I've never seen an instructor do before, Ben went far and above anything I've ever seen by putting together a 7 stage match for the shooters (w/o any help, AFAIK, and not just simple stages that were easy to setup, either), and intended to tear them down by himself (everyone pitched in and helped). He had no problem staying as late as anyone wished, and we went very late on day 2. Ben was all about doing whatever it took to help the students. Day 1 Personal introductions (didn't take long - most everyone knew one another), overview of the class, safety brief. These were all done in a KISS manner. It should be noted that prior to the class, Ben had asked for everyone to send him email describing their shooting experience, ability, and what they wanted to get out of the class. Next, we went over to bay 3 where Ben had already setup a field course for the purpose of assessing student skill levels. Despite the simple appearance, it had several tricky shooting problems designed into it, with varied options depending on shooting abilities. Everyone shot this once and it was run as a stage in a regular match would be (briefing, walk-through, use of timer, scoring, taping). Ben observed everyone shoot so he could get an idea as to abilities of the shooters. This was followed by moving over to bay 1, where shooters repeatedly fired 2 shots at a IPSC target 20 yards distant, with the goal of putting all shots in the A zone. No time limit was specified. Prior to shooting, everyone said they could accomplish this with no problem. It turned out that this simply was not so. Myself included. After this, Ben discussed the draw, providing general and specific info for improvement. Shooters performed repeated draws on the clock on IPSC targets at 5 yards. Additional instruction/repetition of the draw was provided by everyone drawing and firing into the berm (w/o using a target), to show how fast shooters can draw and fire. They should be able to draw at the same speed into the A zone. We then fired into an ISPC target, to show it could be done at the same speed as the shots into the berm. The lower and upper A zones were used, so as to vary the drill and provide additional training benefit. Regarding sight focus, target focus, etc., Ben explained that sight alignment, sight picture, focus point (front sight, target, etc) varies with the difficulty of the shot. For example, target focus is often faster and accuracy just fine for close targets, and a high degree of front sight focus would be necessary for 50 yard shots. When shooting full targets up close, you might only need to focus on the target while putting the fiber of your front sight on the target. During the class, Ben continually reminded shooters to push themselves in practice, to practice at high speed and go faster and faster until they experience problems (push until it falls apart), then slow it down just a little and work on those problems. You'll get used to the new normal (which is faster than the old normal) and keep repeating this cycle of improvement. Several of us admitted that we don't do this in practice, and it's likely a major reason that our performance has plateaued. It was noted that I waste time during the draw by continuing to push down on the pistol after establishing a firing grip in the holster (likely due to my daily use of level 3 retention holster). This might be only 1 or 2 tenths of a second, but over the course of a match, this adds up. Ben helped shooters refine the draw by breaking the draw down into steps and using a timer and par times to determine how long it takes to perform each step of the draw. As a step was practiced and refined, the timer showed the improvements. This technique could be used to refine other skills, and could also be used with video. Following the above, Ben discussed how the application of the fundamentals of shooting (sight picture, trigger control, grip, etc.) can be varied by the shooter, depending on the ease of difficulty of the shooting problem (close range, far range, tight shots, etc). Ben's take on stance was very simple. The main thing is to keep your shoulders in front of your hips. He also told us that stance didnt have much to do with recoil control (grip is the important thing for that). The above was applied practically by shooting Bill Drills at different distances: 10, 5, 20 yards. Each shooter shot on a different target at each distance, to provide better feedback on what they were doing. Next up was shooting on the move, forward and backward. This is another skill that Ben thinks that shooters, for the most part, can go faster on. About this time, we broke for lunch. On returning, Ben discussed speed loads. We shot repeated drills of 2 rounds from the holster, a speed load, and then 2 more rounds, while Ben observed shooters and provided critique. Ben suggested to several of us that we keep the pistol vertical for a bit longer, so the magazine leaves the pistol quicker. We did this at close distance (about 3 yds), to work on speeding up those reloads and also on speed of shooting. Ben recommended the drill above as a good practice drill. In what I found to be one of the most useful segments of the class, Ben setup multiple targets with no shoots on them in various positions. He explained that the shooter can draw an imaginary line starting from the A zone away from the no shoot, and toward the open areas of the ipsc target. Shots should be fired somewhere along this line. Of course, if the lower A zone is too difficult/risky, the upper panel may be a better option. Of course for an open gun, there is also sight offset to compensate for. We then put this method to use by shooting at the targets. Next up was a review of grip. Bens preferred technique is for the firing hand to grip the pistol about as firmly as when using a hammer, and for the support hand to use what he called a crush grip, which he states enhances not only recoil control for speed shooting, but also accuracy. A loose support hand grip leads to poor accuracy. Ben recommended experimenting with grip pressure by shooting bill drills at 25 yds and using decreasing par times to push yourself to shoot faster. When asked about elbow position, bent or unbent, Ben stated that this doesnt matter much. He locks his elbows, but unlocked elbows dont make a difference. We practiced this for ourselves by firing multiple round strings at about 20 yards. The crush grip using the support hand is very important, as of course the harder you grip with the firing hand, the more likely you are to cause trigger freeze. For me, the use of the word crush gave me a very good mental picture of what I should be doing. This is another area where I can make measurable improvements. Ben recommended a practice drill of shooting at 7 yards from the holster, 2 rounds freestyle, 2 shots strong hand, and 2 shots weak hand (all 6 shots fired as 1 string of fire) quickly. The one hand shooting especially will show errors in grip and trigger finger placement. I found that applying more grip pressure than my usual amount definitely helps when shooting 1 handed. And of course, Ben recommended we practice shooting at distance to make shooting closer targets easier. We should practice at 25 yards, 50 yards, etc. Next up was man v man steel shootoffs using steel poppers and a plate rack. Ben put up $20 of his own money to award to the overall winner, to provide an extra measure of motivation to excel. Afterward, we returned to bay 3, where Ben altered the field course from the mornings assessment, primarily adding no shoots, changing the angles of some targets, setting up some additional problems and options, and also adding more distant targets (including a popper). During the walkthrough, options and tips were discussed. Each shooter shot the course, and Ben observed and debriefed them. Next up, was an anti double tap set of exercises emphasizing speeding up transitions and shooting with cadence, as opposed to the all too typical two fast bangs, long pause, two fast bangs, long pause, etc. As Ben explained, there is major time to be saved by devloping transitions. Moving into and out of shooting positions is an area where a lot of unnecessary time can be added during a course of fire. Ben suggested entering a position by taking a long final step with the outside foot. Of course, you should be mounting the gun a few steps before arriving, Have your shoulders stopped prior to shooting, or you'll have problems putting shots where you want them. I found this out the hard way on day 2 during the practice match. We practiced this by starting in the middle of a shooting bay, then moving to the left and engaging, and moving to the right and engaging. Ben noted that slapping the trigger occurs more often that we probably realize, particularly when shooting from trigger reset (I believe that this is yet another reason that gripping the gun tighter helps accuracy during high speed shooting). Ben didn't shoot much during the class, preferring instead to use a red gun to demonstrate most skills, but he did selectively shoot his Beretta (Elite II) to show us things. It is stock, except for a Dawson fiber front sight (.125 wide) and a wide Novak rear sight (.180)?. One of the best parts of the class for me was Ben's method of dealing with no-shoots and partials. He suggested drawing a line from the A zone, in the direction away from the no-shoot or partial, and shooting somewhere along this line. We practiced this in live fire with targets arrays incorporating no shoots of various difficulty. That was the last part of Day 1. Round count for the day was about 600. On the morning of Day 2, I arrived early anticipating setting up the practice match, and found that Ben had already setup a 7 stage match, complete with complex arrays, vision barriers, steel, movers, etc. Very little remained to be done. Some of the other shooters brought a laptop and scoring software, and the match was scored like a real match. Shooting the match took until about 2pm, at which time we broke for lunch. After lunch, Ben addressed problems he saw occurring during the match. We repeatedly reshot entire stages and also parts of states that we struggled with during the match, and were thus able to try out different methods, and see what improvement (or lack of) resulted. It should be noted that the shooters provided a lot of valuable feedback to one another, which greatly enhanced the learning. AAR readers, please know that from here on, the AAR doesn't flow quite as well when reading, as we did jump around between different skills. First up was swingers. Ben stressed to always have a plan, and advocated ambushing/trapping it at the end of its arc, as opposed to tracking it and thus putting shots into the no shoots that a crafty stage designer will often place next to the swinger. Time the swinger so you know how much time elapses from the moment the activators is shot/stepped on/pulled until the swinger is in position to shoot it, and use this time to address other targets. You can also look for bullet impacts on the berm to judge the point at which the swinger can be engaged. It definitely helps to know what you can do (time to shoot targets at x distance, time to transition targets at x distance, etc) so you can make an educated plan, not a guess of what you can do while you're waiting for the swinger. It you rush hits on the swinger points will suffer. Risky plans leave too much to go wrong, and that can cost you a lot. A better way is a plan that carries less risk. You should shoot swingers in practice. And of course, swingers the expose at the end of their arc need to be addressed differently than swingers that expose in the middle of their arc, are are exposed only through a port, etc. You may have to settle for shooting 1 shot per pass. When/as you shoot, you should be calling your shots. Calling your shots is a basic skill that many shooters do not have a grasp on. A few more take aways from the class for me personally - I thought I had a grip (pun intended) on 1 hand shooting, but after shooting a stage in the match that used a Rhodesian wall, I found that I really need to practice 1 hand shooting so I can avoid doing the c-more shuffle. Programming/visualizing course of fire during the walk through and the on deck time has to be done more thoroughly. I found that I can shoot fast, but of course I can shoot faster than I can control my shooting, so for me at this time, there is a point beyond which the faster I go the more problems I cause. Ben pointed out that I'll be fast even if I think I'm slow. I need to be in control of my shooting and wait to see the requisite sight picture for the shot and apply what Brian Enos calls visual patience. Hope that was informative. To reiterate, I highly recommend training with Ben.

to check when the Tac rifle matches are, go to the website of the Custer Sportsmens Club It's not a 3 gun match, but they host a "Tac Rifle" match up at Custer every month. Here are some vids from that match. Where can I get dates/times for these matches? I am considering relocating to WA and want to stop by and see the match, I already have the USPSA matches on my calendar.

I have 2 pairs of Pro Ears Magnums, and 1 set of Peltor Tac 6. One of the Pro Ears is about 11 yrs old and has been sent back to the manufacturer once when the electronics stopped working. The other set if about 5 yrs old and has also been back once for the same reason. I've gone through several headbands and ear-seals for each set of the Pro-Ears. I will not be buying any more ProEars. The plastic headband does not provide enough tension for an adequate seal when wearing eyepro. The headband loses what tension it has very quickly. This is my biggest complaint. You can get a metal behind the neck band, but that doesn't work for me. I have asked repeatedly over the years if they will develop a metal over the head band and they always say they have no plans for this. The ProEars are not waterproof (which is important where I live). The ProEars have bukly knobs that catch on things and accidentally switch on, thereby draining the batteries. The batteries do not last all that long, anyway. I will say that when the ProEars are working and they are relatively new, the sound quality is very good. As to the Tac 6s, they are about 12 yrs old and still work. Not great, but they work. They also fit under a PASGT helmet. My next set of electronic ear pro will be either MSA/Sordin Pro-X, or the Peltor Com-Tac II. Both have their fans in the tactical community. They are very durable, the batteries last hundreds of hours, they fit under helmets, are waterproof, you can get a cheek weld when using them with a long gun, etc. I used to like ProEars, and for some time I thought they were THE stuff, but now I know different. My 2 cents

In addition to all the above (which was excellent), you need to consider stress management prior to shooting a stage. "Fear makes men forget, and strength which cannot fight is useless". Brasidas of Sparta (5th Century BC) When you're on deck, do some Tactical Breathing. Breathe in using a 4 count, hold it in for 4, breathe for 4, hold it for 4. Do 4 cycles of this. It'll lower your heart rate, which helps you perform better. I also like to take additional deep breaths during the LAMR process. It's good to start a stage with your blood oxygenated as much as possible. For more about how this works, read "On Combat" by Dave Grossman and/or "Sharpening the Warrior's Edge" by Bruce Siddle.

I've owned and/or used all the timers out there. IMO, the Pact MK IV XP is the best timer for practice. Once you learn how to use it, you can quickly change par times, delayed start, view specific shots and strings, etc. You can also buy skyscreens and use the timer as a chrono. Yes, it's big due to the keypad. Yes, it eats batteries (as did my CEK 8K). Wish it had a mic sensitivity adjustment for indoor ranges. IMO, the Pocketpro or the Pact club timer are great match timers. Good size, good clip, very durable. AFAIK, all the Pact products are made in Tx (if that matters to you). The buttons on the CED products have been less than reliable. Friends have a 7K and a 8K and buttons on each have stopped working. Not bashing anyone's product, just relating what I've experienced. Hope that helps,

I saw a TR24 in person today. Very nice glass, very bright reticle (red triangle on the one I saw). What are you guys going to do for 300+ yd targets? (holdover? if so how much, etc.) Thanks, SF

+1 to Supermoto's comments, specifically the below: "I find the 5" to be smoother, softer, with less muzzle jump. The 5" just feel more stable to me epecially after I shoot the shorty" I have a Bedell shorty and my dad has a Bedell shorty and a Bedell 5". I compared my shorty and his 5" back to back and put about 400 rounds through them yesterday. Still like my shorty, but to do it again, I'd get a 5". Another consideration is that it takes less powder to make the same power factor with the longer tube.

Turning the gun outward is correct, not only from a port/comp standpoint, but also a slide cycling standpoint. You can't always do this, however. Retention shooting like this, ports/comp is not so much of a problem. It's also not a very effective technique. http://f-r-i.com/images/retent.gif Better illustrations of retention technique: http://www.defensereview.com/5_14_2001/gab...be-Training.jpg http://www.outdoors.net/site/images/getima...p;ImageID=23423 When we do retention shooting in force on force, we have guys bend at the waist, do the "wash the hair" move to protect their head with their support hand/forearm/elbow and transfer their weight forward to stay standing so they have options to move (avoid going to the ground, that makes the problem more difficult to solve, particularly with multiple threats). This puts the shooters head in close proximity to ports/comp. In braced contact shooting, the most effective techniques are using 2 hands, which places the support hand fingers/palm on top of the slide where you'd have ports/comp. In the not too recent past, our state had 4 LEOs killed in just over a year in gun grabs. We train on this situation now. The results have been much better. Another application of a quasi-retention position is shooting at partial extention from a seated position, like from inside a vehicle. If you extend fully on a close threat, you're handing them the gun out the window. If you shoot from partial extension, the gun will be in close proximity to your face. The above is not to belittle the opinions and experience of anyone on this board, but my experience has been that comps on carry/duty guns cause more problems than they solve.

Merlin, While I have shot 9x23 in non-comped guns, I've not shot it in a single comp gun and I've not shot a .460 Roland. If you do, let us know how it turns out! I doubt they offer much in the way of increased terminal performance over the best of class 9x19 and .45 acp loads. The reason I say this, is that driving a .355 faster than 9x19 commercial ammo does not provide increased terminal ballistics. Example, .357 Sig does not perform any better than the best of class 9x19 defense loads. Of course, driving them faster and faster also makes them increasingly difficult to shoot well. The FBI found this out with 10mm. The original Norma 170 and 200 grn bullets did not perform vastly better than the slower Federal 180 JHP and Hydrashocks (I have their test data on all these, plus all the other testing they've done since they started publishing it). Also, apart from a ***slightly*** larger permanent cavity, there is little difference between .355 and .451 bullets. A hit to the cardio vasular or central nervous system with .355 and .451 are little different from one another, as is a non-vital hit, or a miss. Instead of searching for a modern day equivalent to Excalibur, most people are best served by developing their skills to a high degree.

In an open gun, we use larger amounts of (slower burning) powder than used in commercially produced cartridges to produce more pressure and gas volume, to work with all those plates in the large comps that we hang on the end of the pistol. The minimal comps used carry guns do not reduce muzzle flip enough to make the proverbial gnat's behind of difference in a defense situatino, and they also create a LOT of problems. About 4 guys out of 85 that I train are using compensated glocks on duty (G23C, 2 G21Cs, G17C). They all bought them because they believed the hype about how much better they would shoot. In back to back testing of comped and non comped glock models, I have found NO difference in recoil, flip, or split times. Moreover, with the comped guns, guys have the following disadvantages: They can't shoot from retention w/o high risk of injury. They can't shoot from some braced contact positions due to ***certain*** injury. When shooting in low light, they destroy their ability to see the target, and to threat discriminate and engage additional threats. Another note: there is a very good reason why military ammo incorporates flash retardant into the propellant. To show the safety issues with comped guns, I take a cardboard IPSC target and hold it about 6" over the comp, then I fire the gun. The cardboard shreds and pieces go flying. No way you'd want that happening to any part of your body that the comp gets close to.

Good advice has been given. A few years ago, I bought twin Bedell 9mm Major Shorties for my father and I. 4.5" barrel w/o ports, Ti Bedell Comp, lightened slide. Wanting to know how an identical gun with a 5.0" barrel would work for him, he had Dan build one. With the shorty, the dot does not leave the lens, but the 5" gun shoots flatter. The 5" gun is just barely slower with transitions. The 5" gun allows more powder/bullet combinations, and that longer .5" gives between 30 and 50 more fps. Dan's shorties use a full-length recoil system, and they run like a raped ape. While I don't feel that I am at a disadvantage by using a shorty, I think that a 5" gun is the best way to go. As everyone else has said, JPL builds great guns. He has done some work for me on other guns (not complete guns). He does quality work, on time, and reasonably priced. You have picked a good gunsmith!

I'll be there, and I'll work a stage. Thanks for all your work putting the match together, Chuck. Scott Fague

If you are going to shoot in the same division and class as I, then I highly recommend that you use a SB.

Open and Limited: CR Speed L10 and 3 gun: Safariland 560 (can be adjusted for singlestack and doublestack, but it's not DOH) IDPA: LE duty rig/Safariland 6280 Others I've used: Safariland 012: bulky for me, not nearly secure enough Limcat: like it a lot, but prefer the "pull-through" feature of the CR speed I REALLY liked the Guga Ribas that I saw a SSI's booth at the Open Nationals. The ability to bag/unbag a holsered gun is very nice.

3N37 and Silhouette work good for me. Bedell Shorty. No ports.