SoCalDep

The "rules" are a far second place to safety. So is a stage plan, clearing the mind, relaxing, mentally and physically getting prepared to shoot, and anything else firearms related. PERIOD. I'm not saying we treat everyone like an idiot. What I'm saying is that as the people responsible for safety on a range, it is our absolute responsibility to make sure that range is as safe as possible while still allowing a fun match (nothing is completely safe). That means we need to be constantly thinking about what we can do better. One of those things we can do better is to understand the dynamics of human behavior and physiological training. If you don't expect everyone to show up a B or better shooter, then you better be prepared to deal with the realities that come with the lesser experienced. We need to keep in mind that it is "natural" to put the trigger finger on the trigger. I know it's a horrible inconvenience, but if our range commands started with "make ready and then safely holster with your finger on the frame", there might be a whole lot less DQs. Much, much more importantly, we'd be encouraging safe firearm manipulation. If an expert didn't or doesn't like it... then I'm more concerned about them than the new shooter.

I have have no problems with standards, but I’ll be damned if I hold anyone to higher standards than myself. If you can’t give clear commands that support safety, then you are part of the problem. I’ve seen experts with tons of experience make mistakes as I’m sure others have as well. We can make excuses as to why someone else is an idiot, but the fact is that safety is the responsibility of the person running the range, and we can be safer with a little bit of ingenuity and thought and problems can be avoided. Some people would rather chastise than prevent.

Here's my take, and I've stolen a lot of it from others who I can't remember, so I'm sorry, but credit goes to you... whoever you are... Firearm manufacturers spend millions of dollars to make their products as ergonomic as possible. This means it is absolutely natural to place your finger on the trigger. If that is the case (and it is) then it is unnatural to keep your finger off the trigger. Other than picking noses and pulling triggers, almost everything we do involves contracting all four fingers together. Then, as instructors, range officers, range officials, line safety officers, etc., we expect that with a simple pre-match, class, session, etc., warning of "keep your finger off the trigger", people will simply follow that instruction with more ability than any other skill we'd teach. That is crap. We need to make our instructions very clear. We need to contribute to good habits by not only enforcing them, but encouraging and reminding them whenever possible. This means that a "holster" command could easily include "with your finger straight on the frame, safely holster". We also need to stress that trigger finger discipline is a skill that necessitates deliberate practice (ie: Slow deliberate holstering) as much as any other firearm manipulation skill. If we're doing nothing but a safety brief at the beginning, then we should also tell people they need to shoot a 2.5 second Bill Drill, and if they can't... just go home. I'm not saying personal responsibility isn't important, or that safety shouldn't be "enforced"... It absolutely should, and violations, especially grievous violations should be dealt with firmly... but knowing the dynamics of how fingers go on triggers, we can do much more to prevent the issue with a little creative problem solving.

I just put a TRS-25 on my Mossberg 500 to play around with the concept (took a class last month where the instructor was a big proponent of red-dots on shotguns) and it definitely doesn't need a riser on the standard sporting stock. In fact, it could use a "lowerer". I'm eventually going to pick up a Magpul stock with the riser set to try to get the best cheek-weld, though the shotgun is usable without it. I haven't zeroed the sight or put any rounds through the shotgun since install, so we'll see how it does in terms of reliability, durability, and holding zero. I picked up the rail through Brownells and it was less than $20.

I can't help you regarding troubleshooting, but I purchased a TTI stainless carrier a few weeks ago and it's been great! I've only put around a hundred rounds through it so far but it has been 100% reliable. I hope it works out for you and I'll be interested to follow this thread.

Other people will answer with more authority, but I have an M2 and the stock is not interchangeable with the M1 due to a different contour in the receiver. I "think" the barrels interchange but don't quote me on that. I'm not aware of any substantial reliability or durability improvement in the M2 over the M1. That said, I've heard that M1s might be sprung a little different which can require a break in and potentially limit types of ammo that work reliably. I've used trap loads, standard buckshot, low recoil slugs, and std slugs with no problems at all from day 1. I had to lend my M2 to a partner because the M1 he was using wouldn't cycle the trap loads. It's anecdotal, but that's my experience.

The Nordic is (from what I hear) a good option, and there are some others...Elzetta makes a clamp/light mount that mounts a light directly; http://www.lapolicegear.com/elzetta-zsm-shotgun-flashlight-mount.html?gclid=CLL1r5T2nL4CFWgF7AodaAIA5g I have a GG&G sling/light mount on mine...it works ok and brings the light back a bit further, making it easier to use, but it also sets the light out a bit further to the side and requires a separate light mount. I tried a VTAC mount with a Surefire modified E2 LED and the e-series adapter broke shooting slugs, allowing the light to move. I switched to a 6P LED, took out the adapter and it stayed put but I didn't like the light so I took it off. I'm leaning heavily toward the older Surefire integrated forend weapon-light. I don't like the newer 600 lumen version so I'm going to try to find the old version and install a high-lumen drop-in.

Hey Penny, Are you the "CA Wheel Burner" who gave me the web address at Outer Limits? I was the guy shooting the Beretta in Limited and had the "LA County Bed and Breakfast" shirt on Friday. I checked out the web page and am looking forward to going to a match. I'll be shooting a stock S&W M65 3" out of an old duty holster. (How's that for non-competitive!!!) I just need to get the reloader set up so I can develop some loads that shoot to point-of-aim. I've decided to dump the Beretta for competition and am using my Para P-16 in .40S&W. Now that I finally have a place to reload I'm looking to improve between now and next years match. I came in at 114.92 Seconds which is about 12 seconds faster than my last Steel Challenge Match in 2002. My last practice score was 110.6something with the Beretta so I know that I can do better. I choked on speed option (one of my better stages) and that added a bunch to my time, but I felt pretty good about both "Pendulum" and "Outer Limits". My wife is very interested in getting into competition and she likes Beretta so my old gun is now hers. It has adjustable sights, a fixed trigger stop, lighter Wolff springs, and is modified to fire from the single action mode. (With complete safety) I won a Sure-Fire M3 Combat light, the one with the little "impact bevel" thing at the front end. I took it to work to show off my "Super non-LAPD PC deadly flashlight"! It was popular. I also got a hogue overmolded PG Stock set and a gift certificate for a Ted Blocker Holster. I already ordered the holster and I'm looking forward to it. The Steel Challenge is a great match and I'm already looking forward to next year. I was impressed with everyone there, and really look forward to meeting everyone again.