mnc516

Ok, so I'm doing pretty fair on most stages, I'm a low B shooter in Limited right now, and this is my second year. About July of last year I decided to join the USPSA and attempt to be competitive. As soon as I decided to compete, instead of just striving to get better, I started blowing classifiers. At first, I thought it was the pressure I put on myself to get "ranked", now, I'm not sure what it is... Saturday, shot a local match, averaged around 75% points in 3 stages, took first in one, but on the classifier, only got 26% and just imploded.... I do know that part of my problem was I wasn't thoroughly prepared, hadn't done enough practice, etc.. My question is, how do you break the mental block on something like this? Even as I go to the match, I tell myself just relax, take every stage one at a time, but it seems I keep blowing classifiers.... Help??

I switched from Berry's to Montana Gold FMJ and I really like the MG. Saw a few Berry's appear to tumble at .40 velocity (major) although I do use Berry's for minor for my son in production. Just my .02.

Also not "bashing" LEO's, but, I'm a framer by trade and I'm damn good with a nailer or hammer. I've spent YEARS perfecting my craft to simply do a better job and make more money. My skills with the TOOLS I use only benefit me, they in no way endanger bystanders....think about it, I know MOST LEO's will never draw their weapon, but WHAT IF???? Why do they even bother carrying them? My nailer has yet to shoot an innocent bystander and I've put millions of nails through it! On another personal note, I carry concealed daily, I pray I'll NEVER have to use my gun, but you better believe, I practice like I may have to. Professionals should be just that, professional.

I said the exact same thing over and over and have been running a Glock for the two years I've been in 3-gun, see my profile pic for the Zev custom Glock I'm running now. To get better at the pistol portion of my game, my weakest link right now, I've been shooting a lot of USPSA in the 3-gun offseason. Since December, I've taken 1st place in limited (scoring as minor) and 3rd overall behind two open shooters that are M and GM at both bigger club matches. At local practice matches I'm usually 1st to 3rd behind one M level open shooter and occasionally a guy in limited with a 2011. When I watch the limited shooter that beats me, the one BIG thing that stands out is how his .40 Edge with MAJOR PF loads and very similar grip to mine barely twitches compared to the amount my custom Glock with MINOR PF handloads. I finally got a chance to get my mitts on a CZ-75 (9mm) and a 2011 (.40) to compare the feel, the recoil characteristics, the trigger.... I do not think that having a 2011 will make someone beat a better shooter who has a Glock/xD/M&P.....but I do now believe that if you have two guys who are at the same skill level, practice level, and stage planning level....and you give one a 2011 and a little practice, he will come out ahead the majority of the time then. I've placed my order with Aaron Hayes for a custom 2011, got the holster and mag holders in from Jeremy at TheShootersSource (a huge help BTW), and will have extra TTI tuned mags inbound before long. I felt confident enough that there was a sizable enough advantage in making the change that I will easily have $4000+ wrapped up in everything before I ever pull the trigger on my own 2011. Until it arrives, I'm going to still be rocking the Zev Glock as best I can......but once it does, I'm afraid my expensive Zev custom Glock may collect dust in the safe! I absolutely agree with what you're saying!! But, in my case, being a B class shooter, I'm still working out the MAJOR time saving processes involved in target transition, etc.. For me, at least now, the minor time savings in splits don't even begin to compare with the major time loss in transitions!! My XDM is not stock, I've added a titanium guide rod which "seems" to help me in recoil management. But, I've been in construction my entire life and have a pretty good handle on recoil. As I said, until I can outperform my gun, it's not the problem. My plans are to work on stage dissection, speed in movement and cutting out the areas that I loose seconds, not fractions of seconds. When I master that, 2011 here I come!!!!

I replaced the factory pin with the Powder River pin about the middle of last season, it was fairly easy. If I'm not mistaken, Powder River has a Youtube video showing step by step instructions. My memory is foggy, but pretty sure you completely disassemble the slid assembly and then replace. 10k rounds and still going! But, I have spares!!

I had years of playing paintball to figure this out..... Put a drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid on inside of each lense, rub around with your finger, let set for a little bit, not quite dry, then wipe clean with a rag. Will give you fog free for several hours at least. Cheapest solution I've ever found.

I used Clays all last year in my XDM using 4.3 grains and range pickup brass. Hate to admit it, but during the heat of the summer, I had 4 kabooms!! Scared the crap out of me the first 2 times, and I decided, never again. I switched to Ramshot Silhouette and absolutely love it! Major load for me is 5.8 gr, 180 gr MG at 1.135 OAL. I do load .40 minor for my son to compete in Production with 3.1 gr Clays and 180gr MG. Seems to work great. As for the brass, I question using the range pick up, but it's economical. BTW, the only thing that ever happened to the XDM 5.25 Comp was a slightly bent extractor.

I've been really close to buying a custom 2011 and ditching my XDM, but I finally decided it was simply lust!! I have a good friend and mentor at my club that made GM with his Glock and then switched to a 2011. He was sponsored by SVI for several years. My thoughts, and he confirmed, it's not entirely the gun, it's the guy using it! My current goal is to make at least A class (B now) maybe Master with my XDM and use the money I would have spent on the 2011 for ammo. THEN reward myself with a custom gun! I personally am a LONG way from out performing my equipment....if I get SO good that my gun is holding me back, different story.

I started using Frog Lube a while ago on my striker fired pistols and AR's....BTW, my Kimber hated it. Started noticing that as they sat without use for a while, they seemed to gum up. Anyone else notice this, or am I doing something wrong? Initially applied the paste by warming metal parts in the oven, then continued lubing with the liquid form. My concern is my daily carry, I tend to not clean it until I shoot, but if I'm carrying it daily and it gums up, I'm concerned that it may affect the operation when I need it most! As for solvent, I switched back to a regular solvent on my barrels only cuz it seemed to me that the Frog Lube wasn't removing the fouling adequately.

I just recently switched to Ramshot Silhouette for my .40, in my opinion compared to Titegroup, it's cleaner and softer recoiling than Titegroup in a major load. I like it...

I'm almost certain I was in CJ1"s squad....it was the last stage of the day, we were all tired, mistakes happen. CJ is a total stand-up guy, honestly, it bothered him more than it bothered us, enjoyed shooting with him all day. Don't beat yourself up too much, keep at it!

Aw Rich, thanks! It's guys like you, Rob and Ron that give us new guys a hand up! See ya at the range!!

Hello all, been lurking here for awhile, decided to join and say hi! New to USPSA, enjoy shooting for many years. I'm a NRA Basic Instructor and work part time with a store out here. One major plus is that we have an awesome range here in Cody and there are some very quality shooters that are willing to give a newb a chance... I've gone out a total of three times and am shooting a XDM 5.25 .40 with a Powder river trigger and titanium guide rod. Gettin a comp DAA rig soon. Really enjoy the great info here!!