JDW174

Like most of you, I blacken out any color at all on the rear sight, including white dots. I use the Dawson front sights in about as narrow a configuration as I can get. Their F/O's are about as bright as you'll find anywhere.

Stock recoil spring on the ROCK Ultra FS is listed at 12lb. Colt lists their 9mm's at 14#. Mine was flawless with the stock spring, but I swapped it out for a Wolff 10#. It still runs 100%, but the recoil seems even softer. I've heard of shooters using 8#, but I'm not going that low.

I shoot Freedom Munitions FMJ ammo all the time. I also have a couple of cases of Speer Lawman 147gr with a flat point FMJ that has functioned 100%. You mentioned recoil, and the 115gr rounds are snappy in both the Rock and my G19. The 147's are a lot softer.

Well, I don't compete in USPSA, but I have the same pistol and use it in IDPA ESP class. So far, through 2000 rounds, it's been 100%. I don't reload, but I do use 147gr. ammunition. Recoil is much improved over 115 and 124gr. Stock spring weight for the 9mm FS is 12lb. I replaced that with a Wolff 10lb and can feel a difference in recoil over stock (a bit softer). I've read of some who use an 8lb, but have not tried this. Our match director loads 160gr Bayou Bullets in 9mm. I've shot some of his ammo and they're even softer recoiling than the 147's. If you're interested, I can ask what load he uses. As for magazines, I have both Wilson and McCormick 10-round and they all function 100%. If you don't have one, I suggest the purchase of an Uplula mag loader. Getting the last round or two in those can be hard on the thumb. If you're comfortable with the front sight as it is, fine. Personally, I found the blade to be too wide, nearly filling the rear notch. Armscor uses a .06 FO insert in their front sight. I replaced this with a new front from Dawson that's.180 tall and .100 wide and uses a smaller .04 FO rod. Hopefully I've been a little help to you.

Same here, only mine are Wilsons and McComicks.

Freedom's 147 is my match round for IDPA, and it's very accurate to boot. I still have a stash of their 115gr that I'll shoot up in practice, but the recoil is definitely snappier than the 147. I also have a couple of cases of SPEER Lawman 147gr (advertised at 970fps) that is every bit as accurate as the Freedom. All these makes have been 100% reliable in both my 1911's and Glock 19.

Advertised velocity on their website is 890fps. 890 x 147 = 130,830. I agree it shoots VERY soft.

You might make friends with the MD at your local IDPA club and when he makes his target order, ask him to include a box for you.

IDPA is definitely FUN, but go into it remembering that it's a GAME. If you want to be better prepared to handle yourself on the street, I suggest you find a good shooting school and get some first-class instruction there. IDPA has a lot of rules, some of which I don't necessarily agree with, but nonetheless, it's a really good time.

I have the Custom DK in both my G34 and G19. The 34 is for range use and I started out with the supplied 4# striker spring. Trigger pull showed 3#. Had no problems at first, then one day I had 2 misfires due to light strikes. I switched to the 4.5# spring (also supplied) and have not had a problem since. I use the same spring in my 19, with both guns now pulling at 3.5#.

I shoot a G19 and a G34 in IDPA. The 147 does indeed shoot softer in both of them. I order all my ammo online. Some places will ship for free as long as you buy by the case.

Been shooting Freedom's 147fmj in my 19. Very low recoil impulse, gun functions well and they're accurate.

Check out the videos from Dawson on YouTube or their website. They show how to do it. I installed my own without a bit of trouble.

Depends on what class you want to compete in. If you want to shoot in SSP, then it's a no-no. If you add the things I did, then you go up to ESP class. My DK trigger pulls at 3.5# using the 4.5# firing pin spring with no problems.

I have Dawson sights on my 34, and the Warren-Sevigny's on my 19. I kinda prefer the Warren's myself. The 34 is for IDPA ESP class, and has a ZEV magwell that allows the use of stock magazines, a DK Custom trigger, and a Wolff SS guide rod and their 14# spring. BTW, it's a Gen 3.