gpappy

Instead of "waiting for the right Major to get bumped" why don't they just shoot the classifier in Master time? Is getting bumped or getting a semi - sandbagging win as expert their goal? Just curious. Because they don't get a trophy and bragging rights that way. Look at the scores at any major match and you will often find that the top 2 or 3 expert shooters would place 3rd or 4th in Master, sometimes higher. I earned my expert classification the old fashion way, by shooting the classifier but that isn't a very popular way to do it. Like the post up higher stated, once you have master in SSP you can shoot ESP Expert until you win a major match to get a trophy and a bump there also.

This Take care, Dave Yes, but what load of clays? Greg

I have several thousand Berrys 180 gr bullets and getting ready to reload 40 for the first time. Looking for load suggestions for IDPA and USPSA competition. Thinking about minimum power factor for IDPA SSP/ESP and USPSA production and Major for limited 10.

Yes, still shooting IDPA with my local club as I start to get into USPSA. That and my wife is shooting with me and for now she wants to stick with IDPA. Guess I should have said the recommendations have to be IDPA legal. Or at least until they change the rules again.

I like the fact that I can shoot the same gun in 2 divisions. Around here there are several SSP Experts waiting for the right major to get bumped so I sometimes shoot EXP.

I have broken another of my one piece mag holders and need to get something more robust. Had a stage where you start in a car and the mag caught on the seat and broke when I got out. I got these a couple of years ago from someone from another site. They are Kydex and the belt attachment is a loop made by folding the Kydex over the back. I need to find some good quality holders that wont break the bank because I have at least 4 guns I need to outfit.

Shot my G34 for years in IDPA until my wife decided to shoot. She tried my XD, M&P Pro, 9mm 1911, and finally settled on my G34. I tried shooting the M&P but just can't get comfortable with it so building up a G35 to replace the G34. My wife is 5'3" with very small hands and felt the G34 was easiest to shoot.

I shot my G34 for years and no matter what I dabbled with, always came back. Unfortunately my wife started shooting and stole my G34 so I am going to have to start loading for my G35 and see if I can get it set up the same way. Sigh, the price we pay to may our women happy.

When I shoot the 1911 I load 10+1 (38 Super) because my Glock holds 10+1 and I am used to it. If the mags are made for 10 legally you have to load 10 regardless of the fact they may be more reliable with 9. Lots of rules in IDPA fly in the face of reason and they change every other year anyway. You just have to live with it or shoot USPSA.

I have an RL1050 with Dillon 223 dies and have loaded thousands of 55 FMJ. I would check to see if you have excessive crimp.

Nice work and great ideas. I have added a second orphaned RL1050 to the bench and may need to try making my own bullet tray for it. The Dillon model is nice but pricey.

The Miculek grips were great when the 625 was SSR legal. When they made ESR and the higher power factor it became painful. After a couple hundred rounds of 170+ Power Factor ammo my palms get pretty sore. As much as I like the Miculek grips, I may have to try something else. I have 4 Miculek grips and they all fit like yours.

I have been looking at these holders and wondering how well they work. I used to use the blade tech holders until IDPA made those illegal and have only been shooting practices with my revolver since. Guess I should get some new holders and start shooting matches again.

Just started USPSA after many years shooting IDPA. I will be shooting revolver and maybe production for a while. The hardest things is learning that I can reload on the move and drop loaded moon clips when it works out. So far I like USPSA much better, just not as many places to shoot around here.

I first met Jeff at the State match in Williamston a couple of years ago. We were both competiting in SSR that year and he made it a point to search me out to talk with me. Jeff and I met at several matches after that and I always enjoyed our friendly competition and talks about how to improve our skills in SSR and ESR. I always looked forward to seeing him and I know that he will be missed. Too many are being taken too young. I am also sorry to hear about your loss Bart, it has been a devestating year for so many of us. Greg Papendick

It isn't quite that simple. Moonclips will throw you into ESR for IDPA and a .357 shooting against the 625 firing .45acp is just not competitive. The 686 is a good choice for IDPA SSR division using speedloaders. If you decide you want to ESR go for a 625 or see if TK Customs is still making cylinder conversions. I purchased a 686 from them a couple of years ago that has the standard cylinder plus a second chambered for 9x23 (shoots .38 super and 9mm too). Kind of snappy at 165K but 9x23 will make it. Greg

I had been using 4.2 Clays in my 4" 625 which made a little over 168K. That is about as close as I wanted to get when I was paying to shoot a match. Greg

Gary, I hadn't heard from anyone how you all did at S&W but just checked the scores, looks like the competition was tough this year. Nice job although it is going to be hard now that you are classified Master, how did it feel to know that you were shooting against Jerry?! Things are winding down here at home and I hope to be able to start shooting again this summer, it has been way too long. Where have you been shooting USPSA locally? I have been wanting to try it and this may be the summer. Greg

I attended the S&W Championship for 2 years in a row and if it wasn't for the status of my wife's health I would have tried to get in again this year. It is by far the most fun, best run match I have ever been to and all of the extras that are included make it a great weekend for everyone. I was challenged by all the low light (I seldom shoot indoors) but that just made me try harder the second year. I hope that I can start up the tradition of going to this match every year soon (assuming I can get in ). I can't answer your question about this year but I took first place SSR Marksman in 2004 and first place SSP Sharpshooter in 2005. I was bumped both times and was honored to have the Match Director sign my classification card. I believe that it is more of an honor thing as they did not demand that I present my card but I took it up after the ceremony and they signed it. Regards, Greg Papendick

Another vote for the Glock. I spent a year shooting revolvers (S&W 625) and for several reasons decided to go back to bottom feeders for a while. I found that my old XD and 1911s didn't feel right so I started shooting a Glock 34 that I picked up from a friend who needed the cash. It seemed that the Glock pointed more like the 625 for me. I shot it for a while and then tried a G21 for CDP. Liked it enough to go ahead and buy one. The G21 is definetely beefier but I have had no problem going back and forth between the G34 and G21. Now I have 2 guns that I can cover ESP, SSP, and CDP with with similar triggers and grip angles. I may not be a master class shooter but I just got promoted to SSP Expert at the Smith & Wesson Winter Championship . Greg

I have a Glock 34 but wanted to try .40S&W so I started looking for a G35. Ran into a good deal on a G22 but wish I had waited for the G35. The G22 is OK but the G34 balances better for me so I expect the G35 would also. If it is for competition, get the G35 and you won't be sorry.

Jake, I saw Jack C. at IDPA practice yesterday and this looks like what he was wearing. He said that you were working with him and it is really making a difference! Thanks for the link. Greg

Could someone provide a link to information on the CR mag holders? Excuse the ignorance but I have never heard of them. I have been shooting IDPA for a few years and am now thinking about branching out into USPSA so I have a lot to learn. Thank, Greg

We got to shoot one of these at the S&W Winter Championship. We had a stage where we shot our handgun dry (6 rounds loaded) and then picked up an MP40, loaded it and fired at 2 (or 3 if you wanted) more targets. I have been shooting a Glock since last fall and shooting the MP40 was a pleasure. I was down 2 (just out to the left) on the two targets which was not bad considering that I was point shooting a gun that I had never had in my hands before. When they come out with the 5" 9mm I may have to look at replacing my G34. I just really like S&W revolvers and this would be a nice addition to my collection.

I stopped enjoying shooting Revolver last year after experiencing the anomosity and bigotry at the S&W WC from their local "SSR" shooters. Too bad the small community of revolver shooters couldn't be more tolerant of each others prefered equipment. I assume they are happy now. I did shoot my ESR gun for the rest of the summer but a steady diet of 175pf .45 shot it loose and it started skipping cylinders. I liked the gun too much to continue to beat it to death so now I am shooting a bottom feeder. The match this year was much more enjoyable without the locals giving me a hard time about what I was shooting.