PatriotMac

That's a good point. With the holster I use the inside safety is fully covered so I assume I'm bumping the outside ambi safety. I like it that way because I have popped it off safe a few times when I had a feeling a situation was heading south....Thankfully it stayed holstered. You do make a good point that I am less likely to "bump" a 1911 with the safety on one the inside only. That would give me more confidence in Cocked and locked carry.

Considering a different Concealed carry option. I'm big enough that I can comfortably carry and conceal a Beretta 92FS in the winter and I carry a GLOCK G26 in an IWB holster in the summer when I'm wearing shorts and light T shirt. The wife is letting me buy another gun and I have always been intruiged by the 1911 platform although I must admit I don't have much experience with it. Here are a few questions I have. 1. Is it a good option for concealed carry option and what are any drawbacks or advantages? 2. What are some opinions on locked and cocked carry? (I have to admit I'm still trying to wrap my mind around locked and cocked carry as I frequently find that I have unintentionally bumped the safety off safe several times with my 92FS and did not realize it until the end of the day) 3. Would a Commander style/compact 1911 be a better option? (I would like to use the gun primarily for concealed carry but may want to use it for IDPA as well so I dont know if the Compact 1911 would be a huge drawback for that) 4. My top end to spend right now would be around 800.00 so would I be able to get a reliable 1911 Commander in that price range? Thanks in advance for any input....especially concerning the Locked & Cocked carry concerns....

Good Breakdown. Think I'm leaning toward IDPA but will see if there is any Steel Challenge in my area as well. Will probably take up Hi Power Jack on his advise and check out a local USPSA match as well.

Yes it's true. You have to go back after 3 months to ensure there was not a dramatic increase in BP.

1. What negative effects? 2. How active are you after the onset of symptoms? 3. Are you still taking the testosterone? The negative symptoms I experienced prior to treatment were lethargy,depression, lack of interest in doing almost anything that I used to do. I chalked it up to PTSD or depression at first but the onset was so sudden and non typical that I got checked out by the DR. All symptoms disappeared within days of starting the treatment. I am moderatly active now but still trying to get back in shape. I did notice an unexpected weight increase after starting therapy even though my activity level increased. My DR said that was not unuasual. I am still taking the Topical Gel and I can tell a difference when I stop for a few days.

It's more than realistic. I can't speak about IDPA since that's not a game that I play, but I shoot USPSA Production with a Glock 34 Gen 4. I also have a Beretta 92 FS from my police academy days that I've been experimenting with also. You'll find that quite a few of the USPSA Jedi Masters opt for DA/SA pistols for Production. Ben Stoeger is the classic example. He shot a Beretta for a very long time before switching over to another DA/SA (a Tangfolio). Ben is one of the world's best Production shooters. Check this out. The nice folks at CZ make several DA/SA pistols that are very popular in USPSA Production and other disciplines. Here is Sara Dunivan taking care of business with one. It won't come as a surprise that both Sara and Ben will be representing the United States next year in the 2014 IPSC World Shoot. I don't yet have a firm opinion on striker fired vs. DA/SA for action shooting. I suspect it's largely the shooter and their preferences rather than one being superior to the other. You'll see people doing amazing things with both in action shooting! Wow!! Thanks for the Vidio's. They made me realise I have a long way to go before I worry about what platform to shoot. Also made me realise I better start working on my flexibility if I'm ever going to try and shoot out a low window like Sara Dunivin did in her vidio!LOL Thanks again ...I feel good about getting started with my Beretta now.

Ok, I’m obviously a super Newbie to shooting sports so this question may seem foolish to some but here it goes. What is the difference between the different shooting sports between IPSC, USPSA, IDPA, GLOCK shooting Sports, Steel Challenge, etc. And are there any that would be more Newbie friendly and more geared toward using real world scenarios and gear. I’m really not interested in shooting with a 3,000 dollar race gun at this time. Maybe down the road I will but for right now I’m interested in shooting in more realistic situations with a stock or near stock firearm I am likely to carry in real life. I live in El Paso TX so I will need to know if there are any that are more prevalent in this area as well if that’s the case. Any advice or recommendations on which entity I should be leaning toward would be appreciated.

Great handout! Already saved,printed and will be putting a copy in my range bag.

Welcome! New to this forum myself but in the short time here I have recieved some great input and advice from some obviously very experienced shooters. You will be pleasantly surprised by the general lack of Trolls and seagulls in the forum, apparently the moderators here do a better job of weeding them out then on many other Forums! Enjoy and Welcome back to the fold.

Great input All....I think I'm convinced that I will stay with the DA/SA Platform. Now I will keep doing my research on which gun I may want to eventually go with. But for now it will be my trusty old Beretta 92FS which I'm sure will be the least of my worries as far as things holding me back since I'm just getting started. My Duty Weapon has Hogue grips on it but my personal does not. Would this chhange be allowed in SSP class? Also.... Does anyone have any experience with the Baby Eagle's? I know it's kind of a CZ knock off but dont know much more about them and if they would be an option in the future.

After months of lethargy and just generally feeling lousy I decided to get checked. The result did come back low and I was prescibed a Topical Gel. The positive effect was felt within a day or two. Up until the onset of the negative symptoms I was very active. I lifted weights,ran Triathalons and was constantly on the go with my family but the symptoms came on fast & furious and they had me wondering what the heck was wrong with me. To make a long story shorter...Testosterone treatment is very benificial and can be life changing if you genuinely need it but is probably just expensive and counterproductive if you dont.

Glad this was not the first thread I came across on this forum or I probably would have never come back . Nice to see some of you guys have a sense of humor as well as gun smarts.

Thanks GmanCdp, Answered all my questions and even gave me vidio proof! This Forum is going to help me A LOT!

Been shooting for many years and carry daily on the job but just recently decided to test the waters in IDPA. I will be starting out with my Beretta 92FS since that is what I carry daily, what I have at home and what I am used to. My son will be using a Gen 4 GLOCK 17 that has had the factory mag release switched to the other side seeing as he is left handed. I have two questions that pertain to the guns we will be using. Will he still be able to compete in the stock class with the factory mag release switched for a left hander? Is it realistic that I will be able to compete past the local level using a DA/SA platform? I have considered buying a PX4 Storm to use for IDPA and really want to stick to the DA/SA platform since that’s what I’m forced to carry on the job daily and would prefer to keep sharp with that type of weapon. Thanks in advance for any advice. MAC

Man I envy you! A few more years and the boys will be out of the house and I will have to find where my wife hid the pebble jar!

Well Said! Thanks for the reminder. After 28 years of marriage we tend to forget sometimes.... Will remind her when I get home today.

Zack & Sarge Thanks Hey Top, you did a stint here back in the 90's. You probably wouldnt even recognize it now. All the area that was training area at that time and was Biggs Field is now East Bliss and is grown up all the way out to the loop with Barracks etc. Main Bliss has a full service Mall called "Freedoms Crossing" with a Denny's ,Texas Roadhouse, Food Court with multiple vendors and a State of the Art Movie Theater. I work DES on Bliss so if you ever make it out this way again I will show you around and get you out to the R&G Club.

I'm new to competitive shooting but I do have a lot of experience in juggling family and a recreational activities with my many years involved in Judo. I dealt with the excessive time at the Dojo by getting my two sons involved and it actually increased our time together. My wife had no desire to actively do Judo but she spent time with us and the various clubs by taking on a role as a helper/team mom at matches and when travelling. My wife does have an interest in shooting ,just not competitively so I'm hoping she will take on the role of "logistics" again as my boys and I get more involved and start travelling for matches.

Originally from MA myself and my dad is still up there. Pretty strict on the Gun Laws but it's nice to see people are still getting out and taking advantage of their 2nd Amendment Rights even in such an oppressive State.

Before I Get jumped on for the JOKE gang banger Pic I posted with my sons, .... I do know the 4 cardinal rules of guns safety and I know this pic broke all 4 of them! But I promise the weapons were checked and double checked prior to the goofy pic......This isn't the norm for us at the range!LOL

Hello All, I'm Shawn MacNeil (PatriotMac) from El Paso Texas. I'm an old gun nut but new to gun forums and competition. I found Brian's Forum while searching for some tips for competition (IDPA) shooting. My two sons, Shawn Jr.(19) Liam (17) & Wife Jan all frequently shoot at the Ft Bliss Rod & Gun Club and myself and Liam are now considering getting into IDPA shooting for fun and to spend time together. Liam shoots a GLOCK 17 and I shoot a Beretta 92FS. I am already being told that the Beretta may not be the best firearm to use for IDPA but seeing as I carry one daily at work I'm going to stick with it ( although I may buy a Beretta PX4 Storm Compact and start using that). Looking forward to some good advice and interaction with other shooting fanatics.