Fearless4x4

He is beyond an awesome father. I stop by his house at least every other day to take care of the stuff that is more difficult for him to do. I figure if I take that load off of him, then it will be easier to do the fun stuff for him. Especially when my kids are with me. I cant figure out how to do it from my phone but I'll try and post some pictures when I get to the computer.

A few weeks ago my dad told me that he was thinking about getting another 1911 and for me to keep my eyes open for a decent deal. Didn't think much of it, but I checked my usual go-to sources and combed backpage for awhile. Came across what I thought was a helluva deal last weekend: Kimber Custom II, with VZ grips, 8 WC mags, 3 sets of sites, 3 holsters, 2 mag holsters, and roughly 300 rounds of ammo. All for $1250. Showed it to pops... He liked the looks of it and told me to make it happen. The next morning the guy met us at dad's house and my dad became the new owner of a good lookin' pistola. After the transaction I broke it down and cleaned it right away. (I"m kinda anal about that...) Just as I finished that, dad came out with his range bag and told me to load up and we were going for a test drive. Had an awesome time, gun ran and shot b-e-a-utifully. Was the first time in quite awhile that me and my dad have been able to go shooting. My mom passed away a little more that three years ago. And right after that my dads back problems forced him to retire from work, and getting around had been getting more and more difficult. It was great to see him out and about, and enjoying an activity we have loved together since I was a kid. So we finish shooting and get in the truck and are about to head back to his house... He looks over at me and asks if this would work for my "competition stuff". Dumbfounded and slightly confused, I said it would be a helluva start, and wouldn't leave much for me gather up. To which he replied "Well then, Git to gatherin." I swear if I hadn't been parked, I would've probably wrecked the truck. I probably had the biggest "WTF?" look and was certainly quite confused at that moment. He said he knew it had a project on my back burner for quite some time now, and that I had been working my ass off and never seem to get in a position to start it. "Something always seems to pop up and prevent you from getting anywhere. Im taking away some of your excuses." So I am happy to announce that I am the proud new owner of a shiny Kimber Custom II, and I am several steps closer to putting rounds downrange in Single Stack division. I still need to put together a decent belt rig. Looking and locating some kydex and pursuing the D.I.Y. mag holsters and holster like in the "Kitchen Kydex" thread in the gear forum. I like making my own stuff and it sounds like another project to work on with my dad. Also want to drag out his reloader and learn to work some magic on that. Sorry for the long read but I am SUPER excited.... Off to the reloading sub-forums to work on my search-fu!!

That is hilarious.... Another of my favorites was "Guns don't kill people, its mostly the bullets."

These are awesome holsters for these pistols. When I bought mine there is usually a spacer that keeps the top spread apart during shipping. That piece had slipped out of position and gave me fits at first trying to get the gun to holster with a dot attached. Little massaging with a heat gun and patience got it back to normal. No problems. Would also recommend the drop attachment as the normal configuration rides extremely high. It was uncomfortable for me (6'-1"), and my girlfriend being shorter(5'-5") said it felt like the draw went almost to her armpit to unholster cleanly. (5.5" barrel with comp)

I really like how that turned out. Definitely on the to do list when I get a 35 to replace my 17 for comps.

Hello all. Looking to scope out a place to start shooting a few matches. I've heard Rio Salado in Mesa is an awesome place to shoot, but driving from work out to RS then home to Buckeye is quite a haul. Also seen that Ben Avery's has practice matches Thursday nights (cactus combat) which would be a straight shot down 303 to get home. My question now, does anybody have experience with both ranges? Either of them better than the other and why? Just picked up a Glock 17 for a helluva deal. Have a magwell and production legal trigger on the way already, thanks to a few fellas here on the forums. Still need to pick up 2-3 more mags and a few mag holsters. Looking to shoot limited minor, or leave the magwell off and shoot production. Any insight appreciated.

I bought a 22/45 lite awhile back. Taken it out several times to shoot. Every time the rail on top rattles loose after about 100 rounds or so, and even the screw on the red dot itself is loosening from the rail. Used blue loctite last time out and still came loose. Never had this problem with the all steel versions I've had before. Does it have something to do with the aluminum upper? Anyone else had this problem? Any guesses for a fix. Really hesitant to use the red loctite. Thanks.

My main concern with the recoil aspect was if it was worth changing everything I know and comfortable with by changing to 40 cal. Like blue edge said it all comes down to what I like. Even if this competition thing doest take hold for me I'll still have the gun I want. So I think I'll stick with 45 for now. I want to shoot in SS or L10 to start with in USPSA, preferably in major. If later down the road this competition bug bites hard, I might make the jump to Limited class with a 2011. And at that time ill weigh the advantages of 40 again when money allows. I live on the west side of Phoenix. I might see if I can track down an avenue to shoot both calibers side by side.

Oh and another tidbit of info/background on me & my situation. .. I just finalized a fairly nasty divorce. So money is still on the tight side. But im working some ot and decided its been a long time since I did anything for me. Ive always wanted to get into shooting competitively but never had the chance before. So this is going to be my present to myself. $400 dollars can go a long way with mags n equipment but I dont mind ponying up if its truly worth it.

Playing in SS and L10 is my plan as of now. I think ill stick with the 45. Its what im used to and already set up to reload it. Ive been browsing around looking at the trojans and found a spartan for about $400 less. Found a few threads on here saying they are just a good with a few minor differences... is the ramped barrel and frame undercut/ frontstrap stippling worth the extra coin or would a spartan be a better choice and use the $400 for mags ammo and gear... thoughts?

I'm new to the competition world but not to shooting. Ive been lurking around for awhile now researching and learning as much as I can, and have already picked up a wealth of info from yall. I think im going to pull the trigger and order an STI Trojan come Friday. Have my eye on the one from Dawson Precision as it already has the magwell and sights I want. My question is this... Is the 40 worth going for versus 45? To be honest ive only shot about a mags worth of 40 through a glock 22 in my life. Just never had continuous access to one. Myself, my dad, and my buddies all have either 9 or 45. How much tamer is the recoil in a 1911 platform... I know 40 is a little cheaper to buy and reload but my dad already has the equipment to reload 45... which is something I plan on engaging as well myself in the near(ish) future. So buying a 40 would involve purchasing all the necessary components to retool the reloader as well So all things considered is the 40 worth the investment given the other factors? Thanks in advance for any advice. You guys have been a big help already and look forward to helping out around here as much as I can as well.