boo radley

Hiya Barry -- At local USPSA (strong hint!) matches, you'll often run into a fellow that sells components and parts at extremely good prices -- basically online prices, without having to pay the surcharge of HAZMAT handling. Right now, I notice Angus (www.ghostholster.com) has 124gr Zero jacketed bullets for $54/k shipped, if you buy 3k, and that's a super bullet. I'd think you could easily get to around $90.00/k reloaded, even buying brass. Two years ago, I didn't bother loading 9mm because it seemed you could easily buy a case online for $110-$120 shipped. Now, no way. Plus what you load will be more accurate, tuned for your pistol, yadda yadda, all the stuff you know already. See ya -- Steve oh -- forgot to add: the F.E.T.C will rent you their nice chrono for $5.00/hr. *Very* nice.

I have...does he address this particular issue, though? Beyond the one-size-fits-all solution of telling oneself, "It's like me to have visual patience," etc? I'm not trivializing; just asking. Here is my question, as I have the same fundamental problem that Steel1212 does, and countless others before and after: Why does this one specific area -- seeing the necessary sight picture, before firing the shot -- seem to require so much mental discipline? We have the control and discipline to slow down before running past fault lines, for example. I don't think twice about them, usually. I know a good draw is smooth and controlled -- I don't try to snatch the gun out as quickly as humanly possible, and it doesn't bother me a bit to have to exercise this bit of mental willpower. There are all these things in practical shooting that I accept to do "right" isn't synonymous with doing "as fast as possible." So why isn't seeing like that? Drives me freakin' crazy.

Just as Mobocracy did, I started with an SDB, then sold it on eBay and bought the full-blown 650 outfit from Brian, almost exactly a year ago. The thing with the 650: once it's adjusted and set-up properly, cranking out 1000 rounds simply isn't a big deal. With the SDB, it was a chore, period. I have had zero issues with the casefeeder, save for not being vigilant about screening the brass for the odd .22lr or 9mm case. I'm not that careful, and it does bring things to a halt for a few minutes. I would agree completely with Mobocracy, and also add that it's no fun changing calibers. I have a second tool head, but it still always take some fiddling and more time than I'd like to get the system running smoothly again. In retrospect, I wish I'd kept the SDB just for .45acp, but only because I don't shoot that much of it, because otherwise, believe me, the 650 is a huge upgrade over the SDB.

Thx AustinMike -- I didn't, uh, particularly feel the need to advertise this purchase with my wife. Not hiding anything, but...since she's not a shooter, why bore her with equipment decisions? <grin> I really don't notice much difference with and w/out the finger grooves, but I'd just assume not have them. Z -- not even a little pretty? You know, until recently I was also going to shoot SS, or L10, at the Florida Open, but my experience this year with a 1911 has been pretty painful. I think it's more a .40 vs. .45 thing, but I got tired of stage after stage w/out seeing a sight picture.

Aircooledracer pretty much nailed it -- researched this same subject myself, a couple weeks ago. IF the Kimber has fixed sights, the Bomar BMCS-K will not fit, since the slide has to be milled. It is a drop-in replacement for those Kimbers, like the TargetII, etc., that already have adjustable sights, and the necessary relief behind the dovetail. From what I understand, the rear dovetail cut is Kimber proprietary, and similar to, but not, a Novak, though I'm happy to be corrected. In any event, both Dawson and Novak make an adjustable sight that will replace the fixed rear sight on Kimbers. The next question would be -- would you then have to change the front sight? Dunno.

Odd. Ever since the recent issue of Front Sight magazine, I can't seem to stop buying blue and white striped underwear....

I hit a gunshow in my area this weekend, for primers, brass and powder, and decided to keep a weather eye out for a beater G22, as a back-up to my G35, which I've reluctantly come to accept I shoot as well as anything, and better than most things I own/have tried. Of course this realization came after selling all my "Limited" parts and accessories -- dawson pads, holster, magwell, etc. Anyway, while I don't *need* a back-up, I figured if could find a 22 at the right price it would be handy to have an instant replacement or lower/upper, if needed, plus a 2nd gun for Production, etc. To make what's getting to be a long story longer, I did stumble into a 2nd generation G24 in mint condition listed at $495. Actually I have to give credit to another member here, 'BP78', who had spotted it hidden in a glass case.... Not quite the back-up I'd had in mind, and that 6" barrel really is funky. Left the show, went home...had lunch. Just to "see," did a bit of surfing, and price-checking on this gun. Hmm...Bet it's accurate. And I WOULD be able to shave a couple tenths of a grain of powder of my major loads -- flatter shooting, AND a cost savings. Aaagh! Back in the truck. Back to the gun show. Still there! Very difficult negotiations -- it was a consignment pistol, and no, the dealer didn't want $450, nor $455, nor $460 plus my Glock Armorer's tool. But he would do $475. Done! Yesterday afternoon, took her to the range, along with her sister, my trusty 35. Interesting. I'd forgotten how awful a stock trigger and sights are. I put up some small pie-plates at 15 yards, and the initial results weren't too pretty, until I really rode the reset. Put the 24 slide on my 35, with the tuned trigger, and tore clover-leaves. With sights and a trigger job, this is going to be a proverbial tack-driver I suspect. It's certainly flatter shooting, though it's tough to really compare until I get the same sights. Otherwise...it's just not all that different, except it won't fit in my DOH. So now I get to go off, and buy back everything I sold again. Nice. But this should be a dynamite Ltd class gun, and I'd like to make it to A-class this year with her.

Jager -- are the Wolff-spring size rods you have "full-length" in that in a G34/35 the rod comes to almost the end of the slide, but does not protrude? (When uncocked). If so, please send me a PM with the price of these. Is there a weight or wear difference between steel and brass? Thx, Steve

I vaguely remember a thread saying the Novak rod was almost as heavy as tungsten, but steel -- cheaper, and hopefully harder. I had some problems with a tungsten rod. <shrug> I doubt I'll even bother, but did want to get some more information. I don't have the equipment to DIY out of 'drill rod' regardless.

I've seen this metal guide rod mentioned but can't find it on what I assume is the website (www.novaksights.com) or anywhere else. Anyone have a handy link? Many thx

I've got a short dust-cover LTD gun being built, and I'm *this* close to calling the gunsmith and having it turn into an Open gun instead, and just sticking with a Glock for Limited/L-10 and Production. I'd really hoped to have it by now, well before the Florida Open, but I guess they're still smelting the ore, or something. I've been shooting a SS lately, and pretty poorly, but a week ago picked up my G35, which is now stock, except for sights and trigger, and it just felt....natural again. I'm not even going to bother with magwell, or guide-rod; just get some mag extensions, or else hell, just shoot it in L-10, and not spend a damn dime. <grumble>

I've been thinking about reloads a lot, in general lately, and I've decided to practice almost all of my reloads while moving, in dry-fire. Except for the occasional classifier and more often mistake, even in L10, I almost never do static reloads. Yet I often find myself running to a different position still cramming a mag in the well.... I'll see how it goes. Without moving, I can stand and have good form and slap mags in like a sonofagun, and this is how I do most of my reloading practice -- a lot of time and practice for 10% of the use pattern. Yet it's the 90% - reloading between positions -- that I need to worry about.

You must admit there's a certain irony in making Production so restrictive even IDPA'ers can't play (although I think this well of potential USPSA members has been long exhausted). "Well, you *could* shoot Production with that G22, but you've enhanced the trigger for SSP....But don't worry -- you can still shoot, but just in 'Open.' It's cool...And hey, you can move your pouches up front."

Thx all - I'd rather change the holster than change my draw, since I have two other guns using the DOH, and neither of them have this issue. Had to run to the friendly Home Depot last night, anyway (or used this as an excuse), and Pickles is right: 8-32 screws are exactly what you need, and I picked up some nylon spacers. Took a bit of fiddling, and I had to ream out the spaces slightly for the post end of the screw, but it sure works. In fact it's TOO extended; I need to cut down the spacers to only 1/4" or so. I hope I won't have to trim the screws also: bought 3/4" ones. The factory screws look to be 1/4" for future reference.

*Awesome* information. Never even thought about that option. Thanks!

For better or worse, I've changed my draw so I (mostly) get my hand around the back-strap of the gun, as my first motion. This works fine with my CR speed holster in the past, and the DOH with single-stacks. But I just got a Blade-Tech DOH for the Glock, and I notice because the handle of my G35 is so fat, I can't really get my thumb in there because it's blocked by the off-set piece. There's no room, and it really feels odd. Do y'all just get the grip with the other four fingers, and not get the thumb around firmly until it starts to come out of the holster? Thx

Yes. UPS Ground (only way it can go with them), and label it ORM-D. Have their policies changed?

Last year was my first FLOpen, and I mailed about 300 rounds to the hotel (shipped UPS it wasn't but $15, or so), and brought another 200 on the plane. I've brought 300 rounds of .40S&W in the past on an airplane, for another match, but the TSA guy had to get a supervisor, etc...Hassle. Then, on the drive from the airport, I stopped at the WalMart and bought a couple boxes of Remington .40. <shrug> I plan on doing the same, this year. I definately want some on the plane with me, so, no matter what, I can get through the first day.

...food that would gag a vulture, the repairmen that were supposed to fix my heat-pump, and the recognition that there are prettier women, likely wearing skimpier clothing, around any university town? (Nothing otherwise to add to the thread, but Hooters touched a nerve).

Duane -- those grips are made by Larry Davidson, who's best known for his knives, I guess. Dunno -- bought 'em used, but I want another set or two. http://davidsonknives.com/grips/grips.htm

Stuart -- right now, the SP01 Shadow (but not marked as such) as 'from Angus' weighs 40.1 oz. on a postal scale. I'm not sure how accurate the scale is. This is with a 19-round magazine and rubber bumper pad. This gun also has the thin wood grips. I searched this forum, but didn't see anything really on how to get another ounce or so, off. I don't shoot much IDPA, but wouldn't mind having consistency, if I use this SP01 for USPSA Production. Also -- does anyone make a larger thumb safety? After getting used to a big paddle on a 1911, this feels strange, on the CZ, and the little nub is angled such that the thumb wants to slip off, regardless. Thx

So yesterday, I went ahead and built a box, since I was intrigued how the magazines would fit. I rarely shoot a sanctioned IDPA match, but do want to start shooting USPSA SS. As you can see, I ain't no carpenter, but the dimensions are close, and it took all of 5 minutes to build (didn't bother with a top or bottom). Hardest thing was ignoring my wife, who wanted me to help get the house ready for guests. But this was IMPORTANT, see... "Regular" basepads, like those on a Wilson 47D, or CMC Power mag, are not problem. My Les Baer with Bar-Sto-copy sights fits just fine. But extended basepads look like they'll need to be trimmed. With a KimPro-Tac mag, it won't fit without cutting, as you can see. Actually, the box is no big deal, but the weight is. This Les Baer PremierII with an S&A magwell, and FLGR weighs in at 43.3oz.

The one that came with my Premier II, which I bought a little over a year ago, was pure junk. I've used aluminum foil that was thicker.

I'm coming to the conclusion that *if* you've put enough time in behind a Glock to achieve a certain amount of proficiency, you've taken a lot of the joy out of owning and shooting other pistols. I'm wrestling with what you're going through. Because I'm mentally weak, and I like shiny things, I've decided to quit shooting my G35 and instead shoot Limited with a 2011-based pistol (when it ever gets built <sigh>), and SS in the meantime with a 1911. Oh, and Production with a CZ. So I've spent almost 2 months only with the 1911, and it's frustating because I've taken a very big step backwards in my shooting, which wasn't that great to begin with, but I *would* like to break out of B into A... Specifics I've noticed: 1) Mag changes: I can reach the release on the G35 without shifting my grip. I can't as easily on a 1911, and usually shift slightly. Goes without saying, too, the magazines are a lot skinnier with a single-stack, and all that entails. 2) Grip -- a bit different, but I have to be especially careful with my weak hand thumb. On the Glock I let it ride gently against the slide, but on a 1911 it's easy to get it too high and slow the slide, as there isn't as much frame width. In fact, there are a number of gotcha's if you're not comfortable with the SS: for example, I've let my index finger on the strong hand bump the protruding end of the slide-lock lever. That'll ruin a stage. 3) General reliability. I don't quite have 2 years in the game, but for a fact *most* of those I see with gun problems are struggling with a 1911. (Not counting Open shooters who quickly rack, and move on). I've never bent the feed lips on a Glock magazine. 4) Timing -- it's just different, but a lot of that is the .45acp vs. .40S&W, for me. I'm trying to do lots of 'Bill Drills' to adjust. All that said, I love the 1911 trigger. Really do, and I can't wait to see what it will be like in my Limited gun. I also love the accuracy that seems inherent in most good 1911's. My G35 is very accurate, but not around 1" accurate. And of course there's the intangible factor of "just feels good." It's like playing with a Snap-on socket driver, or a Leica rangefinder camera or something. There's just a click, and snap, of precisely-tooled metal parts interacting, and heft, and...something. Oh, and what Matt said is 100%. Picked up my Glock yesterday, out of curiosity. It immediately pointed high. But only for 3 draws, and I found myself thinking -- do I *really* want to shoot something different in a 7 weeks at the next big match? I think Merlin said, "pick one and don't look back," in an older post, and he's right, IMO.

Jim, that's basically the conclusion I reached. It could be a great gun, but I'm not experienced enough to identify issues, and enough things didn't look "right" that I passed. Ended up spending $80 more, and picked up a Kimber CustomII, yesterday. The irony is, this is the same gun I sold on the forum (except mine was stainless) six months ago. I probably should have been drowned at birth. <sigh> I'll put a couple hundred into it -- new sights, magwell, ambi and possibly a trigger job -- and if it's anything close to as reliable as the last one I owned, and accurate, I'll be happy, indeed.