boo radley

I've installed Heinie rear sights a couple of times, and as JoeD said, they always drift in and out from the right -- or ejection port -- side of the slide. I put the slide in a vice, and use a heavy metal rod I got from somewhere, put a dab of oil on the base of the dovetail, and whack that sucker in.

That's several of you that have said that. I don't deny there are much more expensive recreational activities, but if you shoot, say, an out-of-state major match once a month, and a local match or two, in-state, and practice once or twice a week...you can *easily* get to $1000/mo, especially if you add the odd piece of equipment. I know that this game can be successfully shot with a used G17, and CCI Blazer, but it's nothing, also, to spend a couple thousand on a pistol...possibly a couple times, and those costs aren't trivial. And add in a Dillon. Very interesting reading, and I am really enjoying the different range of perspectives.

So I've started my second year shooting USPSA, and I'm more fired up than ever before. But. This week, a couple things hit home. First, I started looking realistically at what I'm spending on this sport, adding up the last couple of months and I stopped. Don't want to see the figure. The second issue, more consequential, is that for the first time ever, there was a bit of friction and some hurt feelings vis-a-vis leisure time and my choices in spending it. My wife has zero interest in this sport, but has been extremely supportive and tolerant of my infatuation. But I'm realizing there are limits I need to respect. Those of you that have done this for many years -- how do you handle this? There's clearly a zone between....a kind of selfishness -- don't know a better way to put it -- and a completely treating the sport as pure, occasional recreation: like the guy who's got a set of hand-me-down golf clubs, hacks up a course 3x a year with his friends, and thinks no more of it. And the $$$$ involved, too -- do y'all handle this on an ongoing basis? Or set up a seperate budget? We don't have children, and both of us are fortunate to have good jobs we work hard at, but ammo, equipment, match & range fees, and especially the travel can't be entirely trivial for anyone. It's very easy for me -- in fact I do -- to spend every recreational $ I have on this sport, and truthfully that's terribly unhealthy, because I start resenting mutual expenditures, like an expensive vacation, that don't involve shooting. I'm not trying to whine, and we're all adults here -- obviously family, and financial security come first. But I'd be interesting in hearing how some of you maintained solid growth and increased shooting skills while keeping everything in perspective. <grin>

Eh....This issue is NOT related to the tungsten guide rod woes which plagued me for 4 matches last year. Discovered tonight I'd gotten some Zero "TCM" bullets or whatever the field point profile is called, and loaded them a bit too long, I think. When I tried factory Blazer that's about 1.120", no problems whatsover. Anyway, last year I had the damndest time with the slide stripping a bullet about 1/2 way out of the mag, but never going into battery. Drove me crazy. I polished the feed-ramp, replaced all of the springs in my mags (with the Dawson +4's), but it still happened - and with the stock mags, as well. With the help of some folks here, finally narrowed it down to some weird wear on the guide rod (there were some wear rings in addition to the single one near the end), and a square shoulders of an ISMI recoil spring. I think the spring was 'catching' on the rough parts of the guide rod. If you dig through this sub-forum, there's the whole thread, somewhere.... Once I took some 400 and 600-grit sandpaper to the rod, buffing it smooth, switched to a Wolff spring, and kept it lubed, no problems ever since. It's bad enough having your gun not run -- it's worse, when it's a Glock.

+1 to the ICE.... After the G35 in LTD for almost a year, I'd say the only thing I really couldn't live without would be sights and EricW's TruGrip. Things that are nice are the ICE, and Ralph's trigger kit (once I strengthened the striker spring). I'm starting to have problems again, though, with feeding, which I believe are related to the tungsten guide rod, again. I'm going to replace it with the stock guide rod/spring unit, and if the problem goes away, screw it -- that little bit of extra weight isn't worth the grief.

I think, if you're soliciting opinions, there's really a single reason -- a combination of "2" and "4" that makes sense in eliminating L10. The irony is that I think Single Stack just makes things worse, instead of better, in the short-term anyway, by attracting a subset of L10 shooters. And, of course, SS needs L10 for new shooters, if they wish to see a classification score in the next 3 years. I'm betting they will, if they're willing to pony up $40 for a membership! If I were Czar, I'd have 3 Divisions: Open/Limited/Stock. Stock would essentially be Production with a 10-round limit; and sub-awards available for single-stack (only allowed to shoot 8-rounds, but scored major), and revolver. So, suppose you have a California-legal STI and race-holster? No problem -- you shoot Limited, are limited to 10 rounds, but so will every other Limited shooter...When you shoot a match out-of-state, load to 140mm capacity as normal. The only other thing I'd do, to ensure fairness, would be to scrub the Classifiers so that any that don't require a mandatory reload while shooting are elminated or changed. This way a Limited shooter from NY wouldn't be penalized for a 10-round capacity, in getting classified.

you realize that 83% is an "A" class score right? and you're claiming this person was sandbagging/hiding by moving himself into a division with 9 GMs and 13 Ms...that seems like the opposite of hiding! there are plenty of reasons, which have nothing to do with sandbagging or hiding, why people switch divisions. maybe his open gun broke. maybe he ran out of open ammo. maybe his friend/wife/kid was shooting limited. maybe he just got a new limited gun. maybe he shot last year in open as a means to improve in limited. maybe he just felt like shooting iron sights. maybe he's going to the limited nationals this year and wants some practice. +1 The top A shooter in A6 LTD was on the BEForum squad at the Florida Open; a super nice person, and extremely good shooter. From the results, looks like the top B LTD shooter ALSO trounced a bunch of folks -- how is that materially different? Hell, Mike -- *you* beat the majority of the 'M' shooters!

Excellent!! Sadly my own academic career saw lots of Charlies. LOTS. But that was 20 years ago. My wife recently went back, and got her PharmD, while working full-time. I took one look at her homework, early into this, and had to hide. Although, I pointed out -- if she had questions about whether it was beer first, then liquor, or liquor THEN beer, I was her man. In addition to any subjective evaluations of pharmaceutical effects.

Yup. I haven't shot a match yet, in which there weren't GM's or M's in any division happy to hand out the a*ss-kicking we so greatly deserve. Odd, that I can't really tell the difference between a whuppin' from a cowardly rascal who's hiding, or a shooter that challenges his Rightful Division without fear. I think you have to be....THIS tall, before you get to worry about hiding.

No one has anything on Cael Sanderson a wrestler (not the goofy WWE vareity). Sanderson has never lost a match. That bares repeating, he has never lost a wrestling match. I don't want to be pedantic, but that's not completely true, according to his own website (www.caelsanderson.com). Looks like he never lost an NCAA match, but after that his record was: 20-5 ('02/03), and 26-3 ('03/04) the year he won an Olympic Medal. I agree that his achievements have been outstanding. If we go from individual performance, to team -- how about the 1938 Duke football team? They played the entire regular season without allowing a single point. This impresses me even though I'm a TarHeel.

Hmm.... Sounds like you're feeling guilty about spending time and money on a recreational sport when you've got some pending changes in your family situation that will require your attention and financial prudence. At the same time, I'll bet, you're a little resentful that it's no longer fun-as-usual, with plenty of upcoming big matches, or frequent local matches, or whatever: the "lots of exciting shooting stuff" to keep you motivated and enthuthiastic. IMO, figure out why you're resentful, and work out a solution to the first issue, and your mojo will be back in force. Maybe just shoot a single, local match once a month, but practice for it as seriously as any major? Or, you can be like the famous Telecaster player, Danny Gatton, who retreated from life as an adult; buried himself in his parent's basement for 3 years, but when he emerged he was a monster.

From what Ara has said above, and Ron's article in FS, my belief is the use of the pejorative "BIPSC" is all about challenging those who don't sufficiently regard the cardboard and steel targets as human beings -- bad guys, goblins, thugs, whatever. I have, a time or two. It's called "IDPA." A self-proclaimed "martial artist" explains his stage saying, "You're watering your lawn, when you hear loud rap music, and a pimpmobile comes crusing up..." I don't mean to be rude, but gets my blood hot. I'm new(ish) to the sport, and love it and the various shooting challenges I encounter at different matches both in and out of the state. It's fascinating to shoot a match like the Florida Open, for example, that didn't have a single no-shoot target. Or, shoot a local match, every stage of which is a tricky stand-and-shoot. Etc., etc. It seems to me there's room within USPSA/IPSC rules for all sorts of stages and course philosophies. Just don't see why all that has to be ditched because I'm not appropriately participating in the FANTASY that I'm in a gun fight.

Grumble. Was signed up to shoot with Sat. PM/Sun AM, and noticed to my delight some other BENOS members on the squad.... Big work crisis, and Sunday is out for sure, so I bother Cindy to change me to all-day Friday, which she cheerfully does. Big work crisis gets BIGGER. No Area-6 for me, on Friday even. Next year, I'm going to block the entire week off.

I got a Polar when I picked up a pair of used spinning bikes. I'm not some huge athelete, but it's nice to crank away on a stationary bicycle to good music until it hurts, from time to time....And the pulse check keeps me honest. I wore it once while running - I ain't the lightest person, and it scared me badly. I think I'm happier NOT knowing.

Had an SDB for about 9-10? months. Great little press. Ordered a 650XL from Brian around Christmas this past year, and it's a tremendous upgrade with some caveats, IMO. First, as everyone says (and BE, himself) the 650 is pointless w/out the casefeeder and it shouldn't be an option. I can't imagine having to fill that tube each time. Second, I'm wouldn't want to be the one to suggest not having a power-check, but...why? I clip a small reading light to the rim of the casefeeder, and it shines right into the case in positions, uh, 3 and 4, I think. So I'm looking right at the powder, before and as I'm seating the bullet. Third, it's very fast, but when things do go wrong, it's a minor PITA to clear the jam/misfeed/etc, and that hurts your time. With the SDB, no problem.

Man. So I just got back from LensCrafters, and my "cheap clear plastic shooting glasses" morphed into CR-39 lenses in a custom-fitted frame for $139 and that's AFTER my Vision Plan discount with my health insurance. Hopefully, I can reimburse myself from my health savings account, so I'll pay for 'em with pre-tax $, but...Ouch. Thanks, Eric(s). I guess! Better start hitting some Alpha's....

Now I'm even more confused. Surely the $8.00 glass will be similar to the plastic one I have now, no? Serious distortion. But if no, I'm game. Eric -- those CR49 glasses look cool, but...are they better than clear Oakleys or something? What if I just go to an eyeglasses shop, and get some clear, non-perscription frames and lenses?

I have two sets of eye protection (I don't yet need glasses for vision protection) -- sunglasses with your basic dark blue or dark brown lens, and some clear shooting glasses; the sort sold by indoor ranges for $6.95 a pop. I'm thinking sun or no sun, I'm almost better off with clear lenses, once my eyes get adjusted to the sunlight. I've done a few searches here, and a lot of people are swearing by Oakley's and Rudy Project, but I wonder if there is a light clear set that isn't $1**, but doesn't have the distortion, scratch and fog problem of the cheapo's I'm using? Thx

4.3gr titegroup 180 jhp zero bullets win. sp primers mixed brass will give you about 168.5 PF I shoot the same load, except I use 4.7 grains of Titegroup. I use 4.7gr of Titegroup too, just to be sure I always meet power factor. I heard a lot of people use VV N320 too with great results. I never chrono'd my G35 when I had a 22 top end on it, but for the 35, I use 4.5gr of n320 and Zero bullets at 1.135. Very nice load, and makes about 168pf. There's lot of discussion on this in the reloading section under "40".

When I first started shooting, I spent 5 months down Copperhead Road when a well-meaning local A-class shooter showed me the "correct" grip. That wasn't fun to unlearn. I think it's a lot like golf -- hit the course, look around, and you can quickly tell who's developed a swing under some good instruction, and who hasn't. Which isn't to say you can't play golf with a funky, or self-taught swing, but. I took a group class with Frank Garcia last year, and that was good stuff, and last week I took an individual class, locally, and that was superb, and money well spent, IMO. Think I'm set for a year or so. Best of all, would be being able to train and practice with a local GM on a regular basis, if you have that opportunity. With desire, I can't imagine how quickly one could improve.

Hey JP -- his website is www.christilley.com Steve

This is an old and classic one, but it came up today in a work conversation, and thought I'd throw it out for those that have never heard of it... At a large area match, there's a side-contest: if your name is drawn, you get to stand in front of 3 poppers. You get to shoot at 1 of the 3 poppers. Behind 1 of the poppers is a Rolex watch. Behind the other two is nothing. Your name is drawn, and you stand at the line, and pick a popper to shoot at. The RO asks, "are you SURE?". You say you are, then the RO says, "I'm going to make it more interesting -- I'm going to knock down one of the two poppers that isn't hiding the prize," and he proceeds to do so. Now there are just two poppers standing. Behind one of which is a prize. The RO says, "Your final chance -- are you SURE you want to shoot the same popper you picked." You feel good with the choice and don't switch. You shoot it, and get nothing. One the ride back, your shooting buddy says, "You moron -- if you had switched that second time, you would have *doubled* your chances at being right!" Is he correct?

Really? Is that all it takes? +1 Yes clamp both palms down tight something like an isometric hold. Then when you hammer it , the second shot goes right where you aimed the first shot. I'm sometimes surprised by the minimalist attitude towards Glocks, or improving them. I'm not sure if this is because of a bare-bones functionality vibe that comes with the gun, or aversion to the opposite end -- the tricked-out, pimped horror with the 32-round mag, scope and laser sights seen in catalogs.... In the Open Gun forum, if someone said, "Yeah, I drilled zim-zam holes here, and replaced an XYZ comp, to help the dot track," we'd all nod our heads wisely. IMO, short of some really radical approaches like that crazy keel-weight thingy, or ports and compensators, there's not that much you CAN do, and a hundred bucks or so, to play around with a heavier guide rod, lighter springs, and a magwell might be money well spent. I recognize that some don't feel they're necessary, and the isometric hold technique sounds interesting.

I've had the hankering for a new pistol, but decided to postpone the inevitable a little longer, and spend a few discretionary $ on a full-day training session with Chris Tilley who is fortunately in my area. I first took an hour lesson from him, and was very impressed, and set up an appointment for a full day. Excellent, excellent stuff, though my legs are absolutely shredded today. He took the approach that the "shooting is the easy part -- it's everything else that's difficult", and we worked on those things -- lots and lots of movement, getting into/out-of positions, SHO/WHO techniques, barricades.... The nice thing about an individual class like this, is you don't leave w/out knowing how to do something right, so you can't get sloppy, ingraining something new, while the instructor is working on another student. Chris's intensity and focus is pretty amazing as a teacher, and he'll tell you exactly what you're doing right and wrong. We'd go up an paste the targets, and he'd say -- "yeah, that D-hit was on your 2nd string, 3rd shot." Etc. IMHO, if you get a chance to get individual instruction, it's sure worth it. Steve

Extended tungsten guide rod (THE model is what I use), and some kind of weight in the plug of the grip; a magwell like the Dawson ICE, with it's brass slug (two models avail), works nicely for this.... <edi> Looking at Mike's reply, yeah I forgot about the spring -- I run a 15-lb Wolff.