rvb
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Posts posted by rvb
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Knee pads and cleats are a pet peeve of mine.
Cleats add no major competative advantage except when the ground is damp/muddy/sandy and then having traction is more of a safety issue than anything, imo. Yes, once I fell on my butt in loose terrain in my tennis shoes. So I "game" it as much as I can and wear good hiking shoes that have as much traction as I can find (I'm wearing them now, in the office, so they aren't "competition only"
). Amazing that people can afford all the guns and ammo and mags, etc but the possibility of spending $60 on a pair of shoes is asking too much and creates a competative disparity. 
And knee pads.... I got tired of coming home from idpa matches w/ bloody knees since my home club is sand mixed w/ some gravel. So instead of stopping at the sporting goods store and getting some decent cheap knee pads, I had to order some "uber-tactical" 5.11 pants w/ the built-in, hidden, soft knee pads. So while my setup meets the rules as not being "competition only," I only wear it for competition.... get my drift? I don't buy the non-sense of "in real life you won't have knee pads." In real life I don't get into shootouts two to three weekends per month (not including practice) and I'd like to not have this game damage my knees for when I'm older.
As for the original question of the thread.... If a competator shot at Nats w/ cleats, that's an FTDR. Rules are rules, like 'em or not. From the rulebook definition of FTDR: "use of inappropriate devices, equipment or techniques" and cleats are listed in illegal equip.
-rvb
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The only time I'd be willing to make the call is if I overheard a statement by a competator such as "... take an extra shot here so I can reload here..." Sometimes it seems blatent by the shooter but I have no way of knowing what they were thinking under the clock pressure or how they called their shot. Even if I overheard such a statement I'd most likely say something when they got to the line to the tune of "if you reload before you get to x, I'll ding ya." I know I've thrown extra shots when I didn't call my shot well, or to be safe on a turner.... The math is easy in IDPA, if you think you missed the a-zone and can make it up in <0.5, do it! That mentality can easily lead to a half-dozen extra shots over the course of a major match.
I don't personally see any advantage to round dumping... if it takes you an extra 0.2 to take the "dump" shot, that's an extra 0.2 on your total time, imo, so a mild penalty is "built in."
-rvb
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Man, someone has to post what that was all about.
Stage was "Nationals Standards" 39 rounds total.
String 1, 7 yds, 3 targets: 1 shot each body then 1 shot each head, weak hand.
String2, 10 yds, 3 targets: 2 ea. tac seq followed by 1 head shot, strong hand.
String3, 15 yds, 4 targets: 1 each, tac load while taking a knee, then 1 each.
Strong4, 20 yds, 4 targets: 2 each around baricade from your strong side then 2 each around barricade from other side. Reload as you see fit.
Stage 4 was started low-ready. When visual barrier moves take a headshot on the target directly behind a no-shoot. I think my time on that stage was 0.77.
Time for bed, a long day shooting/driving.....
-rvb
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imo, if you're only doing 700 rounds/month, a 550 is all you need. I started on (and still use) a 550, and do 1600-2000 rounds/month and have no regrets. I usually find a couple weekends over winter or when the weather is bad out and crank out ammo, and barely touch the press all shooting season. It takes me 2.5-3 hrs to do 1k (incl setup, checking powder measure a couple times, loading primer tubes by hand, cleaning the primer system before I start and after 500 rounds, binning ammo if it's match ammo, etc.), so over a dreary winter weekend I can easily have 5k cranked out. I do NOT have the case feeder.
So I'm suggesting put the $2k you'll spend setting up a 1050 towards a LOT of components. I understand about being efficient, believe me, I HATE reloading. It's a necessary evil. But the 550 is not the looser machine many will tell you it is and it's SIMPLE to opperate for your first machine. Try it, since you're talking about getting both you can always wait to buy a 1050 6 months from now if you really feel you need the volume.
If I ever upgrate, it'll be to a 1050, but that won't be for a while (telling myself I can't have one until I make master.... B-class now).
just another point of view...
-rvb
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I know what you mean. Way back when I was first shooting, one thing always amazed me: every internet pro shot sub 2" groups at 25 yards.... all the time, every gun, no problem.
Yet, when I went to the range (often) and shot in local competitive leagues...... you could count the number of guys who actually could hold 2" groups on the fingers of one hand with plenty of fingers to spare.
That's what really got me hooked on shooting when I was a newbie.... I couldn't figure out why EVERYONE on-line was so easily able shoot so accurately as you described. I figured I must really suck. So I sought training, started a practice plan (50 rounds/week back then!), got into practical shooting, etc in my goal to catch up to what the rest of the world was apparently able to do so effortlessly....
That's the beauty of this forum.... I know the abilities of the talented shooters here are NOT exagerated, I still feel like I suck at shooting (as a B class shooter) in comparison, and I am even more motivated to practice to "catch up." The best part is not only the talent here, but the willingness of you great shooters to share your knowledge.
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5.11
Cause frankly I don't give a crap about "what would I wear daily" when in a match. When I am outside of MD where I'm allowed to carry, it's either a 642 in a pocket holster or a P220 in a IWB usually w/ a shirt tucked in around it, neither setup is very competition friendly. Besides, the 5.11 comes in handy when camping, and carries the 642 nicely (as well as other gear, water, etc).
None of my other gear is "everyday" so who cares? To keep from having "competition specific" knee pads, I had to buy 5.11 pants so that I could have under-the-pants knee pads (I got tired of coming home w/ bloody knees from landing on rocks).
ps with the 5.11 vest be sure to leave the little loops inside the vest un-buttoned or cut them off, or they can pull mags out of pouches and get you a PE (ask me how I know).
The 5.11 is plenty long to cover a belt/paddle holster, sweeps clear for consistant draws, and can be useful outside of idpa.
my 2cents
-rvb
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I was talking with an RO at Nationals, I believe he said often poppers are calibrated with Winchest White Box. I thought he said WW is about 135 PF.
My buddy hit 127pf on the chono last year at the VAMD Section match using WWB. I had fun calling HIS loads "gamers" after putting up w/ him making fun of my 131pf 147 gr loads...... WWB can be all over the place.
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well, still came in 2nd in Lim w/ 70%... won the 200yd stage for Lim (was my first stage and gun was still working then).
Oh well, still had a good time and will be a repeat rifle customer at York! Only next time I'll have a semi-auto AR!!
-rvb
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I can't use a power drill w/o my wife making fun of me. She says I put in a new battery just as if I were doing a reload (finger off trigger, "gun" up in front of face, index finger on front of new battery, look the battery in the "mag well."). Same with changing drill bits, "gun" indexed up infront of face.
I can't even carry a windex-type spray bottle w/o keeping finger off trigger.
Using a pnumatic nailgun when doing some roofing, I found myself being very trigger-finger and muzzle aware and a strong tempation to yell "going hot!" before driving nails.
I've noticed after a lot of dryfire, my weak hand comes to position as if I were drawing a gun when ever I reach for my wallet....
I noticed I did the weak-hand on chest thing last time I threw darts.
I don't see "good habits" as a bad thing, but it IS amusing.
-rvb
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I don't shoot long-guns too often, but went to a uspsa rifle match yesterday for some fun. I was having a good match, getting good hits and having a good time.... until my AR stopped running
. Started as a failure evey now and then... then I have about 4 feed failures on the 2nd to last stage. On the last stage it turned into a manually-operated action. Figured something was up w/ the gas system.... Damn pin holding the gas tube in the front sight base came out! Luckily I have a spare on hand and already replaced it. Even staked it in this time.Hard to keep something like that from zapping the fun out. Was a great match otherwise (Good job hosting your first rifle match, Howard!).
-rvb
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I've lost tract of how many times I've gotten the "Why do you have a propane tank on your hitch cover?" question.....
still amuzes me some.
rvb
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The medical release form sucks horribly, but I don't think MDSP will approve a transfer w/o one. A buddy of mine bought like 4 guns a couple weeks ago just because he knew he was going to get them eventually and the forms peeved him off so he wanted to 'stick it to the man' by getting them before the need for the forms went into effect. Again, we need to be pinging on delagates...
The ammo thing is pure crap, too, and I wish they wouldn't bend to that. How is the MDSP going to use this information anyway? It's retarded. Someone somewhere gets capped by a 9mm so they are going to start questioning everyone in the state who bought 9mm? I'm willing to pay extra for buying on-line (while I still can) just 'cause it peevs me so.
-rvb
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I hear from the managers at my weekly trip to the gun range/shop that MDSP has "asked" gun dealers etc to begin logging ammo, powder, primer, etc purchases. I got the vibe the shops are feeling pressured. Not a law, but a reality. Before writing Bass Pro HQ, write your rep in Annapolis!!!
rvb
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Just finished putting a long-gun rack on my gun cart.... usually my shooting buddy and I both pile our gear on the cart, so it'll hold 6 long guns. The rack comes off with a couple wing nuts and even folds up for storage space in the shed. Took $15 and about an hours worth of work to build.
rvb
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1911user-
Thanks, that was exactly what I was thinking of. When the small one only lasts <2 yrs, that statement makes a guy leary to drop $165 on the big unit when for 1/3 that cost I could get a different brand, even understanding some other brand may have an even shorter lifespan... might still come out a head w/ an el-cheapo in the long run.
So.... is the big dillon using better components or are they the same compents? Or have they changed something recently and the put a cv500-like motor in the big one or the big motor design in the little one?
what's a guy to do?? I'll need to make a decision soon!
rvb
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EricW -
Thanks for the info that the two Dillon tumbler's aren't the same design. Seriously, I really appreciate it. I tried to find it and can't, but I recall them using a phrase such as: "The cv500 uses the same technology as the bigger unit, only smaller" in a catalog or online. I can't find the catalog now, and I may be remembering wrong due to my CRS disease (Can't Remember Shit... a horible disease).
That understanding I had, whether something I incorrectly assumed or infered, was weighing on my decision of what tumbler to buy. I expect things to wear out... I was NOT UPSET that my cv500 burnt out, but a little DISAPOINTED. For the cost of the big one, I was thinking that if they were the same design I might as well buy a cheaper unit where I could buy 2-3 for the same price and replace them if they burn out, or even run 2-3 at the same time. You may have made Dillon a sale!
I understand that they would be 'shooting themselves in the foot' to advertise that one is better quality than the other, but not advertising as such almost cost them a sale here, too.
Thanks again,
Ryan
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My cv500 just crapped out w/ just 2 yrs of moderate use also. Debating between a big dillon or new brand so i'm interested in everyone's ideas, too...
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Democratic debate? I believe they chose Mr. Townsend's video for very obvious reasons.
BINGO!
Thousands to choose from.............
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I'll throw out a different perspective...
I have a stock Trubor and am quite happy. I looked at the custom builders, and at a minimum you're talking $700-$1000 difference before adding any bells/whistles (who pays msrp for anything?!). It's easy to double the cost of a Trubor quickly. That difference got me set up on mags, holster, mag pouches belt, reloading dies, brass, etc....
Even more importantly, being new to open division, I had NO idea what I wanted. Short guns, 5" guns, holes in the barrels or not, thumb rests, recoil systems, mag releases, etc etc etc. So why pay extra to have a gun custom built around me when I have no idea what I want?! Sure I shot a couple people's guns, but w/o experience I couldn't tell what really worked for me. After a couple years if I'm still into this open nonsense (and I'm having the time of my life shooting open, btw), I may get a gun built. Only then after tens of thousands of rounds and lots of matches can I call the smith and say "ok, here's exactly what I want..." And when I get to that point, I'll have the Trubor as a backup gun for those major matches.
Perhaps a stock STI will not run as perfect as a hand built/tested gun. Of course with the horrid mag production capabilities at STI that means hand tuned mags are necessary. My Trubor seems to be dialed in (I don't want to jinx it before Summer Blast next weekend!). I had to do some extractor tuning for smooth feeding. I also had to tune half my magazines' feed lips. I'm no pro smith, but I did just finish building my first .45 1911 so I wasn't afraid to jump in there and fix a couple of minor problems. I also modified the slide stop to not lock the slide back and stippled my grips, all simple stuff I didn't pay someone alot of $ to do.
just how I approached the decision...
rvb
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Interesting this thread came about ...
Just last week my small dillon crapped out. It's <2yrs old, maybe cleaned 40k brass.
I'm now trying to decide if I should get the big dillon or a lyman .....
rvb
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Go into the fasteners section at home depot and get a bag of ten 1/4" E clips.... exactly the same as what dillon will send you. I seem to go through 2-3 clips per year. Will cost you <$2.
rvb
ps - every 50 to 100 rounds I glance at the clip. It usually gives you a little warning before it breaks by looking a little bent.
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I am in squad 18 shooting Friday and Saturday. Who else is going?
Squad 2 on Thurs, SSP/MA. Woohoo!
rvb
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I'm to the point I dont care about prices... I just want to shoot. It's rediculous the manufactures can't anticipate the summer shooting season. It's not like the demand was really going to drop because prices went up a couple bucks. I switched from my usuall bullet brand X's 125 38super loads to brand Y's 9mm 124 gr round, and I only received 1850 bullets in my 2k order. Now all the manufactures are in my doghouse since I didn't get all of the stuff I was trying to just make due with. Think they'll be suprised when every competative shooter orders 20k or more when stuff becomes available so they don't have to go through this crap again for a while?? I guess from now on whenever I get down to 10k I'll have to order another 20k in hopes I get it before I run out. Of course, this means that they won't catch up for a LONG time because there are so many people who are not only wanting bullets, but will probably do like me and order several months ahead......
Bullets/primers/brass/powder, they're all backordered....
Heck, I just found out I got into IDPA Nationals... I've put back the last 2k of my SSP loads for when Sept prep for that match comes around cause I can't plan on getting any more Fed primers (I think my 2k I have loaded are the last Fed primers in existance in the country.... I've even been calling Mom/Pop shops across the country in hopes of finding someone with some in their inventory).
rvb
(frustrated)
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The Wolff trigger return spring does make reassembly much easier than grappling that little spring with a crochet needle. The factory spring is smoother, but may break and is difficult without the crochet needle hook. I think the Wolff is offered with different tension too.
Methinks you make it harder than it is....
1) drop the trigger in the frame.
2) put the trigger bar pin through the top hole in the trigger.
3) start the trigger pin but dont push it into the middle of the trigger.
4) put one hook of the spring over the trigger bar's pin and the other on the frame.
5) while pushing down on the loops in the spring with your finger/punch/pencil/etc, push the trigger pin in, and you're done.
No special tools, just as quick as the wolff unit, you can buy a ton of factory springs for the cost of a wolff unit, and no nasty gritty trigger.
rvb
). Amazing that people can afford all the guns and ammo and mags, etc but the possibility of spending $60 on a pair of shoes is asking too much and creates a competative disparity. 
. Started as a failure evey now and then... then I have about 4 feed failures on the 2nd to last stage. On the last stage it turned into a manually-operated action. Figured something was up w/ the gas system.... Damn pin holding the gas tube in the front sight base came out! Luckily I have a spare on hand and already replaced it. Even staked it in this time.
2007 IDPA Nationals Underway
in IDPA Shooting
Posted · Edited by rvb
My perspective of the match.... GREAT!
Thanks, Ted! And Thanks everyone that worked the match!
It was my first Nationals in any sport, and I really enjoyed the event.
Many of the stages were very quick and simple. The real key to surviving the match was not hanging yourself! The stages offered many places where you weren't going to gain on the competition with blazing speed, but you could easily kill your score with a bad shot (the single head shot stage with a no-shoot crowding the target and only 1 round in the gun, or the little legs on the floppers where a miss could mean a reload, etc). Subtle traps and shooting challenges were everywhere and Ted and the crew had a good balance of quick stages and "field" courses. Standards are usually my weakness and I spent a LOT of time and ammo trying to turn that weakness into a strength in the weeks leading up to the match, and it paid off with the standards being such a large chunk of the score. That one stage could really make or break the match and tested a lot of fundamentals (SHO/WHO/reloads/20-yd/barricades/sequences/etc).
The match seemed well organized and we pretty much stayed on schedule (at least on Thurs when I was there).
-rvb
(Ryan B.)