SweetToof

my .02$ The differences between X and Y pistol are going to be incremental at best, arguably non-existent based on top match finishes. Now, there is a good point to make about personal wants in regards to pistols. If you think glocks are ugly and CZ's are sweet, you'll like the CZ more and want to shoot it, practice, dry fire. Personally I think there's a cool factor to running "duty" guns in production. I shoot a G34 and started with a G19. I also don't mind at all competing against Tanfo, CZ, etc. because I truly don't think there's a competitive advantage (if both guns have attention payed to their modifications), just shooter's preference. Another thing is that I carry a G26 and a G19. I put most of my reps in with my competition G34 but I can pull out my 26 any day of the week and be totally tuned in. I would not want to put most reps and rounds through a completely different platform than what I carry, so that's something to consider.

yeah they were .45 Issue was with the wilson 47D's as you said, difficult to seat properly, never tried ETM's. The Chip Mcormick 10 rnds go in fine but aren't legal. The stock SW which I think is ACT works the best.

Do you have any mags that seat easily with 1 in chamber and full magazine? I have an SW 1911 that had the same mag seating issues with anything non-factory. I just bought 6 more from SW. Find ones that work and stick with those only for matches.

Obviously it's is going to be a case by case thing when it comes to improving scores and where to invest your training time. There definitely is a baseline of physical fitness that anyone who is under, will see gains if they improve fitness, and anyone over that baseline will see very marginal gains in HF even if they're 1 mile times go from 8 minutes to 6:30. Once baseline fitness is achieved, and even during that process, sport-specific training is going to get you those HF gains, even if your shooting skill stays stagnant. HIIT, ladder drills, tire drills, and short sprints (suicides) are obviously applicable to our sport. General health improvement is never a bad thing, exercise is the only thing that affects every part of your life. While we do not run marathons, resistance to fatigue is totally applicable, and cardio exercise is one way to do it. And honestly, its cool to be as fit as you can be, if it helps your shooting or not

Yeah, on Stage 1 I saw later that at the final position you could see 4 targets, allowing you to only shoot at 3 through the window. Need to think that when doing a standing(ish) reload is it ABSOLUTELY necessary with no good way to avoid it. Definitely agree I need transition work and had a brain fart on 13, thanks a lot for the tips!

Yes I did get bumped to Open, mag extensions too long, wouldn't fit the box. Still learning the rules, but not a big deal to me since I wasn't in the running for any division or class wins. Thank you for the planning tips, knee pads definitely would have helped sliding into that position and earlier on stage 2. Stage 6 I didn't need to drop that mag when I ran from the left target array to get over to start the right set of targets. Still had 2 in my mag so I should have just shot those 2 and reloaded at the right table to get the last 10 targets. I put an exra mag on the table so I had some safety buffer, which turned out to be necessary.

2 Kutztown Rod and Gun - Basically an old PA Dutch drinking hole, and favorite spot for rifle sighting come deer season. Otherwise most beautiful sunny weekend days, I'm the only one shooting. No rules (no dumb ones at least) 25 yard pistol and bench range, 50 yd, 100, and 150 yard rifle ranges. University Rifle and Pistol Club - For shooters, by shooters. Dedicated pistol range, covered benches with access out to 500 yards with multiple other ranges going up to 600. I freakin' 30 foot tower with a prone platform suspended underneath with chains to simulate shooting out of helicopters. No club house, just a cabin with a fridge and some white boards for calculatin'. Really a gem of a gun range.

Thanks! Thanks for the advice and the top 10 finish, especially when you know there's room to improve times. Comparing videos has been super helpful, just difficult to identify exactly where the time is being lost. Gives me the idea to analyze both my and some one better's video in an editing program to really break down the time lost in every part. Draw, transitions, double taps, reloads, movement, etc.

Thanks, I probably could have edited some of that loading crap out ?

Link to a google album with all but 2 stages filmed. https://photos.app.goo.gl/8hE1yotrHfEaBbxL8 My 4th USPSA match, started shooting about 2 years ago and started matches last year, have done around 20 steel challenge matches but just I'd like to shift to USPSA. I admittedly have only really been practicing SC, so I think I'm at a good spot considering where my focus has been. Shooting Production with a G34 My first impressions after reviewing the footage were; Not moving fast enough between positions, reloading on the move needs work target transitions too slow too much shuffling, need to do more sprinting getting too deep in positions when not necessary, don't stick your gun in windows only 1 train wreck involving unloaded start, shot an extra round causing a standing reload stage planning was mostly good but noticed a few places where I could have moved a reload to a better spot Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Getting up early with a good workout is the best way to start every day, especially days when you need to do something critical. Not only have you shaken off the fog of waking up but I find it also calms your nerves substantially. I like some pushusp/pullups/body squats maybe a 2 mile run but nothing crazy, no weights or anything that's going to have you feeling muscle fatigue when you have to shoot for a few hours. Workout, shower, eat a good breakfast and then dry fire for 15 minutes and you will be shooting at the best of your abilities. Being a steel shooter myself, I also don't try to push too hard on the first stage, just make sure to shoot it clean. I've set new classifiers more than once doing so on the first stage of the day.

Shot Area 8 this weekend and had a great time. Shot well but upon reviewing times and watching video holy crap do I move slow. Stage planning was good (confirmed by watching some pro runs) but I just mosey from one position to the other. Almost the same speed as when I shoot on the move. No crazy tips here for anyone other than MOVE YOUR ASS haha. Being 28 I have plenty of pep in my step but having been mostly a Steel Challenge shooter, sprinting from position to position needs to be beat into my head. Transitions could be better but movement across stages is the big one

Missed stage brief after lunch at Area 8 this weekend, didn't get to walk stage at all and then first shooter had a gun breakdown 3 targets in. I was up second and just finished loading mags. Totally should have said "not ready yet" but went ahead and shot it. Left a wide open target in the middle of the stage. Very stupid and disappointing but completely my fault for not asking to let another shooter go. Hard lesson to learn.

lol Baroque and IDPA are such a great pair

YEP For my local club about 35 minutes away if I start Cowboys from Hell album Domination ends just as I pull into the lot

this is pretty smart, I like less material. Wood stands are fine for paper but they are lightweight, where with PVC you could fill with sand and cap them. If you shoot steel though you will get a ton of lead and jacket frag in them, not fun to handle.

Personally I don't think I'll ever opt for a competition non-glock until my carry gun is a non-glock. There is a lot to be said about splitting practice time across multiple platforms. Yes the fundamentals always carry over between makes but it's a great feeling to shoot a match with my G34 and then go home and put my G26 or G19 on for carry. I'm sure the CZ's and Tanfo's rock, I just don't want to learn another platform and at the same time dull my skills with my carry guns.

This is pretty important. Proper preparation includes a pre-piss and pre-preperation means being properly hydrated haha. But seriously I'll bring 2 gallons of water to a match and usually finish one after 5 stages. People really under-hydrate especially if you're outside running around in the summer. A single 1 liter Nalgene is simply not enough water for you over a 4+ hour period of mild physical exertion, and it's usually all you see people bring with them. Eating enough before and a snack during will keep you on your A-game throughout the match as well. Apart from that, which I wouldn't consider a routine so much as just a necessary piece(s) of gear, I do your typical mag load, check them, insert them into my pouches, barney mag, etc. I do shoot a lot of Steel Challenge matches where you are basically shooting 39 runs throughout the day that are generally all going to be between 2-6 seconds each. This places a huge emphasis on consistent mental prep, since you get to (have to) to do it 39 times. I like to do the following; IN THE HOLE; check mags are loaded, place on belt Air-gun the stage thinking about the rhythm I will shoot (for steel challenge, USPSA I'll re-run the stage mentally air gunning reloads and target transitions, entries and exits) SHOOTER's DONE; I take a drink while at my gear I'll wash my hands with hand sanitizer and wipe clean with my towel. ON DECK; for the whole shooter's run I stand still, eyes closed, down range, and breathe deeply while visualizing my run. Visualizing is big, read about it, lots of pro athletes use it. This puts me completely in my zone, nothing other than my stage on my mind. Not mags, not my gun, not that I have to piss, think only. the. stage. LAMR; take the shooters box place mag to start with in pocket proper footing (clear uneven stones, feel comfortable, place feet where they should be) slow draw once, dry fire on first target, air gun the transitions holster gun quick draw with a dry fire, air gun transitions load gun with my 11 round mag holster gun assume start position with gun hand only (don't want to confuse RO) 3 dry "gun-grabs" this is moving from the start position (surrender, hands at side, etc.) to getting my master grip on the gun before drawing. This cements in my head the very first movement I will do after the BEEP and ensures I have the correct proprioception (knowing where my gun is in space without looking) and that I will get my strong hand on the pistol in the right way to guarantee my correct grip once my support hand meets the gun. SC BETWEEN STAGES; Load fresh mag holster gun 3 dry "gun-grabs" Long post but I never deviate from this and I do a couple things extra that most don't; Hydrate all day meditate/visualize before stage recreate first moments of the stage (grip, draw, sight picture, trigger pull) just before shooting the stages

I certainly did notice the feeling of the trigger to have a more crisp break with the Zev and more of a squishy break when I put the stock striker back in with all the other components stying the same. As far as primer detonation, even with a lightened striker spring and a stock heavy striker, there were no light strikes. However I was using my "match primers" Federal Small Pistol Primers. They seem to need less impact to detonate them, I have had issues with CCI's detonating when using a light spring with a stock striker.

thanks those sure look like high quality pieces. Zev had some minor finish inconsistencies on it as well.

So after shooting competitively for just over a year with a G19 and actually winning some local Steel Challenge and non-sanctioned speed shooting matches I finally got a proper competition gun and got a Gen 3 G34. I shot OK at my first match with it but I ended up shooting my fastest Steel Challenge production time ever, and set 3 new classifier times. I honestly feel a little dumb for not having bought one of these sooner. Feels just like my 19 but better in every way, it's a real Excalibur for me, I feel like mf-ing John WIck haha Installed a; tungsten guide rod 13 lb recoil spring zev pro drop in trigger zev skeletonized striker Frank Proctor Y notch sights DIY soldering iron stipple job TTI +5 base pad mag extensions Shot really well for about 600 rounds until I got to a SC match this weekend and had 2 consecutive double taps with one trigger pull. I had heard about this issue with the Zev strikers going full auto, getting double taps, not resetting, etc. so I wasn't super surprised when it happened. Changed out the striker for a stock one and it shot fine, no light strikes but the trigger doesn't feel quite as crisp. Question is what striker do you guys like? Or do I mess with the trigger assembly to bend it in a way that catches the striker better? G19 and G34 pictured.

Bare minimums are a good start. What do I need to shoot a stage? Then what if my gear malfunctions? Then what do I do in between stages? (food, water, shade, sit)

Definitely prefer USPSA myself. IDPDA has a bunch of silly rules and tries to incorporate vague and unrealistic "tactics" such as target order, shooting from cover, mag change rules, no "air gunning." Like who the hell cares if you hold up your finger while you walk a stage? LOL I obviously have disdain for IDPA but I have had fun at the 2 i shot.

I say why not stipple? PROS: Extreme grip (better than sand paper IMO, depends on the tip shape when stippling) Grip surface won't degrade with use (even if talons, etc. stay in place, the sand paper rubs smooth in all the needed places) Consistency over time (new sandpaper will be much more aggressive than your old one when you replace it, possibly irritating your hands) grip in all the right places (support side thumb, on top of finger grooves or where grooves used to be if you dremel them off) doesn't snag jersey material like sand paper does Free/cheap (Likely you already own a soldering iron. 5$ amazon works just fine) pressure/heat proof (grip it as hard as you want, aint going no where) CONS: Possible diminished value (who cares about resale value, you're gonna beat the gun up shooting tens of thousands of rounds anyway if you're competing) You might mess up (practice on some glock factory mag loaders) Look (take your time, make it clean or pay someone to do it professionally. Personally I think partially rubbed off sandpaper looks way worse. Plus who cares, FUNCTION over FORM. Its a competitive gun) Time (takes a good 3 hours to do right)

I like to make my girlfriend drive so I can plunk on the way to the match