want2race

Neither the Springfield nor the Kimber kits from EGW will work. The reverse plug doesn't work on the VIP. I make one from their blank. You may be able to use the stocker but the hole will be bigger than the guide rod. The EGW flat write rod just needs trimmed to use it.

Realize that with the short slide a standard round wire spring will bind unless cut very short. Once it's that short you loose spring tension when the slide is closed. When it gets dirty it might not close completely when feeding rounds. Spring bind will destroy the spring quickly and you may loose the ability to slingshot your slide closed. I've built a few flat wire spring conversions that work great. The flat wire is the way to go in the VIP. I custom make the reverse plug to use a smaller guide rod (still full length). The springs still have to be trimmed a bit, but they still retain enough length for linear spring action. You can use 11# up to 18# depending on what PF you are using. For major I use a 16# and for minor I use 13#.

I won a PF9 off a prize table. I had just been talking about pocket 9's so it was perfect. It came with a box of Hornady 124gr JHP's. Functioned perfect with those. The trigger pull is a bit long but it has almost a two stage feel to it like a Glock. I actually like it quite a bit. Two handed firing seemed a bit harsh, as to be expected. Very acurate though. I shot it one handed and it was very pleasant. Allowing the gun to move around a little during recoil softened the harsh feel. I carry mine daily in a Nemises pocket holster. I'd like to try the Comptac 2Oclock though, for when I wear jeans.

3rd stage in vid. I shot bottom right, then clockwise. At the back corners, I shot right to left on both because the targets went from open to A zone only in that direction. 1 bravo in 15 and change.

You're lucky the sight came off. I've run across a Kimber that would not let go of the Bomar. If I had a mill I would have milled the base out of the slide. Heat, vise, hammer, bigger hammer, more heat. And yes all the screws were removed. I ended up just removing the broken leaf and fitting a new one, leaving the base in place.

Woo Hoo, I'm back in the top 5! Here's the latest one from the Indoor match last sunday. Single stack. 99% on the classifier (stage 3). Check out the side by side at the end. I tried two different reload sequences to see which was faster. We can shoot two divisions, I shot the skinny gun in both. Gives me a chance to try different things to see what's faster. I had a really good day. The third stage has been discussed in the "Tight shots" thread from ihatepickles. I shot T3 and worked clockwise so I could zip the last two quick before grabbing the mag. Results from the two side by side runs: 149 0 20.32 7.3327 160.0000 100.00% 152 0 19.78 7.6845 160.0000 100.00%

Here's the latest one from the Indoor match last sunday. Single stack. 99% on the classifier (stage 3). Check out the side by side at the end. I tried two different reload sequences to see which was faster. We can shoot two divisions, I shot the skinny gun in both. Gives me a chance to try different things to see what's faster. I had a really good day. The third stage has been discussed in the "Tight shots" thread from ihatepickles. I shot T3 and worked clockwise so I could zip the last two quick before grabbing the mag. Results from the two runs: 149 0 20.32 7.3327 160.0000 100.00% 152 0 19.78 7.6845 160.0000 100.00%

When STI revamps the aluminum grip, I hope they consider carbon steel. I took 3 hours to fit mine. It slides on and off easier than the plastic grip, the bushings are lined up correctly as well. Just took mine off after about 6k rounds. I found a type 3 anodizer that won't break the bank. I did a very thorough inspection for cracks. Couldn't find any. I know they crack, eventually. Mine hasn't yet. I'm hoping the fit and hard anodizing will delay it further. The SV's that were just shown on Top Shot has me itching to try one of their steel frames. Not ready for that expense yet.

I load 4.7gr of Universal at 1.180. You will have to load shorter so you'll easily make major with it. Or "SHOULD" make major with it. Still need to chrono it for your barrel of course. I just started using Bayou's. Like them a lot. Universal is a little slower and I switched to it when I was shooting lead and moly. Perfect fit with the Bayou's, for me. My first load was 4.9gr and it was 182-186PF. My Jacketed load was 5.2 and my lead was 4.8, to get 170PF. I've found the "gator snots" to be quite fast through my barrel. I wish my 1911 was a .40, I'd shoot this load through it too.

I think it's obvious if someone is trying to game the rules. Shoots entire stage, stops short of finish and wants reshoot for inadequate hearing protection. Vs. Shoots 2 or 3 targets then stops for the same reason. I shoot matches at an indoor range. I use molded plugs only for the larger bays, but double up on the smaller steel bay. It's a smaller room and the noise is twice as loud so I double up with muffs. It's uncomfortable at best with single plugs (mine have baffles in them). If I shot one target without them I would stop and either take the score as is or request reshoot. No match is worth my hearing. I've also stopped after load and make ready, before the buzzer, and indicated that I was not doubled up. This was on a rifle stage and my rifle is freakin LOUD. The RO had no problem waiting for me to double up.

I started bottom right and went clockwise. That way if I got a little slap happy on the trigger on the last two targets I had a larger margin of error. What Corey did makes perfect sense too. Easiest target on the draw.

Mike, no no no. DoubleAlfa. Congrats. It's very special indeed.

I considered shooting the door stage the way you did. Here's what changed my mind: First, the difficulty of the first 8 targets, mainly the the bottom two. I felt I could still hose them pretty fast if I was standing still. Second, standing reload. Shooting on the move is good, but it's not always the fastest way. Once you got to the back left barrel, it was a straight up standing reload. Grabbing the mag off the front barrel and reloading while moving back allowed me to be ready to shoot as soon as I got to the position. It wasn't a standing reload at the door, just had to grab the mag off the barrel, then start moving back. I saw many do this also, if they started on the harder bottom targets they never sped up the shot cadence one the easier top targets. Let's say you are getting .5 second splits and transitions on those 8 targets shooting on the move. 4 seconds. At that time you are now a the back left barrel ready to reload, let's estimate 2 seconds for a reload off the barrel. Now to shoot it standing still. Easier to shoot so let's say .25 splits and transitions. 2 seconds for the same 8 targets. Grab mag and move back while reloading. Figure about 3 seconds to move to the back left barrel and ready to fire. 5 seconds vs 6 seconds with a MUCH lower crash factor. The numbers may not be right, but that was my thought process.

Lexington area.

Shot this today with the skinny gun. 6.56 down 3. Looks like a 99%.

Matches with many standard stages are not that fun either. Single Stack Nationals, 1 round stage. But you can practice skills used for ALL standard stages. You can practice swingers and Stars, not as easily but if you shoot club matches you will see them. There is an advantage for the set up crew and staff that are local. That's the bonus for volunteering your time to help with the match. Not always, the MD rarely has time to load mags before the stage, nevermind doping them early. The execution of a plan is the same on every stage. Yes, every stage requires memorization. Corey already touched on the differences of a "memory" stage. This years match was one of my favorites, by far. The stages were fantastic and fun, please don't think I'm picking on it or the staff. I'm sure next years will be even better!

I had 5 minutes, plus a few shooters before me. And crashed. No penalties, but 4 or 5 seconds off the pace. In SS that was a crashed stage. I loathe memory stages to a point that I consider not attending matches that have them, if I can't get there the day before to go over them. TN had two of them. One I studied, the other I didn't (didn't know it was a memory stage). I smoked one, bombed the other. Just like OH, it nearly changed the outcome of HOA. There is no way to train for the various memory stages I've seen. The only way to do well on them is to allow 1-2 hours (each) to go over them. It takes a team effort as well. I know you like them Chris, but they serve no purpose other than to give a home field advantage. If I have enough time to develope a solid plan, then the point of the memory stage is moot.

Man that's funny, I just Corey we need to make them higher off the ground. It turned out that the boards were only bouncy for "some" shooters. They will have grip tape on them if they are used in the future so there is no advantage/disadvantage due to weather or atmospheric conditions (morning dew). I'll shooting SS this year.

I thought I saw $175 on them at ProAm. Is that not the price? They looked great.

Ah yes, the cone mine field. I used to do that with a couple of Mustangs, but on a lower hobby level. Took my son to an event at the UK stadium when he was a baby. I wanted to strap him in shotgun but the car seat didn't pass tech. LOL

Shuttle up the hill. Cool. Hopefully you can find the support to be able to award guns to HOA's AND still have random draw guns. That would be cool.

I used to go snipe the pistol match over there. I haven't been in quite a while. It's fun, but a LOT of waiting time for a 50rd match. I don't think I can squeeze it in this weekend though.

Do you need pit crew help. I have a 6y/o who is crazy about racing. Where you race, around here? Do you Solo on tracks only? Welcome btw. This sunday is the 3rd sunday too...

Dura Grappler!! Available E rated, or not. I chose standard rating for my F150. Very very good tire. I researched tires for 4 weeks before making my decision. It's not an off road tire. It's an all season highway tire. I'm realistic in my use of 4 wheel drive (snow once a year). The Dura Grapplers are quiet, handle excellent, very good grip in the wet. These are the best tires my truck has ever worn. The tread may not look aggressive, until you put it on the truck.

+1, dump the extended button. The grip is wider than a 1911 so you will constantly hit it with your support hand. The standard button is in about the same position as a 1911 with extended button.