BigHand

LOL... I almost did that, but saw no primer, so I started inspecting the primer chute, slowly moving the primer cup back and forth. I was thinking "why the hell won't this thing pick up primers, it was just working". Then I realized my primers were sitting in my pickup tube and not in the machine haha.

Why is that even necessary? I've ran like 10's of thousands of rounds on my 550 without a failsafe and a few thousand on my new 750 without it. Never even took it out of the box, I just run two springs up top and its never failed me.

I run one bullet and one load for all of my pistols. I just never saw a reason to attempt to confuse the process and make different loads. 124gr TC all the way. They're a perfect middle ground and works in everything I have just fine.

I'll admit, it takes a minute to get used to. When I changed my form, it felt like I was hopping like a bird lol. I felt embarrased almost haha. But once I saw myself on video, and got used to the form, it looks and feels much better. For me, my calves and achilles tendon took a serious beating. I would run 1-2 times week and they'd be sore for 2-3 days. But after a few weeks, I could run basically every day. I never used those muscles much running and my knees/back took the force of that. I've found that with running properly, I can walk and stand longer than I used to as well. Your feet/legs are like big springs, use them as such. I also recommend varying air squat forms and jump squats using your legs as suspension, not as a hard stop.

Whoops... my bad. Here is a video on it --> Heres an article on it --> https://www.runtastic.com/blog/en/running-form-tips/

For sure, I agree. I don't want to assume anything, but this sounds like you are wanting to extend your legs straight out and I do not recommend this at all. This may be why you're getting pain, is if you are extending your legs, impacting with your heel, its going to generally cause pain. I used to run leaning slightly forward, with my back arched(chest out), and took full strides. It caused me some serious pain issues in the ankles, knees, and lower back. Here's a good link that can help show you proper running(and walking) form. As far as a coach. Just hit up matches and befriend people. Ask questions and if theres someone who's super nice or helpful ask them a ton of questions or ask if they'd like to practice sometime. I've had an A shooter help me quite a bit and now I'm very close to being in A, I'm asking Master's and GM's for help with the next growth spot.

This is wise advice, although I would not recommend never doing weight training, but you REALLY need to fight the desire to max out. I started lifting my Senior year of high school, and continued through the army and through college, etc. I've been weight training for 15+ years now. I highly recommend doing body weight, and LIGHT weight training, accompanied by daily stretching and some form of activity. If you've been a little heavier your whole life, then you have to take it slow and let your body adjust. Work mainly on form, with any exercise. Doing 25 smooth and rigid pushups is far better for you than slamming out 50 sloppy half push ups. I also highly recommend working your core almost daily. Bigger guys often neglect this and its detrimental to their performance. Fight the urge to look like you're doing something awesome, and instead focus on bettering your mind and body, and understand it will come with time. Injuries and sub par results just aren't worth it. Regarding your shin splints. I think you just need to go less distance, and give yourself time to adjust, but I don't recommend stopping. This is also where your form is important, even for walking. Most people walk onto their heels. Either way, just listen to your body and don't stop.

Good luck with everything man, I really think hitting that 10min mile and under, along with regular leg strength training will really help on the movement aspect and your speed without winding you enough to mess up your shots. For walking/running, I encourage you to look into youtube videos about how to walk and run correctly without eventually hurting your joints or back. You really should be running up on the balls of your feet without your feet extending too far past your knees. This concept will wreak havoc on your calves and achilles tendon until you get used to it, but I promise your knees and back will thank you. For walking, make sure you're not extending your knee and landing on your heel. Just my $0.02, take it as you wish. No way I'm hitting GM in 1.5yrs lol.

I did the same. Carry Optics - 15A 3C 12.32s - HF 6.8182

I've used SR in my .38 light loads and my .357 hunting loads and never had an issue. I've also used them in 9mm before, but just make sure you're not running some super light hammer spring or something like that.

I've done it quite a bit and haven't had any issues yet, but I felt more ok after watching the Sage Dynamics videos and how far he's taken it. It is handy to have if you ever get a serious jam. I use range brass and occasionally get a stuck round and its handy to have the optic there to give it a good rack.

I don't think you could have gone wrong either way. If you're primarily shooting 9/40 for USPSA then for sure 750. In the end, I'm going to have two presses. I just shoot too often with different calibers to only have one, especially since I've been shooting 9mm a lot more. It will be nice to just have an auto indexing, case-fed system ready to rock whenever I want. I only have one kid(2) and I struggle to get enough time, so I can only imagine how multiple kids are. Thats where those living room/basement dry fire runs are so helpful. Keep in mind (I'm not assuming), if you're doing dry fire that only includes static draws, you should include all aspects of matches. Currently my major points are transitions and speed of transition/shooting throttle control (I set up close and far targets for this).

The only press I own is an older 550. Got it off of a neighbor. The whole main shaft was rusting, it was covered in grease and dirt/dust. Took a minute but cleaned it all up and called Dillon to make sure everything was right and get all the parts I needed. Runs like a champ now. Can make 1/2-3/4 moa ammo for my precision guns and can crank out about 400rds an hr of 9mm. It's a great all around press. That being said, I do plan on adding a 750 for specifically 9mm sometime soon.

I don't think the time you can devote is too out of the realm. I've only been averaging 1 match a month, and at most 1 practice session a week. I do dry fire anywhere between 5-15min about 3-4 nights a week. I think HOW you practice is far more important than how much you practice. Highly recommend having someone video you at your matches, especially if you're only going to one a month, and use those videos in your practice sessions to focus on your weak points.