Gunnie New Year’s resolutions

Each year, millions of people come up with silly resolutions for the new year that never seem to come to fruition. Lose 10 pounds, get that gym membership, thaw the bodies from the deep freezer, etc. but somehow, the months slide by and the weight stays on, the gym only sees you once, and every time you try to toss in a bag of frozen peas, you curse yourself under your breath as there is no more room. I’m not going to bore you with my personal resolutions. Nosireebob. I’m going to bore you...

posted @ 1/2/2012 1:34:35 PM | Feedback (8)

And it still works!

I’m proud of myself. Today, I took this And successfully swapped out the parts in my M&P40. It’s no longer the same gun. This isn’t the forward sear set, but the competition action enhancement kit (which I just realized are two different kits). Uptake is still long, but smooooooth. Breaks like glass too, there’s hardly anything to it at all. Installation was a breeze, even for my first time taking apart a pistol to that degree. More later…

posted @ 12/30/2011 7:50:45 PM | Feedback (8)

When I grow up, I want to shoot like a girl

Because… daaaaaaaamn pdb opined the other day that the ‘cute chick in the tank top talking about guns’ gets more hits than videos like these, and yes, that can be sad since these ladies are awesome. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Randi Rogers and Jessie Harrison shoot and they make it look so easy you feel like you could just pick up any pistol and do what they do. You can’t. They can. I appreciate seeing women show interest in the shooting sports and guns in general given that our realm...

posted @ 12/13/2011 8:54:15 AM | Feedback (9)

Your weekend argument

Last weekend at USPSA, another shooter had an M&P with an Apex trigger system in it. I hadn’t put much stock into pistol triggers, assuming the nicer ones acted more like a single action where the break was ultra-crisp and that eventually I’d get one but it was down on my list of things to do. However, after trying the trigger on an M&P 9, I now know there is no way I can ever shoot this gun again until I get that system into my 40. I have never felt such an amazing trigger. Once you...

posted @ 12/9/2011 1:17:28 PM | Feedback (23)

If you look closely, you can watch snails zoom by

This Sunday I shot USPSA and was able to film all my stages using my new Epic HD POV cam I picked up from OpticsPlanet.net (review coming shortly). Using a head mounted camera, I can watch my shooting and try to pick up on anything that might help me improve as well as provide my readers an endless font of entertainment. First, the video And the standings. I came in 28th out of 42 and for my 3rd outing (only 2nd being scored), I’m pretty happy with that. I would have probably done a bit...

posted @ 12/5/2011 9:46:38 AM | Feedback (14)

USPSA Scoring–A learning curve

So, looking at my scores from this weekend, I’ve tried to make heads & tails of the scoring system. Not an easy task, I can assure you. Easier to read than the USPSA Rule book! Now, I *may* be wrong here, so if anyone is more enlightened than I am, please correct me, but here’s how I figured out my score First off, you need to figure out the total points available for a stage. The total points available for a stage is equal to the minimum number of rounds required to complete the...

posted @ 11/8/2011 1:58:30 PM | Feedback (13)

Do you see what I see?

Sadly, no you don’t, because I don’t have a hat mounted camera to let me film my shooting stages. The more I think about it, the more I think it would be a good investment to look into. However, I’m picky and a spendthrift, so I’m hoping my dear readers can assist. Needs to be high-def, at least 1024x768 at 30fps Video taken must be able to clearly see a target at 25 yards. Sound is required, but not an important part of the video. Must be able to be placed in different positions....

posted @ 11/7/2011 11:35:27 AM | Feedback (18)

IDPA partners with Gun Nuts Media

From their press release 11-07-11 (Redmond, WA) – The International Defensive Pistol Association, the world-wide shooting sport focusing on self-defense situations and real-life equipment is pleased to announce their partnership with Washington based Gun Nuts Media to provide social media services and develop a first of its kind web-series for the shooting sports: IDPA.tv. Established in 1996, IDPA has grown to over 17,000 members across 50 countries; IDPA recently hosted their inaugural...

posted @ 11/7/2011 9:33:54 AM | Feedback (2)

Didn’t do too bad today

Shot USPSA today. I followed my rules to the T – I did not run, I sketched out the stages before hand, and I enjoyed myself. I tried to picture where each and every shot landed and did pretty good for the targets I could see well enough (even took extra shots to ensure A hits). The end result? 39th out of 48. Not last, and I’ll take that. Takeaways – Slow is fine for now. Look at my times and you’ll see I was going at a snail’s pace. I consistently was one of the slower shooters. Stage 6 was...

posted @ 11/6/2011 8:47:59 PM | Feedback (7)

The plan

This Sunday is the USPSA shoot down in Ruskin, FL. This month, I will not be repeating my mistakes from last time I shot. I will do this via a plan, something I should have thought about previously, but you learn from your mistakes. First, I am not going to ‘win’. I am not J.J. Racaza, Julie Golob, Todd Jarrett, or Caleb Giddings. Those people have lifetimes of competitive shooting behind them. It is imperative that I know my limits and that I learn to crawl before I learn to run. For this, I...

posted @ 11/4/2011 11:23:41 AM | Feedback (7)

Lessons from my failure

Now that I have an entire month to stew over my mistake at the USPSA shoot, it also means I have a month to learn from what I did wrong. Here’s an illustration of what happened. This is halfway through the stage. I started out on the lower left with a wall that made me run to the right to engage a target. There was a ‘hallway’ to my left as I ran and I focused on the target on the upper left rather than remembering there was a gap in the wall through which to engage the two targets on the...

posted @ 10/3/2011 10:58:35 AM | Feedback (20)

Well, that could have been better

First string, buzzer goes off, IQ drops the prerequisite 20 points and the gun comes out. Nice, smooth draw, two A shots, followed by another 2 A’s. Third target, 2 A’s, 4th 1B one miss (hit in the black). Ran toward target #5, round a wall and see two targets behind me. Shoot the first one and immediately hear STOP from the RO while instantly realizing my day is over. Broke the $#&*ing 180° rule which is Disqualification. Guy before me did the exact same thing. It would have been...

posted @ 10/2/2011 12:51:07 PM | Feedback (16)

Countdown to the blast-o-matic game

So, tomorrow morning I’m on my way to sunny, downtown Ruskin, Florida to shoot my first ever “for score” USPSA. Shot it for funsies before, but this time it counts. And I’m getting sick. Lovely. Throat is sore and my energy depletes really quickly. I have that feeling you get right before a good flu where aches are just around the corner. A good night of sleep will help a bit, but here’s hoping it’s not too bad tomorrow. It was cool this morning in the 60’s, and tomorrow is reported to be...

posted @ 10/1/2011 4:59:28 PM | Feedback (1)

All geared up and someplace to go

Well, my mag pouches from Blade-Tech arrived yesterday, so that means I am 100% geared up for my USPSA shoot this Sunday. I’ll be shooting a Smith & Wesson M&P 40 in Limited. Sure, I could shoot Limited 10 and probably not have my ass handed to me, but I’m not really shooting against others right now and I switched from single stack because I got tired of reloading. 15 rounds of 40mm armor piercing military style ammo (sorry, had a bout of MSM there) .40 caliber is better than 8 when...

posted @ 9/27/2011 9:11:33 AM | Feedback (8)

The good news is

If I am ever to lose my house, there’s plenty of room for the entire family in my new Midway USA range bag. Holy moly is that thing huge! Enough room for two guns, countless magazines, lots and lots of bullets (which are f’in heavy, by the way), ear & eye pro, band-aids, a Subaru, and some chairs from Ikea. It comes with a bag within a bag for quick trips between stages I assume. The brass bag is also nice to have. While it’s only been handled around the house, it does appear well built...

posted @ 9/26/2011 3:33:23 PM | Feedback (6)

Can you imagine having to deal with these kinds of people?

So, poor Blade-Tech had to deal with a complete @$$#@!# (aka Me) bugging them about an order. I picked up some mag pouches for the M&P 40 so I can shoot USPSA on October 2nd (if you’re local to me, why not drop by the match and compete or just say hi? Info here). Blade-Tech’s website says they’ve got a 3 week lead time on some orders, which meant that based on the time I ordered them, it could get really, really close if I’d be able to carry the M&P. I emailed them. Twice. With the...

posted @ 9/22/2011 12:29:34 PM | Feedback (7)

Now, it’s official–I have no class

Got my USPSA membership card in the mail yesterday. I’m one, big U! I’m both excited and nervous for my October 2nd competition. I’ve not hit the range in too long, so this will be a trial by fire (pun completely intended). However, documenting my rise to GRAND POOBAH should be fun (and decades in the making!). I’m a decent shot. I’d say that against the pistol shooting population of the world, I’m not too shabby, definitely in the top 30 to 40 %. However, I’m not going against the general...

posted @ 9/20/2011 9:42:43 AM | Feedback (5)

Death by a million shipping charges

Midway USA has the range bag I want, has the UpLula but not in stock, and doesn’t carry the magazine pouches I want. Cheaper than Dirt has the UpLula and the Blade-Tech Revolution magazine holders, but both ship from different warehouses and incur double shipping. Blade-Tech, of course, has the best prices on their magazine holders but don’t carry the other things I need so it’s still a third set of shipping to deal with. I think I might just make mag holders out of cardboard toilet paper...

posted @ 9/13/2011 12:56:06 PM | Feedback (10)

The road to sponsorship

Is sometimes paved with potholes and detours. I guess rejection letters are to be expected. Got this in the inbox today. Dear Mr. Allen, We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your letter regarding a possible sponsorship from Jennings. We watched the enclosed video (although it took us a while to find a video player that accepted VHS tapes) and have come to the conclusion that, as a company, we do not feel your shooting style is conducive to the level of quality that...

posted @ 8/29/2011 1:51:09 PM | Feedback (10)

Gearing up for USPSA

Part of my design drive that I’m in the midst of (to those in the queue, you’re time is coming up. If you’ve not already, send me a detailed description of what you’re wanting) is an attempt to pull in a little bit more cash to pick up some extraneous stuff I’m going to need to shoot USPSA that, while not required, are nice to have. One of those things is a decent range bag. Right now, I use a duffle bag I got from a job back in the mid-90’s. To say it’s inadequate is… uh… inadequate. But,...

posted @ 8/29/2011 1:10:42 PM | Feedback (23)

Things to incorporate into my exercise routines

Dry firing practice Range time has become an overly limited resource for me. I can either afford range time or I have the time to go to the range; the two never seem to meet in the middle. As I plan on restarting USPSA shooting come October (if you’re local to me, why not join me?), I need to get some trigger time in and since hitting the ‘no rapid fire, no drawing from the holster, no movement’ range, even when I can, isn’t the same, dry firing at home is beneficial. pistol-training.com has...

posted @ 8/25/2011 11:25:45 AM | Feedback (5)

Dear Firearm Manufacturers–I’m serious

Look, you send me cash, I’ll use your competitors gear, totally sullying their image. Trust me, it works!!!

posted @ 8/17/2011 12:06:48 PM | Feedback (2)

Gearing up

So, as I’ve decided to get back to competition shooting, I’ve had to order a bunch of new gear. Shooting the Para meant using a 1911 holster and single stack magazines & holders. If I’m going to shoot the Smith & Wesson M&P 40, I needed a whole slew of new items, most of which are on their way to my domicile now. Sadly, nobody offered to pay for the gear if I’d wear their competitors’ logos. I thought it was a great idea, myself. I picked up a Blade-Tech Revolution holster. Caleb...

posted @ 8/8/2011 6:00:00 AM | Feedback (10)

Looking for sponsors–An open letter to all firearm and firearm accessory manufacturers

I have decided to head back into the wild world of competitive shooting. I’ve decided to forgo the 1911, not because of how it shoots, but because of the limitation in magazine size. Limited 10 sounds better than Single Stack. The problem is, that means I have to shoot with the M&P 40, a pistol I happen to be fond of, and to do so means all new gear for USPSA. Holsters, magazines, magazine holders, etc. Oh, and ammo. Lots of ammo. So here’s the deal – I’m offering to let any company out...

posted @ 7/25/2011 3:05:40 PM | Feedback (10)

The dangers of angry men with guns

So, at the 2011 Pro-Am this weekend, there was one stage where there were issues with the shot timer. You had to shoot as many steel plates as you could in the allotted time (par) and any shots over time could count against you (if you hit the plate, you got the point but lost it. Over-time misses are what killed you). Generally the RO would tap you on the shoulder when the time was up, but it was up to the shooter to pay attention. During one round, the boxes were set up like a baseball...

posted @ 7/18/2011 1:57:47 PM | Feedback (15)

Digital brass catcher

Along the lines of yesterday’s outing at the 2011 Pro-Am Shooting Competition, I wanted to talk a bit about photography. Now, my background in professional photography is from weddings, where there was a dearth of firearms. However, one of the skills I did bring across was the sense of timing. Pictures require a sense of when to take the picture and in the shooting world there’s a quarter second difference between meh and wow! Take these two consecutive pictures In this shot, Jessie...

posted @ 7/17/2011 1:58:02 PM | Feedback (4)

The 2011 Pro-Am Shooting Competition–Or, what I’m missing and how sad that makes me

A few weeks ago, Caleb told me he’d be down in Frostproof, Florida to shoot the 2011 Pro-Am Shooting Competition so I met up with him for dinner on Friday, then went to watch him shoot on Saturday. His squad featured a few other well known shooters like Jessie Abbate, Randi Rogers (Randi, call me! I can make you a website!), and Brad Engmann of Top Shot Season 1 fame (Brad, call me! I can make you a website!). As I’ve not shot anything more than from a lane in over a year, there was no way in a...

posted @ 7/17/2011 1:37:24 PM | Feedback (14)

Center of Mass doesn't mean just the chest

Listening to Vicious Circle #21 the other day and something Law Dog brought up (besides the Sapper Lizards) really made me think. Law Dog mentioned (and I'm paraphrasing) how people tend to consider "center mass" as "torso" and if the torso is hidden behind a pickup truck, officers will try like hell to shoot through the engine block. Center mass means the center of the largest part of the target you can see. If only the dude's melon is visible, shoot for the center of...

posted @ 10/6/2009 8:32:40 AM | Feedback (3)

So far, so good

I woke up this morning without a headache, nausea, or a detached limb, so at this point I'm good to go for IPSC. Had a little breakfast, got my gear together, and will be taking off in an hour or so. After not shooting for so long, my goal is simply to not get thrown out.

posted @ 10/4/2009 8:12:52 AM | Feedback (3)

Competition calibers

Say Uncle is wondering about what caliber he should use for competition. So, of course, that leads to choices regarding caliber. Having always been a 45ACP guy, I have a few guns in that caliber. I was thinking of something different and leaning toward .40S&W since it seems to be the standard for competition. If I were allowed to shoot the Ruger 22/45, I'd have nothing but A hits as fast as I could pull the trigger. I'd also have steel plates that wouldn't fall down, but that's...

posted @ 9/16/2009 9:52:37 AM | Feedback (13)

I'm not nauseous, I'm nauseated

And hence, not heading out to IPSC. Which really pisses me off to no end. I loaded up two hundred rounds of .45 last night too. Dammit…

posted @ 9/6/2009 9:32:27 AM | Feedback (4)

Cutting it close

Due to being what amounts to, and I quote the technical term here, "one lazy ass mother$#^*&", I still don't have any ammo loaded up for the IPSC shoot on Sunday. None. Technically, there is no .45ACP ammo ready to go in my house. I do believe that violates a law somewhere. I need to toss the brass in the cleaner before I leave for the concert tonight. With the Lee Turret Press, I'm doing really good to get 100 in an hour, and I definitely need 200+ to make it through, so it's...

posted @ 9/4/2009 9:29:34 AM | Feedback (2)

Don't blink

Say Uncle emailed a link to this video showing a rather interesting course of fire at a shooting match Interestingly enough, someone had pointed this out on IRC this morning. I believe the concept is to illustrate how fast an attacker can cover 21 feet. Caleb mentioned in the email chain That is really fast, wow. I'd hate to have a COF where you had to hit that from the leather. Which made me think. Consider that if you are out and about, carrying your gun concealed, could you...

posted @ 8/31/2009 12:18:34 PM | Feedback (16)

Someone you HAVE to meet

Meet Molly. She's a new gun blogger and a competitive shooter. Molly is 12. At over 1/3rd my age, she is already leaps and bounds above my skill level. From what I've read, she has a good head on her shoulders and is someone to watch in the gun community. Nothing warms my heart more than to see young kids safely enjoying the sport. Welcome aboard, Molly! Hat Tip Sailorcurt

posted @ 8/24/2009 7:02:38 PM | Feedback (1)

Something better for sporting clays

So… anyone have any thoughts on Stoeger? I was looking at their Condor Competition Over Under for sporting clays. $600 isn't ridiculous, especially considering the costs of many other shotguns, but I know nothing of Stoeger. If I were to get an O/U, I'm not looking at getting the top of the line model. My main concern is utility. I want to pull the trigger, have it go boom, pull the trigger again, and have another boom. Anyone have any experience with Stoeger or other suggestions?

posted @ 8/15/2009 9:49:49 AM | Feedback (14)

Shooting with injuries

So, my neck has not gotten any better. The massage last week really helped a lot, but I'm still in agony and sleep has been problematic as any tossing or turning results in sharp, 'wake your ass right up' pain. This Sunday is IPSC, and I'm dying to shoot as well as having several friends who may want to tag along. However, while I'm planning on calling my doctor and setting up an appointment, I don't think this injury is going away before then, and the need to be able to turn my head quickly...

posted @ 6/29/2009 9:02:27 AM | Feedback (2)

Lonely hobos

Caleb did well, but didn't win. He did make it into the top 20 which is friggin' impressive. PDB's lips are safe.

posted @ 5/23/2009 10:46:39 AM | Feedback (0)

If I actually knew anything about World of Warcraft

I'd make some sort of joke like Ahab is a Level 17 Gamer Fag with a +6 Magazine of Fear or some shit like that. But since I'm not up to speed on the lingo, I'll just say at least he's doing well.

posted @ 5/21/2009 8:08:41 AM | Feedback (4)

Good luck

Caleb is shooting Bianchi today. Boy's more nervous than Obama without his teleprompter, but we wish him the best of luck.

posted @ 5/20/2009 9:53:24 AM | Feedback (0)

We know you are good at shooting off your mouth

But does that equate to MAD SKILLZ behind the pistol? Caleb and I have been tossing around an idea for a Gunblogger Invitational Shootoff. Right now, the only thing that's nailed down is the idea that it would be cool to get the gun bloggers together for an actual shooting match. Outside of that, we're not sure of a time, place, or anything. Hell, the title is up for change. Location wise, Caleb is pushing for Indiana. There are several reasons. One, that means no travel for him. Two, he can...

posted @ 5/6/2009 8:08:26 AM | Feedback (10)

Operation "Don't come in last place" was a success!

Second to last! That's an improvement from last time. Granted, we only had 19 shooters, not the 30+ that normally seem to be there, so I was probably going up against the cream of the crop. However, it was an… interesting experience to say the least.] First stage I simply smoke checked. In fact, I came in 5th for that stage alone. Something felt right when I shot. I didn't push my shots, took what felt like my time but was rather quick, nailed the steel with single shots, and...

posted @ 5/3/2009 7:31:58 PM | Feedback (9)

Prep time

The next IPSC match is this Sunday. That means I have quite a bit of work to do. I need to load another 100 to 200 rounds. I need to reorganize my range bag. Hitting the indoor range is different than a competition. I'll even have a spare extractor just in case. I'm out of brake cleaner which comes in handy I need to spray paint the brass bright pink so I can reclaim the suckers before the old farts with the little pick-up sticks can get to them ;) I've not done much dry fire...

posted @ 4/27/2009 1:37:55 PM | Feedback (10)

Dang.

I promised the Mrs. that it would be a weekend with just her and the Mouse. We're spending this weekend in Orlando at Disney sans kids. Of course, I didn't know about this Titusville, FL - -(ShootingWire.com)- As many as 150 of the nation’s best competition pistol shooters will compete for the national title in one of the shooting sports’ ultimate displays of speed and accuracy at the 2009 Smith & Wesson U.S. National Steel Championships. WHAT: The Smith & Wesson U.S. National...

posted @ 3/23/2009 8:25:51 PM | Feedback (8)

Hey Mr. Brown Truck Of Happiness driver

Bring me back my Para! Just got notice it should be on its way Monday, meaning I'll have it on Tuesday. So, I definitely have to get some range time in before the next IPSC shoot. I may skip December in order to get a bit more practice time in being that I may have come in last place due to malfunctions, I definitely didn't shoot as well as I should have nonetheless. 20% tighter grip - that's my training goal for the next time.

posted @ 11/21/2008 2:28:32 PM | Feedback (0)

Setting priorities

Earlier this year, I made a good call on purchasing an AR style rifle, knowing the election could easily put them out of reach. My fears seem to be well founded as stories of gun shops selling out of gear and long waiting times on receivers and the such are popping up left and right. Make no mistake about it, Barack Obama is an enemy of the Second Amendment. While he may not have as much time to go after guns since he'll be too busy trying to explain why everyone isn't getting their ponies and...

posted @ 11/7/2008 11:04:59 AM | Feedback (8)

At least I wasn't dead last at the IPSC shoot!

Oh...wait... I was. I get to at least blame two incomplete stages due to equipment malfunctions ;) Interesting that some people got a DNF (I assume Did Not Finish) while I just got a metric shit load of penalty points for misses. I'll have to ask why that is.

posted @ 11/5/2008 7:31:26 PM | Feedback (4)

IPSC + Para = FAIL!

First IPSC competition, first stage, first magazine - extractor shears off. Bye bye Para. Luckily, another guy had a 1911 I could borrow. Second stage, second magazine - Turns out my magazines didn't fit. So, after the first mag, I couldn't get another round down range. So, two stages, two complete failures. Some other guys pooled some different magazines for me and I was able to shoot the other 4 stages with no failures. I definitely need a lot of work and while my patented Todd Jarrett,...

posted @ 11/2/2008 7:12:29 PM | Feedback (9)

IPSC this Sunday - First time

So, this Sunday will see me shoot in my first IPSC competition, and literally only the 3rd time in my life that I'll be under a gun timer. The other two times I did fan-friggin'-tastic, but Todd Jarrett was holding my hand. Now I have to see if I can remember what he taught us. During dry firing & magazine change practice on Wednesday, my weak hand completely slipped off the slide while trying to rack it and the now-deburred rear sight ripped off a chunk of my index finger which isn't...

posted @ 10/31/2008 12:03:16 PM | Feedback (5)

And the apparel line keeps growing

Watching the IDPA and IPSC matches, I've realized there's a shirt that many of us need. And, being the entrepreneurial kind of guy I am, I've made it for everyone to enjoy! I call this one The Ahab Special I'm going to have to get one for the matches. Just a hint - Dark colors work the best on this design. For some odd reason, Zazzle can't print white on light colored shirts, so the target becomes the color of the shirt you pick if it's not considered "dark". Enjoy!

posted @ 10/6/2008 2:52:14 PM | Feedback (17)

I'm going to need some more magazines

Watching the USPSA match today, I got hyper-pumped. I'm dying to shoot now. I think I could handle myself ok in competition, I'll do fine in motion and feel confident I could knock down the steel pretty well. My biggest concern with IPSC is that I have 4, 8-round magazines giving me a total of 32 (33 if I feed one first) shots. Some of the rounds required 32 minimum, and I'm not that good yet, so there'll need to be backups. Para USA sells some 10 round, single stack 45 ACP magazines, but...

posted @ 10/5/2008 3:59:57 PM | Feedback (5)

USPSA Match tomorrow

Since I went to watch an IDPA match, I'm heading over to watch a USPSA match tomorrow. I'd partake in the activities, but alas, my pistol is in the shop. Some rod isn't connecting with some pin correctly and the trigger is able to be pulled with the safety engaged. Para USA is taking care of it as we speak. Not that I'm a fan of the safety, but if it's there, I'm going to use it and train with it as the last thing you want to do is freak out because the trigger won't move (in my case, it would...

posted @ 10/4/2008 8:18:47 PM | Feedback (4)

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