Triangle Tactical Q&A Show

Matt:

Can you explain the classification system in USPSA?

Charles:

Hey Luke! I think you mention a lot in the podcast you don't shoot a lot of rifle matches. I was hoping maybe you can throw this question to the Triangle Tactical hive.

I'm not new shooting pistol matches but would like to take a stab shooting rifle (PCC USPSA at Sir Walter or Action Rifle at Wake). Looking for tips and guidelines when handling a rifle at the matches.

Thanks in advance!

Christopher:

What are some popular distances to zero a USPSA pistol for? Are they caliber specific?

James:

Hi Luke, I'm going from USPSA production to shooting my very first Steel Challenge match. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks!

Mike:

Hi Luke, sent this via email last week but wanted to use the new(ish) form as that seems to be the way you are requesting these now. I did add a few notes to clarify some things:

Lucas! Found your show a while back and have really enjoyed listening to both the main show and Q&A show.

I shot my first USPSA match this spring (small indoor club match) and then lucked my way into another last month (large, ~100 shooter club match).

I joined USPSA recently and am trying to make plans for 2018. There are several state/sectional/special matches within ~1 hr drive for 2018 (listed below) and I'm wondering if I should jump in early in the year (Feb- April) or wait until later in the year after putting a bit more time in with USPSA? I can likely get out once or twice a month for local matches so will have a few more under my (gun)belt by that time. I've been shooting outlaw 3 gun for several years so do have some competitive shooting experience, but all at the club level.

When do you think it is appropriate or really makes sense to venture out from the club matches and shoot a level 2? A certain class or X number of club matches? Whenever you feel ready (which is likely fairly subjective)?

2/23/18 The Space City Challenge 2018 (Sectional)

4/27/18 LSI Texas State Open Championship 2018 (State)

6/15/18 LIMCAT CUSTOM OPTICS & IRON SIGHT CHALLENGE 2018 (Special)

10/04/18 Oilfield Classic 2018 (Special)

11/15/18 AREA 59 CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 (Special)

Thanks and keep up the good work,

Mike in TX

Steve:

Do you have a focus each week during your dry fire and live fire, or do you practice a little bit of everything?

Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock:

I started shooting at the beginning of October. I jumped right in. I loved it. Nov 7 I shot my first IDPA match. Now, after 2 more matches, and much practice, I am learning all I can about the sport. I enjoy your podcast (a friend turned me on to it a couple of weeks ago). My concern is that it was brought to my attention that I need to replace parts in my Glock 19 - I believe they said the spring - every thousand rounds. That seems often if I’m shooting a match or 2 every weekend and practicing as well. I dry fire, but still...So, the guys were disagreeing on frequency of replacement etc and I am left wondering what I need to concern myself with first since I like DIY. And if this guidance is correct are there also other parts needed for replacement when you are putting a lot of rounds through your gun. (And yes, I clean it, in case that is a lingering question). I don’t want to end up with a random YouTube video that steers me wrong.

Thank you!

TC:

Mr. Apps,

TC from Ft. Mill, SC here and I have a question, in several parts.

What is it you look for in a competition pistol?

I know you have often said you are not a gear guy, but you do make gear decisions in order to play this game and you invest money based on those decisions. Others do as well.

While I know what I look for in a competition gun, I think many listeners, particularly those new to the shooting sports, would be grateful for your insights on this topic. As you have often said, there are many quality firearms out there from reputable manufacturers, and often a decision on which way to go comes down to the individual and what they like over what they don't.

Yet there are surely some features you look for in a handgun, both competition and self-defense. Without looking to endorse any specific gun or manufacturer, what are those features? What is your logic behind those choices?

I would also ask the same question as it pertains to support gear, such as belts, magazine pouches, holsters, sights and any other sundry items you might feel like commenting upon.

Thanks for what you do and please think hard before shutting down this show. It's a winner and, I think, deserves more time to find it's footing. Carry on!

TC

There are definitely criteria that I base a purchase on for a competition gun. 

• I need to be able to reach the magazine button relatively easily. I really dislike having to rotate the gun in my hand to do a reload. I know for some folks with smaller hands that's just life, but it's something I want to avoid at all costs.
• Reliability. Personally, I think if you're at all serious about competition shooting, your competition gun needs to be able to be just as reliable as your carry gun. If you're constantly losing matches to your friends because you're clearing malfunctions, that's going to get old FAST.
• Parts availability. Competition guns get lots of rounds through them, and no matter what gun you shoot (yes, even Glocks) you'll break it eventually. If you got some $300 foreign job that nobodies ever heard of, and you plan to make GM with it, you might should think about buying a few of them, because you might be in a tough situation trying to get parts for that hipster gun.
• Availability of adjustable sights. Having adjustable sights is a non-negotiable for me, and if Dawson doesn't make them for the model of gun I'm looking at, I'm no longer interested.
• Magazines that aren't crazy expensive. As a Production shooter, I have a LOT of magazines for my competition gun. If they're really expensive, you're probably going to think twice about dropping them a lot in practice, which could lead to less practice, etc. IMO, they're expendable. I'm at the point where I'm probably just going to buy 5 new Glock 34 mags at the beginning of ever season, and not worry about it. If you're not a Production shooter, this is a moot point. 2011s just have expensive magazines, and there really isn't anything you can do about that. 
• I'm still a big fan of the "I just like it better" factor. If there are two guns that you can't really quantify which one is better, get the one that you like the most.

Mike:

Would you think allowing 170 mags for limited minor would balance the scoring advantage of major with extra capacity of minor? Kind of like how single stack is 2 extra rounds (20% more) if you shoot minor.

Discuss…

No, because that’s already how it works. Currently you’re looking at like 19 or 20rds of .40 (major) in a 2011 magazine, and something like 22 or 23 in a 9mm (minor) magazine.

DVC - Speed Power Accuracy

I’m not sure that minor power factor having less recoil, more capacity, and major having less ammo, and more recoil and major scoring are supposed to be equals. I think since the tenets of the game are speed, power, and accuracy, that shooting major is rewarded with a scoring advantage, and that’s just the way it is.

So, if you’re getting 22 or 23 of 9mm in a 140mm mag, and 27 in a 170, you’re still going to be doing one reload even on the biggest stages, just like the guys shooting Major. Sure, there would be some stages where you wouldn’t have to do a reload, and they would, but I think in that case we’re still talking maybe one stage in a club match, and they’re still getting Major scoring.

Nelson:

Is there a magazine capacity limit for production?

Yes. 10 rounds at the start signal.

Relevant rule: Appendix D4, number 9

“Yes, maximum 10 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal”

What this means is that you can load 11 into your first magazine, and put one in the chamber when you’re making ready, leaving you 10 in that magazine when the buzzer goes off.

I mention this because I’ve seen some new shooters only start with 10 rounds in their gun when they could start with 11. The only time you can have too much ammo is when you’re swimming…

Nelson again:

In general when small local matches are held at clubs, are non-members allowed to go? I'm sure every club is different but thought maybe there would be an answer for most cases. I'm very new and just starting to think about getting into competing.

This is a really good question. I’ve mentioned to people who are interested in competition in the past that I shoot at a bunch of different clubs, and more than once I’ve gotten a response that they just can’t afford a membership at a bunch of different clubs.

I can’t either, and thankfully that’s not how it works.

If were talking about people who aren’t members of said gun club, the answer is yes. If it’s a USPSA match, or an IDPA match being held at an otherwise members only club, then yes, it’s open to any USPSA or IDPA member.

Now, some clubs do host outlaw matches that are just for members, but you can be assured that you’re welcome to shoot if it’s a sanctioned match for any of the big types of matches.

Bill:

Do you think that there should be more stores across the us more focussed around the competitive shooter? Lets face it u cant get the gear that everyone has just walking into your local walmart.

I’m a big free market guy, and I think if there were a big enough market for places to stock a bunch of competition gear in store, they would.

Where I’m at in Raleigh, NC, the competition shooting scene is quite healthy. We’ve been doing a pretty good job getting new shooters into the sport, and getting new matches started.

However, something like 5 or so years ago, a new gun store opened in our area. A few of the dudes that were partners in the store were also competition shooters, and they stocked a bunch of CR Speed belts, mag pouches, and some other things like that. I haven’t been in there in a while, but I remember being in there one time thinking “man, I can’t believe those mag pouches are still here”.

Yes, they could have sold them, and re-stocked, but it didn’t look like it.

I think even in the most healthy competition shooting markets, there probably isn’t enough people buying competition gear in store to justify the amount of room it takes up on the salesfloor. The gun store might stock CR speed mag pouches, but I like the DAA’s. They might have a belt in stock in a 40”, but I need a 36”.

And then you’ve also got people who will use the store like a showroom to see how they like the product, and then buy it on Amazon Prime on their way out the door to save a couple bucks.

I don’t have a business relationship with them in any way, but I think this is something Ben Stoeger Pro Shop has done really well. It used to be that really the only places to get a lot of competition gear were through some websites that looked like they hadn’t been updated since Al Gore created the internet in 1996, and I always felt weird giving them my card number, etc. BSPS popped up, made a well stocked, good looking site that supports mobile, is fast, clean looking, and well stocked. They have a reputation for shipping relatively quickly, etc etc.

No, they’re not a brick and mortar store, and you can’t go get hands on with the product before you buy it, but I think for a niche business like competition shooting is, from a consumer perspective, they’ve got the best thing going.

Glen:

At what point do you think matches should really change targets during a match? Shot a match recently that had 3 targets on one stage that had only head shots. We were the last squad to get there that day and by that time with sixty some shooters hitting a head target it was basically just a big pile of tape where you couldn't even really score it correctly and had nothing to really aim at. As a RO what would be your suggestion and is there anything covering this when you take the RO class?

I don’t think it’s come up in any of the RO classes I’ve taken, but I think the answer should be “before it gets to the point that you can’t score it effectively.”

Matt:

How much experience in the shooting sports should one have before becoming an RO?

I think you should have a good understanding on how things work in competition. Notice I said "how things work" and not "know everything in the rulebook". I'm only familiar with the NROI program, currently a CRO, so I'm not 100% on what's in the classes for the other games, but in USPSA you'll get a good working knowledge of things just from taking the level 1 class. The tests can feel intense, but I think they do a good job of making you research a lot of different things, and learn concepts.

I think if you're excited about progressing in the sport, both as a shooter and a volunteer, the NROI level 1 class is worth it. I didn't learn NEARLY as much in the CRO class, and probably wouldn't go to the expense to take it again if I knew what I was getting.

This week's Triangle Tactical Q&A show is *mostly* questions from the Triangle Tactical Facebook Group. I created the Facebook Group so listeners of the podcast can discuss the shows, post match video, and talk about practice and skill building. Click here to join the group!

Do you feel like your new mag pouches made a difference at your last match and why the lack of practice on the last week before the Carolina Classic?

Do you see yourself shooting more level 2/3 matches going forward, with how much you enjoyed the recent state championship?

Whats your Ideal number of stages for a level 1 match?

What factors in for you on choosing a day to shoot in a multi day match?

Does shooting glass lens color effect your shooting? Are certain colors better for different light?

When are we going to see some more interviews? Anyone you want to interview that you haven't talked to yet?

Lucas,

Greetings,

Love the shows, thank you for doing them!

Question I have is, in a sport of such thin margins, and everyone trying to get an edge (including light loads to just over power factor); how do light polymer pistols compete with heavy all steel pistols? Would not the guns weighing nearly twice as much have much less recoil, and be easier to shoot faster and more accurately?

Thanks!

Hi Luke,

This week on the Q&A show, I had a lot of great questions! I really appreciate receiving questions in advance, so I don't have to beg for questions as much during the podcast...

If you've got a question, shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll get it queued up for a future Q&A show.

The Q&A show, and my new *screaming fast* internet is made possible by Patreon. If you want to help keep the show going, consider becoming a patron.

Become a Patron!

In USPSA production division, can you add baseplates to magazines to add additional weight? I want to add the +5 taran tactical baseplates to my Glock mags for 3 gun, but wasn't sure if they'd still be legal for the USPSA production division.

What do you think about having "new shooter" matches where the stages are simplified and the atmosphere is slower?

Hi Luke,

I've been a lurker for a while.  Podcast is fantastic!! Thank you.

I shoot IDPA and 3-gun and plan to start USPSA soon.

I just got into reloading.

I've got the theory of bullet weight down for self-defense conversations, but what about for competition?

I shoot 9mm.  Why would I choose 115 vs 124 vs 147 for competition?

I typically shot 124 for IDPA b/c my Federal HST EDC rounds are 124 gr.

If this is an appropriate question, you can save the answer for the Q&A podcast.

Thanks,

Don in Baltimore

Hey Lucas,

First of all, I am really enjoying all the things you are doing with the show. But I am shooting my first USPSA match (finally, The Devil Dog match) this upcoming Sunday. As you know I have been shooting IDPA for a few months now, and I understand the differences for the most part, but is there any advice you would give to me going into it? How many rounds should I bring compared to an IDPA match?

Hey Luke,

I started listening to your podcast at work a couple weeks ago, and I've decided that there's no time like the present to get started in USPSA Production. I read Ben Stoeger's book on dry-fire training, downloaded a shot timer app for my phone, and got to work. So far, I've learned that I'm slow, but improving quickly. I've registered for my first match, which is 10 days from today. My official goal for the match is to not get DQed, but I'm too competitive to be happy with just that. Are there any drills or exercises you would suggest I concentrate on in these last few days?

Thanks for your encouragement and the great podcast!

Seth

[powerpress]

I'm doing a Major Match Prep VLOG over on Patreon. There's two vlogs up over there already, and my goal is to get something new up every day that I'm not doing a podcast between now and the NC USPSA Sectional. 

What were your goals for 2017 and how are you progressing through those goals?

Hey Luke!

I just finished listening to your latest show, congrats on 1,000,000!  In this show you talked about shooting a match and having a lot of mental mistakes.  I have definitely been there before, and was hoping you'd have a few tips for how to get your head back in the game after a few mistakes.  I shot an IDPA match recently and felt groggy for the first few stages and made several mental mistakes.  I finished the last three stages ok, but by then I was in such a deep hole there really wasn't any way out.  Any advise you've got would be appreciated!

I moved into my newly built house last month and while I have a great basement to dryfire in I don't have internet yet to stream the live show so here are some questions to catch on the podcast.

Will you ever make triangle tactical match jerseys for sale?

What is a uspsa multi gun match format. My local club has one next month. It is just like a 3 gun match or does uspsa multi gun have any major differences.

My first classifier was solid c class. Is this a good start for a semi experienced shooter or am I below where I should be.

This weeks Q&A show was a lot of fun. Make sure you hit the subscribe links above, and don't forget to head over to triangletactical.net/shirts to get one of these "Not Today, Mike" shirts I'm wearing in the video. 

Do you have a consistent pre stage routine? I've started handing off my pasters when I'm in the hole and I check all my mags to make sure they are loaded all the way up (cardinal rule!) and start visualizing my run through. I'll usually air gun a little and double check if there is a weird angle or target somewhere. Then as soon as the shooter before me is done I stand at the start location, double check all my mags again ( I've burned myself too many times) and I'll hold my 11 round mag in my hands while I air gun one last time until the make ready. Then I load up, usually do a quick press check, and stare down the first target until the timer goes off. Do you always do the same routine, or am I over thinking this?

When you "Make Ready," do you have a set routine that you follow every time?  Does it ever differ?  If so, what might cause the change in routine?

• I don't do anything super crazy. When I'm the on-deck shooter I stop pasting and re-setting and step away to think about my stage plan, visualize a little more, etc. When the shooter ahead of me is finished, I'll try and do a fullspeed walk through of the stage, practice the start position, etc.
• At the Make Ready, I don't do any crazy long procedures. If there's a far target, I'll see if I can get a sight picture, but then it's just insert the magazine, put one in the chamber, and I'm off to the races.

What are some things you do to help ensure a new shooter enjoys their first match?  Is there anything that helps calm their nerves or mitigate any mistakes they might make (that are not safety related).  What if they DQ at their first match?  Do you just tell them that "it happens to everyone" and hope they come back for the next match?  When explaining all of the safety and logistical procedures prior to the match, how do you convey that the procedures are serious, but they aren't as daunting as they might sound?

So as you know, I just started competing in USPSA matches and I was hoping you could clarify a few things for me.

Am I reading the rules right?

• You need 4 classifiers to get your initial classification. More deets here: https://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-faq-details.php

• As an RO myself, I wouldn't ever have a problem with a shooter checking down range to make sure the range is clear, especially on a stage with solid walls.
• At a local match we decided to play around with using see through walls that were parallel to the back-stop, and solid walls perpendicular to the backstop, and that seemed to work well, and make it easy for the RO to make sure there's nobody down range.

• I dislike it when there's a whole bunch of people following the RO down range, for the exact reason you mentioned.

Luke,

• I don't think it's a bad thing. You worked hard, and now if the thought of practice is tedious, taking a break is probably okay.
• I've been reading this book, and while I can't point to the exact page, there was a line in it about how people who are really good at things are really good because they've learned to love the process of getting better. It's not just the glory of the win that's pushing them to improve.

• I don't have any hard/fast rules for this. I generally move on whenever I'm feeling like I'm not being productive anymore, or when I'm really frustrated.

Want to get your hands on the shirt I'm wearing in this week's show? Head over to triangletactical.net/shirts, and get one! I love mine, I think it's hilarious. 

Here's this week's questions:

Luke

I was wondering if there are certain spare parts someone should keep in their range bag for competitions and or range trips.

Thanks

Jon

Hi Luke,

Just finished the news podcast and I've got a question or two for you.

When you start from the beginning to develop a brand new load for competition, how do you go about that? I understand that you should start at the minimum and work up, but what about figuring out the optimum overall length (OAL)? How big are your batch sizes for every unique recipe? 5, 10 or more?

Once again thanks for all of your help!

Hi Luke,

What yardage would you recommend to site in a competition gun at?

Best Regards

This show is really made possible because of the Patrons of Triangle Tactical who pledge a couple bucks a month to keep it going. There are perks to being a patron, like getting access to the Triangle Tactical News Blast podcast, only on Patreon. Check it out here.

Hi Luke I was wondering what do you do if you run into a stage that hasn't been reset properly that you are shooting. Example my last uspsa stage I shot there was a target that wasn't pasted so I shot it twice and went on. Should you just leave the target there since it was already shot? I also had an idpa match a few weeks ago where a popper wasn't reset and I was going to end on it. So I stopped and said the popper isn't reset and I had a re shoot should I have got credit for the target and didn't have to re shoot?

Thanks Alex from Iowa

From ANON

Q: When do you know it's time to find a new range?

1. As a noOb to IDPA, this weekend was only my second time out. I shot ok (middle of the pack overall), but I still had some questions. I read the rulebook (at least twice) before this second match, but it seemed that every stage ended up a fight over the correct way to approach it...starting with the walkthrough, and then often questioning calls with nearly every shooter. As a noOb, whenever I asked a question (this match or the first), the SO or more senior shooter would get defensive and treat me as though I was lawyering and trying to get out of a penalty. I was just asking for clarification to gain a more thorough understanding of the game. One person even took it upon himself at the end of each stage to immediately approach and ask, "Do you know what you did wrong?" While I want to know what my penalties are, some of these instances were...more points of technique. Or pointing out the malf that I cleared, thereby leaving a partial mag on the ground. It happens. Or being close to the 180. When during the walkthrough we talked about how we'd all be close to the 180. It became difficult, it not impossible to ask any questions at all.
2. Penalties were awarded inconsistently, so it was even more difficult to gain an understanding of the correct procedure. Two people could shoot an array in the same order, and one would get a penalty for shooting it out of order. Some would get penalties for leaving mags with rounds, but not others. One person was even told his ammo was illegal for IDPA...but was not DQ'd. There was one DQ for breaking the 180...but it was too obvious to even pretend otherwise, even over all the background noise of banter and chitchat.

So, find a new range until I have more experience and know more? Or stick with it? It's the closest one to my house, and it seems to be only an issue for IDPA, not USPSA. I'm enjoying the game, but it becomes frustrating and distracting to fight through every stage as such.

Thanks for all you do,

ANON

What are some of the rules you see misused or misinterpreted the most?

Clay sends in a voicemail asking about the USPSA Classifier "Six", asking about the best way to shoot it. 

Subscribe to my Newsletter, and I'll send you my PDF with everything you need to know to shoot your first match by next weekend. 

I have a few questions about live fire practice. I want to practice match like scenarios like shooting/reloading on the move and things you simply can't do at your typical indoor range. What do you recommend and do?

Are most folks members at the host gun clubs and practice there?

Do you bring your own targets, stands, and poppers? Do some clubs allow you to borrow the equipment that is used during the local matches?

I understand each gun club is different and I will start asking around my local clubs what I can do. I'm just trying to get a general consensus of what guys are doing to get the best live fire practice and before I decide to drop the money to become a member. Also, I don't really have access to private land to set up a berm and targets.

Luke,

You talk a lot about getting match video for all your matches.  What is more helpful GoPro POV type video or 2nd person video like someone shooting with your cell phone?  Is there different value in each?

Thanks for all the work on the show.

Russ in Pensacola

I've started seeing a pattern where my first stage really sucks (zeros for the last two matches), and then my scores slowly climb from one stage to the next. Ideas on how to get that momentum going from the start?

My dryfire work is not showing up for matches. Thoughts? I am literally dryfiring daily, using some of Ben Stoeger's drills. It's like I do 20 perfect reloads at home, then I get to the match and might as well as just left the pMags in my range bag instead of swapping out my gear. What is happening? I look like a moron out there.

Thanks for all of your help, Luke.

Amy

Hi Luke,

I broke a fire pin yesterday dryfiring. I'm thinking about adding snapcaps and dedicating a couple of mags for dry fire only but wanted your thoughts. I've listed your advice on inserting a piece of cardboard/match stick on top of the barrel in the breach to take out of battery. What snap caps do you like? I've noticed if I do a partial slide rack i can avoid kicking out the snap cap. Your thoughts on the entire process would be appreciated. This was an expensive lesson for me!

This weeks Q&A show was a lot of fun!

If you would like to have a show next week, I need your questions: Shoot me an email with your questions to [email protected]

Hey Luke,

I had a few questions I think would work well for the Q&A show:

If you had a gun that can shoot in IDPA BUG or CCP, which would you choose?  I may try my XDS 9mm and I'm trying to figure out which mags to buy.

Whats the most interesting gun you seen at a match?  

What's your thoughts on reloading hotter ammo for steel targets and stages?  I've heard of this on Gundudes\Paracast, and a few stage videos on Youtube's InRangeTV with spinners where this would help.  

Thanks for all the good work; your podcast helps me get through walking sessons.

- Mike from DFW.

Hey Lucas,

I'm not sure if it's already been asked but, I was wondering what made you settle on the 125gr bullet for your competition reloads? I'm getting into reloading and I haven't played around with bullet weights very much with factory ammo due to cost.

Thanks!

Phil

Hi Luke,

I've been traveling more lately and will be traveling again next week.

Any tips or suggestions for practicing when you're away from home? I don't plan on bringing my gun because the state I'm going to isn't gun friendly...

Keep on shooting!

Best Regards

--

Rick

Hi Luke

I have a question for the Qna show. I plan on shooting a level 2 uspsa match this year and I don't think I'll have enough classifiers to become classified and was wondering if I have to be classified to shoot a level 2 match?

Thanks

Alex from Iowa

Hi Luke -

In your recent main show, you mentioned having to reshoot a classifier due to timer failure, and you wished you had fought that decision more.  I've only ever felt the need to challenge a call once, and it was a very minor issue the RO and I worked out on the spot.  I'm not really clear how how and when to seriously challenge an RO's decision.

It's my understanding that video is not acceptable evidence in arbitration, and Mike Foley released a statement this week reiterating that USPSA national will not intervene in local match issues.  Given these constraints, what would your process have been to challenge the decision to reshoot?  What evidence or reasoning would you have presented, and to whom?  How far would you have been able to take the fight if you were so inclined?

Thanks as always for a great podcast.

Robb