3G Frostproof, 8-25-18 and USPSA WAC, 8-26-18

3G Frostproof

Open Division

• CO G34, Burris Fastfire 3, 124gr BB RN loads
• SW-JP15, Strike Eagle 1-6, Sightmark micro dot, Nordic extended PMAG, Perfecta and Freedom Munitions 55gr and 69gr ammo
• Saiga 12 – Venom red dot, 10, 12 round Surefire and 20rnd R&R mag, Remington Target (1200fps), Heavy Dove (1255fps) ammo and Managed Recoil (1200fps) slugs

Stage 1

• After the light strike, I go to 1 Alpha mode. I’m running slow enough that I can see the hit and correct (as I did on that last target).
• Clays with the pistol are 2 for 2.
• Steel for the rifle was at 150, 200,300 and 450, with 2 LaRues at 500 for bonus. Too many extras with the rifle. Need to verify zero. Mike on the 200yd.
• 32nd out of 42

Stage 2

• 1 or 2 extras, but the reload was still at the planned spot.
• 15th

Stage 3

• Start with the SG on the far steel. I wasn’t sure if the choke was good enough so I loaded up the pistol to be sure. Turns out I didn’t need it. With a few doubles, 13 steel is dropped with 9 shots. (allocating 13 Heavy Dove for all the far steel instead of the usual 7 rounds to top off the 20 rounder was key as well)
• Rifle on the other hand, doesn’t go as well. I don’t treat the half classics with enough respect and end up with 4 FTNs.
• 25th

Stage 4

• Used the offset dot on the rifle because of the tight first shots. Much better compared to the last stage; clean.
• I decided to candy stripe the 12 rounder so I could pull the staged Saiga from the barrel easier than with a 20 rounder in it. The catch is I couldn’t miss. With a double on the front array, I burn an extra on the left side before the slug on the swinger.
• Slugs on the swingers are clean.
• 15th

Stage 5

• It began to rain, and as I came up to the line and made ready, a few lightning flashes nearby forces the RO to immediately have me unload and clear.
• DNF

The Good

• Pistol accuracy
• SG work was the best today
  • almost 1 for 1
  • doubles
  • keeping with the reload plan (Stage 1)
  • candy striped mag success (Stage 4)
  • long-ish range steel drops with Heavy Dove (Stage 3)
• Adjusting with the rifle on the half classics

Needs Improvement

• Watching a fast shotgun run and the key was decisiveness, deliberate action, and confidence in hits. I’m waiting to see the hits. Shoot fast, know it’ll hit, and go to the next. If needed, cleanup the array after sweeping it.
• Check rifle zero and dryfire
• Address CO G34 light strike issue
• Agility and speed PT

Match DNF (rain and lightning).

USPSA WAC

Carry Optics

• Glock 34 with a Burris Fastfire 3, using regular, 140mm Dawson Extended and ETS 21 round mags with 124gr BB RN loads.

First time shooting Carry Optics (CO) division, we’ll see how this goes…

Stage 2

• First time in CO, and of course we start on the classifier. From the front box, the 2 flanking paper and poppers.
• Run to the forward low port and I take a low horse stance for the 3 close paper
• 21st out of 62

Stage 3

• Start with the standard mag, then finish with the Dawson extended. As a rule, I don’t like dropping the Dawson into the mud, so the standard mags will hit the ground.
• Light strike as I retreat from the close target. Thankfully, this is the only one for the match.
• After the right side array, I reload moving forward. As I get there, the (original) plan falls apart and I shoot targets as I see them. Originally I planned:
  • Position myself all the way to the right for the left open paper.
  • The 2 large poppers
  • The left zebra on the move, then the right zebra also on the move.
  • By then, the right open paper would’ve been visible.
  • Going off-sequence as I did led to that long gap as I re-position for that right open paper.
• Mike on the right no-shoot (most probably flew over it as it didn’t go low into the no-shoot, thankfully)
• 24th

Stage 4

• Start with my right heel touching the barrel behind me.
• Reload is on the main move to the right.
• Mike on the far upper right hash; 26th

Stage 5

• Due to the number of rounds needed for the first half, I start with the Dawson extended mag.
• Pickup the gun from the barrel then I start on the no-shoot obscured target. Follow up with the one open below it and the 2 closer paper are shot while retreating.
• 2 through the port on the move, then left array.
• Reload, repeat the mirror on the right.
• Clean (finally); 18th.

Stage 6

• Mag sequence is back to the standard 17 first, followed by the Dawson 22 rounder.
• 4 through the port with the no-shoot to start. Starting on no-shoots gives me the harder target off the bat so I can then speed up on the easier targets.
• Next 3 are on the move, which gives me a short reload gap between them and the right port. I think I need an extended mag release as I seem to be reaching for the button.
• Clean, 23rd.

Stage 1

• The shooter before me wasn’t ready so I get forced into the slot. No biggie for a local match but I don’t get a good last-minute walk-through.
• Mag sequence is 17-22.
• On leaving the first position, I perform the reload. The planned reload was after the 2 stacked targets which I now take after the reload.
• The last 3 paper I shoot on the move which I originally planned for flat-footed after I took my position to the right. In this case, changing the plan turned out better.
• Clean, 18th.

The Good

• Splits don’t look too bad, but faster is better.
• Adapting and not getting stressed for shooting early on Stage 1
• Steel 1 for 1

Needs Improvement

• New springs coming in for Glock 34 and 17 to address light strike issues.
• Extended mag release button
• Check primers on my loads
• Agility and speed PT

Finished 21st overall and 5th out of 11 in CO.

PCC 2Gun, HSC, 8-19-18

 

Open Division

• PSA-JP PCC with the TRS-25 optic using my 124gr BB RN loads
• CO G34, using the same ammo.

Stage 1

• Round count would be right at around 30 so I opt to use the drum. Even after a few matches with the drum working fine, I’m still not fully convinced of its reliability.
• From the boardwalk window, the 5 far hex steel. 1 extra shot.
• Run to the ‘head array’ which I shoot doubles anyway.
• Take the right array on the move, then plant and finish on the left array on the other side of the bay
• 1st out of 10 (small group today)

Stage 2

• Even with the low PCC round count, I decide I’m going to get comfortable with the drum. All head shots, some I take a second shot at.
• Pistol on the body (treated as a separate target).
• Clean, 1st.

Stage 3

• 5 stationary steel challenge steel, and 6 skinny knock-down rectangles shot in order: 5 stationary, 2 knock-downs, repeat till all knock downs are. Start off ok with the gun braced on the door sill, but peter out and have trouble on the last 2 knock downs. Too many extras. Off hand would have been faster as traversing and transitioning while braced is slower.
• Finish on the paper array with pistol. Instead of doubling as I did for headshots from stage 1, now I look for the heads and the hits. Too slow. 2 anywhere and done is quicker than acquiring the head and taking a sure shot.
• 8th

Stage 4

• Low round count, so no drum.
• From the left most window, braced again on relatively easy paper, even with the hard cover. Off hand is faster.
• Run to right most windows across the boardwalk for the 2 far steel (which I take too many shots at while braced), and the 2 remaining paper.
• Clean, 8th.

The Good

• Stage 1 – off hand steel with PCC, paper with pcc
• Stage 2 – head shots with PCC
• No malfunctions – PCC ran great, and the drum had no issues.

Needs Improvement

• Braced shooting – improve speed and steadiness
• Pistol grip – grip slipping on stage 2 in prolonged string
• Extras on steel during the match made me check zero after the match. Verified dead on at about 50 yards on steel, braced. Aside from practicing off hand with the MP15-22 during the week, probably a good idea to add practice sessions with the PSA-JP9 (might as well throw in the G17 for iron sighted practice too).

Started out great, then petered out halfway through. Finished 5th out of 10 and 2nd of 3 in Open.

 

 

USPSA, WAC, 8-21-18

Open Division

Shooting the Open Edge in .40SW using 155gr BB RN loads.

Stage 2

• Left side paper, middle paper array, then right array
• Dot was a bit jumpy, 2 mikes on paper I should’ve made up for.
• 18th out of 46

Stage 3

• Left paper array, middle paper, then 5 plate rack.
• Clean; 15th.

Stage 4

• Start with 2 on the left bay then run right.
• In the right bay, on the left side, 2 on the move coming in.
• 2 through the port, then the one on the left while backing up.
• Run to right most position then finish right to left.
• Clean; 10th.

Stage 1

• Pick up gun then start on the left up close, the one on the right, then the 2 stacked in the middle with the no-shoot sandwiched.
• Run left for left array through the port, 2 in the middle on the move, and end with the 2 flanking the no-shoot on the right.
• Clean again;11th.

The Good

• Splits seem to be quicker now.
• Gun ran 100%

Needs Improvement

• Going too fast so I get mikes (Stage 2)
• Shot calling – recognizing bad shots and making them up (Stage 2)
• Work on grip to control the gun better and improve splits.
• Continue with PT so I can run faster

Finished 12th overall and 1st out of 4 in Open.

VEPR 12 Update, 8-19-18

Before

Changed out the thumbhole stock for a Desert Fox Outfitters slant cut adapter that allows attachment of a standard carbine buffer tube, and consequently, an AR15 stock.

Removal of the stock required a new pistol grip. Giving the Strike Industries AK pistol grip a try.

Mocked up with a Sightmark Mini-Dot and Magpul MOE-SL stock. With this setup, the dot isn’t visible with a good cheek weld; too low, a riser is needed. Swapping out the MOE-SL with the Saiga’s CTR with 3/4″ riser, the dot is too high. A CTR stock with a 1/2″ riser should do it.

After

USPSA, WAC, 8-14-18

Open Division

Shooting the Open Edge in .40SW using 155gr BB RN loads.

Stage 2

• Grouped with the wrong squad and first to shoot, so I had to formulate the plan quickly.
• Started on the right with the first 2, then cut downrange left for the middle arrays.
• Step up uprange for the left middle array, then more uprange running to the left to finish on the last 2 mirroring the first.
• Clean. 17th out of 50.

Stage 3

• Start is touching the barrel so I’m touching it with my left hand, right hand relaxed.
• Wide open targets, so I let it rip.
• Despite slowing down on that first no-shoot, I get the good old A-M-NS.
• 18th.

Stage 4

• Facing the port from behind the table so I have a straight run to it for the first target through it.
• Few steps right for the right-most array.
• Run back left for the clamshell array which I shot: activator, popper, paper, clamshell, right most paper.
• Go left for the last 4.
• Clean; 10th.

Stage 1

• Start facing my target, the far left paper.
• Take the 2 up close on the left while leaving, and the one on the right on the move downrange.
• From the final position, take most of the targets, step left and finish on the last 2.
• Clean again; 7th.

The Good

• Quick planning on stage 2
• Splits on stage 3
• Stage 1
• Steel 1 for 1
• Clamshell array on stage 4
• Quick planning and recognizing when your plan isn’t as good so adopting the better plan.

Needs Improvement

• A few times in the first few stages, trigger freeze occurred. Need to let the trigger properly reset
• Great splits on stage 3 but slowed down afterwards (or seemed so).

Finished 11th overall and 1st out of 3 in Open.

3G Manatee, 8-11-18

Open Division

• CO G34, Burris Fastfire 3, 124gr BB RN loads
• SW-JP15, Strike Eagle 1-6, Sightmark micro dot, Nordic extended PMAG, Perfecta and Freedom Munitions 55gr and 69gr ammo
• Saiga 12 – Venom red dot, R&R 20rnd mag, Remington Target (1200fps), Heavy Dove (1255fps) ammo and Managed Recoil (1200fps) slugs

Stage 1

• Pistol start: plate rack then paper to its right while leaving and running to the next position for a star and another paper.
• Run to staged SG with 12 rounder loaded up max (+1) for 10 steel. Shot mostly on the move, but probably faster if I’d run directly to the dump barrel and shot everything from there.
• With rifle set to 6x, I use the offset dot for the 30-40yd paper and finish off on the 3 off-hand 100yd rifle steel. Too many extras on the off-hand, need more practice (as mentioned millions of times already).
• My time prior to shooting the rifle was around 30 seconds. Time on the rifle was almost just as long. MORE. OFF-HAND. PRACTICE. (1 million +1)
• 14th out of 47

Stage 2

• 2 slugs to a large plate at 50 or so yards. 3 shot, good ’nuff.
• Run to barricade for rifle starting on a 100 yard plate rack, followed by steel at 150, 200, 300 and 340.
• Run to pistol for 3 paper and a whole slew of steel.
• 6th

Stage 3

• Rifle on paper from 2 positions with 1 on the move.
• Steel with the pistol.
• 12th

Stage 4

• Shotgun on the steel visible from the dump barrel.
• Draw pistol on the one behind the barricade then the 2 on the right on the move to the left.
• From the final position, the remaining steel and paper.
• Rough indexing and target sequence not optimal.
• 6th

Stage 5

• From the ramp, steel array on the right.
• Run into the corral for the middle steel array including the spinner.
• Run to the left for steel from 2 mandatory positions.
• Steel 1 for 1 and spinner in 2 shots.
• 4th

The Good

• First time running the Carry Optics (CO) G34 and it ran. Now the clock is ticking on reliability of the Fastfire 3 taking the punishment from being slide mounted. Hopefully anecdotal reference for it being a tough optic will hold true (which is why I chose it).
• CO G34 pistol work – Stage 5: 1 for 1 on the steel.
• Saiga work – gun ran and slugs 2 out of 3 is good given its past performance.
• Close rifle work

Needs Improvement

• OFF-HAND RIFLE

Finished 9th overall and 5th out of 15 in Open.

USPSA, WAC, 8-7-18

Open Division

Shooting the Open Edge in .40SW using 155gr BB RN loads.

Stage 2

• From the left, start on the far target, then the one up close while leaving.
• Run right, then while getting into position, the first one on the right, then the one to its left. The second looked off so I make it up (didn’t need it). Swing all the way  left for the one with the no-shoot.
• Run down to my index (gap on the right fault line), then pause for the one through the port.
• Cut right off bounds, then back in for the remaining targets right to left.
• Clean. 13th out of 43.

Stage 3

• Start looks similar to the previous, with one up close and one all the way back. Since we were starting from the start stick all the way to the right, I reverse the order and take the one up close while ‘landing’.
• Go all the way right, pause for the one on the left, then move up along the line, taking the 2 on the right up close on the move.
• Finish on the remaining paper.
• Clean; 11th.
• The plan was copied after watching other shooters and seeing better positions from my original plan.

Stage 4

• Starting on the left, left side of the wall: paper, popper, paper.
• Step left, popper paper.
• Reload on the run to the right, then stop for the array on the right.
• Run all the way left for the left array and the single on the right.
• Step right for the headshot and upside down hard cover.
• Clean, 8th.

Stage 1

• Start on the right for all the steel. I did this so if I made makeups, I knew to reload in between.
• Step left for the middle right array.
• Go all the way left but start on the middle left array and hard lean on the left most.
• Finish on the left array.
• Clean again, 9th.

The Good

• Clean!
• Steel 1 for 1
• Stage planning and copying (stage 3)
• Gun ran 100%
• Running around ok now.
• Keeping shooting on the move to retreats and landings (while getting into position).

Needs Improvement

• Work on grip to control the gun better and improve splits.
• Continue with PT so I can move faster

FInished 8th out of 43 overall and 2nd out of 5 in Open.

Glock 34 Carry Optics

Poor man’s Open: 9mm minor, no magwell, and 140mm mags; in other words good practice for 3gun Open after the addition of a magwell and using 170mm mags. I’d also be using the more secure (mentally) traditional holster.

This isn’t the first time I’ve played with a slide mounted optic pistol. I’d first added a Sightmark dot on the G17 upper a few years ago but abandoned the concept in favor of the frame mounted optic, which I currently shoot.

Pre Carry Optics era Open G17 (minor)

The Open G34 serves well in Open 3gun, and I had at first planned on converting the G17 for Carry Optics. Doing so would have left me with no iron sighted guns. Instead, by taking out the slide racker on the the 34, mounting the Fastfire 3 and mating it to the G17 lower, I’d have both optic and iron uppers. The Open 34 lower would go into mothballs for now.

Glock 17

+

Open G34

=

G34 CO

Future additions for 3gun might include a threaded barrel for easy on easy off comp, grip stippling and double undercuts, and a magwell.

Vepr 12

After years of looking, I relented and got a Vepr 12. Bone stock, it was a good deal I couldn’t pass up from Classic Firearms. I had thought about the Dissident Arms Veprs (who wouldn’t?) but it’s a lot of money off the bat. With this I can add, have work done locally, or send it to Dissident Arms.

I chose the thumbhole stock version as it’s the quicker route to converting to an AR15 stock. Not only did the faux wood stock look good, shouldering it also felt good, so much so I questioned the need to convert it to an AR stock. The grip as well had some nice stippling that felt good in the hand.

Mocked up with Sightmark mini dot however, proved the stock’s drop too low. A good cheek weld has to be broken to see the dot. A chin weld works, but that’s not going to work for the long haul. The AR stock conversion would be first among many upgrades to get it competition ready. In the meantime, I’ll use the included 5 round mag for break in and round testing.