USPSA, WAC, 3-29-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 124gr Zero RN and RMR HP loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr RMR JHP
  • 7.0gr Autocomp
  • CCI small rifle primers
  • 1.165 OAL

Bum right leg, feeling better since the weekend but still no running.

Stage 3

• Slow, focusing on getting the hits.
• Clean; 14th out of 48.

Stage 4

• 3rd to shoot, only thought of 1 plan, the same as the others. Ran it ok, extras on steel.
• Until a better plan showed up near the end of the squad that brought the shooter closer to the targets.
• 2 mikes; 22nd.

Stage 5

• Get the hits, even if it means going slower.
• Shooting the middle on the move.
• Clean; 11th.

Stage 1 – Classifier

• Gun runs fine all night, now 2 stoppages – slide stuck to the rear.
• Nicked the no-shoot on the right; 33rd.

Stage 2

• 1 stoppage this time – I think it’s mag drag. Maybe need a new recoil spring.
• Good pace on the left and right arrays as I save the tighter no-shoots for last so I can speed through the open targets.
• Clean; 17th.

Stats: 55A, 33C, 6D, 2M, 1NS

The Good

• Stage 5.
• Skipped last Tuesday due to the bum leg. Glad to be back.

Needs Improvement

• Clean match.
• Better Alpha-Charlie ratio.
• Target appropriate splits.
• Check length of RMR loads again; still might be too long.

Finished 18th out of 48 overall and 4th out of 6 in Open.

PCC 3G, HSC, 3-27-22 (Open)

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 124gr RMR HP loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr Zero RN, RMR JHP
  • 7.0gr Autocomp
  • CCI small rifle primers
  • 1.165 OAL

PSA-JP 9mm PCC

• Lower: PSA 9mm Glock lower, CMC 9mm trigger, Taccom magwell, JP 9mm Heavy SCSS and Magpul MOE SL stock
• Upper: JP BCG, JP HG, JP brake, Anderson receiver, KVP barrel
• Vortex Strikefire red dot, Venom offset, and SIG light-(red) laser combo at 9 o’clock
• 41rnd MBX extended MBX steel mag (borrowed from Lee P. as I forgot my PCC mags)
• 124gr Berrys RN loads (3.9gr WST, CCI SRM primers, 1.10 OAL)

RIA VR80

• Magpul K grip and CTR stock
• Sig Romeo5 primary and Venom offset
• RIA VR80 magwell
• TF extended (20, 12), 19 and 10 round mags
• Federal, Winchester AA 1200fps loads
• Taccom brake and recoil system
• Mil-spec buffer tube using M3 Tactical conversion backplate
• Luth MBA3 stock

The only 3gun practice before Nationals and as I come back from a Vegas weekend, my right leg tweaks, and I’m gimping around unable to run. Again. Sigh.

New additions to the VR80 and this is the first time testing the Taccom brake and recoil system and another 19round mag. Changing out major parts and no testing, so I’m iffy going in, gimpy leg and all.

Stage 1

• Start with the pistol for 2 on each flank on the move up to the SG. Reholster, and the NERD Urn allows for quicker reholstering.
• Pickup the SG with the new 19 round mag and it runs with no issues(!!!).
• Pickup the PCC, run the route and end with the pistol after dumping the PCC.
• 4th out of 13.

Stage 2

• Start in the middle table with 3 clays covering an empty case for pistol, rifle and SG. Flip 1 clay to uncover which gun to shoot, run to the staged gun and engage the gun’s arrays. Return to the table, and uncover the next clay. 3rd clay had to be returned and uncovered though it would already known.
• PCC had 75yd shots on steel, maybe 1 or 2 extras.
• SG is with the new 19rnd mag with AA loads and no issues again.
• Pistol is quick on 6 paper and 5 steel.
• 2nd.

Stage 3

• PCC to start on 4-50yd and 1-75yd steel from 5 positions. Few extras as I (re-)learn that bracing on the right side of a port is easier as the gun is pinned by my hand to the port, rather than hanging off my fingers (billiards hold) on the left side.
• Dump, run across to the left boardwalk for pistol with 3 far paper.
• End with SG down the length of the bay for clays, a flipper, and swinging clays.
• Used the ‘old’ TF extended 20rnd with a mix of Federal and AA loads and the gun FTF(eed)s a few times. The new one runs better.
• 4th
• Last shooter Duke runs out of time and the course is still setup. Rather than pickup the clays, I volunteer to shoot them. Federals in TF extended 12 round Panzer runs fine.
• Last shot and the dot is gone. The Romeo 5 had gone loose and the battering from the shots may have done it in. Replaced the battery and it still won’t turn on. Replaced with a Vortex Sparc, courtesy of Lee P. again. Will do a quick ‘laser transfer’ but will verify zero before leaving for Nats.

The Good

• Pistol runs great.
• PCC good for LR, using 124s.
• Good stage placement despite the gimp.
• New VR80 19rnd mag runs better than the ‘older’ 20rnd.

Needs Improvement

• Swap TF basepads and tweak the coupler of the ‘old’ 19rnd mag.
• PT for the right leg before Nats.

Finished 3rd out of 13.

JG, WAC, 3-17-22 (PCC)

PCC Division

Drove out to the WAC on a Thursday night to shoot the Action Shotgun match for testing of the VR80’s newest parts. With only 3 of us waiting for the others to show up, Jimmy R. offered the use of his JP GMR-15 (stock photo above) and his ammo for the JG match instead. I’d shot the JG Action matches before, but as it’s on a Thursday, I’d chosen to shoot the closer Bullseye League at SW. JG is kinda like IDPA, but not IDPA.

Stage 1

• Ammo issue near the start – I’m thankful just shooting rather than driving out and back due to the cancelled SG match.
• 1st out of 5 in PCC.

Stage 2

• Gun runs flawlessly.
• Clean, 1st.

Stage 3

• Clean, 2nd.

The Good

• Having friends who’ll lend you a gun and ammo so you can shoot a match you didn’t plan on shooting. Thanks Jimmy!
• IDPA PCC FTW!

Needs Improvement

• Bring a backup

Finished 1st out of 19 overall and 1st out of 5 in PCC.

USPSA, WAC, 3-15-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 124gr Zero RN and RMR HP loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr Zero RN, RMR JHP
  • 7.0gr Autocomp
  • CCI small rifle primers
  • 1.165 OAL

Newer loads with RMR JHPs as the Zero RNs aren’t totally jacketted. While the Zeros seemed ok, using a completely jacketed bullet would mean less comp buildup (hopefully).

Left: Zero RN; Right: RMR JHP

1.165 OAL

Stage 2

• On the move for most.
• Clean; 6th out of 41.

Stage 3

• Ok on the right side, but the trigger ‘wall’ shows up, twice. Mike on the top target, at least the steel is 1 for 1.
• 32nd.

Stage 4

• On the move to start.
• 4 on the swinger and 2 make it.
• Finish strong on the right.
• Clean; 4th.

Stage 1

• Ok start on the left and leaving the position on the move.
• Middle on the move.
• Right side is a mess as I haphazardly engage the array. I re-engage the lower of the no-shoot stack. Plus the wall shows up again.
• Mike on the right-most; 23rd.

Stats: 51A, 39C, 5D, 2M

The Good

• Stages 2 and 4.
• Steel 1 for 1.
• Shooting on the move.

Needs Improvement

• Clean match.
• Better Alpha-Charlie ratio.
• Plan out array order.
• Target appropriate splits.
• Check length of RMR loads; might be too long.

Finished 16th out of 41 overall and 4th out of 6 in Open.

USPSA, HSC, 3-13-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 124gr Zero RN loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr Zero RN
  • 7.0gr Autocomp
  • CCI small rifle primers
  • 1.165 OAL

Very cold AM at HSC, driving up the car’s thermometer read 33. Long sleeves under the Icarus jersey with a jacket, gloves and I can barely feel my fingers. Thankfully some free hand warmers were available, which brought needed feelings before running first for our first stage.

As I turn on the camera for Stage 1, seems the cold has affected the battery. It shutdown after starting up the recording, and wouldn’t restart afterwards. No vids today.

Stage 1

• 15 paper, 5 positions, but managed to collapse it to 4. 30 round count, 30 shots fired.
• Clean; 3rd out of 29.

Stage 2

• 33 round count, so a reload will be required. The ground is sand, so I pick the black basepad 170 as the ‘drop’ mag.
• Hit the initial targets, then reloaded on the way uprange.
• 3 steel activators for 3 swingers were among the last array.
• Clean; 5th.

Stage 3

• Thought up a great plan that involved a bit more shooting on the move than the original I first had.
• Starts out ok, up until the middle position. The gun turns single shot and I doggedly rack and shoot, thinking it will fix itself. I finally reload – but stow the faulty mag as I’d already lost so much time shooting single shot, that dropping it into the sand would just make make things worse.
• I thought I cleaned the dropped mag on Stage 2 enough. Stripped the top rounds, then cleared the sand. Obviously I didn’t clean it enough.
• 25th

Stage 4

• Classifier. Start seated, holding playing ‘cards’ in each hand, elbows on the table, gun loaded on the table.
• 3 paper, 2 steel. Steel 1 for 1.
• Clean, 4th.

Stage 5

• I copy Lee P.’s plan and improve on it – which was basically the reverse of my original plan.
• I use the now cleaned black basepad 170 with no issues.
• Clean, 3rd.

Stats: 99A, 21, 1D

The Good

• Great stats.
• All stages except the mag failure stage.
• Steel almost, if not 1 for 1.
• Gun ran, but mag failed. Figured out it was the mag, and dealt with the problem. Disassembled, and cleaned it.

Needs Improvement

• Keep mags clean.
• Target appropriate splits.

After last Friday’s mike-fest, resolved to slow down and get the hits. Stats prove the gun and new loads are accurate if I do my part. If it weren’t for the malfunctioning mag, had decent placement for the other stages. Finished 8th out of 29 overall and 3rd out of 7 in Open.

USPSA, WAC, 3-11-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 124gr Zero RN loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr Zero RN
  • 7.0gr Autocomp
  • CCI small rifle primers
  • 1.165 OAL

New loads as I can’t find Zero JHPs.

7.0gr Autocomp

1.165 OAL

Stage 2

• Steel 1 for 1, and the timing cooperates.
• Clean; 5th out of 33.

Stage 3

• Steel 1 for 1 again.
• 1 mike; 17th.

Stage 4

• Looked great, decent time, up until the scoring…
• 2 mikes – one on the tux, the other on the no-shoot (where I yell out as I see the no-shoot).
• 24th.
• Not enough respect for harder targets.

Stage 1

• Despite the slower split pace, mikes galore (4).
• 27th.
• Respected the targets, but no joy.

Stats: 48A, 23C, 3D, 7M, 1NS

The Good

• Stage 2.
• Steel almost 1 for 1 (1 extra on steel for the entire match).
• Gun ran – Zero RNs seem ok.

Needs Improvement

• Clean match.
• Better Alpha-Charlie ratio.
• Target appropriate splits.
• Check accuracy (grouping) of Zero RNs.

Great start on Stage 2 then it was downhill from there and the mikes stacked up. Even when I slowed down for accuracy, the mikes still showed. Finished 20th out of 33 overall and 5th out of 6 in Open.

USPSA, WAC, 3-8-22 (PCC)

PCC Division

PSA – JP 9mm PCC

• Lower: PSA 9mm Glock lower, CMC 9mm trigger, Taccom magwell, JP 9mm Heavy SCSS and Magpul MOE SL-K stock
• Upper: JP BCG, JP HG, JP brake, Anderson receiver, KVP barrel
• Vortex Strikefire red dot, Venom offset, and SIG light-(red) laser combo at 9 o’clock
• ETS 40rnd mag
• 124 BB RN loads (old loads)

Switching up to this PCC for practice for MG Nats as this is more rifle-like. Using up some old 124gr BB RN loads (when I was still using Titegroup). Forgot the hatcam. No vids.

Stage 2

• Shooting from the back as I thought I’d be constantly shooting rather than in bursts as I moved from position to position.
• First shots and I’m startled by the recoil impulse of this system. The Blitzkreig based lowers are definitely softer.
• Shot according to plan, but shooting from the back also meant the targets were further. 2 mikes.
• 23rd out of 40.

Stage 3

• Start with gun on barrel and both hands touching another barrel.
• While running the first few shooters, I noticed the left-most target stack was visible from the right side. Starting on those meant only 2 positions rather than 3.
• Shot to plan, but too many extras on steel.
• Clean, 9th.

Stage 4

• Left to right, 3 positions pick which to shoot from which.
• Steel 1 for 1.
• Clean, 6th.

Stage 1

• Start with 3 large poppers on the right bay; 1 for 1.
• On the move for the 4 on the left, opposite end, then 2 through a port, finishing for more on the left.
• Clean, 4th.

Stats: 59A, 32C, 1D, 2M

The Good

• Good Alpha-Charlie ratio
• Gun ran.
• Not letting the first stage get to me, and finishing strong.

Needs Improvement

• Clean match.

Finished 6th out of 40 overall and 4th out of 11 in PCC. Pretty good, given a rough start.

USPSA, GC, 3-6-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 147gr Berrys RN loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr Zero JHP
  • 7.2gr Autocomp
  • Winchester small pistol primers
  • 1.165 OAL

Continuing with major pf…

Stage 3

• Steel 1 for 1 though I had to briefly acquire the dot on the first popper before I shot.
• There was an option in the middle to stop and shoot most of the middle targets, then finish on the 2 paper left. I opted to split it so I could continue to move and shoot.
• Clean; 12th out of 49.

Stage 4

• 3 per target required.
• Steel almost 1 for 1, save the first.
• Slowing down for the IPSC targets.
• Clean, 19th.

Stage 5

• Figured out a good plan and shot the right side as planned.
• After the reload, as I step in, I go off plan and shoot the stack, causing extra movement back and forth.
• Still, clean; 7th.

Stage 1

• Good start, up until the trigger ‘wall’ again on the 4th target.
• 1 extra for the steel.
• Need to keep up the pace as I slow down after the first 4.
• Clean; 18th.

Stage 2

• Original plan was to start on the stack then go right. Instead, I copy the rest of the squad and start on the right target. Probably shoulda stuck to my plan.
• Premature reload, but catch myself.
• 1 extra on steel.
• 1 mike (?), 24th.

Stats: 103A, 25C, 3D, 1M

The Good

• Great stats, even with the mike.
• Stage 5.
• Major seems to be the way to go as the extra gas works the comp and the gun runs faster.

Needs Improvement

• Clean match (almost there).
• Target appropriate splits.
• Trigger job?

Finished 13th out of 49 overall and 8th out of 14 in Open.

USPSA, WAC, 3-4-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 147gr Berrys RN loads.
  • 7# recoil spring for major loads
  • 124gr Zero JHP
  • 7.2gr Autocomp
  • Winchester small pistol primers
  • 1.165 OAL

Going major! Switched out the recoil spring to handle the hotter ammo.

Stage 3

• Copied the plan from Jim K. as there’s constant movement and shooting, rather than shooting OR moving. AND is better.
• Getting used to 9 major but my splits are quicker.
• Tagged the no-shoot through the port but also noticed the edge, so no makeup.
• 18th out of 42.

Stage 4

• Lots of movement. Splits a bit slower as shots are squeezed through the drums’ gaps.
• Clean, 6th.

Stage 1

• Looked great, decent time, up until the scoring…
• 3 mikes (!); 33rd.
• Too fast.

Stage 2

• Start with both hands touching the wall. First targets static, but then I start moving left.
• Big steel needs an extra but small steel are 1 for 1, even on the move.
• I slow down a bit for better hits (learning from the previous stage).
• Clean, 4th.

Stats: 45A, 29C, 14D, 3M, 1NS

The Good

• Re-learning shooting major.
• Stages 2 and 4.
• Gun ran. And it shoots better shooting major.

Needs Improvement

• Clean match.
• Better Alpha-Charlie ratio.
• Target appropriate splits.
• Check dot brightness at the Safe Area prior. For the first 3 stages, the dot was too bright and I was taking the red glare in the window for the dot. Once I lowered brightness to get rid of the glare, the dot was easier to acquire = better hits.

Finished 12th out of 42 overall and 6th out of 10 in Open.

USPSA, WAC, 3-1-22 (Open)

Open Division

Open Division

• Atlas (pre-)Chaos in 9minor, Deltapoint, and MBX mags using 147gr Berrys RN loads.
  • 6# recoil spring for minor loads
  • 124gr DG RN
  • 3.9gr WST
  • CCI small rifle magnum primers
  • 1.10 OAL

Switching to 124s as I load up more 147s. Forgot the hatcam so no vids tonight.

Stage 2

• Second up, but still not enough time to clean up the plan.
• Started on steel and was off the count. Good thing I planned an emergency reload.
• Bad thing is I fumbled the reload and dropped the mag.
• 18th out of 41.

Stage 3

• Start behind the barrel in the middle, then shoot from 3 positions, left to right. All paper.
• 1 mike, 30th.

Stage 4

• 2 steel flanking paper and I plan for steel – paper – steel. I miss the second steel so I do the ‘exit tango’. Exit on paper to reduce exit tangos from making up steel.
• The rest is run and gun to the right.
• 10th.

Stage 1

• Second shot and the gun fails to eject. Lee N. observed I didn’t get a good grip on the draw and subsequently limp wristed, leading to the malfunction.
• Thought I had a good plan for the starting array until I saw others’. I had planned lateral movement when the better plan was forward movement. Get going forward quicker.
• The rest is 2 positions for relatively close paper.
• Clean, 17th.

Stats: 56A, 35C, 5D, 1M

The Good

• Relatively clean match.
• DGs ran.

Needs Improvement

• Better Alpha-Charlie ratio.
• Target appropriate splits.
• While the DGs ran, accuracy was lower with them. Plane or pilot?

Finished 20th out of 41 overall and 6th out of 10 in Open.