BigK

I'm looking forward to this match. Put me down for +1, a friend at work is coming to his first IDPA match. I think he's gonna love it too. I appreciate the advice Greg, thanks.

Let's say I dread another trip to get something better. What choke will help the most on a 28" barrell?

Yeah, I didn't feel very appreciated, LOL.

I have my C&R on file at all 3 as a matter of fact. Just forgot about AIM. I'll try them too, thanks for the reminder.

So, I have 19 rd mags for my gun. Are you saying I can shoot ESP and use full mags? One other question...will 1-1/8 oz #7 shells work for the shotgun match?

OOH! A caliber debate. These are always good for some fun.

I'd trade every calendar day over 90 degrees for 2 under 40 degrees in a hearbeat. Can't get naked enough to make a difference in this heat. Besides, in the winter snuggling up to my wife to get lucky is easier. In this heat she says get the hell off me are you outta your mind?

I would have completely understood that they could run out of an item. Coincidentally running out of both items on my order is just crazy bad luck, but still understandable. Not calling to tell me for 2 weeks is neither understandable nor forgivable in my book. I'm gonna either try J&G Sales or Southern Ohio Gun next. What's the worse that could happen, I get jerked around for 2 weeks and end up with no guns? Thanks a lot ttocswob, now I'm scared I'm gonna get credit card raped too.

I promised the folks at Classic Arms that I'd share a lil' story with ya. I placed an order 2 weeks ago yesterday (Tuesday 6/28) for 2 Mosins (one round Izzy and one sniper). More research revealed that the "original Russian sniper" is really a reproduction, so I called the next morning to change it to a hex Dragoon rifle. The person on the phone was real snitty and abrupt and I wish I had just said nevermind, cancel the order right then. But then I wouldn't get to tell you this story. After several days, my online invoice never reflected the $300 price difference, so I called back (Friday (7/1). It seems that they can't change the invoice to reflect my real order once it's placed online...still, not very friendly, but I'm still too dense to take a hint. I waited til about a week ago to call and verify that I would still get an email when my order ships. Since there won't be updates to my online invoice, how can I know when it will ship? I need to be able to track the pkg and be home to sign for it. I was told they'll have my order shipped by Friday 7/8 and an email will follow. At this point it's been a week and a half, so I'm expecting an apology for the delay...NOPE, but at least I know now that my order is almost out of their hands, so I said thank you. Well, I got a call from them yesterday (Tuesday 7/12) saying they started fulfilling orders. Turns out they ran out of both of the rifles I ordered 2 weeks ago, before they got to me and want to know "What do you want me to about your order?". A moment of cool-headedness made me think twice about actually indicating which orifice into which they could forcibly insert my order. Still polite, I asked is this how the order process usually goes. "Well, some times...see, we never really know what we'll get in, so some times we don't have as many of some rifles as we thought we would." I wish I had been more polite to the person on the phone when I asked what kind of garage sale operation they are running. It shouldn't take 2 weeks to let a customer know they aren't getting what they ordered. I should have gotten that call on Friday when I was promised it would go out. Regardless, I made it clear that not only would I NEVER order from them again, but I would make sure I warn everyone else what to expect if they decide to do business with Classic Arms, A DIVISION OF U.S. ARMS LLC. P.O. Box 125 • Indian Trail, NC 28079 - www.classicarms.us

You jumped to the wrong conclusion about what I meant. I was speaking strictly of fiscal conservatism, but since you mentioned it... I believe it is far less "wrong" to feel a sense of duty to spread one's religious and/or moral convictions than it is to be devoid of any. We ALL have an idea of what is right and wrong and we ALL feel a sense of duty to spread those beliefs or at least stand up for them. Afterall, there's a reason they're called "beliefs" instead of musings or suppositions. They are usually a deeply personal set of convictions. So, whether we are all in the same Judeo-Christian camp or not we will never all share the same set of moral convictions any more than we'll all agree on which is better, Original Recipe or Extra Crispy. The country is approximately 60-65% "conservative", but we are not united against socialism, b/c we can't get past each others' religious/moral beliefs long enough to get anything done about the fiscal issues we mostly agree on.

Pledge or no pledge, she'll split the conservative vote in the primary with Santorum or someone else, giving the Republican nomination to some RINO anyway. As long as that nominee doesn't split the vote in the general election with an independent conservative, there's still hope of getting rid of Comrade Obama.

You're more than welcome and I mean that seriously. I'll PM you some contact info.

Ramjo, That is the most important piece of advice anyone could have given you. Read as many manuals as you can. Try to borrow/trade/load with buddies, if possible. I even studied reloading die diagrams from different mfg online to help me get a better understanding of what they do when I pull the handle. Also there are some pretty good videos on YouTube and some mfg websites (like Lee). The thing that helped me the most was online forums like this and others. I searched for questions like I was having and asked a LOT of what seemed like dumb questions. I was assured they weren't by the folks that answered them, but they may have lied to me, LOL. One other suggestion that I didn't think about at the time was to ask folks with the presses you are considering buying if you can come watch them some time (I'd be very surprised if they say no). Good luck with it and ask lots of questions.

Whoa, I almost missed this comment. I'm guessing I'm not "up" on the details of the forfeiture law, b/c I cannot see how this makes sense. Confiscating money from 6 or 7 guys' wallets/cars that only totals up to $1K is chump change. Assuming the cash is related to illegal activity is crazy...Evel Knievel couldn't make that jump!

Way to go! Those ESP divisions are tight, making Sharpshooter is awesome.

Hey Randy, forgot to ask. How did the ATI heat shield installation go for you. I've heard nothing but nightmares. Is it true that it comes in flat and you have to bend it around the barrell?

Hmm, some people need to read a book or watch a movie, because even I know that you don't keep money at the table when a decent set of poker chips only cost $40. Players buy in when they arrive and money is kept NOWHERE EVEN NEAR the game and NEVER even in the same room as the chips. For starters, this removes the emotional attachment we all have for cash, making it easier to say the words "I'm all in." Additionally, if John Q. Law shows up, there's no cash in sight, making it appear to be a friendly game for fun. No laws appear to have been broken and to go searching for that money would require a warrant. at least that's what I've heard

Heck yeah, $400 will set you up real nice. Assuming you have a table to mount it to and have some brass saved up (if not Yankee500 sells it on here pretty cheap) and using 9mm as an example... MidwayUSA Lee Deluxe kit $118, 4-die set $40, Lee XR hand primer $18.50, Lee shell plate for primer $3 (optional: whole set of 11 is only $12), Frankford Arsenal Tumbler $40 (somewhat optional), Frankford Arsenal media separator ($9), Modern Reloading by Richard Lee (manual) $14, 500 Ranier 115 gr plated bullets $53 ****Total w/ shipping = $315 (a good bit cheaper than best local retail prices w/ tax) Harbor Freight pretty darn good set of digital calipers $22, Buy local (online hazmat fee = $25) 1000 Winchester primers $36, 1# most powders (some are way higher) $21 Any pet store tumbler media $5 I think that comes to $399. You're gonna want electronic scales ($40) eventually and a word to the wise...Berry's Mfg will sell you 1000 115 gr RN plated bullets for $86 including shipping (Berry's service is fantastic and they make good bullets). Hope that helps

TNWNGR, I like the way you think. Cutting down the stock to apply a good recoil pad sounds like it'd be cheaper than a new stock. That saves me more money to go toward more or higher quality in the other stuff. I already have a fiber optic front sight that I never got around to installing. I also already removed the plug, but was advised by some other IDPA guys that more rounds in the tube would be a plus.

This is what I was wondering about the most. I'm not sure how far the targets were when you shot 3-gun, but I think some at the match I'm going to are 25 yds out. I was worried about spread at that distance, but you say you had no problem with it, huh? That recoil reducing 6-position stock sounds like a good investment, but at that price I couldn't afford a shorter barrell. I won't cut mine down, so unless I keep the 28" barrell on it, I wouldn't have enough cash left for one. Maybe I don't need one as bad as I think I do, but like I said...I'm not sure. I didn't think about a heat shield. Assuming the name means what it implies, I'm guessing it's an issue and I forgot to consider that.

I have a Mossberg 500a with a 28" barrell, wood stock/forend, and standard magazine tube. Here's a pic... Now I want to push the limits a little and see how verstile I can make it (since I can't afford multiple shotguns right now). I'd like to make it more suitable for home defense and be able to use it for an upcoming IDPA shotgun side match (and hopefully more in the future), while avoiding any permanent mods that'd keep me from being able to put it back together as is for hunting. Here's some of the add-ons/upgrades I've seen while surfing the Web. I have no idea what is most useful vs. what I can't live without. All I know for sure is that I can't afford to waste any time/money on anything that's only tacticool or just for looks. I have 1 week and a $200 budget to work with. Any advice on any small part or as much knowledge as you're willing to share on these would be awesome: an extended magazine tube (7+1) Seems important, if it takes most of my budget, I guess the rest will have to wait. IIRC the retaining ring is only big enough for the takedown screw threads, not the whole tube. I'm guessing this means I need to buy an extended mag tube & a new barrell or a kit (like this). [*]a shorter barrell 18.5" - 20" seems like it would be best for HD, but is this too short for IDPA? Most short barrells have no choke. Are my shots gonna spread too much for IDPA? I could get the kit above solely for HD. If so, is the 28" barrel I have be too long for IDPA? [*]different stock (mine's always felt too long for my arms) Pistol grip only (like a Cruiser) look cool, but are they practical? For IDPA? A foldable stock with a pistol grip looks like it would work for both, thoughts? Collapsable stocks seem good too, but are they better than a folder for HD? [*]Foregrip Yes, this violates the "just for looks" rule, but if I get a stock (presumably black) I'd hate to keep the wood foregrip on the gun when I can replace it w/ at least a plain black for only $10 - $15. Is there any advantage of having a vertical foregrip for HD? For IDPA? Is there any advantage of having a chainsaw foregrip for HD? For IDPA [*]Shell holders Is there a big enough advantage to be worth it for HD? For IDPA? If so, would the strap on type be good enough for HD? For IDPA? I already have a shell bag for hunting, will it work for IDPA? Guys, I know this is a LOT of questions. Believe it or not, I only included the ones I thought you wouldn't laugh at. Please don't feel obliged to answer all. Any input on any part of this puzzle will help a TON and be VERY much appreciated.

Whoa, I looked back at the 12/18 course of fire and you weren't kidding. That looks tough. Stage 2 was just sick and wrong..."Shoot on the move without hitting Non Threats!"...really?! I can see how that might leave a bad taste in your mouth for steel shooting, LOL. BTW...I've seen you shoot, I know you ain't skeered of steel. Personally, I like it for the instant gratification it delivers. Oh, and not pasting targets.

Sounds interesting. If I can work up the nerve to show up with my Mossberg 500 at a skeet range to go up against those expensive over/unders, I can take a lil' ribbing from you guys about it too. Anybody care to recommend a load? As many times as I've heard you say you %$#@ HATE shooting steel, you sure have a sick sense of humor when it comes to course design. I mean that as a compliment, of course. This looks VERY challenging, my hat's off to you. You've outdone yourself, sir.

I traded Chip my Glock 34 and equipment for his CZ Shadow and equipment. Of course I had to pony up a few bucks to even out the trade, but I think we're both happy.

True, true...I've bought new brass that didn't even look that good. If I weren't just loading cheap plinking ammo, I'd give this method a lot more thought, like if I were making high-powered hunting ammo or self-defense ammo.