BigK

I just finished reading "Surgical Speed Shooting" by Andy Standford. James Yeager wrote the Foreword and is on the cover of the book. It's not the Holy Grail of training manuals, but was very good. Knowing that Tactical Response shares similar philosophies and this review make me want to take the class too.

Hey Mark, which way did you decide to go? On press? By hand?

While it seems VERY effective (that brass is immaculate), it looks like a lot more work than corn cob or walnut. Call me lazy, but "shiny" isn't worth this much effort.

LOL, priorities have never been my strong suit, so I have no idea why shooting doesn't always win (other than that obnoxious squeeling sound coming from my right front brakes that I hope doesn't become a grinding sound b/w now and Saturday).

I'm with John, I gotta try this some time soon as well. This does look like a great set-up. Wish I could make it out this time, but maybe next time.

OMG, this is a dream come true match! I LOVE SHOOTING STEEL! I assume the shotgun match is optional or you wouldn't call it a "side" match, right? What kind of shotgun do most use for a shotgun match? The tactical style like for home defense? A skeet gun? Or will any ol' hunting stlye shotgun work?

Wish I didn't have to get brakes on my car Saturday morning. It'd be fun to shoot back-to-back classifiers. Plus, I got a new gun for IDPA last night and I'm dying to try it out on the clock.

Very, very well put, Barewoolf. In my previous replies, it sounds like I'm a big fan of Serpas, but I'm not. The truth is..I don't like the idea of any holster retention beyond Level 1 (friction) keeping me from pulling my pistol under duress. Hell, I'm slow enough as it is, so I need every advantage I can get. The way Barewoolf puts it, I see more clearly what others are saying about the Serpa being a contributing factor. What percentage of the blame you attribute is up to you, but I concede that zero is not the right answer. I still think that user error is the main cause of the Serpa ND's, but the way it was put here I can see the other side too. Maybe what we're really only disagreeing on what percentage of blame, not the existence of any blame.

In my version of reality, people sue McDonald's over hot coffee or homeowners over injuries during a robbery and they win. So, I'm just saying that if Blackhawk hasn't been sued over this holster yet, there's a reason...coffee is supposed to be hot, you might get hurt while robbing someone's house, and you're supposed to keep your finger out of the trigger guard until on target even if you're in a hurry.

Blackhawk has sold more than a few of these holsters and we've all heard of this "issue". Seems to me that as litigious as our society is, they've surely been sued and won. If so, it proves this is operator error. I'm curious if the "blame the holster" crowd has any similarities to the "blame the gun" crowd that pop up when somebody gets Glock-butt. Regardless, it took stones to man-up and post that video. He had to know there'd be finger pointing and ridicule. To me it shows that he's more dedicated to helping folks than me. If I shot myself in the leg, none of you would know about it unless the hospital leaked the info, LOL.

Not sure how you feel about used guns, but I ran across a truly good bargain recently on a CZ 75 BD Police, but I can't afford it right now. PM me if interested & I'll give you the link.

Congrats on getting a press and equipment so quickly! Hope you have fun with it.

I had nearly as much fun talking with the guys in our squad as I did shooting. Wish I was as good at shooting as I am at running my mouth. What a great bunch of folks to spend a day with. Thanks all.

I've been debating w/ myself over getting an R1 or a Ruger SR1911, so I appreciate the input. They're both in my budget range and I like them a bit better than a RIA, even though RIA is cheaper by far. Can't wait to hear a range report too.

The Serpa holster with a button for retention cannot be carried in both positions. Even if it could rotate like you wish, it is designed so your index finger releases the pistol. From SOB your index finger would be against your back. If you tried to use your thumb to release it, you couldn't grip & draw as is needed. Some holsters have a thumb release on the inner side, but it'd be incredibly awkward to hit with your finger when SOB. For SOB (which I agree is a bad idea) you need MUCH more friction for retention than you can get from a Level 1 Kydex holster. Just saying...

Try to get your mitts on a CZ P-01!! I wish you were near Nashville, I'd be glad to let you shoot mine. They call it a compact, but it handles & shoots like a full size. Plus, it has that CZ 75 feel you said you like, holds 14+1, and it's barely heavier than a Glock, since the frame is an aluminum alloy. And then there's THIS...http://www.cz-usa.com/press-releases/102/

As you can see by the varied response, yours is a very subjective question. I agree with every answer offered. Your budget allows you to pick almost anything. When I shopped for a BUG for my pocket, my LGS let me try them out including holsters. The big box stores won't let ya do that, though. Just plan on needing 2 or 3 times as much ammo as usual to get proficient with any gun small enough for your pocket.

I've been wanting a taste of that Kool Aid myself. Since I've never even tried it, I have no idea what flavor I'd even like. How'd you come to decide on a Remington? Awesome looking gun, BTW

All I've seen in LGSs are banged up messes that have clearly been counter-bored and recrowned. And they still want $120 + tax & TICS.

I just ordered 2 with mr C&R FFL this morning from www.classicarms.us. They have select grade round Izzy's for $75. From the actual photos (not stock pics), they look VG to Excellent.

The 2nd match I ever shot was a classifier. I'm gonna kick myself if I don't do better 2nd time around.

I'd guess $50, but I'll give ya $75 sight unseen

Specialty Arms (bought way too many guns there, always gotten a good deal) Nashville Sporting Arms (sponsors/supports MCTS! and has great reloading prices) Oupost Armory (huge selection of guns, holsters, bags, reloading stuff, but not-so-good prices on ammo)

I saw it at a private sale table at last week's gun show in Murfreesboro. it had spot on the frame where some jacka$$ had tried to remove a little rust using navel jelly. The bluing was gone in that spot and they tried to hide the bare spot w/ a black Sharpie. Totally fixable, otherwise in good shape.

Thanks for rubbing my nose in my big ol' pile of regret/stupidity! LOL I hate to admit that I passed on it over a mere $300.