Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Team York's' 2012 schedule of events


This is our plan for the coming year.  All dates and events are subject to adjustment, so stay tuned to this here blog for more info.  All pistol matches are USPSA, and the multiguns are our own breed of insanity, way too much fun.

The funshoots this year are undergoing a radical change, and should be more fun and appeal to a broader spectrum of shooter.  We have a plan that should appeal to new and experienced shooters alike.

January and February Funshoots have been replaced with Local RO Classes.   Each is a 2 part free class, the morning being aimed at training a small Cadre of FunShootRO's to help me on funshoot days in the safety ways of York, then the afternoon will continue as a more advanced USPSA type class for those interested in becoming an RO for our Action Shooting program.

Stay tuned, this is going to be an exciting year.

Month   Action Shooting           Funshoots
Jan       Stake shoot, weather permitting                Local RO class
Feb       Steel shoot, weather permitting                Local RO Class
March   8 sage USPSA pistol classifier                 FunShoot
April     5  USPSA pistol - 3 shotgun/pistol multi   FunShoot
May     3M3G                                                      Falling Steel Shoot
June     5 USPSA pistol - 3 rifle/pistol multi           FunShoot
July      PASSC                                                    FunShoot
Aug     5 USPSA pistol - 3 Shotgun/pistol multi     Falling Steel Shoot
Sept    3M3G                                                       FunShoot
Oct     5 USPSA pistol - 3 rifle/pistol multi            FunShoot
Nov     8 USPSA pistol only                                Nothing
Dec     Nothing, go home and lick your wounds.   See you next year.

Friday, December 23, 2011

My thoughts on multi-gun shotguns

Also, a popular subject because of the growing popularity in multi-gun, are shotguns.   This is my take on Tactical or Limited division shotguns (they are the same)

In general:
12 ga is by far the most popular gauge, although there are some 20s.  20s are lighter as a rule and have less recoil.  20 does make major, and would be a lot better for women or people with slight builds.  They do however, have less shot generally and slugs can be harder to find and more expensive.  The semi-auto is necessary to be competitive.  Pumps are cool for hunting and home defense but they are not competitive for action shooting.

Brands:
There are 3 really popular shotguns I have noticed in multi-gun lately.  The Benelli M1 and M2 are very popular, and are extremely light and reliable, but I think they have more recoil than the other popular guns.  The Remington 1100 or 11-87 are have been around for a long time, and are pretty inexpensive but they are more particular about cleaning.   The FNH SLP is the only one pretty well ready to go right out of the box, but they are also particular about cleaning.  For the record the Winchester X2 and Browning Gold are the same basic gun as the FNH, but you don't see a lot of them dressed up for competition.

Features:
The most important feature is reliablility.  Next is capacity.  You need your gun to hold 9 rounds total, or 8 in the tube and 1 in the chamber.  Extensions are available from many good companies though Nordic is the most popular. Barrel lengths between 21 and 24 seem to be the most popular.

Details:
Extended bolt handles and bolt releases can be added  to almost any of the guns.  It is very desirable to enlarge the loading port so it's easier to load quickly.  It may also be necessary to weld up the carrier so it is longer and more square, or replace it with one that has been done, so it doesn't bite your thumb as you're loading.  I like some kind of rifle type sights so that I can shoot slugs accurately.  Some guns like the SLP come with them, and they can be added by various methods to any vent rib gun too.

Friday, December 16, 2011

My thoughts on multi-gun rifles

I've been getting a lot of questions on rifles for multi-gun shooting lately, and I thought maybe this will help some of you make more intelligent decisions based on my experience.  I've been shooting 3 gun and multi-gun since the early 90s so I have seen a lot in that time.

Rifles:
-.223 or 5.56mm? There is a difference but it is negligable.  Don't worry about that.
- The AR-15 platform is most popular and there are more options available, but if you are really hung up on a SCAR or something else it may work, although they are typically more expensive.
- A flat-top receiver is important for getting a scope mounted well.
- 18" seems to be the best barrel length, but 20" is good and 16" does work if you're not shooting past 300 yards.  Stainless is supposed to be more accurate than chrome lined, but does not last as long.
- Piston or Direct impingement?  Piston guns are supposed to be more reliable, but in my experience DI guns work perfectly, so I don't see spending the money.
- Quad rails or handguards, stocks, grips?  All whatever fits you and pleases you aestetically except I really recommend that your handguard be free-floating. (does not touch the barrel)
- Most stock AR triggers aren't bad, and they are easy to upgrade later.
- There are many good brands of ARs out there.  Colt, Rock River, DPMS, S&W, Remington and Stag are reasonably priced.  There are much more expensive ones too.  If money is no object I suggest the JP enterprises.  If you have $1200 or so to spend then the Stag Model 3 looks like it is pretty well set up for multi-gun right out of the box.  If you find a nice deal on something cheaper it as easy to upgrade your rifle later.  The two keys in my mind, because they are expensive to change later, are barrel length and the flat-top upper receiver.

Rifle optics:
- You are allowed one optic in Tac Ops, the most popular division, and you want to get the most out of it.  So you want a variable power scope.
- 1x-1.5x power on the low end of the power range. True 1x power is really nice on close targets.
- 4x-6x power on the high end.  4x is usually enough out to 200 maybe even 300 yards.  6x is better out to 500.
- I like a pretty plain reticle.  All that Ballistic reticle, or ranging reticle stuff gets confusing.   Mine has a regular cross-hair with an illuminated dot in the center.  Keep it simple.
- I like adjustable turrets.  When the targets get far (out past 250 yards) and small I like to adjust rather than hold off.
- The least I would spend on a scope is about $275.  For that kind of money you can get a Nikon M223 1x-4x and I have one on one my rifles.  I like it and would not be afraid to use it out to 300 yards.  It has a plain crosshair reticle with a dot in the center (not illuminated) and adjustable turrets.  It is accurate and durable.
- In the middle you have some Leupolds, Meoptas, Trijicons, and Vortexs that all cost several hundred dollars but are popular in action rifle shooting.
- At the top of the line is the Swarovski Z6i.  $2200 new.  I paid $1600 for a used one (they're around).  This is the one.  It is a 1x-6x power scope with a daylight visible illuminated reticle and adjustable turrets.  I don't think there is a better scope at any price.  I would buy another one tomorrow if I had to.  I'd go without food if need be to buy one.  And that's not just my opinion.  At the last major multi-gun I attended almost half the scopes were Swarovskis.

Mounts:
- The popular choices here are Larue Tactical and Warne.  There are some other good mounts around but the important thing is that the front extends out over the barrle a little.  This allows you to mount your scope forward and get a proper eye relief.

These are my opinions and I'm sure there are some different thoughts.  Be sure to comment.  I'm interested to read what you have to say.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

3 man 3 gun results

3 man 3 gun results are now on our website Follow this link to results

Thanks to all who helped make this match a success.  Congratulations to the winners.

We're already thinking about next year's matches.  If you have any suggestions please email me.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Recent 3M3G questions with answers

- Can I use a drop leg holster?  Yes, just about anything but shoulder holsters or cross-draw holsters is OK providing they cover the trigger guard and retain the firearm. 

- Did I read somewhere that each member of my team has to use each gun twice?  Yes, it will lead to less specialization.  Everyone must be able to use every gun, but there are plans that allow your team to use your talents wisely and hide minor deficiencies.

- Is it a big deal to change divisions?  No, you can change divisions right up until 9:00 am Sunday.  You can also buy into the "shooting for cash" option.

- We're worried one of my teamates might not show up.  What should we do?  Show up anyway.  We'll get you hooked up one way or the other.  Nobody is going home without shooting.  Then find a new guy you don't ave to worry about for next year.  We'll be having two 3 man 3 guns at York, Topton is planning on having 2, and there will be one at Peacemaker too.  This sport is starting to take off and there's no room for guys who can't be counted on.

Friday, December 9, 2011

New USPSA President

I don't know how long results have been out but I was just on USPSA website and Phil Strader won the USPSA Presidency.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

3 man 3 gun update

There are only a couple days until the team 3 gun and I want to share some last minute information. Things are looking great and we are excited about this match. We have laid in thousands of clay birds, over 2000 drink bottles, prepped every piece of steel we own and done as much as we can to prepare our club.

This match will occur rain or shine, and although it is supposed to quit raining tonight and be clear on Sunday, it is raining here now and has rained for days. They are warning of possible floods, and we have not recovered from the September flood completely yet. Expect the ground to be muddy, but we will put stone in the free fire zones wherever anyone has to run. I suggest bringing boots, or shoes that may get wet, and a dry pair for the ride home. You may not need them, but it is better to be prepared. It may be cold, the forecast ids for the low 30s so dress appropriately. We may start some burn barrels if needed.

We will not be supplying food or drinks. The stat shack where we usually have food and drinks for sale was severely damaged by the flood and we have not gotten it fixed yet. Please bring drinks and food if you want them. There will not be an opportunity to leave the range and there is nothing real close so please take care of getting what you need on the way in.

We need everyone there not later than 9:00am. We will start the set up of the three front pits at 8:00am. Please come help if you can. Everyone must check in at registration (stat shack) by 9:00am. You may gear up after checking in. At 9:30 I need all the team captains to meet me at Pit 1 (the one with the white trailer) for the captain's briefing. The captains and I will do a quick, but mandatory walk-around to look at the stages and hopefully we'll be back in time to start shooting by 10:00am.

Firearms handling rules. It will be OK to load firearms into carts or holster handguns in the parking lot for this match. That is not how we usually do things at York, but it is common in the world of multi-gun. Please do not handle firearms and ammunition at the same time, this includes ammunition in magazines. Keep firearms pointed in a safe direction at all times. Sweeping people with unloaded firearms is still unacceptable. It is best to use a chamber flag, but open actions are OK, when transporting firearms. Cases and carts are preferred but slung in a safe direction is OK. We don't have a bunch of rifle racks at York yet, so keep that in mind.

Want to change to shooting for money? That's cool. Just pay the difference at check-in. There are several teams in Tac Ops, but only one in Limited and Outlaw. The more the merrier. The more teams there are shooting for cash the deeper it will go.

The written, text only, walk-through supercedes all other stage drawings and descriptions. The official walk-through in the sheet protector on each stage is the only one that matters. As in most matches things changed when they hit the ground. These changes are not huge, but we have to do what is needed. The written walk-through should be fairly easy to understand. We will go over all of them at the captain's breifing so every squad should remain consistent. Every squad will have 6-7 captains who were present for the breifing.

Safety is the most important thing. This match is going to be a ball. You won't believe it. It's like Top Shot meets multi-gun (and meets the Special Olympics for some of us ). The stages we have up so far look really cool, and it should be as much fun to watch as it is to shoot. Bring video cameras. But, we must never lose sight of the fact we are playing with very serious toys. Firearms are potentially dangerous. Be very vigilant. Watch what you are doing and look out for others. Advise others how to handle firearms safely as needed. Help them understand the safest way to shoot the stages. When you are the RO if you see something unsafe happening stop it. After it is stopped we can figure out whether it is a DQ or a reshoot, but don't hesitate to stop the shooter(s). I would rather give a million reshoots than have one person injured.

Spectators are welcome. They must wear eye and ear protection at all times just like the competitors. Like I said this should be a good match to watch.

One or two of my guys cancelled, what do I do? Show up anyway. We will figure out a way to get you on the range. I have a couple possible solutions. No one is going home without shooting.

Results? Expect results to be on this blog and our website www.yorkiwlaipsc.com not later than Tuesday night. maybe sooner if my guys are anxious.

I have a question. Email me. I will not be sending any more emails about this match. I will post questions and answers and anything else that come up on our blog. www.yorkpistol.blogspot.com Be sure to check it periodically for info on this match. At the very least check it Saturday night.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

3 man 3 gun

I would say that if you don't have your application in the mail already you should not bother mailing it.  There are still a few slots left for complete teams and individuals looking for teams.  Come on out Sunday and we'll find a way to get you out on the ranges even if we have to cobble something together last minute or bend a few rules.