Shooting The Breeze Podcast – Episode 38

18 thoughts on “Shooting The Breeze Podcast – Episode 38”

1. Thanks for reading and commenting!

   The point I was making about the classification was that unclassified and novice are open ended so they are a catch-all you don’t earn those classifications.

   1. I wasn’t sure IDPA worked as fasr as classifications go. I’m aware of the 90 round Classification Course but I wasn’t aware that you were a Novice prior to shooting it (Like shooters are “U” in USPSA before the classifier stages kick in).

      That was another great blog post. Keep them coming (I’m a sucker for competitive shooting posts, I can’t get enough.)

      Thanks for commenting

2. Hey Walt great show as usual. I really enjoyed the IDPA vs USPSA portion. I have been checking out some different sites that deal with IDPA and it looks like if I would start up comp shooting it would be that rout. Hey I wanted to tell you I picked up 1 of the Ortega D’s down in DE last week and I had it this weekend the Flavors I had were really good but it was just so damn plugged I had to put it down. Bummer I’ll pick some more up next trip down.

   1. Corey,
      I keep telling you, if you ever want to shoot an IDPA match, let me know and I’ll shoot it with you. We can both be ‘newbies’ ….. LOL

      I’ve had great luck with the Ortega Serie D. There were some minor consistency issues with the first box I bought (the one I reviews on Stogie Review) but the samples I got from Eddie Ortega for the podcast have been smoking great.

      Thanks for the comment

3. Great show, Walt. We are fortunate in NW Arkansas to have USPSA and IDPA matches scheduled regularly. There a couple of ranges that offer IDPA, USPSA and ICORE matches on a monthly basis. We also have an indoor range that hosts IDPA matches each Tuesday with the fourth Tuesday of each month being reserved for rimfire shooting in IDPA style matches. I started with IDPA because the range was close and matches were often. Now I plan on shooting in some Saturday monthly matches at other ranges. My plan is to also become familiar with USPSA matches and to participate in them regularly. I think either will offer some of the same opportunities. I make mistakes, I learn from them and move to improve with each successive match. Plus, I have fun and meet some great folks. That means I win!

   1. Bob,
      I have yet to try IDPA but between fun shoots at my local club and USPSA, I have always had a great time. one of these days I’ll get out and try IDPA.

      Thanks for the comment

4. Walt,

   I am considering going to a blade-tech drop and offset holster for uspsa for production because its more race like. I wouldn’t be able to use this for IDPA, I think its only allowed for women.

   Right now IDPA and USPSA I use a safariland holster for my glock 34 and I have the same issue you have. I have to back the screw out to almost the point of it coming out, the pistol is still secure enough that it hasn’t popped out.

   I have two iwb carry holsters from jason at concealment solutions and I like them. He is great customer service wise, for a extra couple of bucks I asked him to have the kydex cover my front sight to protect the fiber optic from being damaged since I wear it at work all day long. One of the holster did arrive a little too tight and I had to take a hair dryer to it.

   Nick

   1. Nick,
      I think you are right about the drop and offset holster only being an option for women in IDPA. I’ve never used one but I’d imagine it puts the gun in a position similar to the Open / Limited Bikini Style Holsters, it just has much more plastic enclosing the gun?

      I got an email suggestion to pick up a longer screw from McMaster Carr. So simple, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that right away. Even if I go that route to fix the holster, I’m still going to look around for a better option.

      I’m thinking about ordering a holster from Jason for either my Glock 17 or S&W M&P. I don’t have anything to carry a full sized gun and it might surprise me at how well a full sized gun carries.

      Thanks for the comment

      1. Walt,

         I don’t know if you have seen this one already on the news.

         http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2012/05/cigars_international_manager_h.html

         1. Nick,
            I hadn’t seen that yet. I’m very familiar with CIgars International but I’ve never been to the downtown store (the photo doesn’t look like the Superstore that I’ve been to).

            This should be interesting, I know the guys at Cigars International are/were pro-gun (I’ve heard several stories of cigar manufacturers being taken out to shoot clays when they visit the store). However, Cigars International was sold to Swedish Match (an international company that probably isn’t pro-gun).

            If this were to happen a few years ago, I’d guess that the manager would probably keep his job despite having a gun on the premises. Now, I’m not so sure.

5. Enjoyed the episide, I compete in both IDPA and USPSA. I started in IDPA and feel it is easier to get started in and less intimidating to new shooters then USPSA. The transition from IDPA to USPSA is easier then the other way. For a holster I use and would recommend the Bladetech doh for USPSA I would also recommend a CR Speed or Double Alpha belt.

   1. Ty,
      This may sound crazy, but for some reason it annoys me to see CR Speed and Double Alpha Belts in Production Division. I feel the same way about the Glock 34, Smith & Wesson M&P Pro, and Springfield XDM 5.25. This super-snobby side of me comes out and I think ‘Pfff, your running THAT in Production Division?”

      Realistically, I should get over it and invest in a CR Speed or Double Alpha Belt. They seem to work great for keeping everything consistent and in place during a match.

      I’ll have to check out the Bladetech holster. Those and Safari Land holsters seem to be pretty popular.

      Thanks for the comment.

6. Hey Walt – I guess since I started out shooting IDPA and see USPSA and pure run and gun fun. Production class justs lets me do it with a $500 gun with $30 mags rather then a $3000 gun with $150 mags. I use the “practical” gear in IDPA. I use an M&P Pro for both Production and SSP and a Springfield 1911 in 9mm for ESP and Single Stack maybe I’m just a gamer.

   1. Ty,
      I don’t mind people using competition guns in production division, in fact I should probably get myself a Glock 34 or M&P Pro.

      There is just a little part of me that thinks it is kinda’ cheating…. LOL

      How is it switching back and forth from IDPA to USPSA? Is it hard to adjust to the different rules and shooting styles?

7. I don’t have too hard a time, I started in IDPA and still shoot a little more of it. The other way seems more difficult. I can shoot a USPSA COF like I would an IDPA one it will be slow but won’t incur penalties. Shoot an IDPA COF USPSA style and you get multiple penalties for cover, dropped mags, ect. I like both games and will continue to do both. I hear lots of people complain about one or the other’s rules, I figure they are both different games no different the football and baseball I’ll follow the rules of which ever one I’m playing. I’d suggest giving IDPA a try.

   1. Ty,
      My plan with IDPA is not to game it and instead shoot my carry gear. I don’t mind the different rules (I’m sure I can adapt, it just may take a few tries).

      I know that I’m going to get penalties for dropped magazines. I’m so used to just hitting the button and stuffing in a new mag. Under the stress of a shot timer, I can see the USPSA reload kicking in.

8. ahem.
   TheHolsterSite.com
   Not that I’m biased or anything 😉
   Michael’s holsters have been trampoline tested, roller and ice skating tested, tree climbing tested, etc. He has made them for competition shooters as well.

   1. Jennifer,
      Thanks for the link (I’m kind of embarrassed that I didn’t think of The Holster Site sooner, I see the logo every time I go to your blog). I’ve never used a leather holster for more than a couple of draws, the bulk of my experience is with Hybrid and Plastic holsters.

      I poked around the site a little bit and saw some cool stuff. I’ll do some more looking around. Since I’ve never priced leather holsters, I’m afraid to ask what the cost is on something like that.

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