I had a blast at my second Steel Challenge pistol match at SRAPS outdoor range in Canyon, TX yesterday. Below is video of each of my best runs from each of the four stages, as well as a the three strings from a side match that we had afterwards (which I completely bombed).
IDPA action pistol match at the SRAPS outdoor range in Canyon, TX. I finally got through a match without any light primer strikes with my CZ SP-01 in 9mm (I discovered that the firing pin had a slight deformation, which I carefully filed down and polished). I didn't have any of my typical brain farts, but a few of my shots weren't as accurate as I would've liked (no misses or no-shoots though). I ended up placing 2nd out of 10 overall.
Now that the SP-01 is running reliably, I will start alternating between it, my EAA/Tanfoglio Witness Elite Limited Pro in 9mm, and my Springfield Armory 1911 Trophy Match in .45 ACP at IDPA matches. I realize that sticking with one gun is the best way to improve, but the variety makes it fun for me. :-)
We were planning on attending a motorcycle track day this weekend, but it was canceled (again!) due to severe weather that was forecast for the area. :-( So... I shot another USPSA action pistol match at the Amarillo Rifle and Pistol Club instead. :-) It has been raining heavily in my area too, but the skies dried up just long enough for us to shoot the match. Although it wasn't my best performance (hit a "no-shoot" on stage 4), I still placed first overall out of seven competitors that braved the chance of rain. At least I didn't have any gun malfunctions! :-)
In an attempt to eliminate my magazines as a cause of the frequent malfunctions that I'd been having on both of my EAA/Tanfoglio guns that share these magaizines, I recently replaced the factory springs and followers with the kit from Grams Engineering. These new springs and followers also increase the magazine's capacity to 20 rounds with the already installed Henning base pads (I am only loading them to 19 to keep them reliable). I've also polished the breech face of the slide on this gun, and I am now using Frog Lube paste for lubrication. All of these changes made a huge difference as the gun ran flawlessly. I can even tell a difference when simply racking the slide to load the gun at the start of a stage.
I had a blast at the USPSA action pistol match at Patriot Outdoors in Clovis, NM today. I was doing really well (for me) until I had a malfunction and accidentally flipped on the safety while clearing the jam. I got so flustered that I ran past the next target without engaging it, which was a 30 point penalty. I also hit a "no-shoot" on another stage for another 10 point penalty. :-( With a 40 point deficit I placed 8th out of 36 shooters, which also included pro shooter Max Michel.
This IDPA indoor action pistol match was a pretty big deal for me, because it was the first IDPA match that I've ever won. I guess all the dry fire practice that I do is starting to pay off. :-) After viewing the video, it still looks like I'm going slow as hell! This was my second time shooting my new CZ 75 SP-01 at a match, and I still had one light primer strike during the last stage even after installing a heavier 13# hammer spring. I'll need to do a little more home gunsmithing to see if I can resolve that issue permanently, because I really like using this gun.
First IDPA action pistol match with my new CZ SP-01. Unfortunately, I had five light primer strikes throughout the match, so I guess the 11.5# hammer spring that I installed is too light. I'll have to change that out to a 13# spring before I use it again. As usual, I had a brain fart (or several) and two misses. I really do like the gun, but it's certainly not leaps and bounds better than my EAA/Tanfoglio guns that I've been using at matches.
I was so impressed with the performance of my CZ 75B Stainless Limited Edition at a USPSA match a few weeks ago, that I decided to purchase a CZ 75 SP-01 for dedicated competition use so that the Stainless LE doesn't get abused (it's too pretty for that!). I know that the most desired SP-01 is the "Shadow" version that doesn't have a firing pin block, but I am 100% satisfied with the "B" version modified with Cajun Gun Works and CZ Custom Shop parts. I plan on using this new gun in USPSA's Production Division and in IDPA's Stock Service Pistol (SSP) Division. I will most likely alternate back and forth with the EAA/Tanfoglio pistols that I've been using, as I still really like those guns as well. It's just nice to have a little variety in the action pistol sports. ;-)
