Outlaw 3-Gun Match 04/23/2017

I am finally posting a video of a 3-Gun match.  This is my 4th match to compete in, and my first match using my new Franchi semi-auto shotgun.  I am still getting used to 3-Gun (haven't been to a match since September last year), but I'm getting a little more comfortable with it.  The semi-auto shotgun makes a huge difference when compared to a pump-action shotgun. Definitely a great investment, although I am getting a few light primer strikes.  I've also installed a new Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6X scope on my AR-15 as well as a new Precision Armament M4-72 muzzle break.  I found it a little difficult to position my head at the right distance from the eyebox to get a clear view through the new scope.  I'll have to keep practicing to get it down better. 😜

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evhXLs97MLQ

IDPA Action Pistol Match 04/09/2017

We had a small turnout for this IDPA action pistol match at Amarillo Rifle and Pistol Club with only 7 competitors total, but it still felt good to come in 2nd place overall.  The CZ P-09 is proving to be a great competition gun, but I do notice more recoil impulse when compared to my all metal CZ SP-01 that I usually compete with.  The P-09 just feels better in my hand because the grip is longer front to back and fills out my large hands a little better.  I've acquired a second P-09 upper and sent it off to CZ Custom to have the slide milled for an optic, and will probably end up using the P-09 Urban Gray as a dedicated USPSA Carry Optics gun now that they've increased the magazine capacity limit.  I also installed a set of thin Shadow safeties and a thin slide stop lever from a RAMI on my all metal SP-01 and it feels much better now (the extended safety was digging into the palm of my support hand).  I'll probably go back to using the SP-01 in IDPA soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rE-02X0nQ

CZ-USA CZ P-09 Urban Gray

USPSA Action Pistol Match 03/26/2017

I finally got to shoot my new CZ-USA CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine for the first time in the Pistol Caliber Carbine division of USPSA.  I have not spent much time with the gun previous to this match, so I wasn't all that confident with it.  It was definitely a lot of fun, but there are some things I need to work on to get better with the carbine (like reloads!).  I'm hoping this will translate well to my AR-15 in 3-Gun competition as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neurJQQgtfk

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine

IDPA Indoor Action Pistol Match 03/08/2017

I probably forgot to post the video of this indoor IDPA match because I didn't do very well.  I tried using my newest 1911, a Springfield Armory Range Officer Operator (railed 9mm), and I'll be honest... I wasn't that impressed with it.  I was hoping that it would be THE gun for IDPA, but the thicker grip of the CZ handguns just feel better in my hand.  It's still a great gun, but just not as favorable to me as the CZs. I've also determined that while shooting without my prescription glasses helps me to see the front sight better and allows me to shoot with both eyes open, I am so blind to seeing the targets clearly that I'm not sure it's helping me. I also realized that shooting without my glasses won't work for me when using a red dot sight in USPSA's Carry Optics/PCC or in 3-Gun with the rifle scope.  So I will probably go back to shooting with my glasses on (and with one eye closed for iron sights).  Too many changes all at once does not yield favorable results. 😕

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ko2qIVWjFk

Springfield Armory Range Officer Operator 1911

CZ-USA CZ P-07 Urban Grey Updates

The two things I didn't like about the 1st Gen Duty upper that I bought from CZ Custom (pre-milled with their multi-optic cut) for my Urban Grey P-07 were the sharp edges of the front corners of the slide and the finish of the slide. I fixed both of those "issues" with a little bit of time on a belt sander and some Armor Black Cerakote with a dash of Tungsten to give it a slight metallic flake. I'm really happy with the way it looks now. 😍

IDPA Indoor Action Pistol Match 02/18/2017

Yet another indoor IDPA action pistol match (I'm really wanting to shoot an outside match already!!!).  This time in Lubbock, TX with Patriot IDPA.  I got off to a rough start with 7 points down on the first stage with a single target, but then started to improve through the rest of the match.  Ended up in 3rd place out of 10 total and was only 0.20 seconds away from 2nd place. 😒

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SBEkVORYo

CZ-USA CZ P-09 Urban Grey

3-Gun Updates - Franchi Affinity Shotgun

I attended a couple of local 3-Gun matches in 2016, but my performance was pretty poor as I was still getting used to shooting my AR-15 rifle, and I'd been using my 25 year old Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun.  Using a pump-action shotgun in 3-Gun put me at an extreme disadvantage compared to the guys using semi-autos, plus I was having issues with the safety getting bumped on every time I pumped the gun after each shot (a known issue with the Mossberg 500).  I'd been reluctant to go out and purchase a new Benelli M2 semi-auto shotgun ($1500!!!), so I started researching the Stoeger M3000 as a cheaper alternative. While looking for one locally I came across a brand new Franchi Affinity semi-auto shotgun at a used market price.  The Franchi line of shotguns are made by Benelli in the same Italian factory, but they use the Inertia Driven recoil system of the Stoeger M3000 (also owned by Benelli, but made in Turkey).  The Franchi Affinity is very similar to the Benelli M2 and will accept the majority of aftermarket parts made for the M2.  I've got mine decked out with a Nordic Components +7 magazine tube extension, larger bolt charging handle, and larger bolt release button, a TTI extended carrier, and I've opened up and smoothed/polished the loading port to expedite reloading the gun.  Hopefully this will up my 3-Gun game and I'll have some videos from matches that will be worth posting! 😎