Col. Mortimer

That was not one of our students. A shooter had an AD during a mag change. This is why I tell everyone to always point at the berm! It was a malfunction. He did not have his finger on the trigger. It was carbon build-up on the firing-pin safety plunger. The carbon allowed the firing pin to disengage the safety plunger and strike the primer. He disassembled the slide and cleaned all the parts throughly. The lesson here is clean your pistol clean and do a full cleaning. Arthur at Glock Ghost recommends a complete cleaning after 1,000 rounds.

I was in Sparta and they had a couple inches of snow. I drove by Mountain Creek and there was barely a coating. Then I drove up Breakneck Road and it was a blizzard with several inches on the groud. It was Winter in Highland Lakes! I have not heard from Ron Guman so the match is on. We had heavy rain and some snow so the field will be soggy and there may be some slush. Dress warm and in layers because it will start cold but warm up. Waterproof boots will be a really good idea. I'll bring hand warmers for you.

Lech: Welcome from another Morris County resident. Sounds like you'll fit right in.

The last few have been 50 yards but there have been shorter run 'n gun stages.

As long as you remember to shoot along the black line.

This thread from last year covers it all: http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/17595-2x4-match-at-cherry-ridge-saturday-814-830am-300pm/ And it looks like this:

Go to Gunbroker.com and see what 62A's are going for. That could be a valuable gun. Take care of it.

The rifle stage is informal so the USPSA rule really don't apply. The safety rules from the intro class do apply so you should be fine there. You will make ready, put the safety on and then typically start from a low ready position (muzzle pointed at the ground). As far as mags, it is a 32-round stage so I am sure someone will lend you a mag to shoot the entire stage. You can put the two spare mags in your pockets. I shoot a Beretta CX4 Storm so I can't help you.

If the strap can be removed, then you are okay since you have to use any retension device on the holster. If it is not on the holster, you can't use it. Our main concern is safety. As long as the hoster prevent access to the trigger, you are good. After that, it's about finding a holster you like. I cannot think of any stores in the area but MidwayUSA, Natchez and Optics Planet offer next- and two-day shipping.

After the "Make Ready" command and you holster your pistol, the strap must be snapped shut. At the buzzer, you would have to unsnap and draw which is a big disadvantage. IMPORTANT: Do not use your opposing hand to hold the strap open as you will sweep your hand which will result in a DQ. As with automobile maintenance, you have to have the right tool for the right job. 1+ for Bladetech holsters.

As of yesterday, there was three or so inches of snow/slush over the ranges but the forecast is for warmer tempatures. We have a full, five-stage match planned. We may have to modify the stages depending on range conditions. Also, we have a 32-round rifle stage if we have enough shooters interested. If we cancel due to weather, an email will be sent out by Friday 5pm. Please contact Ron Guman by Wednesday 5pm if you will attend or if you just want to get on the email distribution list. Ron's email address is [email protected] Sign in before 10:00AM and come early if you can to help set up the stages. People that set up stages know them better. First time participants WITHOUT a safety-check card, be there by 9:00AM for a safety briefing and live fire check out.

Thank you Maks, Craig, Chris and Ed for all your help. We had a very successful and safe class. I was impressed with how well things ran, especially with such a large class. Just a reminder, be sure the trigger cannot be activated when your pistol is holstered. Some of the leather holsters were questionable. If you can slip your finger into the holster and activate the trigger, it is not USPSA compliant. USPSA does not approve holsters or have an approved list but the hard holsters are generally the best and as long as they cover the trigger, they are almost certain to be compliant. I look forward to seeing everyone at a match in the near future. Mike

Radial tears and perf breaks do not count as a score. The profile of the bullet must break the pref. That's why the RO's carry scoring cards. Hey...I can't cover everything in class. As for me, I avoid hollow points in New Jersey. Even though it is legal to carry them to and from the range or a match. I have read too many news stories where a police official stated hollows points are illegal except for police and the military.

Field conditions will be sloppy and slippery. This may eliminate stages with movement. It will be colder at the range than southern parts of the state (Maks knows) so dress appropriately. I would wear waterproof boots if you have them.

LOL! The Cheap Bastards Reloader Club. You're a true brass hog when you have a Brass Wizard. http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1310. Glad to see I am not the only one with a scrap brass bucket.

Pay for brass? That's crazy talk! Why pay when people leave it behind at the range? I'm green, I recycle brass. Okay, I'm cheap.

Mixed brass (range pick-up, cost=free), 4.7g of Winchester Super Target (WST), Dardas 200g SWC, CCI large pistol primer. The crimp is 0.476" if my memory is correct. I don't know the OAL. The important measurement is to have about 0.30" of the bullet shoulder exposed for reliable feeding. FPS averages around 850 out of my Springfield Longslide. I am going to try Winchester Super Field (WSF) also.

My thoughts: - Once you start reloading, you will shoot more. A case of 9mm would last forever it seemed. Now, I just about finished a box of 1,000 primers and I can't believe how fast they went. Once you start reloading, you will shoot more. - Zero bullets, 9mm, 124g, FMJ are about $70 / 1,000 at Roze Distribution but if you buy bulk a Montanna Gold, they are cheaper. - 9mm FMJ and .45ACP both cost me about $7.50 per box. - I can't shoot factory .45ACP anymore because my loads shoot so soft and accurate. Factory ammo hurts it kicks so hard. - The shipping and haz mat fee must be driving up your costs. Get together with other shooters and do group buys. Big savings when you split the haz mat and shipping. You and one friend will cut haz mat and shipping by 50% or $20 per order. - I have used the Dardas 200g SWC in .45ACP and I am satisfied with the price and quality. Finding a SWC in .45ACP is nearly impossible and expensive if you do.

There are only a couple of slots open so let me know if you plan to attend. The weather forecast looks good.

My MkII chokes on Golden Bullets. The bullets seem to be over size. But my Buckmark, 10/22 and Plinster eat 'em up. Thunderclouds are another story. Every round blew a puff of stinky smoke in my face. I never bought another box and tell everyone to never buy them. The only thing my 10/22 did not like was Wildcats. Try CCIs or Federal (but not Auto Match which is designed for autos but doesn't work well in my autos). They work in everything I have.

How did it go? How do you do? Was it fun or what?

T&T does not carry VV. That's why I don't want to start using it, it's too hard to find.

Just to mix things up, I use Power Pistol. It is clean and 5.3gr fills over half the case and makes Minor Power factor. I was disappointed that there was no huge fireball or massive noise like everyone says. WFS (Winchester Super Field) is also popular. PP and WSF also meter well. Titegroup has pressure spikes near the top end so it may not be the best powder to start.

It also depends on the type of bullet you are loading. Lead SWC or FMJ. With a SWC, you want about 0.030" of the bullet shoulder exposed. The idea is that the cartridge will feed reliably but not engage the rifling. For a FMJ, the first thing you can do is measure some factory ammo for a starting point. Second, know your SAAMI maximum length (1.169" for 9mm). The number given in the recipe is the minimum. Never be shorter than this length or you could have an over pressure situation. Somewhere between the minimum and the maximum is the length that will be accurate in your firearm and feed reliably. Remember, the most accurate length is useless if it won't feed. By loading rounds at different lengths, you can find that ideal length. That's part of the fun of and the reason for reloading - finding that idea round that shoots rings around factory "one size fits all" ammo. Note: I am talking handguns loads, for rifle, ignore everything I just wrote as I don't load rifle ammo and know nothing.

FYI - They are closed Saturdays if the owner is selling at a gun show.