AustinShootingSports runs the Second Challenge

Tim of AustinShootingSports burns down the challenge with his Glock 34 http://:www.youtube.com/austinshootingsports Dave of AustinShootingSports runs the challenge with a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm

Shooting Challenge Part 2

Here is the second shooting challenge to the YouTube community. I've added more difficulty the challenge. This challenge includes movement and choosing the best order to shoot the targets based on your ability and the layout of the stage. Remember, 2 hits anywhere on paper and 1 hit on steel (use a paper plate if you do not have steel). This is what I consider "running it clean" (no misses). Here are a few tips to help you decrease your time.

"AustinShootingSports" Runs the Challenge with an AR15!

Dave with "AustinShootingSports" takes the challenge to a new level of fun and uses an AR15 and produces a smoking time. Although its not a pistol, the original point to this challenge was to get people out and shoot differently than you would normally do. I'd like to see someone run it with an AK47 now!

Shooting The Speed Shoot Challenge in the Dark

I took the Challenge one step further to demonstrate how shooting in the dark can be difficult. Shooting in the dark adds a whole new degree of difficulty. I used a Streamlight TLR-1 LED Rail Mounted light on the Glock 19 which makes it much easier than using a hand held light, but still hard none the less. Shooting in the dark is just plain awkward. If you have never tried it give is a shot some time. Make sure you have practiced your gun handling skills, because this is where your engraved safety skills are really going to pay off. Granted, I know where the targets are and I am not doing any movement in this video above. So, in reality it is fairly easy. NOW, take a look at the video below. This is a "Blind Stage" that I shot at a 3 gun match a few years ago. A "Blind Stage" means that you are not allowed to look at the stage setup AND you do not know howmany of the targets are in the stage. Plus I had to break a door with an SBR (Short Barreled Shotgun) for the 1st time ever. Talk about awkward!

Getting Started in IPSC or IDPA Shooting Sports

Want to get into competition shooting like IPSC or IDPA? The most common thing keeping new people from trying it is that they think they can't do it. They see all these videos on YouTube of shooters hosing down stages and ripping off shots faster than they have ever seen before. However, a new shooter needs to realize that these people they are watching started out as a new shooter and worked their way up to those speeds. I firmly believe that as a new shooter you should not worry about how fast you can shoot. But rather focus on safe gun handling skills and negotiating the stages as this is most likely the first time you have shot a gun while moving. The other shooters will not ridicule you for your speed since they too know what it is like to start out. And they will never remember how poorly you may have shot, but everyone will remember how unsafe you may have handled your gun. So above all, focus on safety and the rest will fall into line.

Here are a couple of videos I made using the ContourROAM Hands-free HD Camcorder. Check them out for more info and some really cool first person shooting footage.
The second biggest question I get is, "What kind of gun do I need to get?" My standard response to this is, "what ever gun you have will do fine, the most important thing is get out and try the sport". Once you shoot a few matches, you may decide that you may want to upgrade your gun based on your experiences and the advice you get from other shooters. Not too mention seeing all the cool guns the other guys have. But do not feel you need to spend tons of money on a new gun to get started. Here is a few things that you will need: 1) A psitol of 9mm/38 special or larger caliber 2) Holster that covers the trigger of your pistol 3) At least 3 magazines 4) magazine pouches are nice, but not required 5) Eye and Ear Protection 6) An attitude to have fun.

Be aware of "good deals" on firearm parts when shopping on the Internet

When I was looking on the internet for the ARMS #41-B flip up front sight for my AR15, I found a smoking deal on Grunbroker.com. It even came with a gas tube for my carbine length rifle. I searched a bunch for a deal and this was by far the cheapest one I found so I jumped on it. Turns out the site did not seal up around the barrel and leaked gas, thus making the rifle fail to cycle. I called ARMS and told them what I saw and they asked me to send in the front sight/gas block for them to see if it needed replacing. Soon after they received it, they called me on the phone and informed me that I had a counterfeit for an airsoft. They said it was the best that they had seen and asked if they could keep it. In turn they gave me dealer pricing on a real 41-B. In the end I paid more for both parts together then if I would have paid retail for one in the first place. So be careful when shopping. Remember, if it looks too good to be true... then it probably is.

"Jeremiafull" Runs the Speed Challenge!

"Jeremiafull" from Switzerland shoots the challenge with a CO2 powered pellet pistol. I love seeing the variety of guns used in the challenge. I have no doubt that all of these guns can easily translate into the users ability with a real firearm. So what every you have, keep up up the gun handling skills. Practice with what you have because the mechanics are the same.

Not all AR15 Parts are Made The Same

Not all AR15 parts are made the same and sometimes its hard to tell. A few years ago I purchased a smoking deal on an M4 carbine kit from BlackThorne. The kit contained everything you needed to build an AR15 with the exception of the stripped lower receiver. The lower is the only serialized part of the rifle so that part needs to be purchased through a Federal Firearms Licensee or FFL. The parts went together easily but the completed rifle failed to cycle. I checked everything and eventually saw smoke residue around the A2 front site. The front sight/gas block is where the gas gets diverted into the bolt for the rifle to cycle. There was an apparent gas leak and not enough gas was being redirected into the bolt for the gun to cycle. After removing the A2 front sight I noticed how poor the surface area inside the front sight was made. It was clear that there was no way to repair this gas block and it had to be replaced. The new gas block worked perfectly and the rifle cycled fine. I had heard mixed things about this company. So if you plan to purchase from them, you may want to consider that the lemon factor seems to be fairly high. It might be worth paying a little extra for another brand. I know I will.


UPDATE! 2-13-2014
Vulcan .50 Caliber Rifle Blows Up and Injures Shooter

BlackThorne & Vulcan are the same.

Black Thorn A2 Front Sight/Gas Block (Above)

Typical A2 Front Sight / Gas Block (Above)

Ultrasonic Parts Cleaner Removed my Chrome Finish

If its one thing I like to share its my mistakes (so hopefully some one else does not encounter it). I tried out the ultrasonic cleaner on my AR15 bolt the other night since I heard it cleans them very well. I dropped it in and went onto my chores and getting the kids bathed and ready for bed. When I returned to the bolt, it was clean. However, the ultrasonic cleaner had removed some of the Chrome plating and the bolt began to rust. Only after an hour and a half. I had also heard that of you put multiple parts in the cleaner, that the vibration the ultrasonic cleaner produces on the parts can rub the finish off if they are touching each other. Not sure if this is true but after seeing this, it might be.

"AustinShootingSports" runs the Challenge again with impressive results!

Tim of "AustinShootingSports" shoots the challenge again and comes up with a 1.95 this time. Super fast run Tim!

Spectator Safety

While doing some video editing from my 2012 Texas State Limited videos, I saw one of my squad members in my field of view of the camera. In this screen shot from the POV camera I was using, you can see that he is pretty much "down range" of me. Now as a shooter I can tell you that I feel the most comfortable at the range at these IPSC shooting matches. I know that all of my fellow shooters are very safe and have pretty good gun handling skills. I feel much less safe at the public ranges. Too many times I've seen just plain dangerous gun handling by the casual shooter at the public range. BUT, even though competitive shooters are safe, accidents can happen. So when you are watching a fellow shooter burn down a stage, make sure you are directly behind them and expect the worst. For example, they could trip or fall and loose control of their gun or have an accidental discharge (AD) while performing a magazine change. Just keep this in mind.

In the video below a shooter is still taping targets when the RO starts the new shooter. Talk about near death!