BigK

Heck yeah, $400 will set you up real nice. Assuming you have a table to mount it to and have some brass saved up (if not Yankee500 sells it on here pretty cheap) and using 9mm as an example... MidwayUSA Lee Deluxe kit $118, 4-die set $40, Lee XR hand primer $18.50, Lee shell plate for primer $3 (optional: whole set of 11 is only $12), Frankford Arsenal Tumbler $40 (somewhat optional), Frankford Arsenal media separator ($9), Modern Reloading by Richard Lee (manual) $14, 500 Ranier 115 gr plated bullets $53 ****Total w/ shipping = $315 (a good bit cheaper than best local retail prices w/ tax) Harbor Freight pretty darn good set of digital calipers $22, Buy local (online hazmat fee = $25) 1000 Winchester primers $36, 1# most powders (some are way higher) $21 Any pet store tumbler media $5 I think that comes to $399. You're gonna want electronic scales ($40) eventually and a word to the wise...Berry's Mfg will sell you 1000 115 gr RN plated bullets for $86 including shipping (Berry's service is fantastic and they make good bullets). Hope that helps

TNWNGR, I like the way you think. Cutting down the stock to apply a good recoil pad sounds like it'd be cheaper than a new stock. That saves me more money to go toward more or higher quality in the other stuff. I already have a fiber optic front sight that I never got around to installing. I also already removed the plug, but was advised by some other IDPA guys that more rounds in the tube would be a plus.

This is what I was wondering about the most. I'm not sure how far the targets were when you shot 3-gun, but I think some at the match I'm going to are 25 yds out. I was worried about spread at that distance, but you say you had no problem with it, huh? That recoil reducing 6-position stock sounds like a good investment, but at that price I couldn't afford a shorter barrell. I won't cut mine down, so unless I keep the 28" barrell on it, I wouldn't have enough cash left for one. Maybe I don't need one as bad as I think I do, but like I said...I'm not sure. I didn't think about a heat shield. Assuming the name means what it implies, I'm guessing it's an issue and I forgot to consider that.

I have a Mossberg 500a with a 28" barrell, wood stock/forend, and standard magazine tube. Here's a pic... Now I want to push the limits a little and see how verstile I can make it (since I can't afford multiple shotguns right now). I'd like to make it more suitable for home defense and be able to use it for an upcoming IDPA shotgun side match (and hopefully more in the future), while avoiding any permanent mods that'd keep me from being able to put it back together as is for hunting. Here's some of the add-ons/upgrades I've seen while surfing the Web. I have no idea what is most useful vs. what I can't live without. All I know for sure is that I can't afford to waste any time/money on anything that's only tacticool or just for looks. I have 1 week and a $200 budget to work with. Any advice on any small part or as much knowledge as you're willing to share on these would be awesome: an extended magazine tube (7+1) Seems important, if it takes most of my budget, I guess the rest will have to wait. IIRC the retaining ring is only big enough for the takedown screw threads, not the whole tube. I'm guessing this means I need to buy an extended mag tube & a new barrell or a kit (like this). [*]a shorter barrell 18.5" - 20" seems like it would be best for HD, but is this too short for IDPA? Most short barrells have no choke. Are my shots gonna spread too much for IDPA? I could get the kit above solely for HD. If so, is the 28" barrel I have be too long for IDPA? [*]different stock (mine's always felt too long for my arms) Pistol grip only (like a Cruiser) look cool, but are they practical? For IDPA? A foldable stock with a pistol grip looks like it would work for both, thoughts? Collapsable stocks seem good too, but are they better than a folder for HD? [*]Foregrip Yes, this violates the "just for looks" rule, but if I get a stock (presumably black) I'd hate to keep the wood foregrip on the gun when I can replace it w/ at least a plain black for only $10 - $15. Is there any advantage of having a vertical foregrip for HD? For IDPA? Is there any advantage of having a chainsaw foregrip for HD? For IDPA [*]Shell holders Is there a big enough advantage to be worth it for HD? For IDPA? If so, would the strap on type be good enough for HD? For IDPA? I already have a shell bag for hunting, will it work for IDPA? Guys, I know this is a LOT of questions. Believe it or not, I only included the ones I thought you wouldn't laugh at. Please don't feel obliged to answer all. Any input on any part of this puzzle will help a TON and be VERY much appreciated.

Whoa, I looked back at the 12/18 course of fire and you weren't kidding. That looks tough. Stage 2 was just sick and wrong..."Shoot on the move without hitting Non Threats!"...really?! I can see how that might leave a bad taste in your mouth for steel shooting, LOL. BTW...I've seen you shoot, I know you ain't skeered of steel. Personally, I like it for the instant gratification it delivers. Oh, and not pasting targets.

Sounds interesting. If I can work up the nerve to show up with my Mossberg 500 at a skeet range to go up against those expensive over/unders, I can take a lil' ribbing from you guys about it too. Anybody care to recommend a load? As many times as I've heard you say you %$#@ HATE shooting steel, you sure have a sick sense of humor when it comes to course design. I mean that as a compliment, of course. This looks VERY challenging, my hat's off to you. You've outdone yourself, sir.

I traded Chip my Glock 34 and equipment for his CZ Shadow and equipment. Of course I had to pony up a few bucks to even out the trade, but I think we're both happy.

True, true...I've bought new brass that didn't even look that good. If I weren't just loading cheap plinking ammo, I'd give this method a lot more thought, like if I were making high-powered hunting ammo or self-defense ammo.

I just finished reading "Surgical Speed Shooting" by Andy Standford. James Yeager wrote the Foreword and is on the cover of the book. It's not the Holy Grail of training manuals, but was very good. Knowing that Tactical Response shares similar philosophies and this review make me want to take the class too.

Hey Mark, which way did you decide to go? On press? By hand?

While it seems VERY effective (that brass is immaculate), it looks like a lot more work than corn cob or walnut. Call me lazy, but "shiny" isn't worth this much effort.

LOL, priorities have never been my strong suit, so I have no idea why shooting doesn't always win (other than that obnoxious squeeling sound coming from my right front brakes that I hope doesn't become a grinding sound b/w now and Saturday).

I'm with John, I gotta try this some time soon as well. This does look like a great set-up. Wish I could make it out this time, but maybe next time.

OMG, this is a dream come true match! I LOVE SHOOTING STEEL! I assume the shotgun match is optional or you wouldn't call it a "side" match, right? What kind of shotgun do most use for a shotgun match? The tactical style like for home defense? A skeet gun? Or will any ol' hunting stlye shotgun work?

Wish I didn't have to get brakes on my car Saturday morning. It'd be fun to shoot back-to-back classifiers. Plus, I got a new gun for IDPA last night and I'm dying to try it out on the clock.

Very, very well put, Barewoolf. In my previous replies, it sounds like I'm a big fan of Serpas, but I'm not. The truth is..I don't like the idea of any holster retention beyond Level 1 (friction) keeping me from pulling my pistol under duress. Hell, I'm slow enough as it is, so I need every advantage I can get. The way Barewoolf puts it, I see more clearly what others are saying about the Serpa being a contributing factor. What percentage of the blame you attribute is up to you, but I concede that zero is not the right answer. I still think that user error is the main cause of the Serpa ND's, but the way it was put here I can see the other side too. Maybe what we're really only disagreeing on what percentage of blame, not the existence of any blame.

In my version of reality, people sue McDonald's over hot coffee or homeowners over injuries during a robbery and they win. So, I'm just saying that if Blackhawk hasn't been sued over this holster yet, there's a reason...coffee is supposed to be hot, you might get hurt while robbing someone's house, and you're supposed to keep your finger out of the trigger guard until on target even if you're in a hurry.

Blackhawk has sold more than a few of these holsters and we've all heard of this "issue". Seems to me that as litigious as our society is, they've surely been sued and won. If so, it proves this is operator error. I'm curious if the "blame the holster" crowd has any similarities to the "blame the gun" crowd that pop up when somebody gets Glock-butt. Regardless, it took stones to man-up and post that video. He had to know there'd be finger pointing and ridicule. To me it shows that he's more dedicated to helping folks than me. If I shot myself in the leg, none of you would know about it unless the hospital leaked the info, LOL.

Not sure how you feel about used guns, but I ran across a truly good bargain recently on a CZ 75 BD Police, but I can't afford it right now. PM me if interested & I'll give you the link.

Congrats on getting a press and equipment so quickly! Hope you have fun with it.

I had nearly as much fun talking with the guys in our squad as I did shooting. Wish I was as good at shooting as I am at running my mouth. What a great bunch of folks to spend a day with. Thanks all.

I've been debating w/ myself over getting an R1 or a Ruger SR1911, so I appreciate the input. They're both in my budget range and I like them a bit better than a RIA, even though RIA is cheaper by far. Can't wait to hear a range report too.

The Serpa holster with a button for retention cannot be carried in both positions. Even if it could rotate like you wish, it is designed so your index finger releases the pistol. From SOB your index finger would be against your back. If you tried to use your thumb to release it, you couldn't grip & draw as is needed. Some holsters have a thumb release on the inner side, but it'd be incredibly awkward to hit with your finger when SOB. For SOB (which I agree is a bad idea) you need MUCH more friction for retention than you can get from a Level 1 Kydex holster. Just saying...

Try to get your mitts on a CZ P-01!! I wish you were near Nashville, I'd be glad to let you shoot mine. They call it a compact, but it handles & shoots like a full size. Plus, it has that CZ 75 feel you said you like, holds 14+1, and it's barely heavier than a Glock, since the frame is an aluminum alloy. And then there's THIS...http://www.cz-usa.com/press-releases/102/

As you can see by the varied response, yours is a very subjective question. I agree with every answer offered. Your budget allows you to pick almost anything. When I shopped for a BUG for my pocket, my LGS let me try them out including holsters. The big box stores won't let ya do that, though. Just plan on needing 2 or 3 times as much ammo as usual to get proficient with any gun small enough for your pocket.