Triangle Tactical Q&a Show

Jamie Stage planning. I'm struggling coming from IDPA to USPSA in stage planning. What are some basic tips to help? Are you breaking stages up by the number of positions? What are you looking for at each position? Is there a standard procedure I'm missing or haven't yet learned? Seems overwhelming sometimes. I think stage planning is very much a muscle. When I'm shooting a lot of matches, I can roll up to a stage and break it down, figure out where I'm going to shoot from, where I'm going to reload (where I'm NOT going to reload), and it comes fairly easily, on a pretty normal stage. It's harder on memory stages, because, that's the idea. Stage planning is a muscle. The more you do it, the easier it gets. One thing I'd recommend if you're really struggling, is to go to Ben Stoeger Pro Shop, and order a whole bunch of scaled dryfire targets. Like, a lot of them. Then, use those targets to setup larger USPSA type stages in dryfire. Setup some arrays, and then come up with the best way to break it down, dryfir

Matt: Can you explain the classification system in USPSA?   Charles: Hey Luke! I think you mention a lot in the podcast you don't shoot a lot of rifle matches. I was hoping maybe you can throw this question to the Triangle Tactical hive. I'm not new shooting pistol matches but would like to take a stab shooting rifle (PCC USPSA at Sir Walter or Action Rifle at Wake). Looking for tips and guidelines when handling a rifle at the matches. Thanks in advance!   Christopher: What are some popular distances to zero a USPSA pistol for? Are they caliber specific?   James: Hi Luke, I'm going from USPSA production to shooting my very first Steel Challenge match. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks!   Mike: Hi Luke, sent this via email last week but wanted to use the new(ish) form as that seems to be the way you are requesting these now. I did add a few notes to clarify some things:   Lucas! Found your show a while back and have really enjoyed listening to both the main show and Q&A show.  

TC: Mr. Apps, TC from Ft. Mill, SC here and I have a question, in several parts. What is it you look for in a competition pistol? I know you have often said you are not a gear guy, but you do make gear decisions in order to play this game and you invest money based on those decisions. Others do as well. While I know what I look for in a competition gun, I think many listeners, particularly those new to the shooting sports, would be grateful for your insights on this topic. As you have often said, there are many quality firearms out there from reputable manufacturers, and often a decision on which way to go comes down to the individual and what they like over what they don't. Yet there are surely some features you look for in a handgun, both competition and self-defense. Without looking to endorse any specific gun or manufacturer, what are those features? What is your logic behind those choices? I would also ask the same question as it pertains to support gear, such as belts, magazine pouches, holsters, sight

[powerpress] Drew: hey which grip plug do you recommend?  I can't remember which podcast it was on, but I thought you said it helps reloads a bit. Trae: Luke, I am wanting to start shooting some USPSA matches. I currently only shoot 3 gun and have not shot any of the other sports. I realize that increasing my pistol skills will help me in 3 gun. I would like to shoot production and shoot a 5.25" XDm in 3 Gun. I know I will have to remove the huge magwell and use mags without the extended base pads. I am wondering if the mods I have done on the gun will knock me out of production. It has a Powder River Precision extreme trigger package and a solid stainless steel guide rod to add weight to the front of the gun. I'm sure that this is not an issue at local matches but will these be an issue at an Area match or higher? Trae Dan: What's a good magpouch/ Carrier you would recommend? Claude: Hey, I'm not sure if you've already answered this or not but - what do you do with your carry gun when you shoot a match.

Nick How do you feel about carry optics these days? I've thought about trying it down the line, just because I've heard training with a dot has benefits for iron sight shooters. But between stories of rampant optic unreliability, the cost of getting another gun+optic/new upper+optic, and persistent confusion over who this division really serves, I'm seriously conflicted about doing it. Josh Not really a competition question, but how often do you change your EDC self defense ammo? Bruce I started this game pretty much before or as the internet was just coming out. I am currently a master class limited and an A class single stack shooter. A class in SS by default since I am master in limited. I have never taken any shooting instruction from anyone I am pretty much self taught. I do teach/instruct some USPSA type classes through out the year at my club. When do you think it is a good time for someone to take USPSA structured training from an instructor? And does that instructor have to be a National/World champi

The Triangle Tactical Q&A show is possible because of Super Squad members! There are a lot of perks to being a member, so head over to jointhesupersquad.com and become a Super Squad member today! Jason: I've heard you say you darken the fiber in your front sight. What is your reasoning behind this? Thanks Jason Brant Let's say a newer shooter, who has a few matches under their belt with a "good enough to get started, but not very competitive" gun, decides that they want to buy a better gun.   If they have the means, would you recommend that they try several different guns until they find the perfect fit (even if that means them jumping between guns quite a bit in the short term, knowing that they will eventually settle on one and start putting in work)?  Or would you recommend they just pick a gun that is known to be competitive and get to work immediately?   Does your opinion differ if the shooter is an experienced (A class or above) USPSA shooter looking to switch divisions? Thanks, B

Rick: Hi Luke, I'm curious to learn how and if you and others go about tracking progress from match to match. There is a lot of data that you can get from each match and I'm wondering if there are any resources that you may be aware of to help track trends over time. I know I could create a spreadsheet, and am curious to learn if there is any other alternatives.   Another part of the question would then be, what specific data points should you be tracking?   Any thoughts / ideas you have on this are greatly appreciated.   Carry on! -- Rick Sam: Hi Luke, 1. Any tricks to stop blinking when the shot goes off?  After a few bill drills and/or stages, I can start to see the sights lift, see fire from the muzzle and cases eject, but for the first 10 minutes or so of every session I struggle to not blink.  Any ideas to help me get to the point where I can just not blink, right from the start of a match or practice session?   2. Can you talk about the fitness leve

This Q&A podcast is made possible because of Patreon. If you'd like to see more awesome stuff from Triangle Tactical, consider becoming a patron of the show and pledging a couple bucks a month to help me do more awesome stuff. Hit the button to learn all about it: Become a Patron! Bryan Hello Luke, I wear prescription glasses everyday.  Should I get a special pair of safety glasses or sun glasses for shooting? Thanks, ~Bryan M. Adrian Lucas, First of all I want to thank you for making such a fantastic podcast. It is extremely helpful and actually entertaining! My question might be a silly one. Hopefully I can explain it in a coherent manner. I have tried out the sport and have completely fallen in love with it. I am ready to invest in a higher end rig and weapon (I'm looking at the Atlas Titan). My worry is that if I were to invest $4K+ on equipment and gear, that out of nowhere there would be limitations and gun bans and all of a sudden, my $4000 Titan is illegal, and I can't buy gun powder or

This week's Triangle Tactical Q&A show is *mostly* questions from the Triangle Tactical Facebook Group. I created the Facebook Group so listeners of the podcast can discuss the shows, post match video, and talk about practice and skill building. Click here to join the group! Shawn: Do you feel like your new mag pouches made a difference at your last match and why the lack of practice on the last week before the Carolina Classic? John: Do you see yourself shooting more level 2/3 matches going forward, with how much you enjoyed the recent state championship? Rob: Whats your Ideal number of stages for a level 1 match? What factors in for you on choosing a day to shoot in a multi day match? Heath: Does shooting glass lens color effect your shooting? Are certain colors better for different light? James: When are we going to see some more interviews? Anyone you want to interview that you haven't talked to yet? Clay: Lucas, I have a question for your Q&A show:  What are the economics of reloading versus

Bill Luke how can I cure major match-itis I shoot wonderfully at my local matches but i just seem to choke at major matches Thank you, Bill Matthew Hey Luke - Two questions for you: I'm getting ready to shoot my first competitive match in the next month or so if my schedule allows. I'm wondering if something as simple as Winchester white box ammunition is adequate. My range ammo is typically the Winchester NATO 9mm (124 grain) round and have a ton of it stockpiled, it's a known quantity in my firearms. The thought is that if it's good enough for government work it's probably good enough for me. Can I bring 250-300 rounds and be fine? What is your average price per round reloading? Christmas is coming and I may just ask the wife to get me a mid-quality reloading set. However, break-even price is in the neighborhood of $0.20 per round. It sounds like reloading is great for your lifestyle, but how does it break down economically, and how much time does it take to reload 100 rounds, or how many can you reload in

This week on the Q&A show, I had a lot of great questions! I really appreciate receiving questions in advance, so I don't have to beg for questions as much during the podcast... If you've got a question, shoot me an email at luke@triangletactical.net and I'll get it queued up for a future Q&A show. The Q&A show, and my new *screaming fast* internet is made possible by Patreon. If you want to help keep the show going, consider becoming a patron. Become a Patron! Drew: In USPSA production division, can you add baseplates to magazines to add additional weight? I want to add the +5 taran tactical baseplates to my Glock mags for 3 gun, but wasn't sure if they'd still be legal for the USPSA production division. Matt: What do you think about having "new shooter" matches where the stages are simplified and the atmosphere is slower? Don Hi Luke, I've been a lurker for a while.  Podcast is fantastic!! Thank you. I shoot IDPA and 3-gun and plan to start USPSA soon. I just got into reloading. I've got th

[powerpress] I'm doing a Major Match Prep VLOG over on Patreon. There's two vlogs up over there already, and my goal is to get something new up every day that I'm not doing a podcast between now and the NC USPSA Sectional.  Matt: What were your goals for 2017 and how are you progressing through those goals? Brian: Hey Luke! I just finished listening to your latest show, congrats on 1,000,000!  In this show you talked about shooting a match and having a lot of mental mistakes.  I have definitely been there before, and was hoping you'd have a few tips for how to get your head back in the game after a few mistakes.  I shot an IDPA match recently and felt groggy for the first few stages and made several mental mistakes.  I finished the last three stages ok, but by then I was in such a deep hole there really wasn't any way out.  Any advise you've got would be appreciated! Graham: I moved into my newly built house last month and while I have a great basement to dryfire in I don't have

This weeks Q&A show was a lot of fun. Make sure you hit the subscribe links above, and don't forget to head over to triangletactical.net/shirts to get one of these "Not Today, Mike" shirts I'm wearing in the video. 

Brian/Brant/Craig: Do you have a consistent pre stage routine? I've started handing off my pasters when I'm in the hole and I check all my mags to make sure they are loaded all the way up (cardinal rule!) and start visualizing my run through. I'll usually air gun a little and double check if there is a weird angle or target somewhere. Then as soon as the shooter before me is done I stand at the start location, double check all my mags again ( I've burned myself too many times) and I'll hold my 11 round mag in my hands while I air gun one last time until the make ready. Then I load up, usually do a quick press check, and stare down the first target until the timer goes off. Do you always do the same routine, or am I over thinking this? When you "Make Ready," do you have a set routine that you follow every time?  Does it ever differ?  If so, what might cause the change in routine? I don't do anything super crazy. When I'm the on-deck shooter I stop pasting and re-setting and step away to think about

Want to get your hands on the shirt I'm wearing in this week's show? Head over to triangletactical.net/shirts, and get one! I love mine, I think it's hilarious.  Here's this week's questions: Jon: Luke I was wondering if there are certain spare parts someone should keep in their range bag for competitions and or range trips. Thanks Jon Rick: Hi Luke, Just finished the news podcast and I've got a question or two for you. When you start from the beginning to develop a brand new load for competition, how do you go about that? I understand that you should start at the minimum and work up, but what about figuring out the optimum overall length (OAL)? How big are your batch sizes for every unique recipe? 5, 10 or more? Once again thanks for all of your help! Rick, again: Hi Luke, What yardage would you recommend to site in a competition gun at? Best Regards Patreon: This show is really made possible because of the Patrons of Triangle Tactical who pledge a couple bucks a month to keep it going. There are

Clay in California Clay sends in a voicemail asking about the USPSA Classifier "Six", asking about the best way to shoot it.  Subscribe to my Newsletter, and I'll send you my PDF with everything you need to know to shoot your first match by next weekend.    Scott in Colorado I have a few questions about live fire practice. I want to practice match like scenarios like shooting/reloading on the move and things you simply can't do at your typical indoor range. What do you recommend and do? Are most folks members at the host gun clubs and practice there? Do you bring your own targets, stands, and poppers? Do some clubs allow you to borrow the equipment that is used during the local matches? I understand each gun club is different and I will start asking around my local clubs what I can do. I'm just trying to get a general consensus of what guys are doing to get the best live fire practice and before I decide to drop the money to become a member. Also, I don't really have access to private land to s

This weeks Q&A show was a lot of fun! If you would like to have a show next week, I need your questions: Shoot me an email with your questions to luke@triangletactical.net Mike Hey Luke, I had a few questions I think would work well for the Q&A show: If you had a gun that can shoot in IDPA BUG or CCP, which would you choose?  I may try my XDS 9mm and I'm trying to figure out which mags to buy. Whats the most interesting gun you seen at a match?   What's your thoughts on reloading hotter ammo for steel targets and stages?  I've heard of this on Gundudes\Paracast, and a few stage videos on Youtube's InRangeTV with spinners where this would help.   Thanks for all the good work; your podcast helps me get through walking sessons. - Mike from DFW. Phil Hey Lucas, I'm not sure if it's already been asked but, I was wondering what made you settle on the 125gr bullet for your competition reloads? I'm getting into reloading and I haven't played around with bullet weights very much with fac

[powerpress] This episode of the Q&A show had a lot of great questions, however, I'm basically out of questions for next weeks show, so if you've got a question, shoot an email to luke@triangletactical.net and I'll get it queued up for a future episode! The Q&A show is possible because of the folks who have pledged to become patrons of Triangle Tactical at patreon.com/triangletactical. If you want to help Triangle Tactical be more awesome, and get some perks for helping, check out the Patreon page.  Chris: Why can't we have Production Major? Still ten rounds and all the production rules... just major power factor Marty Hey Luke, I have a question for the Q&A show. In a match, when you are shooting steel, when it the "right" time to take a mike on steel and just move on? I remember one match that I went through every magazine on my belt trying to hit some 8" plates at 30 yards. After I was out of ammo one of the other shooters came up to me and said I should have just left them and moved on

(My SD card messed up, and I lost about the first two minutes of the show.) Welcome back to another episode of the Triangle Tactical Q&A show! As always, this show is made possible by the Patrons who have pledged a couple bucks a month in support of Triangle Tactical on Patreon. If you like what I'm doing, head over to Patreon and get some of the perks that come along with being a patron. Rick   Hi Luke,I shot my second match yesterday and did ok. I'm still waiting for my results and feel that I didn't do as well this time then I did at my first match. I think there are a couple of reasons for that.The first is that while I dry fired a ton, I didn't shoot enough live fire. Lesson learned. I will be making sure I add that to my training.The other thing is I found that the stages were overall much more complex. I found myself hitting a few targets on each stage many more times then necessary. This got me thinking how do other shooters go about visualizing the stage? What techniques do they use to help

This was a LOT of fun. One of the more common questions that I get from folks is "What should I look for in my match video?"  Well, I figured out the technology needed to do it, and for the first half of this weeks Q&A show, I went through my video from last weekends match, and picked it apart for you. It's entertaining because... I didn't shoot very well.  So, my poor performance, is your learning experience! Check out the video above, it'll probably be a little easier to understand than the audio version.  Anyways, all of the questions that I had prepared for this weeks show were from the Patrons of Triangle Tactical. Since they're supporting the show, I bumped their questions up to the head of the line. You should check out the perks of being a patron over on the Triangle Tactical Patreon page. Brian  Hey Luke, thanks for the message!   I've been thinking of questions for the Q&A show and have a few.   If you were given an unlimited shooting budget and as much time of