#fortyfivefriday with a big letter Series 70 Colt that I started during a class in 2001 with the late John Miller, an AMU and behind the scenes industry legend. John built the original prototypes and early specimens of the Crane Mk12 SPR, and had also trained a number of very successful 1911 industry figures. He was a massive influence on me as I learned how to work on the 1911. He emphasized the importance of being able to quickly diagnose and repair a 1911 in the field using hand tools, in order to get a large number of guns operating reliably as quickly as possible.

Neat to see my @springfieldarmoryinc/@lipseysguns 10-8 Master Class in the latest USPSA magazine, pictured in an article about the Limited 10 division. The pistol is indeed a viable option for L10, and it will remain to be seen if the 2025 rule change to allow optics in L10 stimulates growth past the current total of approximately 1% of participation. For comparison, Revolver is about .6%, Single Stack is 2%. Carry Optics is around 39% and Limited Optics is around 29%.

If running a 9mm 1911 (single or double stack), it is important to understand that bullet shape, cartridge overall length, primer hardness are all common factors that will affect function. Ammunition should be considered as part of the system of your firearm, rather than some bargain basement afterthought. While some mechanical deficiency in the pistol may certainly be contributing to poor function, the first and easiest step is to change ammunition type. These cartridges are current production and all came out of the same box as you see them. Having been forced to use hundreds of thousands of rounds of this brand during my old job, I can attest that this is common QC practice and I will never use this brand again.

Been getting into the groove running my @kimberamerica 2K11 for matches and training. Figuring out the current state of the market on the legacy format 2011 mags has been the biggest part of the transition from running my @staccato2011 HD P4 for a year of matches. These are my current picks: MBX 24rd 140mm competition mag with top of tube redesigned for 2K11 frame, MecGar 140mm 22rd lock back, Checkmate UHC 126mm 19rd lock back. For duty/defensive users, you'd be well served with the latter two as they have robust springs and lock back crisply. The MBX spring is absolutely maxed out in order to fit 24rds with a flat non lock back follower, and as such I don't leave it loaded any longer than the range day. Mag capacity and springs are not a free lunch or a magic box - capacity, lock back, and spring tension/longevity are all fighting each other for the same space. @trijicon SRO

#fortyfivefriday A big thank you to my friends at @springfieldarmoryinc for always supporting me, this time with a print feature in The Armory Life magazine showcasing our new SA/@lipseysguns exclusive 10-8 Master Class!

Put in some work on a designated target drill with my @kimberamerica 2K11. Last 2 are the same rep, different views. I always make sure to work 1 handed shooting, it is too commonly avoided. The drill is simple - pick a starting target, then another, return to the starting target, etc. Just changing the starting target and the sequence lets you get a lot of work done on one array. I had worked wide transitions in my recent dry practice, so it was good to connect it in live fire. @trijicon SRO @oakleystandardissue Meta Vanguard @howitzerclothing Alpha sun hoodie @kimberamerica 2K11 @supervel 124gr @shooters_global SG2 timer/app

My @kimberamerica 2K11 is looking pretty industrial with a hodgepodge of different parts, but the key internals remain completely stock and without issue as the pistol passes the 3000rd mark. It is shaping up to be a solid workhorse for the coming USPSA season. @trijicon SRO @supervel 124gr (all of them)

To say that these new 15rd Glock magazines are flush fit is a bit of a stretch… Who's been running these?

Nine stage local @theuspsa match at @volusiacountygunclub this weekend with a great squad. Creative stage design with many challenges, but unfortunately one of my worst match performances in some months. Many vision errors and stage execution failures plagued almost every stage. Back to it with more training! @trijicon SRO @oakleystandardissue Meta Vanguard @eric.howitzerclothing @howitzerclothing Delta sun hoodie @kimberamerica 2K11

#fortyfivefriday with one of my early @springfieldarmoryinc Custom Shop collaboration 10-8 Operators and my current Springfield/@lipseysguns exclusive Master Class. There were only a total of 108 of the Custom Shop 10-8 Operators produced in very limited runs between 2007 and 2012, and I am delighted that the current offering is able to get into more holsters this time around.

With summer weather here in full swing, this @springfieldarmoryinc EMP 4” is a favorite for EDC when I’m not in the mood for a larger/heavier pistol. The EMP has a purpose built Govt length magazine for 9mm, with the accompanying parts that span the mag well also being shortened. The rest of the gun is essentially an alloy frame 4” 1911, so it fits in Commander holsters without issues. The heavy cone barrel makes it quite soft shooting, and I feel that it beats a traditional bushing barrel Commander at its own game. My EMP of course has all the 10-8 upgrades.

One of the common discussion points regarding competition shooting versus tactical application is that multiple targets are statistically uncommon in LE shootings, and borne out in research by @centrifugetraining. However, target transitions and multiple targets in flat range mechanical skill building doesn't need to be taken completely literally. Learning how to move your gun quickly from one area to another while maintaining full visual and physical control will only benefit problem-solving, not hinder it. @trijicon SRO @oakleystandardissue Meta Vanguard @supervel 124gr JHP Match @eric.howitzerclothing @howitzerclothing Delta sun hoodie @kimberamerica 2K11 @shooters_global SG2 timer/app

Well it's been a minute since I shot a double stack 1911 with a shielded thumb safety. I had one back in 1991-2 on a Para Ordnance .38 Super frame kit that @brucegrayggi built for me. That was a super cool gun, at the dawn of double stack 1911 style guns as well as pistol mounted red dots for USPSA. I wish I at least had a photograph of it, never mind the entire gun. These Limcat safeties are VERY hard to find! And no, I do not want one of the Atlas or similar units which place the thumb at an upward angle when the safety is in the down position.

Today is a day to remember and honor. Take a quiet moment to pay tribute to our brave fallen warriors. Live a life worthy of their sacrifice.

New Mec-Gar 22rd 2011 magazines just dropped! These were announced at SHOT, and are finally available. These are 140mm (for USPSA), 22rd, lock back when empty, and have a fairly stout spring. I look forward to running these this season, and they seem like an extremely promising solution for users of the legacy format 2011.

Dug this @springfieldarmoryinc Echelon 4.0 Compact out of the back of the safe. It had been robbed of the @trijicon SRO that it wore during testing, but I was still digging its vibe with irons. The Echelon series have a great feel in hand, and a smooth rolling break trigger that pleases me every time I dig one out. Threw it into my @saviorequipment Obscura 3L sling for a morning stroll here in the woods. @jockofuel GO blue raspberry reminds me of the Hawaiian Punch I loved as a kid, and back when cartoon violence for laughs was still ok.

Just finished The Fourth Option by @jackcarrusa and @mp.woodward on audiobook, as narrated by the incomparable @the.ray.porter. Great read/listen, and highly recommended for fans of the action genre and of Jack's work.

Lots of discussion lately about the merits of mechanical skill relative to tactical applications. Scott Reitz of LAPD Metro Division legend posits that a higher degree of mechanical capability increases confidence when resolving a potential deadly force confrontation, and allows the officer more time to work the situation before feeling cornered into applying deadly force. Photo from 2006 class with Uncle Scotty, one of many that I took with him. He was formative in my development as a law enforcement trainer.

#fortyfivefriday 2024 @springfieldarmoryinc TRP with all the 10-8 upgrades. Please note that 10 round magazines in a .45 1911 are not guaranteed to work in all guns with all ammo. The column of rounds is tall and heavy relative to the design's capability, and increasing the stack of rounds past 7 causes the top round to nose down significantly during feeding. The bullet shape and feed ramp geometry of the particular gun must be compatible for proper feeding. My blanket advice is generally to avoid using 10rd mags in a .45 1911.

A topic that refuses to die is “competition will get you kilt in the streets!” Developing and testing skills via competition is an excellent way to pressure test your abilities. It is neither training in nor application of tactics, not even if your sport thinks it is. Tactical training, whether it is CQB, vehicle stops, tubular target assaults, etc. is primarily focused on problem solving skills. It is not designed to focus on your raw mechanical skills, which are most efficiently built via a separate training block (CQB runs in the house vs flat range movement and shooting drills). I shot USPSA long before I ever started my old job, and continued to compete during my career as time allowed. At no point did a behavior only suitable in a match ever bleed into my work, but instead the experience gave me an edge at work in having a very high level of mechanical skill. Further, I guarantee that no armed professional has ever stood on the line at range day and thought "I hope I don't build too much mechanical skill."