So now I have acquired my equipment, and I have completed my Black Badge. Basically I am on my own; it is now up to me to establish a training schedule and move forward with the sport. For me it means training with like-minded individuals, having fun, and establishing a routine. I try to at least get to the range once a week, and instead of simply sending lead down range, I try to establish a few regular drills.
Besides the drills, an important part of my training includes perfecting my draw, and reloading efficiently. I'm very far from achieving these, but I do realise the importance of having a timer, to record my draw speed to the first shot, and also to record the speed of a reload.
So what do I do if I train alone?
No problem, get a timer, holster my firearm and perform a drill. Check my draw speed, and reload speed, as well as my target hits, and adjust. Either I am working too fast, and need to slow down to improve accuracy, or vice versa.
I like to warm up by drawing and firing two shots at a target at 5m, then 7m, then 10m, and repeating until I am comfortable. I then move out to 20-25m and practise accuracy. My objective is to get all my shots within the Alpha and Charlie zones, and to eliminate all Mikes. This is difficult with a production gun, but it helps me to control my breathing, trigger squeeze and my tendency to flinch. I repeat the longer distance drills until I have tightened up my groupings. Then I set up a few targets, using two lanes and incorporating No Shoots, and I draw, fire, reload, fire, using a timer. I try to work on my balance between time and accuracy.
As for practising with like-minded individuals is concerned, there is a members league night every Monday evening from 6-9 pm at the TSE. Unfortunately, and I haven't been going for long, but this event seems to get spasmodic support. There are less than a handful of regulars, half of which are newbies. I don't know, perhaps people are busy, or perhaps it is irritating for the veterans to practise with newbies, which would be unfortunate, but this event should be supported more vigorously and is invaluable for advice. Thanks Frank and Joe.
Below is a tiny glimpse of what we do on Monday nights, during TSE IPSC league. Here you can see some of the equipment in action.
Next I will discuss the cost of practising, and what I have decided to do about it.
Okay so you don't have to rush out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but you do need to consider your clothing. I discovered, during Black Badge, that what I thought was functional, was too baggy and ended up hindering my draw. I also realised I needed shoes that provided pretty good grip. You also want to have seperate clothing, to prevent lead contamination. Use your shooting clothes at the range, and discard/wash directly afterwards.
Now, again, shooting clothes simply are not available locally. So you make the next best choice. I thought I would use a spandex type, long-sleeved under-shirt, and a short sleeved outer-shirt. My first under-shirt I bought from Walmart for $13, and it was useless. It was too short in the body. Again, I did some research online and found better alternatives. For starters, the IPSC Store has a selection of shirts, but I wasn't too impressed with the pictures, and didn't want to take a chance.
They did have a long sleeve shirt for $25, with IPSC printed on it, which I bought and it is nice, but as a tight under-shirt to keep the fabric away from your gun, it is arguable. I eventually settled on an online puchase, which worked so well that I bought a second one. They cost about $25 each.
One of the reasons I use a tight under-shirt, preferably with a slight turtle neck, is to prevent hot cartridges from slipping down the collar. This only has to happen to you once for you to understand.
To compliment the under-shirt, I kept with a sports theme and use simple soccer shirts as my short sleeved outer garment. I guess hockey shirts or anything of that nature would work just as well. Again, these are relatively tight, to keep the fabric away from the gun, and are relatively long in the body, so that they can be tucked in with ease.
For pants, which was a suggestion by Walter Hornby, I use cargo pants, where the lower portions can be zipped off in the summer. Costco had a whole lot of these for sale at about $35 each. As for shoes, a good pair of trainers, sneakers ad/or cleats will suffice. I usually don't wear a cap, but a ball cap makes sense, as it not only minimises the amount of lead dust that settles in your hair, but can also assist with the sun (when you shoot outdoors), and help prevent cartridges falling on top of you.
Finally, knee pads. You may not use these often, but if you have weaker knees, you will find them indispensible. Instead of leaning forward to shoot through a port hole, you will have the option of going down on one knee in comfort (provided you get the soft ones). There are plenty of options at the Home Depot or elsewhere, otherwise find a pair online like I did. I probably could have found a cheaper pair. These cost $35, and the stiching was a little dodgey in places, but they seem to work fine.
So all up, including a firearm between $700 - 1,000, you should expect to spend about $1,650 - 2,000 to get kitted out.
Safety glasses are a must. Target shooting, however remote, retains a danger element. It is always a possibility that a flying projectile heads your way. Make sure your eyes are protected. What style you choose to wear is up to you. There are plenty of options, ranging from a Princess Auto purchase (hell, my first purchase for $3), to something more elaborate (which I purchased from the TSE for $10).
Earmuffs are something that I didn't give much thought to, and which cost me money in the end. I assumed that as long as you kept the noise out, you were doing the job. This is true, except for IPSC. You see, you still need to hear range commands and the starter beep.
During my Black Badge course, and a few times thereafter, I would stand staring into space, whilst the RO (Range Officer) would wonder why I wasn't reacting. I thought I was going deaf, and it caused me some serious anxiety. Anyway, I had my ears tested, and when I found out I wasn't going deaf, I decided to get a pair of electronic muffs.
These baby's block out all sound above a certain threshold, and at the same time allow you to amplify surrounding sounds. The same proviso applies however; namely research and then buy. Fortunately we have quite a few pricey local options, however in the end I decided to buy a pair of Howard Leight's which are designed for Impact Sports. They cost about $75, and although you can get them cheaper, I paid for priority shipping, as I couldn't take the stress of not hearing any longer.
I have to tell you that they work a treat, and improved my shooting experience immensely. My hearing problem was solved, but sometimes, when standing alongside a shooter with a muzzle brake, the blast is too much. This probably applies to all muffs. On those occasions I am tempted to wear small internal plugs as well.
The next overlooked piece of equipment is a magazine loader. You think you will load by hand. No it is difficult, slow and will eventually put you off. There is only one piece of equipment worth having, and I celebrate the day I decided to buy it. It is the UpLula Universal Magazine Loader, and cost about $30 plus shipping, from the IPSC Store.
Now, if you just reflect back you will realise that you have accumulated quite a bit of equipment. All of this has to be transported to the range, including ammunition, in some sort of bag. Time to search for a range bag. A good option is a sturdy tool bag, but the bigger one's are quite costly, so you may as well look at the purpose made stuff.
Strangely, most range bags are around 16" long, which is way too short. I shopped around for ages, and couldn't find the right bag versus price. There is nothing that is locally available, that you can test out, so you are left to observe others and take a risk. I decided on a Galati Range Bag, primarily because it was 18" long. It is excellent quality and cost me about $75, with shipping. It serves the purpose, and is lockable, with strong metal clips to support the weight. However, in hindsight, I would make a different choice, because there are some basics missing. It does not have a pouch for expended brass. Yes, you can use a ziplock bag, but I would have preferred a pouch. It also does not have a pistol sleeve.
In truth, the Tournament Series PRO Bag reigns supreme. It is 22" long, and comes equipped with a brass pouch, a gun sleeve, a small inner bag (which you can use to take to the shooting line), plenty of space and seems to be everywhere. These bags are expensive, at about $140, but you get a fair shake for your money. If you shop around, you can shave a few dollars off.
For those of you that would like a brass pouch, there are after market options, but beware of the quality. Buy Canadian, they are the best so far.
Obviously I haven't mentioned every piece of equipment. There is a host of smaller items, like a filteration mask for lead dust, rubber gloves for handling brass, D-Lead hand soap and wipes (available from TSE), gun oil, cleaning paraphernalia and ammo boxes. The ammo boxes are a dime a dozen, and you can never have enough.
Fairly straightforward right? Just walk into any gun shop, check the price and buy a holster and a few mag pouches? Ah, not really.
Because I never considered where, or how, I may progress within the sport, I simply thought functionality. It also irked me that my choices were severely limited, and expensive, and you have no ability to test them out. It was basically Bladetech or Bladetech. Also, having made a rudimentary examination of what was required for Black Badge, I realised I needed more than two mag pouches; more like four (which later ended up being six), but didn't know why. I read online reviews and balanced this against price, and eventually settled on Fobus.
These are Israeli made holsters and mag pouches, and I took my chances. Be careful though; you need to decide whether you want paddle or belt holsters and mag pouches. The former clips over your belt, and seems ever so easy, the latter takes a bit more effort, as you need to thread them onto your belt everytime. So I thought. My mind was swayed after I watched this video regarding paddle equipment, and besides I wanted my equipment to have a stable platform, so I went with belt equipment.
I liaised directly with a guy in Israel and ordered my equipment online. I ordered one holster and two double mag pouches, which cost about $75.00. The belt variety was a little more than the paddle versions.
The equipment arrived and was perfect. Really strong, well made and fitted like a glove. The handgun came with three 10 round magazines, but I needed at least four. You can get OEM magazines from your retailer at about $45 a piece, which I thought was expensive. So I sourced KCI magazines from a Canadian retailer at $20 a piece, if I took 10. So I took 10 and shared them with a friend; and they are 17 round magazines (naturally pinned to 10, but gives you peace of mind anyway).
Off to Black Badge I went.
What I discovered during Black Badge is that the perpetual threading of holsters and mag pouches onto a belt, is for the birds, and obviously the reason why people buy the paddle equipment. But whilst on the course I noticed the seasoned players were using competition belts. These are quite simply, two belts (an inner and an outer), that fasten together with velcro. You thread the inner belt through your trouser loops, and then you simply fasten the outer belt over the top, which already has your equipment on it, and is where it stays.
But as usual, you can't simply walk into a store and try the stuff out, because there is no store. You hit the internet, check prices and stock availablity, and you make a decision. Prices vary, but I ended up paying around $40.
Another observation I made was mag pouches and magazines; what you needed and how many. The IPSC rules, which I wasn't familiar with, stipulate that the maximum scoring rounds for a course of fire is 32 rounds, but this doesn't mean that you can't shoot more than that. So if you only have four magazines, that means you only have 40 rounds (well 41 if you want to split hairs). What happens if you have a magazine malfunction, or your tactical reloads determine that you need to reload more than four times, or you need more than 40 rounds to score decent hits? So for me it seemed that at least five magazines would make more sense. But based on my equipment choices, five was a problem because I was buying double mag pouches. So I went with six. Can you see how your costs inadvertantly escalate?
Something you need to consider BEFORE Black Badge, is magazine buffer pads. You WILL break your magazine basepads when you do a magazine reload, and allow your magazines to drop onto a concrete floor. Most of us find out the hard way. Again, there aren't simple off-the-shelf options available, and some of the options are not allowed under IPSC rules. I don't know why manufacturers don't make shock-proof magazines. Anyway, the simplest and cheapest option is to buy a strip of felt (the type your wife uses to stick on the underside of chairs and ornaments so as to not scratch the floor), cut the felt into blocks the size of the basepad, and then stick them onto the magazine. These aren't very attractive but they work and will save you money.
As stressed before, you always need to consider where you want to ultimately end up. My holster and mag pouches are specifically for the Glock 17, and will not accommodate other handguns or magazines. So if I decide to change my handgun, I need to start all over again (at least with regards to holster and mag pouches).
Also, a small tip, if you have metal magazines you may want to consider a magnetic magazine pouch, as your fifth mag pouch. These have a few benefits, and are best demonstrated in the following video. Again, choose wisely; you can either have a standalone pouch, or a magnet that fastens to your existing mag pouches.
In closing, I would say that you would be better off buying a competition belt, a competition holster (quick draw holster) and competition mag pouches right from the outset. I would have, if I had known. The competition holster and mag pouches (which are singles and cost a lot more than the doubles I bought) are pricey, but they are easily adapted to fit different magazines and handguns. The alternative is to simply build a new, cost effective rig when you acquire a new handgun. Competition rigs can be built for a lot less than you think. As with everything else I have mentioned; take your time, do some research and gather your prices and information. I can build a rig with five mag pouches and a holster for around the $240 mark (which is still a lot of money), but this can run as high as $450.
I wanted something that was relatively versatile. Something I could use for IPSC, which was reliable, easy to strip and maintain, and which shot relatively well straight out of the box. I also wanted single-action. I was aware of the drawback to using minor ammunition (ammo that doesn't necessarily have the same stopping power as some of the larger calibers, which results in points differentials in competition), but I thought, big deal, just aim straighter because it is a lot more affordable than the larger calibers. Also I had past experience with 9mm, and was happy with its power.
I, however, wasn't aware of how the IPSC rules classify handguns, or how their actions may affect my decision. I used to be partial to a Beretta 92 FS, but it was more expensive than what I ultimately decided on, and it is a double-action (the first shot is with the hammer down), which I didn't like.
My next option was a Glock 17 Gen 4. The price seemed right, it was 9mm (considered a minor power factor), it has a reputation for reliability, and although technically double-action, to the layman this is virtually undetectable, which essentially made it appear single-action to me. The down side was the discomfort of "not having a safety" (which later becomes a partial upside, but requires retraining when you switch handguns), and I had never owned a gun where I couldn't see the hammer. Anyway, this ended up being my final choice, given the plethora of accessories for the Glock, including the carbine conversion kits, drop-in triggers and the like.
On a side note; you will notice that handguns in the USA are significantly cheaper than in Canada. Don't bother sourcing one in the US. The bureaucratic paper trail is onerous, and it is expensive. Once you factor in all the fees, you are better off buying locally.
It turns out, one of the downsides of many handguns is that they are poorly supported in Canada, at least that seems to be the case. You may be all googly-eyed at wanting to do many things, only to discover nobody carries upgrade parts. Also, don't rely on any counter staff to help you with your choices, they just aren't knowledgeable enough in your chosen endeavour.
As for the USA, some of their legislation is as daft as ours. It is virtually impossible to import gun parts anymore. And don't even think about buying them whilst you are down there. Although it is legal to bring them in to Canada, under US law it is illegal to take possession of them. So if you are bust with parts in your possession there are dire consequences.
So in the end you are stuck with an essentially stock standard handgun, and you hope nothing breaks, or you eventually start swinging towards handguns that are well supported (especially if you stay within IPSC circles). There is no sense trying to be a maverick, although I do think a dedicated Glock Shop would work (any takers?).
At no stage, in choosing a handgun, did I factor in trigger pull, upgrade potential, compensator compatibility or the cost of parts. Badda bing, I had my handgun, and now it was IPSC time. Just needed to do the Black Badge.
In closing; if you are considering getting a single stack 45ACP, think carefully. Yes, it is well known and easy to get parts for. Yes, you can tune the gun nicely, if you can find a gunsmith. But you will only be able to load nine rounds (assuming you change your magazines to the eight round variety, plus one in the chamber). This means you will always be at a disadvantage to those that can load an extra two rounds. Also, the single column 45ACP is a single action, which means you have to compete in the Standard class, which in itself isn't a big deal, but there are better suited firearms (namely double column). You could compete in the Open class, with a 10 round magazine (if it is shorter than 170mm, which I think it is), but then you would need to pimp out your 45ACP, with a trigger job, large magwell, red dot sight, a compensator, some gunsmithing and perhaps a competition barrel. The problem becomes one of cost versus performance. You will be at a disadvantage relative to the race guns. The 45ACP is a low velocity cartridge and it will not generate enough gas to work the compensator effectively, so your recoil will be greater than the dedicated race guns. Also the slide will cycle slower too, and ammunition is expensive. So essentially you will be restricted to competing in Standard as a Single Stack competitor.
Equipment, sigh. This is probably the most important decision, and the one that you most often get wrong. Despite all the good intentions, simply telling new contestants to IPSC that they need a holster, some magazine pouches and a handgun that they are comfortable with, isn't really that helpful. At least it wasn't for me, and by chatting with other contestants it is plain to see that we all started out "wrong".
I had somewhat of an idea, given that I had been exposed to Practical Pistol shooting before, but my thinking was limited to the state the sport was in 20 years ago. So I thought, big deal, get a functional holster and a few magazine pouches, as well as eye protection and ear-muffs. Not that much of an investment. Well it turns out I was wrong, naturally, and I needed a lot more.
Not only did I need a holster, but I needed mag pouches, a lot of them. I also needed a sturdy belt, ear-muffs and eye protection. Then there are the other items you don't think about; a range bag, extra magazines, ammunition boxes, cleaning kits, clothing and an ammunition budget (a big one).
The next few articles will examine each piece of equipment, and how I progressed.
I had been introduced to Practical Pistol or Combat Shooting way back in the 1980's, and had always wanted to pursue it in more depth. Well career, family and eventually emigration issues got in the way.
Finally I got around to getting my Canadian firearm license requirements (a topic on its own) out of the way, and eventually explored what options were available to a handgun enthusiast to pursue his sport.
This may come as a surprise to those in the sport, but the paths to IPSC or IDPA aren't obvious. I had to ask many questions, and finally somebody steered me in the right direction. Some internet research uncovered that I had to complete a Black Badge course, whatever that was, but where did one do one of these courses?
Again, some internet research eventually yielded a name and a date. A Walter Hornby was offering a course in Taber. It so turns out Walter is the go to guy, which wasn't obvious at the time. A few emails later and I was enrolled.
The object of the course is to teach you the basics of safe movement, holstering, reloading and the rules of the game. Without the course, you cannot compete in any IPSC sanctioned matches, or holster your firearm at most reputable shooting ranges. It seemed obvious to me, that in order to really get the most out of my hobby, and my investment, that this was a good place to start.
The course itself is fairly straightforward. You shouldn't struggle with any aspects of it. There is a written test, but this is obviously a requirement, and isn't there to make your life hell. The cost will vary, depending on who hosts the program. Walter's course was $240.00, which included instruction, my first year of IPSC Alberta membership, my first match fee and lunches. A bargain, I thought. On top of this, of course, you will need to pay for accommodation, transport and acquire all the necessary equipment (more on this in another topic).
Black Badge courses seem to be fairly rare, especially in Calgary, and this may be a reflection on the low numbers entering the sport. I am not sure, but if you are considering a course, place your name on the list as soon as one becomes available.
I can't vouch for the other courses, but Walter Hornby is definitely a good option, and he remains accessible well after you have been trained.
As for the outcome, well it is only the beginning, but the course is exciting enough to entice you to want to go further.
One of the benefits of completion is that you can holster your firearm at the range. You will be required to provide proof of having completed a Black Badge course. This can be done by either showing them the temporary card your instructor gives you, or by showing them your IPSC Canada membership card, which will arrive in the post a few weeks later.
A final titbit of information; you do not have to have a Restricted license, or a license for that matter. You will be shooting under the supervision of an RO (Range Officer). So as long as you are accompanied by the lawful owner of the firearm, you will be able to complete the course. This will definitely save a lot of time, if you are waiting for the RCMP background checks or have yet to complete your PAL paperwork and/or tests. It isn't the best option, but it will save you time. Just verify with the course instructor in advance that he is comfortable with this arrangement.
UPDATE: For information on recommended Black Badge instructors in Alberta, follow the link.
