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Range Report: Skills Clinic, 10/28/24

BassCliff

Professional
Hi guys,

Yes, it's been a while since I've been to the range. Even though I haven't had time to practice every week, I've still been finding time to take a training class once a month. This past Monday was the DSF105 Cognitive Skills Clinic at my USCCA affiliated range. I even got a "course completed" certificate in my email this week. That and $2.49 might get you a cup of coffee. :LOL:

I was a small class, only three students, so we really got to blaze through our drills and skills. I brought my brand new, never been fired, XD9 Mod 3 and a few hundred rounds of 124 grain Blazer. There were zero malfunctions tonight.

AP1GczOKxC3fu2vlbP2v9764z6DUGWPqurP3XjgSJdyiTx54FA-cessphUUG832zlOMYS2dpdUPz5HMbGYD-rumrFK043RnxgKizaINnawR4qlgtY7dFBWAXUerC131duEuOfYDrnV7xQHsSTKdOu1Y-yOZb1Q=w1648-h927-s-no


We started with the gray silhouettes for some warm-up drills at 3 to 10 yards.

AP1GczNB-Z4G2Rs9qRdobftw3lR5XHDsOru1iY_dqmvX-mBpFHeeLUxSoP7DRCDHcZYSQmgQKDexq8rcqGZvt9y5NJsO1Tlf_RFRArb-QfV2wjHqwqApsydDBS5xxEHEl1NQQkwsxjveOM-khcRaYYZUBAGuhA=w1648-h927-s-no


On command we put holes in center mass, head, number, etc. I let a few get wide. This new sight picture will take just a little getting used to.

AP1GczMYT4yIkv6ksI7F2tFcLo-cl3XTYF_KbLD1EEG2Ot_2PID7xHQQfqn2yM3olnJziyv8aizaWpn882zKeUrkyVUCEbEQVSRz5hiszdPeoMcrACZI_jfsRuW3iEiGsI9nDsIaDRBNBmI_66Hz5_TanHmrcg=w1648-h927-s-no


Then the instructors swapped out the targets for some number/shape/color drills including some pivoting. Each command had a specific shooting sequence that you had to keep straight in your head. Sometimes we got to use multiple targets.

AP1GczPYmClEf4FPleOEzUJ8AScdJAtuf2BNlU_bRuQyXeLC98isKjF966-NIg2Gv0M5TOOv52THPwzWX6iWDT3u6WpZKEd8Z8CSHeX_i4NWnRLG-41EAfyXfaeyFNFeg8v1oR0JklLYmCDhQHpk8B6fasEEjg=w1648-h927-s-no


My two targets could have been better but, hey, it's a brand new pistol.

AP1GczNqJau2s0Ze5yXkFuxMrPN-UEwqYrNse3Gpxlpkv4w2qFLsUunBuHb8qGIC15gusFpaR_xZH-Y2Wiv5qHj0_qHtVbCnTC-hfVd5TBwPtT3fUP6llGoEa1YF7QMF5qIoyD17faCG5n0krdLbDj4kpEmcgQ=w1222-h927-s-no


In between drills we'd go back to our bay to top off our magazines. I found four brand new magazines that were still wrapped in plastic and used them for my new pistol, which came with only one magazine. But I'm not complaining. It's a fine $300 pistol with an optic cut, improved slide, trigger, and grip.

AP1GczNnnh7YsqoABvjZADNM5O9eSAoe0_2LBWps7OvYkF2trf1Vu7FXzOYb2RIIYwgaahlpq22918jntZruhXYc0vBWJ2sIlIoCUex0f6n4NIyxdTexG6c5KPLt32S-_KV7gmr7R4CxJIOINos0RBTOArXQpw=w1648-h927-s-no


Then we really started having fun. We did a true run-n-gun on these targets. We had a "front line" at 3 yards and a "back line" at 15 yards. The instructor would yell "Front line!" or "Back line!" at any point and we'd take off running in that direction. At any time the "fire" command was given and we'd have to pivot (or not), check our line and spacing, and put hits on the proper target. It got our heart rate up and got this old man winded just a little. ;)

AP1GczP_bt315boulg5DBkMm-HELGEURcAft4lHRkKXzlTRXZI3oHmi7s9hb4wuMWF9YMcBpY93wktJ53MWVBxnVTzxTAp4CnPWlBPBUdg4wIBy8-ShiFOYx5E-SCL0ChkzERe90qbdDJEJuELz91AIEyMLahg=w1648-h927-s-no


Um, yes, this is the 15 yard line.

AP1GczPm3QR-J9DARHDyHjGP_7m0KUKYPZU-RP2Z-tPhgUn3o2-OdwxtNQ6KZJs2iFmwPsmOuFY9Af_M5hTifGMv-iBLB8AW8vCEiTyu7oXYpmWKWl2VgAmc7H4RT13JGTA83awlAZYPb7mdLiqdPthK4xQELQ=w1648-h927-s-no


These are our instructors putting up fresh targets for our last set of drills.

AP1GczN-5tAyEgAEuoHO3Ig_ak0jhLZqdw5COPX4Bae7ZnVUyg6uKnkW891h49M5mSHQkrU6nmcyo8sgamGB8SX8lTabY9SDRxr4Sst_XFOXPooCHVElEst8e7WqbS9pfyazTIGMtuKUQjgfdlskRAAh2O21rw=w1648-h927-s-no


We did some more pivoting at different distances on the left target and shot the Casino Drill on the right target.

AP1GczPrH9GlMFCa0zZS2REbLvnBiJ_SSdA3xeI157gYfK7QzIu2L34jwLUhES9zwCpSqBoMUHK2ph7AONojLCWIcdhM1GKdVvWgiV_vfRUHCQ0SivV4HriqhGW34Gect2uPnDEMGnk6azEIMkuFjUq9rJsniw=w1648-h927-s-no


Like I said, since the class was so small we blazed through the planned drills and still had over a half hour of class time left. The instructor let us work on whatever we wanted to. One student worked on his draw from a new holster. One student worked on zeroing his new optic. I worked on my new sight picture at 10 yards.

AP1GczNkbaMVt2szpUQ5B2xGzZpNK-qIIEypt5ErcLNhyNrsXYh5p7Ci5shqm0nH5hnSnuYdOrtH_-tXEMQUVPaeF4zNsewFbKOq_qt0D8iz_GsZBajka4l6hmnltZJXdgeLOeAP6icw01YyXIzbgKAqVoTQGg=w1648-h927-s-no


Since my last target still had room, I shot the 2, 4, 6, A box, and head shots at various speeds, some from concealment.

AP1GczNtm_scYXCcvGULolkkZLg_8DVf-VpOzHyn6jMr6a3bO_tz4U753uizHYEMiKkL-7HonjOiqROsEsPWLhpGu-XKuuIn0WVZOsY1rcJZXvrJcejEH9XEKJKGpRbXYwzIf4iXqLp8BQf2aERkKATQ_GZh3w=w1648-h927-s-no


The #4 group is starting to tighten up. The front blade on these sights is quite narrow. Even though it has a fiber optic front sight, I'm not used to all that space between the front sight and the rear notch (equal height, equal light). But this is going to be my optic pistol anyway, as soon as I decide which one. Here's Matt getting some help from the instructors in zeroing his new optic.

AP1GczPVvH4K-G8Mkj1cqRs9caVTZjoSPuD9M4mRtQtxsftV5SPmUJlTdo5vmH8vuKrYgEH9AcvddrB7bZJmHMZ3xyRqLHYFMHP58qvkfw1RtfiiBY_xCx0AieaB5Qvi-UKM8bdWTLrLZ_brYTg21G_IZUUcTA=w1648-h927-s-no


I'm leaning toward one of the Holosun 507C optics. What's the difference between the HS and the HE models? I guess it's not unusual to spend as much for an optic as you did for the pistol. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for sharing my fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Hi guys,

Yes, it's been a while since I've been to the range. Even though I haven't had time to practice every week, I've still been finding time to take a training class once a month. This past Monday was the DSF105 Cognitive Skills Clinic at my USCCA affiliated range. I even got a "course completed" certificate in my email this week. That and $2.49 might get you a cup of coffee. :LOL:

I was a small class, only three students, so we really got to blaze through our drills and skills. I brought my brand new, never been fired, XD9 Mod 3 and a few hundred rounds of 124 grain Blazer. There were zero malfunctions tonight.

AP1GczOKxC3fu2vlbP2v9764z6DUGWPqurP3XjgSJdyiTx54FA-cessphUUG832zlOMYS2dpdUPz5HMbGYD-rumrFK043RnxgKizaINnawR4qlgtY7dFBWAXUerC131duEuOfYDrnV7xQHsSTKdOu1Y-yOZb1Q=w1648-h927-s-no


We started with the gray silhouettes for some warm-up drills at 3 to 10 yards.

AP1GczNB-Z4G2Rs9qRdobftw3lR5XHDsOru1iY_dqmvX-mBpFHeeLUxSoP7DRCDHcZYSQmgQKDexq8rcqGZvt9y5NJsO1Tlf_RFRArb-QfV2wjHqwqApsydDBS5xxEHEl1NQQkwsxjveOM-khcRaYYZUBAGuhA=w1648-h927-s-no


On command we put holes in center mass, head, number, etc. I let a few get wide. This new sight picture will take just a little getting used to.

AP1GczMYT4yIkv6ksI7F2tFcLo-cl3XTYF_KbLD1EEG2Ot_2PID7xHQQfqn2yM3olnJziyv8aizaWpn882zKeUrkyVUCEbEQVSRz5hiszdPeoMcrACZI_jfsRuW3iEiGsI9nDsIaDRBNBmI_66Hz5_TanHmrcg=w1648-h927-s-no


Then the instructors swapped out the targets for some number/shape/color drills including some pivoting. Each command had a specific shooting sequence that you had to keep straight in your head. Sometimes we got to use multiple targets.

AP1GczPYmClEf4FPleOEzUJ8AScdJAtuf2BNlU_bRuQyXeLC98isKjF966-NIg2Gv0M5TOOv52THPwzWX6iWDT3u6WpZKEd8Z8CSHeX_i4NWnRLG-41EAfyXfaeyFNFeg8v1oR0JklLYmCDhQHpk8B6fasEEjg=w1648-h927-s-no


My two targets could have been better but, hey, it's a brand new pistol.

AP1GczNqJau2s0Ze5yXkFuxMrPN-UEwqYrNse3Gpxlpkv4w2qFLsUunBuHb8qGIC15gusFpaR_xZH-Y2Wiv5qHj0_qHtVbCnTC-hfVd5TBwPtT3fUP6llGoEa1YF7QMF5qIoyD17faCG5n0krdLbDj4kpEmcgQ=w1222-h927-s-no


In between drills we'd go back to our bay to top off our magazines. I found four brand new magazines that were still wrapped in plastic and used them for my new pistol, which came with only one magazine. But I'm not complaining. It's a fine $300 pistol with an optic cut, improved slide, trigger, and grip.

AP1GczNnnh7YsqoABvjZADNM5O9eSAoe0_2LBWps7OvYkF2trf1Vu7FXzOYb2RIIYwgaahlpq22918jntZruhXYc0vBWJ2sIlIoCUex0f6n4NIyxdTexG6c5KPLt32S-_KV7gmr7R4CxJIOINos0RBTOArXQpw=w1648-h927-s-no


Then we really started having fun. We did a true run-n-gun on these targets. We had a "front line" at 3 yards and a "back line" at 15 yards. The instructor would yell "Front line!" or "Back line!" at any point and we'd take off running in that direction. At any time the "fire" command was given and we'd have to pivot (or not), check our line and spacing, and put hits on the proper target. It got our heart rate up and got this old man winded just a little. ;)

AP1GczP_bt315boulg5DBkMm-HELGEURcAft4lHRkKXzlTRXZI3oHmi7s9hb4wuMWF9YMcBpY93wktJ53MWVBxnVTzxTAp4CnPWlBPBUdg4wIBy8-ShiFOYx5E-SCL0ChkzERe90qbdDJEJuELz91AIEyMLahg=w1648-h927-s-no


Um, yes, this is the 15 yard line.

AP1GczPm3QR-J9DARHDyHjGP_7m0KUKYPZU-RP2Z-tPhgUn3o2-OdwxtNQ6KZJs2iFmwPsmOuFY9Af_M5hTifGMv-iBLB8AW8vCEiTyu7oXYpmWKWl2VgAmc7H4RT13JGTA83awlAZYPb7mdLiqdPthK4xQELQ=w1648-h927-s-no


These are our instructors putting up fresh targets for our last set of drills.

AP1GczN-5tAyEgAEuoHO3Ig_ak0jhLZqdw5COPX4Bae7ZnVUyg6uKnkW891h49M5mSHQkrU6nmcyo8sgamGB8SX8lTabY9SDRxr4Sst_XFOXPooCHVElEst8e7WqbS9pfyazTIGMtuKUQjgfdlskRAAh2O21rw=w1648-h927-s-no


We did some more pivoting at different distances on the left target and shot the Casino Drill on the right target.

AP1GczPrH9GlMFCa0zZS2REbLvnBiJ_SSdA3xeI157gYfK7QzIu2L34jwLUhES9zwCpSqBoMUHK2ph7AONojLCWIcdhM1GKdVvWgiV_vfRUHCQ0SivV4HriqhGW34Gect2uPnDEMGnk6azEIMkuFjUq9rJsniw=w1648-h927-s-no


Like I said, since the class was so small we blazed through the planned drills and still had over a half hour of class time left. The instructor let us work on whatever we wanted to. One student worked on his draw from a new holster. One student worked on zeroing his new optic. I worked on my new sight picture at 10 yards.

AP1GczNkbaMVt2szpUQ5B2xGzZpNK-qIIEypt5ErcLNhyNrsXYh5p7Ci5shqm0nH5hnSnuYdOrtH_-tXEMQUVPaeF4zNsewFbKOq_qt0D8iz_GsZBajka4l6hmnltZJXdgeLOeAP6icw01YyXIzbgKAqVoTQGg=w1648-h927-s-no


Since my last target still had room, I shot the 2, 4, 6, A box, and head shots at various speeds, some from concealment.

AP1GczNtm_scYXCcvGULolkkZLg_8DVf-VpOzHyn6jMr6a3bO_tz4U753uizHYEMiKkL-7HonjOiqROsEsPWLhpGu-XKuuIn0WVZOsY1rcJZXvrJcejEH9XEKJKGpRbXYwzIf4iXqLp8BQf2aERkKATQ_GZh3w=w1648-h927-s-no


The #4 group is starting to tighten up. The front blade on these sights is quite narrow. Even though it has a fiber optic front sight, I'm not used to all that space between the front sight and the rear notch (equal height, equal light). But this is going to be my optic pistol anyway, as soon as I decide which one. Here's Matt getting some help from the instructors in zeroing his new optic.

AP1GczPVvH4K-G8Mkj1cqRs9caVTZjoSPuD9M4mRtQtxsftV5SPmUJlTdo5vmH8vuKrYgEH9AcvddrB7bZJmHMZ3xyRqLHYFMHP58qvkfw1RtfiiBY_xCx0AieaB5Qvi-UKM8bdWTLrLZ_brYTg21G_IZUUcTA=w1648-h927-s-no


I'm leaning toward one of the Holosun 507C optics. What's the difference between the HS and the HE models? I guess it's not unusual to spend as much for an optic as you did for the pistol. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for sharing my fun.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
HE stands for Holosun Elite. Those models usually are green reticle and may be titanium or have other enhanced features over the standard (HS) models. Unless I'm getting a good deal on a used one I will go for the green reticle every time, though I have no issues with the red model either. I only buy the "5" models as they have multiple reticles. All the ones starting with 4 is going to just be a dot.

Considering you paid $300 for the pistol I think you'd have to try hard to get a decent optic for less than what you paid for the gun. If it makes you feel better I have a $1000 scope on a gun I built for $400. I got no regrets.
 
Hi guys!

Good shooting and glad you liked the new gun!

I really like it with all the improvements. It'll make a great first optic pistol for me.

Good shooting Agent Cliff as usual. Looks like a lot of fun and very nice range you have there. may have to pick up one of them Mod3 later.

Thanks! I don't think you would regret adding one of these to your armory.

Great job Cliff! I’m kind of intrigued by that new Mod 3. Good to hear that she ran great.

Thank you. The XD9-3 has a few subtle improvements, but added together these make it a "more than the sum of its parts" kind of pistol.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Bob!

HE stands for Holosun Elite. Those models usually are green reticle and may be titanium or have other enhanced features over the standard (HS) models. Unless I'm getting a good deal on a used one I will go for the green reticle every time, though I have no issues with the red model either. I only buy the "5" models as they have multiple reticles. All the ones starting with 4 is going to just be a dot.

Considering you paid $300 for the pistol I think you'd have to try hard to get a decent optic for less than what you paid for the gun. If it makes you feel better I have a $1000 scope on a gun I built for $400. I got no regrets.

Thank you for sharing this great information. I'm eyeballing an HE507c. That will probably be my choice. Springfield sells the adapter plate for $25. I've heard about C&H plates, made of steel, that are supposed to be the bomb (for 3x the price). Is it worth it? I've been told the fitment is much better and much less chance of screws coming loose.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Hello folks!

Cliff, so the Mod 3 turns out to be a keeper ?
Anything particular u did not like about it when u started firing?
(ref: your thread about a week ago, when u first got it).

The only thing that doesn't trip my trigger is the thin front sight. I really have to be mindful of "equal height, equal light" when getting my sight picture. If I wasn't going to put an optic on this pistol I would change out the sights. I love the SpeedSights on my original XD9.

Good shooting sir!

Aww, shucks. ;)

Awesome report as always and so jealous as I’d have to drive hundreds of miles to find any course close to that. Fine results for you too!

As an aside, where do you buy your coffee, little Johnnie’s Lemonade and Stuff Stand?

Thanks! My coffee? I usually get a to-go cup of Joe at Denny's. :LOL: No froo-froo coffee for me!

Good Shootin SIR
Real good shooting, Sir!

You guys are too nice. But I appreciate your kind words.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Bob!



Thank you for sharing this great information. I'm eyeballing an HE507c. That will probably be my choice. Springfield sells the adapter plate for $25. I've heard about C&H plates, made of steel, that are supposed to be the bomb (for 3x the price). Is it worth it? I've been told the fitment is much better and much less chance of screws coming loose.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff


Well Cliff, it seems a lot of people have been having problems with plates from SA. At least on the Prodigy. I myself have never had any loose screws ( watch yer mouth. ;)) on any plates or optics, so I may not be the best person to answer that for you. I think if it were me and it was not going to be a carry gun I would try to find a plate priced somewhere in between the SA and the C&H. Barring that I might buy the SA plate and just buy the screws for it from a reputable seller of US or German made screws the right size and length. Although I suspect you could buy the SA plate, use the included screws, put a little swipe of the blue stuff on it, torque it to 20 inch lbs and it would be just fine. The optic I think is going to be 12-15 inch lbs. LocTite is I guess optional. Generally I don't use it unless it comes already on the screws. And for the record I have junky ass Holosun screws on optics on shotguns with zero LocTite on them and they've held up perfectly over a great many rounds. Put witness marks on them and check them after every session. YMMV.

On the other hand, if you suspect you will carry it, buy the C&H plate with the good screws and never worry about it again. :)
 
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