Triangle Tactical

“The Tom” sends in today’s Q&A voicemail asking about whether or not to drink coffee before a match. I think I’ve actually said that you shouldn’t drink coffee before a match for this reason way back in the day, so I’m eating a little crow here. Personally, I drink a lot of coffee. I like …

Kory in Texas sends in today’s Q&A voicemail asking about when to change his tumbling media. In my scenario, I use a Harbor Freight vibratory tumbler, and some crushed walnut pet bedding from the local pet store, and a little squirt of some random liquid car polish to keep the dust down when sifting. I …

Mike in Denton, TX sends in today's Q&A question: Hey guys, Just want to start out by saying that I love the show, you guys are very entertaining and informative even for a guy who hasn't shot his first IDPA or USPSA match.... yet. I have been shooting 3 gun and some outlaw USPSAish pistol and rifle competitions for about a year now at a local club. I am using a Gen 3 Glock 22 police trade in that I bought many years ago with a 9mm lone wolf conversion barrel in it. I want to give USPSA a try and my question is why can't I use this pistol in Production division? A Glock 22 and 17 are essentially the same gun size and weight wise. I do not see how changing my 22 into a 9mm puts me ahead of the guy next to me shooting a 17. From what I can tell you can change the sights, trigger, and put griptape on your gun and it is still considered legal for production (correct me if I'm wrong here). What's the big deal with changing the caliber is the gun is the same size? Thanks for your time guys I really appreciate it, Mike from Denton, Tx Contact luke@triangletactical.net ben@triangletactical.net

This week I'm recording solo on the podcast, so I thought it might be fun to talk about some of the different new handguns I got to play with in 2015. The News Obama is still talking about some kind of Executive Order on guns. Seems like he might be dragging his feet a little though. Ruger announced the American Pistol this week, and it looks decent. I'm not going to rush out and buy one, but on paper it looks like it may be the best autoloader they've made in a long time. Gear that Doesn't Suck I love my Crossbreed Supertuck. It's a great CCW holster, and at almost 6 years old, it's definitely standing up to the test of time. I really couldn't be happier with it. First Match Stories: I didn't play a first match voicemail this week, but I think you should resolve to go shoot your first match in the next couple of months if you've never shot a match before. Go do it. Contact luke@triangletactical.net ben@triangletactical.net

Richard sends in a question about adding a slide-ride red dot to a pistol that will be used for home defense, and maybe some competition. We haven't used them much, but we're definitely intrigued. If you'd like to send us a voicemail, here's how to do it.

Today's Q&A voicemail comes in from Chad in Georgia. He's heard on the internet that using reloads in Glocks can be a problem because they have unsupported chambers that can lead to the infamous Glock "kaboom:". If you'd like to send us a question, go here.

Davie sends in a voicemail for today's Q&A podcast asking about putting lasers on CCW guns. Neither of us run them, but I've played with them a little (a VERY little) and I'm not really a fan. If you'd like to send us a voicemail, go to triangletactical.net/voicemail to find out how.

This week's podcast is our annual podcast clip show where we play our favorite clips from the past year. We had a lot of fun putting this one together, I hope you enjoy it. Contact luke@triangletactical.net ben@triangletactical.net

Luis in OKC calls in to ask about if we were ever to switch USPSA divisions (We both currently shoot Production) what would we switch to, and why. It's also Christmas, so here's what's on our Christmas list: Tell someone about the podcast, and help them subscribe.

Tim in Ferguson calls in to the podcast to ask about calling shots, and whether we're feeling when we jerk the trigger, or if we're determining our hits based on the sight picture. Send us a voicemail and keep more Q&A episodes coming. We can't keep doing them without your help.

Chris in Alabama sends in today's voicemail about wives and shooting. He says his wife will go shoot a little bit every now and then, and even help reload a little bit, but she isn't as interested in shooting as he is. He asks about our significant others and if they shoot too. If you'd like to send us a voicemail, here's how to do it. C'mon, just do it.

Davie sends in another voicemail this week to ask about airgunning in IDPA and USPSA. We explore why we think it's illegal in IDPA, as well as why we find it beneficial in USPSA. If you'd like to send us a voicemail here's how to do it. (If you send me your address, I'll mail you a Triangle Tactical sticker too...)

Ben came up with some reasons why the shooting sports are awesome, so we talked about that this week: There's almost no natural skill or genetic component You really can't buy very much success. Cheating is fairly difficult (because there's so little hidden complexity and so many people watching) and when successful pays off only in very small ways. Practice can be accomplished in virtually any home, for free, any time of the day or night. Gear doesn't really break down and when it does, it's usually a simple, straightforward fix. The time/money tradeoff is very robust. If you have a lot of time to invest, you can get really good and shoot a lot for very little money. The injury rate is effectively zero. Competitive opportunities are abundant, varied, and nearby. Because of the serious nature of the sport's implements, it tends to weed out completely irresponsible losers and anti-social behavior.  Anybody can compete with anybody else. Newbies and veterans in the same match. The News: House Democrats introduced a single feature assault weapons ban this week. It's terrible and nefarious, but it also doesn't stand a chance. S&W is being attacked for not disclosing stuff in their SEC filings that they've never been required to disclose. Meh. The Firearm Blog is reporting on a leaked Walther PPS M2. It looks pretty decent. Gear that Doesn't Suck The Benchmade Mini-Griptillian is Ben's winter knife, and he loves it. I actually talked him into buying it several years ago, and I'm still jealous of it. The sheepsfoot blade is fantastic for most all purposes, and the axis lock is smooth, and you don't have to put your fingers in the path of the blade when unlocking and closing the knife. It's not cheap, but it definitely doesn't suck. Plug of the Week: Weaponsman did a good blog post this week about people paying for more accuracy than they need. It's worth a read. Contact luke@triangletactical.net ben@triangletactical.net

Sadie recorded a voicemail and emailed it in to podcast@triangletactical.net for this episode. If you'd like to send us a voicemail, go to triangletactical.net/voicemail to find out how. This episode is sponsored by the Law of Self Defense by Andrew Branca. Andrew has a phenomenal book titled the Law of Self Defense that aims to teach the concealed carrier the laws governing self defense. On top of the book, Andrew also does live seminars, and online webinars on the topic. We’ve reviewed the book, as well as taken the class the last time Andrew was in town, and can’t recommend them highly enough. If you carry, you need to read the book. Save 10% with the code “triangle” at checkout, get it at Law of Self Defense.

Welcome back to episode 56 of the Triangle Tactical Q&A Show! Today's question comes in from Tom in Raleigh (but not THAT Tom in Raleigh, or the other Tom in Raleigh, a completely different Tom in Raleigh). He sent his question to podcast@triangletactical.net. Hi Guys - Thanks for answering my last question.   Hearing you read my rambling on air proves I shouldn’t write an email straight out of my head.  My letter writing skills are bad. I was wondering if you could discuss what ‘dryfire’ drills are in an upcoming episode?   What are you doing?  what do you look for while doing it?   How does it help you improve?   I have numerous trigger handling problems being only 18 months into handgun shooting (and guns in general) and looking for what I can do to improve my skills and break old ‘light gun video game’ habits. Also if there is anything worth reading and/or recommended videos to help teach would be cool.  I have the Brian Enos book and just started reading it. Thanks Tom Book recommendations: Ben Stoeger's Dry Fire Training Steve Andersons Refinement and Repetition Timers: iOS Dryfire Timer This episode and every episode of the Triangle Tactical Q&A show is brought to you by … YOU. The listener. So if you’ve got a question, no let us hear it. Write an email to podcast@triangletactical.net or got to triangletactical.net/voicemail to find out how to send a voicemail. Carry on