I took HK SFP9L OR with Aimpoint ACRO C1 to IPSC match - you want believe what happened!

Actually nothing really shocking, but since I baited you here, you can well read and watch match video ;)

Recently I received from Aimpoint T&E sample of their new, pistol oriented ACRO C-1 sight. Thanks to HK distributor in Poland, Cenzin sp. z o.o., I was able to put my hands on optic ready HK SFP9L OR. Aimpoint provided correct mounting adapter plate for HK OR system and I was good to go. And what place better to test, shot of real life use, than competition?

So I took this combo to L1 IPSC match, registered in Production Optics division. As new rules allowed I uses modified trigger I used Lazy Wolf trigger and HKParts match springs set. Some anti skid tape on grip and good to go. In short, this kit is better than shooter. Acquiring dot is easier than on open design sights, however it is possible to loose dot, especially when shooting in non standard position just after magazine change.

I was only shooter in Production Optics on this match, so I won with myself ;) But there was also overall match results, with all divisions together and I had 64% and a change of Open division winner. I'm sure that with more time with this combo (I just had enough time to zero it properly at 20m) and I could do much better!

HK P2000SK and Shield RMSc goes IPSC

I was recently tinkering with my P2000SK to make it a bit more "modern". With help of my local gunsmith (Top Gun in Warsaw) it got slide cut for Glock M.O.S. plates (it was done long before HK presented OR plates and I used adapter plates to be able to test different RDS). Basically changes are:
.
1. Shield RMSc 4MOA plus M.O.S. adapter on loan from RWS Cetus (Shield distributor in Poland)
2. LEM V4.1 trigger
3. HK45C magazine release
4. Talon Grips in rubber black provided by Talon Grips (https://talongungrips.com/pistol-grips/hk/p2000sk.html)
5. Viridian C5L

This was part of my project to make modernized sub-compact carry pistol. One of things to asses is how good it works "on the clock". Shooting drills on training is one thing, but shooting competition puts more pressure. Since IPSC allow now guns wit RDS into Production Optic and Production Optic Light divisions I entered L1 IPSC match with my P2000SK. I used 10 round magazines (rules allow 15 rounds loaded in magazine) and removed laser/light to comply. How it worked out you can see on video below. Some remarks on lessons learned are put in video desctiption. Tell me what you think!

UPDATE: My result was 65% of division winner.

5th Olsztyn Open IPSC handgun match

Last Saturday, 25th of May, I shot  IPSC handgun match in Olsztyn, Poland. I had quite a pause in shooting IPSC matches, but it went quite good for me. My new V4.1 LEM trigger in P30L works fine. As always with HK, you just drop parts in and good to go - no fitting needed. I have two failures to fire. When I looked on rounds, it is clear that in new batch of Geco, they used new type of primer. It is either much harder or not very reliable. Actually since RWS moved manufacture of this ammo from Swiss to Hungary (ex-MFS plant) seem like quality went significantly down. Time to start loading own ammo, at least for match use.
On this match I used 224 rounds of Geco 124gr FMJ "IPSC Approved" ammo. That means 691 rounds since last cleaning of pistol. 2 failure to fire malfunctions, both of new lot of Geco ammo.

How to mod H&S Speedsec 5CW HK USP speed holster to work with HK P30, P30L, HK45 and HK45c

When I got my first P30, I hand on hand my first IPSC speed holster for HK USP: Hoppner and Schumann Speedsec 5CW. I modified it to work with P30 using Dremel tool with cylinder shaped milling bit and hand file. 5CW is made from polymer so use low speed and work slowly to not overdo. Modified holster still accepts HK USP, but also works with USP Compact, P2000, P2000SK, P30, P30L, HK45, HK45C and even HK P7.

Sad IPSC rifle match

Yesterday I was shooting IPSC rifle match in Hodonice, Czech Republic. This match was part of Czech national championship, CNC. It consists one handgun, one shotgun and one rifle match. This rifle match is mostly short to medium range targets, so it is rather fast and dynamic. Only 4 stages (3, 7, 12 and 13) include some longer range shooting and/or smaller targets. I made some mistakes on this match, some stages went good. Especially stage 12 (longest range) went particularly good for me.

So why "sad" match?

Pictures of my HKs, but not only them

I decided to take some photos, to show people what I shoot most of the time. It gave me some opportunity to play with some camera software on my smartphone. Please forgive me poor quality and toying with effects and filters. So here it goes:



HK P2000SK in 9x19mm with 6lb LEM trigger. I added also HK45C magazine release. This is huge improvement over standard magazine release. I have Meprolight night sights, that soon will be changed for new ones - tritium inserts are coming to their end. Magazines are equipped with Pearce Grip PG-2733 extensions. Those are intended for Glock 27 and 33, but modified work fine with P2000SK. They give much better grip on pistol, without adding much to size and +1 capacity. Most of the time pistol is equipped with Viridian C5L green laser and light combo. I think C5L is perfect package for subcompact gun. Only if Viridian come with more reassuring mounting solution. All this stuff sits nice in Raven Phantom holster and magazine pouch. Holster is configured for OWB carry, but I also configure it for IWB and even AIWB. I do shoot it sometimes in IDPA SSP (with C5L removed) and in 3Gun Liga Sportera. My trusty P2000SK is now oldest in my inventory and it never let me down. I totally trust this little beast.

Arminedas Autumn

Last Saturday we shot last big IPSC Level III match in Lithuania. 12 stages of fun shooting. Stages got what we lacked on Worldshoot - shooting on the move. Also did not get what we all had full of from WS - bobbers. Weather was rather cold but we got some sun for last stages. There was one stubborn popper who first got blocked on base and then did not fall down on reshoot. But got scared of Range Master and felt from calibration shot. A miss. Rules are rules.

Thanks to all match organizers, stage designers and Range Officers. Congratulations to winners in divisions and categories!

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - wrap up

I gave myself a week to get things together and also to get some distance and make cold assessment of IPSC WSH XVI. Of course officially it was great success and everything was great. But not so. Basically it did not work so well at all.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - competitor booklet

When registering to the match every competitor got beautifully printed informatory booklet. There are words of wisdom from IPSC President, Chairman of WSH 2011 Organizing Committee, IROA President, IPSC General Secretary and protos of Match Officials.

Then we have schedule of pre-match and schedule of match, with info on Opening Ceremony that is different from info on WSH2011 website, and those both were wrong.

But now we came to funny part. Stage descriptions.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - stage descriptions

For all those, who are seating on "peanut gallery" (non)watching live streaming video from the XVI WSH and wonder how to fit pieces of published results into stage number - here I provide way to solve this puzzle. Sorry that I did not think about it sooner and sorry for picture quality!

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 8

Last day (night?) of shooting. Today stages from 19 to 24. It was my worst day ever, I doubled my Mike count on this day. Those stages were really demanding, no room for mistake or going faster that you can. But bottom line, after shooting all stages, I do not find this match anything special. Maybe EHC2010 in Belgrade spoiled me, maybe Extreme Euro Open or Baltic Storm offer same or more for much less money. I just felt like I paid for Volvo only to find that it is Mondeo with more expensive brand sticker. Of course this match will show new World Champions, but that is all. In my book only stage 23 is "world championship worth" - hardest state I ever shoot (and failed miserably), also greatly build, including all props. Would I came again for this match? No, I would save money to attend some 3 good other matches instead. I just do not feel like I took part of something extraordinary. Not like in Belgrade. But, nevertheless, I had 2 weeks vacation and some shooting on beautiful Rodos island. It's worth something.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - safety first?

In one of previous post I mentioned multiple spectators watching match without any sort of eye (and ear) protection. Also on several stages (that have steel targets!) helpers from Greek Army do not use eye protection. Some were very surprised when competitors asked them to use eye protection. I've seen ROs that does not take any action about this, even when asked to do so. I was wondering why IROA ROs are not reacting. Especially that this match witness lot of things flying in every direction. In my squad two shooters were hurt enough to bleed some amount of blood (one just few centimetres from eye). I was hit several times as well.

Now I know why it work that way. Example came from the top. This photo was taken on (now cancelled) stage 7, where 2 plates on steel poles were to be hit. RO on this stage got hit on the face with splatter hard enough to receive medical assistance. Gentlemen on picture came to watch squad shooting this stage. Left to right: IPSC Secretary (no eye protection), IPSC President, IPSC General Secretary (no eye protection), IROA President. It is hard to tell on ear protection due to possible use of earplugs. So despite recommendation in rule 5.4.1 it seems that most important IPSC match does not empower rule 5.4.2. Safety first? As far as I remember infamous sweeping on draw/holstering rule proposition, it was pushed because safety was paramount for IPSC Executive Council. Maybe for long term it is better to give good example and pursue use real safety precautions, than mess with rules for PR/political reasons.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 7

4th day of shooting. Safety negligence on range does not stop to amaze me. It is not possible to allow people on shooting range during even Level I match without eye protection where I use to shot. Here spectators, helpers, even officials do not use eye protection and nobody (except some competitor who encourage people to wear eye protection) seem to care. Tragedy waiting to happen. I will make separate post on this matter, can not leave it like that, seeing people got hit with splatter and ricochets all over me and feeling it myself.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 6

Today I shot stages from 7 to 12. When I was shooting stage we got visited by strong team of spectators consisting of IPSC President, IPSC General Secretary, IPSC Secretary and IROA President. Initially I tough that guys were following my blog and wanted to see me shooting ;) But not :(

Stage 7 was stage where shooter impersonated Colossus of Rhodes, holding in weak hand torch, strapped by velcro strap to wrist. Most of shooters were removing strap, but when strap was new it took time, when it was worn out, it just required to shake hand. This kind of props were made better at EHC2010 in Serbia, working equall for all shooters. Finally stage was withdrawn from the match.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 5

Second day of shooting. This time afternoon. Much, much better. In meantime organisers seem to finish up some props outside shooting area (gate, flags, etc.), more exhibitors in commercial tent.

Today I shot stages 1 to 6, including infamous "labirynth" stage. I liked it, my kind of stage, shooting on the moove, etc. However it did not prevented me from being slow. But on "Zorbas" stage I got ovation from whole squad ;) Helps for ego :D

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 4

Today, at 0730 hours, we started to shoot XVI IPSC WSH. When we arrived at range it was night. But is soon become day. Click, and there is light. On range additional Safety Areas emerged - good, it would be horror with only two of them. My shooting was so bad, that it just can not go trough my keyboard. But hey! Someone must be last!


We were shooting stages from 25 to 30. Stages were intersting, some even require to think of some tactics. There was a delay by row of equipment failures on stage 26, but we finished on time.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 3

Today was (is) Opening Ceremony. By official webpage from 1600 hours, by information booklet by 1630 hours, by some piece of paper pinned to board at Rodos Palace Hotel (only people lucky enough to stay near could see it) departure for ceremony was scheduled at 1700 hours. Ceremony started about 1900 hours. I, together to my region decided to leave early and we had enought of waiting, standing and then listening to speaches and not seeing anything, because it is already dark. But I took some photos.

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 2

So we have got ourselves IPSC President. By 26 vs 10 votes Nick Alexakos keeps his power and honors. It could be good, will be as usual. Throwing parties, drinks and foods at Regional Directors proved to be well spent competitors money.

Other news is that next Handgun Worldshoot will be held in United States. This time there was one vote in favour of US against Thailand

IPSC Worldshoot XVI Rhodes - part 1

Registered, visited range, equipment check done.

First impressions. 2 Safety Areas per 30 stage match? Does not sound good. ROs were building stages just before prematch? Does not sound good. Using "World Championship" match as "test match" for new rules, that are not even voted on and setting stages against current Rulebook? Does not sound good. However stages do look very nice and promise good match.



Waiting for info from General Assembly.

IPSC World Shoot Handgun

Tomorrow I fly to Rhodes for IPSC WSH 2011 and, as side feature, to visit Greek crisis from inside. It might be interesting trip. I will try to keep blogging and provide some coverage if something interesting to report will come out.