USPSA, Steel Challenge and IDPA matches, classifiers, long-range shooting, and the guns that run them.
Welcome to the Competition corner – where the timer never lies and “close enough” still gets you beat by a guy half your age.
This is everything I’ve learned grinding USPSA, Steel Challenge, and local matches sometimes with the exact same gear I carry daily: Staccato builds that keep running when they’re filthy, race holsters that survive thousands of 1.8-second draws, red dots that hold zero through a whole season, and the stage plans + practice routines that dragged me from a C-class plinker to a solid shooter who flirts with A-class times on a good day. No gatekeeping—just the gear lists, hacks, and drills that actually move the needle. If you’re tired of finishing in bottom-half every month, pull up a chair and let’s get you faster.
Gritr’s affordable Omni holster claims IWB/AIWB/OWB ambidextrous magic. I warned ‘em my holster reviews are brutal. They sent it anyway. Spoiler: it’s not trash… but it ain’t perfect. Dig in for the full scoop.
After 1,000 rounds, the CZ 75 TS Czechmate is still a hoot—flawless reliability with handloaded 9 Major, despite front-heavy balance and a pesky recoil dip. Tinkering continues: filed safeties and swapped optics. A discontinued gem worth saving for Open fun.
9 Major is a hot-rodded 9mm Luger, a wildcat cartridge cooked up by IPSC and USPSA shooters to hit major power factor on a budget. I set out to load it for my CZ Czechmate. Does it deliver? Let’s find…
Welcome to “Zo’s Reloads,” a new post series where I share my blunders and breakthroughs as I fumble into the world of reloading. Buckle up—this wild ride starts with 9mm Luger!
Well, I finally did it. I dove in head first into reloading with a Dillon Precision XL750. While I have no idea how the story of Zo in Reloadingland will unfold, these are my first impressions of the progressive press…
And the Staccato XL hit 2,000 rounds—snuck up on me like a ninja. With some slick trigger and recoil tuning, the last thousand rounds were pure, flawless fun. Here’s the what and how of it.
I took Greybeard Actual’s Pistol Skills Development class. Packed with performance shooting and a deep dive into training philosophy, it’s all about mastering self-coaching. Here’s what we did and the lessons I’m taking forward.
For a while, finding components to handload your own ammo was tough, and sky-high prices made it impractical to start. But for now, times have changed, making it a venture worth revisiting.
When it comes to pistol-mountable red dots, bigger is generally better, or at least easier to use, and I’ve yet to find one that is too big. And Cyelee’s Bull X Pro is the largest one I’ve tried yet.
It’s official: the Staccato XL has devoured its first case of ammo. That means it’s time for the 1,000-round review. Spoiler alert—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. We’re talking wear, mods, and a trip back to the mothership.
Staccato XL hit its 500-round milestone! For the most part, it’s been a smooth, fun USPSA Limited Optics ride. Except for that odd, slow recoil that threw me—until we synced. Let’s dig in.
Big Staccato fan here—P and C2 are my go-tos. Now, the XL’s my latest obsession. Underrated in Staccato’s lineup, it’s perfect for USPSA Limited Optics. At $3,599, it’s a steal for a premium 2011 competitor. Here’s my initial take.
