Black Badge--what do I need?

telesquirt

telesquirt

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So I have a chance to take a Black Badge course the end of May, but I know very little about IPSC rules and gear---my question is---

Will I be okay to run the course with a S&W M&P 40 and 3 mags total ( hard to find spare mags for this gun ) I have a Fobus Evolution 2 Series holster on the way, besides the eye and ear protection and like 500 rounds will I need anything or should I be practicing something before hand?

Thanks,
Rob.
 
Work on the fundamentals like sight picture and trigger prep and grip.
Good to hear you got on a course.:)
 
You only NEED the three mags for the course. I had four and don't think I even used the fourth. Our practice stage was 10 targets and 1 steel so only 21 rounds total. Most of the drills require you to shoot 12 rounds with a max of two mag changes so you're good with just the three. You definitly need mag pouches for all your mags, this isn't optional. Your holster should work fine, I assume you have a suitable belt. Bring 500 rounds and your eyes and ears.

I wouldn't practice too much unless you're with someone who knows what they are doing. It's easier to learn from scratch than to unlearn bad habits picked up from uninstructed shooting. That being said don't go in totally unfamiler with your gun.
 
cam1936 said:
You only NEED the three mags for the course. I had four and don't think I even used the fourth. .
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Have you ever shot a match with only 3 mags?

Hmmm

3 mags

Max stage is 32 rounds

Assuming loaded start you are maxed at 31 rounds, that to me does not sound like a winning strategy.


As to the use of only 3 mags for the course I for one frown on it. Unless you like to spend half of the course running back to reaload mags. It is just not effective.

Thus........get all your gear that you will need for matches before the course so you are in good shape for it as well as the matches that follow.
 
cam1936 said:
You only NEED the three mags for the course. I had four and don't think I even used the fourth. Our practice stage was 10 targets and 1 steel so only 21 rounds total. Most of the drills require you to shoot 12 rounds with a max of two mag changes so you're good with just the three. You definitly need mag pouches for all your mags, this isn't optional. Your holster should work fine, I assume you have a suitable belt. Bring 500 rounds and your eyes and ears.

I wouldn't practice too much unless you're with someone who knows what they are doing. It's easier to learn from scratch than to unlearn bad habits picked up from uninstructed shooting. That being said don't go in totally unfamiler with your gun.
Click to expand...

This. Excellent advice on all counts.
 
stormbringer said:
Have you ever shot a match with only 3 mags?

Hmmm

3 mags

Max stage is 32 rounds

Assuming loaded start you are maxed at 31 rounds, that to me does not sound like a winning strategy.


As to the use of only 3 mags for the course I for one frown on it. Unless you like to spend half of the course running back to reaload mags. It is just not effective.

Thus........get all your gear that you will need for matches before the course so you are in good shape for it as well as the matches that follow.
Click to expand...

The dude asked what he needed, not what a solid match load-out consists of... and he also indicated that extra mags were hard for him to get so unless there's a match the day after the BB than all he "needs" has been outlined above quite nicely. In my experience, the "you have to haves" from a seasoned shooter's perspective are way different than the "need to haves" for noobs... is more better, sure... is it needed, no.
 
stormbringer said:
As to the use of only 3 mags for the course I for one frown on it. Unless you like to spend half of the course running back to reaload mags. It is just not effective.

Thus........get all your gear that you will need for matches before the course so you are in good shape for it as well as the matches that follow.
Click to expand...

Not to mention if you end up breaking 1 or 2 mags during the course.....mags are known to explode from time to time!!!
 
kenjuudo said:
The dude asked what he needed, not what a solid match load-out consists of... and he also indicated that extra mags were hard for him to get so unless there's a match the day after the BB than all he "needs" has been outlined above quite nicely. In my experience, the "you have to haves" from a seasoned shooter's perspective are way different than the "need to haves" for noobs... is more better, sure... is it needed, no.
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And from my experience the HAVE to have is certainly more than 3 mags.

There is zero margin for error is you have only 3 and that just makes headaches for those involved.

If the whole line is waiting for the 3 mag guy to top up his mags.......eveyone is on the losing end. Not to mention the problem as 7.62 mentions of broken mags.

On my last course we had 2 MP mags detonate as well as 3 P226. Blown basepads abounded.
 
It's always better to have and not need rather than to need and not have. If you have only three and one goes down on you or gets dropped in the sand, everything stops. Class is pretty much over for you.

M&P mags should be available though. It's a pretty common gun these days.
 
7.62mm said:
Not to mention if you end up breaking 1 or 2 mags during the course.....mags are known to explode from time to time!!!
Click to expand...

Plus...always better to have extra mags loaded...so you can relax a bit when you're not on the line (as opposed to having to automatically reload as soon as you finish shooting)
 
I think your equipment is fine for starting the black badge. To shoot ipsc in a match you need at least 5 mags, but 3 is lots for the course. While you can show up without any marksmenship skills the black badge, may be frustrating and you could run out of your 500 rd ammo trying to learn sight alignment and trigger control, while learning safe, timed gun handling. If I were you I would practice sight alignment and trigger control through dryfire in the time that you have before your course.
 
you can get by with three but you would have trouble with my mini match at the end of the course as my long course of fire has four shooting positions and i cannot count the number of times student have used 4 mags in moving. Go with what you got but if you can find more then by all means get them. there at least two places out east that can get you mags for your M&P.
 
Walter Hornby said:
you can get by with three but you would have trouble with my mini match at the end of the course as my long course of fire has four shooting positions and i cannot count the number of times student have used 4 mags in moving. Go with what you got but if you can find more then by all means get them. there at least two places out east that can get you mags for your M&P.
Click to expand...

plus mags are usually cheap....one or two extra is a smart idea. *(5 should be the minimum)
 
Guys, think!!!!

Telesquirt, do you have a couple of hot daughters (21+)?
Would they enjoy a few days at the range, acting as your brass and bullet Sherpa's.

If so, bring them along and leave the spare mags at home.

Guys, the line up to help on this course begins behind me, just as soon as I confirm that Porter still has a cheap direct flight to T-Bay.
 
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