With the Winter Classic just a couple of days away, we thought it was a good time for another tip to keep you runnin’ & gunnin’ on match day...

A spare parts kit is an absolute essential to take out to the range any time that you are shooting, especially match day. There is nothing more frustrating than when you take the time to load up your gear, head out to the range and get all set up, only to have your firearm go down in the first 10 shots...ugh!

I like using small tackle boxes. You can usually pick one up at the local sporting goods store for $10-15. They come in various sizes and can be customized to fit your specific needs. They are also small enough that they easily fit into most range bags. I currently have 2: one for my main USPSA gun and another for multi-gun matches.

What you put into them is the key though! I try to have any part that I would normally replace for regular maintenance, key parts that are known to break in practice/matches and specialty tools for specific firearms. Here is a list of items that I currently am keeping in my spare parts kit for my handgun:

Magazine parts (spring, basepad & follower)
Recoil spring
Firing pin & spring
Extractor (and springs if firearm requires)
Trigger spring
Additional springs per firearm
Guide rod
Slide stop (important for CZ’s,1911’s)
Grip screws
Fire control parts
Bushing wrench (other firearm specific tools)
Fiber for front sight (nail clippers & lighter)
Small screwdrivers
Small Multi-tool
Dental pick
Tweezers
Set of Allen keys
Spare screws, nuts, etc for belt attachments
Syringe of gun line
Small tube of blue Loctite
Batteries for optics, hearing protection, timer

I also keep a mag brush and small flashlight in my bag, but they don’t fit into the kit.

We hope this tip helps keep you shooting the next time you have a firearm go down at the range. If you have other items that you like to keep in your kit, please share in the comments below.

Thanks for following us...we will se you at the range!

Scott Beebe

TIPS & TRICKS - vol 1.1

We are going to try something new for 2020 by sharing some tips and tricks with everyone. Today, it’s magazine springs.

At the beginning of every year, I go through all my magazines and check the springs. For my competition and carry guns, I always replace the springs and the rest I check and replace as needed. For the magazine springs for my Open gun (which is the main division I now shoot), I will check them every six months.

Below I have a side by side picture of a new and an old 170mm spring out of one of my open magazines. The old spring is only 6 months old (it was replaced around the beginning of July). I hope this illustrates the necessity to check these regularly.

One of the ways I help remind myself to get these type of maintenance items done is I create an “all-day event” in the calendar on my phone. When it pops up to remind me, I don’t dismiss the alert until I have completed the event.

I also keep enough backup springs for spares throughout the year so I can complete this task and then reorder when I am done so I am ready for next year. This helps me to complete this tasks when the alert pops up and I am less likely to forget.

To order springs, there are some good companies out there. I often purchase springs made by Taran Tactical Innovations which I can buy direct or through Shooters Connection Inc (my preferred source). Grams Engineering also makes excellent spring and follower kits that are available from several on-line businesses. Infinity Firearms is also making their own springs in case you are fortunate to own one their guns.

Regular maintenance on all your firearms and equipment is a must. I hope this reminder helps. Stay tuned for more Tips & Tricks throughout the year!

We will see you at the range.

Scott Beebe