New member and Tom Estep student!

[Dekansnowman]

Well first let me start by saying Mr. Estep had nothing but praise for this forum and coincidentally I was lurking here last week and found his statements were on point. Lots a good info here and what looks to be a great community. Also, I'm on lunch break now from his class!

I've been a Texan all my life and having just started a family a little over a year ago I felt it was my duty as a father/husband, and my right as a Texan to protect them. I have been around many forums and even moderate at a local Houston based car forum so I understand and can appreciate the work that is done to keep this place tidy. Also that could probably be possible to the older, more mature members anyway. The thread about asking if whether or not a gentleman could help a friends daughter learn to handle a weapon was especially helpful because it showed me people are willing to help and that small questions that could arise have a place to be asked. I understand there are way to many scenarios a 10 hr class could explain so kudos to the site Admin for setting this place up. Mr Estep explained the story and I'm glad it went the way it did. Forums can be amazing tools given they stay constructive and stay geared towards the members interests.

Well I feel I've rambled enough but if there's anything you would like to ask, feel free!

P.S. I plan to carry my Beretta 92FS if only I could find the right holster. My next purchase is almost certainly going to be a Colt Defender .45 because after trying on a buddy's, it proved to be very comfortable with a Bianci leather belt holster.

[TLynnHughes]

Welcome to the forum, neighbor!!!

T.

[WildBill]

Welcome to the forum, neighbor!!!

T.

As a former Tom Estep student, I welcome you also.

[cougartex]

Welcome from SE Texas.

[FL450]

Welcome aboard from myself and Mrs FL450 of Pearland, also graduates of the infamous El Gato.
Fasten your seats belts, put your setbacks in the upright position and get ready to take off for the land of learning.
There is a wealth of knowledge to be found here.

[canvasbck]

P.S. I plan to carry my Beretta 92FS if only I could find the right holster. My next purchase is almost certainly going to be a Colt Defender .45 because after trying on a buddy's, it proved to be very comfortable with a Bianci leather belt holster.

I carry a Beretta 96 for EDC in a crossbreed supertuck. I love the Beretta and the Supertuck!

Welcome to the forum, Tom is a good guy that I have met several times during IDPA shoots at the Arms room and at Bestshot. He's an excellent shooter with great fundamentals, I strive to reach his level one day.

[KC5AV]

Let me jump on the welcome wagon, and say welcome to the forum.

[Dekansnowman]

Thanks alot for the welcome guys. I plan to get my schedule arranged and start attending some meets to become a better shooter. Tom got me excited about the games and drills that are ran and I see that being totally worth the experience. The only hiccup I'm having is finding the holster that's right. I'm about 5'9" and 160 so I need to start with a low profile one. I've heard others mention Crossbreed but I'm the kinda person that I want to try before I buy. I know for sure I need to adapt my wardrobe a bit because all my clothes are regular fit and if I reach up it's possible to expose.

[canvasbck]

Thanks alot for the welcome guys. I plan to get my schedule arranged and start attending some meets to become a better shooter. Tom got me excited about the games and drills that are ran and I see that being totally worth the experience. The only hiccup I'm having is finding the holster that's right. I'm about 5'9" and 160 so I need to start with a low profile one. I've heard others mention Crossbreed but I'm the kinda person that I want to try before I buy. I know for sure I need to adapt my wardrobe a bit because all my clothes are regular fit and if I reach up it's possible to expose.

Your model 92 will fit just fine in my crossbreed , your welcome to try it out for size if you go to one of the Monday night IDPA shoots at the Arms Room. I'm a lefty, but it will give you an idea of what they feel like.

I'm easy to spot at those shoots, I'm the short fat guy shooting a stainless Beretta from a left handed IWB holster.

[Dekansnowman]

I may have to take you up on that. Only hiccup is I have to take the little one to my parents since the wife takes night classes on Monday. I have seen one in person but the gentleman was carrying an XD. Concealed it very well but it's also slightly smaller all around it seemed.

[longtooth]

I have shot w/ him & he has taught me a lot.
A good friend too.

BTW - when shooting w/ him I always come in second.
That guy is good.

[Dekansnowman]

I am so eager to become a better shot not just because I will be carrying, but I love to shoot anyway. And I'm always looking for a gun that just fits perfectly and is an extension of myself. My Beretta was something I got because I loved the gun and was already very familiar with it before I bought it. So far though like I mentioned, 1911 style feels very nice. My hands aren't very big so it seems when I grip my pistol, I have to slightly adjust to get index knuckle right on trigger. I want to be able to have on that just fits perfectly and is the right size so I don't have to stretch to be on point.

I've finally got to where I can stay centered and avoid the right handed push when I'm not centered on trigger. But I still have a slight habit of anticipating..... Ok well maybe just a tad more that "slight", lol. I'm still center of mass, but I would like to keep it much tighter.

[canvasbck]

I may have to take you up on that. Only hiccup is I have to take the little one to my parents since the wife takes night classes on Monday. I have seen one in person but the gentleman was carrying an XD. Concealed it very well but it's also slightly smaller all around it seemed.

You would be more than welcome to try it. I won't be there this coming Monday, but I'll be attending the IDPA clinic there on Tuesday. Wifey says the budget during deer season will require me to pick one or the other next week.

[Dekansnowman]

Is it members only tonight at The Arms Room because I might just stop by. I've been thinking about the XD .40 all weekend since I shot my buddy's and instantly became more accurate and faster at acquisition. I didn't realize how awesome they were. And as always the staff up there was super helpful with tips to help my grip. I even made my pattern about half of before just from rotating my left wrist and putting more palm on the grip.

[Dekansnowman]

Well gentlemen, I made my decision. After shooting a full box through each of my two narrowed down choices, XDM .40 and Colt Defender .45, I decided I am naturally more accurate and comfortable with the XDM. I noticed having to fidget with the Defender to get my grip right and had to think about being accurate. The XDM, picked up and sat perfectly where I wanted it and fired putting 5 rounds directly in the center. Also made a smiley face on the target but forgot to take a picture because it was closing time and I started a tradition of buying a pistol, then immediately going to the range. Now the pics!