Why we started the Average Joes Pistol Series

This video details a competitive shooter's experience with a Kimber 2011 Pro during a USPSA match, focusing on troubleshooting a recurring 'not going into battery' malfunction. The shooter explores potential causes including magazines and hand placement, seeking to diagnose and resolve the issue for improved competition performance. The content offers practical insights into competitive shooting challenges and firearm reliability.

This video follows a shooter's first USPSA match of 2026, offering insights into the differences between USPSA and IDPA. The shooter, relatively new to USPSA with only three matches under their belt, discusses concepts like hit factor, stage planning, and dealing with common issues like dropped magazines and equipment malfunctions. The content provides a beginner's perspective on navigating a competitive shooting event, highlighting areas for improvement and learning.

This video documents the experience of shooting the SIG P211 GTO in an IDPA match. The shooter, a firearms instructor, provides insights into the pistol's performance, including its smooth recoil impulse and the clarity of the Romeo 3 Max optic. Challenges encountered included user error with magazine pouches and occasional trigger freeze, highlighting the importance of proper grip and equipment setup in competitive shooting.

This video documents participants' experiences at the Tactical Games, highlighting challenges like gear failures, physical fatigue, and mental breakdowns. It provides insights into specific shooting stages, malfunction clearing techniques for pistols, and the physical demands of the competition. The participants share lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adapting to unexpected issues.

This video documents the 2026 Arkansas State IDPA Championship, highlighting the shooter's experiences, mistakes, and lessons learned throughout the match. The shooter, using a MAC 9 DS, discusses challenges with grip, safety engagement, round count, and the impact of weather conditions like rain. Key takeaways include the importance of pre-stage planning, consistent grip, proper safety management, and adapting to environmental factors in competitive shooting.

This video details the experience of using a minimalist briefcase-style range bag for a local shooting match. The instructor demonstrates how to pack essential gear, including a 2011 pistol, and highlights the convenience of a smaller bag compared to a traditional large range bag. Key takeaways include the importance of engaging the grip safety on 2011 pistols and the practical considerations for carrying gear during competition.

This video details a practical plate carrier and belt setup for civilian self-defense and tactical use in 2022. Key recommendations include prioritizing gear tested for your specific needs over influencer trends, choosing a rigid belt like the Led Devil for magazine weight, and selecting modular plate carriers such as the Spiritus Systems LV119. The setup emphasizes independent civilian use, with considerations for comms, medical, and on-range repair tools.

This guide details the advanced setup of a Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) configuration, as presented by Alex Hartman of Ridgeline Defense. Key elements include selecting accurized barrels, free-floated rails, and appropriate optics (3-12x to 3-18x FFP recommended). Emphasis is placed on proper bipod and sling mounting for stability, advanced shooting techniques like the PPEW method, and the critical role of parallax adjustment and laser rangefinders for precision at distance. Instruction is provided by a Subject Matter Expert in precision rifle applications.

This guide details the installation of the Unity Tactical FAST Riser and FAST Micro Mount, emphasizing the benefits of a 2.26-inch height-over-bore for a heads-up shooting posture. It covers mounting procedures, compatibility with optics like EOTech and Aimpoint, and considerations for mechanical offset. The review highlights the durability of 7075-T6 aluminum construction and practical feedback from experienced users.

This video showcases the 'Death Box Drill,' a training exercise designed to test shooting accuracy while under cardiovascular stress. The drill involves moving through a 10x10 yard area and firing two rounds at each corner. Instruction emphasizes analytical shooting, where deliberate practice with feedback is more valuable than high round counts without purpose. The video highlights the importance of mastering fundamentals under stress, drawing on expertise from Milspec Mojo and Matt Tran, with support from sponsors like Big Tex Outdoors.