FranDoc

Rule citations, just for future reference, so you know what you can do as the shooter, and as the RO if you ever work a match as staff: 9.1.1 -While scoring is in progress (ed: this includes after the target is pulled so the match can progress) the competitor or delegate must not approach closer than three feet without authorization of the Range Officer. In practice, give the RO/CRO/RM a little space to look and make a determination. The target is scored 'as seen'. Ideally, the story behind that particular bullet hole really doesn't matter. Once I make a call, especially if it's 'close' or someone has asked me to use the overlay, I'll demonstrate to the shooter what I see & why I've made that call. That's just being decent. Anybody who's worked a match with MacTiger, or read his column in the most recent Front Sight, has heard his 'Don't be a D***' admonition to the RO staff. Note that 9.1.1 does not require the shooter to be any more distant from the target, nor 'out of earshot' when a contested target is being reviewed. See Section 9.6, et seq, for Scoring Verification & Challenge -- RO, then CRO, then RM (ed: note no mention of MD). If you don't have a rule book handy, the whole thing can be downloaded off the USPSA site -- 'Rules' tab. Rules 9.1.1 and 9.6 do not have any suggested changes in the 2013 updates.

I've been trying to find more specs on this, specifically the distance between the middle pouch and the belt. That's going to be the crucial thing -- the magazine must be 2" or less from the inner side of the inner belt (Appendix D5, #10, Appendix E2). Haven't found any site that gives an overhead view of this pouch when mounted on a belt. Bagdad45 is correct that magnets are specifically not allowed in Single Stack (Rule Updates effective 1/1/2013 - link is on the USPSA Rules page). I talked with Shooter's Connection this afternoon. They estimate that the center pouch is ~1.5" from the belt, but they don't have an exact measurement. I will check with Ghost to see if they have a measurement. Edited to add a paraphrased reply from Amidon: no ruling issued at this point. If the model without magnets meets the 2" rule, it's a "good start". Will advise if I get definite dimensions from Ghost.

The allowable weight for your empty gun, with an empty magazine inserted, is listed here: http://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-NROI-production-gunlist.php Per Rule Book Appendix D4 - #18 - the gun-plus-magazine may actually be up to two (2) ounces over the listed weight. The 'USPSA Box' that all Production guns (with an empty mag inserted) must fit into is 8 15/16" x 6" x 1 5/8" internal dimensions -- Rule Book Appendix D4, #6. Ask around to see if anyone at your club has an official box - or knows where to get one - so you can try it. The current Rule Book is downloadable here: http://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-rules.php (the 2008 Rules with ammendments through 2010). There is a link to the proposed 2013 rule updates toward the bottom of that page. If you have grip tape or other 'stuff' on your G19, remember that grip tape must be limited to the areas diagrammed in Appendix E4, no magwell, no weighted backstraps in Production. Mag pouches - you might want to have 4 or 5 on your belt. See the diagram in Appendix E3 for positioning the holster & mag pouches on your belt -- make sure they're behind the prominence of the big pelvic 'wing' bone (anterior superior iliac spine is the anatomically correct term). You may certainly put extra magazines in your back pockets, just not in the front pockets after the 'start' signal. For Production, stick to a basic holster that covers the trigger guard (no 'race' holsters), and basic mag pouches, no magnets. Appendix D4 , #20 (magnet prohibition in Production found under the Handgun Rule Updates of 2011 - same page as referenced above) If you haven't already purchased a holster, mag pouches and one of those 2-part velcro belts, save a few bucks and contact the Match Director where you plan to shoot. Chances are that club members have extra gear that they're not using and would be willing to share for a match or two. That will give you an opportunity to try things to see what you like and determine what works best for YOU. Feel free to ask lots of questions, USPSA shooters are never short of advice or opinions

Eh? I haven't been here (meaning the Forum) much since that memorable event. Working too much, and I don't need to tell YOU about the state of medicine .... I also haven't had to deal with any more traumatic head injuries at major matches (thankyouverymuch). Back on topic ... the above is just one more task for the recently-retired (misnomer) Mr. McManus. I'm guessing that he'll feel like his head is spinning between now and the last post-Nationals tasks in the fall. At least he can't say that 'retirement' = 'nothing to do'.

Thanks to ALL of the people who made this huge endeavour run -- all of the volunteers from the host club who helped construct, then helped clean up; to the club's current and past President (and wife) who were there every minute helping with supply runs and ensuring that lunch happened. Special salute to "Mrs Sarge" whose home and schedule has been taken over by this match for the past year, and who was on-range the entire weekend ensuring that all of the Clubhouse functions kept running. Thanks to all of the new C/RO's, graduates of classes earlier this spring, who stepped up and ensured that this mission got completed. Thanks to the helpers at Stats & Chrono -- girlfriends of RO's who got 'drafted' and performed their tasks admirably. Thanks to all of the staff who kept going when you might rather have sat down. This was a year of firsts -- Sarge as MD, Larry in Stats. OUTSTANDING job (with a very steep learning curve), gentlemen! Thanks to all of the sponsors for their tremendous and overwhelming generosity [if you won something, please send a thank-you email]. Thanks to all the shooters who came cross-country, and across international borders, to join us. We recognize that gas, and ammo, isn't cheap. The most amazing thing is that, by Friday, we were all talking about doing it again next year ... Great weekend, proud and thankful to be part of it. Fran (the RM 'Padawan')

Title says it all. [One more time] thank you, airsoft!

First official USPSA match at a new club (OH17). Match Director Jeff had run "demonstration" USPSA-type matches all last year to introduce new competitors to the sport. Eighteen people brought their game to the new match last Saturday. (Thanks to my Open-shooting buddies for playing somewhere else that day). Chick with a Production gun took home the match! YESSS!! I intend to enjoy this little victory; I believe there's a wee spot o'the Jameson's calling may name .... All those hours last summer, alone on the range with airsoft practice, are paying off.

OVERWHELMING response today! The weather smiled -- ~35 degrees, bright sunshine, bone dry (mostly). The wind picked up later in the day, but overall a gorgeous day to be out after a too-long winter. We expected ~20-25-maybe 30 people ... we got 76! That forced a restructuring of the match. In this case, it can be used towards further justifying a hoped-for expansion of the club's pistol facilities. Thanks to the RO staff, some of whom had a 90-minute (each way) drive to be there. Thanks to Bud, Neal, Workingman, TRev1911, and Joe from Crooked Creek. Thanks to Jeff9mmM&P from Portage-Summit Field & Stream, and to PbAirborne from Medina. Scores will be up later this week. The photographer advises that he has 731 images -- will post a photo site link once they're up. For now, all I can say is "thank you" to each and every shooter and spectator who made this first outing a HUGE success. Hope to see you all again later in the season.

RO Level 1 class, April 30 & May 1 at North Lawrence Fish & Game, Akron/Canton-area OH. Instructor is Jay Worden. Course cost $70. To register, contact me for the form, instructions or for any questions. LevelISemApp.pdf

To open the season at Ohio's newest USPSA club, North Lawrence Fish & Game, we're hosting a "USPSA 101/102 session, followed by a short orientation match, on Sunday 3/27 @ 1PM . Everyone's invited. If we have enough experienced shooters, we'll pair each with a (or several) new competitor(s). Everyone's invited! Contact me if you have any questions.

The really lucky squads/staff get to climb the hill up to stage 4/5 twice AND walk to the far end of the rifle range twice. Depends upon where you start and where you are when lunch is called. Ask me how I know this .... Hydrate, snack to keep your energy up, hydrate, bring an umbrella for shade or make a point of hanging out under the tarp/in shade when you're not shooting or pasting targets, hydrate, use sunblock, hydrate .....

You go, girlfriend!! Enjoy this time of your life ... even while studying for engineering finals ....

Welcome. Please plan to join us at Crooked Creek, Geneva/Ashtabula area, in the spring. Also join us in Deerfield, Portage County, starting up again in April. There is a year-round monthly match indoors at Stonewall. That's a non-affiliated match - not IDPA, not USPSA, though there are competitive shooters there. It's very-beginner-friendly trigger time. We shoot on the 3rd Saturday @ 17:30. No charge if you just want to observe & ask questions. We can probably arrange some hands on "research" for that 9mm. LOTS of match opportunities within and hour or two. It won't be a matter of finding a place to shoot, but of deciding where to go because there are only 2 days in a weekend .

See Random Acts of Culture.

We had a number of people say "Thank you for flying Southwest" when we got done.