Enthusiast

I don't know it this helps, and it's certainly not as zen as many of the others have voiced. I was taking a management class recently and the discussion was on how to change behaviors. Since it was a business class, it was largely focused on incentives. Since it sounds like you've got the ability to shoot nothing but Alphas, perhaps a change in incentives could keep your mind focused solely on the the one objective? What if for your first non-A, you donate $5 to a charity. For your second, you double it. Your 3rd non-A will cost you $20 (total $35). It quickly gets very painful and if you weren't before, I'm sure you start watching that front sight very carefully. The application in class was for smokers and the case study seemed to have positive results. Just a thought anyway.

My Grandpappy always said that duct-tape is just creativity on a roll...

You shouldn't have any issues with scopes since they aren't regulated in anyway that I know of. If you'll be in Plainfield, as mentioned by somebody else, there is also a Gander Mountain that should have a decent selection. Oh, and according to my calendar, the Oak Park Sportsman's club (which is actually in or next to Plainfield) is having a local match on the 8th, so you can get a little more practice in.

While in Chicago, you'll have to do some driving. Depending on where you'll be, you can cruise out to Elgin (45 minutes from Downtown to the Northwest on I-90) and go to GATs or Megasports down in Plainfield (that a good hour to the Southwest). Both of those guys have significant selections. If you go to GATs, there's a Cabela's out that way too. If you go to Megasport, there's a Bass Pro.

Never had anybody else ever really shoot it that knows what they're doing. I've put 2 different laser bore sighters in it and they both pointed right to where the rounds are hitting. Well, that's good since it confirms your allignment issue. I only asked because a friend of mine was absolutely certain that he had sights that were off, but it turned out that he was just consistent in his ability to miss. If you get the Dawson's, I think you'll be really happy...you know, provided that they're lined up with the barrel and all.

I've got the Dawson FO on the front of mine and have been very happy. I have a "Border Marshal" that came with Trilux night sights that I still have on the back, so my spacing may be a bit different than the stock sights. With the original front and the Dawson, it's always been right on. Out of curiosity, when other people shoot your Beretta, do they have the same point of impact issues? Just curious.

I liked it as well. All of the stuff around the wives made me a nuts...and don't get me started on the psychic stuff that they had going for a while. Bummer about Life too. At least this new Southland show is shaping up to be pretty good.

I just had this discussion with a guy at work. I work in a manufacturing facility (non-auto) and he's of the mind that you gotta back your brothers. In principle, I don't disagree. However, who are we really supporting? So many of the "foreign" models are being build here in the states. A ton of the so called domestics have final assembly done in Canada or Mexico, with most of the components coming from over seas. A few years ago, I worked for a company building GM supplied parts. We built them in Texas, but were "incentivized" (got to keep the business) by moving it south of the border when NAFTA went through. We didn't even get those lines up and running when they start harping that they want us to go to China. It just makes you wonder why they deserve your loyalty. Because the CEO's an American? Or because of the guys on the line? If it's the latter, I think you can get a Toyota or a Honda and still feel patriotic. Here's a link to a guy who compared content on individual vehicles: http://www.mombu.com/ford/transmissions/t-...els-962985.html Turns out the Mustang is less "American" than the Camry.

Personal favorite has always been Kellys Heroes. If Clint and Telly aren't enough, Donald Sutherland as Oddball takes the cake. "Why don't you cut it with those negative waves, man?"

I had an interesting (comical/frightening) experience last week that I thought warranted posting. Let me break down what I saw: I got to the train station after work and as I stepped onto the platform, I saw the flashing lights of a squad car that had just blocked off a cul de sac (about 100+ yds and downhill from me). The officer's head popped out, and he did a quick glance around. I was surprised when he immediately reached in and grabbed his carbine. I figured things were about to get interesting! Since I had a series of short brick walls between us, I figured I'd see what happens. First, he held it awkwardly in front of him and just stared at the sling for a couple seconds before struggling to get his head and arm through. He then got off the street, looked around, and went back to staring at the AR. At this point, a car pulled up, looking to get into the cul de sac. The passenger opened the window and asked (I found out later) if he could walk through. The officer granted him permission and went back to his pet project. As the guy grabbed his bag out of his car, the officer found the mag release and the 30 rounder hit the pavement with a clatter I could hear echo off the surrounding buildings...all the way up on the platform. The really unfortunate thing (as the passenger would later report), the officer couldn't figure out which way to put the mag back in. He eventually did though, and I believe that he finally found the bolt release that he'd been looking for, based on the fact that he stopped fidgeting with his weapon...or maybe he gave up. About five minutes later, another officer ran up onto the platform and asked if we saw a man run through dressed in all black. Unfortunately, nobody had. It seems that he'd mugged some lady a few minutes earlier. On the train, I couldn't help but think. What if the "perp" had showed himself at any point while that lone officer was messing around? I assume that the thief was armed for the officer to go straight to the long gun, right? As for qualifications go, don't that have to show competency with handling and marksmanship on ALL of their weapons? I find it frightening that this could be the guy that shows up to bail me or my family out. as a side note: it was a wealthier suburb, and I doubt they get many muggings...

Good news. Next stop Chicago?

Good Ideas. While I'm unlikely to attend any National tournament, I have a thought that will likely get torched. Building on the BritinUSA's fixed sign up period, why not do it as an auction and let the Free Market work it's magic? Using a dutch bidding format, everybody bids what they'd be willing to pay and the lowest bid of the 100 (or however many slots there are) is what everybody pays. Assuming that there aren't a disproportionate number of competitors with rediculous amounts of disposible income, the price should stay fair and those that want it the most will get their slot. OR, instead of money, issue points at each competition that you participate in during the year and use that as the currency. USPSA already keeps the scores on a computer, it probably isn't that big of a leap administratively.

You only have 7?!?! Precisely why I need more! Sure I've got a different one for each day of the week, but what if one were to break? Actually, the better approach might be to phrase it as an "Accessory". She seems to be big on accessorizing her outfits.

That's a little bit pricey for me bro.... nice knife tho I saw this one at Bass Pro and was absolutely in love. I did find it online for about half of list price and am pondering whether I need a new one (Can you believe that the wife thinks that 7 is enough?). Is it too early to hope that Santa will be kind this year?

Ditto to that. I find it to be a twisted form of meditation. It's good for the soul, ya know? I'm running a 650 and find the sound of the whole thing reminds me of the beginning of that Pink Floyd song "Money". It makes me think of how much more I'd be paying if I was shooting factory.

My personal experience with the Dillon gauges has been satisfactory. I'm loading 40's and 9's for a Beretta 96 and an XD-9. I find that my gauges are tighter than the barrels. Gotta concur with the crimp comment too. That was an early source of grief for me that's since been fixed.

I read your post this afternoon and pondered on it a bit. My sense is that there's more to what you alluded to, but I felt the need to address your initial point. The love we feel for others doesn't really stand in contrast to the author's point. In fact, it fits in as motive of persuasion. What you do for your family is done in anticipation of their needs or at their request. Should you not do those things, they have to either persuade or force you into action. Otherwise, that little turd isn't going to pick up his room. Yes he's only one, but he's not too young to learn!

Ha! Nice. Actually, as an update to the situation, I pounded out all 1,000 on Sunday using my near-sighted, slimy orbs. I did call Dillon yesterday and they're sending out a replacement today. I know it's so routine that it almost isn't worth saying, but their customer service really is top notch. It's tough to find companies so willing to stand behind their products in any industry. Quality issue: when using slimy orbs as powder check devices, powder does have tendency to stick to them. HSMITH, you don't happen to have a fix for that do you?

I have not. It's actually pretty new and only used for one session before. Just for clarification, is that a "this will help" suggestion or a "you probably shouldn't have if you did" suggestion?

So I was getting my 650 ready to do a big batch of loading this weekend. I just finished getting my powder charges set just so and went to verify that my powder check was calibrated when it didn't go off when it should have. Of course, the logical thing to check would be the battery, but that's not it. A new batter that I put on the meter didn't fix it. It hasn't sustained any physical damage that I can see. I know Dillon will take care of it, but obviously not this weekend. Any body have an ideas on what else it could be? I'd really like to get a good 1,000 or so cranked out this weekend. Thanks.

I'm with Kimel. Allow him his blissful ignorance and move on. As for class, remember that it pays to get A's, but C's get degrees. (I've got 4 down and 16 coarses to after Thursday. I feel your pain)

I just checked with the judges, and with some dissent from the Australian judge, it was deemed...awesome. Good night Mr. Travolta.

Man, that's quite the looker. If you don't mind, what did the whole thing set you back?

I try to clean every time I go out. I used to be more diligent, but now that I use SlideGlide, sometimes it's just the barrel. Whether or not the SL does anything special, I'm not sure. But it does give me an excuse not to get clean the whole thing.

It's enough to make you sick. We treat criminals better than that. Nearly each and every one of us are either immigrants or descendants of some. You would think that we could at least treat those in our custody with human respect, especially those trapped there by administrative, bureaucratic BS.