Aglifter

IMO, that's a very hypocritical rule, which the BOD should change. Nor do I see any reason to expect a competitor to not have a pocket gun, etc on them.

Cross-country IPSC would be awesome

That sounds like something to put in your sig line.

My brother and I went fishing today for Easter - the water temp was a bit low, so it turned into more of a scouting trip.

Contact the post office? Might be able to go after him for some manner of mail fraud?

I would just call Brandon as well - I haven't had any non-wear related issues w. my gun, but when I have broken a part, etc, he got it back to me quite rapidly.

Artistically, all you can do is portray truth as you see it. You can make other things, which appeal to the market, but I don't know if that's truly art - if its what has to be done, for economic reasons, so be it. Learn your craft, and reject sloth and express yourself as fully as you can - part of artistic expression does require baring quite a bit of yourself.

I would think it might also come from some lack of suppleness in the joints. Any thoughts about trying yoga/something else? (How are your hip flexors?) That, and getting coaching to run, and being mindful about how you move, and how you should move. (Watching a recording of yourself should help quite a bit.) With that said, women do not run as fast as men - but I doubt there are many/any IPSC or USPSA shooters who could keep up w. the better female sprinters.

If you feel that way, why not carry a DA/SA gun, or a P7 PSP, or a M&P/XD with a manual safety?

You can probably get a local print shop to make some up.

I don't know if it will work for you, but a couple things that I heard/experienced recently (met a great pastor the other day.) Christians are meant to be vessels for Christ - sometimes we have to let go, and stop trying to do things in our own strength, and let Him take over. In other words, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." Do you gobble out of anxiety?

Yoga has done wonders for my knees - squats were the only thing that used to help them. Not saying that the other stuff won't help, but confirmation problems should also be addressed. Never squat in a "squishy" shoe. Chucks work great - most power lifters and strongmen I knew, mostly, wore those for workouts, or actual squat or press shoes. The "barefoot" shoes also work.

It has to be a bad habit. Its an, inherently, weak position of the body, and one which impairs movement. That some of the top shooters, now, do it, is merely indicative of how far shooting has to go before it requires athleticism of the professionals. is a video of a world record shot put - and he doesn't hunch his shoulders. Neither do competitive bench pressers. (The two sports I can think of which involve pushing forward as hard as possible.)

From what I've been told, its quite difficult to get a 3" barreled 1911 to time properly in 45. No idea, aside from the usual cautions about reliability. Honestly, the 4" ones balance quite nicely, IMO - and, if you want to make them balance closer to a full size, its just a matter of adding a tungsten guide rod. I wouldn't worry about the grip length - honestly, the chopped grip the one thing which irritates me about the VIP - and I may buy a full-size grip to fit to it. I suppose if you have a very light build, it might be an issue - but, in that case, you could always appendix carry, and it will cease to be an issue. Reducing the barrel length, IMO, is more a matter of concern, as it influences weight, and the length of your cover garments. Again, depending on your size and build, and your mode of carry. (EG, I appendix carry in the summer, or OWB on my hip in the rest of the year.) And, barrel length becomes quite problematic in appendix carry.

Hope Floats, and Shoot 'Em Up, once it turned into an anti-gun hissy fit.

G34, out of what you have listed, I'd go w. the STI. I also suggest looking at S&W's 1911PDs. At times, I've carried full-size, steel 1911s. And, it was honestly easier to carry a pair of them, since it balanced perfectly, across my hips. The heavier guns aren't a problem in a shoulder holster - and, fully-loaded, a steel commander is about the same as a G20, and only a few ounces more than my VIP. But, an Aluminum/Titanium/Scandium framed commander is a very easy thing to carry, IMO. And, I managed to bump off my safeties on a regular basis, when I carried 1911s w. ambi safeties - I didn't worry about it too much, as I still had the grip safeties and the covered triggers, but it was still disconcerting. I have not had that problem w. a single-sided safety.

+1 for not carrying an ambi - unless you find a holster which blocks the safety up - and please post it, if you do. Personally, I like my VIP. If not a VIP, then I'd look for a lightweight commander.

OK, so "when your shoulders aren't doing anything" are you using your entire upper body to squeeze in on the gun, or just your hands?

OK, so it's fairly expensive - but http://www.beamhit.com/BeamhitProducts/390System/tabid/889/Default.aspx might be a good option in that small a space. I saw it at SHOT, at least, an earlier version of it (I didn't go this year, but I saw it at the '12 show) - and it seemed like quite a nifty system.

What are your shoulders doing?

I wouldn't let the "female" thing worry you. The only significant issue I can think of is finding a gun which fits your hands well. Otherwise, there are plenty of lady powerlifters, etc, who are stronger than most male shooters, including the GMs - even at the most petite weight classes. Have you ever tried yoga? I've become quite a fan of it. It might help, both with something to focus on, when you require a distraction, and with developing strength and flexibility to stay stable in awkward positions while shooting, etc.

9x23 Win is, probably the best choice - at least, IMO.

The easiest for you would probably be Open - but that's a heck of a jump. Otherwise, I'd say a Glock 17 - a 1911 is fine, if the frame fits your hands well - its really just whatever fits your hands best.

Mortals are all flawed and have failed, in one way or another. OK, so I removed the track references, because the odds are slim that they'd make sense to you. And this is stuff covered in Enos' book, The Bible (in a fashion), Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance, and probably other places I'm not familiar with. All you can do is be aware of your situation, at the present time, and decide to act, and remain focused on the present.

Any base plates which will help close the gap? Or, any small mag wells, suited for carry - looking for a way to avoid pinching my hand.