Chuck Anderson

We'll start up again at Tri-County In January. Second Sunday. They will be Unofficial matches because I'm not real happy with the NRA right now. We'll run the Practical, Falling Plates and Barricade. I run them Jan to May. Maybe all year if my schedule allows.

For the 2012 Area 1 were using IPhone/iTouch/IPad scoring. The range is in the Desert with not great signal. The MD wired the range with Wifi hubs, solar powered. From what he said it wasn't difficult. We'll have live updates from the RO to Stats and then almost immediately to the Internet. It's being tested at the Utah State match in December, then Area 1. Hopefully it will be bug free and a similar system could be used for the WS in 2014

What brands of shotgun ammo do they carry?

Why would it be different for Production, Single Stack and L10? Just having to grab more mags? Needing more magnets?

Wow, there are so many inaccurate statements in the above statement I really don't know where to begin. I also think we are dramatically off track from the IPSC Shotgun Open rules that this thread is supposed to be about. It is extremely unlikely the USPSA will adopt the IPSC Shotgun rules (basically about the same odds as IPSC adopting USPSA rules for all Divisions). I also doubt there will be an IPSC Shotgun match held in the US. The Pan Am happened and maybe the group behind it will try again. I doubt it, but it could happen. In that case I guess it might be relevant to talk about US firearms laws...maybe. In the meantime to answer the question of what I think of the IPSC SG rules as updated this week. Not much. I see nothing that will improve the sport of shotgun shooting, and several things that might hurt it. I know nothing that was implemented by IPSC will be proposed for USPSA by the Area 1 Director. Can't speak for anyone else on the BOD.

10+1 for now. Very likely to change with the next rulebook. We're trying to move forward, not backwards.

That's a great barricade design for training. I might try to recreate one on my range. Would allow you to shoot at different spots to practice different heights. How tall did you go on the left side?

Yep, KO is knockover steel plates. The little ones. 4-5 inches. Can't remember exactly. The rifle plates on 8 are about 50 ish yards out. Maybe a bit more. Kind of depends where they fit at set up.

Both I guess at least officially. No, IPSC rule changes dont automatically transfer to USPSA, fortunately. Yep the rift is getting wider and wider. One does not want with the other and vice versa. However, as far as I know USPSA did not object (however I was not there) so I guess it will be valid for both and I also guess it will be valid internationaly. No, whether the US objected or not doesnt matter, USPSA has its own procedures to add, or change, its rules. I am not so familiar with how it works but Voigt objected against small rifle and made lots of enemies in the process. Wondering how this will go on With US legislation as strikt as it is right now the US is out of options for non US residents with regards to shooting. Also with regards to guns and gunparts it is becoming a non factor. So I guess it does not matter if it applies for the US or not. Matches in the US are a domestic affair and as soon as US shooters go internationally they have to follow IPSC. I would imagine our RD objected to the Mini Rifle proposal based on whether it was constitutional. Not whether or not he thought it was a good idea. IPSC Airsoft and Mini Rifle are certainly a far cry from the founding principals of IPSC. Who are the enemies he created? I would like to think that a difference of opinion on something wouldn't create an enemy, but could be worked out, as it was in this process. As far as the Shotgun proposals go, I don't know how the US RD voted. I'm pretty sure it was no, and no on several other proposed rule changes. Since IPSC doesn't record who votes for what I won't know for sure though. I'm not sure what you mean about gun laws being strict and matches in the US being domestic. We just held our Nationals with many international competitors. And we just won a bid for the 2014 WS so I would imagine we'll have a great many international shooters here in about three years.

There is something to be said for an even playing field. But there is also something to be said for a practical challenge. When you carry your rifle in the field, whether that is to shoot fuzzy critters or people you don't usually have angled barricades to get that perfect height. I wouldn't mind having a few of these, but the majority should be varied heights. Some easy for tall and difficult (not impossible) for short folks and vice versa. But I still look at this as a practical application of skills.

As one of the IPSC Officials posted on Global Village, deal with it. I am. I won't ever shoot an IPSC shotgun match. There dealt with. Fortunately that's easy to say since I have lots of other options. Sucks for folks outside the US. I really don't understand why they felt the need to pass any of the new rules.

Manny and Frank have been working on this for a while now. Going back more than a year. In fact I have the feeling that the range improvements they did a while ago were in preparation for this WS bid. I haven't talked to Frank recently but my conversations with Manny have me feeling very positive this will be a great match. And the best part is, they have their own ammo company on the site. No trying to get ammo shipped!

There are valid arguments on both sides, but this one is just plain silly. Matches, especially big ones, are scored by entering all hits and times onto a scoresheet and then into a computer - not calculating by hand or with a calculator. Not sure how many IMGA matches you've shot, or matches run using Time Plus scoring. Only the time and applicable bonuses and penalties are entered into the scoring system, not hits on target. Regardless of the size of the match. In fact some of the biggest time plus ones may have a couple RO's scoring as they go. The stage may be completed scored within a second or two of the shooter firing their last shot. The possible issues on target are signicantly less than for a HF scored match. If there are two D's on the target it doesn't matter if they are near the line. Target is good. The only possible issues come from a single hit target that may or may not be an A, or if there is a close hit no a NS. The scoring itself if much quicker and entry into the computer is much quicker.

I'm sure there will be a process for applying for slots. The good news is it's here. The bad news is the slots are still divided among the regions. We only received 76 (I think) slots for the shoot in Greece. Hopefully we'll get more for 2014 since this year there was a bit of an issue with that. However, demand is going to far outstrip supply for available slots no matter what we do. Mike and Phil are both in Greece right now. I wouldn't count on there being any decision made until they get back, and until the President election goes through. The 2014 will be during the tenure of whoever wins this election.

US and Thailand

I've shot 20 some odd Nationals Championships in the last 11 years. Normally a couple pistols a year and the occasional MG Nats thrown in. I've been to Vegas, Reno, Barry, Bend, Albany and Tulsa. I've also been to Area matches for A1, A2, A3, and A6. As well as a host of other championship level events, World Shoot, Bianchi Cup, IPSC Nats. Is the USPSA Nats the most professional event I've been to? With the exception of a World Shoot, yes. There are mistakes that happen at any event. Calls that people don't agree with, or things that might have been done differently. Overall, the USPSA Nationals has the least number of issues of any of the matches I've been to. The WS and Bianchi Cup both have a level of pageantry that the Nationals doesn't approach. But there are some really...unusual...decisions made at both. Nationals uses the most experienced staff, is professionally run and is a match that should not be missed. Of the venues, each has it plusses and minuses. I'd rather be in Vegas than anywhere else now. Every Area match has a different feel. Does the Nationals feel like any Area match I've been to, no. I've never been to an Area match with as much competition as you'll find at Nationals, and that includes Area 2.

Larry, are you really using the argument that we should do something because every other 3 Gun match does? If so can I bring my SureFire 60 round mag to your match, since it's legal at every other 3 Gun match? I'm not a fan of Hit Factor scoring. But using the argument that we should swap because it requires 3 Gunners to bring a .40 cal gun doesn't really sway me when the alternative is to tell all the USPSA shooters they need to bring a 9mm when they all shoot .40 cal guns during the regular season. As far as the argument that Horner won because he shot a major rifle. I'd be surprised if he gained a percent or two using it. It was probably either a wash or to his detriment to use it. He wins every other IMGA match by the same or larger margin. Do you really think he gained much using a Major rifle? As far as using Time Plus...NFW. We're using it for the Area 1 MG this weekend. I'm not impressed. There are an awful lot of things IMGA has built in that USPSA doesn't, bonus targets and the ability to have different value stages being two huge ones. I would like to see the bugs fixed and it's in the process. I don't want to see USPSA eliminate HF scoring, but I would like to see Time Plus a little more sorted out and maybe add the option of Horner scoring. But this is getting well off course from a discussion about the MG Nats.

The Red Rock Casino is 2-400 per night. I've been checking it before each match hoping it would go down a bit because it would be a great place to stay. But for that amount of money, I'll drive a few extra minutes a day.

Guess I must not be doing my part. Every time I RO I pick up something. Whether it's a different approach to a stage, different position to try later, different prep routine, something. Being able to see every shooter run a stage and see what works and what doesn't has always helped me. Guess I must just be one of those lazy RO's. That said, it's probably not the "best" way. But it is pretty dang effective.

Well in another thread here, Ben said he was shooting the Elite 2. Pretty sure he knows what gun he's running.

I had a couple people ask me yesterday about scoring for the match. I verified with the Pres and RM that the match will be run using hit factor scoring with Major/Minor PF just like it always has been. Apparently a couple folks heard it was going to be Time Plus.

Did the 100% hit factors for the classifier stages ever get officially released by HQ? I know there was some mention of it, IIRC, in the BoD minutes. I know it is really old news, but I sure would like to know an official price tag for buying the Steel Challenge??? By "metric target" up above, I am ASSuming you mean the humanoid shaped target with the head....in other words, are we going to go the P.C. route like the Europeans did with IPSC? BoD has a lot of input about these issues as well, right??? Especially the target concern. My biggest concern about any elected office is how the candidate carries themself. Are they arrogant or are they humble. Are they in it for them or in it for the Association/members. That is my litmus test. YMMV. With the exception of the Nationals dates/locations/formats etc. yes the BOD has a great deal of input. The President has the responsibility for the Nationals. The BOD as a whole, including the President is responsible for the rest. I will say I think everyone on the BOD at this time, and that is currently up for election has the best interests of the sport as their primary motiviation. I don't always agree with everyone, but I know they are acting for what they think is best.

After talking with friends that stayed there for the handgun nats. they were disapointed in the Riviera. I had a decent room at the Riviera. There were some others that didn't. It's an older hotel in Vegas. It's very much improved from when I stayed there in 2009. The food at the Pub and Steakhouse was very good, buffet for breakfast good, but expensive. My bed was comfortable, fridge in the room, TV worked, AC worked and I always had hot water. Pretty much everything I need in a match hotel, particularly for the price. That said, I'm staying at TI for the MG Nats. For the few days I'll be there I'm willing to pay a bit more. The biggest concern I had with the Riviera came the final day of the match. There were at least three cars broken into during the awards ceremony. I know at least one shooter who lost all his luggage and two custom limited guns. Not sure if the other two cars were shooters or not. If you do stay at the Match Hotel, I would definitely not leave anything of value in the car, ever. Also, USPSA gives out little placards to hang off your mirror when you get to the range to get through the gate. Don't leave them visible in the parking garage. Makes it very easy to pick out shooters vehicles when they have a brightly colored card identifying them. The dust on the vehicle is also probably a give away, but not much to do about that.

Tulsa was beautiful last year during the IDPA Nationals. There was rain before the match, but the bays were dry. The conditions there with normal rainfall are no longer an issue. USPSA should move their nats back to the USSA. It's a lot better than the desert. Considering the history, and the fact that USSA doesn't even have an owner at this point, I wouldn't hold my breath. I've been to USSA more times than most, as a competitor, student, instructor, and range officer. I've been there in great conditions and it's a terrific range. But when the rain comes, and it does frequently in Tulsa, that range totally sucks.

Gotta say I never thought I would see someone criticize a match location for being muddy compared to Tulsa.