matt2ace

+1 I have 2 opens guns with the same trigger componenets. They both measure within a 1/4lb of each other on a digital gauge. The triggers were done by 2 different smiths, I consider both to be very good trigger jobs. However, one is noticably crisper than the other, like breaking glass. This trigger feels lighter, similar to your observations. I don't really notice the difference in competition. Nothing less than 3.5lb for a carry gun, typically 4-5lb.

Got the idea from others at the Nationals this year, first name on the front, full name on the back........less chance of mistakes with score sheet

I purchased 8lb of AA#7 a few weeks ago and just got back from shooting some test loads. My first impression is that this is a softer feeling powder than my current 7.7gr Silhouette loads. There may be a little less dot movement as well, but that was not as obvious as the difference in felt recoil. I ran the loads through my chrono along with some ammo I had from the Nationals as a standard. 3 runs of 5 rounds each for the loads listed. AA#7 is very dense, 10.2gr fills the case to the same depth as 7.7gr of Silhouette. 5 inch Shuemann AET barrel, no barrel holes, comp= 3 up, 2 side Wolf SP magnum primers 1.185 OAL 124gr MGD Outside temp 32F Chronoy F1 placed in shade 8ft from muzzle Gun warmed up with 10 rounds before chrono runs 7.7gr Silhouette Avg: 1352 SD 10 PF 167.6 (same ammo 166.2 at Nationals) 9.8gr AA#7 Avg: 1324 SD 7.5 PF 164.1 10gr AA#7 Avg: 1347 SD 12.3 PF 167.0 10.2gr AA#7 Avg: 1367 SD 14.6 PF 169.5 The cases all looked very good. No signs of over-pressure in the cases. Primers looked normal, no flattening or flow. You could easily run 10.3 or 10.4gr without any problems. I am going to try some 10.4 later to see if that reduces dot movement (more gas thru the comp) without losing the softer feel. I broke down my gun to see if there was much difference in dirt buildup. I noticed a small amount of what might be unburnt powerder in the comp. This powder may be a bit dirtier than Silhouette, but not gritty, just soft residue. I will reserve judgement until after I have a chance to shoot a few hundreds rounds in practice.

I thought about a number of different options for this shirt, most would either seem insulting or considered in poor taste. You cannot get much simpler than what I ended up with.....and it always gets a smile.

True........I used LAMR out of habit in the posting.

Not a 3-gunner myself, but I can relate to the issue. I don't know how many times I have been warned for finger in the trigger while reloading and have to explain how that would be impossible since I hit the mag release with my tirgger finger

Which Red is that you have? I am pretty sure that it is the deep red. Contact Josh and he can tell you more. He can get just about any shade you like.

I found a guy who does anodizing for paintball guns as side (home) business. ~$100 each for all of the parts including grips, bead blasted and anodized with shipping and insurance. He is very reasonably priced compared to some of the larger companies offering anodizing services. http://www.topazanodizing.com/about-us

Matt did a great job on those guns Randy. That racker looks real nice too. I just finished upgrading both my Gan's 9mm's. SV modular triggers (fitted to STI bows) to match the anodized aluminum parts including the STI grips.

I like that one too I have only had the shirt to wear for one local match. I am looking forward to wearing them at a major next year.

I was able to shoot 3 major matches this year, including the Nationals, and came to realize that ROs just don't know how to handle LEFTIES at LAMR. At every match I would stand at the start line with my left hand raised, trying to get the RO to realize that a lefty of shooting. With very few exceptions, I found myself turning to my right, looking at the RO then looking down to my right-side where there was clearly no gun then, smiling at the RO, looking to my left to indicate where the the gun was located. This was all done with good humor and was taken that way by every RO at every match. We lefties all know the comment by now... "Guns on the wrong side buddy" "Guess your going to go in the oppposite direction from everyone else who ran this stage" So, I finally decided to get a shirt made that might just eliminate some of the confusion ROs seem to have when lefties shoot a stage. It may not help, but it does get make the point...... The folks at Techwear did a great job on the shirts. Yes, for those observant enough, my BE id has a extra "c" in it which was my mistake when I reviewed the mockups.

+1 I always try to learn from watching other shooters. I focus on technique,movement, etc. and not on how they run through a specific stage. As a lefty, there is little advantage to watching how others (mostly righties) run a stage, my plan is almost always different.

Rob hit it on the nose for the most of the AREA 7. A few clubs give a discount for members, but it's typically $20 for most matches in Area 7.

Randy.....that was AWESOME. I look forward to shooting with him at a GMPS match next year OK, maybe a couple more years I suggest a browning buckmark target with a C-more or Burris, or Nikko-Stirling optical on the rail. Grip should be narrow enough for him and he still sight it like an open gun.

As others noted....it is depends on a number of factors. I run 9 major open loads at 1.185 with MGD 124 CMJ without any problems. I have loaded to 1.190 without any issue. I have 3 open guns that swallow them just fine. For production guns, shooting minor PF, there is no value in running this long. BTW - Glocks won't take anything more than 1.15 due to magazine limitations.

I saw no difference going between Wolf SP and SPM primers in my 9 major load. I would not expect a big difference minor loads as well. I would chrono your load with the SPMs and compare just to be sure. I would not expect pressure problems with minor loads even if the PF goes up a bit.

Using Wolf SP and SPM primers with my 550. I have to be more careful with seating them since they are a bit shorter than others. It's not an issue using a 1050, only with the 550 and I would guess 650 presses.

+1 Both Matt and JJ are always willing to help, especially with something as simple as 'no holes'.

At Area 6 a few years ago a setup crew volunteer insisted on setting up the classifier. That was the only type of stage he was comfortable building because it was the only one that had exact measurements. He said that using imagination and being creative was not his strong suit. The classifier was CM 99-39, "Off Balance Blast". When we went to inspect his work I mentioned that the targets were too short. He explained in a very serious manner that they were not. Since that classifier required shooting under a horizontal cross bar, and the bay sloped upwards towards the targets, he put a string level on the barricade and ran it downrange, setting the height of the targets relative to the shooting position. Not doing so would have required the competitors to crouch down even more to shoot 'uphill' at the targets. After several minutes of discussion and head-scratching we agreed with his logic. Even so, I made some comment about it not being rocket science or nuclear physics. With the same deadpan expression he said, "It must be done according to design or not at all, because I actualy AM a physicist." +1 for a string level......a cheap and easy way to assure target height is correct when a bay is sloped. We use a string level for our classifiers for the same reason. We use the same bay every month and it has a 1--2ft rise. We would end up with the targets way too high if we did not use a level to set target height.

I have never seen a need for it on the trigger guard of my Al grip.

+1 I am the MD for my club and we do much the same, assure it is setup correct and have others double check. We have had only one case where there was a discrepency in hand position on a classifier which was corrected with a minimum of reshoots. If I see a discrepency when shooting at another club, I try to bring it to the MD and get it resolved. Most errors I see are minor and can be corrected easily. I have seen some pretty sloppy classifier setups before, seem mostly due to laziness in setup.

Moving from C (open) to B took recognition that I needed to commit to the goal and practice (dry and live). Lanny's book taught be a great deal about what it really means to COMMIT to a goal and maintain the drive to achieve that goal. Steve Anderson's books showed me one path to that goal. Help and feedback from a friend who is an open-GM helped me down that path. Since making B in open early this year, I have come to realize just how tough the path is A class is. I believe that those who a driven to go above B class begin to see their weaknesses and realize (atleast for me) that some can be addressed with practice (dry/live), but most need instruction and feedback from mentors/teachers. Personally, I can tell you exactly where I need to improve. It is evident from my range log. The problem is not time or drive to improve, it's a need for more feedback and instruction. I tried to get into a class 3 times this year without success. My goal for early 2010 is to get into a class....meanwhile, keep focused on my goal (A class) and practice.

You should be able to get the chamber of that barrel lengthened to fit 38S and save the cost of barrel and refitting.

We have been using StageScore at DCPA for all of 2009 with great results. We went fully paperless after 4 months of using both without a single problem. I think most clubs experience the usual learning curve getting people trained to use the software. I have some people just don't want to be responsible for entering scores, but we typically have 3-4 people on each squad who can do the job. I do some pre-registration, but allow plenty of time to register on match day. It is easier if everyone is pre-registered, but it only takes an extra 10 minutes to build and download squads with StageScore. Corrections to scores, stages, etc. are really no problem once you learn the program. We are using Palm505s for scoring, mainly to keep cost down ($25 each for refubs vs $50+ for 515 or better). After using 505s, I would recommend spending more to Palm515s (brighter, color screen) or even Tungstens (brighter and faster processor). Go back to paper scoring........no me.

I think 9.7.5 is pretty clear if there is NO time recorded. Is there experience as to what is "unrealistic"? How close does it have to be? Lee I'm sorry...I was typing fast as I was on the way to the match and it should have said "time of day". But we did end up rectifying under 9.7.4 and the competitor reshot the stage. There was mutual consent from the competitor and the signatory RO as to the score most likely being recorded incorrectly. The 'missing time' error occured to a shooter at the open Nationals this year. I was talking with him while my squad waited to shoot the stage he had just finished. He had a squib on the stage resulting in many misses scored. When he pulled out his score sheet, we both noticed that there was no time recorded and it was signed by the RO and shooter. I did not know the specific rule, but we both agreed it should be brought to the CROs attention. The RM was called over and he got a reshoot.