omnia1911

I use STI .40 mags that are Limited division legal, fit the EGW gauge, hold 21 rounds, are reloadable at 21 rounds, and run reliably.

Level 1 matches are not required to obscure disappearing targets prior to their activation, and "The written stage briefing may prohibit competitors from engaging certain target(s) which may be visible prior to activation until the operation of the activating mechanism has been initiated." (9.9.4 and 2.1.8.5.1) The problem is that the rules don't address the issue of a competitor engaging a disappearing target after it has been activated, and has come to a rest. The target is generally still exposed at rest at Level 1 matches for the very same reason it is exposed prior to activation, depending on the type of disappearing mechanism used. Can the written stage briefing prohibit engagement at rest? Do you consider a disappearing target off limits at rest, even though you can still see it? Logic would tell you that a disappearing target being considered off limits prior to activation must also be off limits at rest at Level 1 matches. 2.1.8.5.1 could be interpreted to be saying that disappearing targets can be engaged at any time, as long as they have been activated, and they are visible. Any supporting rules?

That was in reference to a continuing string of posts where I stated Level I matches shouldn't pay acivity fees.

Just wondering... How this is working at the local matches that you are running and/or attending? How much has the club growth rate increased as a result of the efforts described above? How did you grow your group of regular setup help to the point that you can assign a person to be the club liaison for membership/recruiting duty? My earlier post was clear that I haven't seen anyone doing this.

Maybe you can point out a post from me, or anyone else, suggesting that USPSA should not receive any activity fees.

The banner isn't so much for those already with USPSA, but for potential shooters that may come to the range on match day. They could possibly be shooters with USPSA if you lead them to the match, the stat shack with information officer/guide, and the membership sign up sheets. It is like any other business process. Have eyes and ears available for them too.

Is that a proposal you support?

Great, your welcome to come early to my club on match days and hang up all the banners. Don't forget to take them down after the match is put away. Oh yeah, you might need to bring your own since we don't have any USPSA banners and I'd rather spend the $ the club earns (after payouts, $3/shooter to USPSA, targets, pasters, sticks, and photocopies) to buy props and keep the club going. In the end, I think we need to be VERY careful about additional mandates on the guys who run clubs/matches. The more work you put on them, the less attractive affiliation looks. My point was, that supplying the clubs with a banner was one thing USPSA could do at the front door. For those that don't know where the front door is. It is the clubs all accross the country. As to having to take the time to put up a banner at the range entrance when you go in. It takes less time than stapling up one target and placing it in a target stand. Come on! And if you didn't notice, I also was advocating no activity fees for clubs to pay. With the time saved on that process you could use it to hang a USPSA banner.

I've read some references to USPSA being like General Motors or Microsoft in its business model. I disagree. A fundamental difference is that GM and MSFT are for profit businesses with paid employees. The mindset of running those types of business models is very different than running a non-profit corporation that is totally dependent on volunteers. The choices you have to produce income for a corporation that is volunteer based is pretty restrictive. It really relies heavily on feeding into the passions of the individuals for the "cause" of the corporation. What can the BOD of a non-profit do or say to motivate its members to sacrifice their time and energy for the common good of the corporation? That may be an easier task if your cause is to cure cancer or fight hunger, but supporting the shooting sports is a much more difficult task. What comes to mind was when the Clinton Gun Bill was being passed, there was a significant surge in support for gun related issues and sports. USPSA also benefited from this surge. How can USPSA continue to motivate its support base of gun owners by feeding their competitive desires? My fear is that USPSA looks more like Starbucks than GM; a Starbucks on every corner, including a plethora of "bootleg" shops that over saturate the market. The competition and overhead costs are taking the luster away from USPSA's premier event, the USPSA Nationals. USPSA needs to make sure that the decisions that it makes regarding the Steel Challenge, and its desire to spread this shooting sport around the nation, or to increase its revenue stream, will not hurt the uniqueness and desirability of the Steel Challenge Championship, or turn off the support this match has with the gun industry. USPSA needs to reduce the book keeping and the financial hit that clubs take at Level I matches, making it more desirable to join the cause and become members. USPSA needs to offer incentives clubs to become members by financially assisting them, in some small way, to get "geared up" to put on USPSA matches. USPSA needs to be there, in person, with the rest of us at the front door to this business, not just sitting in the back room counting the money. I've been to many Level I matches over the years. Not once have I seen an official USPSA banner hoisted at the range signifying that this is a USPSA event. Why? It should be required of every affiliated club to erect a banner at the range entrance the day of the match, and at the bays, or on a flag pole, letting any potential new customer know who is offering them this event. Also, a highly visible station should be set up with new membership applications, offering half price annual memberships to new customers. The club should offer to mail in the applications for free. Throw in a free group safety check to boot.

The Steel Challenge has very specific targets, stage designs, and rules. I would have thought that some copyrights and trademarks would have come along with the USPSA purchase.

Since you don't have to be a USPSA member to shoot level I USPSA matches, seem a little odd to require USPSA membership to shoot Level I Steel Challenge matches. Bill USPSA shouldn't make the same mistake again. USPSA needs a new business model. USPSA should be a membership (club and individual) driven organization, not classifier and activity fee driven. Memberships require less time, money, and man power to administer. It is hard enough for clubs to make it running monthly/weekly matches. USPSA should not be taking 20-25% of a club's gate receipts.

My suggestions: All SCSA memberships (club, individual) will be converted to USPSA memberships, entitling the membership holder to shoot any and all USPSA matches (multi gun, pistol, steel). There will be no classification system for Steel Challenge matches. Matches will be heads up, divided by division (gun type). Level I (club) Steel Challenge matches will not be charged activity fees. Activity fees may be charged at Level II and III matches Anyone who is not a USPSA member, and wants to shoot a Steel Challenge match, may shoot his/her first match for free (free as in no membership fee), provided they pass a safety check by a certified USPSA RO. An individual must be a USPSA member to shoot a Steel Challenge match thereafter. Front Sight will become the publication of all USPSA disciplines. One rulebook will be published covering the guidelines for each of the USPSA disciplines. All Steel Challenge matches will be trophy only matches, except for the STEEL CHALLENGE PISTOL TOURNAMENT - WORLD SPEED SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Excerpts from the SCSA rulebook: There will be an annual Postal Match which will decide a World Postal Champion each year, with the Overall winner and the winner of each Category receiving an attractive SCSA Custom Plaque. Each club is to send a report to the SCSA after the Postal Match, listing the names, overall results, categories and membership number of each competitor. These will be tabulated with the winners being announced soon thereafter and plaques being mailed directly to the winners. SCSA memberships are available in One Year, Three Year or Life Time increments. Special discounts are available for families, which include juniors, spouses or brother/sisters. There is also an International rate. Matches are to be "Trophy Only", but raffles for prizes may be allowed in larger sanctioned matches. This eliminates the need to buy or solicit prizes. This also helps take some pressure off an over solicited industry and helps with our philosophy of promotion from the national level. Each club pays an annual fee of $50.00 and there are no activity or attendance charges to deal with. Membership fees are our primary method of providing operating income. Our continued growth depends upon it. All persons competing in SCSA tournaments must be a current member of the SCSA. It is the club's responsibility to monitor valid memberships. Each set of score sheets should have a place to enter the contestant's name, category and membership number. A club may allow a new shooter to compete one time without joining to help familiarize them with our sport. Matches must use the SCSA format, rules and approved courses of fire. To hold a State, Regional or National SCSA match, the hosting club MUST apply for SCSA approval and sanction. There will be a sanction fee of $5.00 per shooter with a $100.00 minimum fee. All tournaments are to award trophies or plaques only. The STEEL CHALLENGE PISTOL TOURNAMENT - WORLD SPEED SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS will remain as the only cash and merchandise SCSA tournament. Any exception to this rule must receive SCSA approval. No club or member shall attempt to compete with, change, or discredit in any way, the SCSA and/or Steel Challenge Pistol Tournament. The BOD said that they will not USPSA-ize the Steel Challenge. Does that extend to the lower level matches? Will there still be a club and individual SCSA membership, or will it be converted to the USPSA membership system? A USPSA membership is formatted differently than a SCSA membership. How will that be handled? Will activity fees now be charged for Steel matches? Will there still be a “Speed” publication, or will “Front Sight” incorporate that information? Will there be 2 different rule books published, or will Steel match rules be rolled into the USPSA rulebook? With more Steel Challenge matches being run (club, section, Area), I’m concernd with overburdoning those that support and sponsor The STEEL CHALLENGE PISTOL TOURNAMENT - WORLD SPEED SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS and possibly having a negative effect on the success of that premier match going forward. Good work Bruce Gary. Hang in there. I would only suggest that the BOD take a couple of years to concentrate on becoming familiar with running the Championship Match before trying to officially incorporate Steel Challenge matches into USPSA at a lower level.

Congratulations! USPSA is the proud owner of a practical shooting match that actually MAKES MONEY!!! Let's hope they prove to be good parents. All this talk of the SC being used as a vehicle to expand USPSA membership, or encourage interest in "the real practical shooting matches" it is presently known for, troubles me. All this talk of USPSA taking dominion over SC "lite" matches on the local level is equally troubling. Leave things alone. Concentrate your efforts on this premier event called the Steel Challenge. That is where the money is.

The proposed change to this bylaw should be reconsidered. Proposed: The President shall appoint the Vice President from among the currently elected Area Directors or DNROI for a one-year term, beginning each January. The office of Vice President shall have no vote. This will open up the possibility of a President appointing an AD, along with an AD's favorable vote to a president's agenda, to the VP position. The VP salary could be used as a tool to influence the BOD's business. Though the VP position alone has no vote, the combined AD/VP position does. This change also comes mighty close to violating bylaw 5.2, if not actually doing so. How will an AD/VP clearly delineate between AD and VP duties when doing the business of USPSA? The VP appointment is subject to the ratification of the BOD. Isn't it a conflict of interest to have an AD vote on his own VP appointment? An AD jointly holding the President's position has its problems too. Would a jointly held AD/P position have two votes on the BOD? How would you break a tie BOD vote if this were the case?

That is an interesting interpretation, but the muzzle of the gun is already covered by other rules. This rule covers the shooter. Under this new rule the muzzle can be safely pointed down range, but the shooter is determined to be still facing up range and receive a DQ. I can be facing up range at other times during the COF, with my muzzle facing down range, and not be given a DQ. Why during a draw is this a problem?

What is "facing up range"? Is it my head, my body, my feet? How much do I have to be turned "down range" to no longer be facing up range? I think this is important since DQs are going to be handed out.

Is this such important information requiring inclusion in the rule book? And, if my stakes protrude above the targets an inch or two, are you going to make me fix them, because the rule book shows something else? Come on, this is silly. Now, if the illustration warned us against putting the stakes in front of the scoring area of the targets, that would be useful. 9.1.7 covers this issue, and some scoring issues could surface if targets are mounted this way. For instance, how do you accurately score a partial hit on a target that has first passed through the stake without altering the target or its mounting?

Why is there no illustration of a female competitor showing compliance with 5.2.3.1? It seems that it would be as relevant as the illustration of "IPSC Joe". Bring the ladies along with the rule book evolutions.

Partially or wholly impenetrable makes no difference to me. The problematic word is "impenetrable". Targets are clearly being penetrated and the target that the bullet then hits is scored (9.1.5.3, 9.1.5.4).

Let me try explaining it this way .. The target is impenetrable as far as scoring OTHER targets is concerned, but it must be penetraded to for scoring the target itself. Does that help? A virtual hole, or non-hole; much like the mysteries of the perfect double. Words matter. Take the word freestyle. When it was adopted the Laws of Unintended Consequences took over. A slow retreat from a pure freestyle concept has been underway since, with many passionate arguments being made in its defense from the membership. The rule book still states the USPSA is freestyle, not semi-freestyle, sort of freestyle, or freestylish. Any changes that the BOD attempts to make to the rule book that "challenges" the freestyle rule will end up butting heads with the membership. Words matter in the rules, and words matter in the stage procedures we write. Words are one of the tools that a gamer uses. Choose them wisely.

Words matter. 9.1.5 A bullet cannot pass through the scoring area of a USPSA scoring target or no-shoot then hit another target for score or penalty. If a: .....yadda, yadda ,yadda.... Seems pretty simple.

I fully understand the intent of both 9.1.5 and 9.5.8. My point is that a target can't be both impenetrable and also require a round to pass through it to score. Targets do not need to be "deemed impenetrable" in order to make 9.1.5 work. The rule needs to have its verbiage massaged. Impenetrable is the wrong word to use.

2008 rule book: 9.1.5 Impenetrable – The scoring area of all USPSA scoring targets and no-shoots is deemed to be impenetrable. If a: 9.1.5.1 Bullet strikes wholly within the scoring area of a paper target, and continues on to strike the scoring area of another paper target, the hit on the subsequent paper target will not count for score or penalty, as the case may be. 9.1.5.2 Bullet strikes wholly within the scoring area of a paper target, and continues on to hit a plate or strike down a popper; this will be treated as range equipment failure. The competitor will be required to reshoot the course of fire, after it has been restored. 9.1.5.3 Bullet strikes partially within the scoring area of a paper or metal target, and continues on to strike the scoring area of another paper target, the hit on the subsequent paper target will also count for score or penalty, as the case may be. 9.1.5.4 Bullet strikes partially within the scoring area of a paper or metal target, and continues on to strike down or hit the scoring area of another metal target, the subsequent metal target will also count for score or penalty, as the case may be. 9.5.8 Hits upon scoring or penalty paper targets, must completely pass through the target to be considered a valid hit and count for score or penalty. A hit must pass through a target to score (9.5.8), but 9.1.5 says a target is impenetrable if the hit passes through and hits another targets. How can a target be impenetrable and have also been passed through to score, satifying 9.5.8?

Nice stage! A shooting box, ports, and targets. No shooting area, FFZ, stage boundaries, or 10.2.11. It was reasonably freestyle too. It really works well, if you try hard enough. Yah, those were the days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgRrWM4szz0