Bruce Bethell

Jesse, I'm not showing your entry, but mail from OK to here is sometimes a little slow. I have not checked mail this weekend. A Post-It note has been left for the Chairwoman of the Registration Department (my secretary) to send you an email if the entry is not here Monday. Bruce

Not trying to be argumentative (actually, it's just natural), but why would I have to shoot in Open class with my Limited guns? and YES, my HML app will be in the mail next week. michael If Heavy Metal doesn't make a Division, we'll give you options, per outline in the above post. If you don't declare otherwise, the RM can put you in a suitable Division. Open Division is default if you start the match without declaring. Look at Rule 6.2.5. and sub's. Look forward to receiving your HM entry, and hopefully enough will follow to make it happen. Bruce

Sorry for the delay in responding to several questions or comments the last couple of days. A local match this weekend, plus having to work every now and then to make the bills. AREA 4 AFFILIATION: Had some early discussions with Phil Stradder about making this an Area 4 Multi gun match. Everyone just had too much on their plate to put this idea together. Maybe next year. USPSA MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT: This is a Level II USPSA sanctioned match, and requires USPSA membership to shoot. The cost of USPSA membership is less than the cost of ammo for a local match. Sign up at www.uspsa.org, then enter this match. ENTER AND PAY NOW OR LATER: You are entered in the match with a paid entry. Last year, we had 117 entries, which is really too many for our range set up and a two day shoot. We may have to put some limits on entries this year. Get you paid entry in early, to guarantee a slot. HEAVY METAL: USPSA rules require five actual scored shooters to make a Division. For the last 2 or 3 years, we have just barely had enough Heavy Metal shooters to make a Division. We had enough last year only because I made some phone calls a week or 10 days before the match and solicited some people to change to Heavy Metal in order to make a Division. So, for you Heavy Metal shooters, here is the offer. Get together. Commit in advance to shooting Heavy Metal. Get me at least 7 paid entries for Heavy Metal before September 20, 2011, which is about 40 days before the match. If we get these entries, we'll email everyone and let them know that Heavy Metal is a recognized Division. If we don't get enough entries to make a Division, we'll give everyone the option of other Divisions. If you enter for Heavy Metal, let us know Limited or Tactical. If we can't make both Limited and Tactical Divisions, but can make one, we'll let you know to pull the optics, oil up the pump gun, and everyone will shoot Heavy Metal Limited. Keep in mind that if we don't score at least 5 shooters in Heavy Metal, those shooters get put into Open for scoring purposes. Thanks for the inquires. Keep them coming. We'll do our best to accommodate. Bruce

Plan for the last weekend in October. Arkansas USPSA Section has set the Section Multi Gun match for October 29 and 30. Last year saw 117 entries, making this one of the best USPSA Multi Gun matches in the country. You'll see some improvements this year. The 300 yard range has been designed to be functional. Might still see some prop guns on a stage or two, but the good news is that the derringer has never been recovered from the bottom of the Arkansas River, where it was thrown in the middle of last year's match. Debby Pankratz, Multi Gun Director for OFGC, is this year's Match Director, and has some great stages in production process. Couple of new, fun props for stages. Maybe shoot into a cave, and from the sunroof of a limo. Who knows what Deb and her crew will come up with, but you can be assured it will be both fun for all and challenging for everyone. Entry form is attached, assuming I can make that happen. Form is also available at www.ofgc.org. We are going to use USPSA online squading this year, so get your group together. More details, including match hotel, with great rates, and sponsors and prize table info will be posted soon. As an added bonus, the first 1,473 entries will receive FREE parking at the Range. Bruce Bethell 2011 Multigun entry form final.pdf

Nice video, love the music...I wondered if anyone went under the porch rail! ;-) Side porch rail on the second building on Stage 8? Ryan Hunt went under it, quite nicely, I might add. Bobby Hough, CRO on Stage 8, said a couple other people tried, but with less success. Bruce

In my experience, for reloading you can't beat Dillon. dillonprecision.com Their 'You break it, we'll fix it' guarantee is absolute. Every time I break a part, which is on a regular basis, they send me two new ones, so I'll have a back up. Friend of mine blew up a primer feed tube on the press, his fault. Did so much damage, Dillon had him ship the press back to them to rebuild, at no charge. Glad you enjoyed the match, and hope to see you back next year. Tom Loyd said I can't use the derringer again, unless I get the trigger lightened -- a lot! He would also to see it fixed with a compensator and EoTec sight. Bruce

Lock up your sheep everybody! Are there any slots left in this match? I feel like kickin' some a$$ all of a sudden!!! If you can figure some way to get your a$$ to FSM by shooters meeting on Saturday at 0730, we'll find a way to put your kicker in place. The OK shooters already have the sheep in the pen. Bruce, a/k/a Pump Daddy, the one with the Rem 870

Analysis is correct. You won't need a sling for this match. Bruce Could I use a sling instead of grounding my rifle or shotgun on those tables? NO. USPSA Rules don't provide for movement with guns slung. Bruce

Analysis is correct. You won't need a sling for this match. Bruce

Parking is close to the stages. Stages 1 to 6 are next to each other. Might want to move the car to Stages 7 and 8, then move around the corner to Stage 9. Then it's back to the far other side of the Range to Stage 10. The entire Range covers 35 acres. Stage 9 on the far east side, Stage 10 on the west. Bruce

Thanks for posting the letter, Jesse. I've been a little busy, and forgot to put it here. Should answer a lot of last minute questions, like coming to the Range on Friday and wandering around. Ignore the sign at the front gate that says Range Closed. That is for our Club general membership to let them know they will need to use our other range for weekend plinking. Bruce

Shot size is 7 1/2 or smaller. That will reach out and touch everything. Keep in mind our local rule regarding shooting paper targets with bird shot rather than slugs. Couple places you will need to watch the mix in the tube. Shoot paper with bird shot, and the shooter is required to tape the target all by themselves. Bruce

If you are still trying to make up your mind, think fast. I've got an even dozen slots left open before I hit saturation point. Entry form is attached, or you can find it at the Practical Pistol section at www.ofgc.org. This is going to be a fun match, with a prize table that makes it worth the trip. Lots of neat stuff, including several guns that will go to shooters by random draw. Round count and stages are posted above. Get your entry in soon. Bruce 2010 Multigun entry form.pdf

Sorry I've let a couple questions posted here go unanswered. Been out in the wilderness for most of a week, without access to anything. Flights to the match: To fly into Fort Smith, got to go through Dallas on American Eagle, or Memphis on Delta Connection. Northwest Arkansas Regional (XNA) is an option. Near Fayetteville, AR, about hour and a half north of Fort Smith. Entry confirmation: We've tried to send a confirmation to everyone as soon as the application was received. Stages, match hotel, other info went out to everyone (hopefully) a week or so ago. If you have registered and not received either, or if you send in an app and don't get the info within a couple days, email me at brucebethell@sbcglobal.net and I'll get it to you. Print your email clearly on the app, as we have a little trouble reading some. Available slots: Slots are still available. I'll post here when we get close to the max number of shooters we can handle. Entry form is on a couple posts above, at www.ofgc.org, or email me and I'll send one. Bruce

Brandon, Slots are still available. Entry form, with match info, is a www.ofgc.org, click on Practical Pistol on the left, look for Multi gun. Or send me an email at brucebethell@sbcglobal.net and I'll send an entry form and other info. Bruce

A reminder to Novice Multi Gun shooters. The Arkansas Section Multi Gun match is THE place to break into matches using all three guns. We work on making stages that will appeal to GM's and new shooters alike. Every shooter at our match has, at some time in the past, shot their first match. If this is your first match, we don't want it to be your last. Arkansas Section is proud to be one of the few (if any) matches that provides the LOW SCORE GUARANTEE. Come shoot with us, have fun, learn a little about Multi Gun. If you should happen to end up as the low score in your Division, we have a special incentive prize. In addition to a trip to the Prize Table, low score in each recognized Division will receive a Paid Entry to next year's Arkansas Section Multi Gun Championship match. Our way of saying, "Hang in there, Dude (or Dude'ss). We want you back!" Sign up today. You are going to the most user friendly match you will ever attend. BVD, Bruce

Thought I had these problems fixed when I upgraded from MS-DOS to Windows 3. Final stages are attached. Bruce MG stages 4.pdf

First batch of stages for the AR Section Multi gun are attached. I can't figure out how to load them all on a single post. Something about the file being too big. I suspect the undersigned's file of computer knowledge is too small. Final two stages will go on a subsequent post. Sorry you have to fish around, but at least they're all going to be here. Bruce MG stages 1.pdf MG stages 2.pdf MG stages 3.pdf

Shooters, October 30 and 31, Old Fort Gun Club in Fort Smith, AR. Another great AR Section Multi gun match. Stages are finished, but the file was too large to attach here. I'll break them down into several smaller files, and post them here tomorrow. Remember, stages may look a little different when they get on the ground. Stage count is 10, not the 11 originally figured. Round count is 290. Breakdown is handgun, 95; rifle, 102; shotgun, 93 (including 16 slugs). Longest rifle shot will be 300 yards, all our Range will handle. Couple of slugs at 50 yards or so. Match hotel is the Candlewood Suites, located at 7501 Madison Avenue, Fort Smith. Just off Phoenix Avenue, near the airport. Same property as last year, but even lower rates. Use the code "Gun Match" to reserve a single for $74 per night, double for $84, or a 2 room suite for $96. Nice property, only about 2 years old, and about as close to the Range as you can get in Fort Smith and have indoor plumbing. Local number is (479) 424-3800. Check out the property at www.candlewoodsuites/fortar.com. Prize table is growing every day. Overall match sponsors are Springfield Armory and DPMS, so you know some folks will leave with new guns, including some by random draw among all shooters. If you have not signed up yet, entry form is attached. Slots are limited, so get yours in the mail soon. Questions? Email me at brucebethell@sbcglobal.net, or call daytimes at (479) 785-4558. Bruce Bethell 2010 Multigun entry form.pdf

Plans are coming along for the Arkansas Section Multi gun Championship match at Old Fort Gun Club in Fort Smith, AR on October 30 and 31. Stages are in final draft form, and the run down looks like this. Ten stages instead of eleven as originally planned, but round count is 290 total. Breakdown is: handgun, 95 rounds; rifle, 102 rounds; shotgun slugs, 16 rounds; shotgun birdshot (please 7 1/2 or smaller) 77 rounds. Longest rifle shots will be at 300 yards, the best we can do with our range. As you might expect at Arkansas Section, Rule MG 5.1.8 will slip in on a couple of stages. Just to keep things fun, we've borrowed a little equipment from our Sporting Clays group, and the stage "Dodge City" will be set up on the Cowboy Action bay, complete with their "Saloon" and "Jail." Final stages will be posted here as soon as they are available. Staff will shoot the match on Friday, October 29, and everyone is of course welcome to come out and watch. If you want to sight in when you get here, we will have the 300 yard, 100 yard, and a pistol bay available on Friday, so long as you stay out of the way of the staff shoot. Negotiations on the match hotel will be finished next week, and details will be posted here. Real nice property, close to the range, and rates are going to start at $74 per night. As always, the prize table is looking good. Springfield Armory and DPMS, to name just a few, will be present. The "Road Kill Committee" has been scouring the back roads for Saturday lunch, and it's gonna be lip smackin! Two months out, and already over one third of available slots are taken. Entry form is attached here, and is also available at the Arkansas Section web site (linked through www.casarange.com) and at www.ofgc.org. Any questions, feel free to email me direct at brucebethell@sbcglobal.net, or call me at (479) 785-4558 [daytime] or (479) 452-2918 [evenings]. Bruce 2010 Multigun entry form.pdf

Our Club also has two Stars, one by Terry and the newer one by MGM. We experienced the same problems with the MGM model, i.e., plates fall from vibration and movement. Two weeks ago at the ProAm steel match in Tulsa, one of our Directors was working as an RO, and talked to Mike Gibson about the problems. The next day, Mike made a detour of several hundred miles to come to Fort Smith and go with me to our Range to look at the Star. Mike's explanation, and demonstration, showed that the MGM Star is sensitive to being set up in such a way as to be out of vertical, especially from front to back. By leaning the Star slightly front or back, Mike was able to duplicate the problems we experienced with the equipment during matches. As additional help, Mike called his factory and had them ship a new set of springs, free of charge. Let me add that we have not had an opportunity to put Mike's explanation to the test. It will take a little planning to find a good, flat spot to set up the MGM Star for our next match. I would also note that we have not had the same "out of vertical" problems with Terry's Star. As noted by earlier posts, the 400 grade steel (Terry's) vs. the 500 grade steel (MGM) is certainly an issue. All things being equal, you can't find customer service like MGM's anywhere else in the market. Mike literally went out of his way to make things right with his product. As long as I am Director of Practical Pistol here (and it looks like that may be a long time), you'd be hard pressed to get me to buy poppers from anyone other than MGM. By passing along Mike's demo, I hope this might help some other Club. Pump Daddy, the guy with the 870 at the Multi Gun match.

If I am running a shooter, my problem with dumping rounds to abandon an empty gun is distinguishing between a "dump" and an AD. If I am shooting, my attention is naturally going to shift to the transition to the next gun. I agree that the chances of that last round leaving the berm by an over shoot, or hitting the ground and bouncing out, tip the safety scales in favor of a hot gun, safety on, in a barrel or on a table with side rails, both pointed in a safe direction. I am MD for the Arkansas Section Multi-Gun coming up October 30 and 31 at Old Fort Gun Club in Fort Smith, AR. I'm about half way through setting stages for the match, and I have always liked the "Multi" part of Multi-Gun. Our SC has suggested a mix of (2) RPS, (2) RP, (2) RS, (2) PS, and one each with only R, P & S, for a total of 11 stages. I'll keep the round mix of the three guns within the 25% variance suggested by USPSA, but Tom may have to live with more guns on a couple of stages. If all else fails, I could always throw in another prop gun or two. (Nobody except me seems to like prop guns, but I think they add a little fun and challenge to the match. They keep people talking about the match long after it is over, and besides, I am the MD, so ......) I'll watch here for more input on the mix of guns on stages. My goal is to design a MG match that shooters want to come back and shoot next year, and the best way to accomplish that goal is to listen to folks who have been there, done that. Pump Daddy, the one with the Rem 870.

We're gearing up for the Arkansas USPSA Section Multi Gun Championship Match. Dates are October 30 and 31 at Old Fort Gun Club (OFGC) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Shoot 11 fun and challenging stages, round count 250+. Of course, we will throw in a few surprises to make the event memorable. Great prize table, most by finish and some by random draw, plus plaques by 3-5-7. BBQ lunch on Saturday is included with the entry, genuine Arkansas Road Kill. If you've shot this match before, there is good news. OFGC has built some new bays, so we won't double up on the 100 yard line to avoid the bottleneck. Good mix of guns on the stages, with some rifle shots out to 300 yards. This match has been growing each year, so get your entry in early. I received a phone call today, the Marines are sending A Few Good Men from their new 3 Gun Team. More information, including stages and match hotel will be posted here when available. Entry form is attached (if I can figure out how), or find it at www.casarange.com, go to Links then Arkansas Section. Got questions, contact me at brucebethell@sbcglobal.net, or call me daytimes at (479) 785-4558. Bruce Bethell 2010 Multigun entry form.pdf

We use a single "U" shaped PVC stand, inside diameter to hold furring strips. Bottom is width of the target. A 90 connector on each end, and the upright part is about 8 inches to insert strips. Two holes drilled in the cross bottom piece for stakes. Can be set upright, or tilted back to make the targets lean back for close up shots. Joints are done with short screws instead of PVC glue. If one part gets shot, or just breaks with time, pull two screws, replace only the damaged leg, and salvage the rest of the stand. An upright rack made of a top and bottom plywood square and 2x4's placed up and down sorta like this from the top X X stacks a bunch of them neatly. X Pretty cheap, and they seem to last along time.

Glad everyone enjoyed the match. I'm already planning next year's event. Cleaned and oiled the coach gun. Selected some young 'birds' for Kamikaze training. Trying to figure how you could start a stage with a black powder muzzle loader. (PM to Odie: In Arkansas, it takes very little to be deemed married. We also have a law that says when a couple gets a divorce, they remain first cousins.) Results just got posted to USPSA Major Matches! Sorry for the delay. If you liked the match, tell your friends and bring them next year. Although the weather was great (for August in Arkansas), I'll try to schedule it a little later next year. Too many conflicts this year. If there was anything you didn't like about the match, or have any suggestions for improvement, please let me know. brucebethell@sbcglobal.net I honestly want everyone's input to keep this as a great match. Pump Daddy