Lanzo

How is having to place mags at the hips or back a "unacceptable" position? If you want to shoot and compete in those classes then you have to follow the same rules as everyone else, regardless of your disability. No one should be telling you you can't shoot a production rig with mags in front of your hips. You can shoot whatever configuration you want as long as its safe. If you want to shoot those classes and put the mags in front of your hips then score yourself as limited minor and have at it. Too easy. You can't bend rules to suit people, that's why they are rules. They are there to place all competitors on the same playing field. Once you start...where do you stop? Good luck! --Lanzo The whole point is to shoo safely and have fun. When you start bending

Insanity will increase your agility more than P90X. Greater Agility = better shooting in the USPSA/IPSC sport. If you're goal is to get fit and improve your shooting Insanity is your best bet. Follow the plan and actually do the exercise...eat the right foods...and you'll get the results. Good luck! --Lanzo

Want to damage my hearing? I should be allowed to retaliate. Can't be seen on a bike? It's dangerous? Perhaps other choices are in order.... Damage your hearing? Seriously...you might be over reacting a bit. As for being allowed to retaliate, how about me being able to do something to allow me to be safer while riding? Even then, riding a motorcycle is a dangerous thing. But much of the danger is unnessacary. Much of it comes from people who just don't pay attention to anything other than what they have going on. Last month I had a person pull out in front of me on a double green and I ended up T-Boning him. 10,600 in damages. I walked away. I was lucky. I know others who haven't been. Pipes didn't make a difference in this case, but they do make a difference. The beauty of America is that it is a free country that allows us to enjoy the things we love freely. I like to ride my Harley. I like the way it sounds. I've earned my right to enjoy such a hobby and I have served with people who have done the same to enable you to enjoy your hobbies. You love to shoot, but i'm sure there are some people who live close to a range you shoot at that find gun fire annoying. Different strokes for different folks my friend. If they are too loud, ask them to quiet down. If they don't then take the next step, but don't bash people (and this goes to all posters) who love to ride there bikes just because you don't like the sound. --Lanzo

I'm having an Open Gun built this year and am debating on what sight to run with. My friend (and the gunsmith building the gun) was reluctant to the idea of me using any sight other than the ever prominent C-More. "Why do you think the C-More is the number one sight in USPA/IPSC?" My argument would be that is has become the standard. It's the one everyone uses. What I mean is by being so dominant in the market there really is no desire to experiment. People just go with the C-More because that's the one everyone uses so obviously it's the best. There has to be options out there? Abbate runs a Leupold Delta Point now. I know she sponsored by them and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it but what really makes the C-More better than any other? Has anyone ever experimented with other fast red dot optics and what do you think? I find the delta point kind of interesting...it seems like it could have a larger field of view than the C-More. Just looking for options...and opinions. --Lanzo E.T.A. -- I've run the C-More before and don't really have any complaints, but since this is the first gun i've ever been able to build from the ground up, i'm open to new ideas.

I'm with Jake. One guy may do it, but I am almost sure that if you ask him he'll say he wasn't "missing intentionally" because he thought it would be an advantage. The guys at the top push it to the limit and gobble up every pt they can get. When you push the limits of your ability (regardless of your level: D,C, B, A, M, or GM) misses happen. The thing about if how if the other guy shot clean seals it for me. They both pushed themselves and had some misses in there. The winner just pushed a bit faster. As for people talking about how shooting against lower classed shooters and "missing fast enough to win." WTF are we talking about here? If the top guy in C gets like 60th at a national or regional event he really didn't win anything. Instead of writing "60th place" on his trophy they replaced it with "1st C-Class." Mission "Get a Warm and Fuzzy" complete. Today's America man....Everybody makes the football team, everybody gets a trophy. Kind of sad when you think about it. --Lanzo ETA: +1 to smokshwn's last sentence.

Gotta say.... That was awesome! (Think Tommy Boy when the deer destroys the car) --Lanzo

I hate that over the weekend I lost two more of my brothers to the Global War on Terror. They stepped on a pressure plate and were killed by the subsequent IED explosion. RIP...your service won't be forgotten. Rest assured...this war is still going on, and American soldiers continue to put boot to cowardly Al-Qaeda and Talibani (or any other terrorist P.O.S.) @$$ for this country. The 75th will continue to put down those that need to be put down...no matter what the cost. "Readily will I display, the intestinal fortitude required, to fight on to the Ranger objective, and complete the mission, though I be the lone survivor." RLTW --Lanzo

IF they fix it for free, which is highly unlikely, you're going to end up waiting a while for the travel time of the consoles going back and forth. Take the bad one to a Gamestop and trade it in towards an Elite. I think they give you 70 bucks for the one that needs refurbed. I'm on my third 360...but I got lucky and ended up getting a used Elite while I was at Gamestop. I've had my Elite (the black one) forever and have never had any issues with it. I heard a long time ago that the white ones are notorious (I've had two) but they fixed all the buggy issues with the Elite's. I've never heard of anyone having any issues with an Elite system. --Lanzo E.T.A. Make sure they don't take you'rehard drive. They should offer it back to you when you trade it in, but make sure! Maybe you'll get lucky like I did and they'll have a Elite w/o a hard drive you can trade for.

Last time I checked we're still deploying on two fronts...and Afghan forces claim to be ready to take over soon...as in 2014 I don't know where you're talking about...but for the units i'm around, the ones who continually put boot to @$$ for this country, there is no hint of winding down. --Lanzo

I'm not sure I agree with the James Bond, but I definately see the Matrix connection. Easily the best movie I've seen this year. If you dive into it and pay attention to what they say and how stuff works it's really quite the ride. You can't just sit back idlely though...this an intelligent, thinking movie....not a mindless action fest (although those aren't bad either ) Exceptional...highly recommended.

It scored 76 on Rotten Tomatoes.... If they like it there...it's got to be awesome. They trash everything! --Lanzo

you are screwing your recoil control. You need to have a relaxed, loose core (minus whatever tension you need to hold a particular shooting position, etc)... Not a hit at you...but isn't that kind of a contradicting statement? I'd argue it takes really no more core engagement to stand than it does to hold a "particular position." That is unless were talking one of those EVIL weird bent over, turned sideways, shooting through a low port positions. I'd argue most shooters aren't actively engaging their cores at most any moment and most certainly would every shooter would benefit from an engaged core when shooting in postion. An engaged and ready core = preparation and in my experience it's always more beneficial for an athlete to be prepared for a stimuli rather than just react to it. Reaction = time and this is a time sensitive sport after all. I do agree though...when given the same shooting ability...the fitter guy always wins. --Lanzo

If it isn't mind boggling or life changing or some other kind of monumental B.S....the critics ALWAYS tear it apart. Some movies are just meant to be fun. It wans't the best i've ever seen, but it definately had moments that made me not regret going. "Well, I shot the first one and he accidentally shot the other. This stuff happens." LMAO. --Lanzo

If you had to buy a new grip for an open SV gun would you still go polymer or is the extra money worth it for steel or alum? I've heard of the metal ones being more rigid and helping recoil some. The weight is also a bonus. They've been out long enough that I would think poeple have had time to form solid opinions about them. Who has switched and have you really noticed a difference? Did you get a small or large? Alum or Steel? If I do buy a new grip I want to get the best I can...do it right from the start. Is it worth the extra couple hundred to have the metal? I've handled one and shot a few rounds, but it was a shorty (my SV is full size) and I didn't shoot it enough to notice if I would really like the change. It was a small grip. Felt awesome though! Thanks for your time. --Lanzo

I have an XBox, I play video games. I think it's funny how lots of things get blamed on video games. Video games have actually been proven to boost eye to hand coordination and I even read a story about athletes that played video games performed better. Quit blaming everything on the video game industry. It's not the real problem... I was a fat kid in Highschool, I was one of those kids that had trouble passing the basic Militay PT test that Ranger talks about. When I got to AIT I had trouble there to. Then I got orders to Germany. When I looked around I saw all my leadership, the people I was supposed to look up to, the people who were supposed to be my examples, were indeed fat bodies. They were lazy. I hated them. I realized if I went to Germany I might end up the same way. Why did I join the Army? I wanted better for myself. I'd been debating on volunteering for Airborne Ranger training but I was hesitant because I didn't think I'd be able to do it. Hell, I had trouble in basic right? But when I looked around I knew that I didn't want to be the way my leaders were, so I told myself I would try my damnest even if it killed me. 3 weeks later I was in jump school. When I graduated jump I spent three months in a holdover program trying to make it into the Ranger Indocrnation Program. I busted my ass the whole time, and never quit trying. I was made fun of, called a peice of shit, everything. But one day I made the grade, and made it into the training. When I was in the training it was the hardest thing I have ever put myself through. I struggled, but kept pushing. I just told myself I wouldn't be the last guy and I wouldn't quit, no matter what, until my body just gave out. I ran he whole 12 mile ruck (i've never been able to keep out of the slinky of a non-release ruck march). I made the cut...and succedded where others failed. 8 of of us left AIT together, two of us made it. I earned my scroll, my tan beret. I earned the title Ranger. I made it where others didn't and I get EXTREME satifaction out of when everyone who said I couldn't, who said I would fail, has to eat their words when my big chested Ranger boots wearin' @$$ walks in the door. That rant was a bit off topic, but it's important because I believe the problem here is drive. I didn't have any. Becoming a Ranger gave me the personal drive I needed to be successful. People are fat because there is no drive anymore. Kids are taught that they are enititled. Everyone makes the team....everyone gets to play. Not the people who work the hardest. Hell, when I was in highschool I didn't make it on to the freakin' golf team. THE GOLF TEAM. It's okay to be fat nowadays. "Your perfect the way you are...blah....blah....blah." Becoming fit develops drive....drive develops the will to succeed...and success (and even failures in the attempt to succeed) develops confidence. There is no confidence anymore and I think it's sad. When I was a kid I was never taught to be strong, to be confident. I think that is where the problem really lies. We need to teach drive and the want to be better, both for ourselves and others. Without it, this country will even more become what it is already on the path to....a country full of fat, "i'm entitled", puss's. Just my .02 cents.

John Travolta rocked it! I thought he was hilarious...."We got a thaaaaaaaaaaang." ETA: "I thought you already met my wife?" LOVE IT. As for the "F" bombs...there are a lot, but not really out of place. The "F" bomb is such a unique word. It can be used in so many ways...as Travolta points out in his valiant defense to get his "cans" through customs. If I was a spook, that's how I'd be! --Lanzo

How does that create an un-equal playing field? Lowering course design to accommodate the lowest common denominator is defiant towards the purpose of competition; which is of course to divine the best performers through a series of equal tests. What constitutes an equal test? I'd say equality in testing is chiefly in ensuring all competitors negotiate the same course of fire. If some people can't do it - they quite simply aren't the best practical shooter at the match that day. They can either improve upon that if they desire to, or not. If shooter A is losing time on shooter B because he can't run as fast, how is that any different from a shooter being unable to make a 25 yard head shot? Remember, this is practical shooting. Can you think of something more practical than some physical stress while shooting? Wouldn't that physical stress create a bigger separation in competitors - especially at the M and GM level? Not to mention it gives stage designers a whole new array of options to use. Yes that makes it harder, and people who have issues with their fitness will have to take than into consideration when preparing to shoot a match. Some people will take that challenge head on and improve their fitness and ability level to where they can compete with the best shooters in their class or division, some people won't. That's fine...everyone can't (and shouldn't) win. But all of a sudden that creates a gateway for shooters to push themselves even further to be better. The cool thing is, this effects no one in an adverse way. People that shoot for love of the sport will be there regardless. They may or may not attempt to negotiate the obstacles, and would take their licks accordingly. I've seen many elderly shooters choose to take a penalty instead of going through a cooper tunnel. They didn't complain about it. I'd contend that the people who choose not to negotiate the obstacles, likely wouldn't be winning the matches regardless. People that shoot because they love competition will embrace this whole heartedly because it makes winning more difficult - and thus more rewarding. In regards to the Range Officers, the difficulty of their time running shooters can easily be mitigated by good course design. You don't have to make someone run 100 meters in order to make a stage physically challenging. +100,000. I thought the "practical" part of practical shooting was applying YOUR ability, knowledge, and skill set to a pre-described challenge? Isn't that what walk through time is for? You figure out how YOU can run the course the best. If you can't get over something what about going around it? Shooting from a different position? Etc...If you get mad enough that a course is too physically demanding than maybe you should spend some time working on your fitness level? Agility and speed are tennants of this "sport" after all. Adjusting a course because your worried about certain people getting up a set of stairs or negotiating a shaky-bridge or whatever in my opinion is gross and just sad. If it bothers a shooter enough that they have to complain about it than there is a plus side. The beauty is THEY CAN CHANGE IT. Getting more fit will only benefit you, both in practical shooting and in life. You'll feel better, look better, live longer, and have more of a sense of accomplishment/pride. Anyone can just hang out and do nothing...but when you dedicate yourself to something...to self-improvement...you've become something more than just "anyone." Please realize i'm talking about the complainers here. Like Jake said....most who can't and shoot for the love of shooting don't even care. I have never once tried to purposely hold a person's fitness level against them. I used to be 250lbs @ 5'10", wore 44 or 45 waist pants, couldn't bench 100lbs, and did 12 pushups on my first Army PT test. Now I proudly serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment. I made the choice to be better, to push myself. While I do consider physical fitness as a responsabilty...I do understand that my attitude toward fitness is different, and must be different, because of my job. The only issue I have is by dumbing down anything you're settling for mediocrity. Don't settle for mediocrity...America already has enough people who are okay with that. --Lanzo

Please...tell me you're joking. You're kidding right? --Lanzo

Open is the shiznit! Anything else is child's play.... --Lanzo

LMAO. Ouch... --Lanzo

Sounds like Erik made a deal with the devil from the start You just nailed it. Not losing money? Maybe not "losing," but Buell was down revenue wise on all fronts. Their stock was down substantially. Buell has made under 200K bikes in it's 26 years of business. HD will make over 200K this year alone. If a company sees a trend and wants to jump ship before they go under can you really blame them? I'm not saying Buell would have gone under (who really knows) and Buell has definately made some cool bikes...they just had one win the AMA Daytona Sportbike Championship...but what we're talking about here is capitalism...which is a good thing. HD owns Buell. HD feels Buell is no longer moving there business forward. HD disolves Buell so it can focus on the brand that actually does grow their business....HD. It does suck....since Buell isn't a stand alone business it can't really be "sold," just disolved. Erik showed that the few and passioned can keep up with the giants as far as engineering goes, but if you're not putting up numbers you're not putting up numbers. HD is doing what they feel they need to do to help achieve the goal of every business...to make more money and grow. How does that make them "the devil?" There are plenty of other situations where this happens. Not everything can be perfect in the world...you win some...you lose some. Sometimes it's bad...sometimes it's good. All you can really do is hope the good outnumbers the bad. My best to Erik and all his future endeavors. --Lanzo

Amazing that someone with so much going for him chooses to do what he's doing. Congratulations...to both B.J. and your family. My best goes out to BJ in all his Army endeavors! --Lanzo

So...this is crazy for me...but I actually won a match last weekend. The real reason for this post is to say thank you to the people who made/make me shooting possible. Thank you Mark for basically everything, Alan for the friendship and mentorship, Joe for letting me pay off equipment, Bobby for giving me the opportunity to shoot for Freedom Gunworks even though I don't have a shirt yet , Susan (because I know your the real boss at FGW ) , Kevin for your friendship, Ronnie for your comraderie/"sportsmanship", EAGC, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. Without you guys I wouldn't be able to shoot...and I wouldn't have near as much fun doing it. My success is your success...and even though I know I just hung on long enough to squeeze out the "W" on a definate survival match...I'm excited! Can't wait to hit the range with you guys again! 1st B Open. 1st Open Division. HOA/1st for entire match! (48 Shooters)

Frame. I don't even want to imagine what that thing would look like moving on the slide. I would think getting a sight picture on quick doubles would be horrific.... --Lanzo

It wasn't anything special when compared to other stuff he's put out, but I love it when he shoots the fat guy. HILARIOUS. --Lanzo