Bear1142

Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, I will not be able to attend. Maybe next year. Erik

The original concept was to provide a small personal defense weapon for pilots, air-crew, mechanics, cooks, etc.. that was more effective than a pistol (Very similar to the M1 Carbine of WWII.) With the proliferation of personal body armor, FN pushed the concept of a pistol that could defeat body armor, and it will. It is not the be all/end all of firearms design, but it effectively accomplished what it was designed for. I've shot both the pistol and the sub-gun. There's something very comforting about dumping a 50 round magazine into the "A" zone of a target at 15 yards with no "points down." Erik

I'm going to have to disagree with Kurt on this one. Remember one thing about USGI Mil-Spec magazines, LOW BID. You will probably get very good service out of the standard springs but why take the risk? Many competitors are now using lightened bolt carriers or carriers made of different materials that reduce their weight. If you reduce the weight of the carrier, you're going to increase the bolt cycle speed. Increasing your cycling speed could cause your bolt to start stripping rounds from the magazine early, which changes the feed angle into the chamber, causing some feeding problems. Installing an extra power magazine spring will help the magazing "keep up" with the faster cycling bolts. I think it's cheap insurance. I'm not running out to replace every magazine spring in my inventory, but I did "spring" (pun intended) for 4 ISMI extra power mag spring for my 3-gun AR. If you're using a standard AR with no modifications then standard magazines are probably okay. If you're using an AR with a modified operating system, I would think about using some higher quality magazine springs. George, I'm assuming this is with the JP aluminum carrier system, not the lightened steel one? I don't know why anyone would put a system into the rifle that tends to not last more than 2000 rounds. Erik

I wouldn't buy one because I don't like the large girth of the 20/21 grip. On the other hand, I'd wait in line for a 34/35 setup in 45 GAP. Erik

My addictions are the Naked Gun movie series. I could act the first one from memory. Everytime it's on, I have to watch it and it's killing my practice time. HBO has it on like every day for the last two months. Robin Hood and Space balls are close seconds. Erik

Although I haven't sent in my application yet, I plan on attending. Erik

TBF, Don't waste your time. The rainbow trajectory of the 7.62x39 round make it unsuitable for 3-gun competitions. Erik

SWEET! One less GM in Limited I have to deal with! Enjoy the drag race. EriK

Dammit! Another Grandmaster secret revealed. Erik

I think someone is spending a little too much time on EBay. SoupNazi mode on/ "Dirtypool40, NO SOUP FOR YOU!!, NOW GET BACK TO YOUR DRYFIRING!!"/ SoupNazi mode off Erik

Just as soon as Dave Sevigny switches, so will I. I'm a follower, not a leader. Erik

Mousekiller, Stick with the ISMI springs. "Better ingredients make a better pizza." Erik

Justin, Good luck, stay safe, and shoot first. Thank you for protecting us. Erik

Religious Shooter, I, like you, try to maintain a "zone" type approach to my shooting. A few things I've noticed. I also find it hard to maintain my focus during three gun stages. I attribute it to the longer nature of the stages. Most of the stages at RM3G were over 50 seconds as compared to the 10-20 second stages you see at pistol only matches. It's definitely easier to stay in the zone for 10 seconds rather than 50+. A technique that helps me is to devote more program time to a stage. Sometimes as much as three or four times longer, especially on the shotgun stages. At major matches with complex stages, it's absolutely critical to arrive early and look at the stages. I easily spent 1/2 hour working through the shotgun stage at the mine shaft at the RM3G the day before the match. It definitely paid off. It was my best shotgun stage and one of my better stages in the whole match. The more complex the stage, the more prep time you need to give yourself. Erik

Ahh, the sobriety checkpoint, what memories As a person who has been on the other side of the sobriety checkpoint on many occasions, here's a few other tidbits of information for all you "haters." All checkpoints are REQUIRED under Supreme Court rulings to have an exit prior to the checkpoint. That's right boys and girls, the same overbearing, trample your rights, no concept of freedom, Supreme Court, mandates an exit route allowing citizens to avoid the checkpoint. You are not required to enter it. AND the if you choose to avoid the checkpoint the police can not use that as a reason to stop you vehicle as you drive away from the checkpoint. Now if you violate traffic laws like performing an illegal u-turn, then they can stop you for that violation. Another tidbit of information is that you cannot stop every vehicle or any vehicle you choose. You must have a pattern that is mandated prior to stopping your first vehicle and it is not allowed to change during the checkpoint (usually they stop every 2nd or 3rd vehicle) If a car comes through and it's not it's "turn" to be checked, it must get waived through the checkpoint. There is no law preventing LE officers from talking to you (Basically, Erik's encounter.) There is also no law requiring you to talk to the police (Which Erik informed them of, in his dry sense of humor style.) After which, both parties parted ways. Just one more piece of "advice." Do with it what you will. You do not have to be under arrest to be detained. Police can hold you for an investigatory detention to determine certain investigative facts (Too many to get into here.) I would be very careful about forcing the "if I'm not under arrest, then I'm leaving" issue. If the officer can articulate reasonable suspicion for the investigative detention, then he can use any amount of force necessary to hold you. When you start down this road, you generally get things like, Disorderly conduct and Obstruction of Justice charges added which now allows an arrest. Shortly thereafter, you'll probably see a resisting arrest charge. My impartial counsel is this, if you decide to go down this road, you'd better be 100% sure your right. For the record, I'm taking no sides in this issue, although I have one. Just some information to help you guys make good decisions. I guess Erik is just lucky. Erik

After last years USPSA 3-Gun Nationals, KellyN had the good idea to start an equipment setup list for the match. In continuing with that excellent idea, what division did you shoot and what was your setup? Tactical Optics Rifle- .223 AR-15, Bushmaster Lower, JP 18" ultra-light barrel, JP Free float tube, TTI Eliminator compensator, Standard bolt carrier, Hard chromed bolt, A1 stock, with a (Benny Hill recommended) Simmons 1.5-5 Pro-Diamond scope, along with some small personal goodies. Shotgun- 21" Benelli M1 Super 90 (pistol grip), vent rib, nothing fancy. Pistol- SV 38 Limited Gun, Long dust cover, bull barrel, lightened slide. Erik

Okay, who used a Beta Mag at the RM3GN? Did it work or did it cost you a stage? Was it more difficult to use in the tight positions (Like the pine tree-stage 1) or did it not get in your way? Was it fully loaded or downloaded? Was it necessary or would a well-timed reload work just as well? Inquiring minds want to know? Erik

WARNING! Cliche is imminent! If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Erik

As always, Benny is a man of very few, but very important words. Erik

Doug, Had I seen this thread early enough, I would have advised you against it. You know the saying about making "chicken salad out of chickensh*t, but it looks like you're well along your way. I've got some spare 1911 parts laying around. Send me a list of things you need and I'll see if I've got anything for you. Erik

For Carlos, Roger, Brian H., and everyone else that went above and beyond in weather conditions that ranged from hot & humid to torrential downpours, to put on a Championship match that rivaled the best National level matches with far less support or staff, I can only offer my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations on a job very well done. The last time I shot a match of this quality in a half-day format was...last years match! Erik

Stingerjg, Stick with the EOTech 552. You'll need the night vision compatibility with your other gear, and most of your other gear uses AA batteries, so finding them "in country" shouldn't be a problem. If you can afford it, I would look into some low powered optics. If current ROE are still applicable, you can engage anyone with a weapon. Most troops I know are now using optics for better target identification at longer distances. The 552 will serve you well, but unless you're on an assault element doing CQB, I would look into getting some good optics. Erik

UPS center was closer than the USPS center. Erik

I hate companies that make me drive 8 miles to the UPS center and PAY to ship their product back for repair when their facility is only 5 miles from my house. And don't get me started on diode's that are considered "Wear" parts and are only warrantied for 30 days. Erik

I seem to use my slow hand, regardless of which side of my body it's on. Erik