Bear1142

ugh! I just found out I won't be able to make the match. A last minute work commitment just raised it's ugly head. Sorry Sam, maybe next year. Erik

Alan, This company wouldn't be located in Manassas, would it? Erik

Benny, I might have to borrow that high-speed M2. I don't think my benelli can keep up with me on this one. Erik

Extreme IDPA Erik

Lycanthrope, Sorry, I thought you were using the gas block as your front sight mounting platform. If you going to use the globe style attachments on your barrel then Kelly, Eric, & Pat are the experts. Erik

Lycanthrope, The only real difference between the 18" and 20" is the 18" has little slower velocity (but not enough of a loss to make a difference) and it's close quarters manuverability is a little better. The barrel contour has more to do with how well the rifle swings, not the extra two inches. I prefer the shorter barrel, I think it balances better and is a bit more manuverable, but I'm in the minority. Most guys like the longer 20" barrels. Erik

Sterling, I like it. Talk about match pressure. How about when your "owner" comes up to you before a big stage and says, " I've got $500 ridin' on you, don't F*** this up!" And on another note, OUCH! Well that actually sums up my season so far, a dollar short and a second slower. Maybe the 3-gun season will be kinder to me. Erik

With respect to this rule, is a chamber flag needed if you case your rifle and shotgun? I don't like to leave'm out on the rack during stages. Erik

Alma, I'm not picking on you, but I don't understand your attitude? If you make it into the Pro class, you'll be on a competitive level with the top 2% of GM's. You won't be "donating" your money, you'll be competing for the win. People don't come into this sport at the top. They work hard and get better. How many people were betting that our own BE'r Smitty was going to win Area 6? He worked hard and he beat one of the toughest field of Limited GM shooters this side of the Nationals. There were something like 13 Limited GM's at an AREA match. That is incredible! Stop doubting yourself. When you reach the Pro level, you won't be giving anything away. If you shoot a good match, you'll have the skill level to beat the best and take the win. Erik

When you get to Max's level, you won't be giving it to him. He'll have to win it by beating you. Erik

Loves2shoot, While I appreciate your comments, here are some things to consider. Yes, that is absolutely try, BUT, you have to establish an identity and a track record of winning or performing at a very high level before a bunch of people are going to start dropping $400-$500 per day for your instructor skills. Also, not all GM are good instructors and all the good instructors are not necessarily GM's. But being a GM with a track record will convince people to give you a try, how well you can teach is what will keep them coming back. Your gonna have to school me on this one. You see it as isolation? I see it as an incentive for shooters to strive for. Once you make Professional class, you have a shot (no pun intended) at competing for more money. I see it like the PGA, even the last place finisher still gets some money under the graduated pay-out system. Why couldn't a similar system work here? We are, with more prize money Not quite sure what you're saying? Are you saying the matches should pay the GM's to shoot? I certainly don't think that will fly, and I don't know any club that doesn't work very hard to provide a great match. Absolutely, this is one of the great aspects of our sport and like I said previously, If you attract a lot of top GM's along with putting on a great match, you'll have no problem filling the match. Like CHP5 stated, make it 95% of a major match score and include Area matches and you'll have many more in the Professional class. Off the top of my head you can move Shannon Smith, Seeklander, Butler, Tomasie, Miguez, Strader, and add Ara Maljian. This is just from Area's 1, 6, 7, and 8.

Flex, Sorry for not giving all of the background information. This idea was a response to Bruce's idea about having a Pro/Am type entry fee. Someone responded that nobody would voluntarily pay the higher entry fees. This was an idea spun off of the A1 thread. Flex and Loves2shoot, Here's the idea. Yes, you are paying more to shoot, but you're competitive pool is very small. Money generated from the higher Professional class fees are used only for payback to the Professional class shooters (minus the same percentage for match expenses the regular entry fees generate.) Here's an example, say there are 5 Professional class shooters in Limited at any given match. Say their entry fees are $350 instead of $150. So 350x5= $1,750. Say $250 of that helps to cover match expenses, then you have $1,500 for prize money. You can either make the match a winner takes all or set up a % system. First place get 50%, Second gets 25%, third gets 10%, etc.. all the way down to 5th. As Loves2shoot stated, we have all spent a lot of money to get where we are. This type setup allows the top 2 %, mostly the true Professional shooters to setup a much bigger stakes match that is financially worthwhile for them to attend without diminishing the resources (prizes/cash/plaques) of the regular classes. You no longer have a setup where the lower B,C,& D class shooters are subsidizing the upper level GM's. Yes, the Professional's pay more, but the are rewarded much better. I also like the idea of match performance in addition to classifier % being used to determine the Professional class.

Has the time come to create a "Professional" class? Simply, anyone whose classifier % is above 98% graduates to the Professional class. They compete for the overall win only and pay enhanced entry fees with either a winner takes all cash prize or a graduated prize scale for everyone in the Professional class, similar to golf or Nascar. No trips to the prize table, no plaques. The enhanced entry fee can either be as much or as little as the MD decides. You must have at least two in class to participate in payout structure. If you're the only Professional in your division, then you pay the standard entry fee and can compete in the match, but do receive any cash/prizes/plaques/or titles. Professional class shooters only compete against each other and not the standard USPSA classes. It might need some tweeking, but it's a start. Erik

Happens every day in my line of work. You come to expect it. Erik

Weaver Classic Variable 1-3x20. I've used it for about three years. I think it's the most underrated scope in 3 gun. It's a true 1 power scope, great field of view, good clear glass, in an small light-weight package. It will serve you well out to about 300 yards. Past 300, the 3 power setting starts to get a little light for precision work, but it can be done. Best of all is the price, usually around $175. Erik

I wanted to come out to A1 because I wanted to see Montana, but the conflict with A8 made that impossible. In deciding which one to do, I went with A8 because of it's reputation as an outstanding match with excellent stage designs and match administration. A8 also has a reputation for providing an excellent prize table (although I disagree with the random drawing process), at least I had the chance to get something. Please don't interpret my reasons for selecting A8 over A1 as having anything to do with A1 not putting on an excellent match. I've never been to one and I can't make any comments about the quality of their matches, but I can tell you if two matches are the same weekend and one is a trophy only and the other is a prize table match, the decision is pretty simple. Erik

cking, Nice setup. It should serve you well. Erik

Sam, Application went out today. Erik

Stingerjg, Nice 3-Gun rifle. Erik

Count me in, I'll get my app. to you soon. I actually have a title to defend! Erik

Tracers are generally loaded every 5th round. I would say it's a helecopter gunship. You can hear the buzz of the mini-gun almost immediately. AC-130's operate at a much higher altitude. Erik

HUH? I guess that's why I never earned my Aeronautical Engineering degree. You guys don't speak english. Erik

Kelly, Thanks for the kind words, now if I could only reload as fast as you and Kurt, I might be dangerous. Erik

I did have to shoot minor at the Nationals last year, but I had some mitigating factors that helped in my overall performance. First, I shot two stages and then got to the Chronograph. I was fortunate enough to learn I minored early in the match and I was able to switch my focus around. Shooting major, you accept some level of C's, irrespective of how you got them, for the sake of speed. Shooting minor is all about getting the A. I was able to adjust and shoot some pretty high A counts. I think there was a time when shooting a 9mm/38super minor limited gun may have been a viable choice, but since the PF has been reduced to 165, there are some pretty soft 40 S&W loads out there and I don't see giving up major point scoring for a marginal reduction in recoil as being a winning setup. Don't get me wrong, I have a 9mm, 5", SV that is an absolute cheater gun. It's incredibly soft and fast, but I don't think I can shoot it fast enough, compared to my 40, to make up the scoring difference. When the PF was 175, well, that was a different story. Erik

Going to the range today to check my zero's and get in a quick practice session, then I'm heading west. I'm looking forward to the match, but being a rookie, I hope Benny takes it easy on me. Erik