[Tactical Rant, sorta]

I Really like Patrick's rules. They are a mix of the two prevailing rule sets out there. (USPSA and IMA)

As I have read this thread the MM3G and the Rockyy mountain 3-gun" thread I have noticed that most of what people want is a set of rules that seams reasonable. Here are my examples:

In IMA rules if you have a shotgun over 22" in length guess what- Your in Open. Same thing with a comp on a standard AR-15. As I look around at what is being sold and what is available to most shooters who want to start doing 3-gun competitions this is a BIG, BIG deterrent. Why should I bring my "Stock" AR-15 and/or Bird gun with a extended magazine on it and be in open class. How Stupid Is that? Its like these two IMA rules were created to keep all but the really serious 3- gun shooters who have a lot of money from competing.

In USPSA rules one of the big hurdles is the lack of a class that has a scope on a rifle, without being in open with the race guns. (My opinion on why this class is so popular is because most new shooters into 3-gun have come from IDPA and USPSA limited and production classes. They have the shotgun, they have the pistol, but to ask someone who is mostly a pistol shooter for competition and probably a big game hunter, to shoot a rifle without a scope has them scratching their heads and asking ... Why.) The second thing in USPSA is the scoring and the Major/Minor thing. We have no software to score a USPSA 3-gun match. You will notice that at the Rocky mountain 3-gun they have added a "He-Man" class which is really limited/major everything.

It looks like The IMA rules are the closest to what everyone wants with a few minor changes.

Scott Peterson

[Cocking the hammer]

So let me see if I got this right, If I cycle the action on my HK USP, Sig 226, ect... before I take my first shot and by doing so I have now cocked the hammer, I am now in a Limited or Open class? Hey, This could happen, like if I forgot to cycle one into the chamber before I put it back in the holster to start the stage. Or it didn't feed because I didn't have the mag in all the way.

[Safe Area & Magazines]

In our local club I have never seen a person in the safe area handle a magazine. But, as I am reading the rule book today I come to: "2.4.1.3". Guess what? It is O.K. to handle an empty magazine in the safe are and to do magazine changes. How many of you have done this? Is it normaly done in the safe areas at your local match? Do a lot of people practice this when they are warming up befor the match.

[Browning Gold Mods etc...]

I just purchased a Browning AutoGold Turkey Stalker. 24" Barrel, Great fiber optic sights, A choke system that is second to none, The speed feed is so cool and fast. You know longer have to know whether the gun is in slide lock or not.. just start jamming shells in the magazine and presto you are ready to shoot. The other cool thing is the shell catch on the magazine. If you own a Rem (and I do) You know how you have to push the shell all the way in the magazine so that it catches the little stop. On the Browning the shell catch is in a different place and you only need to get the shell up close to the magazine. The shells normally stick out of magazine about 3/8" so you don't have push them in all the way and hurt your fingers or get your fingers caught on the shell plate. It is also the softest shooting gun EVER! Goose loads feel like trap. They also swing like a great bird gun should. I paid $637.00 with a $100.00 rebate from Browning so I Only paid $537.00 Then I added a magazine extension from Briely for $69.00

[MGM Ironman]

I went to the MGM ironman 3-gun in Idaho and I thought Mike Gibson did a great job. I shot almost 800 rds. and had a great time. I am just wondering how it comares to other 3-gun competions. I.E whats your opions?

[3-Gun Rules]

Just from casual observation, and after having shot 5 3-gun matches. Here is what I think.

1- Open- The rules are "We have no rules". Just like open is now.

2-Limited- Pistol, same as IPSC. Rifle- major and minor with iron or open sights of any kind and make, Comp OK on rifle. Shotgun- major and minor, 8rd magazine, no comp. With a limited 10 class also, Only 10 rd mags in rifle and pistol.

3-Production-Pistol same as IPSC. Rifle-Only A-2 ar-15's,M-14, M1 and the current rules used in highpower. add ak-47, G3, Mini-14, Ect... Using only military calibers and only open sights that are OEM. ALSO any bolt action with any sighting system No comps on any rifle. Ten rd mags only. Shotgun- Only 24" or longer barel, 4 rds in the magazine. (These production rules alow anyone with a bird gun, a production pistol and a common rifle to come and shoot, be compeditive, have fun and not feel out of place.Just like production class is suposed to do.)

Revolver class- Pistol-same as IPSC. Rifle- any manualy operated rifle with iron OEM sights. Shotgun- Any side by side or overunder.