Storm

Mike & BE, I understand the need to shoot subconciously. I also understand the desire to "visualize" myself shooting. But, what if I can't seem to "see" the targets (or props) in my mind? I can sort of feel them. I can understand their spatial relationships. But, I have a difficulty "seeing" them. On a small array, I can sometimes stare at the array and sort of burn an image in my mind and "see" the array for a short period of time, say 60 seconds. But, I can't seem to hold that image or recall it at will 5 minutes later. Any tips on how to better visualize? I want to visualize the targets. I want to visualize two A's. But, I often draw a blank.

Erik, Your method works for you, because being a master class flick switcher, you can pull .11 splits on the switches.

I think Erik's right, but you can do it with fewer flicks of the switches. Turn SW1 & SW2 on. Go to top of stairs & open door. If light is off, it is SW3, game over. If light is on, leave door open & go back downstairs. Turn off SW1. If light goes off, it was SW1, game over. If light remains on it was SW2, game over.

I'm not a huge fan of the new format either. Personally, I'd prefer a separate Open and Limited match. I guess I just see L10, Revolver and Production as subsets of Limited. But, I can live with the new format. What I don't like is the overlap in dates between Area 3 and the Race Gun Nationals. Being an Open shooter from Area 3, it makes things a little difficult. Why can't they ensure there are no overlapping dates between major matches like Area Championships and Nationals? And I agree, where the Hell is Bend, OR? I like Barry. It's only a 5 hour drive for me.

Yeah, I think some of the IDPA'ers attitude towards gaming & good shooters is funny. Went to an IDPA match a couple weeks ago (only my 2nd IDPA match). After a USPSA Master Class friend of mine finished shooting, one of the other shooters mumbled "Man, that was a fast run. Too bad you had all those misses." Problem was, there were no misses. Good hits too. I think the guy dropped 20 points in a 300+ point match and won the match by a huge margin. Damn gamers... I thought it was funny.

Don't know if I'll shoot it this year or not. I've only shot it once, a couple years ago. Yes, you can watch on Saturday. TGO will probably shoot Saturday, so it would be a good time to watch. Tips - Learn to reload. In IDPA, your goal is often to go to slide-lock, reload behind cover, retain the magazine, etc. Your reloads for USPSA will be different. Forget about retaining the magazine. Reload when it makes the most sense, usually while moving. Avoid slide-lock reloads. Since IDPA has all reloads behind cover, movement is not emphasized enough. Practice reloading while moving. Learn to plan your reload strategy. On equipment, I'd recommend 3-4 single mag pouches or a couple doubles. With IDPA, you're limited to 2 spare mags. Since USPSA doesn't limit you, why not carry more ammo? You never know when you may have a malfunction or drop a mag. I'd also recommend having 6 good, functional magazines.

I haven't used the newer PACT club timers. I've heard good comments from people who have RO'd large matches with them. But, as Pat said, for training purposes the MKIV is really the best way to go. If you can't afford the MKIV, I'm sure the Pact Club timer or Pocket Pro would both be reliable timers. But, you'll eventually wish you had bought the MKIV.

I own both the Pocket Pro & the Pact MK IV. I started with the Pocket Pro. It's a decent little timer. The problem with it is all the work you have to go through to see the splits. You have to hit one button to advance to the next shot, another to see the splits, another to see the shot #, then hit the first one to advance to the next shot & so on & so on... The MKIV gives you much more information at a time. It has a lot more features. For practice & training, I think it is a much better timer.

Well John, then maybe you should ask Amidon. It seems he's good about answering questions regarding scoring & etc. But, when it comes to equipment and gun modifications, his answers are often vague or non-existent. It might have something to do with the Craig incident. He may not want to answer equipment questions for fear it will come back to haunt him later.

For USPSA Limited, you can specifically change the barrel. I cannot find a rule that states it cannot hang .75" past the end of the gun. There is no box like IPSC. So, overall length is not an issue. The 500 produced doesn't apply since he is not changing the frame, slide or caliber. If there was a problem with barrels of a non-factory configuration, all the Para's with bull barrels would be illegal. To my knowledge, Para has never had bull barrel P16 or P14, nor have they produced 500 of them. Now, of course, this gun would not be USPSA Production legal. Nor would it be IDPA legal, but it should be Limited legal. Again, you should check with Amidon to be sure. (I know, he's difficult to deal with. I've never had real good luck getting answers from him either.)

The barrel is an internal part. If you can put a heavy bull barrel in a limited gun, I don't see why a longer barrel wouldn't be allowed. My interpretation of the rules is it's OK for USPSA. To be absolutely sure, you can run it by John Amidon.

I think Ciener still makes one. Don't know about a website for them. Kimber makes one too. They do have a website. http://www.kimberamerica.com/22_Conversion_Kit.htm I bought the Marvel. It's more expensive, but far more accurate.

Shred, No, the Marvel will not work without a sight rail. It's an integral part of the slide. It basically acts as the top of the slide. (Even though it doesn't really "slide". It remains fixed. You may have to see it to understand what I mean.) I don't think you'll have clearance issues with the weaver sight rail. If your slide clears the scopt mount, the weaver rail should too. Detlef, Glad to hear you like the Marvel top-end. I just recently got mine. But, haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Maybe I'll get a chance this weekend.

I agree. Welcome back TT. We all look forward to your very informative posts. Congrats on the finish at Area 2!

Julien, You can download them from USPSA's website. http://www.uspsa.org/classifiers.html

I've been interested in the SX2 Practical too. I had my dealer/gunsmith check into them for me. DB & Ranger, you're both right. Apparently there are 2 models. The actual SX2 "Practical" has been announced, but is not expected to be available until 2Q2002. There is a similar model out now that is being billed by some of the dealers as the Practical model. According to Winchester it is NOT the "SX2 Practical". They ran off a special run of guns for the last SHOT show to show off until the real SX2 Practical came out. My dealer had a hard time getting Winchester pinned down on specific differences between the 2 models. The real Practical carries a expected retail of $1065 while the currently available model is $899 retail (available for $775). So obviously, they are doing some extra things with the new model. Winchester said the new model will have better competition sights but wouldn't elaborate on differences other than to say they won't have a Tru-Glo front sight. They also said there will also be different sling swivels. The stock may be modified a little for competition. Basically, they say the new one coming out in 2002 will be a "nicer, classier, more competition oriented model". But, they wouldn't elaborate on any specifics like whether it would have long forcing cones and etc. They said this was mainly because they haven't worked out all the details yet. So, I'm now trying to decide whether I go with the current model or wait until the new one comes out. The current leather jacket/hat promotional helps makes the current one attractive. But, depending on what they do with the "real" Practical, it may be much better to wait until the actual competition model comes out. I've got a box stock Benelli with 7 round tube. I may just keep using that until I can get one of the SX2 Practical's this spring/summer. Anyway, hope the info helps.

You might want to check out http://www.bullseyepistol.com/ I'm not a bullseye shooter. But, they have a lot of useful info there including an online copy of the USAMU manual Ron mentioned.

I think Bill's right. Robbie-14 wins total (3 World's, 11 National's) Isn't the breakdown on the Nats actually: 6 - just plain "Nationals" 1 - "Open Nationals" 4 - "Limited Nationals" Just curious... (Edited by Storm at 8:43 am on Oct. 2, 2001)

Flex, Overlays are fine with USPSA. In fact, in my RO training a couple years ago they spent a lot of time going over scoring & the use of overlays. Every year when my RO re-certification comes up, they send me 2 new overlays. NROI expects you to use them. If the match in question were a USPSA match, I would expect any competent RO to use overlays. If they didn't automatically use them, I would ask them to. Now, IDPA, that's a different story... Oh yeah, it's not a bad idea to keep a couple in your wallet in case the RO can't find theirs.

Whoops! Since Chris asked if a 1050 was better, I assumed he was using a 650. Completely ignored the possibility that it could be a SDB, 550 or even a non-Dillon press. My bad. On the 650, I also lube the ball & spring like Brian. I also lube the indexing "cam" too. The smoother, the better. I guess reloading's a lot like shooting, smooth is fast.

Patrick, Yeah, they're on the web. http://www.uspsa.org/cgi-bin/match_index.c...mited_Nationals http://www.uspsa.org/cgi-bin/match_index.c..._Open_Nationals

Oh yeah, 38 Super's & 650's are a bit of a challenge. I noticed the same thing switching from loading for the .40 to loading for the super. You might want to clip half a coil off the spring under the ball that indexes the shellplate. Get your shellplate as tight as possible, yet still allowing it to turn. I tighten it and then back off 1/16 a turn. If you don't use a powder check die, move the seater into the location where the powder check should be. This gives you one less opportunity for the powder to bounce. Takes a little getting used to, but works very well. You probably won't be able to load .38 super quite as fast as the .40's. But, these things helped me.

Shooter Grrl, Now you're making me look up the rules in the rule book. Shame on you! Per the 14th Edition 2001 Rulebook: US 9.2.2.4 - States "Fixed number of rounds". US 9.4.4.1 through US 9.4.4.3 deal with the penalties. Think of "Fixed Time" as "Virginia Count" with a set time and no miss penalties.

Shooter Grrl, FWIW - No, the 4 extra A's weren't legal. You should have been assessed extra shot (and possibly extra hit) penalties. Being a C class shooter, I don't even think I'm going to try for the reload on the 2nd string. I'll probably just try to shoot 3 solid A's. It depends on how comfortable I am after the 1st string. I figure the weak hand string is the only one where I will get all my shots off.

If it's just a case of the non-ambi mag release being a little stiff, get a reduced power mag catch spring. Wolff makes them in several weights. I think you can get a kit from Brownells that has 3 or 4 weights you can try.