Allgoodhits

The guys from the Old Dominion will be there! Greg, did you get your transportion worked out? Jeff could chauffeur you out. MJ

FWIW here is what load and the results I get from my 7" Krieger barrel in a .38 special K frame S&W revo by NVGW, Inc. PRECISION BULLET (it is black coated lead bullet) 125 gr 9mm (.356) bullet in front of 4.5gr of WST in .38spl cases with a Federal primer, loaded at 1.440". Avg velocity is 1020fps and accuracy is less than 2" at 50 yds. I do get a little leading after several hundred rounds. I run a bore brush through barrel after every 48-50 rds, then clean gun at days end. Cylinder fouling is virtually nonexistent. Maybe this data may provided info for an adjusted starting point for your application. It would take about 3-5 "tenths" more powder to achieve similar results if using jacketed bullets. BE CAREFUL. MJ

Kevin, Where can get some trigger nuts? It sounds like that is exactly what I need. I have found plenty of ball busters, but they don't seem to work the way I want them to. MJ

My .38spl brass lasts until it either cracks, splits, bulges or will no longer hold a firm enough crimp. My loads are +P but not super hot. I probably have brass that has been reloaded twenty ot more times at least. Are you sure your misfires are not another issue, such as weakened main spring or end shake, or different brand of primers? MJ

Just curious, why would you think PRODUCTION rimfire would be different from other PRODUCTION other than caliber? I think in the next year or so, we may see some changes in PRODUCTION, but when or if it happens, it should apply to PRODUCTION across the board. I would think that a Match Director has some lattitude in doing what deem best at their matches as long as their decisions do not effect fairness to others shooting proper guns and other equipment. Certainly rules to the letter should be followed in Registered Matches, Championships and the like. See you all in about 6 weeks! It's going to be a great Cup with some surprises I'm sure. MJ

Admission to the range is free to all! Spectators, guests and anyone else who cares to show up to watch. Parking at the range is separated for shooters and spectators, but the $50.00 gets your guest into all the social events and awards dinner. Alan~^~ Just for clarification, the guest fee $50 does not cover the practice range use. MJ

Perfect 141! So if each two could bring one, then we would be at 211 competitors! BTW, the tournament draws the best shooters in the world, but the rest of us can shoot too! Don't be intimidated, everyone started from scratch at some time or another. Some of us are still scratching, but we have fun! OK, let's Git R Done! MJ

OK shooters, April 1st is only a week away and now is the time for the press to get more people signed up to shoot the Bianchi Cup 2010. I don't have the tally, but I think we are somewhere in the low one hundred twenty range and in order to get to 200+ we need to turn over some rocks, look under some logs, and maybe visit a shooting range or two! We must do this for this event to continue into the future, so come on, if we would pair up with another shooter, and if each pair of us (two heads are better than one) could come up with one person (that's only half a person each) to sign up fr the Cup that would give us 60 more shooters and that would put us just below 200. Then if those 60 pair up and come up with one per pair, then we are at 210! If this is not doable, then group in trios, quads or whatever. Heck, sign up for the second gun that'll boost gun entries. Now let's not hear all the reason why you can't, or won't, or shouldn't. Instead, recruit someone to come to the Cup and I guarrantee they will learn more about shooting, learn more about themselves as a competitor than they will have learned in any other week in their shooting life. During Bianchi week, especially at the practice range, you will have the opportunity to chat, get advice from a gathering of the best pistol shooters who ever walked the earth. Just to name a few, and there are many more: John Pride, Jerry Miculek, Doug Koenig, Vera Koo, Julie Golub, Bruce Piatt, Robert Vadaz, Vance Schmidt, Carl Bernosky, John McNally, Mike Voigt, Dave Sevigny, TGO, Tony Holmes, Phil "no respect" Strader and dozens more! In this group there are World Champions, probably a hundred Nation Title holders, former Olympians. I would venture to say, that there is no broader range of talent at any shooting related gathering on earth. Consider the speed and accuarcy of Miculek, Voigt, Holmes, & Piatt with handguns or rifles. Then there is the unparalleled rifle skills of Bernosky. How about Vadaz and Pride, and strength in PPC. I believe it still holds true that John Pride is one of only 3 persons to ever shoot a perfect 1500 in Registered Competition. The other two were James E. Colins and Philip Hemphill. Hemphill was a regular at Bianchi until he decided he wanted to go after the BE Title, which he is en route to that! Then there is this guy you may have heard about called Rob, yep he is there too and always willing to talk. Oh, there are some dam n good gunsmiths there too if you want to pick their brain on your ideas. Will 2010 be the year of some surprise upsets in OPEN, METALLIC and PRODUCTION? There has been no recent year that it is more likley than 2010! Be there when history is made. Either Doug or Bruce will add to their tally, or will it be Carl B. or Don G. or maybe Kevin A. or the first ever Senior to take it all John Pride! Will it be Greg D. the upset winner in Metallic, or Finally Phil? Production may also have a surprize as that is now catching some serious steam. No matter what HISTORY will be made. Let's not forget the ladies. Will it be Julie or Vera or some other? Juniors, may be wide open. Grand Senior, that ought to be race with fomer MHP great Billie Hughes, and Tome from Louisiana and the old bald guy, Colonel Sanders from Virginia! And certainly do not forget the many talents from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and more. I am telling you, where else can you go on the planet, and gather as much knowledge in talking one on one with any of these guys? Did I forget to mention, that for this "convention fee" you also get to shoot? Yes, you can participate in a fantastic match, some great social events, and after all the shooting and scoring is over there are plenty of towels. The towels are used for both wiping tears of "I can't believe I shot a 1910 and missed a plate at ten yards" and wiping tears from laughter. Bianchi week is that kind of week! What the hell are you waiting for? Call Tom Hughes or Damien Orsinger at NRA HQ now and sign up....and bring a buddy! See you in Columbia at the World's greatest gathering of multi-talented shooters on the planet, good social, and just a good ole slap each other on the back good time, and range time for all as a bonus. Martin

So Greg, you got to stop and rest during the event....and that's all the X's you were able to shoot? We will expect more this year, with or without style points or technical merit points. By the way this Team Speed event is going to be a bear for the Production shooter on the barricade. Five and six seconds at 25 and 35 yds is a tuff! MJ

Official certified weights are best, as springs can vary, and markings on springs may not be precise. Table or lifting surface should be completley flat and level. Barrel should be held perpendicular to surface. Surface should be smooth but not glass, or not pourous. If it is a glass or non porous table it should have paper or similar pad so that the weight does not "suction" on the table surface. Clearly the table can not be damp or wet as this will give a heavy weight reading. The actuator must be rested on the trigger at a right angle and should settle into the cavity of the trigger, or if a straight trigger then in the middle of the trigger contact surface. When the lifter attempts to raise the pistol, thus lifting the weight it must be very, very gentle or a false light reading will occur. Here is the tricky part. An exact 2 lb trigger will not lift (accelerate) an exact 2 lb weight, however a 2 lb trigger will hold a 2 lb weight! To lift, i.e. cause movement requires more energy than to hold. Most good seasoned referees know this, and they rule accordingly. A movement of the weight from the surface should indicate a successful equivalent of the weight used. How much does the referee shake? The referee should have their elbows on the table for stabilty too. I do not know what fractual weight is required to overcome the inertia of the still weight, someone smarter than I could calculate that, but suffice it to say, use a weight, not a spring and err on the slightly heavy side, and at any altitude or air density, or minimal operator error you should be good too go. MJ

Guy and Lauren, I too am saddened that Lauren "may" not make the next Cup. However, we all know that there is a new BC coordinator on board at NRA, and since he has only been in that position a few months I am sure it is a challenge for him. On one hand I am delighted that he is following rules and procedures, and on the other Lauren may be hurt by the procedures in this regard due to an application not being received timely, when apparrently he did receive other applications in sufficient numbers in a timely manner. In the shooting sports time limits are critical to all shooters, now it appears that time limits have become as important to staff. The good news is that it appears that there is an increase in volunteers, since once filled others are turned down. Perhaps this issue get resolved, but it doesn't seem based on information provided that NRA is to blame. You or Lauren could have as easily picked up the phone to make sure her application was received. Hope to see you both at the Cup, and Lauren working to capacity as always! Martin

The Hornady HAP bullet is .356 and is a good choice. ZERO also catalogs some .356 JHP's. Another possibility may be a faster burning powder to cause more initial pressure to obturate the base of the bullet causing a better seal at the throat. Precision "black" Bullets offer a .356 125gr bullet that may be worth trying. Keep us posted. MJ

Bonus points for TECHNICAL MERIT, or STYLE ! MJ

All good points, Kevin, but I fully expect to see you in the shoot off this year immediately following you holding up a big silver cup for a photo op!

Tom, That is awesome! Navy Corpsman working with Marines, saving lives. The games we play, are just that games. These guys are the real deal. MJ

Kevin, 1/4" thick angle iron is very thick. I am pretty sure I have never seen 1/4" thich angle iron used. What I have seen is 1/8" thickness. You, of course, have been to far more venues than I have. The angle iron also in my experience is 2" in most incidences, but again I'll yield to your more extensive knowledge. From memory, one of the barricades, angle iron, at Bedford is a different size than all the others at Bedford. Memory serves that the one is slightly thinner than the others. Maybe Alan, can straighten me out on this. Kevin congrats on your 1916 at Charlotte, and of course to Travis 1902. Great starts this early in the season. MJ

Chuck, The BC barricade is anchored onto a concrete pad, which is the preferred way. However, some of the portable barricades "can" be just as good if the pad is firm and the barricade bottom rests completely flat and does not flex too much or wobble. The standing zone is the width of the barricade and 3 ft in length. The wall structure is 2x6 ft and made of plywood, typically 3/8 to 1/2" thick. The sides have 2" angle iron mpounted such that the edge of the barricade is the width of the plywood and the 2" angle iron. The bolts which hold the barricaed should be spaced and shortened such that when an open gun shooter grabs the barricade tow things do not happen. One the bolt heads either need to be recessed, or flat and the nut end of the bolt on the other side should be shortened as much as possible and smoothed of any sharp spots if possible. Hope that helps. MJ

"useless as a chocolate teapot", I love it!

Roger, That is a well thought out reply to the simple, yet complex issue surrounding the wording of the rules surrounding "safety devices as installed must be in working order". Your logic flows, except it flows backwards, in that the frame constitutes the gun or platform, not the slide. However, the markings of 70 vs 80 are on the slide not the frame as I recall, so the logic can only flow backwards. Yet another complexity to the issue, which need not be so complex. Personally, I think the firing pin block should have been excepted from this rule as it pertains to 1911 platforms, since not all factory 1911's had such a device and not all slides and frames are compatable, i.e. a 80 frame and a 70 slide or vice versa. Maybe the answer could be if the gun and frame have the cuts for the FP block, then it has to be there and has to be working. But if either the frame or the slide do not have the cuts, then it does not have to be there since it can not be there is the answer. I hope that if the NRA looks into this change/issue that they do not eliminate firing pin blocks/hammer blocks across the board, because removing the hammer block from a S&W revolver would be a huge mistake. So again, examples of how a simple thing can become very complex quite quickly. When drafting these and other equipment related rules that must cover so many different brands, styles and types of firearms the body making such judgements must be very knowledgable across a very broad spectrum of firearms, and then there is always the ......."what about a ^&%$# that no one thought of". In the later case is where the referee must have some common semse latitude, then the fellow competitors not whine if someone has a something that they did not think of, and they think it to be a competive advantage. The competive advantage in NRA AP is the competitor, not so much the equipment within reason. Because we all know, that a clean 1920 is doable with so many different guns and gun setups, it comes down to a matter of not what is in the holster, but that which is between the ears. This is a tough pill for most all of us to swallow, but it the truth in my opinion. FFL, email me allgoodhits@yahoo.com about your gun. Martin

Tom, Damien and Mike, That is absolutely amazing! As my signature below states, the 2010 will be better than ever and you guys are making a suggestion come to pass. I wonder what we could do, if everyone had a positive attitude about the fun, challenge, growth and future of NRA's Bianchi Cup? Way to go NRA staff! MJ

Tom, Roger all above. So then the Speed Team is completely separate from the regular unfired Team Matches. So, can one shoot on a regular team as in past years and in one of the Speed Teams? I want to clarify this since you did state no one can sign up for more than one team. MJ P.s. It will be the best ever, no matter what. Has there ever been this much energy and chatter this early? I don't think so.

Tom, Would these Team Matches be replacing the other Team Matches, or in addition to? Either way, you know me, I'm in. Ok, three events, three different shooters, three different gun divisions must register in advance and declare shooter and gun selections, and event selections at registration. In the past we have been trying to get away from "pick-up teams" so why eliminate other criteria? Don't throw all other criteria out. How about all shooters on a team have to be from the same State, or Province or similar jurisdiction? If three from the same state is too restrictive then in order to transition into this, maybe two of the three must be from the same jurisdiction. Either way, it should be fun and I'm in and will assure that there will be plenty from VA who are in too. Actually several have already stepped up. Go Virginia! MJ

As Kevin stated, Doug's SHOOTING CLEAN MY WAY is about the only good video that covers it all. Bring the landlord as a BUDDY ENTRY for a reduced fee. The HI Executive Center is the hotel. It is at I-70 and Stadium. 2200 I-70 Drive may be the address. If you can afford the time and $, arrive early and stay late. At least through the Banquet. By suit Kevin meant coat and tie, not bathing . Have fun, MJ

I hear ya, but didn't he say he also took the dremel to the trigger guard? That may take it beyond mods to the grip. Not my call, but I recall a time at BC where someone had squared the front of a 1911 trigger guard and it was a problem. Perhaps I am wrong on this.

M/C Dan, You raise a question unintentionally. In Production does dremeling, stippling or whatever the receiver/frame constitute an EXTERNAL MODIFICATION, thus render it no longer PRODUCTION? Yikes, I would think so. Personally, I don't mind GLOCK triggers, because I treat the trigger movement similar to shooting a revo, just keep the trigger moving for the best result. I want to let the gun shoot instead of making it shoot. The former yields a surprise break, the latter an ambush of the trigger, which is counterproductive to accuracy. Try positioning the receiving hand somewhat in line with the draw too target (think an archery pose) draw gun, then bring gun to receiving hand. I think you will find this transition quick and precise for the transfer, then quick to fire first shot since you are already pretty much on target for those first three shots. Keep us posted on the rssults. MJ