JAFO

Keep in mind that just because the general consensus might be that the rule should be scrapped/changed/updated/etc, it still has to be enforced until a ruling is published or the rulebook is updated to do so.

I don't see any restrictions regarding finishes for SS, and it's not subject to the "it must be specifically allowed or it's prohibited" rule that Prod has.

Would VOIP work? At least there wouldn't be long-distance charges.

The way they are doing it these days is you call in, a rep talks to you and takes your info in case they need to email you mailing labels, etc, later.

I'd be surprised if the RX ever gets added specifically to the list, since it comes from the factory with a red dot. I'd email DNROI to verify, because after you pull the Romeo off the slide, your slide is modified from a stock 320. Granted it's milled for a sight, which would seem to be allowed per D4, 21.2b. But some have contended that the rule cited is for milling as it pertains to irons, not optics. Personally, I think it would be legal per the rules.

I sent an email to Troy yesterday. I'll let you all know what he says when (if) I get a response.

If you're shooting evening or indoor matches, the laser would probably work really well. It would also be cheaper to try out than an offset mount + MRDS.

Offset mounts should be ambidextrous, but some hold the sight higher in relation to the top rail than others. The GG&G mount, for example, holds the sight higher than the Warne. Which one you pick may be determined by what fits with your primary dot and how your eye lines up.

The Venom is top load. I think the Romeo1 is also. Not sure which others.

One (possibly minor) issue is that it's a bottom-load battery compartment, so you'd have to unmount it to change the battery, then check your zero when you remount it.

Probably, but the only way to know for sure would be to chronograph your load. Velocity is dependent on your gun's barrel and the bullet you are using. For the same powder charge and OAL, coated bullets are usually close to plated, and both are usually faster than jacketed. Shooting 9mm in Limited, you will be scored as Minor power factor (PF), which means you have to be above a 125PF using the equation PF = [Velocity (fps)*Bullet Wt (gr)/1000], truncated to a whole number. Most people like to be somewhere between 130-140 PF to account for differences in weighing scales, temperature, etc, when going to a match with a Chrono stage. It also helps to knock down steel easier with a low hit. If you don't have a chrono, ask around at a match to see if the host club might have one that could be setup before or after a match to do a quick chrono check. Alternately, another competitor may have one and you could meet up at the range sometime. Due to the possibility of someone shooting their chrono, most people probably won't let you borrow theirs.

I have a 6MOA Venom on a Warne offset, set just in front of the ejection port. I am not the "tall, lean, can easily around the left side wall" type. Before I got the offset dot, I would transfer completely to the weak side if I had the movement space to do it (and transfer back) on the move. Going weak shoulder, strong hand with my primary dot didn't work well for me, but the 45-degree offset makes it much easier. I have also used the offset mount on a small, high port with low targets when my primary dot was too high to see because of my riser. In retrospect on the last instance, I may have been able to point shoot it, but a no-shoot was involved. I think a lot of it is your body dimensions. Some guys have no problems just using the primary dot on those leans. I borrowed an offset mount, slapped a cheap dot from a .22 on it, and tried corners at the house, and saw that there was a benefit for me.

Because my normal pistol load leads up my comp badly, I had already resigned myself to two different loads. My current PCC load with Blue Bullets won't even make minor in my Production gun. I tested some of the 124gr RMR Matchwinners because I still get minor leading in the comp with the reduced load and coated bullets. 3.6gr Titegroup and an OAL of 1.08" (loaded short to also fit my wife's PPQ) with the RMR's gave me a 133 PF with a SD of 16 over 20 shots (Nordic 16" barrel).

I'm sure race holsters lock in firmly and very well when locked. My comments are made from my observations on how people are using them (I don't even have one). To a man, everyone I RO who is using a race holster leaves it unlocked before the beep. Especially those with the plastic rotating arm set between the holster and hangar (Ghost). I used to see people lock the holsters with the small silver levers under the trigger guard area (Race Master), sweeping them off with their middle finger as they draw, but even those are being left unlocked on stationary start positions. Because I'm seeing people using race holsters like that, the "strap must be applied" rule seems very silly and outdated. Not saying you ignore it as long as it's in the book.

This is the aftermarket hammer thing all over again - allowing something before the rules have been amended to allow it. Both the latest revision of App D4 and the published ruling above do not allow changes to the frame finish that give competitive advantage. If they were planning on allowing it along with all the other changes to Production, they forgot. But until they remove the ruling and amend the appendix - again (and how about allowing replacement of OEM decocking levers from other approved guns, while you're at it), you can't just ignore the ruleset that everyone is using.

I agree about the race holster, but all kydex holsters that I have seen or used are designed to grip the gun at the trigger guard, with a screw available to make it tighter or looser. But regardless, I still think those soft holsters are fine for the starts we use without any strap. We are always stationary on the start. At most you have to worry about standing from seated or prone, in which case the race holster is much riskier.

I think the "during a match" portion is aimed more at the position of holsters and allied equipment. To prevent someone from running a mag pouch up front for 4 stages, then moving it to the side (or removing it altogether) for a stage that has a prone position.

My issue is that the bolt would lock back under recoil, but it was so tight against the catch that I had to slam the lever HARD to release it. During a normal match, manually locking back is just for convenience when flagging. But I have a Hosefest coming up with 50+ round stages. I don't plan on running dry, but sh!t happens. ?

Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of 1st time shooters show up with a cheap soft nylon belt holster with a strap. Without the strap, those have no retention.

3.6gr got me to a minimum PF of 132 also (minimum being based on AVG - SD).

If the rule is intended to cover the time period between MR and the beep, I think it's outdated and could be removed. Unlike what I've heard/seen of 3-Gun, we don't rely on the holster to retain a loaded gun during potential vigorous movement. The shooter is stationary during the time in question. However, if the rule was intended to say that you must use a retaining device outside of the course of fire (for race holsters and the like) to keep them from dropping unloaded guns, it needs to be clarified.

I know the OP has stated he's satisfied to end the discussion, but consider this. A shooter loads a mag at MR but forgets to rack the slide and holsters for the start signal. Rule 8.1 prohibits the RO from advising the competitor, and when the start signal goes off, the competitor draws, completes what is essentially a dry-fire on the clock, then racks the slide and continues. There's obviously more of a gap between inserting the magazine and pulling the trigger, but the trigger is still pulled prior to the gun being "ready to fire."

I'd then politely suggest that they remove the "Cosmetic finishes revisited" ruling from the website, since it EXPLICITLY forbids it.

Ended up having to cut 2 turns off of the spring before I could get it to lock back manually. Unfortunately, I could not get out to the USPSA match this past weekend, and I won't be able to get to the range again until mid-September to test it out. But those things are tough. I barely scratched it with pliers, and I didn't have my Dremel handy. I ended up using a small file to work through it.

Well, the Official Rulings would seem to indicate that you can't do it... Cosmetic finishes revisited × Created: Mar 24, 2011 Effective: Apr 23, 2014 Rule: Appendix D4 Item Applies to: Pistol Ruling Authority: DNROI Status: Released Question: Can I paint a dot or arrow inside the magwell of my production handgun for a reference point and paint an arrow or stripes on my slide to help with alignment? Ruling: No, a competitor may not paint dots, stripes or anything to help them reload or align sights quicker, cosmetic finishes only as per 21.2a "this clause is now interpreted to specifically allow refinishing the frame as well as the slide, subject to the existing constraints on refinishing (cosmetic only, no competitive advantage). Item 22 also goes on to say that the absence of an item in the list of prohibited modifications may not be construed to mean a modification is allowed. A modification is only allowed in Production Division if there is a rules clause or interpretation which specifically declares that it is allowed.