Yoda

Jim, "Range is hot" is not in the rulebook (anymore) so it really doesn't change anything. JFlowers - Removing your scope cover or dustcover while your gun is in the holster is no problem whatsoever as long as you don't handle the gun itself. Hope this helps.

Cor, I disagree on your last statement. People tend to do what they practice - if you practice with an extended mag release and change this before a big match you will f*** up at that big match because the mags don't release as they used to. Use the same setup for both practice and matches - either small or large - it will pay off eventually.

Hi Ray, it was good seeing you in Bali. It is always nice to know the real life person behind the name on a forum like this. Bali was an incredible experience, the hospitality was fantastic. Always smiling faces, wherever you go. I'm really looking forward to coming back to your part of the world - maybe AustralAsian 2007 in Thailand or Worldshoot 2008 in Bali??

Hmm I might remember you or I might not the next time I have the SBT on visit The choice is yours! .. Maybe we can negotiate ....

Dalmas, that is classified information, VERY classified. Unless you know the password and the secret handshake we cannot show you. IF we show you the incriminating materials we have to kill you .... The choice is yours!

Dalmas, We know that there is no formal requirement for preliminary equipment check or equipment sheets. I think the mutual feeling is best summarized as follows: If there is an official Equipment Check (either before the match or during the match) it should be done seriously and not be discarded as a paper formality. Let's hope we see improvement in the future. And now ... let's move on to more exciting topics like "How do I explain the Bintang Girl in my luggage to my wife?"

Vince, where would you think I was, hmmm ??? After the AustralAsian Championships 18 hour travel back home and straight back to the office where they collected some work for me to do while I was enjoying the Indonesian sun and the company of so many friends (not to mention the Bintang Happy Hour and the Dji Sam Soe promotion girls ) Allow me to offer my PERSONAL view on this topic in general and the EC2004 in particular. Quite often the equipment check on level III matches (if any!!) is done without even looking at the competitor. I've seen matches where the equipment sheet actually functioned as a registration paper that the competitor attended the CoF - nothing more. Other level III matches take things more seriously and request the CRO to check whether the equipment is still on the same spot as when they started - which is the primary function of the equipment sheet. I've seen shooters enter my stage whose equipment diagram was still blanco, nevertheless they allready passed a number of stages which were countersigned by the ( C )RO. It also depends heavily on the officials working that match. I've also seen officials who insisted on checking the serial# of the gun from each and every competitor who was to shoot on their stage. Hell, I've even seen a level IV match WITHOUT equipment check or equipment sheets Could have been an Asian thing, but personally I don't like it that way. IMO on all level III and higher matches each competitor must have an equipment sheet, properly filled out by the competitor and checked seriously by the RO/CRO. Special attention should be given when starting in the morning and resuming shooting after lunch break as this is where competitors probably have removed their gear and put it back on after lunch. For level IV and V matches an official equipment check should be mandatory, run by officials who are up to date with the current Production List and eventual Rules Interpretations. Back to EC2004 - shortly before the EC2004 the first set of Rules Interpretations came into effect. Quite a few competitors were not aware of those interpretations and had their equipment not in specs with the new regulations. At the Equipment Check all competitors had to go through after registration local officials did not pay enough attention to certain details (including the new regulations). This was found out only after the competitors started. Apparently it was not fair to move all Production shooters who had grip tape on other locations than the grip to Open Division because the organization failed with the initial check. Therefore all competitors were kindly requested to remove the grip tape from slide/frame before starting with the next stage. As with non-compliant magazines - I have not noticed magazines with +1-2 basepads with Production shooters. Then the last thing about holster and mag pouch positions. We have so many variations in human build that it is quite difficult to EXACTLY measure where the forward point of the hipbone is without poking into everybodies body. Only when it looks like the position is way up front I will kindly ask the individual competitor where he thinks his most forward point is. More often than not he realizes his mistake and takes corrective measures. Bottomline - yes, at the EC2004 mistakes have been made and where possible have been corrected in a way not to harras the competitors unnecessarily. I did not attend the shoot-off so I cannot comment on that part.

Patrick, I've been on this range working the PanAmerican Championships 2003. At that time we used the 28 bays you can see on the photograph. Another part of the range was being worked upon to become another set of 8-10 bays. Height of the berms was no problem, they were higher than at WS XIII in Pietersburg. They also absorbed the bullets better so there were no frequently wild flying bullets. In Course Design and Construction every possible measure was taken to avoid bullets leaving the bay. Low targets had extra sand bags positioned behind them to act as extra bullet stop. It was a real nice match to shoot and work and I'll expect WS XIV to top this! For hotels - the nearest city is Guayaquil with more than enough hotel capacity. In 2003 a number of selected hotels were frequented by the shuttle bus bringing competitors to the range and back to the hotel again. I expect this to be no different for WS XIV. Just be a little patient and wait for the official info before you make any arrangements. In a week time we will receive more info from Victor Ferrero. I'm sure this will be passed on to the members through the Regional Directorates. Besides that the most important items will also be posted here I assume.

And besides, I miss being in on the conversations as you guys (You, Yoda, Neil, others) come up with ideas and interpretations for the next revision(s).I really enjoyed being part of that process. Bruce, I was dismissed at the same time as you, although that didn't stop me thinking about the rules and react on perceived problems. Although I'm not a Rules Committee member anymore as the Committee as a whole was disbanned I still communicate my ideas and vision - either here at the forum or when I come across a tacky subject backchannell with Vince as Representative for Handgun in the Rules Coordinating Committee. Neil holds the same position for Shotgun. I must say that although my comments not always carry the same merit they are always treated seriously by Vince. So - if you have ideas or see problems with interpretations - post them on the forum or send them directly to Vince who will discuss it with you and when viable include it for discussion within the Rules Coordinating Committee in future revisions. The joy of working on the rules still exists although it is not through an official committee. Besides that - we (as a Rules Committee) did a major remake of the rules, whereas the Rules Coordinating Committee "only" has to do the maintenance and interpretation. You don't need a fully staffed committee per discipline to handle that. When do you come over to Holland again? Your last visit was an enjoyable one

Jim, this risk should be recognized by the RO before starting the shooter. At this moment you MUST apply the following rule: IPSC 5.2.5.3 Unless specified in the written stage briefing, or unless required by a Range Officer, the position of holsters and allied equipment must not be moved or changed by a competitor during a match. As RO I will require any competitor with a holster in a wrong postion when starting to move their holster to another safe position. Vince - you came close but the answer was not complete - so only a silver star and no cookies tonight!

6 - 7 - 8 ... I'm a big guy and can be VERY convincing No Vince - no details please or I have to bring my tactical tulips again next week!

Julien, it is the RM who needs to approve the box, not the RO. If shooters are not satisfied with this they might try to bring it into arbitration. If we need to have every box certified by a neutral institute it will involve some major unnecessary costs for match organizers. (value of box just a few US$, certification costs US$100-200) The +1 mm tolerance is just for construction purposes. The max. measurements of the gun are perfectly clear (225x150x145mm). If the gun is larger than this but within the max. tolerance of the box measurements the competitor is lucky when he encounters a box on the largest side of the spectrum and not lucky if he encounters a box of the exact dimensions. In construction people always work with a little tolerance. If you insist on having zero tolerance in producing the boxes - it will become nearly impossible to produce those things and they will be very VERY VERY expensive. Bottomline - don't trust on your luck and stay within the max. measurements of the gun.

Luca, you're right on with your explanation ... As I'm not allowed to issue gold/silver stars (spanking neither ) I'll recommend you to Vince for a gold star + an extra portion of chocolate chip cookies! However - when I'm in Italy I'll drop by to collect my 10% share

Let me add another thing to consider ... Imagine an outdoor range with the sun coming from behind the targets ... after two-three shooters you come to the openings to shoot the targets and it looks like the target already has 4-6 holes (although it properly has been patched). Or insects sitting on the target giving the impression the target already has been shot ... If the shooter stops at those moments the RO has to score the remaining targets with the appropriate number of Mikes and PE's. The rule as written now gives the RO's the possibility to order a re-shoot when necessary, in all other cases the score stands as shot.

Flex, try appendix F2 from the January 2004 IPSC rulebook Trigger Pull Testing Procedure When a minimum trigger pull is required by a Division, handguns will be tested as follows: 1. The unloaded handgun will be prepared as if the handgun is ready to fire a double action shot; 2. The trigger weight or scale will be attached as closely as possible to the center of the trigger face; 3. The trigger of the handgun, with the muzzle pointed vertically skywards, must either: ( a ) Raise and hold a 2.27 kg (5lbs) weight, or ( b ) Register not less than 2.27 kg (5lbs) on a scale; 4. One of the above tests will be conducted a maximum of 3 times; 5. If the hammer or striker does not fall on any 1 of the 3 attempts in 3( a ) above, or if the scale registers not less than 2.27 kg (5lbs) in 3( b ) above, the handgun has passed the test. 6. If the hammer or striker falls on all three (3) attempts in 3( a ) above, or if the scale registers less than 2.27 kg (5lbs) in 3( b ) above, the handgun has failed the test and Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.