Carlos

I would like to congratulate Larry for an extremely enjoyable, and well run match! We shot yesterday. As far as administration, Linda Chico makes this match run very efficiently. I believe she is one of the best in USPSA - if not all of IPSC. Great job by Linda, her crew & especially Henry Swartout on stats. The York IWLA & Howard Thompson provided a terrific venue yesterday w/ no rain and perfect temperature. Our squad moved through the stages easily and we were joined by a gentleman who had traveled from Canada (Open division IPSC shooter) just to shoot this match; I believe it was worth the trip! Everyone on our squad showed exceptional sportsmanship (and good humor) and I guess that really contributed to what a good time I had. However, everyone else I saw was pleased with this match and seemed to be enjoying themselves. I take this to be, in part, a testament to the fine stage design. Overall, this was one of the best competitions I have shot this years. Regards, Douglas

<moved>

Located more info on the debate including a named gunsmith as well as what ATF (now BATFE) will allow a gunsmith to do WITHOUT application of the FET or the apparent 50 gun/yr rule: LINK or just go to http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ik...ST;f=98;t=14287 The gunsmith who is being investigated for possible TAX LIABILITY is reported to be: "Larry Crow, owner of Competitive Edge Gunworks and member of the American Pistolsmith Guild" - anyone know of this person? Again, we are NOT discussing home builders here. Rather, we are discussing: BATFE's (now located within the US Department of Justice) NEW interpretation of the FET as it applies to certain gunsmiths (who, by definition, are FFL holders). Carry on. C.

Yes and no. We are talking about apples and oranges. 1) Individuals. As individuals, you can "make" (i.e - MAKE, not "manufacture") a firearm. See my POST Notice the serial number? No? THat is because there is no serial number. There does not need to be one. I have not "manufactured" anything. I MADE my own firearm from a block of steel. Or more correctly, a cast piece of steel that was not completed. I completed it. I am NOT a manufacturer. 2) Manufacturers: ALL MANUFACTURED FRAMES MUST BE: A. Serial numbered B. Reported to BATFE IF the frames are assembled into completed firearms, THEN there is a 10% excise tax that has to be paid on the full amount of the firearm's value. THAT is why Dave Berryhill wrote above: "Excise tax is only charged on complete firearms. Even though the receiver is legally considered a firearm, excise tax is not charged on a bare frame." Example: -stripped AR-15 lower = NO TAX, but you have to do the NICS check. -barreled upper = NOT a firearm, NO excise tax. -Fully assembled, test-fired DPMS rifle = FAET TAX of 10% and NICS check. Now- this last point seems to be where the BATFE has focused its attention and has gone after some gunsmiths. From what I can tell, here is another example specific to our sport (though please correct me if I am off base here): -STI builds a complete firearm to sell but has to pay the 10% tax. -Joe's Custom Pistol Shop "builds" a gun for a customer using all STI parts including an serial numbered STI frame from Brownells - the result being the same gun STI sells - but Joe's never pays the excise tax. See the problem? It appears that BATFE wants the tax revenue. This issue has nothing to do with an individual like me who "makes" a firearm for personal use. Wombat - maybe so, but a SAFE rule of thumb for builders is that the gun cannot be built with the intent to ever transfer and the SAFE course of action is to never transfer the gun. Yes- there MIGHT be some technical exceptions. Personally, I own & possess every gun I have ever made and I always will. For everyone: more about the pissing contest regarding sales of firearms that were "made" by an individual but are not "manufactured" guns - including a latter of guidance from BATFE: LINK http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=51&t=85165 Regards, D.C. Johnson

Thanks Flex! Tokarev: her you are: Latest work involves a brand new checkering file from Brownells (had to pay full retail, but its a nice tool). Its 20 LPI. Why so coarse? Earlier in this post I showed the process of "pointing up" the cheap machine-molded checkering that was on a mainspring housing. It is close to 20 LPI. Now the frontstrap will match. Here it is about 1/3 done. No formal jig was used for any of the checkering on this gun. Rather, I layed out the initial lateral lines using the same process as used for those running length-wise; I let the front strap protrude from the vice about 2" and used the end of the jaws as a guide. I selected a random starting point as I know I'll have to clean up the edges later anyway. I also attempted to take some barrel fitting photos but none showed the caliper readings I wanted to show (anyone care to PM some tips on getting a Sony DSC-P92 to take macros?). Also did the front sight - photos to follow. Getting close. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Well lets try this again, shall we? After being bush-whacked last month by an all-shotgun match, perhaps motivated area wheelgunners can gather for the AM squad at this month's Thurmont event. Here is a re-print of the match announcement I just received: "Hello to all, It's that time of month again. The next scheduled match for MPSA at Thurmont is for Sunday, April 23. Setup will be on Saturday, April 22 at 12 noon. There are limited slots for setup. ROs are needed for Sunday. We will have the usual 2 relays on Sunday starting at 9:00am and 12:30pm. These are the START times, please arrive sufficiently ahead of your relay to sign in and gear up. Stragglers will be scolded. This is a regular match. There will be the usual 4 stages plus a classifier. NEW SHOOTERS: If you are new to IPSC, that is you have not shot a club level match before and have not taken our safety course or the ones given by Jeff Hoge or Paul Mason, you MUST take the safety course during the morning relay to be able to shoot the afternoon relay or other matches later. If you want to be squadded with a particular person or persons, let me know with your email signup. Some of you have new USPSA numbers and expiration dates, some have new classifications or will be shooting in new divisions. I am asking that EVERYONE please provide: full name USPSA # and expiration date division (open, limited, limited10, production, revolver) class (new, unclassified, D, C, B, A, M, GM) power factor (Major/minor) email address evening/weekend phone number squadding requests relay (Sat setup, Sunday 9, Sunday 12:30) RO Sunday's other relay? Incomplete info may delay your registration and cause you to lose your slot..." The sign up address is listed here: www.vamdsection.org Hope to see everyone there. Best regards, D.C. Johnson

Not allowed at most of the local matches - not around here anyway; slows things down too much. Besides, with once fired brass so cheap & available these days, as well as Blazer, etc, why bother? Shooters are usually allowed to stay after & go rat brass on their own time. To each his own.

I missed the deadline & had to shoot my 1st SS division match with a 1911 out of the rental gun bin w/ borrowed mags & holders thanks to Alan Meek. I like the new division a whole lot & enjoyed shooting with Alan & Cliffy. I also made some progress. To cut the front sight dovetail, I looked at the cutters on hand & available sights. Since the rear sight is so tall, I opted to go with a cutter for a sight that I will have to order from Brownells. The cutter I selected was .330x60 deg. and made the depth of the cut .075" deep. To achieve this cut, I leveled the slide in the mill vice, touched off the top plane, and then lowered .075 & locked the head. A more time consuming way to do this is to hog out the middle with an ordinary mill and then make a pass with the dovetail cutter to save wear on the tool. I simply made one very slow pass with the cutter. Here is an out-of focus shot w/ a friend's display of quirky humor prior to the cut: ANd here is the cut complete on the slide: Obviously, from the photo above, you can see I have also fit the barrel & bushing as well and regrettably I did not take photographs of the fitting in progress but perhaps I can go back & fill in those photographs later. In fitting the barrel to the frame, I ran into a slight quirk (one of many with this psrticular build, actually): the barrel feet hit the frame w. the link and slide stop installed, thus stopping the barrel from fully dropping out of battery. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I located a web article over on www.1911forum.com that details the issue I am having and how to fix it (illustrated). Here is the link: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=120227 Part of this has to do with the long link that this gun needed. It is true that I could simply relieve the back of the barrel lug. However, I would have to do the same work on the next barrel in this frame, so why not fix the frame? Besides, this fix is easy & just involves a relief cut (and a non-precision one at that) with a Nowlin piloted cutter for making the Nowlin/Wilson ramped barrel cut (result show in link above). Getting closer now and I also have an incentive since SS division is up & running; at our Mar. indoor club match we had 52 entries and 10 were in Single Stack (www.shootersparadise.com under Forum). Hopefully I won't have to resort to shooting the old rental gun & scrounging gear again next time. More to come. D.C. Johnson

I HAVE BAD NEWS EVERYONE: we have been shotgunned. Just received the annoncement from the Thurmont USPSA/ MPSA.net, there will be NO hnadgun match on the 19th. Here is the text: _______________________________________________________________________ Hello to all, Our first IPSC match of the year will be a SHOTGUN match. We will set up on Sunday at 10 and have one relay at 12 on Sunday, March 19. The match will then be torn down. There will be no Saturday Relays! If you want to shoot, it will have to be on Sunday. Expect 5 stages: 2 slugs, 3 shot, so perhaps 40 or so slugs and 50-60 shot shells. It could be more or less. Open, limited and limited-pump divisions. Shot shells must be size 7 1/2 shot or smaller. Shotguns from 20 to 12 guage accepted. No new to IPSC shooters. There will be no new shooter class and no new shooters for this match, but spectators (with eye and ear protection) are welcome. Since there is no classifier and we will not be awarding matchbucks, the fee will be reduced to $15. I will accept 8 set up people who will get a $5 discount. If you have already emailed me to try to register for a regular match for this month, you need to do it again since all requests for a pistol slot are moot. If you do not have a 'gotcha,' you are not yet registered for this match! Also please note: No vehicles will be allowed on the ranges except for match personnel. All match vehicles must enter and exit the ranges via the new gravel road. No parking or driving on the trap ranges. I still need the usual stuff: full name USPSA # and expiration date division (open, limited, limited-pump) pistol class (unclassified, D, C, B, A, M, GM) power factor (Major) email address evening/weekend phone number squadding requests relay (Sun setup at 10 and shoot or shoot only at 12) _______________________________________________________________________ There will be a monthly USPSA match at Thurmont (near Frederick) on Sunday, the 19th of March and I'd like to invite anyone interested in shooting Revolver division to join us for the AM squad. The Thurmont club is about 1 hr drive from Arlington, and is just 10 mi. past Frederick, MD off Rt. 15 N in Maryland. It's an easy drive from the D.C., Baltimore or York, PA area. Here is the website with general sign up info (sign up will begin soon): http://www.vamdsection.org And directions to the club can be found on this site: www.mpsa.net All you need is one prior USPSA match under your belt, a 6 shot revolver of at least .38 caliber, a strong side holster and either moonclips or enough ready-loaded speedloaders for stages of up to 40 rounds. IDPA, ICORE & PPC wheelgunners are most welcome. Most common gun used is a S&W model 625 in .45 ACP. Last year, we managed 8 revolver shooters at the match. So far this year, we tentatively have: Bob P., Dave D., Al L., James R., the other Doug, & yours truly hoping to make it that day. Hope to see a lot of wheelgunners on the 19th. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Agree - but an alternative is to take the stock plastic insert (about 2mm thick) and replace it with thin metal insert at <1mm thick. I made my own, but a standard CZ-75B insert could be ground to fit.

Right on brother! More info on the facility: www.shootersparadise.com Tech details: -We use a Caswell Grand Trap that absorbs rifle fire up to .50 BMG as well as bird shot, slugs and buckshot. -We lined the walls with steel that is close to T1 grade and when struck at an angle of fewer than 45 degrees by pistol or shotgun rounds, it deflects projectiles into the backstop. -We have never closed the range to the public during any of our competitions which include: USPSA, IDPA, & ICORE (all 3 affiliated) as well as practice and 3gun. The other 1/2 of the range stays open & we often attract spectators from the general public - which I consider to be a big advantage in recruiting new shooters. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

GMV - greetings from Modified-deprived US; I believe that Israel (like Greece) does not permit reloading? Cybosh - once you add the new parts, could you post another pic? Thanks.

I have added all the constructive content I have to offer on this thread. For those w/ specific q.s on the matter, please send me a PM.

Managed it once with a cut-down SV brand competition follower for the 2011 (the red one). The follower was cut because it was too long, front to back. However, I could not get the follower to either stay on the spring or in the magazine. It would either pop out the top or worse, fly off completely. Solve that problem & you should have 20.

Agreed. I have learned from some USPSA GMs that they found it to be faster. Does that make it the last word? No. Personally, I found their advice valid in practice. NOTE: I have also heard that some shooters who are more into IDPA than me believe that the weak side turn should be used in IDPA: thier justification was something along the lines of retaining the gun. I do not agree or disagree. However, I do use the strong side in all competition. Regards, D.

Right - that is my point: -You did not buy an STI. You bought a Brazos. Why did you choose a Brazos over an STI? Or put another way, have you ever bought an older, new, unaltered STI (from STI) that worked 100%? I am not trying to bash the STI/SV/SPS platform. I shoot an SV usually. I am simply pointing out truths about both the S_I/SPS vs the CZ to let the shooter make in informed decision.

sfinney wrote: "the thumb safety is hard to reach/manipulate/ride for SOME on the CZ ST or TS. If your hand fits it perfectly, so be it, but for a lot of people it doesn't." Agreed- and that is a good point. Also, the only option I know of in the US is to try to custom-fit a Tanfoglio part to a CZ - not easy to do. In this regard, I agree that advantage goes to the STI/SV/SPS and all the thumb safeties out there for all size hands. If you have big hands / long thumbs, there is no disadvantage. Here is another negative to consider: the TS is a heavy gun. To some that is a plus. Otherwise, you might be better off with an STI/SV/SPS without all the heavy parts (remove the tungsten barrel sleeve, brass magwell, tungsten rod). Also, it is a fact that there are fewer custom parts for the CZ. But - question is: does it need any custom parts? The guns run fine as they come from the factory. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Xre wrote: "The Edge will have much more aftermarket and gunsmith support in the US. The word I get on the factory guns is that you might want to buy them through someone who will check them over and make sure they run before they send them on - though my understanding is that, of late, STI have been improving their factory quality. The Edges I've handled seem to be well built, overall. STI definitely is a huge support of our game. " That is a good point. One problem with the Edge is that historically, it won't run once you have paid 2x the cost of a TS. The guns all have to be sent out to tuners & gunsmiths before they can be relied on. Same with the magazines. Has that changed recently? One thing about the CZ is that it actually runs from the day you buy it. Same goes for the magazines that, unlike STI tubes- do not require tuning to function. As for support for the sport, STI is a huge supporter of USPSA (they deserve thanks for this). CZ-USA cannot provide the same level of financial support, but they do support USPSA and they attend many competitions. As for IPSC, the separate company "CZ" is a huge supporter of IPSC (as is Tanfoglio). Ihatepickles wrote: "So far, the responses have been "how silly of you to ask such a question" and "STIs are just better". I say flame on, but the STI is not a pistol that's worth 3x the CZ TS. By the responses I read, the people panning the CZ TS don't even realize the TS is a different setup than a CZ75. The TS is a 19/20 round magazine version of the CZ 75 with a swept beavertail high grip and a 5.3 inch barrel configured SA only." +1. Please voice your opinions. I believe my SV is a very capable Limited gun - but so are the two Standard IPSC .40s I own & use. However, the original question sought to compare these guns. The opinions by people who have never fired a TS or Standard IPSC in competition do not offer a comparison of the two guns. Also, the magazines for the TS and Standard IPSC were not invented until 1997 or so (i.e. during the AWB/Magazine ban). Thus, by definition, there never existed and "pre-ban" magazines for it - unlike all the STI "pre bans" we used to use ( ). Point is, the 140 mm magazines are brand new to the US and USPSA (what is 1.5 yrs to USPSA tech?). The CZ has not really had a chance to catch on in the USA and unfortunately for the TS, the CZ-USA Team is focusing on Production division rather than Limited. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Cliffy wrote: " I really like the cost of Rainier bullets and I have a strong preference for flat pointed ammo. I had been using 4.1 grains of Clays with 200 grain bullets, but it was pointed out to me that this likely would not meet the 165 power factor for IDPA or USPSA. I bumped that up to 4.6 grains and I suspect I'm fine at this level, but can somebody tell me where I really am with velocity? How far back can I drop it and keep the velocity over 825 fps?" I shot the Plated/ TMJ'd 200s w/ Clays powder in a .45 ACP Edge for my first 1.5 yrs in USPSA. I think I burned about 12 lbs of the stuff. Here is what I recall from my barrel: W. the round nose plated 200, I found I had a safe margin at 4.6 grns and loaded to 1.260" OAL. Note- that is just slightly over book, but I never had an issue and the .45 is stronger than it is given credit for (i.e. - just look at .45 Super). I think that if you are loading out that long, then go w. 4.6 For the shorter lenghts required for Plated/TMJ'd SWCs, I used 4.5 and always chronoed major at every match. Length I used was 1.245" OAL. Regards, D.C. Johnson

I cant believe this is even a quaestion. CZ for a production gun maybe. For limited, open and limited 10 STI is a hands down winner, no contest. It is certainly a question in most of IPSC where the CZ or Tanfoglio tends to rule the roost - not the SPS or similar STI/SV. Chuck, I know you are an accomplished shooter with an STI. But the TS or Standard IPSC has almost NOTHING in common with a 75b and you really should try out or at least hold/dry fire a TS before you pan them. They really are great guns and very capable against S_I/SPS in IPSC. I would go with the CZ now that 140s are available.

Carlos, I'm in A8 too and I've never heard of that. When did that start? Perhaps I am mistaken & George Jones can weigh in to clear this up. I was under the impression that: 1) In most of USPSA, a shooter can show up to a level I match, and shoot the classifier over & over, then pick their highest score to be sent to Sedro. 2) Area 8 discourages that practice & the shooter's first attempt is sent in. Perhaps I am wrong on this point. Anyone know?

Technology wise, I think its pushing the envelope - and I love it! Thanks for the cool pictures Cybosh. Look forward to a range/match report on how it shoots. Regards, Carlos

Great shooting DMS42! Keep up the dry fire & you'll be back to B in no time.

Yeah, you're right - was forgetting about this provision in 1.1.5... Sorry for the confusion Cliff. Nonetheless... you can encourage stage design that provides points to reload. The best way to do that is get involved and help design stages. I'm sure Carlos would appreciate the help Heck YES! Shortly after Phil & I started this club, I took over all the design duties since Phil was busy running a business & traveling, shooting, being a dad, etc. Since then, I have largely turned over design to a group of my volunteers (the so-called Shooters Paradise Design Team) & we are always interested in stage design ideas. I can't promise you your own bay (there is only one bay for all 4 stages ) or that your stage will appear 100% uneditied because the stages need to fit together & work with each other & under the time constraints. But otherwise, we welcome new ideas in stage design. D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com PS One design limit (of many) is that 9 rounds are hard to pull off since we will not be using the plates after last Wed.'s match (the popper excepted). 8 rounds would work though.

This is a good point. Like petroleum diesel, there need to be additives included in the fuel to address low temps where both kinds of diesel can "gel" - and not run. Keep in mind that the gasoline & diesel you buy today is full of additives for various purposes. In Europe where biodiesel/blend use is common, and in limited use in the US where it has been mandated on a small scale, the gelling problem has been solved at the refinery level. If you make your own from waste oil, you will need additives.