Carlos

"The CZ's I've had have had short freebore, so that "straight" bullets like the XTP needed to be seated much deeper than when shot in something like a Glock or BHP." Certainly correct as far as the larger CZ & probably with the 9mm as well; I once tried to chamber a .45 ACP round that had a Montana Gold 200 Grn soft point seated to 1.240" (not overly long for a 45 ACP load) and it easily struck the rifling while not allowing the round to chamber. As for the 147s I have tried, I seat them to 1.155" over very fast powder. They include: zero 147 JHP zero 130 FMJ RN Wideners Master match 147 rn & FP Berrys and Ranier 147 RN Star 147 FMJ Precision 147 TC I believe a 147 over some N320 will produce a better 9mm load. Regards, D.C. Johnson

$550 Retail is still below the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the Glock -34 (one of the most popular choices for USPSA Production Division). I think that we can put to rest the "high dollar race gun" argument against the SP-01. If anyone thinks that the Tanfoglio Stock custom ought to be banned because they believe it is a "high dollar race gun" @ under $1000 retail, then please explain why the all steel framed Beretta 92 Steel I (MSRP $1600) should remain on the list. Again, for the record, I am in favor of keeping all the Berettas, all Glocks, the CZ, and Tanfoglio SC, ON the list (as long as we follow IPSC's list system). Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

"I did find a dead mouse in my cob bucket the other day. " Didn't something like this recently happen to BJ Norris' range bag? Could it have been the work of the cats honoring him with their dead mouse hunting trophy? BJ - better check your tumbling media before use; if it does not pass the "smell test" then . . . you get the idea.

This topic has been covererd extensively here on be.com (if anyone wants to post a link to the thread) but I am in favor of keeping it 10 rnds even though I live in the free Commonwealth of VA (where all magazines are available). Why? 1)I would like to keep things fair & affordable for all the shooters (present & future) who live in New York & CA where greater than 10 rnd mags are still restricted and 2) The limit of 10 allows the .40 to compete. If greater than 10 are allowed in, there would be such a capacity disadvantage that 40 would disappear from Production as it has in IPSC. Regards, D.C. Johnson

I thought that only happened to me. I had to throw away two perfectly good loads of corncob since I was not about to expirament with the effects of cat urine on my reloading brass (hmmmm . . on second thought ). Thats what I get for leaving the lid open on the media seperator while boarding my girlfriend's cats. She split 6 months ago & she received full custody of the cats; no visitation even. Problem solved.

"I like the Bladetech DOH. " I am a bean pole & I really liked my Bladetech DOH until I lent it to another bean pole who really needs it a lot more than I do right now (Angus, you readin' this?) Blade teck is the way to go I believe. On a bean pole like me, it really hangs out at a raucous angle and makes you look like a serious gunslinger just waiting to tell some menacing USPSA target "draw . . . "

I think this is great news & both TGO + Springfield deserve our thanks. A springfield built just for USPSA & IPSC (that you can also use in IDPA thanks to the bushing barrel). I am not about to sell my SV but I am glad that future shooters will have a viable choice between the Springfield, the Para, the Kimber/Bul .40 highcap, the CZ TS (previously the Standard IPSC .40), Sig's new X-5, Tanfoglio's Silver Team Limited .40 and a few others. These are turning into the good old days for USPSA/IPSC Limited/Standard division. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Perhaps you should try dating a Latina; there is ample advice here on the forum if you decide to go that route. Regards, D.

Don't want to run afoul of our host's rules against politics, but here is a legislative suggestion: Another Class III Amnesty as was done in the 1960s. Back then, it was recognized that many of our valient war vets from WW II and Korea had innocently brought back trophys that were actually class III weapons. Recognizing that law enforcement should not make prosecuting such vets a priority and also recognizing that since 1934 there has been exactly one mis-use of a registererd Class III, Congress passed an amnesty to allow such guns to be registered. It worked perfectly! Obviously not every gun was brought in, but of those registered, none were subsequently used in a crime over the three decades since then. I would guese that a few class III guns have probably trickled in from Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Haiti, Beirut, Kuwait, Iraq, Afganistan & every where else that our servicemen have travelled. Why make them into criminals? I think another amnesty would be in everyone's interest. D.

I agree 100% w/ Raz-o's post above. Also, scooter wrote: "What's annoying is the guy or gal who starts going exact the same speed as the car in the next lane and hovers around 1/2 car behind so you can't pass on the right either. And there's no cars in front in that lane for at least a mile. " Agreed. In addition, such drivers usually sit right in the blind spot while hovering 1/2 car behind; very dangerous practice bourne of ignorance. Many years of riding motorcycles on public roads has made me leary of other driver's blind spots. Seems most automobile drivers are obliovious to the blind spot concept & dangers involved. D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Hi Kiwi, I sorely miss Vince Pinto on this forum, he could have cited the exact rule number for you. Hopefully some one else will haul out their rulebook or look it up, but I believe that 1911 grip safeties may only be pinned in Open division. However, there could be an exception for Production DA guns such that the safety may not be engaged for the 1st shot. As an example, I shoot a CZ 85 Combat in Production. After lowering the hammer to the de-cocked position, the shooter does not have to engage the manual safety. The gun is rendered safe by virtue of the lowered hammer. If the shooter chooses to engage the manual safety on a SA/DA CZ, he or she MAY do so, but is not required to do so. Same goes for the Beretta 92 series; after de-cocking, the shooter is not required to engage the safety but may do so w/o penalty. In an LDA, the lowered, DA-only hammer renders the gun safe, so I believe that use of the grip safety may be at the shooter's discretion in Production (just as it is with my CZ). Another posibility for IPSC may be a different grip safety that is offered as a factory option. It is well known that Sevigny showed up the the last World Shoot with Heinie sights on his Glock. He was also armed with a factory letter stating that heinie's are a Glock factory option. Q. is: are there any other factory option grip safeties offered by Para? Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Thought of a few: plastic stub guide rod Glock polymer rear sight aluminum crip screws shooting without the grips & removing the grip screw bushings Whatever it takes to play by the rules. Regards, C.

I did not answer the poll since I run an indoor match at a commercial range on a weeknight; we start at 3 PM & run 6 shooter squads every hour on the hour until the 8 PM "supersquad" of 9 shooters (who are supposed to all stick around for cleanup but a few of who mysteriously "disappear" when done shooting. Thank goodness for those who stay late.). Around here, most outdoor matches begin around 9 AM. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

"now what powder WST,WSF, or Tight group? " I use N330 or N320. Of the powders mentioned, I like Titegroup. " How do they work at ~1100 fps?" Not sure about the 158s, but the 124s WILL stand up to Major (which they are not supposed to be able to withstand, but they do). Try it & see. I bet the 158s will easily take 1100. DO NOT OVER CRIMP!!! Very light crimp w/ plated so as to not tear the jacket. D.

What kills me is the attitude some people have about the passing lane (AKA fast lane). THese people seem to think that if they set their cruise control to what they think is the speed limit, then they have a "right" to sit in the passing lane & anyone that politely asks them to shift back to the travel lanes with a flash of the high beams is a rude, dangerous, speed-limit-scofflaw who is also a child-threatening lawbreaker who obvioulsy did not see the "babies on board" sticker right next to the soccerball logo on the back of their minivan (be shamed, scofflaw!). Besides, they think they are doing the max speed limit & therefore you just want to break the law & therefore they are justified in taking vigilante justice against you by blocking you from "speeding." They know what's best for everyone - especially the children! Truth is most: speedometers read 7 to 15 mph HIGH (never low - otherwise there would be a massive class action against automakers). So when poky in the fast lane thinks he or she is doing 65, its more like 55. Besides, the law generally requires that lane to be used for passing only except in traffic. This is understood in Europe, but routinely ignored here at home. See also: Sterling's post on D.C. traffic (2nd worst in the US & declining every day!).

"The normal bullets that rainier sells are a swaged out of lead wire (pure soft lead) then copper plated," Correct! That is one of the problems & the benefits of US made electroplated bullets like the Speer TMJ & Speer Gold Dot; the lead is soft & expands as well as the old 158 grn Lead Hollow Point .38 Special +P load of yester-year. But the bullets easily deform in loading & if over crimped, the plating will tear. "the frontier bullets are hard cast and then copper plated." Also correct. Every box of Frontiers have a quality lable in with the bullets that states "Cast". "Both types of bullets are supposedly made in South Africa by the same company." Batting 1000%. Made by Frontier Metal Processing (PTY) Ltd., Stilfontein, South Africa. Available in the USA through T&T Reloading - do a search here on the be.com forum for T&T's new web address. They come to all the gun shows & will deliver Frontiers to you for free. While my shooting at the SC sectional sucked, the Frontier 180 rounded flat point 180s functioned flawlessly & accurately. D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

"but 1.135 is the maximum my magazines will take (both the Glock and CZ)." Whoa! I am loading out to 1.160" to 1.170" (depending on bullet used) in Standard IPSC. It uses proprietary magazines that tolerate LONGER .40 loads than can be used int he small frame CZ .40s like CZ 75B in .40, the CZ-40B (AKA Colt Z40), the CZ 85 Compact .40, etc. I would load a lot longer than 1.135 if you are shooting a Standard IPSC. Try 1.160" & you will notice lower pressures. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

Not true. Extensive testing has been done to prove that this is an old wives tale.You can tumble loaded rounds for up to 4 weeks straight without demonstrable effect. Besides, the ammo manufacturers tumble your ammo before you buy it without ill effect. So tumble away. Keep the tumbling under 4 weeks & you are good to go. Regards, C.

The CZ SP-01 retails in the US for $495. The Tanfoglio Stock Custom's dealer price has also been established through their importer in the United States. I know because the store were I work part time previously ordered 5 of them from EAA (we have since cancelled the order). We had previously planned to retail the Stock Custom for about $950. How do those prices sit with you when Beretta has been selling the USPSA & IPSC - approved model 92 Steel I for $1600??? Has that 40+ Oz. Beretta gun run away with every Production match since hitting the market nearly a year ago? No, of course not. Matt wrote "The only $1000 CZ I can think of is the race oriented Champion, and the Tactical Sport (formerly IPSC Standard)... both single action guns." True. Both are factory tuned guns with about 1.5 lb SA only triggers. They are meant only for Open division and IPSC Standard division. At under $1500 & $1200 respectively, they are value priced options for either IPSC or USPSA. Regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com

9mm or 38 super? Thanks, C.

Driver8M3 is right; if you use a regulation steel table w/ pins only at the front, 9x19 won't work & you loose too many new shooters. A better way is to divide an informal match into Major & Minor (though being informal, you should do so without a chrono). An indoor pin match north of here in Timonium, MD, uses transportable wood tables on saw horses with pins at the front for major (.45, .357, 10mm, and .40) while the pins for Minor are set in the middle of the table (Minor = 9mm, .38 special, .32, etc.). If I remember the last pin shoot they had set up down in the basement of NRA's HQ here in VA, they also set some pins 1/2 way back on the table to accomodate a shooter who shows up with a 9mm handgun. The Minor pins do not have very far to travel after being struck & solid hits with decent Minor loads will generally take them off the table (& keep the new shooters coming back). There is an additional Division for .22 @ Timonium that uses just the pin tops. Another option for .22 is to use full sized pins set at the very back edge of the table; a .22 will tip over a pin w/o problem. Regards, D.C. Johnson

Our host's new avatar creeps me out - kinda like a victim after being skinned alive or a cadaver from 1st year medical school. Gives me the willies! (and you KNOW I don't like having the willies). C.

I used to have a book on the "sport" called "Hit the White Part" - and there was once a website that had the official rules. These days, there are no longer set "rules". At one time, the tables were steel & quite deep with pins set at the front edge. Making sure the pins made it completely off the table meant that loads BEGAN at old major & went up from there with an emphasis on heavy bullets. Before the advent of inexpensive shot timers, they used stop watches & time ended when the pin hit the ground rather than the last shot (which added a lot of drama to rolling pins - - would it fall?). Lost that book & website years ago. D.

Bruce, thank you for the explanation of the current system. I believe that in 2003, adoption of the IPSC list by USPSA was a perfectly reasonable decision & until last month, the list system worked fine. Now, there is a flaw in the current system thanks to the IPSC BOD's decision to adhere to the nebulous concept of "spirit of the Division" - whatever that means. Still, IPSC allows: Approved: Beretta Steel I: $1600 Approved: Sig 226 Steel : $990 Approved: Para LDA: 18 round magazine Approved: Baby Eagle: Long heavy dust-cover Unless the IPSC BOD corrects their recent unjust decision, it may be necessary for USPSA to adopt a different criteria for Production, though I had hoped we would get closer to IPSC's rules rather than further apart. I see nothing unfair nor imprecise in Eric W's suggestion (good suggestion Eric, Matt, etc); just so long as the "2000 Produced" are available to everyone & not Custom Shop specials or sold overseas so that regular shooters can't get one of the 2000 produced. The SP-01 & Stock Custom were & always have been intended for general retail sale once in full production. Angus has begun selling the 1st SP-01s in the USA. Retail price to anyone? $495. Best regards, D.C. Johnson www.shootersparadise.com EDIT: for the record, I am against price limits or limits on innovation. Let the manufacturers innovate and let the shooters shoot whatever gun fits the rule of the division. I cite the examples above not because I am against them. To the contrary, I am in favor of letting those gun remain on the list along with other guns that follow the division RULES such as the SP-01 and Stock Custom.

The 1st batch of SP-01s in the USA went on sale yesterday or the day before. Retail price???: $495 So much for the "high dollar" argument - especially since the Production approved, accesory rail, all steel "Beretta 92 Steel I" retails for $1600. How much is that 18 shot Para LDA 9mm? ANd the mag capacity of the Para in IPSC Production? 18 rounds. In addition, there is a post on the IPSC Village that the long approved IMI Baby desert eagle (aka Jericho 941/IMI Eagle) has been restored to the list, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS A LONG HEAVY DUST COVER. I personally do not believe there are any valid arguments against the SP-01's use in USPSA or IPSC. The ball is in the BOD's court; I hope they make a wise decision. Regards, D.C. Johnson