smokshwn

I am not quite sure why you chose to make a personal accusation of slander, but this is simply a discussion. You can disagree and I am sure there are those who do not know any better that can enjoy the show as entertainment. At the same time there are many that do not get that same feeling when they watch the show. To say the shows depict shooters in a positive light is a stretch. Both Sons of Guns and American Guns have routinely (scripted or not) required the response of emergency crews due to their activities. What does this show the average viewer? The gun handling is generally atrocious on a good day, and the drama displayed does nothing but indicate that those cast members involved (and by extension gun owners in general) are hot headed and unable to control their emotional response to confrontation or conflict. At any rate, I don't think that it is "slanderous" in the least to suggest that these programs oftentimes portray gun owners in a negative light. Given the level of scripting that is obvious, I would also propose that it isn't by accident.

I'm sneaky like dat!

MGM Ironman allows you to use Buckshot and SMM3G had a complete buckshot stage last year.

Don't fool yourself for a minute into thinking that this show (or any like it) puts gun owners in a positive light. These shows don't help us as a portrayal of responsible gun owners. They simply further validate all the asinine and stupid cliche's of gun owners. The show consistently showcases barely capable idiots who can't seem to shoot a single thing without filling it full of tannerite and explosives. Then cater to the extreme's of the gun owner contuum (swarovski crystals and diamonds on your slide...really?) which only further alienates those who could potentially become interested in the shooting sports and further validates the negativity that our opposition would like to portray.

My guess is that it does not actually fire a combustible substance rather it looked like it was simply spinning from compressed air maybe. Either way, it's amazing not only for the craftsmanship, but also the drive to finish the project.

No, there is a capacity differentiation with respect to minor/major in SS. 8 rds max when shooting major, 10rds max when shooting minor in SS.

Often times people ask questions wanting only validation not advice. If you have already chosen a piston gun, buy what you want. However, you may consider that you have fallen to quite a bit of hype and not too much substance. In theory a piston gun may be more reliable. But remember, a DI gun maintained properly is an incredibly reliable firearm in the first place. There are quite a few of us who have tuned AR's that are running right at the edge with adjustable gas systems, lightened bolt carriers and lightened buffers and we still see easily 800-1000 rds before routine cleaning is needed. Then a rudimentary wipedown and relubing is all that is necessary to be gtg again. Add to this fact that in the race to build the latest whizbang piston system, guess what? Not all piston guns are the paragon of reliability. The volume of knowledge is just not as deep. Pistons were introduced, then we found carrier tilt. Remedies for carrier tilt ensued. Then we saw carrier keys breaking, the fix....one piece carriers. etc etc. What you end up with is a gun that has several proprietary parts that can no longer be fixed without those parts in hand and few if any are mil spec which means I (or any other shooting buddy) can't share my parts with you unless we have the same exact model of gun. You may think "I don't really mind the weight" but we aren't complaining of the weight from the standpoint of adding overall weight to the weapons system. We are speaking of heavier reciprocating mass due to the increased complexity of piston systems. This means increased recoil and muzzle jump. This compromises your ability to shoot the weapon quickly and transition from target to target....all compromises. So in the grand scheme of things you spend more $$$ for an arguable increase in reliability and pay all kinds of costs to have a "Piston Gun". If I was advising you on $1000 gun to do damn near anything you could want from an AR platform and do it well, it would be hard to beat a DPMS 3G1.

Any word on dates for the 2012 match?

Although there are plenty of pics on Enos to keep you busy check Roger's Precision out....I absolutely love some of the machining on those pistols.

Because a bipod is viewed as an accessory...like a sling. Whereas an optic is viewed as a component of the gun.

Yes on both.

Can't think of a match that does not allow the bipod to be mounted or unmounted each stage as needed. As a matter of fact you can start with the bipod and remove it midstage if you want, (larue mount with a split ring works wonders). As for the legs IME it varies match to match and even RO to RO. As of late more and more are allowing it.

I don't have any exposure to the SWFA either but if there is enough light in the situation to ID your target and articulate your use of force the Meopta will be fine.

Impressive yes, but this guy is still the king of raging OCD model builders....... 20,000 hours!

Not to mention you wouldn't have to stand around and listen to people applaud as if reaffirming the obvious......."yay, you have displayed enough skill to get your name drawn from a hat"

Ya, those molds are so cheap and injection molding machines are free at the swapmeet!

Can anybody comment on the belt when going prone for rifle prior to shotgun in a stage. Do the shells get dislodged? How about position behind the gun, is it compromised?

I'm with Doug. As a competitor I would love you to reconfigure your gun each stage. I am a big fan of let Open be Open, which translated means let guys screw themselves with any idea they can come up with. With respect to the rule though I can see some logic. If you want the advantage the Xrail offers (capacity) the rule requires that you also absorb the disadvantage (weight). You may not agree with the fact that a tube fed gun pays a particular penalty for this when a mag fed gun doesn't, however magazines have never been considered as part of the firearm. The analogy would be allowing someone to shoot a 16" upper on a tight technical rifle stage but switch to a 24" gun for the long range targets.

Not trying to be a smartass but S&W should be the best resource in providing a "stock" maintenance schedule. With a little time on the phone I am sure you could track someone down to give you what you need.

The stock STI 45 140mm mags hold 15 rounds. Kinda takes it out of the Lim10 class! Not, if like every other gun used in L10, you only put ten rounds in the mag

Why not? because the angle can never really be assured to make the correct call. There have been countless "you make the call " threads and they generally result in the same conclusion, depending on the angle the call can be argued either way....ergo what does it gain you other than just a different argument. The shootoffs with consistent camera angles and fixed targets are a different story, but sure as frozen snot is slick, allow video review and the 3GN production crew will have to elbow four "camera buddies" out of the way anytime they want to film a stage.

Is there any question who I have to vote for.....The Stache that supports our Juniors....the one the only cartwheeling manchild Travis Gibson!

Shooting the Sissy Gun huh?

I have one but I have only had a chance to play a little with it. Everything about it seems right. Turrets feel solid, zeroing was accurate and precise. The class is very good for the price point. It has definitely got the pedigree of the Vortex Razor 1-4 that I have shot a lot. FWIW I wouldn't hesitate to try one. My experience so far tells me it will be a solid optic value for the pricepoint.

Well said, this has been a very dynamic ride and at times it has been challenging to keep up with the changes. But the changes and learning curve for the guys who have their biscuits on the chopping block day to day as their job ( Pete and Chad et al) have really stepped to plate and dealt with more ups and downs than many of us will ever know. Hat's off to them Oh and a 401k investment is a really poor idea by the time it matures the taxes will kill you, better consider a ROTH...(that's my thanks for introducing me to that prime rib sandwich at Ozark)