Carmoney

I don't think it's "complaining" to suggest that USPSA could consider doing some things differently in order to make the match run more efficiently and more profitably. I'm not saying I have all the answers, but I did make a couple constructive suggestions that I think might help the cause. With any organization like this, it's pretty easy to get stuck in a rut and keep doing things the same way year after year, even when they aren't working as well as they could. Many of us who are active participants on this forum regularly contribute to the sport in many ways, and at various levels.....some more obvious than others.

Me too. And I hope nobody misinterpreted my post as suggesting otherwise. Overall, we are blessed with excellent leadership in this organization. The first savings measure that comes to mind is to consider switching to a modest per diem cash payment to the staff (payable upon completion of service), and allowing them to make their own arrangements, rather than footing the bill for all those travel and accommodation expenses. Some staff members might want a private room at a nicer motel and bring a spouse or significant other, some might want to use their travel points, some might want to get together and stay four to a to a room, or camp at the range--whatever they want to do is fine, because USPSA would be out of the "travel agency/cruise director" business. And I do like the idea of finding a way of letting staff shoot the match gratis. That would increase potential RO interest tremendously, and make the above suggestion even more feasible.

I understand it's tough to get everybody on the same page when you're trying to run a not-for-profit organization, but private enterprise has proven over the years that major pistol matches can be money-makers. Frank Garcia runs great matches, and they make money for him. Mike Dalton and Mike Fichman made enough profit with the Steel Challenge over the years that they were able to sell the match twice, and they made out quite nicely this last time when USPSA was the purchaser, didn't they? Richard Davis made a bundle off Second Chance (no matter what he might have claimed on his tax returns at the time). Those are just a few examples that quickly come to mind. There should not be a problem turning a profit with well over $200K coming in. Sounds to me like maybe the spending side of the ledger has gotten a little out of control.

With all due respect, Chuck, I never understand why we keep hearing this claim from USPSA. This year 868 competitors shot the back-to-back Nats in Vegas. If you figure $250 average entry fee, that's $217,000 in total entry fees, and the prize tables were donated (and pretty frickin' weak). WHERE DOES ALL THE MONEY GO??

What would happen if they actually changed up Bianchi from year to year, keeping the fundamental nature of the match, but varying the times/distances/requirements from one year to the next? So you'd still have a mover, but every year it moves at a different speed, comes from different directions or angles, with a different number of shots required. (You find out the format when you get to the match, and no advance practice allowed on the bay.) You would still have the plates, but every year the plate racks would be at different distances and have different par times. Etc., etc.......you get the idea. I think that would make the Bianchi Cup immensely more interesting, and I'll bet it would substantially mix up the match results!

That would end the lunch deliveries.

Yep, and the entry forms are consistent with that, too: http://1911ssc.org/registration/registration.htm Assuming this is accurate, this is great news for everybody--the Revo Nationals has been added without any negative impact (real or perceived) being inflicted on the existing SS Nationals!

John, I think you misunderstood my post. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the 25-2, other than the fact that they usually don't shoot well with cast bullets. They shoot fine with jacketed and plated bullets. Do the action, narrow the trigger, slap on some Hogues, and you're in business. I was trying to point out that if they made a 6" 625 today, it would have the same performance benefit as the 25-2 (namely, the longer sight radius) but with the QC problems that have plagued the recent production guns (peening and tight chambers). Might as well just start with the 25-2 and avoid those issues.

Yes, setting up and shooting the Far and Near Standards over and over and over is a time-proven way to finish ahead of shooters with a higher overall skill level.

Jeff, I would go for the 5" gun personally. Good luck with whatever you decide.

The Power endshake bearings work great, and there's not much qualified gunsmithing to installing them. You just have to be a little careful with the threads when reassembling the extractor, that's all.

I used to think that heavier bullets were more effective on steel, other factors being equal. Now I believe it's all about power factor. For the last couple years, I've been running a 9mm load that is a bit unconventional--a 95-gr. MG JHP at around 1350 fps. I've shot many thousands of rounds of this load through my XDs and my 9mm Single Stacks. I really like the load because of the fast cycling and the way it handles. This year I shot two USPSA area matches, the Western States Single Stack Championship, and the Pro-Am Steel match, using this 95-gr. load. At any match where the steel is calibrated even remotely reasonably, this load has worked perfectly fine in taking down the steel. It's a bad situation when local matches won't make the effort to calibrate the steel. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be a problem.

Not to single anybody out, but I would caution everyone against recommending non-licensees for gunsmithing work.

Sounds to me like they had the steel set too heavy that day. How were all the Production guys with semi-auto pistols doing? Most of them are presumably shooting loads which were very comparable to yours. I'm assuming you confirmed that you were getting good hits (not way low or off on the edges) on the poppers, and they still weren't falling reliably.

I guess, stay tuned. Since when have they worried about the ICORE Rule Book at the IRC?

Apex has always been the place to go! Clark's and Frank Glenn are two other excellent choices, and there are other good shops out there. If you're a little mechanically inclined, you can always do as JFlowers suggests and dig into it yourself.

Interesting. This appears to be the latest version of the Armscor M1911A2 pistol that we discussed here at some length quite a few years ago (with a higher price point this time around): http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=26887&hl= dirt cheap limited&st=0

No, i have not. I thought Apex was suppose to be one of the best in the game, so i haven't looked. No question about it--Apex is one of the very best in the biz for revo action work. I have seen very nice work from Frank Glenn and Clark's shop also.

Probably not enough to get anyone too excited. It would probably have to be one of those special runs through one of the distributors, and that means $$$$. Plus, wouldn't a 6" 625 be nothing more than a 25-2 with an internal lock, out-of-spec chambers, and a peening problem?

I owned a Mink custom SP-01 for several years, and the custom work was very nice. I never completely warmed up to the CZ format, so I sold it to a local friend and it seems to be serving him well. Keep in mind that just like with a revolver, shortening the DA stroke invariably means the DA stroke must be heavier in order to ensure reliable ignition.

Congratulations go out to Cliff, and everyone else who shot the MCC. I was hoping to make it to Memphis again, but it didn't work out. Hopefully next year!

I use and recommend the DS-10, which is the original product. The maker, Dave Skrzela, is a great guy who came up with a neat concept. I avoid and resent the Speed-Beez because it is a blatant knock-off of the original. I think it's wrong to steal other people's ideas like that.

Lots of old guys think they're experts on S&W revolvers. The worst are those who tell you they attended the "S&W Armorer's School" 35 years ago. In reality, they don't know their "slider" from a hole in the ground. (That was nice enough, right? Here, I'll add a smiley face just to be sure....)

OK----everybody needs to stop and read the above post. This guy has it figured out.

I saw a surprising number of light hits and short strokes on the Revo Super Squad at Nationals this year. Stated simply, that's what happens when you take the spring tensions down too far. Personally, I hand-seat all my match ammo and keep my springs at a well-balanced 5.5 to 6 pounds with reasonably snappy rebound. And I do not have problems.