Ron Rodgers

This is from the USPSA website: "Classification hit factors will be input every month. All classifiers received at USPSA headquarters on or before the 10th of the month will be input that same month. Those received after the 10th will be input and reported the following month. For initial classification, shooters who have 4 or more valid, different classifier scores input at Headquarters by the 10th of a month can expect to receive their classification card by the end of that same month. For reclassification, the most recent 8 unduplicated classifier scores are used for determining classification percentage, the two lowest which are not duplicates are dropped before averaging the remaining high six."

If you're referring to the Area 8 Championship, I agree that the Match Director lacks organizational skills. Plaques could have been made up before the match, but the decision was made to wait until the winners were known and the awards could be personalized. Manny (who does excellent work!!!) did tell us that he would be pretty busy with Nationals, World Shoot, etc. and I just screwed up and waited too long to get the award order out to him. For that I apologize. As for prize money, the match prize policy dictates that after match expenses are paid, all remaining funds are divided up between the Division & Class winners and high finishers. Believe it or not - we had a hard time getting some vendors to bill us! In any case, it looks like the awards are in the works and the checks are almost in the mail. Ron Rodgers MD - 2005 A8

This has been a bad year - only made it to 4 big matches: PSA Steel Shoot Area 7 Championship Summer Blast Western PA Sectional (this weekend) Sure would have liked to shoot others, but involvement with the Area 8 Championship limited my time on the range and major matches scheduled for our club's match dates prevented even more.

Thanks for the info Vince! I'll see you there.

I'll second the GANS recommendation. Gary has done my limited and open guns. Top quality workmanship, reasonable prices, and quick turn-around.

We did something similar on stage 3 at Area 8 - "Wall Stripes 3". We filled a few plastic barrels with shredded bark and used them as a backstop for a low target in the middle of the stage. 700+ rounds, and no shoot throughs. Now that the match is over, if we can just figure out how to remove the barrels ........

Brian, It was specifically mentioned in the shooters meeting and the question was asked again immediately before the LAMR command on the stage and the answer was affirmative. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I did declare all barrels as soft cover at the shooter's meeting. Barrels were primarily used to block vision of targets so the shooters couldn't break the 180. In this particular case though, the barrels acted as a vision barrier on a target - which we thought would prevent shooters from engaging most of the targets from one position. We never thought anyone would intentionally engage a totally hidden target through a plastic barrel. Although it maybe isn't the safest thing to do, my interpretation of the rules is that shooting a target through a (soft cover) barrel is legal. I guess we'll have to use more wooden walls in the future.

Sorry Jake - I don't think we will have the squad lists posted ahead of time. We've been pretty busy at the range for the last several days, and there just aren't enough hours in the day. See you at the match!

Give him a Failure To Do Right Penalty! Ooooops ........ wrong sport.

oops ...... I guess I'm too slow on the computer - just like my shooting.

The stages are available on the Rochester Brooks website: http://www.rbps.net/cof.shtml

If at all possible, we will honor squadding requests indicated on the shooters registrations. I imagine just about everyone will get their requested pairings. Beyond that, we will match up groups and/or individual shooters, trying to equalize squad sizes. Friday and Saturday will have a max of 9 per squad, with 8 per squad on Sunday.

Hi Jack, Saturday and Sunday are already full - and there are people on waiting lists. There are still slots left for Friday, but they're going faster now that the other days are full. I hope you can make it - we think this will be a great match. Ron

I'm building a 9mm open gun on an STI frame and can't decide whether to go with SV or STI mags. Most people I've talked to say STI mags are cheaper and easier to get, but require spacers - and even then aren't as reliable as SV mags. Thoughts?

I have several tool heads set up for both 9mm and .40, and most have the EGW "U" die. 99+% of reloads with the "U" die will pass through a case gauge. The reject rate is much, much higher on rounds loaded with the regular sizing dies. This is from someone (really cheap ) who shoots only recovered range brass.

As an update, Saturday and Sunday are filled, and the Friday slots are now going quickly. Better get that app. in if you're thinking about shooting the Area 8 at East Huntingdon this year! We have been putting a tremendous amount of effort into this match, and it will be our best one yet! If you liked the Tri-State Championships, you ought to have a great time at the 2005 Area 8. And no ........ the Clown won't be there.

I just wanted to let you all know that the Saturday slots for the Area 8 Championship are almost all gone. I think there are only about 5 left. Friday and Sunday slots are still available - but they're going fairly fast too. Get those apps in soon if you're planning on shooting the A8. As a reminder, the match is June 23 - 26 at East Huntingdon Sportsmen's Club, near Scottdale PA (30 miles SE of Pittsburgh). If you haven't already done so, check out our website - www.geocities.com/ehpsa/ The courses of fire are available as well as the match application, schedule, hotel information and other good stuff. Hope to see you all at East Huntingdon for the Area 8 Championship! Ron Rodgers

Lap Dances? Hmmmmm ......... Well, if that's what everyone wants. But, as MD, I owe it to the competitors to make sure they get the best there is available - so I'd better get started on my research!

The lack of a carpet for the ground on stage 20 where you had to go prone was a bit curious. That gravel was pretty tough on the knees and elbows! One of the ROs told me they had requested a carpet - and were told no. They requested sand - and were told no. When it got really muddy after the rain - they brought in more gravel instead of sand.

ok guys, this is a quiz ……… The USPSA Area 13 Championship Match staff is discussing finances. All funds remaining after expenses will be distributed to the competitors. Options are to spend it on shooter gifts, prize money, or some combination. Lets say you have a total amount of $25 to $30 per shooter to work with. Which of the following options would you vote for? Also - what kind of shooter gift would you like to get (given the amount there is available)? And no - lowering the entry fee is not an option.

I will pass along your request to RJ - our resident drawing expert.

Yep - The 2005 Area 8 is really starting to come together. We have a hard act to follow though - Dave Miller and his Topton crew did an Excellent job the last few years! I'm confident we will have a great match for you this year. Course designs are just being redrawn with the final changes and will be available in a few days. Now where do I put in the order for DRY weather???

Well, I guess this is rules related ..... Level I RO Class February 19-20 East Huntingdon Sportsmen's Assoc. - Scottdale, PA $35 - includes lunch. Perry Wilson - Instructor It took forever to get this thing scheduled, and now there isn't much time to advertise it. Let me know if you - or anyone else you know - is interested. Contact me for infomation - Rodgers.Ron@Comcast.net or our club website - www.geocities.com/ehpsa Thanks! Ron Rodgers

This is without doubt, the most coherent Range Officer philosophy I have ever heard! The RO Golden Rule!

The ......... Clown ........... Darn it, Kyle. I had almost succeeded in forgetting about that thing. I think it was 1/2 inch plywood, so it would have been possible for a shoot through to maybe knock down a popper (Range Equip. Failure). The wood backer was thick enough though to remove any grease mark on a shoot through to a paper target. We try to use steel plate as (really) hard cover behind any walls that partially obscure poppers - completely avoids the shoot through issue! A steel backer on the clown's ports however, would have been too heavy for the activator.