[IDPA legal STI 2011]

Para 18.9 is legal in ESP.

[Local level scoring, how do you handle?]

I am sure you are correct in how procedurals were called and how targets were scored but keep in mind it can be challenging to check cover and watch the gun and watch the order targets are engaged at every second in a stage. Many times the scorekeeper is not an SO at local matches so he will not help the squad SO call procedurals.

I agree that you should clearly question a call if you disagree but arguing or being obnoxious won't get you anywhere. I hate having to deal with "that guy" that questions any close call I make and wants to argue about it every time. If you get no satisfaction in two or three polite sentences, see the MD.

I have to agree here. As a Match Director, I can tell you we are often starved for SOs at local matches, so you end up having to use the same people every week and the scorekeeper is usually not an SO and will rarely make any calls. The SO's only job is to watch the shooter between the elbow and the end of the gun barrel. He/She will often not see cover or other violations, and it is actually the scorekeeper's job to watch for such things. It's difficult to avoid these situations in local matches. There are not many people who are willing to take the class to get certified as an SO and then volunteer to work matches.

If you have a consistent problem with an SO that you can't resolve in a gentlemenly fashion between the two of you, and you can't let it go, then you should approach the MD. Do so in a friendly and non-confrontational manner and calmly state your issues. If you come at him/her like it's life or death and have your mad face on, you are likely to be dismissed out of hand. We are big boys and girls playing a sport for nothing more than personal satisfaction and maybe a trophy.

[Stoeger M3000 Scattergun?]

Just wanted to take moment and thank everyone on thread for all the great info, especially Mr. Kelley and Tom from MOA. After reading Mr. Kelley's original article when it came out, I decided to take a closer look at the M3000. Hesitated for a while when the issue with threading for the tube reared up. Then reading through this thread I found that MOA had solved this and other upgrade issues, so a couple of weeks ago I pulled the trigger and bought one along with ordering all the parts from MOA. Finally got a chance to shoot it last night. Took it out for some trap (first time in a couple of years) just to make sure it goes bang when expected before I start changing stuff. Sure as heck, it did. No problems with extraction or feeding on any of the shells I tried (Winchester Super Target, Universal, and some of my AA reloads). Strange thing was, even with needing a few shots to figure the difference in aiming point from my Citori, I actually shot better than normal. So now it's on to the upgrades, then more testing and a match at the end of the month. Should all go as well as expected, it will then get a ride to the west coast for the loving touch of MOA.