CSEMARTIN

I think I see your point, but I have a hard time calling someone a "safe" gun handler after they've shot a prop. Clearly, they didn't mean to do it, right? There is no such thing as a stage DQ. You get a DQ, you pack up your gear and watch. The Match Director at an IDPA match can do whatever they please.

Gary Cuttitta does incredible action work.

cool.

I got one in Cedar Rapids last June on my way to Canada for a fishing trip.

I personally believe the seller sent the gun thinking everything was just fine. But......put yourelf in the buyer's shoes and ask that question again. Humor me for a second......you buy a gun from a forum member that's used with an issue that was disclosed and repaired. You get the gun, fire a few rounds through it and the link pin breaks. Maybe you know about these guns, maybe you don't, but now there is a big discussion about it on an internet forum and many people are saying the barrel wasn't fit correctly. You start to wonder, did STI really install a barrel incorrectly? Huh? Did the seller get out his dremel and start modifying the gun? I'd start wondering all kinds of things..... I've seen people do some pretty squirrely stuff with these guns. My buddy's stepdad bought a Dick Heine 1911. He waited for years to get it. And the first thing he does is take the gun apart and start f*#king with it to the point that the gun became unreliable. I'm not saying the seller did that. I'm just saying that I would wonder what the hell was going on if I were the buyer in this story. As the buyer, I don't know the seller. I don't know what he's done with the gun. I don't know if he's honest. All I know is I paid for a gun that was "functional" and a link pin breaks right away. As the buyer, my b.s. alarm would start going off, and I just might start to feel taken advantage of. I might go so far as to tell everyone about my experience with joebob on the enos forum. Tim, I apologize if I misrepresented what you said in this thread. That was not my intention. I'll be a gentleman and give you the last word.

How does the buyer know that has happened? Maybe the seller isn't legally liable, but no matter how you cut it, if the buyer feels cheated, he's going to tell everyone about it. Hence.....the reputation issue.

joebob, you asked us for our opinion, and I think we've been fair. I can see the concerns for both parties involved. You knew how the gun left, the buyer knows what happened when he got it. You don't know what he did once he received the gun. The seller can't know with 100% certainty that you didn't try to pull one over on him either. Technically, you sold the gun "as is", the gun left your hands running just fine, it got to him and the link pin broke. My best guess is there was something wrong with the gun from the moment it left STI. Why not take STI up on their offer and just let them fix the gun? The gun needs to be repaired. That much we can all agree on, right? Then, after STI has had a chance to look the gun over, everyone will know if "human error" is or isn't a factor. Once the gun is fixed, then maybe the two of you will be able to come to an agreement on how to proceed...... Somebody is going to eat the cost of shipping. If I were the seller, I can honestly say that I would offer to pay shipping--either to STI for repair or back to me. Your reputation is worth far more than that. Like Mark said, this is a small world. You don't want hard feelings resulting in your reputation being tarnished. It's not worth it. Figure out a way to get the gun into STI's hands. I don't see how you can wrong with taking that next step.

Happy Birthday. Hope it's a good one!

The barrel isn't fit properly.

You mentioned that you've had a slide stop break? And now a link pin broke? That gun has problems. Do the right thing and give the dude his money back. Then call STI and give 'em hell...........

For the seating die, I only use the Redding. For everything else, it doesn't matter. I like the Lee factory crimp die, but the dillon dies work just fine.

I try really hard not to use paypal. It's great for the buyer. Not so good for the seller. I also had that 21 day hold e-mail.

That's something to consider.

Upside down primers.

send me a PM if you really want to know.

It looks like the turbo bearing uniquetek sells. http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=68873&st=0&p=1290716&hl=turbo%20bearing&fromsearch=1entry1290716

I'd be interested to hear some feecback on this as well.

Great decision. I have two 550's now (after selling off my 650 and 1050). I actually had a nightmare about my 650 last night. LOL.

I hope he does well.

Very True! I used to shoot at an IDPA club years ago that had this very thing happy. The new MD takes over and starts doing hinky shit. He started applying the rules differently to different people. He made questioanble calls, etc. Now, people just don't turn out in droves like they used to. The old match director worked his ass off to build up the club, then the new guy shows up and tanks it. edit: spelling

Here is a great example of the importance of shooting on the move and smoothly. Watch Matt Cheely run this stage. I had trouble finding the final scores on USPSA.ORG, but if memory serves me right, he won the stage with a limited gun.

I would be really interested to hear what has motivated others here. For me, when I first started shooting, I would keep all my second place ribbons in my range bag. And on the back, there is a little piece of paper where the MD's would write down your time. I'd add the name of the dude that beat me. I'd also write down the time difference between my score and the first place finisher. The really close races motivated me the most. I remember winning a Division Championshiop by .12 seconds. I don't remember who came in second, but I'll bet he remembers how it all went down. Sean, what are you thoughts on developing your mental game? I've alwasy considered it a strength of mine, but how do you teach someone to develop their mental game? You are a very introspective guy Sean. Please keep sharing. This is a great thread! And it's another perfect example of why this forum is the best on the internet.

I need to stay out of these 1050 discussions.

Great thread Sean! If you don't mind, I'd like to add a few observations I've made over the years: Have a routine. I've seen a lot of guys come to the line and they forget their gear, their magazines aren't loaded or their ears are sitting on a table somewhere, etc. Don't put partially full or empty magazines in your mag pouch. It'll only be a matter of time before you walk up to the line, start a course of fire and learn a lesson teh hard way. After I'm done shooting, I put any mag that isn't full in a pocket. I like what you said about facing downrange while others are shooting. I caught a flyer once and it freaked me out. I came close to getting it in the eye. I keep a pair of form-fitted ear plugs in my range bag. I'm a tall guy, so when I'm shooting a stage that requires me to get out of a vehicle, I take my hat off and leave my Sordins behind. I learned the hard way that your ears can come off when they hit the roof of the car you're trying to get out of. Wash your hands before you eat. I see guys all the time at the range go to lunch after shooting all morning and eat their food with lead all over their hands. And get your lead levels checked- especially if you shoot indoors a lot. Check your ammo and check it again. Check the primers too. When I loaded on my 650, I constantly found rounds with upside down primers. Check your gear. The screws that adjust tension on your holster come loose. I like what you said about changing the fiber optic Sean. I got in the routine of changing the fiber optic before every major match. Also, don't forget to check your bomar. I've had them come loose. Check your extractor frequently. They like to break and not get noticed until it's too late. Keep a fitted extractor in your range bag. Know the limits of your gun. My gun won't finish a match without at least one minor cleaning at the safe area. I keep q-tips, a snake and CLP in my range bag and head to the safe area about every 4 stages. Keep your mags clean too. Check your mags to make sure they drop freely. I do this before every match. This may sound a bit anal, but I think it's a good idea to keep everything in its respective place in your range bag. When you are downrange pasting and setting steel, pay attention. I've seen a competitor get the "stand bye" command while someone was still downrange pasting a target. Know the rulebook inside and out. There will be times when you challenge a call. Knowing where to find a basis for your argument will come in handy. Pay careful attention during the walk through and don't assume anything (especially if you're shooting IDPA). I've been burned on this more times than I care to admit. I'm not sure if this was mentioned or not, but I've always found it helpful to correlate the round count with the targets. For example, if the round count is 18 rounds, and while you are looking over the stage, you only count 16 rounds.....you're missing a target. Like Sean mentioned early, I've always found it easier (especially during a long USPSA field course), to break the stage down into clusters. At least for me, it makes it easier for me to remember where everything is. I'll tell myself something like, for example, first position 8 rounds, second position 6 rounds, third position 4 rounds. When I'm shooting, I'm thinking 8,6,4. I'm not thinking, how many targets were there in position 3?..... If you can, show up the day before a major match and head out to the range to look over the stages. I'd consider myself an intermediate-level USPSA shooter and seeing a long USPSA field course for the first time just minutes before I'm supposed to shoot it is anxiety provoking for me. When you're on-deck, or even when you're in the hole, get your game face on. Don't dick around until the last minute before you start planning your execution. Goofing around with your buddies when you're up next isn't going to help your performance. I remember Matt Burkett being a proponent of mental imagery. I incorporated that into my shooting and still consider it one of the most valuable tools. When I'm in the hole, I'll close my eyes and rehearse what I'm going to do in my mind over and over again. It does help. Again, great post Sean. I've really enjoyed reading all of this and really appreciate the time and effort you've put into this thread.

I came on to share my 1911 story of the day and saw Steve J's post. Awesome job Glenn! Today, the topic of music came up at work. One of the guys I work with asked me if I played any musical instruments. I said Yes! I play the 1911. He says, "I've never heard of that instrument. What is it exactly?" I proceed to tell him it's an instrument made out of steel, only plays one note really loud and with only one tempo...FAST. "You mean like a .45 ACP?" he says. "Yes, and it takes years to learn how to play one song really well."