CSEMARTIN

There were some pretty good shooters at the S&W match- around 300 I believe. It was nice to beat the 9-time Bianchi Cup Champion in his own house. Doug did whip my ass pretty bad at the Single Stack Nationals this year, but he had a golf cart. I had to carry all my gear around. To answer your question, YES, accurate ammunition can be loaded on a Dillon.

Yeah, but the rulebook says that it is the SO's responsibility to make safety calls. What if I distracted the shooter? Besides, how would a lawyer find out what I didn't say I saw. If that dude got shot, I'm not going to stand up and yell, "I knew that was going to happen!!!!" Seriously though, I can't imagine anyone in their right mind sitting by and watching a stage get run with another competitor down range. I was only being sarcastic earlier. I think the rulebooks are a little ridiculous. Putting the sole responsibility on one SO and scorekeeper, when there is a squad full of people watching, is retarded. That's all I was getting at.

+1 for cases4less.com

I got to the match a little late so I'm not sure how things went down. Since my routine is to stay cold, that's what I did. The MD gave us the option of unloading and showing clear or topping off at the end of the stage. No one was allowed to leave the range without permission. Once you go hot, you stay put with your squad. I've been to a couple of matches that run a hot range. It's very efficient. I have mixed feelings on it though. I've seen quite a few AD's in the past few years- one was in the safe area. Another time, a friend of mine and I were showing each other our guns in the safe area when another competitor walked up, racked his slide and out popped a loaded round from his chamber. How does this happen? Last year at a major IDPA match, the MD did a safety inspection at registration. He found two guns that were loaded. I've seen inexperienced shooters just reach down and unholster their guns in a crowd of people for no apparent reason. I've seen competitors put all of their gear, including ammo, in the safe area with people all around and nobody says anything. One of the many good things I can say about Carmoney is that he came up to me at Summer Blast '06 and said, "hey, why is your hammer cocked?" I had been in the safe area doing some dryfire before the match started and just holstered my pistol without dropping the hammer. I have a bad habit of doing that. Some guys would get bent out of shape over that. I appreciate it. It's comforting to know others are watching what is going on. All in all, I personally think running a hot range is a bad idea. I've always wondered why it is in the IDPA rulebook that you can't run a hot range at a sanctioned match, but there is no rule about running a hot range any other time. I just don't get it.

I like that. John, to answer your question, I do believe the SO is ultimately responsible. But certainly the shooter shares in the blame. The SO didn't have the shooter load and make ready because the match I shot at runs a hot range. Nearly everyone was loaded before they got to the line. I'm not trying to pick on any person or club, that's why I am not going to tell where this happened. I think this could happen anywhere. All it takes is a few seconds of inattention. I do believe the SO was fairly new, at least that was my impression. I have been thinking about the yelling finger and muzzle stuff from the crowd. I am starting to see everyone's point on this. It is the SO's job to watch for that stuff. The only piece of information I left out was that it was happening all day long before I got so fed up and said something. I should have mentioned it to the match director earlier. On a side note, I think there needs to be less of a gray area. Why do we need all of these commands? Either the shooter is doing something dangerous, or they are not. Perhaps the only command necessary after the shooter is started and before they finish is STOP.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm guilty of loading up after being given the command (without verifying to myself that the range is clear). I learned a valuable lesson from all of this. The first rule of gun safety is- the gun is always loaded. Well, I think we need to add another safety rule- The range isn't clear.

I agree that it is the responsibility of the SO to make safety calls. But what if the SO isn't doing their job? Since when does worrying about distracting a shooter take priority over a safety issue?

I've noticed that camouflage clothing and outdoor pistol matches don't mix. The scenario went like this: Competitor seated at a table, gun hot and holstered....... SO: "Shooter Ready?" Me(sitting in the peanut gallery): "STOP!!!!!!!!!" SO and everyone on my squad looking at me with puzzled faces... Me: "There is a shooter down range pasting targets" So here is the question. Did I break the rules for speaking up, or should I have just sat there quietly and let the SO start the shooter and hope that guy down range didn't get his ass shot? I got confronted at an IDPA major match for yelling finger and muzzle at a dangerous competitor, and I got reprimanded by an SO at another USPSA major match. I believe I was told that I was "coaching" the competitor. What is going on these days?

Considering the caliber of shooters you beat, that is an accomplishment!! I got beat by a guy with a wheel gun once (actually it has been three times, but once sounds better). It still stings to think about it.

I bought the 1650. It's nice, but it's too big. It weighs in at around 35# and is 64 linear inches. The limit is 62 inches on NWA. I called and was told that although it's unlikely they will get out a tape measure, if they do, I'll get stuck with an 80 dollar fee. Also, since the case is 35#'s, I can only put 15# pounds of gear in it because NWA has a 50# weight limit. You can fly with up to 70#'s for an additional 25 bucks. I'm going to send the case back for a smaller one. We'll see just how good casesbypelican.com's customer service is.

I just ordered a Pelican Case from http://www.casesbypelican.com/ The price was fair and service was excellent.

Beerday is on Monday. I am sticking a scope up somebody's rear end tomorrow. By the way, I forgot to mention, gifts can be sent to 915 Ikes Peak Road, Clinton, Iowa 52732. I'm looking for an Ionbond gift certificate. Maybe you guys could all chip in and get me one. Thanks.

LeeIndy, I was kind of hinting at what a few people posted here earlier. Making Master on the classifier doesn't make you a Master. I realized this the hard way. I shot the classifier in 93 seconds with a revolver. Then I went and shot an IDPA match against a real IDPA ESR Master. I got my butt kicked- BAD! If it's an ego thing, I understand. Just keep shooting with the goal of being the Division Champion. You'll eventually get bumped to Master anyway. Ironically, I know a lot of Master level shooters that can't shoot the classifier in Master times, and they aren't always easy to beat. Good Luck.

I love you guys!! Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, I'm on-call this weekend. All three of my partners took off. One of them is in Calgary, one is in Europe somewhere and the other one is moving his kid into college. I'll be here taking care of everyone.

I couldn't believe it myself. I have a theory that Merlin keeps buying guns so he never has to clean any of them.

Hugh should write a chapter in a "learn how to shoot book". (No offense Brian. I think your book is brilliant.)

+1 on that.

Ok. I understand. Your daughters are spoken for. How about some cute interns? I also want a federal carry permit with no pistol-free zones, and I want a ride on your helicopter. I just thought of a great idea for a stage. Starting seated behind the President's desk in the Oval Office, draw your pistol from the drawer and engage targets on the White House Lawn through the window. Can I be Vice President?

The smartest thing you did was load a mag with a couple of snap caps. You can tell him all sorts of things, but until he 'sees' what he's doing wrong, long term improvement will be unlikely.

This is going to get interesting.

I am perplexed by that statement. Anyway, I have done two thumb safeties. It's not that hard. If you're going to start working on your own 1911's, buy some videos on how to do it. You can always teach yourself and destroy a bunch of parts, or you can buy the Gene Shuey DVD series or the Wilson Combat series. The Wilson DVD's do a really nice job at showing you how to fit a thumb safety. If you're not willing to put in the time and $$ to learn how to do it correctly, pay someone that knows what they are doing.

You're from Chicago? On a list of things that irritate me about Chicago, tire pressure and windshield wiper fuid levels are at the bottom of the list.

+1 This type of stuff drives me bonkers. XXX in YYY City, ZZZ pulled a couple of stunts with me a few years back. . I've never set foot in his shop since. ================== ETA: Initials and cities of 'problematic' gunsmiths or service providers of any type is too close to naming names (which we don't do).

What the hell, I'll vote for you!! But I want an invitation to the White House. Do you have any hot daughters?

I'm getting ready to coat a couple of guns. How does this Ionbond stuff hold up after time. My guns are blued with significant holster wear. If would be kind of stupid to shell out $400+ dollars to coat two pistols and end up with the same holster wear patterns. I appreciate the pics of guns after they have been bonded, but I would sure like to see pics of used guns.