pizzaman383

I'm looking for a single-action .45 that isn't a 1911. I've seen the Sig P220R Match and it looks nice. Do any of you know whether it fits into the IDPA box?

The new rules have this wording: Special conditions: — Any complete handgun or components with a minimum production of 500 units by a factory and available to the general public. — A complete handgun may be approved for USPSA Limited Division after the NROI Manufacturer’s Declaration form stating that a minimum of 500 have been manufactured and available to the general public has been submitted and NROI has inspected the handgun for compliance. This seems to imply that there is an approval process and I presumed that there might end up being a list of what's been approved.

Where can one find the list of guns approved for the Limited and Limited 10 divisions?

Appendix D4 20.3 in the IPSC rules interpretations dated August 6, 2004 states "the application of tape on grips is permitted" where the prior wording was application of grip tape. As I understand it, this was changed to prevent using grip tape to accomplish something like pinning a safety.

I'm an Eagle Scout. I earned mine in 1981 just before my 18th birthday. I spent most of my scouting career in Troop 211 in Endicott, NY but I finished my Eagle (along with my identical twin brother) in Troop 44 in Waynesboro, VA. My Eagle has been part of what defines me. I have a very strong personal code of ethics based on honesty, integrity, trust, perserverance, and respect. The scout oath and law burned that into my heart was the base for my personal code. It was also

I've watched the debate about production gun rules and I've carefully looked at the differences between the rules of the IPSC/USPSA divisions. This leads me to an issue I need to understand better. The question is: What impact does the type of action make and why? There are two differences I can see. I'm curious about others' views. The first difference I see is trigger-pull. The differences are in length, weight, consistency (meaning all shots the same), smoothness, feel, etc. I can certainly see why individuals would have a preference for one over the other. I can also see why trigger pull consitency for all shots and a short trigger pull length may be an advantage. What I don't get is why actions other than SA, DA/SA, and DA are categorized as they are in the IPSC/USPSA rules. Should the definition not be SA vs. DA but instead whether the trigger pull is the same for all shots? The second difference I see is safe holstering condition. When a gun has been loaded and made ready, it must be placed into a safe ready condition for holstering. This condition differs for the various types of actions. Prior to firing pin blocks, it was different; however, since firing pin blocks make a deliberate trigger pull in order for the gun to fire, does the ready condition have to be different for the different types of actions? I've shot SA, DA/SA, DAO, and Glock action pistols and revolvers. In my opinion, they're not so different. When a round is in the chamber and the gun can be fired by pulling the trigger, I seem to think of them all the same way. The only thing that makes me twitchy or very cautions is a gun with a very light trigger pull. Why are SA guns treated so differently in the rules than the other actions?

I did some grip experiments the last few times I've been shooting. I was looking to find the best grip for bringing my sights back on line after the shot. A month or so ago, I started cocking my weak hand forward as recommended here. It did make a difference but the gun was still moving around after the shot more than I liked. If I hold the gun very strongly, it moves less but I'm concerned that a death grip has too much tension. Yesterday, I experimented with strong-hand thumb placement. I found that if I kept my thumb on the safety, the gun moved much less after the shot and tracked back on target quite easily. It was a little surprising that the thumb made such a difference. So, I'll be sure to keep my thumb on the safety. (By the way, my gun is a Beretta 96 Combat that has a frame safety with a nice ledge for the thumb). So, it seems like the best grip os one with the weak-hand cocked forward, a fairly firm grip, and the thumb riding the safety with some downward pressure. Is this normal?

I'm a newbie who fits into the fringes. I shot a few USPSA matches in 1985-86 and took the last ten years off shooting. My hand doesn't fit any of the 1911 designs (SS or wide body), I like major caliber (.40 or .45), and I like single actions. So, I'm on the fringes in this debate. I just purchased a gun and intend to compete in the L10 division. I hope I didn't waste my money. I'll never liked the 1911 platform, no disrespect intended. Larger calibers aren't as competitive as 9mm in production; I don't want to be forced to reload with it's extra equipment investment and time. I don't want to have to use a double action pistol; I like the consistency and the safeties on single action pistols. I vote to keep L10 as is.

I learned a lesson that I hope may apply here. When learning autocross, there's a similar question "how do I drive fast". I heard people talk about focus on smoothness; I did but didn't improve my times as quickly as I wanted. Obviously, something was missing about focusing on smoothness. By riding in a car with a champion driver while he drove at his race speed I found out what was missing; aggression. The champion driver was phemonenally aggressive. He was as aggressive as he could be at all times and he was smooth while doing it. Obviously, he had learned to balance the right amount of aggressiveness and smoothness. Hope this helps. It seems to me that it translates fairly well to shooting in my mind; I can't say I've done it, though. I'm new to the IPSC game.

I've seen the rules and discussion covering grips for USPSA production, however I haven't been able to clearly understand the rules on grips for USPSA limited. So, here are my questions. What grips are allowed for guns in USPSA limited division? Can you make a custom grip that's legal? Are there any limitations on such a grip? Does the grip need to be similar to the standard grip or grips offered by the manufacturer for that gun? Thanks!

I'm a fan of the beretta ergonomics. Is it possible to build an open gun on the beretta platform? How does one do it? Are they effective?

Folks, Here is a minimally edited version of my interaction with John Amidon on this subject. John gave me permission to post this. ----- Original Message ----- From: Curtis Ide Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2004 4:50 PM To: John Amidon Subject: A USPSA division question John, I was referred to you from Vinny on Brian Enos' forums. I've recently rejoined USPSA after a fifteen year absence. A lot has changed with the rules since then. I posted this question on the USPSA Rules forum but I haven't seen an answer: I would like to know if the Beretta 96 Combat with the 6" barrel is allowed in the USPSA Limited 10 division? The rules for Limited 10 say production guns only. And they also say external modifications such as weights, or devices to control or reduce recoil are specifically not allowed. I understand that you can't make any external modifications such as weights. However, it it is not clear to me whether the rules allow production handguns that have weights from the factory such as the Beretta 96 Combat. It has no compensator, no ports, and wouldn't be modified; however, it has a weight from the factory that goes with the 6" barrel. I've seen two interpretations of the rule discussed and I have my own interpretation. In the end, my opinion doesn't matter. I'd like to understand an official ruling. In which USPSA divisions can the Beretta 96 Combat with the 6" barrel be used? If it isn't legal in Limited 10 with the weight, will it be legal if I remove the weight (or is that a modification that would cause it to be disallowed in Limited)? Here are two links that provide information about the gun: http://www.berettaweb.com/92%20Combat/Beretta%20Combat.htm http://matrix.dumpshock.com/raygun/firearm...l/ber92com.html I've also attached a PDF that shows an exploded parts diagram. The Combat comes in two configurations. One has a short barrel and the other is a long barrel. The short barrel version is very rare and I don't have the short barrel ;-(. The long-barrel version uses the same slide as the short-barrel version. There is a weight that attaches to the barrel; you'll see it in the pictures and in the exploded diagram. Beretta calls it a counterweight sleeve. The gun is meant to be used with the long barrel in conjunction with the weight. However, it can be assembled without the weight. Thanks, Curtis -----Original Message----- From: John Amidon Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 10:25 PM To: Curtis Ide Subject: Re: A USPSA division question Hi Curtis, After reviewing the info you have provided, thank you, and the fact that Berretta calls it a counterweight and it is added or detached, I would have to rule that this gun would be legal as is in Open division only, however, if the counterweight was removed, it would be legal in Limited and Limited 10 with the 6" barrel. the reason for this ruling is page 92 appendix E item g) for Limited and page 94 item g) for Limited 10. Hope this helps. Regards, John Amidon

I've tried posting on the USPSA rules forum to get an official answer, but I haven't had any response. So, I posted here ;-). I'm not sure how to contact John directly, so I'm in a waiting game.

That's what I had heard. So, can I remove the weight and shoot Limited 10?

There are no ports or compensators. The blocky object in front of the slide is a weight; it's kind of like a slide extension, but it is solid. The piece that looks like it might be a port is a retaining ring nut that holds the weight and a barrel bushing in place.

Yes, that's the one.

I would like to know if the Beretta 96 Combat with the 6" barrel is allowed in the USPSA Limited 10 division? I understand that you can't make any external modifications such as weights. However, it it is not clear to me whether the rules allow production handguns from the factory such as the Beretta 96 Combat. It has no compensator, no ports, and wouldn't be modified. However, it has a weight from the factory that goes with the 6" barrel. I've heard second hand that John Amidon has stated that it is legal to remove the barrel weight from the 96 Combat and then the 6" barrel can be used in Limited 10. I don't have the short barrel, so I'm trying to figure out how to compete without acquiring one since they're fairly scarce. Can any of you help shed some light on this for me?