Clay1

John, you have a lot of balls calling Jeff "Pooky Bear". I take that is some inside joke from you guys from Michigan, but it still sounds like a dangerous statement to me. Happy Birthday Man! You are going from airsoft to wheelguns? Sounds like a lot of fun. Congrats on the Front Sight article by the way - I enjoyed it. Rick Ingle

Thanks for the comments everyone. E53X5, I've already spent a couple of hours on Amizon - thanks for the link. I also found this one if you are interested: http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/sh...rticle&partID=1 Tom and Rich thanks for the insight from someone in the bizz. I hate buying something cheap and then buying another one in a year. That's why I like to do the research on the front end. The above sight picks the Hitachi framers as their top pick for a heavy duty gun. Either of you have experience with these (NR83A2)? Thought about the Paslode impulse (gas cartridge) but the cycle rate seems slower and they have less power, but they would also be great for building tree stands out in the woods. Thought of the Hitachi roofer too. Seems like quality stuff. Of the reviews that I have been reading for a good belt sander the Makita and Porter Cable seem to always be at the top so thanks for confirming the Porter cable units Tom. Besides word of mouth anyone have any test reports from solid web sites? Want the consumer Reports of the tool industry that is somewhat independant and not just saying what their advertisers want them to say - which is difficult in the gun rags and in any publication that sells advertising. Tom, goodluck with the Shoot at Schultz's this weekend - looks like it will be a nice day. Thanks again guys, Rick

Cool man! Welcome back state side too. Rick

OK, I know that this isn't close to any shooting related question, hence the post location; but I could use some help spending some money. I need some new tools (who doesn't?). I need a framing nailer, a roofing nailer, a hammer drill and a belt sander. I could spend enough on these to set up a nice used limted gun, but spend too much time shooting already and have some projects that need to get done. Can anyone recomend a couple of good web sites that do tool reviews. I could just go to the local hardware store, but I am a research before I buy kind of guy and could use a push in the right direction from my online friends. Yes, I know it is a strange request, but there has to be some tool junkies on this web site - thanks guys. Rick

Ran across this stuff on Ebay this morning. I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for: http://cgi.ebay.com/EGW-parts-Kit-1911-com...1QQcmdZViewItem

+1 I'm a production shooter and I must be the only one that actually likes the USPSA rules the way they are now. I don't like constant change. I do want to work on getting better but that comes from hard work and not constantly trying to change the rules to my benefit. Regarding this thread's original point about a new sport. I just think that between, IDPA, TSA and USPSA you should be able to find one that fits your liking. Trying to develop a new game is terribly expensive and is a tough road to hoe. Not that it can't be done, but would be a difficult undertaking.

Cute

Thanks for the update John.

Try a $10 Lee factory crimp die and you will probably get rid of that problem. Best cheap insurance that I have come across.

Can't say I would ever say that I am envious of California about any gun legislation, but they do issue concealed carry permits and Wisconsin still does not.

Looks like a very nice competition sight set up. Thanks for all of the effort and the pictures. Dry fire that thing to death and then go win some matches with your nice set up. Doesn't look like the sights will be holding you back any. Have fun. Rick

With the Aimpoint you can turn the thing on at the beginning of the season and never turn it off until the season is over and not worry about battery life. I have been thinking along similar lines. I have a turkey shotgun that I would like to put a dot on and don't want to spend $400 for the Aimpoint though and am interested in something less expensive. Has anyone tried the Hakko red dots that I see for around $150? I think an Aimpoint or Eotech would be the best choice, but wanted something to throw on the turkey gun that was less expensive. Thanks

Thanks for the pictures, it really helps invision the sights. Nice focus on the front sight too - wouldn't expect it any other way from a shooter. Rick

Nice picture 021411. Is that at arms length, like you would see it when holding it to engage a target? There really is a lot of light on each side of the front site. Looks like a nice quick acquistion for speed shooting. Doug, I think that you must have the tactical sights. The competition ones have an undercut on the rear sight that could snag in a carry situation that probably would not make them very applicable to a concealed carry application. Rick

Doug, you must have put the tactical ones on the carry gun and not the competition ones, correct?

021411, I'll be interested to see how this combo works for you. I like the Dawson front and the Sevigny rear sight looks very nice.

ghost21, I've seen that type of effect done with a soldering iron. Can't say how Smokie's grip was actually done. Have to be careful or you could burn a hole all the way through.

Admin?

Vince, it would have been nice if he put that one out as a ruling on the NROI site. Thanks for the info.

Cut and paste from the rule book: "21.6 Aftermarket grips which match the profile of the OFM standard for the approved handgun and/or the application of grip tape or rubber sleeves is permitted. Modifications to grips, other than previously mentioned, not allowed, such as grooves cut to reach mag release or size reduction." I electronically did a search of the rule book under Grip Tape. Two hits came up. This one under USPSA and one in IPSC. Nothing mentioned as far as the slide goes, just the grip that I could find. Rick

I was reading the local paper and found a reference to this site. See how many people that you can identify on line using this tool. Click the pull down menu on the right side of the page under Flame Warrior Roster. Enjoy http://redwing.hutman.net/%7Emreed/index.htm

I feel damn lucky. I belong to 3 gun clubs. One 7 mins, one 15 min and one 40 minutes from the house. The closest one is in the basement of a manufacturing complex. It's old and dark but has a 50' range that I can do whatever I want. They run a practical league so they are familiar with USPSA style shooting. The second club, we tried to introduce a practical shooting game to but would have none of that "running around with a loaded gun" stuff. They have wonder concrete shooting benches for the benchrest boys and a 200 yard range, trap, archery and it's a big bullseye club. They have an indoor bulleye range but no jackets bullets are allowed. The third and farthest is a true USPSA organization with a wonderful indoor facility that has 3 indoor bays and runs a once a month 4 stage match. I can grab whatever props the club has and practice to my hearts desire. They let you practice from the holster after you are holster certified and give you a button to put on your range bag. You can only practice from the holster on one of the designated ranges and your electronic key is enable to open the lock on that range. If you aren't holster certified you don't get on that range. So two useful indoor ranges to practice at and that is exactly what a boy from Wisconsin needs when it is really cold out there. Go to USPSA.org and use the club finder to see if you can find a club closer to you. Rick

Is she running good with the newly finished upper? I'm not sure if it is hard chromed or not, but it sure looks very nice.

L2S, have you seen this? http://www.tacticalshooting.com/tsa/ It's tough to get a new game off of the ground. I think that this one will do well. Sevigney is involved with it. It seems to have taken some of the best from IDPA and USPSA. I will shoot it when it becomes available in my area. Rick

Bruce, I want to say thank you for your contributions in this thread. I suspect that this isn't a totally pleasant experience for you, but greatly appreciate your participation. One thing came to mind as I am reading through these series of posts. I think that many are trying to read the rule book in the same way we read a written stage briefing. Even though I don't appreciate the term "gaming" since this is a game, I feel that some are trying to "game" the rulebook. Yes, we have a long history of freestyle when it comes to stage briefings and how we shoot the COF. But the rulebook shouldn't be "freestyle". Just my opinion. I cut and pasted the following from the rulebook: "21.4 Action work to enhance reliability (throating, trigger work, etc.) is allowed. 21.5 External modifications other than sights not allowed." Bruce, you have said "if it isn't on this list, you can't do it and still have a Production-legal gun.". I don't see a complete list though. This list itself has an ETC. in it in 21.4. I do see your point that it is about enhancing reliability though.