Bruno

Thanks to everyone that got the applications in early. Right now we're 2 weeks away from the match and there are a few slots available on Sunday am and pm. Applications are available on the A7, ELS web page. Thanks, Jim Kosicki

I'd like to thank in advance a few of the match sponsors that have generously donated some of the prizes for our match raffle. Montana Gold Bullets Para-Ordnance Springfield Armory Our sponsor coordinator, James Minter is currently working with some other major companies in the shooting industry for some great giveaways to the shooters and the staff. If you haven't gotten a slot, get your applications in soon. Thanks, Jim Kosicki wnyppl@yahoo.com

Due to some schedule changes, there are some slots available for Saturday PM. Jim Kosicki

Jeff, the applications are available on the Area 7/Eastern Lakes section web sight. Saturday afternoon is FULL but there are full squads (10 shooters) available for the other shooting times. If you're sure you're coming out to shoot the match, e-mail me with the names, etc. and I'll pencil you in to hold your slots. Thanks to you..it is a "Points series" match. Jim Kosicki wnyppl@yahoo.com

We're running 1 slot on friday afternoon. 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. There's a little wiggle room on the PM squad sizes but due to our range restrictions the most shooters we can get through the match is about 162.

Western New York Practical Pistol League is hosting the Eastern Lakes Sectional match at the end of July. I know it's early but the match is filling quick. Saturday afternoon is full. We're only running 3 squads of 10 shooters in each time slot. 6 stages, 142 rounds with a reasonable match fee of $45.00. This is a point series match. You can find the match application on the Area 7, Eastern Lakes section web sight. Come out and spend the weekend in Western New York. There are at least a dozen motels within 7 miles of the range. You're only 20 minutes from Canada and Niagara Falls. Both sides of the border offer great entartainment, new casinos, etc. We all hope you can make it out, Jim Kosicki & WNYPPL match staff.

Wide45 I don't recall the palm being the issue on my reshoot. It was just something to blame under the circumstances. -Shot stage 7 in 12-13 second range -Target gets taped before scoring. -Reshoot without turning the C-More back on. -Second run at 17 seconds. -NOPE, it wasn't the palm pilot! You're right about one thing though, 2 workers on a stage just sucked. JK

Chris, I CRO'ed stage 7. We we're lucky to have 3 workers on the stage. When the RO that was running the shooter called out the time, we immediately recorded the time on the palm and on the paper scoresheet. After the stage was scored we verified the time and the hits. This only works if you have enough people to work the stages. We did have a few minor problems with the scoring system. Even though you could control some of the contrast on the screen, the sun light really fades the screen in and out. Jim Kosicki

I've shot them both side by side. My personal preference is no ports. Maybe under match conditions you won't notice any difference but just standing at the bench test firing these guns you'll notice it. I don't think the ported guns shoot any flatter and my experience is that the non-ported guns are easier on the shooter and the RO. The gun that Dan built me is a pleasure to shoot. Using VV and a full metal jacketed bullet is a great combination. My comp is clean, no residue of unburnt powder anywhere on the gun and the blast isn't any worse than my 5 inch Super. I'm not an expert but I shoot with Dan all the time and have test fired some of the customer guns that have been discussed in these forums. I'm not citicizing anyones descision to port or not to port. These are only my personal observations. JK.

Scott - here's the secret recipe. Bedell 9mil shorty NO port holes VV 3N37 7.7 gr. Motana Gold 124 gr. CMJ OAL - 1.150 STI mags w/spacers Grams followers and springs Gun shoots great, makes 168pf all day long. variation from shot to shot is less than 10fps. using once fired brass. When people tell you VV is expensive, remind them that the brass is 1/10th. the cost of super. Good luck, JK.

Prepare yourself to have a great time. I helped out at the range today and the match looks like a lot of fun. bring your sunscreen and lots of water. It's hot.....Africa hot. Thank the match workers when you meet them, they're working their asses off.

I've got both, a 5" Super and a shorty 9mm that Dan built. Now that I think of it, I've owned 7 guns that he's built. The 5" and the Shorty are definitely different animals. No matter which one you choose, don't be afraid of 9mm. I'm experimenting with loads right now and I'm convinced 3N37 is the way I'm going. Even with the cost of the VV, the savings on brass alone made it a no brainer for me. If it was me starting off in Open (but it isn't), I'd build a 5", 9mm. A little more weight on the nose might keep you on the target a little longer. My biggest fear of the shorty is blowing by targets. I can miss as fast as anybody. Good luck, Bruno.

Hold on! Double check that powder scale. 9 gr. of VV N340 in Super? I'm loading it for Super and a friend of mine loads it in Super Comp, 7.2 grains makes major. He's running it through a Tru-bor barrel/comp and I've got a Schuman barrel and a Bedell 7 port titanium comp. It's hard to believe that it takes 9 grains to make major. I just picked up my 9mm shorty and I'm starting my load at 7.0, 7.2, 7.4. (340). 7.2 is pretty full so I'm sure it's really a compressed load. PLEASE START SLOW.

Does anybody know what's involved with tuning a mag? I must be pretty lucky. I've got 16 tubes, thrown Arredondo kits on them and except for squeezing a couple in a vice so they drop a little easier they all run - 100%. 140mm tube, Arredondo spring, follower, base pad = 24 rounds of .38 Super

Take a look at a Bushnell holosight. If you mount it on a flat top, it's high enough so you're not looking for the dot. It has a 1 min. dot with an outer ring. The dot's great out to 200 yards (for me) and the large ring makes it easy to pick up close. Good Luck.