boo radley

I am confused. Shooter X is a SS class, and has a good major match beating ALL the other SS shooters in his division. Perhaps he also beat all the other EX shooters, but in any event -- his finish should ensure he's bumped to the next higher class. <shrug> If there aren't enough shooters to ensure a 'bump', then it's not much a major match. In any event, this should self-correct given time and a major match or two. I agree with others that The Classifier doesn't necessarily equal match performance, but then we start going down the road of IDPA and logic, and rules that should be changed/modified, and it's likely to be a short and rough trip.

+1 You know exactly where the deal stands - do you have pictures, phone number, etc? I think at this point it's completely appropriate to send a polite note saying 'thanks, but no thanks, since you've been incommunicado.' I'm stupid enough to think purchasing a firearm through the internet, from a private individual is a reasonably big deal, and the logistics should be solid.

ME TOO. 9 years ago I reordered some checks, and the bank sent them to a previous address...Some scumbag stole them, and has been uttering bad paper here and there - mostly for pizzas - and was a huge pain-in-the ass for me, over the years....A crime like this isn't even on the radar for the Durham, North Carolina Police Department, so I'm left to mail and fax 'affidavits of forgery' from my bank, as best as I can. Fast forward to now. Wife and I want to refinance primary mortgage with some other things -- not important. I've always protected my credit score, and it's been over 800, as is hers. Imagine my surprise when the mortgage company says, "sorry -- because of your credit record we'll have to charge 1.75 "discount" points...." I hit the roof for a couple reasons, and discover: 1) my credit score is mid 600's because of a recent $36.00 collection for some Pappa John's pizza Scumbag slurped on *years* ago. Check was turned over to some collection agency, w/out my knowledge, "Security Check LLC" who *NEVER* contacted me, but simply shit in my credit report with Experian and Equifax. Now, I can file an online dispute, and have 30-45 days in which it MAY or may not get resolved....Sure hope mortgage rates don't go up. Sure hope they find in my favor. How can this crap get added so easily?? TRY finding a human at Experian to talk to. 2) F* the bank for their 'discount points,' and this blind calculation of credit score. It's *crazy*. And it also makes no sense -- somebody is borrowing a couple hundred k, but because of some bounced check for a pizza, bang -- you get to pay a couple grand upfront as a penalty?? Either get the loan, or don't , but what's this upfront nickle-and-diming? If the borrower is a credit risk, DON'T LEND TO HIM, of if you do, why think a few thousand dollars in your pocket makes things fine?

Nice! Those are some *serious* round counts on those stages...

Hmm....I've been shooting competitively and reloading for about 4 years, and I don't ever remember the state of reloading components as exactly "robust." Some small bullet company was always going under, and the larger ones were always 'out' of popular bullets; XYZ powder could never be found; you could find Winchester primers but not Federal, and so forth and so on. Point is, the industry -- as least in terms of supplying those of us reloading for competitive shooting -- always seemed fragile. Now that there's a run on the bank, so to speak, for reasons real or imagined, I'm not a bit surprised there's nothing on the shelves at the moment. I do think that will change in a bit, but think it will be feast or famine initially, as thing sort themselves out and supply returns to it's normal ( whatever that means) levels.

No idea/opinion on the legal issue, but I like to arrive at the match with the magazines already loaded. That way if there's traffic, or an unexpected line at sign-in or...whatever, it's one less thing to worry about, and more time to check out the stages.

I'm sorry -- it's still not clear to me, and I'd like to get a specific understanding of the rule.... E. Be loaded to the division capacity of eight (8) rounds in the magazine plus one (1) round in the chamber. Should division capacity not be achievable because of lower magazine capacity, load should be to maximum mechanical capacity of magazine plus one (1) round in the chamber. Competitors must use the same capacity magazines through out the competition (Example: if you start with a 7 round magazine, you must use that capacity magazine throughout the match). The way I read that rule, if I start with a 7 round mag, I'd better have nothing BUT 7-round mags. Downloading an 8-round mag to 7 doesn't strike me as 'the same capacity magazine(s)", but I might be mistaken. A shooter shows up at an IDPA major match with 1 x 7-round mag and 2 x 8-round magazines. Which -- if any/all -- is correct?: 1) If he uses the 7-round mag in a stage, he may use his 8-round mags, provided they're downloaded to 7. 2) If he uses the 7-round mag, he can't use anything but 7-round magazines. 3) Since he clearly has both 7 AND 8-round magazines, he should just use the 8-round magazines. 3a) He should only start with 8-round mags, but it's still ok to use that 7-round mag as a barney mag, or for reloads. What I'm getting at, is I see matches where an even round-count is an advantage. Sure I know this can be corrected by course design, but can I legally bring *one* magazine of lower capacity and download the rest? Thx

Jack, I have been to the Web Site but am unable to get the stages to come up, or any response on the right side of that page. Could you please check it out. Thank You You're using Mozilla Firefox browser, I'll bet. Try IE.

I, uh, never even thought about removing that part. Looking at it....you're right! Thx, Dillon. I'll try it next time.

I'm well into my 3rd year with the 650, and, switching out the primer punch for large and small primers kills me. Any special tools? Anything I try involves painful 1/8" turns, and pulling out the damn primer ramp and primer cup holder yields a marginal improvement (to exaggerate), and requires two DIFFERENT sized hex wrenches, and working upside down. Dillon -- what about a screw in the end of the punch? Not to complain, but this really is vexing - the rest of the change-over is no big deal. Steve

+1 to NoSteel's answer. I did the same, and have a right-angle screw-driver I can use inside the holster. They do really, really suck, and it always amuses me when folks say, "Oh, you can switch the configuration around, and back, for IDPA and USPSA, and..."

Most of these responses are from 5 or more years ago. I'm surprised at that, I guess.... CED is nice, but too small and the zipper failed shortly after buying it. Shooters Connection Tournament Series bag has been terrific going strong into year two.

Hmm....Cool video posting fail. The safety aspect doesn't really bother me - it's clear they're screwing around with an unloaded gun that fits very tightly in the box, and maybe someone had a muzzle pointed at them, but that happens every time I've eaten lunch at a range where shooters are seated. Etc But it's just not that funny -- OR unusual -- having a pistol that fits THAT tightly in the box; a couple of mine are snug and I have to squish the Bo-Mar's, and I freakin' hate box starts. Why you'd intentionally try to push the absolute limits is odd. The things aren't exactly atomic clock precise. So the video ends up being an inside joke to those that know the wacky feller's, and otherwise unintentionally disturbing and not really funny, to those that don't.

Removing and attaching the hanger on a DOH holster gets really, really old, and soon the screws start turning in the Kydex. IMO, you need to decide what divisions you're going to shoot, or most likely going to shoot and go from there. It's a shame the DOH isn't legal for SS, or it would be a no-brainer. What you really need is: Rig 1 -- CR-speed belt with 4 x CR-Speed mag holders, and DOH holster. Rig 2 -- cheap dual mag pouch, and IDPA/SS legal 1911 holster. You can set up the outer belt exactly as you like it for the Division you shoot the most, and if you shoot SS, temporarily add the dual-mag pouch for a total of 6 pouches.

I have about 5k through my Les Baer PII now, and my experience is similar to CSEMartin's: ie, the pistol runs a LOT better now, than it used to. When I first got the gun, it was incredibly tight, though extremely accurate. With SWC bullet profiles that weren't loaded to *exactly* the right OAL, I had difficulty, as well as sporadic failures with extraction. Playing with different spring weights was also a recipe for disaster. It's now plenty reliable, and I would buy another if I wanted another 1911 .45, but from personal experience, and that of a fellow shooter who uses them for IDPA and SS (and has 2), and general 'net anecdotes, I think it's not shattering news to experience teething problems.

SV, Wilson, and Les Baer, in that order....I have the first (a 2011) and last; don't have a Wilson, but my stepfather has a couple, and I'm extremely impressed -- they feel great without the hand-hewn, hammer-tongs vibe of the Les Baer. Maybe Nighthawk, too? I'm not sure I understand the point of a custom-build for a 1911 -- how can a small shop or individual compete with the above-mentioned companies? Some of the old Yo-Bo 1*'s were close (or over?) $2k, and built on low-end Springfield's. For over $2k I'd want to make sure I'm not getting a dressed up Caspian, or STI with some millwork. I could buy all the tool-steel parts myself, and a match barrel, forged frame and slide separately, THEN give them to a gunsmith, but again -- how I can I buy them cheaper than Les Baer or Wilson or SV can buy/make them??

Sorry -- I should have added that I removed the basepad. That's another issue, but for now I'm just working with the bare tubes. That's a good idea to check w/out the mag release, and see if there's friction. Corey -- I'm not sure what you mean about moving the ledge down? Thx

Aaagh -- I thought found the perfect mag set up for my 9mm STI Eagle -- an SV 126mm 38/9mm tube, with the purple follower. So I recently bought two more tubes. To my eyes, and probably poor measuring skills they appear identical to older tubes I have, but I'm running into this problem: 1) Neither tube will seat w/out *slamming* it up into the pistol. Otherwise, it never engages the magazine catch. 2) If I DO slam the tube up, so it seats, it's wedged in, and the magazine release won't allow it to drop free. With the slide off, I can see nothing obviously catching or rubbing....What is going on? thx

+1. Briggs and Riley is expensive, but great stuff.

Very tough, because 'favorites' aren't necessarily 'greatest.' In a couple cases here, some people's favorites absolutely suck. Or, a movie like "2001: A Space Odyssey" is arguably one of the greatest science fiction movies, but at times bores me to tears. There are also terrific books (Fahrenheit 451) that never translated into good movies... IMO, my favorite GOOD movies: 1) Star Wars -- the original. "Empire Strikes Back" is a better movie, but have to recognize the first for how mind-blowing it was. Every other "Star Wars *" sucked. 2) A Clockwork Orange -- hard to know what category to put this into. 3) Alien. I prefer the 2nd movie, like Star Wars, but have to honor the parent. 4) Planet of the Apes (original) 5) 20,000 Leagues under the Sea Man. So many more.

Have a Les Baer PII, and a pre-CZ Wesson PTM-B; had a couple of Kimber Custom II's and an STI single-stack.... The PII probably deserves its rep, though it's got a a definite 'hand-hammered' vibe. It's still stupid tight after 5k, and is very intolerant of ammo not loaded *exactly*. Trigger is "ok" only, and mushy. I've had enough problems with extraction, and have seen another shooter's PII jam often enough I'm reluctant to wave my 'fan boy' flag. The Kimbers...one was great (sold to a forum member, in an unwise moment) and one was ok. Both were wickedly accurate, and have nicely fitted match barrels, and forged frames. I'm not sure of the value at the > $1000 price point, like some of the Team/Gold Matches command, but a plain Custom II should be on anyone's short list, IMO. I can see the pros/cons of the firing pin safety, but it doesn't affect the trigger pull, and can be disabled. The "but they don't support US!" argument, I find specious, but that's only my probably poor opinion. They do buy a Front Site cover ad. They DO support United States manufacturing. And it's my view that WE support USPSA, which pretty much gives me a right to shoot whatever brand I want, with clear conscience, yo! STI -- had the Lawman. Nice enough, but I have two friends with Trojan's and like those more, for some reason. Sold the Lawman, and have never looked back. I liked STI's customer service when it came to another issue (on an Eagle 9mm). I do tend to agree with JoeD that the prices are pretty high, especially for the 2011's, loaded with MIM parts, but they're the only game in town. This crazy old Dan Wesson is the surprise of the bunch, IMO. It's got that weird S&W external exactor, but it's functioned perfectly, and has match barrel and bushing, and I believe forged frame. Trigger is wonderful and it's 'proofed' -- some accuracy guarantee of 1.25" at 50' or some such....Has a BoMar rear, and Dawson front sight. Only negative is no ambi, which I've yet to get around to fixing..... I don't know why JoeD is dismissive of Wilsons. Lightly used models can be found around $1.5k which is competive with the PII, and they're super I think -- seem the perfect blend of careful fit and finish, but without Baer's Vulcan Forge approach. <shrug> I've shot two Combat Classic models, which were Oh-so-nice.

Nice to see Mr. Chris Tilley getting some recognition in the local fish-wrap: http://www.newsobserver.com/802/story/1302190.html Good job! Interesting side-bar article discussing "IPSC" as well.

Alpine? What 'smith is in Alpine? Cheer up -- at least your wait now has a tracking number and is finite. It's the wait where you're told the gun will take 3 months and it's close to a year. Never again.

I think it was Mark Twain who said, "How happy the smallest thing make us, when we feel we've deserved it." Don't much care how a match chooses to do things, beyond: 1) I prefer lower match fees and NO prizes in favor of prizes that have to be purchased and commensurate higher entry fee. 2) Cash/certificates/clothing in lieu of "things", if you must give things out. Otherwise, what does it matter? Valid arguments can be made for and against every system of distribution. It's still a game-slash-sport. I guarantee that working hard going back to school for a degree, or on a 2nd job, will earn prizes far beyond any time spent "working" at the range. Bigger picture, and all that -- not that anyone wants it.

I recently purchased a flat screen, and spent WAY too much time obsessing about which/what/where, and ended up getting a 58" Plasma from www.visualapex.com. This despite, a significant corporate discount on consumer Panasonic gear, and Sony equipment. This is a commercial Panasonic model -- it has no internal speakers, nor internal tuner, nor stand. You won't be able to find these displays in Best Buy, Circuit City, and the like. These commercial units are superb displays and Visual Apex is an outstanding dealer. They sell smaller displays as well, of course. I strongly advise you to visit: http://www.avsforum.com/ For cables run like hell from Monster and the like. Data is data. Again read all you care to in the above forum, then visit www.monoprice.com and spend a $5-$6 for HDMI cables instead of ten times that.