DogmaDog

OK, lemme get this straight: You EARN a slot at the 2006 nationals by having done well in the 2005 Nationals, or an Area or Section championship, or other major match in 2005, yes? Your club gets some slots based on activity in 2005, which it can distribute at it's own discression? You can put yourself on the wait list, and hope you get a slot? Thanks for the help, DogmaDog

Haven't done it, but sounds like a good idea. You could just use big brown paper patches cut from grocery bags and slap 'em on the back of the target, to cover the cut-out A-zone, and that would mitigate the disadvantages, and reduce the taping (one patch every 20 hits or so??) DD

I shot this one too conservatively today. I shot the same program as Erik Warren; drew to the left and shot 3 targets outside in, and then reload to the right and shot 4 targets outside in. 70 points in a bit under 12.4 seconds, which won't advance me within B class. I think I didn't speed up enough as the targets got closer, despite what Steve Anderson has said about near-far vs. far-near. The no-shoots really got me to wait to see a steady sight picture. I'm also wondering whether it would be a little faster to draw to the right side and reload to the left, rather than the other way around. Seems like slightly shorter movement. I wonder if I could shave a little time. DD

Right now I'm really liking the sights on my CZ-75b. They're the stock sights, except I blacked out the stupid whitish dots with a sharpie marker, and I widened and deepened the rear notch with a 1911 rail file from Brownells. There's plenty of light on either side of the front sight, and I can acquire the front sight quickly because of that. The front sight is about 0.121" wide, and the rear notch is 0.160" wide, and 0.140" deep, or so. I like the fiber optic on my limited gun, but I'd always use the small (0.040") fiber, and make a very small dot--I still want to be able to see the top of the front sight when I need to make a tight shot. DogmaDog

Argh! As used by the Marine Corps with the M16A2: Condition 1: Mag inserted, bolt forward on a loaded chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe. Condition 2: Does not apply to the M16A2 (they make us memorize and repeat this!) Condition 3: Magazine inserted, bolt forward on an empty chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe. Condition 4: Magazine removed, bolt forward on an empty chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe. The conditions are applied to other weapons, also, and "Condition 2" does not apply to any weapon in general issue to Marines. IMO, a bad idea to try to use condition codes in IPSC, as the diversity of understandings of their meanings shown here demonstrates. DD

I use a non-primed case just like you do, but I throw single charges, and then pour them in the pan directly on the scale. I'll watch for deviations as I add charges (so if I want 4.6gr, then I should see 4.6, 9.2, 13.8...). Usually, I don't see anything go "off" by more than .1gr on a single throw, and I attribute that to rounding error (if the charge were actually 4.62, say, I should see an extra .1 grain show up after 3 or 4 charges). Once I have 10 in the pan, I divide by 10 and call that the charge weight. My initial powder bar adjustments will use only 3 charges, and I'll only throw 10 when I think I have the right charge set. Then I'll throw 10 more at the end of the loading session, and it might be .1 or .2 grains different than at the beginning...so I'll average those two averages. DD

This course is pretty similar to CM03-05 (Paper Poppers), which has 6 poppers and 2 paper targets, all shot from one position, so I can't see why this one wouldn't be legal as a classifier. The "mandatory reload anywhere" is a bit unusual. I suppose I'd shoot it left to right, and reload after the last popper, then hit the last paper, and any poppers left (d'oh!). DD

Use a 17# mainspring, and a 12.5# recoil spring. I've used a 10# (by accident) before, and didn't notice anything bad about it...but I didn't use it for long. Also, it will be easier to rack the slide if your wife cocks the hammer first. Practical at LAMR, but not so in the middle of a stage when she gets a "click!". DD

I've shot at clubs where 8 shot arrays were really common, and having a gun with at least 17 rounds in it allowed you the most flexibility about where you reloaded. If your clubs don't always have 8 shot arrays, and sometimes have fewer, then a 15 round gun might not be a handicap. You will discover that Limited is quite a bit different from L-10--I think the lower mag capacity in L-10 places more constraints on how you shoot a course. For example, instead of shooting several near and far targets all from the same spot, an L-10 shooter might shoot the near targets, then reload while moving to take the far targets from up close. The limited shooter could do either, without a reload. DD

Hard to say. If moving toward array A also moves you toward B, then you probably aren't losing any time by moving up to shoot at A--you can get a couple of steps during the draw alone, and if you are good at "entering" and "leaving", you won't lose much time. If you can shoot both arrays from one "seet spot", you should move there, and then get to the shooting. If moving to A requires you to double back or dogleg to get to B, then it probably would be slower. Get to the shooting. DD

Hey All, I've just run into this problem, of one shooter shooting in 2 divisions at the same match. It sounds to me like using this "re-entry" tab in EZWinScore is the way to go, but I can't find the "re-entry" tab anywhere. Does it still exist in version 2.25? If I understand correctly, if I don't use the re-entry feature, I need to register one competitor twice, using two different USPSA numbers or two different names (TYXXXX vs. TYFXXXX, for e.g., or Dogma L Dog vs. Dogma Dog). Then, once they're registered, edit the entry to correct the USPSA number and calculate/submit results normally? I don't want to use any method requiring paper. I want to submit my results online. I wish USPSA would come up with an explicit procedure for this within EZWS. DogmaDog

Their website is www.comp-tac.com You can see all of their models there. When I shoot my CZ, I use a comp-tac locking paddle holster. It's good. I can't see how another kydex holster would be any better. Straight drop. Secure. I have no idea whether the new IDPA holster rules made it suddenly illegal or not. I I think they can be pretty flexible about what they give you--cants, different colors, etc. DD

Hey all, Glad I found this thread. I've been having the same problem (one round left in the mag, and slide locks back). I'm using Grams springs and followers, and it looks like the follower is engaging the slide stop with 1 round left. The round is pushed partially forward, and the slide stop is not pushed all the way up. In a match last weekend, I got to a point where I needed 4 rounds on two close targets, with 4 left in the gun...and the slide locked with the last round in the gun. I took the miss, not even realizing that I hadn't fired 4 shots (I went through the motions for a 4th shot...the RO didn't realize, either...weird). I'm going to go ahead and deactivate the thing (I think it was intended to be deactivated when I bought it, but it works intermittently). Anyway, I'll prolly dremel off a bit of the slide stop that engages the follower. If that doesn't work, I'll add the detent. If that doesn't work, then I'll mess with followers. I'll let you know. DD

my reloading bench is only 18" wide, with the 550 bolted in the center of the front edge. I have 6 3/4" clearance on the left, and 4 3/4" on the right of the press, where I put cheapie ziploc containers of brass and bullets. (There's less clearance on the right because of the little ramp the finished rounds slide out on). I don't use the strongmount (and don't see what I would gain by it). There is more room on the shellplate of the 550, but it is still possible to jam it, but it doesn't happen very often. Good luck, DogmaDog

Sounds expensive, and you don't really need to replace any of your MIM parts. You can lighten the pull some just by dropping in a lighter mainspring. If the trigger is otherwise good, then just do that. I would expect to pay less than $100 for just a trigger job. DD

Hmmm. I saw another bit of statistical trivia--how many people do you need in a room before it's an even bet that two of them have the same birthday (ignoring quirks like twins or leap year)? Turns out the answer is only 23. If there are 23 people, there's a slightly better than 50:50 chance that two of them have the same birthday. The math basically involved figuring out the probability that X people will all have different birthdays. Neither here nor there, but I would guess times for IPSC stages would not be normally distributed, and would usually be very close near the top of the standings. 3-way tie? Not improbable. DD

If you already have a singlestack .45, I don't see why you would buy another one. Keep the Springfield Loaded. Shoot it in L10, where it will be the most competitive. Go ahead and buy racy holster, etc. If you get CR Speed pouches and holster, they will adjust to fit an STI, should you ever get one. Some here have/will argue that you will improve most by sticking with a single firearm/division. But if you want to expand into production, by all means buy an XD. If you want to go limited, a 10+1 gun is going to hurt you eventually (does your local club just have lots of short courses, or courses with mandatory reloads after 6 or 8 rounds?). Having 19+1 gives you a lot more choice about where to reload, and requires fewer reloads, both of which will increase your speed. In any case, if you are happy and enjoying yourself, that's what counts. Buying another gun probably won't allow you to actually shoot more, but if it allows you to shoot differently, then it might be worth it. So ask yourself "what's going to be different?" when you buy your next heater. Oh yeah...my answer to the question is "yes, it is worth it". I bought a used STI 6" .40 limited gun after shooting my Kimber Gold Match in L10. I really like the freedom you get from a limited gun--just letting the shooting flow rather than having to reload all the time (after every target array). In L10, it's often better to shoot standing still, and relaod while moving, whereas limited will often reward you for shooting on the move between positions. The two divisions really are quite different on longer field courses. Also, .40 brass and bullets are less expensive than .45. The brass is practically free. DD

I also would not scrimp on measuring tools, but I have no idea why one would need a micrometer with .0001" measurement. A Dillon digital electronic scale, and the least expensive (~$30) digital electronic calipers from Midway are what I use. Your friends could save some money by buying a beam balance and vernier calipers, but not enough to justify the extra time spend dithering with sliding weights, and trying to read vernier scales. A cheap primer flip tray from Midway will be needed. And your friends will also need some consumeables--acetone or some other solvent to clean the thing, and lubricants (I use graphite on the primer bar, and 3 in 1 oil on the ram). IIRC, parts for both primer sizes come with the press. You can do without a case gauge as long as you're willing to A) just hope (works for me so far) or remove the barrel from your gun and use the chamber to check rounds. DD

I use MS Power Point, and download the images and templates others are referring to. It's somewhat simple to just copy and arrange the images like clip-art, and then, once you've got a whole stage, group all items together, cut and paste into the Comstock or Virginia stage description templates. DD

Yeah, it was "No Shoot-Ing". I had to walk through about 5 times coming up 2 rounds short on the total count before I found that target on the right side...but shot it clean. Again, I think: Offer the shooter the option of seeing everything, allow him to delegate someone, or just don't touch anything questionable--if the shooter agrees, it's good to go. DD

BDH, I shot your stage, and I was happy with the scoring. I missed one of the targets, and it was left untouched, and one of the ROs told me it was there, and gave me the chance to look at it before it was taped. I guess I'd ideally like any misses, no-shoots, and "close calls" to be brought to the shooter's attention, but most of the targets are going to be 2A, AC, or 2C, and I don't mind if you go ahead and score 'em. Also, they did the same thing on one of the other stages at A6, but the RO's specifically offered the shooter the chance to see every target if he wanted to. Most shooters were happy with having the stage partly scored while they shot. If they weren't that was OK, too. DD

Hey all, I practiced today. (Applause) I don't have much room on the front of my belt, so I tried hooking my Pact MkIV on to my weak side pocket. From there, it wouldn't pick up my shots. When I hooked it on the front of my belt, it still would not pick up my shots. I had a small flash of insight, and attached a piece of card stock (actually the insert from a pack of grip replacement screws for STI), curved into a semi-cylinder, perpendicular to the surface of the timer, just below the microphone opening, in the hopes that it would reflect sound into the opening, and allow the timer to hear the shots. Well, it worked. But the card, attached with masking tape is a pretty fragile solution. Anyone else run into this problem? Anyone else come up with a different/better solution? Thanks, DogmaDog

BDH, It was a good stage, and I enjoyed it. I just wish I hadn't somehow missed the near right target in the second room. I do have to question the purpose of that fault line, though--why was it there? For what reason was it important that the shooter not start shooting until entering the house? If it didn't really serve any purpose, then it oughta be discarded. Still, it was a pretty small flaw in an otherwise really fun stage (I thought). Thanks, DogmaDog

Definitely worth it. I started on a Dillon 550. I relaod my .40 ammo for less than $50 per thousand. It is not hard. I load 500 at a time in about 2 hours. The ammo is as accurate as you could need for an IPSC match. I have loaded one round with the primer upside down. As far as I can tell, in more than 13,000 rounds loaded, that has been the only error I haven't caught before the round was loaded. Find a guy at your club who reloads. Ask him if you can come over to his house and do some reloading. After a 1 hour session, your fears will be dispelled. Good luck, DogmaDog

Area 6 was an awesome match. I was lucky enough to shoot in squad 2 with Lee Dimaculangen, Cheryl and Frank Cruz, Jerry and Kay Miculek, Kert Gaskill, and 9-year-old Teepy Porter. I thought I really burned down the classifier, with A-C on both papers, and a clean run across the steel in 6.12 seconds. Then Frank Cruz shot about 15 shots (10 are required) with a clean score in 5.05 (you can't miss fast enough to win, but you can miss fast enough to really kick ass, apparently.), Lee shot it in 4 and 1/2 seconds. It was painful to watch Jerry M. miss the 5th steel, and have to do a second reload, on what was going to be a smoking run. After the classifier, had a harrowing experience at the chrono, where they had managed to weigh a bullet 3 grains lighter than the average, and I squeaked by with 165.4 PF! Whew! Anyway, I did pretty well overall--6th among B class Limited shooters. I shot 10 stages clean, managed to throw a mike on the near, right target in the second room of the shoot house stage (obviously, I was already thinking about reloading...there was a dead-center A, and nothing else), and suffered range equipment failure on "Reign of Fire". Lesson: If you get a re-shoot, GO LAST! You may see someone with a better plan than you had. My second run on Reign of Fire was much worse than my first, with 2 mikes, and one target engaged twice. Teepy Porter got the most out of the match...on some stages, reloading and re-engaging targets until all of his magazines were empty. If you're 9, and you came to shoot, well, I guess you're gonna shoot! Sometimes I wish I could do that. Anyway, it was a fun and exciting match, I look forward to many more in the future. DogmaDog