MP5_guy

Basically, I agree with you, but short stages (speed shoots) do have a purpose... to help things move along in a match while keeping up the stage count. Short stages spread out among the longer ones help keep the match on schedule. And, speaking for myself, if I'm having a bad match, a speed shoot can be something that can help me get back on track by doing something relatively simple. Too bad for me stage 10 was the only stage that my shotgun worked. The alternative is to have fewer stages in order to allow enough time to complete the match. I absolutely prefer multi-gun (or more complex) stages, but they are often very time consuming for shooter prep and scoring.

Actually, I agree it should be time + penalties, but there seems to be a large number of people that want it to be based on a percentage of the stage winner's score to de-emphasize the importance of long range shooting. My proposed scoring system would be a compromise, even if it is a headache for stats. Besides, that's what scoring programs are for.

This is one of the things that I think needs fixing. I know some people advocate scores based on a percentage of the best time on a stage because it's more "fair" than time only. However, it creates the opposite effect than time-based scoring. That is, when doing percentage scoring, it generally favors those who can smoke a short stage and doesn't heavily penalize someone for not being a good long range shooter, whereas time-base scoring generally favors those who do well on long range CoF (if you exclude the super squad, of course, but they always screw up the curve... ) I'd suggest something along the lines of weighting the CoF. It could be something as arbitrary as the MD choosing a multiplier based on perceived difficulty of the stage, or based on something like the number of targets. For example, at the recent SMM3G, stage 10 was probably the shortest CoF with 12 targets. Let's give it a weight of 1. IIRC, stage 3 had the largest number of targets with 8 shotgun, 17 rifle, and 5 pistol (for a total of 30). It would be weighted at 30 / 12 = 2.5. How do we use the weighting? Multiply the percentage by the weighting to get stage points. So, winner of stage 3 gets 250 points, winner of stage 10 gets 100 points. Whadaya think?

Just got an update with the expected round count: 50 pistol, 40 birdshot, 8 slugs, 75 rifle. This may change slightly depending on how they finalize stage designs. Their web site with directions is here: Pima Pistol Club

The Pima Pistol Club is holding their 5th Sunday 3-gun match on October 30th since they were able to enlist some help for setup. Details, including directions to the range, can be found on their web site. No info yet on round count.

I would look for an 11-87. Remington has improved the gas system and it is more tolerant of a wide range of shotshells. That is, it will shoot light loads and field loads well. My wife has an 11-87 that just keeps on going. My 1100 is picky about what I feed it. It's not really a big deal unless you want to get really cheap and start using some no-name shotshell.

I was running a 3-9x Accupoint and had no problems. I was grateful for the extra magnafication on Stage 2, since it made it possible to get a better sight picture of that flasher in the shadows on the right.

I personally don't see a need for Heavy Metal (my preferred name for this division) *if* we start to adjust scoring values on targets in accordance with power factor. To me that is the way to go. I would love to shoot a .30 cal rifle in Open, but with the current scoring methods, it would be a handicap -- if I'm shooting major PF, I want to be scored major PF. Treat it like how a shotgun shooting slugs is treated -- a hit anywhere on paper is considered to have neutrailized the target. I find the current He-Man/Heavy Metal equipment requirements a bit of a pain. I would have to buy another pistol and a shotgun to play. Not that there is anything wrong with buying more firearms... But it would be nice to be able to use some of what I already have.

I think the solution may be simpler than we we think. Some of you have kind of skirted around an idea that started to gel last night... How about this for divisions: - Open (same basic rules and equipment "limitations" as we have now) - Tactical Scoped (1 optic, maybe a 30-round mag limit if we're feeling fiesty, limit on comp size, etc) - Tactical Iron (basically, the same as TS, but no scope) Keep the shotgun and pistol requirements the same for each division. What? No He-Man? Easy... power factor will do that. In each division, allow for the .30 cal (or bigger) guys to shoot major, which means only one hit per paper target to neutralize vs. 2 hits for those who prefer to run an AR or other small caliber rifle. This way, anyone wanting to shoot their M1A, HK91, AR-10 or whatever can pimp it out appropriately for the division they want to run in and not be constrained by the current He-Man requirements. It might even be amusing to have a fourth division. Not sure what to name it, but let's just call it "Old School" for now: - Rifles limited to designs made before 1945 (Garands, M1 Carbines, etc) - Pump shotguns only (1897, Model 12, etc) - 1911 single stack in .45 (with mag limits) or a 6-shot revolver. The only thing I would maybe see as an exception to the rifle limit is to allow iron sighted ARs with 20-round mags only. Could be a hoot, but realistically I wouldn't see many interested in this division. -Greg

Is there a Firefly fan in the house? I was actually alluding to an M&Ms commercial. One of the Baldwins is in it, and they ask him, "Which one are you?"

I'm hoping it does well. Supposedly Joss Whedon has a contract for a total of 3 Serenity movies, presuming the first makes money. For those who missed the TV series Firefly, it's worth tracking down someone with the DVD set -- or buying it. One of those gems that was overlooked by many. I tend to think it was a couple of years ahead of its time. If it were to air now, I think it would have a decent chance of sticking around. Oddly enough, one of the things that originally attracted me to the series was the fact that all scenes in space were without sound (it's a vacuum, remember?). No engine sounds, no crunch of metal when ships collide... just silence. It really added to the "uniqueness" of the show. That and some of the best lines written for TV: "Do you know what the 'chain of command' is? It's a chain I go get and beat you with until you realize I'm in command!" MAL: "Mercy is the mark of a great man." (pokes Atherton with the sword) "Guess I'm just a good man." (pokes him again) "Well, I'm all right." "You're like a trained ape. Without the training."

This is so true. The best things I ever bought for my wife (that were shooting related) were her own AR and shotgun. She's got them tricked out to the point that I can't use them, but they fit her to a T.

Probably the best ones on the market are the Miculek and the JP comp. I haven't had a chance to do a side-by-side comparison, but I have a feeling that the JP may be slightly better. I run the Miculek comp and like the way it shoots. A friend has what he believes is an old Krebs comp on his AR, and it pushes the muzzle down each shot. Very difficult to get used to.

I agree with this -- pattern the shotgun requirements from the Tactical Division and allow both pumps and autos. The reality is that shotgunning as we shoot it is more of a reloading exercise than anything else. Why require that I buy yet another shotgun? Besides, I hate pumps. I'd rather put that money towards ammo or another firearm that I'll get more use out of. I think it's already going to be a challenge to get people to drag out their .30 cal rifles and make them squint through the iron sights. No point in making it less appealing. The need for a pump is what has kept me from playing in HM.

Back in the mid-80s I had an opportunity to see in a theater at the American Film Institute (at the Kennedy Center) what was at the time the only known intact (had been "lost" in a vault at a studio) 35mm print of "The Wild Bunch". This was a big deal, since well into the 1970s most film prints going to movie theaters were 16mm. It was also what is now called a director's cut, and it was spectacular in the quality. I would love to see it again on the big screen. DVDs are great, but give me a quality print in Technicolor and I'll be at the front of the line to get in.

Adam Baldwin? Which one is he...?

Kind of an interesting passage -- a glimpse into attitudes back then towards the Indians. The last sentence is still may favorite -- those guys laid it all on the line, and some paid it all.

I have it on my Tivo, but I don't yet have the technology to make a DVD. Maybe I'll have to borrow a burner from a friend...

I think someone just dated themselves...

I'm getting ready to buy a bipod for my open rifle (AR-15). I've been looking at the Harris bipods, and I have narrowed it down to the HBL or the HBL-S (swivel mount). So, I guess I really have 2 questions: 1) Should I look at any other bipods before I make the purchase? 2) What are people's feelings regarding getting the swivel version of a particular model? Pros, cons, etc? TIA, -Greg