Hot Brass

For what it is worth, I saw more revolver failures than pistol failures at the AL State match this year.

Same goes for me.

CDP - MA SSP - EX (I haven't shot SSP in 3 yrs) -Capel A18293

Is it over the weight limit?

Glshooter, Keep in mind that IDPA HQ has only started keeping a database of classifications recently (maybe 18 months). Initially, individuals could enter their classifications, but starting in Jan 07, only MD's can enter classification data. On top of that, the ability to upload batch data into the classification database has only been available for the last 6 months. I would suggest that the reason there are only 4000 classifications is that most MD's don't have the time or technology to enter or upload the data. MD's are so highly paid now, that adding another chore like this just thrills them. Joking aside, I think most MD's want to get their classifications into the HQ database, but have not found a convenient way to do it yet. I know that Beach Bunny has a free utility for uploading results, but even that has it's limitations because clubs use so many different software programs to keep score.

Dennis, Technically the limit is one. (You should download the rulebook if you have not already done so.) This rule is only enforced by the honor system. No one is going to come audit your members, but what I have found is that the majority of people who shoot the matches on a regular basis will join. Yes, you do have to remind them sometimes, but as a whole IDPA shooters are a very honest lot.

I won one of these devices at the Carolina Cup a few years ago. I tried it a few times at our indoor match where we shoot low/no light stages. If you are a cop or someone who uses a flashlight and gun regularly, it probably has some value. Otherwise, it is just a transfer device...

In case you are wondering, one of the reasons you don't see the chrono at major IDPA matches is that it requires more manpower, range space and time to complete the match. Ideally, all IDPA sanctioned matches would require the chrono, but today it is not required. Running a sanctioned match is a real job and I certainly understand why MD's tend to shy away from it. There are 1001 things to do in order to pull off a sanctioned match and adding one more thing, especially one that requires the effort associated with the chrono, can be too much. I think most MD's would rather add an extra stage if they have the manpower, range space and time.

Lonerider, there are so few people that shoot IDPA (or any shooting sport for that matter) it is statistically insignificant relative to the general population of the USA. Yes, if you saw someone wearing a 5.11 vest, your first thought would be "he's carrying". However, 99.999% of the rest of the world would think "he's a photographer". I'm currently in Mexico on vacation and I saw a guy wearing a similar vest today. My first thought was, "this guy must be carrying". So I tailed him for about 2 min just to satisfy my curiosity. He was a photographer. My point here is that there are a lot more photographers in the US than there are CCW holders who wear 5.11 vests. I've worn mine many times when I was not armed because it is just a very convenient way to carry a bunch of junk around Disney World or similar place. Be careful because the old "shoot the guy with the vest first" mentality could get someone into a real mess if he turns out to be a good guy. I hear the "that vest is a dead giveaway" comment all the time and I don't think it is reality. I've worn mine in enough public places that if it were going to draw attention, it would have before now.

+1 for Dave at Target Barn.

Here is an idea: Let the Match Director declare what type of match will be held. For example, this month's match will be a "limited capacity" rifle match. Alternately, he could declare the match to be an "open capacity" match. (Keep in mind that the provisional rules only address club level matches at this point.) Using this approach, the MD can try both formats and see which one his local shooters prefer. If the majority of local shooters like the "limited capacity" format, he can stick with it. Otherwise, he can stick to the "open capacity" type matches. Using this approach, the guys who don't like "limited capacity" matches can stay home or go elsewhere. No harm, no foul. If no one shows up at the "limited capacity" match, the MD will know very quickly which direction he should steer his club.

I was the SO on stage 5 and the majority of people were probably down over 15 points when it was all said and done. It was a tough stage I saw a lot of tears, heard a lot of swears, and spoke to a lot of people who were contemplating changing hobbies. Hindsight being 20/20, the mover on stage 5 should have been set to present a lot longer. I apologize to everyone who found the stage too difficult. It won't happen again. -Capel

Gman, How's the foot? We're going to miss you this weekend.

Ok, I finally got the video edited and posted. We only got stages 2-7 on camera. JoeD and his wife star in the Stage 2 video. http://www.gadpa.com/forums/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=573#573 This was a good match. Ron put a lot of thought into designing stages that could be shot "the hard way" and "the easy way". You can see an example of this in the Stage 4 video. Keep in mind that these videos were shot for the purpose of documenting the stages and not for a score.

We shot a few of the stages with the hat camera on Saturday. Stage 5 was one of them. I'll try to edit the video and get it posted this evening. The first video of stage 5 is funny because the guy who shot it just nicked the drop plate and it rotated 90 degrees, but did not fall off the stand. He continued shooting at it while we all laughed at him trying to hit a 1/2 inch wide target from 10 yards. We were just horsing around when shooting the video since the SO's shot the match the day before. JoeD, have the scores been posted? -Capel

I've shot 15 to 20 sanctioned matches in 7 states over the last 3 years and I've only seen one stage where the shooters could not see the moving targets, at least once, prior to the buzzer. That one stage was supposed to be blind for everyone. (I don't see how the host club members could set it up and then shoot it without having "seen" it.) I am not saying it does not happen, but it rarely happens in the southeast. Sure, if you get to watch 10 shooters run through a stage you'll have a better idea on how you want to shoot it. Everyone has been the first in the squad to shoot a stage, it is part of the game. No one wants to be first, but when your name is called, it's time to shoot.

GlockDriver, The match is only about 60% full as of today and yes, our sanctioned matches have stages similar to the one's on video, just more of them. The helmet cam is from http://www.blackeyeusa.com/en/products and can be used with any DVR that accepts AV input. These videos were captured using an Archos 504 DVR. This is not a wireless setup like the Hoser Cam, but the camera is centered on the shooters forehead, not over the ear. This gives a better perspective on the front sight, IMO. A picture of a shooter wearing the camera can be seen here.

The 2007 IDPA Georgia State Championship will be held at the South River Gun Club in Conyers, GA on October 6th, 2007. This year's match will be a one day event and will consist of a 13 stage course of fire. The stages will include: electronic movers, a shoot house and a lot more. Each stage will be in a separate bay. The round count will be approximately 200 rounds. This match will have a shotgun start so you may shoot with whoever you wish. More details can be found Here. I have posted some video clips of our August monthly match. The stages in the clips are representative of what you will see at this year's GA State Championship. (No, there will not be a shotgun stage.) GADPA Match Videos -Capel

Filishooter, you updated your post while I was responding...

No. As long as 100% of your lower body and 50% of your upper body is behind cover, you are ok. From page 44 in the rule book: "Reloads must be completed from cover, however this does not mean that a shooter must duck back completely behind cover to reload before reengaging targets from a stationary firing point. The contestant may keep his eyes on his next “opponent” as long as he follows the definition of cover and does not expose too much of his body to the next threat target."

Our IPDA club is independent of any range, so our props have to be very mobile. Here is a link to some video we shot last week: http://www.gadpa.com/forums/thread/507.aspx The mover is activated by a motion detector. It has been a challenge to find an inexpensive 12vdc motor with enough torque to pull the trolly as fast as we would like, but the motion detector has worked very well. We shot this mover last weekend at our outdoor match, but the batteries were dead in my DVR, so I did not get to shoot any video

Rob, I understand what you are trying to do and I agree with it. The challenge is getting everyone to agree with the definition. I am proposing a simpler approach. Just say what can/cant be done and move on. Too much time is wasted at every match on this one issue. I would like to see it out to bed.

I'm not suggesting that HQ get rid of it. I'm suggesting that HQ define when you can and when you can't reload after engaging some targets, but while you are still behind cover with respect to un-engaged targets.

Instead of asking HQ to redifine cover, what about creating a rule(s) that allows reloading in the open or while crossing a doorway or moving down a hall, etc...? Maybe have several different situations that deal with static targets that have been shot, shot at, failed to neutralize, steel standing or dropped, etc... My impression is that the majority of shooters hate having to reload behind cover after all visible targets have been engaged. They want to reload while moving. This whole debate about what is or is not cover is a fruitless one. Why not address the issue that causes the debate? This is our sport and if a majority of the players want to change, or at least clarify, the rules I'm all for it. EDIT: by "open" I mean exposed to targets that have been engaged, but not exposed to targets yet to be engaged. END EDIT

I agree with all the above duties of the ASO/scorekeeper, especially in a sanctioned match. At the club level, the scorekeeper is often just about anyone who has a free hand. I think it is the responsibility of the certified SO's and experienced shooters to coach the scorekeeper in his/her responsibilities. Too often, at the club level, the scorekeeper is yapping with his buddies while the SO is running a shooter. He runs up after the shooter is clear and writes down the score. On numerous occasions, I've been entering scores after the match only to find that a time was not written on a scoresheet. This is a real injustice to the shooter and the scorekeeper is at fault. One last responsibility of the scorekeeper is to write legibly. If the person entering the scores can't read your handwriting, the benefit goes to the shooter. No one wants to loose because the stats person entered a 0 instead of an 8, due to poor handwriting. If the shooter disagrees with the SO, it is the MD's job to make the call. Arguing with the SO is not the thing to do. Ask the SO to bring the MD over and make the call. Most SO's know this, but not all shooters do. Make sure you bring the MD over to address the issue ASAP. I learned this the hard way at the Nationals last year. I waited a couple of hours before running into the MD and making my case. He said I was right and should have goten a re-shoot because the targets were not pasted, but that I waited too long to bring the issue to his attention.