[Florida Open 2008]

It fails me why anyone thinks that "Frank caters to foreign shooters." It could just as easily be said that he caters to yankees who escape the long cold winter for a week in the Florida sunshine.

Frank speaks spanish. Frank's match is close to a major airport with great international connections. Frank is well thought of throughout the international shooting community. Frank's match is the first major of the year and comes at a time when most of America is weathered in. The average middle aged male shooter has just finished taking care of all of his holiday responsibilities and is ready to do something to get back into shooting after putting up his guns after Thanksgiving. Frank has tremendous loyality from his range staff so shooters see the same faces running stages year after year and he has the broadest vendor support in the nature (anyone else have Coke as a sponsor?). It is not hard to understand why shooters from all over the world find this match attractive.

I think it would be better to say that Frank caters to shooters as did FIPT which I recall drew a substantial amount of foreign shooters for many of the same reasons as outlined above.

Charles, I would agree with your statement. This year the foreign contingent was significantly down compared to previous years. I would know this as I have shot all of them except the first. The format is better with the half days, and it allows you to do some extera stuff in the area instead of staying at franks all day both days. The only real negaticce this year was 3 stages had some funny requirements and would not have been allowed as shot if the match had sought uspsa sanctioning. The price he was charging the vendors I felt was a little high but its franks match and he can run it as he see's fit. I will return next year as usual barring unforseen problems.

Guys, please don't misunderstand me - when I say that "Frank Caters..." I mean he gives me the impression that goes out of his way to make us foreign shooters feel comfortable at his place. He's a great host, as are his team of people. I certainly did not mean to infer that he wants us any more than his US compatriots.

And as for the prize comment, I'd go to that match if there was just plaques. I just posted the same thing that I emailed to Frank, and he did ask for comments at the awards ceremony. What he does with them is absolutely his decision, as is any MD's.

[Florida Open 2008]

This was my 9th year (so sorry I missed the first year too) at the match, and as usual, I really enjoyed myself.

I am very happy with the new schedule format. My only semi-negative comment is on the new prize structure. Frank caters to foreigners, this match has to be one of the highest density of foreigners in the USA. That's a really nice thing for him to do, be a good host in one of the greatest shooting regions in IPSC. The problem is, all these foreigners can't take the prizes they won, so giving out a lot of guns isn't a better thing. The side effect, as noted from CWPSA is less vendors due to the more expensive cost of admission and less people for us to shop at.

I know Frank struggles with prizes and tries really hard to be fair, but I don't think this was the right route for this particular match.

I'd prefer he go to all cash, myself - like the FIPT used to do.

[Sti Trusight" Gun Is "legal" For Standard Division]

A lot of discussion about the 500 quantity issue. I don't think it's an issue.

While USPSA requires 500 to get into Limited, IPSC does not require 500 guns to make standard so STI will sell a good whack of the first ones to foreign countries shooting IPSC.

They'll hit that 500 mark in no time at all and be able to satisfy USPSA's minimum requirement.

[Brake Cleaner Bad For Grips?]

It should not need to be said, but I'll say it just in case -

If you have one of the custom painted grips; (APS, SVI, etc.) forget about the brake cleaner too.

[S-2 Barrel]

Not sure what you mean about s2 not being available. At this time, the s2 barrel is listed on the web site.

...snip...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The standalone screw-on s-2 comp is discontinued, (STI dropped all threaded barrels too)

The Trubore barrel with integral S2 Comp is available.

[World Shoot XIV Information]

I thought the awards ceremony was well done, if not a little long.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should have been to the last WS in South Africa - where the awards ceremony started at 5 and ended at midnight.