Ara

I believe everyone that shoots regularly should join USPSA just in order to keep the organization existing. The fee is not much to ask and it's used to benefit all of us as a whole. However, an area that is being overlooked is the unintended consequences of USPSA's decisions in the number of divisions and its impact. I had to re-assess my life five years ago based on costs (trippled over the last seven years) and other factors and now I just shoot local matches instead of Area and Nats. Even then, I reached a point of diminished returns mainly because even attending a local match with about "60" shooters (sounds good, right?) does not provide a real challenge anymore. I am a "true" GM and I need someone, alot of shooters actually, to try to kick my butt. That's why I go...for the test. Those "60" shooters are now usually broke down to about 15-20 in Limited, 15-20 in Production and the rest divided amongst the rest of all the other divisions we have created. Ask yourself, is 5-10 shooters in a division really a competition? "Back in the day" when we had 2 Divisions, one would compete against 30-40 shooters. Some of us also remember when we had only one Division (wasn't really a "Division") but I'm not advocating for that either. The answer is not, per se, get more shooters. It may be for a smaller club, but in larger areas, having more then 80 shooters at a club match can be exhausting, especially for those that have to drive a distance. Add to this, the prolifiration of less than quality stages, say...."bubble gum". That's right, I said it...and you have exclusion. Exclusion of thousands of other shooters who didn't want the bubble gum virus spreading in our sport. USPSA has made its stand clear by making certain decisions, based on rules instead of Principles and I believe those choices have made an impact. USPSA is now all over the place (what I call MPD...Multiple Personality Disorder) instead of a solid straight path. So I look at the "value" of joining differently. I look at it as more of the value of "competing". What is "USPSA" doing, or doing that is detremental to the value of me joining and competing.

How do you shoot a Texas Star? That's easy...hand grenade.

Does she have a sister?

The Holland quick discharge comp is outstanding, especially for magnums but works great on any caliber. Available thru Brownells. It drastically softens the recoil and is shorter than most comps. It does need to be threaded and properly centered. It also comes in different finishes and has no bottom ports so there's no dust cloud.

Ok, then. To confuse the issue even more, what happens if you have a production gun that came from the factory, with factory parts and a factory trigger set screw installed by the factory? Cuz that's what my XD9 is.

Clearly, MG has its unique needs. As I said, we need to EXPLORE alternatives. Breaking it down at a 19 stage handgun nats, for example, you may have roughly 60 RO's alone, not to mention other "paid" staff. That could be anywhere between 20%-30% of the folks there. As far as costs, based on what has been published, we are paying out roughly $50,000-$60,000 for total RO expenses from each handgun Nationals. There are alternatives and my point is that "IF" prize tables, etc, need a boost.....

With all due respect to everyone at USPSA, I will go ahead and say it. I see two problems: 1. We are over administrating every nationals with too many RO's, which adds costs. ie., 3 RO's per stage. Do the math. This is an area that is costing money (taking money away from the match that could be used elsewhere). Not to say we don't need RO's, just saying we need to explore alternatives to 3 per stage. 2. Is it possible that we are spreading ourselves too thin? ie., adding more food on our plate via Steel Challenge.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. USPS is a governmental entity, therefore, bound by federal laws. For LE only, however, there is an exception for shipping pistols to FFL or manufacturers. You just need to fill out a special exemption form they have, show your ID and mail it it a proper box. In fact, it doesn't even need to be overnighted and if you did, its only around $35. Again, this is for LE only. In regards to Fed Ex and UPS, those regs regarding "Frames" being defined as a firearm are THEIR OWN regs and not some federal charging statute making it a crime. So lets say one "got caught" shipping "gun parts" in two boxes or had to file a claim on a loss. I suppose the worst thing they would/could do is flag your name and never take your money again. A few months ago, UPS wanted $82 to mail my duty XD back to Springfield. As you can imagine, this was vulgar to me but I was in uniform. I decided against it and checked with USPS. I kept the tag UPS gave me and I plan to speak to my senator about this as I feel it directly impacts interstate commerce, which UPS and Fed Ex have been given a license to conduct in my state.

I tested a 21SF and then got one. I have since switched to it for duty along with a G30 to replace my G23 for off-duty. I shot it out of the box and was getting .13 splits on demand. It shoots surpisingly soft and tracks even better especially as a big-bore. Most of all, the new grip fills the hands just enough, even with Tru-grip. (The medium frames are nice but just a shade on the small side especially for the support hand). The angle is not as extreme and it feels obviously different from the old 21 and medium frames. I use Heinie 3-dot tritiums to make this already accurate gun even better. The Trijicon sights don't do it justice. I also have a commited TLR-1 light with no malfunctions. I have fired over 700 rds with 8 different 21SF mags topped off to 13 without one hickup. Speer Gold Dot and Blazer 230 gr chrono at 200 PF! I received mine from a GSSF match with an ambi mag release by mistake? I had requested the standard. (which by the way, frames are mag release specific and not interchangable). I was originally concerned about the corner of the mag release digging in but it has not been an issue for me even after a 300 rd day. A concern may be, however, the vulnerability of now having both sides bumped in a gun grab situation but I am not aware of one documented situation of even one side being a factor. I suppose I could file it down. If you had to order one and are right handed, I would stick to the standard model. The 21SF mags work in the G30 so I can use those as spares instead of the standard 10 rounder. For defensive/duty use, its hard to beat if you want a full size gun. A very accurate, light-weight gun with 14 rds of 45 ACP and ultra-reliable. I believe it also has huge potential for IDPA.

I need any feedback for any problems with these two loads using a stock G35 barrel: Zero 200 gr TMJ using N310 or N320 (Specifically OAL or presure issues using stock barrel). My current oal is 1.145 which seems to chamber. Has anyone gone shorter for a 200 gr in a Glock? Precision 185 gr (specifically any issues with the bullet versus jacketed).

Ok, still clear as mud. Based on that, you MAY be able to use a plastic plug that fits flush with the bottom. All it does is "internal beveling" which is allowed. External plugs and Seatle Slugs as mentioned refer to the type that protrude beyond the frame. It seems that "no magwell attachments or external flaring" means what it says, you can't drop in a mag well but you can bevel the inside, which makes sense. If a guy has an old Berretta, which came un-beveled, he should be allowed to take a file to it. My thought then is a flush fitting plug should be ok. This is something they will have to rule on if the wording stays the same.

Don't listen to Eric, Tru-grip is the only way to go. Tru-grips flex and stretch and stay on and are very reasonably priced for a set of three. Over time, the surface wears a little but it depends on how much you shoot. The courseness of the surface is just right so that you still have sensitivity compared to standard skate tape which is too rough. I used to have my S_I grips custom altered but now with Tru-grip, I just throw them on and never look back. All my Glocks are wrapped except for my off-duty. I also recommend Tru-grip to all our Academy students and try to get them during training. Increasing friction between the hands and gun makes a world of differrence, especially on issued Glocks. Haven't tried it on cars (yet )but seems like every doorway at home is scratched up about waist high.

We use Hesco barriers with portable traps. Our tire house fell apart over the years even tho it was built well. Plus we had bounce off with shotgun.

Your ammo will be fine....as long as you don't store it in the trunk.

Erik, Check out Camp Guernsey/Joint Training Center, Wyoming. Its about 100 miles north of Cheyenne. Its a Wyo Army Guard base made for training but open to other entities, including the Rocky Mountain 3-gun which shoots there. You've gotta see it to believe it. So far they have about 50,000 acres of range/land to include artillary and rocket...if you were to incorporate it into a match. Even have their own airstrip to fly into on a C141. So yeah, they have long range to say the least. I'd like to see the Multi-gun Nationals there. They even have a convoy range and a stockyard of cool military props that are available for matches. Of course, it was 14 below last night.

So hypothetically speaking...and I could see this happening next year to some poor sap...if this same scenario plays out and you are at the Lim/Prod Nats, you are out of the match since there's no Open?

I have a question for any international IPSC rule shooters. How does one guage a Glock trigger, anyway? What do they do, how do they do it? Anyone with experience? Mine measures 2# at the tip but 3.25 in the middle and it graduates in between. If the guage rod is 1/8" lower, I could fall below the min and get bumped. On the other hand, we run the same risk with other rules, including chrono. I've been to some VERY questionable chronos. Sometimes we do everything we can and get dinged at chrono. Are we just assuming somehow that this particular feature is any more priority to check than anything else in a Production gun? I guess what I'm saying is there is risk with alot of what we do anyway so in the case of the trigger, maybe we just have to have a 3.5# trigger to make sure, like we have a >130 or >170 PF. I'm not per se, for or against trigger restrictions just trying to come up with solutions. The rules don't REQUIRE us to check the guns or ammo, they require the shooter to abide. Heck, even ammo isn't required to be checked for big matches depending the level. As a member, I was not happy with the Vanek ruling but I had no problem spending a few bucks to upgrade. Now, if I have to up my trigger weight "for the good of the sport or division", I'm there. It's not going to cost me much at all (with a Glock at least).

ipscbob, sorry if I get a little defensive over your last comment but I have never suggested that I want everyone shooting similar set-ups. I am merely giving ideas on how maybe to accomidate everyone. I keep hearing the question "are things really broke?". Well, I submit that numbers are "down", regardless of how many new people you get. Fact is, in my area the numbers are about the same but with the usual turnover. But every division has less competitors. I think this is a valid complaint. Once we used to have about 30-40 shooters in Limited alone. Then Production came out and we were down to about 20. The SS came out and now we have at best about 10 in each. How good is that? In regards to your other comment about "my choices put me out of mainstream"...wow. I shot stock/limited for 17 years (always with a race set up) and now shoot production also. I didn't realize that was out of mainstream. I don't politic with board members or anyone else for my ideas. In fact, I only offer them when asked, like on this thread. And I've put alot of my own sweat into USPSA, not to change it but help it grow, thru creating clubs/programs, helping other clubs and hosting/creating bigger matches. I guess you're right, that was bad of me and I should find a whole new sport.

Ok, maybe things are different up here at 6000 ft but my match loads are right on when tested elsewhere. FWIW, I use factory G34's and all brands and weights of ammo and still get higher PF's for some reason. Back to topic. My comments and ideas are just that. My focus is not so much the specific rules as much as "what can we do to make the sport better". Spreading everyone out, to me, is not better. I agree that we can and maybe should do everything we can to allow members to compete with what they got but I don't think we should have a division for everything. As I said in my first post this is a pipe dream suggestion and there is no "my version" that I want everyone to shoot. Lawman, I again say I'm not a martial artist and I don't want "harder" matches. What is a "harder" match anyway? I still shoot IPSC and as much as I get frustrated sometimes, I still shoot it. I haven't quit yet. I don't want or believe we should conceal everything like IDPA either. So I stick to my focus. That we have spread ourselves out too thin with divisions and would like to see more of us shooting together. I, for one, am willing to sacrifice and compromise to include my high cap mags and trigger weight. I clearly understand there are some issues with "enforcement" of some rules but most of the restrictions are already not checked. Did anyone have their Glock checked at nationals for that Vanek trigger? Mine wasn't. Did anyone swap ammo after knowing they chrono first stage? Were there shooters who borrowed ammo? Who knows. When you get down to it, not much is enforced, especially in Production. Let alone at club level matches. As a member, I would like to see the board focus a little more on ways of taking care of its members, ie., no matter how you slice it, I used to compete against alot more shooters and now I don't.

Gees guys, in regards to trigger weight I was replying to Carlos's and BBunin's questions and comments. I was merely trying to explain probably where the 3# came from. But IMA45DV8 you are wrong on two counts. I'm not a "martial artist" and USPSA/IPSC is PART of my training but not a substitute. I, like many others, DON'T consider this "just a game", regardless of whether we use a timer or not. Killing humanoid targets is not a game. I do feel that USPSA should come farther to the right, however. I don't shoot IDPA nor want to and I'm all for mods. I just really want more people to compete against, like we used to. I don't want to go to a nationals and compete against only a hundred or so shooters. (or even less). And I'd like to go to a club match with 50 or more people and shoot against more than 10. Its just odd, the longer I stay in the sport, the less I shoot against. For the record, WWB and just about all other factory nines, regardless of bullet weight is about 147-149 PF. I suppose I'll get flamed for that too.

BBunin, the trigger weight was suggested by at least one member, not me but I did agree with it. The weight is not arbitrary, per se. Most agencies require no less than 4#, some even 3#. (Mine is 3) Alot of trainers recommend no less than 3, depending on experience. So its industry standard that anything lower is dangerous for carry or self defense and ironically, we allow it. I am in favor of a trigger weight, maybe for different reasons than most, but I have been for a while now. Maybe its not realistic but I would consider "radical" changes. I didn't want to suggest it sooner because I was hoping everyone would run out of grenades by now. My idea would be to melt all the divisions except Open into one by 1. trigger weight limit of ____________. My reason for this is just because we are supposed to be carrying/using guns for everyday carry. A friend pointed out that this would level the different guns more. In other words, how much more advantage does a 1911 with a heavier trigger now have over a Glock? The same friend that said a Glock would never win Lim Nats.... 2. We all have the same capacity, whether it be 10 or maybe 15. I would prefer 15 but I am willing to give it up. 3. Change our approach to stage designs, specifically round count in arrays. If say, we never had more than 6 shots, instead of 9 or more as it is now, would 10 be so bad? 4. Power factor. I know I'll catch some heat for this one from a friend who's idea it was.....change the min from 125 to 140. This way you can still reload but it levels the guns a bit. 5. Have the same holster/gear requirements for everyone. 6. Allow almost any mod as long as you don't add or subtract 2 oz. This was also proposed to the board in October. I know these ideas are a pipe dream but it would for the most part put everyone back into one division and allow most guns to play, including single stacks, like we used to. I have been shooting IPSC for 18 yrs, started in "stock" with an 8 rd Colt, switched to 10 rd mags, then S_I. Now I shoot production and I am willing to give up whatever it takes to stop dividing our sport. I had a Vanek original trigger and switched to the legal drop in for a 3.25 # trigger. I didn't agree with the ruling for the basis given for it. But I'm ok with it. While I agree we need to do what we can to try to accomidate all the different guns, I think we need to try to COMBINE all the guns first. Stand by while I get my vest on....

I'm Ara Maljian and I approve this message. Eric for President!