hoser

Arnie Let's cut out the middle man. There is no point in troubling Troy for his distorted view of things. I'm sure you can embellish the story much better for our amusement. Go on. Tell all. My good friend Neil, That would be a thread drift! Arnie

I agree that plotting certified ROs would be interesting. I am pretty sure there will be a disproportionately higher number of ROs in Minnesota. I usually teach at least one local class in MN every year. It is uncommon for a MN USPSA member not to be a certified RO. And, someone should ask Troy about the class he taught in MN (when he was in Instructor training) and how he walked on water and how one of the female students was less than impressed with Troy's aversion to chilly weather. Arnie

Well, Jerome tried to show Denise his gadget and she slapped him! Then he showed us his wine gadget. You are correct, one has to keep Jerome at bay so he does not ruin your glass of wine showing you how the wine will taste in 20 years. Denise and I would be more than happy to taste your wines, as well, Julien. Arnie

Skywalker, Nice photos but I am positive that those are imposters you hired to fill in for hoser and dminor. We were always back in the hotel room sound asleep by 7pm. If you use your Italian standards about wine drinking and longevity, I think Italy must have added about 20 years to our lives. Really though, thanks again for such a marvelous time in Italy, we cannot wait to come back again. Arnie

My personal best time from the Days Inn to S&W Hall was a little under 18 minutes. But then, I took the back roads, through Marblehead and Kinderhook, not the freeway. Yeah, I was late! Arnie

Jerome, You know that Denise and I do not drink wine! Tried the Clef du Vin once and it seems to work fine. However, much more testing will be done to make sure the device is reliable. Arnie and Denise

Denise and I both had Lasik surgery with great success. However, as others have stated, every case is different and results, even with respected doctors can vary. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat, 20/400 to 20/15 is fantastic. Arnie

Luca, Could those forgotten guns be caused by the Italian sparkling white wine that is consumed at the restaurant after the match? BTW, Denise and I had a great time at the post-match dinner! Arnie

Yes, the Springfield XD is legal for Production Division in USPSA. It will also be legal when the new rules take affect. Arnie

Denise and I are back home after 10 magnificent days in Italy. Skywalker (Luca) was absolutely the best. He went way beyond the call of duty in hosting Denise and myself. We are proud to now consider him our friend! And, Jerome, what can we say about you? You are a great person and too much fun. Denise and I will definitely return to Italy in the future. IPSC people are the best in the world. Arnie

In my experience, IPSC stages are always freestyle. The international matches I have shot seem to allow many options to the course of fire. The targets are almost always the classic (turtle) targets and they require more accuracy than the metric target. Large USPSA matches are usually pretty good at the freestyle concept, as well. When Denise and I changed our stage over at the Nationals in Bend last year, we spent about 3 hours moving targets around to ensure there were multiple ways to shoot the stage. We even left the upper A/B zone of a fast swinger available before it was activated from one certain position - it was a very tough shot, though, and only one person shot it before activating the target. So, if careful course design is employed there is very little difference between USPSA and IPSC courses. Arnie

Kevin, First, if you talking about USPSA Production, if you install a tungsten guide rod, the gun must not weigh more than 2 ounces over the factory weight. Better get a "light" tungsten rod. Arnie

Hey Vince, with your size, when you are in the bedroom, there ain't much room in there either!!! Actually, when my son was shooting with me on a regular basis, we never RO'ed each other. Arnie

Thanks, Luca. I will probably have plenty of questions, but I will email you with them. It doesn't look like I will be shooting the match - KLM does not like handguns on their planes. Arnie

Luca and all of Italy: Look out, I just booked airline tickets to Milan for Denise and myself. We will be working the IX Classic Italian Challenge on April 2-4. Italy will never be the same once Denise has been there! Arnie

Vince, One other thing you might want to consider for the next rule book is removing the phrase that the first shot must be double action. Both USPSA and IPSC use a list of approved guns, so there is no problem about what guns can be used in Production. Well......expect for the Springfield XD, that is. So, if a competitor is using an approved gun in Production, what does it matter if the shooter cocks the hammer for the first shot? It takes more time and what harm is done? Removing the "first shot double action" language solves the rule problems as discussed above. USPSA has already voted to remove the "first shot double action" language from the rulebook. Arnie

The BOD has not voted to approve the new rules with USPSA changes as yet. Hopefully, no more rules changes are forthcoming at this late time, we have to move forward and soon. NROI classes have been canceled for several months, we have to get the rules behind us at long last. Arnie

Gene, At this point, no I do not know when it will be posted. Hopefully, the BOD will soon approve the rules with the changes the BOD has already approved. When that happens, the rules will be posted as soon as possible. Arnie

Hi Vince, Even though I am not Gary (thank goodness!) the USPSA BOD has not decided on a course of action for the new rule books as yet. I am in favor of mailing a new rule book to all USPSA members and I think that will be the case. Expensive? You bet! But, because of the rules changes, I think every member deserves a copy of the new rule book. The rule book will be available on the USPSA website, as well. Arnie

Well, Denise, I don't think we have left yet, have I retired yet? And, are you trying to tell me that you prefer Italy or Bali? See ya after work! Arnie

I am working very hard to get the March 27 RO class in MN re-instated. At this point I am somewhat optimistic that it will go on as scheduled. Of course, the fact that I am the Instructor for the class has no bearing on my push to keep the class. Arnie

And, Denise is taking her graduate work from me. Arnie

I think there might be a bit of confusion here. To the best of my knowledge, Joyce McCann has never been an NROI Instructor - she cannot teach RO classes. I seem to recall teaching an RO class with John Hurst about that time, and it seems to me that we stayed at the McCanns, maybe that is what you are referring to. Arnie

Lee, USPSA Junior means you must be under 18 years of age by the first day of the match. So, it looks like you will be an adult by the time Nats rolls around. Arnie

Hey Vince, USPSA NROI will recognize your IROA credentials just as my Canadian friends recognize my USPSA credentials. Well, it might help that I am an NROI Range Master and an IROA Range Master. Looking forward to seeing you in Vegas, just contact me via the decoder ring on the afternoon of the 9th and the first beer is on me. Arnie