BayouSlide

Remember, you did your most important job, right: safety. Safety first, safety always. Scoring mistakes will happen, just do your best and learn from them. But you've got the right attitude to make a great RO. With experience, the sort of mistakes that occurred will be few and far between for you. Curtis

Our annual battle for the crown in Middle C Production will have to be put on hold 'til next year Dang these domestic priorities Curtis

At the match this past weekend, Gary Thibodaux said the stages are in the process of being finalized to get the round count where they want it. As a Level II, the stages have to be submitted for approval. So, with everyone in the NROI tied up with the Nationals, I'm assuming it could be the last week of September at the earliest. I'm sure someone will post a more definitive answer when one is available. For those who are interested, here's the direct URL for the Gator Classic info on the USPSA Louisiana Section Web site, where the stages will be available once finalized and approved: http://www.lagator.org/lagcinfo.htm Curtis

Preach it, brother: I'll give you an amen Curtis

Same here. I weigh a series of 10 powder drops before making a run of ammo, adjust as necessary, recheck with another series of 10. I look for at least three series of 10 in a row that fall within .1 - .2 of 10X my established charge weight. I'll adjust as necessary if things seem out of whack. Then I recheck with another 10 charges after the first 100 rounds before I go to the second tube of primers, just to make sure everything has settled in to where I expect it to be. That makes sure everything is settled in and the average powder drop is where I expect it to be. I check again at the end of the run to make sure it stayed within specs. Curtis

IIRC, the manufacturer has to submit each model. Curtis

I'm just the opposite. I like the Christmas morning feeling from the random drawing rather than scuttling back and forth along the table, delaying things while trying to decide what to pick. If I get something I don't need, I sell it in the classifieds and get something I do need. Curtis

Pleased don't. Most members of the community appreciate your input. Those that don't can feel free to ignore. Curtis

You picked a great match get your feet wet. It'll be my first Level III as a competitor, as well, then I get to RO "Low Ports for the Whiners". The stage designers have really built some challenging COFs...should separate the men from the boys...which means I'll be wearing short pants by the end of it Curtis

Glad it worked out. It can a little frustrating at times finding that sweet spot between too tight and too loose on the shellplate, powder failsafe rod, etc. that makes the difference between a smooth 550 and a mess Curtis

You should be using shellplate 3 - 1368 with the #3 locator buttons, according to Brian's chart. If the buttons and or shellpate are not correct, the shells won't be held securely. Curtis

Did you check to make sure you are using the correct shellplate with the correct locator button #. It should not be able to move that much. Curtis

Sounds like perhaps your shellplate is a little loose. Adjust the bolt until the shellplate is a little hard to turn, then back it off just a smidge, tighten the set screw then check. Should turn smoothly, under tension but not wobble. Curtis

Not a book, but Matt Burkett's DVD series on practical shooting is really worthwhile. Curtis

I'm naturally prejudiced towards the Gator, so take my invitation to come on down and shoot with us with the appropriate grain of salt Curtis

I've gone through a number of products over the last few years and now have pretty much standardized on either SLIP2000 or SLIP EWL for handguns, rifles and shotguns, with a little Slide Glide for Glock connectors, etc. The EWL seems to do a really good job on AR-15s, just like Pat Rogers said it would Works for me, YMMV. Curtis

I prefer either the Dawson adjustable or the Warren Sevigny fixed rear, with a thin fiber optic front. Curtis

Wanted to add one more thing: sometimes stronger isn't better when it comes to springs. The mag springs, the recoil spring and the slide velocity all need to be balanced to work in unison for smooth feeding and extraction. And as you found, softer loads can result in slower slide velocity that can cause problems. Making spring changes can cover problems elsewhere...or cause 'em. Curtis

FWIW, I have six 10-rd Glock mags for practice, and a big bunch of 17-rounders that I use only for matches. The 10-round mag springs have to be replaced about once a year or I'll start getting double feeds. I haven't had a single problem with any of my match mags, some of which are over three years old. When I checked, the oldest have springs that are about a coil or more shorter than brand new springs, but I still don't have problems with them. I think, in most people's experience, 10-rounders are a lot more troublesome overall. I know I've had to mix and match followers to get them to work reliably and they are much more sensitive to spring tension...I have at least one mag that will not work perfectly unless the new springs get a little wear on 'em. There's a reason I save them for practice. As Flex said, no reason for +10% springs unless you're running the extended basepads. Curtis

Because it's there is no RTF 34 as an approved model on the USPSA Approved Production Gun List, this sort of mixing and matching is not legal for Production. The RTF17 is on the list now, however. Curtis

I'll be there as a competitor and an RO this year. Ya gotta love the Gator Curtis

Not under current rules. Because you have two strings of fire and it is Comstock, it cannot fit the parameters of a Standards, per 1.2.2.1. Check 1.2.2.1 and make a few changes, including round count and/or a mandatory reload, and you could make it a legal Standards stage. I can hear the voice of George Jones, who's mentoring me through my CRO course intoning, every time I offer a COF, "What do I have against 1.1.5 (freestyle)?". I had problems because we see courses of fire somewhat like yours at local matches, and even for classifiers that have been grandfathered in, that don't fit the current rulebook. Check the COF design regs in 1.1 and 1.2 carefully and have fun. Curtis

All the same diameter. The reason the lightest bullets, the 115 would tend to feel the snappiest is that they have to be loaded to the highest velocity of the three under discussion to make PF. I also feel the 147s might take down a popper a little better/faster than the lighter bullets. YMMV. Curtis

I just received notification from Eric that my TruGrip order shipped. Been about a month since I ordered, but Eric's still taking care of customers between travels for his day job. I don't mind the wait: still beats backorders of Federal small pistol primers by a LONG shot Curtis

That is a dang shame and would not be your experience at any of the four clubs I shoot with here in South Louisiana. If you're ever in our area, PM me. Not only will you find welcome but new shooters shoot for free (or just the classifier cost) at all our clubs! Curtis