BayouSlide

I had one bend on a G20 (10mm) once. FWIW, I had a Glock Armorer at a GSSF explain that occasionally they will run into a batch of pins that aren't up to snuff. I just check my pins and replace them all every 25K rounds or so, just like any other wear part. Curtis

I was told that was the correct sequence. Are you saying it is not? That is the correct sequence...on re-reading my post, I see how it might have seemed I was implying differently. Sorry if I was unclear. Curtis

Are you always removing the locking block pin first of the three pins, and replacing it first on reassembly. If not, that could be part of the problem. My Glocks are well used, but I took apart a couple of new ones recently to help some friends out, and even in the proper sequence, the locking block pin in a new Glock can be surprisingly tight...I'd forgotten that, apparently. Curtis Edited to clarify: thanks Graham!

Mine was the second incidence. I made certain immediately after it occurred to explain to the shooter what went wrong and why it was important. This is always the point where a couple of comments from myself (about my own DQ at my first match) and others can make a difference in how the shooter ends up feeling about what happened. Spoke with him after the match as well and made sure to leave him with a handshake and a "look forward to seeing you next time". I remember what it was like: my DQ at the second to last stage of my first match. I was feeling pretty ashamed for my mistake: but what I will always remember is how the R.O., a well-respected veteran, took me aside and explained what happened and, then, made sure to leave me with the feeling that I was welcome back next month. As Alan said, the competitor learned a lesson, and I did too. It's always the shooter's DQ, but with experience, if we can see it coming, we may be able to head it off at the pass. And the new guy or gal presents a different set of issues from the seasoned competitor—a lack of awareness of some of the aspects of the sport that the veteran has experienced hundreds or thousands of times. Helps to put ourselves back in their shoes for a moment, before we ask them to step into the box and Make Ready. Curtis Edited: because I HATE typos!

This is why as an RO you should only issue the proper range commands Alan...since I was paraphrasing your sig line, I'm kinda glad you were the one that called me on this A question pre-start to a new shooter isn't a range command, granted, but intended to be more a very short, conversation to make sure they don't have any questions. But you have made an excellent point and I completely agree with you in this case. We were standing there, he's in the box and I spoke to him...and he drew to make ready. He was probably a little keyed up and wasn't paying complete attention to my words, but he's a newbie and hasn't been through the drill a thousand times yet. He was wrong, sure, but in trying to help I probably just made it easier for him to end his match. If my only words to him were "Make Ready" I probably wouldn't have had anything to add to this discussion. Another lesson learned. That's why I consider this Rules forum "Dry Fire Exercises for R.O.s".

I had to DQ a first time shooter recently at the last stage of a match. When I asked him if he understood the COF, he drew his pistol before the Make Ready command. I wish I had been able to stop him before he cleared the holster but I wasn't able to react in time. For a split second, I considered letting it slide. But I explained what he did wrong, explained why it was a problem...even told him that I had been DQed at my first match as well...and it was a lesson learned that I never forgot. Sure, I still felt bad about ending his day, but safety is the line in the sand that shouldn't be crossed. I would feel even worse if I were the R.O. that let something slide...then end up with somebody hurt or worse at a later date from a safety lapse due to inattention to safety rules. Recently I read something like "They are called rules, not suggestions" in the signature line of one of the area directors. Good advice, especially for anything safety related. Curtis

These percentages sound a little optimistic to me...for one, they don't account for the significant benefits of the over-travel screw Charlie sets up. FWIW, I run two of Charlie's triggers and a number of Glocks in various configurations from polished stock, to ones with connector and spring changes. For my money, Charlie's triggers are about as good as a tuned Glock trigger is going to get. They run at 100 percent and stay that way...I have over 25K rounds on one of his triggers and with only spring replacement on normal intervals, it functions as perfectly as when new and all safeties work as intended...something I can't say about other triggers I have tried. His service is top notch, as well. Curtis

Always good quality in my experience. I had used many many thousands of their 9mm 147 gr loads successfuly for years before I started reloading. Great products, good prices, good service has been my experience. If I were you, though, I might buy a box of the rounds you're considering first to check 'em out in your rifle. As I mentioned, I bought a box of the 60 gr VMax and the 55 gr FMJ. My rifle loved the VMax but definitely didn't care for the AAA 55 grain loads at all. Curtis

Usually you're shooting behind a table where you stage your mags, unbag your Glock, etc. It's a low ready with forearms touching the torso, muzzle is pointed into the berm, parallel to the ground or at the ground between the shooter and the targets, finger outside the trigger guard. Curtis

I see your point, Rich. But other than a trial run not for score from low ready to give him or her a taste of the game, if a newbie can't safely draw, then perhaps they should be getting their feet wet in GSSF or a steel event. At our clubs, we have a pre-match orientation for new shooters and access their skills to see what their gun handling skills are like. When I'm running shooters, I walk them through the steps on the first stage and encourage them to take their time and stay safe. Makes for some slow draws, but as you say, they're not going to win the match anyway. But they do follow the rules and see what it takes to play the game. On a slightly related point: How many shooters get a DQ at their first match (I will raise my hand here). I had to DQ a new shooter last weekend for pulling his pistol out before "Make Ready." Sure, the thought crossed my mind to give him a pass...what would be the harm, why ruin his day, he's a new guy, no one was hurt, etc., etc. ?...but that undercuts the importance we place on safety and is a bad lesson. I felt bad about it, but explained what he did wrong and why his match was over on his last stage, and did my best to put his mistake into perspective so he won't be left with a bad taste in his mouth. Sorry for the thread drift...I'm getting bad about that in my advancing years Like Rich, I'd probably hang the case on 5.2.3 and 8.3.7.3, with a side glance at 8.2.3. Curtis

Really? I've seen it a couple times. I thought it was better to let the new shooter at least shoot instead of sending him home. I agree it would be better to have them beg/borrow/steal a rig but there wasn't a spare to be had and this way they at least got to try USPSA out. It violates 8.2.3: "A course of fire must never allow or require a competitor to touch or hold a handgun, loading device or ammunition after the "Standby" command and before the "Start" signal (except for unavoidable touching with lower arms)". The R.O. in question was thinking of the local steel matches, which allows low ready and accounts for it in scoring, but he was wrong here. The new shooter in question had an IWB holster and was able to safely draw from it, but for some reason this R.O. allowed him to shoot the classifier from low ready. He shot the majority of the match safely from his holster. Rules are rules: you don't bend 'em, you only break 'em. Everyone has gear that they loan. Barring that, we have in the past let a new shooter or the young son of a competitor try an informal run on a non-movement stage after we were finished. Or you let the shooter shoot without score, I guess. Holsters are central to our game and that's reflected in the rules. Curtis

My lightly used M1 ran fine right from the box. I cleaned out about 10 years worth of gunk from the spring housing in the stock and it ran light target loads without missing a beat. YMMV. Curtis

That would seem to be one of those plain truths that is reflected throughout the rule book without being directly stated. If you didn't, you'd be running afoul of a number of rules, including 8.2.3, as well as the WSB for any stage except one specifying a start with the gun on a table, barrel, etc. I was shocked when an R.O. at a local match said a new shooter could start from Low Ready Curtis

Thanks!!! I didn't know that! This may be true but it certainly doesn't jive with my experience. Based on my chrono and match chronos here in the South ranging from hot and humid May to early in cool mornings in October, I find Titegroup stays within a couple of PF points for me. YMMV. Curtis

FWIW, I tested out a box of the 60 V-Max and it grouped consistently and accurately in my 20" HBAR, with a POI similar to XM-193 and .223 loads from Privi and Black Hills. The AAA 55 gr. load, on the other hand, was disappointing...the most inaccurate and inconsistent I've tried. Curtis

I was in the same dilemma regarding a Remington versus a Benelli. Turned into an interesting topic: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?...ington+1100+Tac Love my Benelli M1 Super 90 and glad I opted for it, BTW. Curtis

The COF isn't complete until the "Range is Clear" command, per 8.3.8. DQ for AD per 10.4.3. Even if the R.O. failed to verify a clear chamber, the responsibility is the shooter's, as is the DQ in this case. Curtis Edited: because I hate typos!

If you're only going to get one Glock, I'd take a different path and suggest you go with the 17. I shoot a 34 in Production, but have been using a 17 in IDPA and think it might actually handle better. After nearly 50,000 rounds through my G34 longer slide length of the G34 offers some advantages (sight length) and some disadvantages (extra length affects the handling of the gun to an extent). Ask me next year and I'll let you know for sure The 3.5# connector is an advantage in either, as is a Vanek Classic (Production legal) trigger. But I'd suggest ditching the Glock 3.5# and using the Lonewolf, which I've found is a much crisper connector. The 3.5# Glock is rather mushy, to my feel. Curtis

Used it in local matches and the recent Steel City Tactical Carbine Championship. It's A+ all the way. Solid, secure, a clever set up. Great product.

I find this is a common problem with mine after loading a certain number of rounds (10-12K), even if the primer feed mechanism is kept carefully aligned and cleaned. The wear makes the primer slide hang up instead of moving smoothly, making it more likely to bounce the primer sideways. The only solution I've found is polishing the primer slide to smooth the gouge and replacing the prime slide plate it rests on as soon as the teflon finish begins to wear away. When the slide gets too gouged up, I replace it as well. I consider those parts wear items, because I hate losing Federal small pistol primers Curtis

Then it's not "after market", is it? This becomes a question of semantics...because Charlie Vanek ain't located in Smyrna. I guess we could both agree that a non-OEM sourced trigger made from OEM components would be legal. Curtis EDITED: because I hate typos!

Jim's advice is right on the money. Polished stock Glock parts would be legal for all GSSF classes. Curtis

The only category you can use after market triggers in GSSF is open. This is incorrect. Anything goes in Unlimited, true, but you can use aftermarket triggers as long as they are made entirely from stock Glock parts and springs. Basically, they are tuned triggers from stock parts. That's what Charlie sells in his GSSF kit. No aftermarket parts equals GTG. The rules are available in the latest Glock Report on the GSSF Web site. Curtis Edited to add link: http://www.vanekcustom.com/8.html

I and many others swear by Charlie Vanek's excellent trigger kits and super service, but his Classic kit for USPSA Production would not be legal for GSSF except for Unlimited. His GSSF kit would be legal for all the GSSF categories and USPSA Production. http://www.vanekcustom.com/ Curtis

The latest revisions to the rules clarified that an aftermarket Glock connector is legal: the Glock OEM 3.5# was never in question. The threaded barrel would not be legal in Production. Curtis