BayouSlide

Welcome to the finest competitive shooting forum on the Net from another denizen of the Bayou State...see ya at EAPS in Gonzales. Curtis

Even with that e-mail, expect to be hassled by any CRO/RO worth his rule book. An e-mail from Amidon is not official, the notification must be published in Front Sight magazine and the NROI rulings section of the website. Until it is officially published and vetted by the powers that be, it is just an informed opinion, not a rule clarification or change. Curtis Edited: because I hate tipos typos!

If I showed up to work a Level II match and the RM said no overlays are to be used, it would be the last time I would work that match and for that RM. I use overlays anytime I have reasonable doubt about a call, whether or not the competitor requests it. I want competitors to get all the points they deserve, and none they haven't earned. Curtis

In mag holders on your belt, or in your bag, you're not handling ammunition. Nor are you if you are handling empty mags in the safe area. USPSA rules are very specific about match DQs for unsafe gun handling in the safe area: 10.5.12 Handling live or dummy ammunition (including practice or training rounds, snap caps and empty cases), loaded magazines or loaded speed loading devices in a Safety Area, or failing to comply with Rule 2.4.1. The word “handling” does not preclude competitors from entering a Safety Area with ammunition in magazines or speed loading devices on their belt, in their pockets or in their range bag, provided the competitor does not physically remove the loaded magazines or loaded speed loading devices from their retaining or storage device while within the Safety Area. Curtis Edited: 'cause I hate tipos typos.

Don't give up. The test is cleverly designed to make you spend some serious quality time with the rule book...hang in there, keep digging and you will find the guidance necessary to answer to this and a host of other questions that may eventually come up at a match, allowing you to amaze your fellow shooters and ROs with your correct interpretation of all sorts of complicated issues. Curtis

In all the years I shot a G34, I never had a problem with the extended release for table/barrel/briefcase starts. I sorta snatch up the gun rather than heavily pressing down onto it, so this might make a difference. Curtis

Thank yous are essential. And here's one more idea for whenever you deal with supporters of the shooting sports. Next time you place an order with that company, in person by phone or in the comment section on a Web order, thank them for their long-standing support of competitive shooting. Tell 'em you prefer spending your money with people that support the sport. When a sponsor sees concrete some ROI (Return On Investment), it will likely make them even more receptive to the next match director who asks for sponsorship. Curtis

If your load feels overly snappy, here's an alternative: try a 147 gr instead. I load 3.3 grs of Titegroup under a Zero 147 gr JHP...more of a "push" recoil impulse than a snappy flip. Chronos around 135 in my G34. Heavier bullets, slower velocity is the key, though some say it makes the gun feel a little sluggish. I only find that the case if I drop down to a lower PF, say around 130. Curtis

Yep, get the overlay out and see. You are probably correct. But, do you have to call it one way or the other before the overlay? In my RO class, I was told to call it, and let the competitor challenge BEFORE pulling the overlay. I've been doing it this way for a long time, and the rulebook does not say one way or the other. I've never pulled an overlay, or seen one pulled without the competitor asking for it. I often pull out an overlay before a shooter asks if it's close enough that I feel it should be double checked. I want everyone to get all the points they've earned and none that they haven't earned. Curtis

The Dawson Tactical Elites run great in my Trojan 9mm. Curtis

Sure do, Dan...great to hear from you. No way I'll every forget that match...it was the stuff of legends! Thanks to everyone...it's great to share some good news. Mollie's curled up on her cushion on the floor at my feet and looking forward to a short stroll in the park today. She's used to a 3 mile hike with us every morning so she's probably wondering why we're such wimps the last few days and when things are going to get back to normal. Curtis

Mollie's a bit of a forager...she ended up on my doorstep 2 1/2 years ago as a stray/abandoned with heartworms and a broken leg. She likes to chew and every morning she checks out the front yard as I go out to get the paper. We dug up a portion of a sago palm at the edge of the yard last weekend and my best guess is that she may have snatched up a piece of bark or leaves that weren't picked up. Sago palms are cyanids, extremely poisonous to animals and humans, but are said to have a flavor that is very attractive to canines. Mollie and the sago had co-existed well until now...it's going to be removed and the area where it grew covered with earth. I'm not letting her anywhere near it in the interim. Curtis

Time to finally shift this topic into "What I Like" : http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=129883&st=0#entry1463686 Curtis

After three incredibly tense days, it looks like my pal Mollie may have narrowly escaped liver failure after her run in with some unknown (though I'm guessing it was sago palm) environmental poison. The blood test this morning shows liver functioning is approaching more normal levels. No more IVs for my girl, just a bunch of pills for the next week and another blood test Tuesday. She's a little bored since she'll have to forgo her three mile morning walks with us until she mends a little, but she was been given a Rx by her vet to chase the occasional cat or squirrel Not a recent photo, but my ol' girl is looking much like this photo now, except for a foreleg shave from her IV. Curtis

Mollie went back to the vet after this morning...she was so happy to be home again last night she was jumping in a circle and barking. It seemed like I held my breath for an hour this morning before we got the call on her morning test results. Our vet is now more optimistic...her blood tests are finally starting to show improvement across the board. For the first time in days I can allow myself to feel hopeful that we will weather this crisis. More IVs today, another assessment tomorrow. I'm hoping this weekend I can shift the next update into "Things I Like". A person never fully comprehends the depth of their love until facing the imminent possibility of losing it forever. I truly appreciate the kind wishes from the BEnoverse. Curtis

Get rid of 'em ASAP, Joe...The one in our yard never caused problems in 2 1/2 years but now I understand it's not worth the risk to have even one around if you love your pets. As now I understand it, they contain a cyanide type compound: the seeds are incredibly deadly, but the leaves and the rest of the plant are extremely poisonous and have a flavor that is enticing to dogs...a bad combination that, depending upon what they chew on or ingest, can kill in a few hours. Smaller amounts can cause the sort of damage Mollie is facing. We knew they were dangerous, just not how dangerous, and never expected the circumstances that would put our pet at risk. I'm hoping at least someone else will benefit from this painfully-earned knowledge. Sagos are common in the south but are often seen now in the north as well as houseplants, from what I understand. This link to the LSU Ag Center has a video for those unfamilar with what these plants look like: http://text.lsuagcenter.com/news_archive/2010/january/get_it_growing/Popular-sago-palm-produces-poisonous-seeds-.htm Curtis

When I first heard of this I found it ironic that the malware was couched as an antivirus program. Back in the old days, we used to joke that Norton Antivirus for the Mac was the virus...it always seemed to cause more trouble than it solved. Curtis

The IVs definitely perked her up yesterday, but the bloodwork is still showing critical levels of liver problems. It's only small consolation that the vets are taken aback that the feisty little dog in front of them is the one with the lousy lab report. The odds are still stacked against her, but it's too early to tell...two to three more days of IV and meds to see if the liver is too damaged to recover. And from what I've read, even dogs that survive the onset end up succumbing from liver damage a month later because the healing liver can develop fibrous tissue that undermines it's function. I'm trying to steel my heart for the possible loss of the best dog I've ever had but my emotions continue to tear me apart. It is highly likely that a sago palm in the corner of our yard was the source of the poisoning...she possibly ingested some bark, pulp or leaves overlooked when we removed some of the plant this weekend. These ubiquitous ornamentals are deadly to animals and even kids...wish I had torn that thing out of the ground long ago and scorched the place where it grew to remove any vestige of it. Looking forward to picking her up at 5 p.m. so she can spend the evening at home with us. Curtis

So many of us have traveled this path before, your kind thoughts mean a lot to me. From your lips to God's ears...and I hope tomorrow brings some good news. I promise to keep y'all posted. Until then, there's a spot on the couch close beside me waiting for her this evening. Curtis

Just back from the vet...she's a little antsy and passing lots of fluid but seems to be doing OK. Probably just wishful thinking but her gums and eyes seem a little less yellow than early this morning...she'll get her second dose of IV at the end of the afternoon. Rather than leave her overnight, the vet agreed to let us take her home and bring her back first thing in the a.m. for more meds and a blood test to see how's she responding. It's heartbreakingly tough to face this...thanks for letting me share with y'all. Hoping for a good outcome despite the odds...if any dog could beat this, I'd put money on Mollie...probably should've named her Moxie. For all you dog owners...liver problems from poisoning or other forms of toxicity are all too common. Watch out for: • vomiting and/or diarrhea • lethargy • decreased appetite • increased thirst and urination (urine darker yellow than normal) • yellow in the eyes and gums I noticed the first four and wish I had even acted sooner. The sooner you get your dog to the vet, the better. Curtis

For the last couple of days, my pal Mollie hasn't been her lively self. When she showed no interest in food this morning...totally out of character...I grew worried and got her to the vet. After a blood test, the vet said her liver has been damaged by some sort of environmental poison and that her response to meds and IV in the next 24 hours will indicate whether she will make it. The vet guesses she has a 50-50 chance. A stray who showed up on my doorstep with a broken leg and heartworms, she has been a delight in our lives for the past 2 1/2 years, not nearly long enough in the grand scheme of themes. I knew one day I would lose her, but I'm not ready for that day. So now we wait. Thought I'd share a picture of her on the trail to Wetterhorn in Colorado the first year we spent together. We're going back to Colorado in August and more than anything I want to have Mollie with us on that trip. Curtis

As wide45 noted, not a legal stage and you have discovered the reason it shouldn't be. Substitute Virginia Count or Fixed Time for Comstock, and it's legal per 1.2.2.1 and your scoring problem disappears. Curtis

Way to go, fella! Curtis

Good news indeed. Will definitely want to come and play with my new 16 middie and EOTech...loved that setup for the stages in past years. Curtis

Unless there is a safety issue, the time for coaching is after the fact, unless it is a practice match rather than a sanctioned match. It's a slippery slope once you have to decide which rules to apply and how stringently to apply them. The rule book makes those sort of mental gymnastics unnecessary and keeps the playing field level. You help the new shooter and he edges someone else, maybe even another new shooter, by a point or two. That sends the wrong message, too. Curtis