[Pampers]

What do I use? A Wilson built Colt Government Model, with 8 ROUND MAGAZINES! Why? I want to shoot a gun I can carry, and no one's gona carry a 1911 with an extended 10 round mag.

What we are seeing here is the encroachment of the "gamers" on Limited 10. The equipment races spawned have cost USPSA shooters and member clubs. As a reaction against "gamers," three rival organizations have split off of USPSA (IDPA, Single Stack, and CORE).

USPSA is getting its head on straight. They HAVE outflanked the "gamers" in Revolver class by outlawing only 6 rounds be loaded, no matter what the capacity of the megabuck custom revolvers that the "gamers" have brought into the game.

Now I have no problem with you "gamers" having your fun, and blowing the family budget on the latest piece of equipment, but, as for me, I support the growing demand for a "single stack" class within USPSA.


Yr. Obt. Svnt.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
Nra Golden Eagle

 

[Pampers]

The whining that I heard was in last month's Front Sight and was lamenting the number of USPSA clubs that had folded in the last year. The author noted that the people who had left to form the IDPA, Single Stack Classic, and Congress of Revolver Enthusiasts had a point, and that USPSA was addressing it.

Equipment races have effectively killed IHMSA. I can remember, in the late '70s when a man who was good with his Model 29, or Super Blackhawk could compete with the best of them, but then the equipment race started, and IHMSA is now dead here in our area where the world championships were once held every other year.

There are open and unlimited classes for those who wish to push the limits, and I believe that USPSA intends to keep the equipment races to a minimum in Limited and Revolver. Check the results of any match lately and see the number of shooters who participate in Limited and Limited 10. They are the heart and future of the sport. Drive them away, and USPSA will go the way of IHMSA.


Yr. Obt. Svnt.

Oh, by the way, If you want to purchase my Wilson built Colt for $4,000, you may, and I'll have money for two more, and change.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
Nra Golden Eagle

 

[Pampers]

My comments arise from a feature article by a USPSA Officer, not from one letter to the editor. He was lamenting the number of USPSA clubs which had folded in the last year, and acknoledging the validity of the critizem directed at USPSA by the break-away organizations. An organization that can not recognize its own shortcommings and attempt to correct them is doomed.

My point about Limited and Limited 10 is that they are the future of the sport. The ever increasing cost of hi-caps will prevent the influx of more & more shooters as costs skyrocket. The class will be limited to the wealthy few. Too few to support the organazition. Therefore, as USPSA recognizes, it MUST appeal to an influx of new shooters, who won't jump in to "Open Class" with both feet when starting out.

My comments regarding "gaming" in Limited 10 results from my observation of shooters seeking a competative edge in the class. Be it going from .45 to .40 to reduce recoil, or to wide body frames, albeit limited to 10 rounds, to facilitate loading, they're gaming. "Gaming" as defined as seeking a competative edge through attempting to "work" the rules rather than through improving shooting ability. Look at Limited 10 rules. They are expressly designed to prevent gaming, as are the revolver rules.

I'll repeat: I don't own a Wilson SuperComp. I own a Colt Government Model with a reliability package. NO trick parts. I'll gladly sell it for $4,000!

Finally, why are your shorts in such a knot? Could it be, as my Ol' Pappy used to say,

"When you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the hit dog yelps."

USPSA realizes its problems, and is working to correct them. That's why I'm optimistic for the future of the organization.


Yr. Obt. Svnt.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
Nra Golden Eagle

 

[Pampers]

et45,

Will you be shooting at ORSA next Sunday? Maybe you can identify yourself. You apparently know me, and I DO sign MY posts.

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was shooting in Greenville.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
Nra Golden Eagle

 

[Pampers]

Pretty much my point.

USPSA was loosing members, and clubs, at an alarming rate. They, as do I, believed that an uncontrolled equipment race, accompanied by the ever higher cost of getting into the sport, was slowly sufficating the organization. The result of their efforts has been Limited, and Limited 10, and the new, more restrictive, revolver rules. About that: Allowing 8 shot revolvers would have created a one maker (S&W), one gun (627) class. Considering that one manufacturer's political sellout to the forces of Evil, I believe that the decission was correct.

Now then, attempting to "optimize" your competative advantages through maximizing the lattitude allowed WITHIN the rules IS gaming. Sorry if you see that as a perjorative, but that's what it is. BUT as long as you stay WITHIN the rules, there's no problem. The problem arose when there weren't enough restrictions (limitations) to control skyrocketing costs, which were forcing active shooters out of the sport, and preventing new ones from coming in. Now, THERE ARE. End of problem? Hopefully!


Yr. Obt. Svnt.

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
Nra Golden Eagle

 

[Pampers]

Come on people, lighten up!

My point is this: The USPSA was experiencing excessive attrition in both members & clubs. I believe that this was because of ever increasing costs caused by an uncontrolled equipment race which discouraged new shooters from coming in, and caused existing shooters to drop out as their equipment became obsolete. I further believe that USPSA has taken steps to correct the situation. So, LIGHTEN UP!

I was introduced to IDPA by shooters who HAD BEEN USPSA shooters, but had left because of the above. I have at least four IDPA clubs within easy driving distance of my house. I have ONE USPSA club! We did have more, but ... .

I got Wilson to build my gun BEFORE I started shooting ANY competation. I got it built because the damned thing WOULDN'T feed ANYTHING! My intension in entering competition is to MASTER MY WEAPON, not to beat the next guy. I had enough of equipment races and rulebook "reading" back when I was racing. It finally got too damned expensive, and NO longer any fun.

Now, about the attitude that if you don't like the current situation, LEAVE! Shooters did; in droves! Where do you suppose IDPA, Single Stack and CORE came from? THAT IS THE ATTITUDE THAT CAUSED THE HEMORAGING OF MEMBERSHIP! Please! Enjoy your particular division, BUT allow the Ogranization to adapt to survive!

------------------
Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
Nra Golden Eagle