The firearms industry is constantly innovating, coming out with new and improved versions of existing firearms, or building new ones from the ground up. One recent trend has been to add compensators, regardless of size, i.e., single port, to carry guns and the like. Adding a compensator to the end of the slide has been done as well–not attached to the barrel, per se, but still diverting gases to reduce recoil. That’s what a compensator does, and what it has done since their inception on competition guns back in the 1990’s. That and the introduction of optical sights, i.e, red dots, spurred USPSA to create new divisions, namely Open and Limited, to differentiate firearm types and even the playing field.
[Read more…] about Are You Compensating?Unloaded Starts
The USPSA rules allow for a Written Stage Brief, WSB, to specify a variety of start conditions for the firearm. The second most common condition, after “loaded and holstered” is “unloaded”. What does that mean? Let’s talk about what loaded and unloaded are, and the requirements for each.
[Read more…] about Unloaded StartsThe Aiming Point — Point AT It
I received the message below from a concerned range official and I think it sums it up quite nicely. I did notice and correct some competitors not aiming at the aiming point during the WSSC match, but obviously couldn’t catch every stage every time. We deliberately specified a diameter for the aiming point to accomodate a little bit of variation, but sized it so that the RO should be able to tell if the competitor’s muzzle is pointing at it. In the past, there was an imaginary circle of acceptability, but now there is a defined area to aim at. If you are running Steel Challenge matches, then you should be following the rules in this regard. And, the range of height is indeed 18-24 inches, but that doesn’t mean that if the aiming point is 18 inches high, you can aim at 2 feet. That’s not what the rule says.
As a range officer on the stage, you must not start the competitor until they are in the correct starting position–you wouldn’t start a centerfire handgun shooter with his wrists below his belt, would you? This is no different. If the competitor objects, get the Range Master involved and move on to the next competitor. I also strongly suggest that your match uses 9″ diameter aiming points, and 24 inches is a good aiming height.
[Read more…] about The Aiming Point — Point AT ItI Failed My Exam–Now What?
I get a lot of questions like this from people who have failed either their certification or recertification exams all three times they attempted it. First thing: Don’t Panic!
[Read more…] about I Failed My Exam–Now What?Range Command Issues
I’ve recently received a bunch of questions about what to do with incorrect range commands, poor start signal sequences, and the like. Here’s the scoop:
[Read more…] about Range Command IssuesTriggerTech Certified Special Ace Trigger System for Glock
In a post last year, we identified some issues with the newly released Ace Trigger system, namely the lack of a functional trigger safety. NROI has worked with TriggerTech to correct any deficiencies, and they have released a new trigger system with an external safety lever that satisfies USPSA and SCSA rule requirements for primary safeties. The new model is called the “TriggerTech Certified Special Ace Trigger System for Glock”.
Go here for a statement from TriggerTech regarding the changes and the company’s policy regarding replacements.
The new trigger system is approved for USPSA and SCSA use in Glock firearms, as it meets the existing rule requirements for primary safeties.
Club Culture and You
(Be a Do Bee, Not a Don’t Bee)
As you may have noted, USPSA membership is growing and so is the number of affiliated clubs, both Steel Challenge and USPSA. With growth comes growing pains, naturally, but there are a few things you as an experienced club member, range officer, club contact, match director, section coordinator or Area Director can do to help alleviate some of the common issues. This will be especially necessary with the advent of “The USPSA Experience”, a web site dedicated to cleanly and simply introducing people to our sport.
[Read more…] about Club Culture and YouGotta Go!
You shouldn’t have eaten that burrito for breakfast, or had that third Venti dessert-a-chino, and now you’re struggling to concentrate on the stage in front of you. Where’s the nearest facility? In a slight panic, you notice one on the next bay, near the safe area. But, you have a gun on. What now?
[Read more…] about Gotta Go!