Howdy Everyone,
I received and email voicing some concerns regarding a potential consistency issue between the matches held at section affiliated clubs.
Concern #1:
For the new Single Stack Division… their concern was directed at adhering to the rules as posted on USPSA and pertaining to the requirement that the gun fit within a box of specific dimensions.
The concerned person felt that the section should stress that if the gun does not fit entirely into the box in accordance with special conditions #20, then the shooter in question gets moved to the open division. This person's thought that for consistency reasons, the Section should purchase boxes or have boxes made and then distribute them to each of the MN clubs whether they are affiliated or not.
I do not have a problem with that; however, getting or making those boxes that are within the specified tolerances is a consistency problem in itself. Therefore, it was suggested and I agreed to contact Gary Stevens from Area 5. See below.
Good Afternoon Gary,
I am the new Section Coordinator for MN, and there has been a good deal of interest in the Single Stack Division. There has also been one concern that prompted me to right you. The concern is with # 20 "…must fit wholly within the confines of a box which has…" The concern is with consistency between the boxes used at each club as it relates to the Section Match.
As the SC, I thought about having someone build a box for each club and have the Section pay for it. However, having multiple boxes presents a challenge in itself, because each box would have to be identical. Therefore, my question is… is there anyone building boxes commercially that is approved or are there any suggestions you can offer or am I blowing this out of proportion?
Again consistency is what I am looking for as well as a reduction in headaches.
Your thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Doug
Here is Gary's response:
I am very glad to hear about the interest in the new Division. Also your question about the IPSC box is most timely. I have asked the President and BOD about the need to have an "official" IPSC/USPSA box just as we have an "official" magazine gauge. So far I have not had any real response, but I have contacted George Smith at EGW, who makes the magazine gauge, about the cost factor of such a box. George has had some illness to deal with, and said he would get back to me as soon as he could.
With your permission, I will forward your initial e-mail to the BOD and President, with the hope that we can adopt an "official" box for our membership.
In the short term though, you could construct a box and use it for "educational" purposes to help our members get their equipment up to specifications while I try to expedite the "official" box process.
Thanks for your work as SC. You are a vital part of our organization.
Gary
Concern #2
The person expressed concerns over clubs not running a chronograph for points matches and offered for consideration that the section utilize a portion of the funds available to purchase chronographs and have boxes built for affiliated clubs to be used at points matches.
Concern #3
Does the section have enough juniors who are dedicated to the sport to justify sending them to a shooting camp? If the section pays for a junior to go to camp and then next year decides that the grass is greener somewhere else… was the money wasted?
My question to you is… what are your thoughts and suggestions on the following?
-Single Stack Division.
-Chronographs / boxes.
-Junior shooters.
Thanks