Clean Slate - Need your imput on the basic category

[K2]

Silhouette is a great game and I like aspects of both the NRA rules and the IHMSA rules, for example I like the NRA short practice session prior to the match when traveling, and I like the IHMSA always starting on the chicken and working straight thru.  

Currently myself and a small group of others that I have been talking to have concluded that for growth in the silhouette shooting sports to occur it must have a basic area that includes guns that the vast majority of Americans already own and excludes guns built specifically to max out the game.  

It is fairly easy to define a race gun area, all one needs is a size limit and/or weight limit.  For example "a gun that fits into a box 25 inches by 10 inches by 3 inches and weights x pounds or less."

The basic gun category is more problematic.  Our group has concluded that the only way to growth is to consider only the guns that sell very well which for the most part in the handgun area mean Rugers, S&W's, Colts, Brownings etc.   We are pretty much in agreement that cosmetic changes from box stock should be allowed (though one does not) as long as there isn't a competitive advantage to the deviation from basic box stock, these would allow for engraving, finish changes such as parkerizing the frames for corrosion, and refinishing the grips to a color other than stock.  

What do you think the general shooting public would consider a basic (you could call it hunter, production, stock etc.) to be?

Could it wear aftermarket grips?
Could it have aftermarket sights?
Could it use aftermarket barrels?
Could it use aftermarket parts in the trigger area such as springs pins add on overtravel screws?
Could screws be replaced with hex heads or torx heads?
Could it be stoned and honed?
Should it include a minimum trigger pull weight?


We are writing from a blank page for a new associtation that will be able to fit into a dual or tripple sanctioned match with the current associations but the a major emphasis is going to be towards the type of shooter the current associations have not been able to attract/maintain,   The average American with over the counter equipment who doesn't want to constantly upgrade because of rule changes or because of specialty guns purpose built for the game.  Major manufacturers do not build purpose built silhouette guns.  Our goal is to be ready for the 2005 season so this is a great opportunity to let your voice be heard on what you think would make a popular silhouette game.  Popular is the key for the basic gun game  

[JimIowa]

I really may not have a right to comment, but have never yet allowed that to stop me from having an opinion.
Being new to this game.
I will be looking for a .357 to shoot at our local club,and very likely will be looking for a used revolver.
It would be very discouraging to lay down my hard earned money, show up at the range and be turned away.
Because the previous owner of my new pride and joy, had modified tthe trigger, sites or grips, and it was not a legal tool for the game.
Or that I had to compete with unlimited guns/shooters that I would not be competetive against?

I understand that entry level needs to stop equipment races, but think it should be flexible.

[SLAVAGE]

well i just got a 357 taurus tracker,
an sense i've been told their are not allowed in any kinds of matches many different reasions i've gotten , but any ways if your around the pgh area an allowed it in with a pack grip an a red dot scope or a straight 4 power put me in
dave

[K2]

Hi Jim  

I understand that type of situation.  Screws and pins even stoning the trigger to smooth it up doesn't bother me in the least, anyone can do it.  Going too much into aftermarket equipment does eventually give competitive advantage and at some point the "race" is on and you loose a lot of potential shooters.  The question is where to draw the line.  If you say the gun must be shoot exactly as it came out of the box that gets to be a nit pick game where even replacing a simple screw that came loose and was lost or broke can be a real chore.  Do you have to buy a common screw from the manufacture to be approved?  Seems a bit over the top to me.  If I break a screw or pin and the local hardware store has one that fits seems OK to me as a repair.  Same goes for a worn out screw or thread.  if you need to tap a hole to the next size up and there is no competitive advantage in doing so why not allow it?  On the other hand if you line bore the gun, add hooded sights, maybe a different barrel, a titanium hammer etc. that goes too far the other way, and that type of reworking belongs in an "unlimited type" category (nothing is really unlimited) .  If you Start with a ruger it should have ruger parts barrel, sights, hammer, trigger parts cylinder pin etc.  I have no problem with changing a screw or even the springs (who can really tell the difference between one coil spring and another anyway).  If you need the sight notch widened cause you like it that way or need to lower the front sight to get enough eleveation that works for me as well.  changing the pitch on the sight adjustment screws I wouldn't go for as you could have a more precise sight than some other fellow with the same make and model gun.  Whatever is decided on should be well thought out and then left the heck alone so people can settle in and put their energy into things that matter.  

Thoughts?  Ideas?

I really may not have a right to comment, but have never yet allowed that to stop me from having an opinion.
Being new to this game.
I will be looking for a .357 to shoot at our local club,and very likely will be looking for a used revolver.
It would be very discouraging to lay down my hard earned money, show up at the range and be turned away.
Because the previous owner of my new pride and joy, had modified tthe trigger, sites or grips, and it was not a legal tool for the game.
Or that I had to compete with unlimited guns/shooters that I would not be competetive against?

I understand that entry level needs to stop equipment races, but think it should be flexible.

[K2]

Hi Slavage  

I am not familiar with the trackers other than a cursery glance.  Are all of them ported?  If that is the case and you wanted to shoot it with a scope you can now in the UAS and US categories.  I have very mixed feelings on ported guns.  The ones where the ports direct the blast straight up don't bother me as much as the ones that blow crap sideways or back.  I have been next to ported guns on the firing line and they physically move the competitor they are being shot next to.  This is no different than me puching a fellow competitor while he is shooting.  This is not a good situation.  If you are on an unpaved firing line the ports that go sideways also through dirt and debree all over the place when shot freestyle.  

Doing a study to see if they drive off more people than they attract is a worth while effort.  Personally I would rather not be around them but I am keeping an open mind.  

well i just got a 357 taurus tracker,
an sense i've been told their are not allowed in any kinds of matches many different reasions i've gotten , but any ways if your around the pgh area an allowed it in with a pack grip an a red dot scope or a straight 4 power put me in
dave