[ChrisAR15]

I run informal matches that generally adhere to USPSA rules. We cater to new shooters.
Our matches are three to four stages with two field courses and two shorter stages similar to classifiers.

We typically attract 15 - 20 shooters per match.
Scoring is done manually and without regard to division.

The majority of the shooters would be single stack or production but we will usually have one or two open / limited shooters with higher cap mags.

How do I level the playing field without requiring a mandatory reload on the field courses? I was thinking about requiring magazines to be loaded with no more than ten rounds in the WSB.

[Joe4d]

ChrisAR15, on Jun 27 2009, 05:18 PM, said:

I run informal matches that generally adhere to USPSA rules. We cater to new shooters.
Our matches are three to four stages with two field courses and two shorter stages similar to classifiers.

We typically attract 15 - 20 shooters per match.
Scoring is done manually and without regard to division.

The majority of the shooters would be single stack or production but we will usually have one or two open / limited shooters with higher cap mags.

How do I level the playing field without requiring a mandatory reload on the field courses? I was thinking about requiring magazines to be loaded with no more than ten rounds in the WSB.

A drag harrow pulled behind a large garden tractor does a pretty good job of leveling the playing field,

If you want to have a USPSA match have a USPSA match and follow USPSA rules, you might be surprised when attendance increases.

[HSMITH]

Score by division, otherwise it won't work. "Level" playing fields don't exist without divisions.

[JimmyZip]

Chris,

I have seen it attempted in two ways.

Make all stages revolver friendly with no more than 12 round count, and a mandatory reload after 6.

or

Like the "stock gun" match at our club, no more than 10 per mag, with a +1 on the start.

You still won't really level the playing field, but that's what I've seen done before. Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy.

JZ

[bofe954]

Why even try? If you limit capacity the open guys should still be faster. Then what, write in the WSB that they can't use their dot and comp holes need to be plugged?

Seems like you'd be better off either embracing divisions or just having a production only match or something.

BUT...If you want to even out results due to mag capacity, you can design stages that have a lot of movement between arrays that allow ample time to reload. Do your speed stages with a mandatory reload (legal for level 1 matches with less than 16 rounds) or just make them 8 rounders. But a C open guy is still gonna smoke a C production guy.

[Flexmoney]

People buy high capacity guns because they want to shoot high capacity guns.

I have shot a couple of non-affiliated matches where they started out shooting with 8 in the gun and 8 in any mag (that was it, one division...iron sights). Those were good. But, shooters begged and got divisions added for higher capacity. It was never the same.

If you are gonna run USPSA style and have shooters with different gear...go on ahead and gt affiliated and run true USPSA matches.

[Chuck Anderson]

Are you running USPSA matches or not. If you are, you need to follow the rules, and you're not even close from what you've written. If you're not running USPSA, don't even list it as such. If it's a non USPSA match, do what you want, restrict capacity, whatever your group wants to do.

[warpspeed]

Chuck Anderson, on Jun 28 2009, 07:10 AM, said:

Are you running USPSA matches or not. If you are, you need to follow the rules, and you're not even close from what you've written. If you're not running USPSA, don't even list it as such. If it's a non USPSA match, do what you want, restrict capacity, whatever your group wants to do.

+1

[h2osport]

Why do you want to"level the playing field"? Are shooters complaining? Your situation sounds like our informal practice night. We set up a stage and just score it for hit factor accounting for minor or major power factor. I have seen shooters go buy a 40 cal gun because they got tired of getting a lower score with a 9mm production gun. What is the net effect? Nothing. If you are shooting a production gun, you are only competing against production shooters. Yur score will not be as high as an open shooter, and you should recognize that. I do not pretend to be competing against an open shooter when I am shooting single stack.

My suggestion to you is keep running like you are, but have the shooters list what division and or gun they are shooting. If you are doing a results sheet, you can list the gun/division next to each shooter so everyone can see how they compare to someone shooting a similar gun/division. If you are not doing a results sheet, do nothing. Keep it simple. and let people shoot what they want.

If you decide to run formal matches, make the jump to a governing body and follow their rules(USPSA, IPSC, IDPA)

Randy

[9146gt]

Why do we need any classes or divisions? Bring a gun and shoot . Compare scores .


Tom

[ChrisAR15]

h2osport, on Jun 28 2009, 12:14 PM, said:

Why do you want to"level the playing field"? ...... We set up a stage and just score it for hit factor accounting for minor or major power factor.

My suggestion to you is keep running like you are, but have the shooters list what division and or gun they are shooting. If you are doing a results sheet, you can list the gun/division next to each shooter so everyone can see how they compare to someone shooting a similar gun/division. If you are not doing a results sheet, do nothing. Keep it simple. and let people shoot what they want.

If you decide to run formal matches, make the jump to a governing body and follow their rules(USPSA, IPSC, IDPA)

Randy

Thanks to all for the advice.

Why: I do not want the new shooters to be discouraged or feel pressured to spend a ton of money to "be competitive". There are other local venues that offer a higher level of competition, but these can be intimidating to the new shooter. Our matches are a great introduction to practical shooting and I have had many get their USPSA card and start shooting the "bigger" matches.

As to affiliating: We have been running these matches for about one year. As it is, I am doing 80% of the work. I went for my RO creds this year to make sure we are doing things right. When I get enough people trained and willing to do the additional paperwork, we will affiliate.

For now, The results sheet will list Division and PF without breaking down everything.

Again; Thanks to all

Chris