North Valley Shooters Association

NVSA Newsletter June 2004

Hello All,

This is our first newsletter in sometime. We hope to publish it a little more often in the future.

At our May match, Ron reminded all of us that to shoot at NVSA you must be a member of IDPA. New shooters are excepted, but must then become IDPA members to continue shooting at NVSA. A one-year membership costs $35.00. Membership includes a Membership card, a copy of the IDPA Rulebook, an IDPA hat, and a subscription to the IDPA magazine "Tactical Journal". A membership application can be down loaded from: www.idpa.com/membership/application.pdf. Exceptions to the requirement for IDPA membership also extend to a few shooters who were among the original local members prior to IDPA affiliation.

If you are already a member of IDPA please bring your card or membership number to the next match. If you have any questions please contact me. All my contact info is on the web site.

Due to the small numbers of shooters we had last year, we stopped using the IDPA Divisions in the scoring of our matches. Our plan was to design the stages to be equally difficult for shooters in any division (that is, to shooters with either 8, 9, or 10 round magazines). This has proven difficult. Because our shooter numbers have increased, and to comply with IDPA rules, we will once again include Divisions in our scoring. We will award 1st through 3rd place awards for each Classification in each Division only if there are four or more shooters in each group. If there are fewer shooters in a group, we will give fewer awards. For example, if there are only three shooters in the Novice class of the Sharpshooter division, only the 1st and 2nd place shooters will receive awards.

I've listed the IDPA Divisions and their criteria below. Additional information can be found in the IDPA rulebook, or on the IDPA web site at www.idpa.com.

STOCK SERVICE PISTOL division is intended to offer a place in competition for shooters using popular "stock" Double Action/Safe Action factory service pistols such as the Glock, Beretta, S&W, Ruger, Browning and Sig.

ENHANCED SERVICE PISTOL division is intended to offer a place in competition for shooters using popular Single Action 9mm/.38 Super/.40 service pistols such as the Browning HP, CZ-75, EAA Witness and 1911 pattern pistols.

CUSTOM DEFENSIVE PISTOL division is intended to offer a place in competition for shooters using the "practical" custom 1911 style .45 single stack pistols, while still allowing shooters using the various hi-capacity pistols such as the Para-Ordnance, STI/SVI and Glock 20/21 to compete on equal ground. There are many out-of-the-box 1911 style pistols that can be used competitively in this division with little or no custom work.

STOCK SERVICE REVOLVER division is intended to offer a place in competition for shooters using popular service revolvers. The goal is to have competitors using common proven service revolvers such as the Smith & Wesson Model 66, 686 or Ruger GP-100.

We will also change the way we classify our shooters. In the past, we have placed new shooters in the "Unclassified" group. These "unclassified" shooters would be classified on the basis of their match scores. As, and if, the shooters improved, they would be moved further up in classification. This method kept the competition a little closer. We recently received some clarification on how the classification of shooters was to take place even at the club level. There are only two (2) ways to be classified. The first way is to shoot the 90 round classifier (see a copy of the IDPA rule book, or check the IDPA web site.) The second way is to choose your classification. If, however, you have shot the "official" classifier you may only shoot your classification or HIGHER. Beginning at the June match, when you sign in, we will handle your classification as follows:

If you have a signed classification card you may shoot in that class or choose to shoot in a higher class. If you choose a higher class your card will be updated to the higher class.

If you have not shot a classifier, you may choose to shoot the class we feel fits you best or you may continue to shoot as "unclassified" until you shoot the classifier. If you choose to shoot the class we recommend we will then update your card with that class. Don't worry if you don't have your card yet if you just joined, we'll get it next time.

For those who want to shoot the "official" classifier, we will be planning to hold classifiers in the near future.

A couple more things before I sign-off for this month:

We need to find a volunteer to replace John Kemmerle as the scorekeeper as soon as possible. John is planning to move to Idaho soon. This is a very important part of our club, if you are interested please let me know.

Don't forget to buy your raffle tickets for the Springfield Loaded 1911. The tickets cost $10.00 each. They are for sale at each match to NVSA members only. The drawing will be at our September match.

Take care,

Brian