Jan/Feb - uspsa

Two of the stages shot at the
World Shoot featured concealed
carry courses. This fact, as well
as the fact that many of the
courses featured multiple close
in targets, should have excluded
firearms with large bulky, slow
optical sights. Not so, optical
sights (Tasco 33mm PrePoints)
placed first and second respectively
in this event. Tasco optics
has now won both the U.S.
Nationals and World Shoot M.
I did not expect an optical
sight to win the U.S.
Nationals, nor the World
Championships. I did
feel the new laser sights TI
would be competitive,
WORL
long before other optics
1.
developed to that level
of sophistication. A laser
is smaller, turns on
automatically with the
firearm grasped in a
firing position, and
directs the shooter's attention to
the target.
Sounds great! Lasers however,
still have problems projecting
their dot in direct sunlight.
Electronic optical sights when
shot with both eyes open, are
fast, allow full focus on the
target, and establish a more
precise aiming point. (Although,
they are heavier and bulkier
than what is regarded aspractical
in our sport.)
Is this an example ofjust how
far our sport has come away
from its founding as a practical
sport with "defensive applications?"
Or is it an example of
just how far optics have progressed
in the last few years?
Dave Stanford, President
-IE EQUIPMENT RACE
D ASSEMBLY ACTION ON:
NEW 3 TIER SCORING
40110mm MANDATORY FOR
MAJOR SCORING, 1993
Perhaps it is a little bit of both.
Certainly, it is one more step
in the "equipment race." Is an
equipment race best for our
sport? The race is within our
Principals, even encouraged by
them, but I for one, have mixed
emotions.
THE EQUIPMENT RACE
An equipment race is an
integral part of a sport where
one of the principal purposes is
to develop firearms and equipment
which will better perform
their intended functions. It is
pemived as necessary by the top
world class shooters. They are
so close in ability that even a
small advantage in equipment
call spell LIE cullerence uetween
winning and losing. However,
I.P.S.C. Principle 4 goes on to
state, "Any item of equipment,
or modification to equipment,
which sacrifices practical functionality
for a competitive
advantage contravenes the
principles of the sport." The
issue would then revolve around
the question; "is an optical sight
practical, for defensive purposes?"
Or is it only used for competitive
advantage?
Some will areue that the
optical sights of
today are imminently
practical. They
cite proven performance
using as
example the winning
of THE three
top shooting events
in the world. The
I.P.S.C. World
Championship, the
U.S.P.S.A. National
Championships, and the NRA
Bianchi Cup. Others ask, 'Just
how practical are they, if when
confronted by a defensive situation,
you have to say; 'Wait a
minute while I turn my sights
on?" ' I feel sure that this issue
will be brought up at the next
world conference in South Mca.
The problem I see with optical
sights is that it adds one more
element to the equipment race.
Use of an optical sight enhances
the image to new or emerging
shooters that they must have a
$2,000 to $3,000 firearm to be
competitive in our "practical
sport."
A sport which bars the average
individual from gettinginvolved
(Continued on pop< 34)
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