You fellows have brought back a LOT of fond memories. My five years in IPSC were some of the most memorable in my life (not to compare with my family experiences, of course). As most know, the first match you attend at IPSC, you start in "A" class. I never got out of "A" class. That is NOT a complaint... I met some really memorable people. I regularly competed with Rick Miller and Ken Hackathorn. Rick was a well known writer and Ken became one (Ken was ex-Special Forces and was a true small arms expert). They were instrumental in the success of our matches. They had finished in the top ten in the IPSC World Championships. Truly good men, great competitors and BELIEVERS in IPSC as a martial art.
My sons kind of grew up with IPSC. Marshall Todd and I ran the matches and my two sons not only competed "head to head" with adults (they started at age 12 and age 14) but did a LOT of the "heavy lifting" at our club. I not only had to cast bullets and reload for myself, but I, at the same time, taught my sons how to cast bullets, reload, and WORK. They did me proud (as well as themselves). My proudest moment came when (Shannon was 16 and Sean was 14) we entered the IPSC rifle match at Marietta, Ohio (the seat of the birth of IPSC in Ohio) and the home club of Rick Miller and Ken Hackathorn. It was a "run and jump" match when IPSC was truly a "Martial Art".
I had a good day. I won the match, Shannon came in second, and Sean came in third. There was a big turnout that day and all of the "big guys" were there. Needless to say, it was a stellar day. Our HK-91 got a real workout that day. Yeah, we used a .308 against all of the "mouse guns" against us.
Thanks for the memories, gentlemen as well as (Marshall Todd, Rick Miller, Ken Hackathorn and all of my fellow club members who worked so hard to make the matches a success for five LONG years).
P.S. Quicksylver, I was criticized a bit for my NEED for accuracy in those days. However, having a 1911, with full house cast #68's (at a power factor of 180,000) that would shoot 2" groups on demand from a rest at FIFTY yards and NEVER stuttered added seriously to my confidence.rdm
FWIW
Dale53