12 Nov 02

IPSC Shotguns in the Philippines:

"There was a strong presence of hyper extended pumps, with thirty-inch barrels and extended magazine tubes that held as many as thirteen rounds. These shotguns are a full foot longer than a standard M16. Not surprisingly , those with these monstrosities had a difficult time maneuvering.

I used a standard Mossberg 590 pump that held five rounds in the magazine. O n every stage, I was offered the use of a hyper-extended shotgun which I refused. 'Don't you want to get a high score?' they all said, as if that was all life had to offer.

In the high round-counts stages, guys with the long magazine tubes still had to reload, and, when they did, it became painfully obvious that they had not practiced. They dithered and fumbled, dropping rounds like rain.

Amidst all this, I was ordered to render my shotgun 'competition leg al' by removing the sidesaddle and the sling. Seems the sidesaddles and slings aren't allowed as they project a 'military appearance.'

I don't really care if these folks want to deceive themselves, but it concerns me when they presume to train others in the art of defensive shooting, of which they obviously know nothing and in which they obviously have no interest."

Lesson: Competition shooting is the same over here. If all you want to do i s just be "one of the boys," stick with the boys.

/John