The Original CZ Forum
GENERAL => A Day at the Range! => Topic started by: recoilguy on May 09, 2012, 11:12:04 AM
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Last nite I had a pretty decent round going.
Six shots reload move 8 shots reload 6 steel poppers reload,Then I came to the Texas Star. I am embarrassed to say I shot 10 shots at the last plate before I had to leave it dangle so I did not run out of bullets for my last 2 targets, which I was so flusterd that I got a Charlie Mike Alpha Mike.
I wanted to crawl inside a hole. I can't believe I did that last nite. My buddies were laughing pretty hard and then when the RO said Mike 2 times I think one of them cried he laughed so hard.
All I could do was shake my head and smile. I rarely go 5 for 5 on that stupid star, but I have never let it get in my head that bad before.
Next time that thing is mine!!!!!! I better find a way to practice.
RCG
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RCG:
Have only seen them, never shot at one
Does it spin or are the plates stationary ?
What's the radius on the one you shoot ?
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Hi, my name is Sasq and I hate the Texas star... :D You and I could start a support group.
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RCG:
Have only seen them, never shot at one
Does it spin or are the plates stationary ?
What's the radius on the one you shoot ?
The bloody thing starts spinning back and forth as soon as you knock off even a single plate :'(. The plates seem to be 8" in diameter.
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Have shot at one a couple of times at an IPSC Match. The plates hanging on them get easier to hit as the thing slows down, but that works against your timed score. They placed it at the end of the course of fire and I just kept at it till all the plates were down. Don't remember how much ammo I had left over, but I did not care if I shot all that was on my belt.
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Yeah it spins as soon as you knock the first plate off. If you hit them in the wrong order the weight causes them to spin pretty fast. Some guys are real good at this..........me on the other hand.
Normally I can hit the top one first and then take them of in a good counter fashion to use the weight left on to slow it down. Last night I was doing it all wrong and it was spinning like a tilt a whirl. 8" plates.
I hate the thing!
RCG
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Yeah, I hear the Tilt-a-Whirl
Was trying to think of a way to duplicate it without the high $$$$$
What's the overall radius, 40 - 50 inches ?
and at what range, 10yards ?
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I have never ever seen anything like that. :o
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I have never ever seen anything like that. :o
Here's a few strings of fire at one.
http://youtu.be/Ke5uW8jhDjQ
And if you think that's difficult, put some "No Shoots" in front of one. (Just plain cruel, but some course designers have a sadistic streak, in my experience)
http://youtu.be/oRuZ6NZAaVE
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Ok, so it's not motorized, just works off of off-set weight and gravity to spin it :o
Now let the gears grind for a couple hours, and we?ll NR one on the cheap ::)
We'll get back to ya ;)
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I was petrified of the TX Star at first. I bought one last week for the home range and done a lot of practicing with it. It is not bad. You shoot the top plate then the first one to the right. The star will rotate around for next two and then you drop down for last one. In competition it usually takes me six shots. One never seems to make it.
Good luck with it......
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....I bought one last week for the home range
Good luck with it......
Looked around and they are quite pricey....even the cheaper ones
Thinking on a Home Brewed, half sized, 4 inch Clay Bird model
2 -3 foot instead of the 4-5 foot and shoot it at 5 yards not 10
Still workin? out the design details
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The Colorado State Multigun Championship a couple Weeks ago had a *swinging* Texas star on the pistol only stage. When activated by opening a door, it would swing back and forth at a pretty good clip as well as rotate. It was a beautiful thing O0
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I just threw up a little in my mouth thinking about that one.........
RCG
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The Colorado State Multigun Championship a couple Weeks ago had a *swinging* Texas star on the pistol only stage. When activated by opening a door, it would swing back and forth at a pretty good clip as well as rotate. It was a beautiful thing O0
(http://thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/scared-3.jpg)
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(http://thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/scared-3.jpg)
Great picture.....
Caption:
??.and then David opened the door and all of Danny?s Coce blew away !?
How do you spell the slang for Cocaine ? ! ? :o
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I hated the star at first, but it got better as I had some practice with it.
Seems most use one of two--maybe three methods:
1. 12:00, then a fast 2:00 and 10:00--- it won't move much as it's still 'almost' in balance.
Then 5:00 and 7:00.
2. 12:00, 2:00, and the rest as they rotate counterclockwise up into view.
3. The third is like in the above video, sort of random but good fast shooting, not quite spray-and-pray. ;)
We had a match where you had to shoot a popper first. The popper pulled a prop-rod out from under an empty arm of the star. The four remaining plates started that sucker spinning IN A Hurry.
I know I wish I had the ammo that's been wasted on that thing. I used to need a mag change.
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Have you guys ever shot one of those balanced plate racks of 5 (6?) Ohhh man.
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Have you guys ever shot one of those balanced plate racks of 5 (6?) Ohhh man.
Yes, we have a Plate Rack of 6. Sometimes we've had a Split Rack Man on Man contest where the first one to knock down all the Plates on his side wins the string. Lots of fun!
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Man-on-man is always fun, win or lose.
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that is a scary monster. :o practice, practice and practice some more. i've found that the more i practice the luckier i get. ;)
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Man-on-man is always fun, win or lose.
One on one, man on man may not always be fun, but it will sure get your adrenaline pumping
Hey 1....
Experience is usually preceded by ?Foolhardiness ! ! !?
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We had a match where you had to shoot a popper first. The popper pulled a prop-rod out from under an empty arm of the star. The four remaining plates started that sucker spinning IN A Hurry.
We've had one similar to that at our range. All 5 plates were on the star but the popper started the wheel spinning, which dropped off a heavy counter weight and got it spinning FAST before you could get a shot off.
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I'm fairly new to USPSA shooting having only done 4 matches. Here in Ca. it's not know as the "Texas Star". I don't know what it's called, I could think of some great names, but if I even see it at a match I break into a cold sweat. I HATE it also. Sign me up for the club....I think the problem with it is that when it starts moving you tend to forget the front sight and watch the contraption slowly swing while the bullets fly on by....mag after mag..... ( :
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Den Stinett:
One on one, man on man may not always be fun, but it will sure get your adrenaline pumping
Hey 1....
Experience is usually preceded by ?Foolhardiness ! ! !?
Right on all counts. I do like man-on-man though. I'm no stranger to losing in that situation, but that adrenaline rush is terrific medicine. "Only" the front sight is focus.
My son and I shot in in an all day match this spring. The whole afternoon was man-on-man using a J-Ladder format. Man, I was/we were both pooped coming down off the adrenaline highs.
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FWIW, I love the Texas star. Most guys at my club piss and moan about it. My thought is, if I'm going to see it at a Major match, I sure as hell want to practice it at the local match. Kind of like shooting Weak hand classifiers. If you go in dreading it and planning not to fail, you probably will. Look at it as a new exciting challenge, and you will learn from it and get better.
Have you guys ever shot one of those balanced plate racks of 5 (6?) Ohhh man.
I believe you're referring to the Polish Plate rack. I've never shot one, only seen it on Youtube. Check out this link. The first shooter is Jerry M, showing how it's done. The rest of them have a little more difficult time of it.....and they're all shooting Revos!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8fc3ncgZSw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8fc3ncgZSw)
If you want sadistic, check out the Evil Oregon Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTXCzTEOz1U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTXCzTEOz1U)
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gia70, Thanks, THAT "Polish Plate Rack" is EXACTLY what I was referring to.
Like the Star, it takes a little getting used to; but it's fun to do after the shock wears off. I've only shot it once, but look forward to my next try.
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I never plan to fail, it just happensto me once in a while. Those 2 videos are cool. The polish plate rack I have shot one time but the star with no shoots thats one I would love to see them run at the club.
RCG
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If you're a reloader the Texas Star and the Polish Plate rack are awesome -- piles of spent brass to pick up!! O0
We've had the plate rack and I believe the star too as the first target right from the start box. There was so much brass around the start box you had to be careful not to slip on it.
I think pride is the biggest obstacle with these things. The way our matches are scored there comes a time when it's best to move on and take the miss instead of burn time (and ammo) trying to get the final plate(s). But no, we all keep shooting and for me my trigger mechanics go to pot if I let myself get frustrated.
We had some Los Angeles Sheriff's shoot with us one match. Some of them were on the Sheriff's pistol team. One guy took down the Texas Star with it barely having a chance to rotate. Even his buddies were somewhat awestruck.
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CZkali.....I know exactly what you mean. That is why I hate the thing. I either do it in 7 or 8 shots or 3 or 4 mags. Either way I aint stoppin until the 5th plate falls down.
RCG
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Well, it took me a few days but I put together a Prototype of the Mini (Texas) Star Target System
I figure instead of 8 inch plates at 10 yards, I can try shooting 4 inch Clays at 5 yards
Works out to be the same sized target at distance
Not counting the Sporting Clays, I have about $50.00 into it in parts
A box of 135 Sporting Clays cost $15.00 at Sportsman?s Warehouse and who knows , they may even be cheaper at Cabela?s or even WalMart
135 will give you 27 runs per box
At $50.00 for the ?Star? and $$15.00 a box, it would take a long time to add up to even the cheapest Steel Texas Star
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h414/denstinettm14/TheMiniStar-1.jpg)
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h414/denstinettm14/HubSpokeandRingwithClay.jpg)
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h414/denstinettm14/RingWithClay.jpg)
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that is very nice Den. well made. please let us know how it works.
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Den,
Is this how you open your safe now? Five hits in the right order and it pops open? ;D
Seriously, though, nice set-up. What are those white plastic thingies that hold the clays?
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Den,
Is this how you open your safe now? Five hits in the right order and it pops open? ;D
Seriously, though, nice set-up. What are those white plastic thingies that hold the clays?
Inquiring minds...
more details please...
Sir.
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First time they dragged a Texas Star out at my club it seemed like it was 15' in diameter, had 2" plates, and spun on perpetual motion ball bearings. Since then, it has somehow shrunk to 5' dia w' 8" plates...how'd that happen?
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Den, that is ingenious, and looks like fun. It'll also run with a .22, or even a pellet gun. 8)
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Thanks 1
Yeah, it should work with just about anything, even a Slingshot
PLUS, you can us the loose Arms as "stack-out" Clay Holders too
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Now I want to see a video of it in action. I'm curious how fast it spins once the first target is hit. Seems like it won't be too fast since the targets are light but those rods for the spokes are light too. Hmm, curious minds want to know.
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Now I want to see a video of it in action. I'm curious how fast it spins once the first target is hit. Seems like it won't be too fast since the targets are light but those rods for the spokes are light too. Hmm, curious minds want to know.
We'll see what we can do on the Vid thing
I've been thinking the same about swing speed
I may add a nut and/or washer or two to add some weight at the end
If my Trig serves;
Same Angular Velocity a half size will only look to be slower
i.e. 2 feet per second of travel at 3 feet of Radius will be 1 foot of travel at 1.5 foot R?.Or something like that
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Den,
Is this how you open your safe now? Five hits in the right order and it pops open? ;D
Seriously, though, nice set-up. What are those white plastic thingies that hold the clays?
Sauatch and Painter:
They are PVC Pie fitting cut and heated to shape
Check-out this post for a bit more detail:
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=47277.msg279620#msg279620
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PVC won't survive centerfire ammo.
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PVC won't survive centerfire ammo.
True...
but cheap, and easy to replace. ;)
If I decide I want to make myself really frustrated...
I'll build one. ;D
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PVC won't survive centerfire ammo.
PVC won't survive centerfire ammo.
True...
but cheap, and easy to replace. ;)
Yeah, one fitting costs about $2.00 and yealds two rings
I bought three fittings and got six Rings....One spare (for now)
I figure when I use the spare, I'll buy another fitting and end-up with two spares
I went with 1/4 inch AllThread for the Arms to give them a bit of flex, hoping to give the PVC Ring a little bit of a chance in glancing blows
We'll see how they hold-up
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Den, that is ingenious, and looks like fun. It'll also run with a .22, or even a pellet gun. 8)
Hey ! :
Set the Star up in the Back Yard
Ran my Umarex Colt .177 Pellet at it
Just shot little tiny holes in the Clays
Shot three pellets as fast as I could sight and pull the trigger; 12:00, 10:30 then 01:30 all hit the center of the Clay...Nothing but little tiny holes
Nice shooting for three quick shots hits, but no broken Clays
TOTALLY BUMMED
It took about five random shots around the edge of the Clay to get one to kinda break enough to fall out of the Ring
I'll have to try .22lr then 9mm first chance I get
Thinking I may have to cut an inch or so out of the top to allow the Ring to have less grip on the Clay
Or give the Ring a Clamping action when the Clay is hit
It's still a work in progress folks
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I cut an inch out of the tops of the Rings and reheated them to close the gap
Now they pinch the Clays and may help to break them when hit
I shot them with my Pellet Pistol and can brak one with three of four hit
Still need to try it out with 22s and 9mms
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If you drill and tap a 1/4-20 hole at the top instead of the pinch, you can put controlled pressure on the clay by finger tightening a 1/4-20 bolt on the clay. Might work. You know if the clay just gets knocked out, it'll rotate. Might not need clays that way
Easy for me to say! ;)
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If you drill and tap a 1/4-20 hole at the top instead of the pinch, you can put controlled pressure on the clay by finger tightening a 1/-20 bolt on the clay. Might work. You know if the clay just gets knocked out, it'll rotate. Might not need clays that way
Easy for me to say! ;)
Ok, here's a thought
Don't heat the Ring at all
Drill and tap three holes equally spaced
Say at 10, 12, and 2 o?clock
The Arm in at 12:00 and Thumb Screws at 10 and 2
Use the Thumb Screws to hole the Clays in check
I will look at this closer tomorrow
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the clays should also not be too "loose" so that they fall out in sympathy with the ones that are actually hit.
don't you think your original design is good enough and the clays will shatter and fall out when shot with a firearm instead of an airgun?
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the clays should also not be too "loose" so that they fall out in sympathy with the ones that are actually hit.
don't you think your original design is good enough and the clays will shatter and fall out when shot with a firearm instead of an airgun?
Most likely, you're right
It wasn't just because of the Pellet Gun deal though
I was looking at easier ways of inserting the Clays too
Spring fit as opposed to press fit
If I don?t get out this week with a 22 and/or 9mm, I?ll hopefully get a shot at it this weekend
I?m thinking of talking with a friend in the Plastics business
I want to see what the cost would be to form the Rings out of strips of Lexan
I think I like the ?Outside Caliper? looking shape and if I can get them made from Lexan for a fare price, that may be the way to go?Lexan being fairly Bullet Proof too
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Ok, here's a thought
Don't heat the Ring at all
Drill and tap three holes equally spaced
Say at 10, 12, and 2 o?clock
The Arm in at 12:00 and Thumb Screws at 10 and 2
Use the Thumb Screws to hole the Clays in check
I looked at this a bit closer today
Depending on the thickness of the Nut you use to hold the Arm to the Ring, there may be just enough room to try this?.It?ll be tight though
The inside diameter of the Ring doesn?t leave much clearance if it?s not heated and bent
I'm liking the cut and spring fit the most so far
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Okay, Version 2.1: Make the ring slightly too small for the clays. Rout an inside lip (1/4"?) around and halfway through so the clays slide in easily to the stop. Two small set screws, pins or clips will now hold it against the routed stop. Quick replacements.
Rough idea:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AFr2RVnkKMk/T8BKFYmVGaI/AAAAAAAABRM/mXOEgAVtwcQ/s640/Tex%2520Star%2520Mod.jpg)
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The only issue I have with this would be that not everyone has access to that kind of tools to cut a groove like that
I hope to take the Mini Star out Monday AM
Hope to get some pics and maybe a video
I may want to add even more weight to the end of the Arm to get a good spin out of it
I've added a couple extra Hex Nuts, but maybe a Fender Washer or two
I'm also thinking instead of Sporting Clays, find a sores for a 4? X ?? (to ??) thick steel Disks
No Clays mean no addition costs
Just a thought
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The groove for the plastic pipe could be done with any wood-working router and a 1/4" (or less?) rabbeting bit with a bearing. It would take a minute or two for each holder.
Interested in hearing about how it performs. Looks like fun.
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Well, plans changed and we went out today instead
The wind was blowing at about 15-20 so the Star wouldn?t stay top-centered and had issues spinning in hard gusts
Took the Arms off and used them as Clay Stakes
Set them up out between 15 and 20 meters
Yes, the Clays break-out with one hit from a 22 most of the time (but not always) 9mm had zero issue breaking a target
As we suspected, the PVC will not take a direct hit
Broke two in half and one lost about a third of it, but it still held the Clay firmly
Looks like I need to rethink the PVC
I still may talk to my plastics friend about fabbing Lexan Rings
Also, I?m still kicking around a clip of some sorts
R&D?s turning out to be a real b!+<# on this one
Hope everyone has a safe Holiday
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The evil genius at my club devised these 2 stations for yesterday's match:
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac288/BigK_pics/95076282.jpg)
There were 3 shooting boxes 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue. You had to shoot the targets colored according to what box you were shooting from. So, gaming the star was MUCH harder than usual.
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac288/BigK_pics/5eaebd5a.jpg)
Any time there's one polish plate rack I cringe. Two is just plain sadistic.
Still, it was the funnest match I've ever shot!!
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There were 3 shooting boxes 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue. You had to shoot the targets colored according to what box you were shooting from. So, gaming the star was MUCH harder than usual.
I would have wanted the white box.
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BigK, that is cool. I like trick steel targets. I may screw it up, but it's FUN with capital letters.
Have you ever 'worried about your taxes' when shooting at those?? ;D ;D ;D O0
At the buzzer, the world shrinks to the centers of those plates.
With the color plates, was that three strings, or run to the next box? Evil designer. 8)
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I just may steel that for our next shoot! Very Clever!
RCG
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This is the actual stage description with the stars, if anyone wants to see it.
(http://i908.photobucket.com/albums/ac288/BigK_pics/stage.png)
The toughest stage was in the woods with 12" auto poppers at 25 yds and 8" auto poppers in a diagonal line that started 17 yds out and ended at 20 yds.
Those 8" auto poppers 17-20 yds away completely disappear behind the front sight. In the shadows of the trees, it's hard to even see FO sights. I felt bad for the guys shooting blackout sights (no way you could see light bars, let alone the top of the blade).
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There were 3 shooting boxes 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue. You had to shoot the targets colored according to what box you were shooting from. So, gaming the star was MUCH harder than usual.
I would have wanted the white box.
+ 1 to that!
Although I think he meant it was like Twister -- you had to keep one foot in the red box, one foot in the white box, and your strong hand in the blue box.
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Not only have to shoot fast and accurately, but have to move and probably change a mag (or more ;D).
Mr Bresson, is 'the' man.
Good stage!
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Hi everyone!
I think we can help get a bulletproof, inexpensive, very well built texas star for you guys.
Would anyone be interested in a groupbuy??
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That's an interesting idea, and probably make custom shaped plates for the arms, too. IDPA clubs should look at that - maybe "star points" shaped like your home state? Delaware and Rhode Island users will have to get closer...
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haha much closer!
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Texas users, on the other hand, can compete from home. 8)
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Hi everyone!
I think we can help get a bulletproof, inexpensive, very well built texas star for you guys.
Would anyone be interested in a groupbuy??
price point?
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Red, blue , and white last: maybe less rotation speed on the Texas Stars. (?)