If IHMSA was starting today...

[aggshooter]

Our organization has many long term members, tinkerers, traditionalists, standing, freestyle, optics only, and open sights only. There is value in each.

The question here is where are we going vs. where do we want IHMSA to go? We are all aging, and while I hope for and applaud all those who hope to shoot into their mid 80's, there is a realism that in 10 years many of us will not be still in the game or relegated to the occasional entry. There is a variety of reasons...mostly health or limited travel related, that many of us will be subjected to.

Drawing new and younger shooters in other disciplines often appeals to optics categories and firearm availability. Aging shooters are increasingly dependent on optics. All of us want to shoot good scores.

So, if we were creating this game today...what would it look like? Would the categories be the same? Would the targets, course of fire, etc be the same? What would YOU do?

[kerdunk]

[7br]

I would add a couple of sanctioned long gun categories. The matches I attend usually have cowboy side matches, but not everyone has a lever gun. No real issue with .22 matches, but I would be concerned with target damage on big bore matches. Maybe a class for pistols suitable for concealed carry on field pistol targets.

[aggshooter]

I would add a couple of sanctioned long gun categories. The matches I attend usually have cowboy side matches, but not everyone has a lever gun. No real issue with .22 matches, but I would be concerned with target damage on big bore matches. Maybe a class for pistols suitable for concealed carry on field pistol targets.

Interesting. I'm assuming the rifles would be shot standing. So a bolt rifle 22 on 1/5 scale under NRA rules but at IHMSA distances? And maybe BB rifle limited to 300 Blackout or 44 mag capacity?

Good replies, keep them coming!

[7br]

Actually, I would do both 3/8 and 1/5 scale for rifle. Can't make it too hard right off of the bat. We need Shoot what whatcha got categories. Hence, the carry class

[aggshooter]

What else? Would you keep all the present categories? What would you change? Don't be afraid to think outside the box, the only "update" we've had in almost 30 years is the inclusion of Practical Hunter, and that wasn't a warm welcome.

[kerdunk]

Change sighters … eliminate the current sighter relay of 2 minutes, add 1 minute for 2 sighters at each distance. This is more of a rule change than anything else, but I think it would help with the flow of the match for shooters. Might free up a line position, as well.

[braud357]

In my opinion the most logical change would be to add a "Open" class to each category. This way, you could allow all of those guns that were "turned away" during all the years of IHMSA. I have seen countless guns (and shooters) turned away because of a slight modification to their gun, and most never returned. IHMSA has discouraged participation for far too long - as long as it is not harmful to the targets - LET THEM SHOOT ! Also, if you allow rifles - you should also change the name of the association ! Another thing to consider is modification of classes in each category - these could be narrowed down a bit. This would definitely be necessary if you allow optics into the Production and Revolver categories. Too many classes = confusion !

[Hosspower]

In my opinion the most logical change would be to add a "Open" class to each category. This way, you could allow all of those guns that were "turned away" during all the years of IHMSA. I have seen countless guns (and shooters) turned away because of a slight modification to their gun, and most never returned. IHMSA has discouraged participation for far too long - as long as it is not harmful to the targets - LET THEM SHOOT ! Also, if you allow rifles - you should also change the name of the association ! Another thing to consider is modification of classes in each category - these could be narrowed down a bit. This would definitely be necessary if you allow optics into the Production and Revolver categories. Too many classes = confusion !

Wouldn't UAS have covered all those guns that were 'turned away'? unlimited ANY sight. Give them a UAS card and say have fun.

[high standard 40]

In my opinion the most logical change would be to add a "Open" class to each category. This way, you could allow all of those guns that were "turned away" during all the years of IHMSA. I have seen countless guns (and shooters) turned away because of a slight modification to their gun, and most never returned. IHMSA has discouraged participation for far too long - as long as it is not harmful to the targets - LET THEM SHOOT ! Also, if you allow rifles - you should also change the name of the association ! Another thing to consider is modification of classes in each category - these could be narrowed down a bit. This would definitely be necessary if you allow optics into the Production and Revolver categories. Too many classes = confusion !

Wouldn't UAS have covered all those guns that were 'turned away'? unlimited ANY sight. Give them a UAS card and say have fun.

Not really. UAS has guidelines and rules that can intimidate a new shooter. I can't tell you how many people have expressed hesitancy with the UAS guidelines regarding acceptable shooting positions, especially Creedmore and dead frog. By Open, he is referring to truly open. Any gun, any load, any sights, any shooting position, as long as it doesn't damage targets and is safe. I have adopted this unsanctioned category at my matches and it often gets more shooters than traditional categories. I don't care if the new guy wants to shoot a rifle from sandbags. As long as he doesn't damage targets and shoots in a safe manner, I don't care. It's "Open" category. I myself shoot in our Open category. I have developed a tremor in my gun hand and can no longer hold the sights on a target in traditional positions. But I want to keep shooting so I shoot from a bench with sandbags. It keeps me in the game, even if not for the record. We have other semi-disabled shooters who use the bench in Open category also. I just want people at my match so we can continue shooting silhouette, even if it's not "official" And this may get a new shooter interested in later moving to the traditional categories after he gets familiar with the game. If we don't find a way to attract new shooters, IHMSA has a dim future. Why not try making it easier for the newbies with an open category.