Questions about full-size IPSC poppers

Crosswind

Crosswind

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Hi everybody,

Does anybody know which types of full-size poppers are preferred/recommended for high level matches, forward-falling or backwards-falling?
Are there any regional recommendations or future proposed rules regarding this?

Lately, it feels like there's a trend towards forward-falling poppers (probably due to safety, ricochets, etc.).

I have mixed feelings about this since lower power factors can cause a forward-falling popper to fall sooner (higher power factor bullets can cause the popper to rock backwards and 'teeter' before falling forward. And if the full-size popper is an activator for other target(s), then the lower power factor has an advantage; this is contrary to what's said in the rulebook about poppers being "designed to recognize power".

If the full-size poppers were backwards-falling, then power would truly be recognized; especially if poppers are inline with each other (i.e. must drop one popper before you can shoot at the popper behind it). However, without the backwards-falling full-size poppers, there seems to be no reason at all to emphasize power in DVC; in other words, every competitor is content to sacrifice power for speed, by aiming to just barely chrono-ing minor/major.

One more question:
For high level matches, when poppers are being live-fire calibrated, are poppers calibrated to NOT fall when hit with a power factor below 120?

Thanks and appreciate any input.
 
A properly designed forward falling popper is safer and will not cause the issues you are concerned about.
Our club came up with a design that has been flawless to date.
Pics are posted on the global village.
 
We used the MGM style poppers and will be building the sear for them to turn them into forward falling, they won't have the problems you state.
As far as I know forward can't really be calibrated properly though.
 
I thought poppers were supposed to be power neutral. It is the paper targets that are used to 'recognize' power factor. That's why every stage has to have at least one paper target. If it is nothing but plates and poppers, no target recognizes the difference in power factor.

That said, what would make a forward falling popper safer? Either for real or even perceived? Is it because if you hit a popper while it is falling backwards you might get splash or a ricochet upwards and out of the range? If that is the concern, wouldn't the opposite be true for a forward falling popper - i.e. you could hit it while the popper is angled to encouraged splash back towards the shooter? Just curious as i've never heard of this forward/backwards discussion.
 
Forward falling poppers start 'leaning' forward, so they always direct splash into the ground. Backwards/rear falling poppers are simpler to construct. I agree with some of Crosswinds post but ultimately the shooter has to adapt to the stage, and if the speed of the popper/activation changes then you need to adapt your plan to overcome this small factor.
 
i think forward falling are way more reliable. The only downside of forward falling i can think of is that you can't double tap it to make if fall faster.
 
Fusilier said:
I thought poppers were supposed to be power neutral. It is the paper targets that are used to 'recognize' power factor. That's why every stage has to have at least one paper target. If it is nothing but plates and poppers, no target recognizes the difference in power factor.
Click to expand...

That is only true with plates not poppers. Poppers do recognize power. You can have a stage with just poppers but not with plates.
 
When properly calibrated a minor power factor hit on the round head of the popper will make it fall but a hit on the stem or neck will not make it fall. They should be painted between shooters to verify impact point.
 
bizman89 said:
When properly calibrated a minor power factor hit on the round head of the popper will make it fall but a hit on the stem or neck will not make it fall. They should be painted between shooters to verify impact point.
Click to expand...

I believe they have to be adjusted so that a 125PF hit in the round "calibration zone" with knock it over.

John
 
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