Question about magic items

[Neos01]

Hi, sorry for my English but it's not my first language,
I'm reading GURPS Magic and many spells have this phrase in the items section:

"Item
Staff or wand. The item must
touch the subject."

It's not clear for me how this works, i think there are 3 possibilities:

1-The item cast the spell as a normal Melee spell
(so it use all the rules in the Melee spells descriptions)
2-The item must touch the subject for the entire casting time
(but this way it's very difficult to use it in a battle)
3-The item must touch the subject at the end of the last turn of concentration
(but can i strike a target while i am in a concentration manouver?
and in this case if i miss the target the spell is spoiled and all the energy spent is missed?)

So, what do you think about that?

[Nereidalbel]

Treat them as Melee Spells. Using a staff or wand simply gives you a reach greater than C.

[Neos01]

I think it's the easiest way to treat them, the problem is that many of this spells are Regular when used without an item

[Nereidalbel]

If the staff/wand needs to touch the subject, it becomes a Melee Spell. If contact is not required, it's a Regular Spell.

[Neos01]

I think it's the more playable option
Thank you

[Saabre]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

If the staff/wand needs to touch the subject, it becomes a Melee Spell. If contact is not required, it's a Regular Spell.

I would agree with this. It essentially becomes a melee spell and once cast the rod/wand is charged with the spell and is discharged by touching it to the target (as an attack if a combat spell).