LittlePistol

JDV, In answer to your question, I would like to participate in this as a sport - it's great fun and IMHO something I have a bit of a "natural feel" for. You mentioned learning the "traps and pit falls that happen to most new shooters." Could you expand on that a bit please?

Okay, now that I have spent a good part of the last week being completely addicted to this forum...thanks a lot Kevin! I have yet to find a topic on attitude. Lots on etiquette and responsibilities, safety and fun, but nothing on having a competitive attitude. I mean this is a competitive sport, so what's a newbie to do when trying to determine the proper attitude to maintain both in practice and in competition? First let me start by saying: WOW...I didn't realize that there was so much information out here. Needless to say, I am really impressed. I am also a bit overwhelmed. I shot my first USPSA match 2 weeks ago and have since started reading the forums (which are as addictive as the sport!). As I look back at my first match, I am beginning to realize that I can't remember a darned thing about how I shot! I have learned so much, that my brain is on overload. Is this normal? Secondly, I am trying to figure out where my starting point is, so I can figure out where I need to go next. My mentor is a class B shooter (darn close to an A shooter if he didn't make it with his last classifier) and after a couple months of practice, I am shooting, on average, about 1/3 as well as he does overall. I have been paying attention to our times when we practice as well as analyzed the results from the last match where we were both in the same division (L10). He won the division and my percentage was 32%. Disclaimer: Please don't misunderstand where I am coming from with this post. I am having a blast shooting USPSA and being safe and having fun are my #1 priorities, but I am also extremely competitive in nature and want nothing more than to improve. If I don't have a goal to strive for (eg. one day out shooting my mentor ) I tend to get a bit discouraged. I guess I am just trying to see what the general consensus is. My buddy has taught me a lot (ok, just about everything) I know about this sport and I respect his opinions and advice above all else, but IMHO advice is free, so why not try to get as much of it as possible. Q: Is this a good attitude to take into the sport or do I need to concentrate on my own scores and not worry about competing until I get a little better (ie. get that dreaded "U" out of my "Classification" column)?

Hey G-Man, Welcom to NM!!! I think! Where are you coming from and where are you at now? If you're down here in the SW part of the state, we have a special classifier in Alamogordo Sunday. See ya on the range! Sorry, should have read your info! Anyway, I'm up in ABQ quite a bit, so maybe I'll see ya on a range up there sometime!

You guys got that much snow up there!!! How in the world am I going to get to practice while I'm up there with that much snow? How I say?!

You all are nuts! It's been "snowing" off and on out here in NM for the last couple weeks and we all cry like a bunch of babies. Monday the whole town, Interstates, Highways, etc. shut down cuz of an inch of snow! To make matters even worse, I only got 2 practice sessions in over the last 2 weeks cuz of the weather! What do you think Kevin? Sounds like we need to buck up a bit eh?

Glad to hear I am not alone on the flinching thing!!! While I am not new to handguns, firing my first .45ACP after growing up with .22 and 9MM was quite an experience. I still battle "the flinch" and completely understand the frustration you are going through! A little advice from a "newbie" if I may 1. Dryfire, Dryfire, Dryfire! I have found that this helps me notice "the flinch" more because I don't have to distinguish between pulling the gun due to flinch and the normal recoil of the gun. 2. If you know someone who is willing to mentor you, have them take you out and work with you. I have a mentor who is really good at realizing when I am struggling and he either has me go through the shots with a .22 (less noise and recoil), or we play a game (usually including a timer), or both. The games work really well because they are fun and they get you thinking about making your shots and less about the "bang."

I am new to this sport, and things like struggling to work the thumb safety happens to us "newbies." At my first USPSA match I was so nervous on the first stage that I was visibly shaking and couldn't even find my sights. On my second stage there was a clam shell. I drew my gun just fine, got sights on target as it was coming up, pulled the trigger...once, twice, three times... and after standing there for what seemed like forever, I finally realized that I never disabled my thumb safety!!! I guess what I am trying to say is don't worry so much about speed, it will come with time. Worry about being safe and having fun. JMHO and a small piece of advise passed on from the one who got me addicted to this sport!

Speaking of the dynamic duo - I talked to Alamo Jim's sidekick today and he said to kick you in the butt and not to let you forget Jim's ammo or I'll be in trouble!!!

Thanks for the link... I might be able to catch up with you guys on the 17th of Feb. I don't know for sure if I will be up north or down here at home that weekend. I'll definately let you know though!

My buddy and I know a couple of guys from Alamo and one of them happens to be named Jim!!!

Hmmm...remind you of anyone we know Kevin?

Joe, I completely understand where you are coming from in regards to .45ACP ammo prices as well as reloading concerns. I already own 1 .45ACP and am in the process of ordering a custom .45ACP from Dawson. On countless recommendations from friends and fellow shooters, I am purchasing a Dillon Square Deal "B" next month. I read your post and went online in search of reloading articles and manuals and the best one I found was on Dillon's website. Dillon's SDB manual breaks down every part on the press (by part # - gotta love that support) and explains exactly how to set it up and use it in laymans terms. One definately doesn't have to be a pro to start reloading with this manual. I also completely agree with buddy as far as support goes. Knowing that a No-BS lifetime warranty is actually there leaves me with warm fuzzies. Sorry, I forgot the links. http://dillonhelp.com/manuals/english/SDB_v4_5.pdf? http://dillonprecision.com

Hey there Jim. I'm glad to meet someone who shoots in ABQ. I'll be spending quite a bit of time up there over the next couple of months. I shoot with a group from Deming. If I happen to be up there on one of the weekends you shoot, how would I go about contacting your club or finding the city range? What time do your matches start?

That sounds familiar. My buddy told me to do just that I think my favorite thing about IPSC is that most people seem friendly and willing to teach you anything you want to know.

Hey there SingleStack! Thanks for the reply. How long have you been shooting?

Hello all, I got this link from my friend and USPSA "mentor" so on his recommendation, I thought I'd introduce myself. While I am new to the sport of competitive shooting, firearms are something I grew up with. My buddy took me to my first USPSA match a couple of weeks ago and I'm completely hooked!!! Anyway, I'm a pretty sociable person so feel free to say hi!