Mr Unnatural

Today during training static magazine reloads from the belt. I strugled some what with grabbing the magazines consistent. tried some different angles, this helped only to some degree. Later when I practiced with my weighted mag. with this I had no problem grabing the magazine correct and secure. I think it is the weight difference that is in play here. I don't have any old magazines to be weighted for this purpose. The anounced DAA practice mags seem a bit pricey to me. Maybe one could use a cheap airsoft mag for training reloads. I'll excercise some seach-Fu or I'll post a question about it. An other thing that got my attention is the spacing between magazines. I need enough space so I can place my index finger on the mag so I can establish a good grip. I'm using DAA pouches, browsing the net I discovered the set-up in the picture Thes puches are placed very close to each other, the magnet is placed on the belt before the first pouch. When I place my magnet on the first pouch I forces me to put the pouch straight up and angle my wrist to get the mag. Not a satisfactory set up for the pouch I primary use during a stage. I'll keep my current set-up and keep looking for a better set-up.

This week I could not make to the range. Due to bad weather and heavy traffic I returned home after two aquaplannings and a traffic jam. Spend the evening with dry-fire and some quality time with my wife.

Hi Flexmoney hmmm, yes! This certainly qualifies as a strong positive/affermative statement to define my self image. Very strong Flexmoney, it gives no room for interpretation I need that. I have used some statements before, could not stick with it. I used : be smooth and make it happen. Not so strong, make what happen???? To much room for interpretation. thanks, Mr Unnatural Brainfart, during matches I shoot alphas, during practice I shoot alphas sooner. To bad it doesn't work that way, or does it?

Currently on my nightstand Shooting from within, by Michael Plaxco, finishing last chapter. A book that was missing in my collection, bought it a few months back to complete my shooting books. Although maybe out of date on some subjects overall a very good book. I was wrong in thinking it was only a "collectible", after reading it I believe it's a valuable addition I can recommend to other shooters. Next will be one of these two books: The art of learning by Josh Waitskin (a reading tip by Brian Enos) Mind Gym by Gary Mack

Hi Steve it is starting to make more sence to me (after rereading the your post several times). One has to make a distinct difference for match versus training, it's now starting to make sence to me. It will be hard, I will have to train for this. I'll try to figure out how I can improve my mental preperation and training to execute this "mind set" at will. Letting my subconscious determin the outcome of my performance. I'll start with working the the concepts of Lanny B to figure out what my next steps will be to reach this goal. I do like seeing Rob move thrue a stage his sholders never stop moving. Maybe speed is not standing still. I think it is Rob who said it's not about how fast you get there but how fast you get there rteady to shoot.

Thanks Brian good reading tip, I just ordered it after reading the introduction, he studied with a very famous Tai Chi teacher, looking forward to reading the paper version. I'll write a review when I've finished the book. I just ordered Mind Gym by gary Mack a few days before so it might be a few weeks.

Today at dry-fire practice I pushed myself to the point I got sloppy. I discovered I'm more "in control" then I thought. This was a pleasant surprise, consequently with some other drills I did not put any thought in the skill I previously trained. I do not know when a certain skill is refined enough so it's no constraint to my shooting performance. Book tip: The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt Or for a short introduction: http://en.wikipedia...._of_Constraints I tend to refine certain things as long as I know there is room for improvement. This sometimes causes me to loose the big picture. In shooting this leads in not trusting in my abilities and trying to pay attention to them during the actual shooting. The last days during dryfire I shot targets that were not visible at the start. I was required to move into another position to be able to acquire the target. During this training I discovered that I had no visual memory of where the target was, I shot the target instead of the a point in the A-zone. This is were I can save some time. With implementing these things I got my time down. Looking back on it seems obvious, but hey I'm mr Unnatural. Tomorrow during live fire I'll work on acquiring targets that are not visible form the start.

Thank you Steve for the input and the little "mindbomb" you included. My first thought was, but I already do that. Five minutes later, my defensive mind was off and I got the opportunity to take a fresh look at the mindset during matches. At first I thought I'm trying hard to shoot A's, this is why I repair C shots. Please correct if I'm wrong but this is not what Steve is telling me. I've got to shoot only A's the first shot. Every shot has to have a purpose either an A-hit or to knock down steel. Next match my only thought will be seeing (not looking) the A zone and squeezing the trigger. I agree this is hard, if other shooters can do it, so can I. I tend to think to much, especially random thoughts that do not contribute to a better performance. My ADHD is contributing to this a lot. Only when I'm on full or maximum to my ability speed I can stay fully on 1 thought only. I discovered this during a speed reading course I took some years back. At the start my reading speed was about 230 words a minute. I was easily distracted and had to re-read sentences often. By speeding up my reading to about 1200 words a minute (yes this can be reached with a one day training) my mind had no room to wonder off or be easily distracted. My comprehension of the reading was even better then when reading slow. I had a similar experience yesterday when I tried to push myself during dryfire, with a par time of 0,8 seconds and squeezing the trigger I was abel to get a better and more consistent sight picture then on the par time of 1,1. I was less sloppy and was able to shift my focus from the target spot to my front sight without effort, it just happened. Steve is this what you mean by forgetting technique? While thinking on all this I got this déjà-vu thing, as a result of stacked learning. With new insight older information gets a deeper/new meaning or even makes sense, but only since the new or deeper understanding of shooting IPSC. I experienced this very clearly rereading Brians book after 10 years. I don't think it's counter intuitive but I didn't understand the meaning of it. Steve I've got your books and they're a great help giving form and structure to my dryfire routines. Good to see you back on the forum giving valuable advice to fellow shooters. PS sorry for all the "I's" in my post, this is not like me ;-)

hi the last days I've been able to get of my butt and comit to dryfire praxis. One of the things I've been training is movement. To praxis this I've put some reduced targets in the bedrooms. While standing in the corridor I practised my movement whil targeting the targets inside the bedrooms. I got the idea from Dave Re he has an excellent youtube movie on it. So far I've been practising on executing the different movement options (sidestepping vs cross stepping) correct and trying to get a feel for it. With getting a feel for it I mean feeling my balance to figure out when I can start the next movement sooner. For example when I'm crosstepping left to engage a target in the next room, how soon can after I have put the first foot on the ground and still moving the second one. This evening I will tape myself and record my thoughts on the different options. I'll be reviewing them later next week. When I'm confident (or when it doesn't feel unnatural anymore) about the movement I'll mix in some mag changes. The corridor is a bit narrow, I find this limeting and on the other hand it forces me to be precise and execute my movement deliberatly.

An Unnatural gun set-up My current set-up: Nowlin Avenger in 40 S&W, build on a STI frame. I run 14lb spring, a SVI Tungsten guide rod, SVI Ejector and Aftec Extractor. My mags are SVI with +2 pads and SVI (alu) followers. The can hold between 17-18 reloadable and 19 for start (19+1). When I got it the front sight had a fibre optic. I first thoughts where that this was what I needed, but I does not work for me. I tend to squeeze the trigger without having a proper sight picture. I’ve put a broom bristle in it and I prefer it this way. I’ve got a .22 conversion for it form STI. It needed two times a trip to the gunsmith before it functioned ok. I needed an adjusted magazine button to properly seat a magazine and another barrel. My ejector needed some work as well. I’m looking forward to the new metal mags and I’m trying to make an adapter like the one from marvel for GSG magazine. My competition belt is from DAA, holster, belt and mag pouches. I’m currently testing some different mag pouch set ups. I previously had put them to close, as a result I could grab them properly all the time. This was even worse when I put the magnet on the first pouch. It blocks my index finger when grabbing the mag. In the next few weeks I’ll try to make a new metal piece fit the magnetic pouch on the first pouch. My third pouch is now on my back, already slowed me down when having a seated start. Trade of trade of what to do? I’m open for suggestions. I’ve got special shooting glasses from Mueller Manching, they are great for IPSC, highly recommended. See pictures.I've got -5,5 in mu regular glasses. When corrected I have 150% vision. I'm really sensitive for correct glasses. On my shopping list are INOV-8 shoes for indoor use and for outdoor use.

Unnatural Match Resulst The results of my first matches are: Level 2, 44,40 % level 2, 51,65 % level 2, DQ level 2, 70,22 % level 3, 42,77 % (53%) level 2, 65,20 % My first match was an overwhelming experience, lots of misses and penalties. Second match and there after I shot between 92 and 97% of the available points. My level 3 score could have been better. My mags didn’t fit the box so I was bumped to open. In standard I would have made 53%, this was with a zero stage with max 150 match points. I normally do long courses well. If I would compensate for the zero stage I would have been well in 60%. During the matches I had to deal with a lot of malfunctions. This I have finally solved, so no more excuses. During the first 4 matches I was so focused on shooting max points I started making up C-hits and yes I shoot major. It didn’t help my hitfactor a bit because I’m not a fast shooter. On the match I got 70,22% I had only 3 malfunctions costing me over 15s. The main thing was getting my gun reliable to shoot A’s sooner. I’m mostly pleased with my performance as a shooter a little less with my gun and the results of the matches. On the other hand there’s plenty room for improvement so no need to be pitiful. This year I plan to shoot six more level 2 matches and two level 3 matches. The level 3 matches will give me a better reference where I stand as a competitor. Next I’ll post about my gear and set-up.

double post

Last tuesday training was mixed lesson. I had a stressful day at work, and could not let it go during the training. This was the second time in 18 months, the first was after a big argument with my wife. As a result it was no perfect practice, so I'm thinking to not go shooting next time, to prevent bad habit building. There was one good lesson learned, I fell during a movement between positions, our concrete floor is 'slippery' at some places and with the set-up of a training stage we did't pay attention to it. I had my finger outside the trigger gard and could manage to point the gun to back-stop. I fell on my thigh/butt and was still trying to figure out what I was doning on the floor when my buddy who was RO'ing me shouted: Come on get up and continu. To bad my video camera battery died on me 5 minutes before. I'm glad nothing happend and my instinctive reaction is ok. I got a bit more carefull and getting my mind into the shooting was not possible anymore. As a result my movements where uncontrolled and far from economical and I dropped a lot of points. Soemthing I'm not used to. I'm glad it happened the first time at a training and not during a match, it would not only screw up one stage but possibly the whole match. For technique training, I did some table draws with my .22 conversion. The sights have a different set-up this slowed me down when acquiring the target. With a loaded gun my drwas where between 1,55 and 1,70 at a classic target at 12m. I learned more about myself then about the shooting, wich in the end is a satisfying outcome of the training.

I reviewed some of the video I made. For this purpose I make an overlay of two videos, I compared my performance against a buddy who shoots open. I arive first at the first position I have a lead of one full step. He's still faster at the first shot. I needed 2,97 and he needed 2,90. I seem to loose it on entering the position and bringing up the gun and shooting an A. One of the things I can do in the future is keep the gun higher. while remembering the performance I focussed on balance, tension and tempo. This concept is from the golf world. These 3 have a close relationship with each other. When arriving at the first position I need time to find my balance. I may be making a to hard stop by using to much tension to slow down abrupt. The more I think of it I feel like I use to much muscle tension during a stage which slows me down. My movement is not fluent either. I'll try to ad this to my visualisation of a stage, feeling/sensing the correct balance, tension and speed. On the other hand I've got to stop trying to pay "attention" or being aware of to many things during the training. I can only do this when I'm alone on a range.

Reporting on my training as always I could have done better by sticking with my plan. I forgot to write the notes in my training diary and I could not remember all the things I wanted to be aware off or focus on. I video my training sesion and review them afterwards and make overlays from myself and buddies. What I did well is putting my knees a bit more outward, my start got a lot more explosiveve, I arrived 3/10 a second sooner at the shooting position. Bending the knees did improve some, but I still tend to rise once I arrive at the next position. (I did not tell myself to stop doing it) Being wideI forgot, still walking like a "sissy". I did put the translucent tape on my shooting glasses. I put a piece 10mm tape at 32 mm from the center of the tape and glasses, by this it takes away the double sight image and I can still see the rest normal. Only had to close my eye when writing down scores. I think it still have to adjust to it in the next weeks. I still closed my eye on some parts of a training stage. Shot calling and seeing was as always. It was a bit better when I finished with some bill drills. the sooner part happened, only the high and ready still needs to be improved. I do not keep it in the Face Box.

Goal for tonight is: Stance and movement: Putting my knees in the direction of my feet, I have the habit of bending my knees to the inside (old wing chun habit). To get a more explosive movement. Bending my knees more to keep from bouncing. Walking with my feet a bit more wide to keep my balance. Being aware of muscle tension, grip-pressure build up during final extension of the gun. Seeing Putting a translucent tape on my non-dominant eye. Keeping both eyes open, (works during practice not during a match) Seeing the target spot and seeing the front sight. Calling my shots. Sooner Leaving positions sooner after the last shot Keeping the gun high ready all the time Raise my weakhand sooner to meet with my strong hand during the draw. Releasing the weakhand sooner during a reload to get the next mag. Take notes and video and evaluate. Report to my rangelog.

I have the desire to be the best I can in IPSC shooting. To accomplish this I will train all necessary elements that are involved in reaching my goal. The outcome of the journey will be that I’m the best shooter I can be. The result might be winning matches and stuff. My shooting background is long but not meaningful in the sense that I’ve not been able to practice or compete a lot. My first IPSC experience was picking brass at the age of 6 or 7 at the first IPSC matches in the Netherlands. As a youngster I went shooting with my father in the holidays (boar(d)ing school), I was taught by my father and the other shooters at the club. There I learned some basic IPSC stuff and worked the fundamentals. At the time I got the desire to compete my father and the others had all stopped competing for years. The only active shooters I knew back than were some national champions. This gave me the impression that the only way to be competitive was his training regiment, something I could not afford. At the age of 18 I got a Norinco 1911 in 45 for my birthday. With some gunsmithing it ran ok. I competed in some PPC style matches and did some casual IPSC training at my fathers club. When I went to university my shooting practice suffered and I stopped completely. After a pause I picked it up in 2010 and in 2011 I got a permit again. In 2010 I only shot .22 bulls eye type shooting. I’ve been studying every book and video I could put me hand on. So much info it confused me were to start and I get side tracked easily. Deliberate practice is really hard for me. I have adhd and I’m really good at procrastinating things even the things I enjoy. Were I stand now. I’ve shot 6 matches, 5 level 2 and one level 3 match. More to come…results.. I shoot between 92 and 97% of the maximum available points. Best result was 70% percent on a level 2 match. I’ve been struggling to get my gun to work reliable, during the matches I’ve had several malfunctions mainly FTE, this has cost me a lot of time and as a result low hitfactors and little stagepoints. I’ve put an Aftec and a new ejector in it, this seems to have solved the problem. Things I want to work on this year is building better fundamentals to get a solid foundation for future improvement. I rather take my time then to be sloppy and build bad habits. I believe speed is a byproduct of good execution of proper technique. Therefore I’m focusing on doing things sooner. Bad habits, repearing C hits to get max points. It doesn’t improve my hitfactor so I will only repair D hits.

Hi sorry for a bit off topic post. Brandon mentioned this new gun during a mail discusion a few weeks ago when we discusses the new aluminum followers (they're great). Under IPSc it just needs to fit the box. New rules proposal for 2012 includes an additional rule for the way the pistol has to be fitted in the box. The proposal is that the pistol has to be fitted with tel slide paralel to the long side of the box. Brandon told me it would work under the new rules and I could not figure out how. This picture makes evrything clear. Most 5,5 inch guns need to be under an angel to fit the box eg a modified gun. SV cop could tell a bit more on the magwell this one is different as well. Does it still offer enough support and prevents gripping the gun "wrong". This happens with other 5,5" pistols. thanks,

Hi I got some (3) a few weeks ago. I use them in duty mags to fit the IPSC box, I can load the promised 19 in them with some effort. 18 reloadable is no problem. I had to modify the slidestop, first time (at a match) the slide was open with one round left. All my others mags had modified followers, oops. I had no issues with reliability, they work as any other mag. I got some great help from Brandon with the questions I had regarding cutting the coils and adjusting the slide-stop, great service form SVI. They delivered the springs already mounted to the follower. I received my order within 10 days after ordering.

Hi I was wondering if anybody has some experience with the Ultra-Capacity Aluminum Magazine Followers. Looks like this would answer the question. SVI states: This is the product to give you the ultimate advantage of expanded capacity - so important to an IPSC competitor. This follower will allow for 19+1 in a .40 S&W Duty mag, 21+1 in a 40 S&W 140mm mag and 30+1 in a 9mm/38s 170mm mag. this is a picture: Looks promissing to me. I would like to know more about reliability, and if they are 19 reloadable or only to start with. (I shoot standard, duty mags). kind regards, Rick

Solution if you're in doubt of switching your front sight. hi After reading this discussion and a miserable match performance I started doubting my FO choice. I got into the game after a few years and I thought I had to have a FO. I had some trouble of the start with them, less accurate and a hard time to stay focused on the front sight. This part could be posted in the match scew up department ass well. During my first IPSC match, wich means stage briefing 3 minutes walkthrough and being first on the line at a diffecult long course. I was just looking for the targets and trying to be speedy and shoot in control, the last thing didn't work, lots of mikes that resulted in penalties. My first bear-trap was special, it felt like a sucker punc, one shot 3 scores, 2 penalties because I hit two no shoots. see pic. I shot a session without the fibre optic in it, not really a black front sight but allready less distracting. My accuracy improved and so did my confidence. This weekend I took a BLACK fibre from a garden broom and checked how it behaved near a heat source, it behaved just like fibre optic. Size was simular oofcourse. So I changed my gree fibre optic for black one, and I could experience all the positives mentioned in the discussion. My confidence improved, my speed improved (because I could trust my speedometer again) and I could call my shots again, something I had a reaaly hard time with using a fibre optic. So without having to change my front sight I could check my own experience if I preferred a FO or not. If appreciated I can post a pic of the black fibre optic insert. regards PS If some one has a drwaing and some instructions on building a bear-trap please PM me, I need to get better at this.

+1 Ask him to offer it as regular product/option. I want one to (I'm on the waiting list for a new one, hope it's available then) Rick

So if I understand correctly even though the front sight is more distant with a 6" sightradius I'll notice misalignement better/sooner. I thought that the shorter the distance the sooner/better I would notice misalignement. Is this correct? or Is this the result of what happens if you compensate the front sight dimensions to appear the same for a 5 or 6' setup. some more clarification would be welcome? Joe For ipsc I use a standard size frontsight with a green fibre optic and a larger then usual rear sight notch. I chose this set up because I want to be able to pick up the front sight as soon as possible. For me this is harder when the front sight is narrow. So I choose a larger rear sight notch. I have some more then 1/2 width of the front sight o both sides. This is too much for real accuracy work beyond 25 meters (we shoot mostly at indor ranges). I want to have a second handgun or topend for training (shooting matches) accuracy. IPSC is trading accuracy for speed, without accuracy i have nothiong to trade for. That's why I like to shoot accuracy matches as well (as long they are not boring, I need some time pressure). regards, Rick

Hi I'm confused about a gun set up. I want to use it for 'action shooting' that requieres a lot accuracy, like ppc. As I understand there is no proven accuracy improvement in a 6" slide. The differences would be in balance and recoil behaviour. Some say that a 6" would be more accurate then a 5" because of the longer sight radius. But is this real? Isn't this about the realtionship between the front sight an rearsight, how much light one sees when aiming? This effect seems larger then can be gained by a longer sight radius. Please comment on my assumptions? Rick PS moderators I tried the search function but the other threads didn't make sence to me.

Reading the previous posts I find the point made by Aglifter very correct. He points out that there are several forms of grip strength. This also implies there are different form of training for each type of strength. Lifting a cup of coffee involves about 70 muscles (source discovery science the human body). This will be comparable to holding a gun, maybe even more when we're trying to manage recoil. Improving your ability to controle recoil is the object we're trying to achieve, having an ultra strong grip is one way to achieve this. Training for better recoil management should be seen from the whole. I have made this mistake in the past being a rockclimber. I focussed on the wrong things, the result was chronic tendonites in all fingers but my thumbs for over 3 years. The 3 years are the result of ignoring the need for the body to recover from this kind of injuries, I just wasn't able to take enough rest. This history made me nervous for hand excercises like the ones that are mentioned here. They got a bad reputation in the climbing community, because of the injuries that could happen form training to much with these things. something I learned and is usefull for shooting is that you only want to be able to 'tighten' the correct muscles and nothing more. If not muscles other muscles that are needed in recoil control are tight and loose some of there function in recoil control. (reading this sentence I don't think it is clear for everybody but this is my best for now). One of the things I missed but seen elswere on the forum is the distinction in large muscles for strength and small muscles used in motor control. The require a different training approach. My tip would be use different types of training for improving your gripping strenth to improve your recoil control. Rick