SiG Lady

T-Loop & EricW-- There are times when I do a personal news blackout (stop watching news for about one week) and the reduction in stress levels is a-MAY-zing. I haven't done it in awhile--I'm overdue for one. Our local newspaper (even though nicely formatted) is a joke... outdated old AP wire stories that I heard two weeks earlier on NPR and read a full month ago in the Wall Street Journal. (The letters to the editor are really cool, though, and that's why many of us keep reading it. It's obviously the only real thing in the paper! ) With all the myriad overwhelming problems and issues in our local communities, our country and in our minds, GUNS are the least of our worries. PS--While we're on the subject of 'corporate' nonsense: Working for a corporate broadcasting outlet is a living hell. Broadcast outlets should be managed (and owned) strictly locally. Whatthehell does some corporate speed freak somewhere east of the Mississippi (in this case) know about OUR community needs and issues...??!! Usually nothing. After 16 yrs in media I blew it off. Nothing was local any more and the clones that now work in radio stations (for the most part) have it all wrong. That's my rant. (Line seen in cartoon of disc jockey speaking) "It's 3 o'clock at Echo-95, where we take your 12 favrite songs and make you sick of them as soon as possible..."

Not only that, he stays up all night to post! Have you noticed the posting times on ¾'s messages..?! (Edited by SiG Lady at 9:19 am on Oct. 9, 2002)

A year or so ago I was fed up with Oregon and thought of returning to Kalifornia--if for nothing else, a little less rain. But then I did research on the gun laws there.... Holy moley, I may never go back to Kalifornia for anything after what I found out! Jeez! Most of the people I know (or have known) who are touchy about guns simply don't know anything about them!. Period. Sheer ignorance! (and yes, the media certainly hasn't helped!!) One friend of mine (adult male) still thinks Glocks are made entirely of plastic and can sneak thru airport security. I set him straight. The fear campaign out there is ridiculous AND insidious!

Phred-- Some time ago I actually put myself on the e-mailing list of SiGARMS Academy just to stay informed about their offerings. Yes, their NH location is a tad out of the way but almost everything is out of the way of Oregon--in more ways than one. The trigger feels OK for the time being and I'll probably leave both pistols stock until my skills meet my expectations (strictly a subjective assessment)... or unless something breaks down. But it sounds like that's unlikely. Yeh, I do clean the things somewhat religiously after range sessions. Just playin' it safe and tryin' to abide by maintenance rules. Sometimes it feels like just another damn' chore, but more often than not it's a good opportunity to routinely inspect them and think about my next practice session. So far the SiGs have been pretty forgiving about my use of 'em. If I'm abusing them in any way, they haven't complained.

benos-- ...and boy, are we doing a lot of that on this Website! (line of dialogue seen in a cartoon frame): "Be careful... our thoughts send tiny vibrations into the universe which reverberate until they physically manifest themselves as the fulfullment of our wishes." So go have a happy reverberation or something! (Edited by SiG Lady at 7:48 am on Oct. 9, 2002)

DT-- Thanks for the tip about Laser Cast... I'm adding it to the seriously growing research list. I have my work cut out for me. But actually it won't be work. The SiGs have, as you say, been reliable--though my P229 has yet to see as much regular use as the P239. Both pistols have a great feel (at least for this lady) and if I apply proper fundamentals they perform incredibly. Interestingly, they do have a nice reputation... people often want to know what I'm shooting, so when I show them their eyebrows visibly rise about a ¼ inch or so. It's amusing. Now all I need to do is earn the right to that reputation by my own performance. The only changes I made to both pistols were full Hogue rubber grips, replacing the plastic ones. I loathe the feel of plastic despite its ubiquity in the industry right now. The rubber grips feel so much more, well, organic--like leather. I just shoot it and clean it and shoot it and clean it. And show 'em off sometimes.

LFR-- I may have used the work "exercises" (for lack of better word at that moment) incorrectly when I probably meant something more like "protocols" or "procedures"... as opposed to "drills" or "practice-to-get-better" exercises. Apologies for the ambiguity. BSvrs-- Thanks for the totally insightful post. I'm printing out all these responses for follow-up. I'm in Eugene, Oregon, but have a medical problem with left hip and may need serious treatment. Can't handle dashing from stage to stage in competition at the moment. (Will have medical verdict Friday.) I do know a couple of IPSC shooters... just haven't pursued it due to aforementioned condition. However, it wouldn't hurt to know more people in IPSC in case we have entirely different contacts... or even if they overlap--all the better. Have no intention of "quitting", you betcha. If there's a determined, dead-damn-serious and passionate person dedicated to mastery anywhere it's yerz truly. I'm not a threat to other shooters (yet!) who've been at it for 10-20 years, but come next spring I should be quite consistent IF my progress continues at its present rate. Just a matter of good practice and more good practice. And more good practice. And not getting upset if I blow a target during league. The indoor league action feels like I'm being subjected to a series of high-level pop quizzes. By engaging in league I'm forcing myself to learn faster and endure the pain of making the occasional mistake here 'n there (in public!)... and not going suicidal as a result. But rather looking for ways to improve... at all times.

BSvrs-- How about 9mm and .40S&W ammo suitable for target practice and for indoor bullseye competition... How about the Sig Sauer line, in particular my P-239 and P-229... How about the basics of IPSC, for starters... Thanks. 3/4-- Have read War and Peace (and numerous other Russian literary works) when I majored in Russian Lit and Russian Language in college. (A. Chekhov was my special area of study). I think The Book will probably be here before I could dash thru W&P a second time ! Nice try, though. Actually, I'll probably try and get thru my latest issue of Gun Tests before The Book arrives... Phred-- I can look into Matt's DVD as soon as The Book is digested a bit and the home office computer system is upgraded to allow for such function. Flex$$-- Will pursue the Sierra thing. Thanx. Appreciate it. Now, see? I just received more info in eight hours than I've received in six months of poking around and asking live people I happen to know personally. Just last night I was reflecting on how the Internet has changed our lives in terms of information exchange and rapid transmittal of data and knowledge (and entertainment)... need I say more...?

I was dyin' to read the book the moment I discovered it was available. One of the two will arrive eventually (maybe both). If it's as magical as this lively Website, then it's everything I might've expected... and then some. Probably then some. Besides tips on improving my shooting and conditioning my attitude, what I also found that I really needed was: --fundamental info on ammo types --fundamental info on gunsmithing (or perhaps specific publications about the 'smithing of my particular type of handguns) --fundamental info on basic ballistics --funadamental data on how competition exercises are conducted and what their objectives are These types of publications are not the kind of thing you find on the shelves of local bookstores, of course. Your collective suggestions for additional publications on any of these subjects gratefully received. Lord knows a great many of you are expert-level folks with the knowledge and backgrounds to support it.

That's a lot of life issues in eleven lines...!

I was chit-chatting about all this over the weekend with an experienced shooter and he said, "It's the buzzer." Meaning that as soon as we're pressured by a performance time constraint we lose our little Zen-y principles (to varying degrees depending upon experience) and freak too easily. He said it takes about three years to get over it. I said, "Stewart, I don't have three years let alone three months, even. I have about three days!!! (both LOL'd) So... I have to go out and mortify myself (have a good time) again tonight at league action. Wish me luck.

et45-- Hmmm... that IS a long time. And I've heard of such things--and even experienced such things... but not for a long time. But in this particular it's been since mid-September and The Book hasn't arrived. On the other hand, Brian and I decided on a second shipment... and I promised to send back one of the two books should they both (someday) aririve. So, it's been resolved... as long as the second book does in fact arrive.

I'll take both(!). I may be working hard at this or that drill to eradicate weaknesses but seem to have no problem at all with prone shooting (whereas some other folks I know are). Years ago when I still had my physical thing together, my bellydancing instructor said my best work was (what we called) floorwork. I wonder if there's a correlation...?

UBill... I'll take that as a compliment.

LOL LOL LOL Would you care for 9emmemm or 40essendubya...?

After last Monday's first (of seven) match sessions--where I frankly rediscovered my weak areas --I made a short list of firing exercises to practice today and did them. The best way to turn these 'negative' little 'weak areas' around was to work them away through diligent and mindful drills and practices. Merely performing these drills implied positive progress. Today's practice session was truly a work session. And those ALWAYS bring positive results. There was no 'play' on the range today. Importantly, I'm not afraid to identify and face my 'weak' spots. I'll never be a decent shooter by avoiding them.

TDean-- ...or who's sitting around the table where we schmooze/eat/drink that day! (Yep, and the coffee helps! Liquid rev-up.) Well, I gotta go to the range. 'See if I can earn some bragging rights!

When I finish a practice session my rangeowner/manager always asks me how I did. If I had a great practice session I always let him know I did; or if it was only so-so, I might say so but not dwell on it too much. Then he inevitably offers me some pie or cake. Then comes the gourmet coffee. How much I brag on a given day or how much I complain depends upon who is listening.........

Mmmm... Good gourmet coffee is always worth it. I just don't drink as much of it as I used to before I shoot. As much as I want after, however. (Edited by SiG Lady at 3:53 pm on Oct. 4, 2002)

I may not have to report anything. His post was public and he took the risk. (My reply would've likely been the same anyway.)

Well, not because I go around "wishing people away", I assure you..! (I'm sure this guy's departure was some kind of medical coincidence.)(But you still have to be careful what you wish for......) I'll just start wishing for perfect targets instead.

All it takes is a decision, then an act of will. Do it and go there. Go there and do it.

Detachment is the key.

Well! Sometimes bad things DO happen to bad people (the heart attack). Let's hope he sees it as his wake-up call. The Be-Careful-What-You-Wish-For Dept: Our maintenance super here at the residence complex made a pass at me over the summer and I made sure management knew about it. But he was a little persistent , even asking my elderly mother (who lives here, too) about me, etc. I just said to myself, "Jeez, I wish he'd just go away..." A month later he died. I have decent employers at the moment (no need to wish them away! They even find amusement in my shooting sport), but I've had bad ones... insane ones... cruel ones... incompetent ones. I ditched them all straightaway in favor of my insanity.

BSeevers-- This is precisely what we at the range keep saying to each other... just to keep it fresh and top-of-mind. Of course, it's true. In the heat of a match (which feels like standing atop a large ball bearing wearing ice skates) it's so easy to, well, forget this vital mindset. And, yes, I'm still waiting for THE BOOK (sorry about the caps). If it was sent UPS (caps permitted there) then the good folks in Arizona will have to conduct the trace. If it came snail-mail, then I'm not certain who is responsible for the trace.