Dave S

One thing Chris didn`t mention is the while the "grab the butt" is faster, you gotta have an amby safety cause you can`t get it off with your strong hand thumb since it`s now low on the grip

I go through this often and seem to be stalled at my current level at times. The only advice I have is in Saul Kirsch's book: "Thinking Practical Shooting." Forget the bad days/runs. They are poison. And when you come off a bad stage, you NEED to be able to forget it or it will kill the rest of the match. Attitude is a downward spiral (or upward spiral). Focus on what you did well. I had a crappy run yesterday and hit 3 penalty targets, but I cleared a texas star quickly, shot another array accurately (all As) and two of my NSs were on the perf (edge of A zone on the target). The other one I made up immediately because I recognized the poor sight picture and shot it again before I saw the hole. So I think, well, I need to work on sight picture and trigger control, but I'm now a good Texas Star shooter. And I'll get faster when I learn to trust my eyes enough to move on when I "know" I've got a hit. It's amazing that when I thought I was a bad star shooter I would miss. But when I visualize the hits, they happen. That's my advice. I'm by no means a great shooter, but I feel much better after the match when I focus on the ground that I've gained, and immediately forget about the mistakes. My next crucial step is to recall the memory of the mistakes later so I can practice what I need to work on. PS: I did what you did at Area 6 - then I read the book: I swear he must have been following me around documenting all I was doing wrong attitude-wise. I highly agree and really liked Saul`s book. Good reading about the mental game within us all

I agreee with the lack of sleep issue and not doing well, but most time`s I just want to be at the match. I always learn something that will help me later no matter how well I do.

about 15K for me. Switched from Production .40`s to Open .38 Super

OK here is the idea. It is basicly the El Prez. BUT here is the twist start with gun unloaded AND holstered, so you turn,load,rack slide,ect... And call it El Conquistador ( El = means THE and Conquistador = means conquer) The Conquer Wouldn't be legal under the current rules... neither is the El Prez for that matter. Care to elaborate? Corey, the first thing that comes to mind... To become a "classifier" it must be shot at a level III and also have the appropriate number of GMs shooting it, to give us a baseline HF. Until a stage has been accepted as a "classifier" it needs to comply with the rules of stage design. 1.1.5 says it must be "Freestyle" and the exceptions are Standards or Classifiers, but since it hasn't been shot at a Level III yet, it's not a "classifier" (Can;t dictate mandatory reloads, shooting positions, or locations, the use of a box etc etc) and therefore can not take the classifier exemption under 1.1.5.2 which basically is there to grandfather classifiers which do not comply with current rules. It is my understanding that all "illegal" classifiers will eventually be phased out as legal ones are shot and hf obtained. JT So the most famous of all classifiers hasn't even been shot at a area match yet? No, that's not what I'm saying, I'm saying that today you could not get the El Prez sanctioned as a classifier because it does not comply with the rules of stage design for level II-III. Since all new classifiers must comply with the rules BEFORE they may become a classifier, it would not be able to be shot because it does not comply and would be deemed to be an illegal stage for the reasons I stated above. Furthermore, it is my understanding that the "classifier exemption" is there to make a loophole by which the old classifiers may be shot under the rules, until they get more classifiers in the database. I would think when they have more stages in the database the exception would then be removed from the rules. On a personal note, I would not like to see the El Prez go away. Geez Jim, I hate it when you`re right

Put it on your keychain....as a reminder?

Where would you come up with the people to do that? It sounds good, but might be hard to get enough people to do it. Yeah and who's gonna watch them...the RO's?????

I'm gonna be in Los Angles around the Redondo Beach area and wondered if there might be a club that will accept guest shooters?

There is another point here that IMO is being overlooked. By far the first job of the RO is the safety of the COF. However too often the situation is that there is an RO and then someone keeping score, not really paying attention to what is happening during the shooters run. I hate that as an RO. I want someone behind me watching for faults, range failures and anything else I don't see while watch the shooter and gun. At the very least the RO should brief his "assistant" on what is expected.

I don't know about the XD9 but I shoot an XD40 and have found keeping the PF up around 145 greatly improves accuracy and reliability. On my XD40 I run a tungsten guide rod from Pistol Gear [made by Canyon Creek] and a 15# wolf spring with a lightned slide. (18 is factory on the XD40) If you put the heavier guide rod in keep the +2.0 oz weight restriction in mind. A tungesten Guide Rod from PG/CC adds 3.25 oz.............. $80 and drops in. Would make a nice gift.

I would think you could contact Rich at Canyon Creek and get your parts?

I've got one Built by Rich. All his goodies....trigger, magwell, extended base pads, tungsten guide rod. Gun is very fast, accurate, and reliable. Would highly recommend the XDm

Weather was incredible. People were great. Match a touch on the disorganized side but hey, first ones always are. Stages were good with a total [minimum] round count of 512. I went through just under 800 rounds. Ya gotta go next year. Here's a big thank you to Tom and Ray for a good time and great match.

I can't say enough good about S&S casting. I shoot with Jim every month.....great guy who produces a superior product. I personally shoot his 40S&W 140 FP for production.....I've loaded and shot 10,000