Melinda

I think this will be great fun! Something a bit different from the usual. Count me in, because can you ever really be prepared enough when it comes to neutralizing zombies??

Sounds great Dean! I'll also help in any way I can. Thanks for trying to incorporate another USPSA match into the sport for us.

I'd be grateful for any opportunity to shoot another USPSA match during the month. Hopefully a lot of other USPSA shooters would feel the same!

John (my sweetheart ) Me and Cliff Walsh at the Cup, June 2010

Match results finally posted on the internet!

Many thanks to Frank Glover and his family, all the S.O.'s, sponsors/vendors, and everyone who had a hand in working to give us a great Carolina Cup to shoot this year! Congrats to all the shooters who won in their classes and divisions! I'm already looking forward to next year

I'll second ( or third ) that comment. It was a long drive from Greenville,SC but it was well worth it. I look forward to putting the knowledge and skills to use at my local match. Sent in my final exam last night, so I'm eager to see how I did. I haven't finished my exam yet. But by the time I'm finished I should know that book like the back of my hand (which I dare say is the point, yes?)... I plan to get my paperwork in early next week after the Carolina Cup is over. Don't forget to add the changes and updates from the workbook into your Rule Book

And me too! Gotta put that RO training to good use, right? We'll do what we can to pitch in...

USPSA at Caswell would be great... Dean - I think, in fact, John has just been talking to you about this...

Yes - a big thank you to everyone who made possible the RO at class at Pitt Co. USPSA is a fabulous association, and I'm glad they have men like George Jones who are such tremendously effective spokemen for the sport. I'd encourage anyone who shoots USPSA to take the RO Level 1 Seminar. It can do nothing but help you to know more about the rules, protocol, range commands, penalties, scoring, SAFETY, etc. These things might not perhaps make you a better shooter, but - if nothing else - a smarter competitor. And it is never a bad thing to exercise your brain and just learn something new! So - to you guys that JZ and I know and shoot with fairly often at the local matches that were also in class this past weekend... Hope we'll all soon get to start practicing through application what we learned in class! See you at the range

Congratulations on your wins, John. I'm proud of you hon!

If there's fun to be had, you'll find it at Dean & Bev's. They work so hard to make sure their matches are first class. I truly enjoyed shooting on Friday and working on Saturday, and hope that everyone who participated in the IDPA NC State match will also return for the IDPA East Coast match in August. There's no telling WHAT kind of stages Dean will surprise us with next!

Wanted to add my congratulations to Paul as well! Way to go!

If John wins, you got a deal. If I win, you get a Cliff is better than Josh tattoo. Not that I have a chance of beating "THE GREAT ONE" but if I did, the last thing I would want is my name anywhere near Cliff's tramp stamp zone, 3 non-threats and 2 double mikes complete with failure to engage oughtta keep my name out of places it don't belong Babe, you gotta win to save my skin - literally!

Cliff - if John wins, I think you should get a "John Z Sr is my Hero" tattoo. You'd look adorable with a tramp stamp to go with your thong. Just make sure you wear your low rise pants so it's always visible!

Hi Jr, it's your range mom Of course my loyalty first and foremost goes to your dad, but you know you'd be the next one I'd pick! I'd love to see you win it!

So you're in the Coastal NC area? Do you ever shoot Pitt County USPSA or Sir Walter in Creedmoor? I can't help but wonder if John and I have ever crossed paths with you and maybe we didn't know it. I'm still finding out that I know some people here on the forum from matches we've shot with them before. You scored Marksman in ESR; do you shoot revolver much? How interesting that you comment on visualization. John bought a video recently (I don't even remember the title of it, he's watched some of it but I haven't watched any, seems we're always too busy when I'm at his house to make time for much TV) but I believe that the mental aspect of shooting and visualizing the stages beforehand are the major points in it. John tells me he's doing that before he shoots a stage, I usually forget to try it. Like most people seem to do, I do it during my walk through as I'm planning how to approach each target, where to plan for reloads, where I might need to watch for non-threats, looking for steel, etc. I'm going to make a concerted effort to give this visualization thing a try and see what happens...

Hopefully my dry firing techniques are correct. I try to be very deliberate and focused when I do it so I make sure I'm not reinforcing bad habits. And you are absolutely right: being in the company of other expert and master shooters is immensely helpful. I've become acquainted with several who are more than willing to answer questions, give advice, watch me during the matches and offer suggestions/corrections, etc. This is a wonderful sport, and I've met the greatest people... And being able to talk to folks on the forum and get positive feedback is absolutely a terrific tool as well!

Funny you should say that. John Z Sr and I had already decided that after each match (if the opportunity is there at whatever range we're at), we are going to run a practice classifier. He shoots a revolver too.

Thanks to all for the posts. They do help give me a gauge for how I'm shooting. Since everyone else was sharing their input, I'll give you my history... I began shooting in December 2009 - 4 months ago - with a 686 revolver. But I never shot a classifier with it. I made a switch in mid February when I bought my Glock 17 and began shooting that. I first shot the classifier three weeks ago, coming in at 154 raw time, 88 added in downs to total 242. Since then at each match (whether IDPA or USPSA, and I shoot Saturday and Sunday every weekend and dry fire almost every night during the week for at least 30-45 minutes), I've been concentrating on accuracy, not focusing so much on time. I shot the classifier again this past Sunday (just as practice, not officially), and came in with 149 raw time, and had 50 added in downs to total 199. So hopefully whatever I'm doing is working! Maybe I just had a lucky day the last time I shot the classifier, and who knows, the next practice run on it could be back over the 210 needed to qualify as Marksman. I do completely appreciate the importance of the head shots in the first portion, and also getting more accurate hits in the third portion of the classifier from the farther distances. Wish me luck, I want to make Sharpshooter in the not too distant future It may not be a realistic goal considering my very limited experience, but hey - it's never too late to "shoot" for the stars, and I don't give up!

Would anyone like to share with me how long it took them to move from a 'Novice' new shooter to a Marksman level shooter? Any gun, any division, doesn't matter; I'm curious as to what the time frame has been for most people. Thanks for any and all responses!

Hi Cliff. I'm looking forward to shooting with you at the ICORE match in May and also the SC match in April. I'll be shooting revolver again - obviously - at ICORE (although I must warn you it may be painful to watch because speedloaders don't like me...), and any advice from the Champ would be humbly appreciated! This Glock Chick can use all the revolver insight she can get, although I must give praise to John, for he's been fabulous with all the help, instruction and encouragement he's given me. Also, in light of the fact that I've been persuaded by the President of your NC fan club to become the first groupie in your entourage, I must give proper deference to your request about 'making room' for your revolver as long as it doesn't hog the cover

Thanks for the advice and suggestions, they are appreciated. Since I've been shooting the Glock I've had no more issues with bruising or soreness. I just happened to notice the knot on my thumb joint, which I think the comments from Kevin C largely explains the cause. I do practice quite a bit of dry firing almost every night during the week, and proper grip is really something I've been attempting to get ingrained as second nature, but as I'm new to shooting everything is work in progress at present. Such is life, is it not?