Kali

Shot a CM06-03 15.15HF 91.03% and CM13-04 12.57HF 100% replaces 2 of my lower scores for 95.66% average at the next update if my math is right! A59244 Limited

Nice job, 4.4% is a big jump! After last update I'm 92.41% Limited now. A59244

It took me a year to adjust my pace from Production to Limited. In Limited you are still going for A's like in Production, but the pace at which you are collecting them should be faster because when shooting major, the scoring system doesn't penalize you as much as Production for getting a C.

Been a while since I've posted but I left Production for a run in Limited. I'm now... 91.24% Production 90.92% Limited KALI (Andy Z) A59244

thanks for the reply. So it could be the slide was cut for a 45 ejector even though its chambered for 40? Here is a more detailed pic that might explain more... Its like the slide is missing a channel for the ejector to ride in.

delete

I'd like to offer some advice if you will hear it. Having a range log and taking classes and stuff can be beneficial, but it can also be a detriment. I have a friend who is VERY analytical. A competent shooter, Master in IDPA and I think A in Production. He likes to think about everything. How much pressure is in his grip, how much weight distribution in his stance, technical aspects of his draw, who he's competing against, on and on and on. One day we were practicing and he was having a problem with some distance steel about 30 yards out. I could see the gears turning while he was shooting, probably thinking for technical solutions to a non-technical problem. He went though an entire magazine before asking me what he was doing wrong. I told him, "you already know how to shoot, so just shoot the damn plate." He loaded up and hit it on his first shot. Moral of the story, (and I've been here myself) sometimes we think so much about what we want to become and how we want to get there, that we don't focus on what we are doing at the moment we are doing it. To use an analogy, rushing through the forest to get to the other side and not realizing all the things you missed along the way. Its good to plan and have goals, but at some point you have to let all that crap go, trust yourself and just shoot the damn targets without any hope or expectation. In short, focus less on planning and more on the "doing" and what it takes to get into that state of mind (which is totally opposite of the planning state of mind). Don't think, feel. Also, it may help to focus on non-numeric goals, instead focus on feelings or emotions. Like what did you feel when you performed in a positive way. Were you relaxed, in control, confident, etc? We all know what those means by definition, but to be aware of the feelings as they are happening is empowering. Then make it a goal to try to feel that way again at the next match. These types of keys are more likely to trigger the positive emotional response that is required to get into your zone. Skill is only half the answer. Every time you compete, one of your goals should be to maximize the skill you currently have at that moment. Allow yourself to deliver your peak performance. You may get beat by others, but at least won't beat yourself. The most unsatisfying feeling for me is loosing a match that I know I could have won had I allowed myself to just shoot. I'm fine with someone beating me when I'm shooting my best, because its an honest assessment of where I am.

time to start practicing

replace the 1100 lifter with an 870 lifter. You loose the bolt hold open but it loads easy like an 870 (no button or EZ loader) and the gun seems to run faster.

IMHO, the speed/hit ratio for IDPA is really close to the pace of shooting Production minor as opposed to shooting Limited Major.

With the current rules, its one of those things that has to be called on the spot by the SO. For example, off the draw, an array (which has a total of 10 shots) has a long hallway leading up to it. An experienced shooter racks the slide on the way so he can go to slide lock after engaging the array. Creative round dumping and maybe a FTDR? The only thing different from the experienced shooter example and a new shooter racking the slide by mistake is the perceived intent of the shooter by the SO. As an SO you really don't know if it was intentional or not. Maybe the shooter legitimately thought he forgot to chamber a round on LAMR.

For USPSA skill development I practice a combination of Dryfire, Airsoft and Livefire practice, but don't neglect physical and mental development. Developing the mental fortitude to go "1 more mile" on the treadmill goes a long way. You can work on mental aspects in many different ways doing things not even related to shooting. The Chinese use the term Kung Fu to refer to skill achieved through work and practice (i.e.: Mastery of a skill). The same way that Kung Fu goes beyond Martial Arts, mental development for USPSA goes beyond the range.

Your form will develop if you let it, reversing a negative self-image will be much harder if you go down that path. You don't need anyone yelling at you, you just need to pay attention and watch what the shooting is telling you.

That Trusight you posted looks like a 4" slide not 5"? Good idea though, maybe STI should re-release it using a 5" Eagle slide?

Start from a state of relaxation. In that second video you started out smooth then midway through, it looked like you weren't giving yourself a chance to settle before drawing again. Also, having too much tension slows the muscles down. Try getting a plyometric explosion off the beep, then coast into the shot. Think about throwing a punch. If you hold tension though the entire punch it will be slower than a punch that is launched quickly and powerfully but allowed to travel to the target without tension.

Yup...the word "always" throws a wrench in it. While its "possible" that a great iron sight shooter can beat a great Open shooter, its not probable. If there were a "5 gun Championship" with a cumulative scoring format I could see someone like Vogel possibly having an advantage using the same or similar gun for 3 divisions though. And isn't a revolver trigger about like a Glock trigger? (jk)

Not the Nationals, but Bob Vogel against good competition ( Dave Sevigny, Shannon Smith, Max Michel, BJ Norris, David Olhasso, Manny Bragg, Angus Hobdell) won Open at the 2009 ProAm using his iron sight Limited Glock (which is essentially a modified Production gun)!

Sounds like a range malfunction/reshoot to me.

Most people go for the Edge because the extra weight in the front helps a little with recoil management when using Major loads. 9mm will be even more manageable but you need to decide if the extra weight is worth the extra control. If I were setting up a 9mm minor gun I'd probably prefer the Eagle, YMMV.

should be fun St. Augustine is a cool little town.

I think a lot of it has to do with timing. Its impossible to always maintain the high level of focus that allows you to shoot your best every time you shoot. The better shooters always appear to have good days because there skill/talent are above the majority of shooters, but I'll bet they don't always shoot to the best of there ability. They are skilled and talented enough to manage a bad day and still eek out a win. If you look at other sports like golf, the top players follow a strict Periodization schedule leading up to a big match. Periodization is a method of training that helps you peak at the right time leading up to a big event. It also allows you to bottom out so you can start your next climb up for the next event. It works on the theory of wave making. You need lulls in the action in order to peak. The goal is to hit the big match on a high. In time (experience) you learn to push the right buttons at the right times so that you are ready when you need to be ready and take time off when you need to. After a big match I'm mentally and physically spent. Many times I can already tell that my performance the next weekend will not be my best. Sometimes I don't shoot at all, and if I do, I understand where I am in my training schedule and accept it.

A metronome is a device usually used by musicians (my daughter is taking piano lessons and has one) to help in developing a steady tempo. It produces a settable beat or tick per minute. I've also seen it used in martial arts/boxing for timing drills. I've used it in dryfire to get my transitions up to the speed of my splits but use it cautiously because it could re-enforce shoot from a set cadence instead of seeing what the sights are doing.

no more classifiers once you get MA either though match bump or classifier.

IMO, a neutral position (no hunch) is a better reference point since its more repeatable and fluid. If you hold yourself with tension (hunching), it might not be exactly the same day to day and that might change your NPA. In other sports, like basketball there are MANY pros that have unconventional shooting strokes. You can see it most obviously at the free-throw line. Some have perfect form and some look awkward. As long as it goes in the basket does it matter? Typically the shooters with the better form have higher shooting percentages. In golf, when Tiger Woods was dominating, he made an effort to change his stroke thinking a small adjustment would make him even better. Why would someone on top of the game change what's working for them? If you feel its worth the time and effort, don't be afraid to make a change, you can always go back.

I look at Production vs Limited like SCCA Racing Car Classifications. Most people get started in Showroom Stock or Production. With some safety modifications you can race a street car that anyone can buy. Its affordable and usually you race against other new people getting into the sport. Its the entry level Division. Touring/Formula is more like Limited Division. Cost of admission is higher just to be in the race. A new driver probably could race a honda civic (Production) against custom built race cars (Limited) but you're going to loose and probably get frustrated coming in last all the time. I started in IDPA and Production and made master. I took time to build up my skill and resources and now I'm shooting Limited for the first time this year. It was a natural progression for me. I'm guessing that I will progress faster in Limited than I did in Production because I was able to learn the game at a lower cost against good competition in Production.