patchman

Controlling your gun is not just how tight you can grip the gun. Too tight will cause tremors or shaking. Too loose the gun is out of control. When you practice dry firing (* your gun is safe and clear* ) with your weak hand grasp the slide and force the gun into the web of your strong hand. As high as you can get your hand. This gives you the highest grip on your gun you can get. Getting your hand as close to the axis of the slide will grant you the most available control of the muzzle flip. Timing your grip just won't work. I don't think you could do that given the splits. Pushing the gun is bad. If you see one of really good shooters almost fall forward on a malfunction it is because one of the basics of a solid shooting platform is to put about 60% of your body weight on the balls of your feet. Standing holding your gun in your shooting stance you should almost fall forward. Look at any of the GM's shooting in a static position and you will see an aggressive stance forward. Pushing your gun causes flinching or jerking. Gripping too tightly causes shaking and trigger freeze. You will always hear "smooth is fast". That's because everything is working together. Try a high, consistent grip with an aggressive forward stance. Break down your draw so you grip your gun exactly right out of the holster. I have a dent and callus on the knuckle of my trigger finger where the ambi safety digs in. Good luck.

Since you are new, ( to shooting or the sport ? )the distance depends on you. Not everyone can start out and shoot good groups at 25 yds. You will burn lots of ammo and get 0 reliable results. That is why we have a class system, for matching ability. Start out as close as you can shoot a good group. Then begin to move out. Putting 3-5 rds in one hole feels great even if it's at 10 ft. Don't depend on the one hole thing. As you gain confidence in your ability and equipment you will be able to move out the distance and get real results for your tests. I have embarrassed myself many times over the last 27 years of shooting competition from B class to Master. Good luck. DVC

I have not found an easy way. But try M-PRO 7 gun cleaner. Doesn't harm finishes. I still used a small flat blade screwdriver as well, but the cleaner made it much easier. Check your local gun shop or check out Brownells.com. It's about $10 bucks.

I am new to this forum. Not new to the sport. When I started, around 1981, a race gun was a 1911 .45 ACP w/ speed trigger,trigger job, ambi safety, and adj. sights. Lots of good advice to new shooters here. You new guys and gals have a leg up in this sport with all the info. I can only add, always be safe in practice cause you will do in a match what you do in practice. Try not to listen to the timing of shots of more seasoned shooters as they run a stage or you may try to shoot beyond your ability. This always ends up with a poorly executed stage. Shoot to your ability and hit what you aim at. The speed will come. Smooth is FAST. Most of us must pay our dues. And some are just naturals. Be patient and most of all safe. If you shoot enough you will probably have an AD. It is just a fact. And if you practice safety in practice you will be safe if this ever happens to you. Use the equipment you have. Look at what others are using. Check out what you like. It won't be the last equipment you buy. And nothing lasts forever. As you progress so will your equipment. Good luck and safe shooting. DVC