Standby!

I believe that is a safe assumption, and that is has been my experience, as I'm new too. The stage procedures will include hard fast rules on some stages, so pay attention to those. They are posted on every stage for everyone to view. Make the best of the walk through and once you've made your best plan stick with it. The good thing is, you are allowed to ask questions and you usually direct those questions to the RO (range officer) in your squad. You won't gain anything by trying to be competitive at your first few matches, there is plenty of time for that after the fundamentals are drilled in your head. Start with safety, including safe gun handling and understanding the rules. If you get DQ'd it doesn't matter how well you can shoot, or how fast. The theme when first starting out is safety, and parking the pride in order to learn. I was very fortunate to meet some very good people who got me involved in this sport in the first place, that helped me on more than one occasion. I have yet to meet anyone at a match who was not helpful and friendly.

Someone told me "Focus on the future, you can't change what's already done"

I'm new and this is my 5th match shot July 17th. Production 46 12.42 3.7037

I'm sort of confused on classification as well..are the scores they use to classify you the actual stages, or the percentage you place in your class? I had a 5 classifier match in mid July, so I assume those scores will be entered in August. Thanks for any clarification you can give!

Here are some more examples: Staring right and running left.. Hope this helps!

Here are some examples of what I'm talking about in my first post..that's me..reloading running right..and reloading running left. Shot's captured from video: On this stage I could have started in the right side box, and ran left..I didn't I started on the righ and worked left here see the difference?

Thank you! I appreciate the kudos and the tips!!

Here is a link to the classifiers http://www.uspsa.org/classifiers/ If you browse these you will understand what I meant.

I'm still new but here are my observations..I shoot left handed. It's easier for a lefty to reload running to the left, and easier on some courses to dq on the 180 rule if you are not careful. Run as many courses from right to left as practical, keeping in mind where you finish, and how you will get there. The stage procedures dictate how the course must start and end..it's up to you to figure out the best way to shoot the stage. I did shoot some stages the same way as right handers, because I didn't know I could run the stage differently..now you know.

Shot this one at the last match, July 17th, 5th match to date. Production Class 48 8.80 5.4545

I ride a lot..and I'm lucky enough to be able to ride from my garage to the mtb trails..I also enjoy night riding..so of course I had to..

Here are some more random shots.. The wife playing peekaboo on the mtb trails Our local mtb trail The wife climbing.. Pea Ridge National Battlefield Museum..Ironic?

.1768 on second try..my mouse needs stoned. 1. 0.166 2. 0.218 3. 0.167 4. 0.167 5. 0.166 Average = 0.1768 After several AD's becasue of that faker sheep in the middle! 0.1632 is my best average.

You should be! As to your disadvantage, it might be, but probably not if you work out a grip that works for you. It is certainly nothing in the face of the natural talent that has allowed you to pick up the sport so quickly Thank you Sir!

Am I the only one who deosn't see any pics? Ahh I can see them at home..nice job!

It's an effect in the camera that just blurs the foreground and background while allowing you to keep what you want in focus. I used to haul my Canon Rebel DSLR around but recently switched to a 14 megapixel full function point and shoot from Canon, for portability. I give up some by using this camera, but not much..so it's worth it. I Paid around $240 for the camera the model is a Canon Powershot SX210 IS. The only software I have for image editing is GIMP, a free program that works really well..especially for free! These images have had a minor amount of color levels and a pinch of contrast, that's all. Nothing fancy going on here.

Thank you!!

Some recent shots.. Slaughter Pen Hollow MTB Trail Bentonville, AR The Bentonville Public Library, enroute from the trails to home.

This doesn't belong in the Match Screw-Ups forum. Everyone starts out like this. I sure did. I started out by trying to shoot each stage clean, mostly because that's the kind of shooting I was used to beforehand. Now, 9 months later, I'm starting to build the speed in after drilling the crap out of draws, reloads, transitions, etc. Now, I said all that before I watched the video. I don't know what you're complaining about, you actually look REALLY GOOD for it being your 2nd match. Like vluc said, don't use your gun like a golf club. The only other thing that's even worth bringing up is your grip/stance. Are your elbows locked out? If so, I would highly recommend keeping them bent. Locking them out places too high of stress on your elbow joints, instead of the muscles in your arms. Other than that, quicker reloads and faster stage movement will come with experience and repetition. The speed of your actual shooting is great. Thanks! I have a little bit of what some would call a disadvantage as far as grip/stance. My right arm is nearly 3 inches shorter than my left due ot the ignorance of youth, a bicycle, a sheet of plywood, bricks, and too much time on my hands! I try to make a conscious effort not to lock them out. I appreciate the kudos, and since I've posted this I have attended 3 more matches. The most recent was an all qualifier match, except for one 32 round all steel stage. There were 50 entrants and I placed 16th overall, in combined divisions and 8th out of 20 in my division (production). I'm very happy with my how things are progressing! These were the stages at the last event: Stage 1 - Paper Poppers Stage 2 - Steeler Standards Stage 3 - Crackerjack Stage 4 - Gloden Bullet Standards Stage 5 - Times Two Stage 6 - No Paper - all steel 32 rds two texas stars, 3 plate racks, 4 standard poppers There were no golf clubs being swung at this match.

I think it's a good thing...Thanks to Rob for his part in this

I'm not sure that SA will ever sell top ends when they are selling as many complete guns as they are. It wouldn't be legal for Production division anyway. I don't see why not?

The guy I buy mine from uses Black Bullets...147 gr.

Sounds a lot like the concept of basic training I went through in the Army..remove everything that is not a soldier until a soldier appears. The process may not be pleasant..but is necessary.

Awww man! I shot Marvin in the face! - John Travolta's chracter in Pulp Fiction..is it Vinnie?

I handled one at Ozark Sportsman Supply last night, prior to our monthly USPSA match. It feels really good..and the reset and pre travel are significantly shorter out of the box, good news for anyone with smaller hands. I'm the odd duck in my area and shoot an XD Tactical model. The moment I walk through the door, one of the locals/friend that works there calls me over and says I have something I want to show you. He hands me the XDM 5.25 and the lust begins...as far as cost goes, I have been curious since it's announcement.In my area, the XDM 5.25 will sell in the high 6's, for those were curious like I was. I think they have a winner with this model, but my XD Tactical is not broken, so I don't need to fix it! Some observations I had with the short time handling it: 1. It's trigger is better out of the box 2. The rear sight on this pistol is awesome 3. It has a quicker sight alignment than my XD Tac (see number 2) 4. It feels great! 5. I'm sure I got an insecure look from my Xd at some point in the match (maybe that is where the one no shoot came from? ) 6. It's a great looking pistol in person.