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Floyd D. Barber

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Posts posted by Floyd D. Barber

    Is shooting IDPA really worth it?

    in USPSA/IPSC Shooting

    Posted

    I just started shooting USPSA and IDPA this year, and I'm not sure whether I want to continue shooting IDPA.

    I absolutely love shooting USPSA. I enjoy the strategic thinking, the challenging shots, and the skills it forces me to build (i.e. fast reloads, target transitions, and shooting on the move). Even though I have to drive over 2hrs each way to one club and over 1hr to another, the matches get me 100-150 rounds of great trigger time. I've joined USPSA and will be shooting my first major match this month!

    IDPA, on the other hand, is much closer to me (~45min each way), much cheaper in both entry fee and ammo expenses, and also promotes valuable skills. My gripe with IDPA is that it's simply less fun. The matches last about 5 hours and only require about 50 rounds. I dislike how the course of fire is prescribed and how shooting and reloading is all stationary. I don't like some of the rules (as discussed here by others ad nauseam), but that will always be the case with any sport. The general atmosphere/attitude though is much less friendly though. Again, IDPA just isn't as much fun for me. If I continue to shoot IDPA, it will likely be with my carry setup (XD9SC with an IWB holster) rather than my 1911.

    I guess the bottom line is this: Is it worth a total time investment of ~8hrs plus about $20 to hopefully shoot a couple moving targets (even though all shooting and reloading is stationary) versus doing 30min of dry fire at home, then going to the indoor range and putting that $20 toward an extra 100 rounds of 9mm or 550 rounds of .22?

    At our monthly matches we frequently have stages where targets are shot while the shooter is moving. Sometimes walking forward, sometimes backing up. And sometimes in a side motion.

    Shot USPSA today

    in USPSA/IPSC Shooting

    Posted

    I had previously mention perhaps quitting in February. Issues with slow match times etc. Sat out March, April and May due to a broke leg. Returned today and quite an improvement. Match had approximately the same number of shooters as last time, but the time was about 1 1/2 hours shorter. Had fun. Video to come later.

    14_6_19.gif

    Blonde joke

    in Humor

    Posted

    Two blondes were sipping their Starbucks when a truck

    went past loaded up with rolls of sod.

    "I'm going to do that when I win the lottery," announced Blonde #1.

    "Do what?" asked Blonde #2.

    "Send my lawn out to be mowed."

    DQ offense for finger in trigger guard during Make Ready

    in USPSA/IPSC Rules

    Posted · Edited by Floyd D. Barber

    Wouldn't 10.5.9 cover this?

    10.5.9 Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during loading, reloading, or unloading. Exception: while complying with the “Make Ready” command to lower the hammer of a gun without a decocking lever, or while initially loading a revolver with a spurless hammer.

    Here it is - how does it apply to taking a sight picture with a loaded handgun - and placing your finger in the trigger guard.?

    It applies if you have your finger inside the trigger guard and you are not making ready and lowering the hammer.

    I failed as RO

    in Match Screw-ups

    Posted · Edited by Floyd D. Barber

    thanks for the tips. I was in a position that i CLEARLY saw the 200+ break but i was i guess" in shock" that I didnt respond fast enough. the stage only had 4 shots left on paper after he did it and it was over before i knew it...I am looking into the Ro classes.

    the only thing that bothered me is that I wasnt confident enought yet to issue the DQ. I have talked to my club president and we are looking into getting more people including me into a R.O. class so that next time we have a better coverage of certified ROs. Like sarge said the worst thing would be having to explain to someones family that a loved one got hurt becasue I didnt do my job as RO properly. I learned today that the guy /gal might be upset with me for DQing them, but their families would be more upset if I didnt DQ them and something tragic happened. either to the shooter or soemone else. Mistakes dont just affect the shooter It affects everyone involved..DQs arent personal!!! Im learning.

    I would like to clear a couple things up. I was not in any way shape or form forced or roped or made to be the RO. I took charge as I thought I was experienced enough to run the squad. But I didnt know that I had 3 new shooters on my squad till after the first stage. Hind sight is 20/20, i Know now that there is alot more to ROing a squad that I hadnt experienced until today. As for the stages, they were fine, My squad was the only group that any of the shooters hade any saftey issues.

    I find it disturbing that the MD would allow a squad without a certified RO. Maybe they should have combined into larger squads. This is an important safety issue.

    IDPA AT ORSA, 03-03-2012

    in IDPA Shooting

    Posted

    IDPA match yesterday. First time with camera, forgot it on, on a few stages. Hectic day, 125 shooters over 7 stages. Videoed 4, got in some SO time. Our squad had an abundance of people willing to paste targets/set steel, and more than enough willing to keep scores. Had one slow group, but all in all, it was a good day.

    ORSA is located next to the city's waste-water treatment plant. Sometimes in warm weather, it can be odoriferous. Yesterday, there was also an angry skunk somewhere nearby.

    Ken

    Air gunning

    in USPSA/IPSC Rules

    Posted

    The part that I hate a little more that than the repeated walkthroughs is the 3-5 minute make ready. The rituals some shooters are going through now are just getting a little of of hand but I guess that is for another thread.

    You mean like people loading magazines on the firing line?

    Air gunning

    in USPSA/IPSC Rules

    Posted

    Oh, and yeah, give up the stage to the On-Deck shooter. You'll get your chance when it's your turn. I often have to visualize my run through the back of someone's head because they're standing in the start position for the 8th time...

    This probably more than anything is what we need to have happen. Have an order, call it out and get cracking. It sucks to be on a stage with 12 targets and 8 steel and see one person maybe two taping (the same ones each time) time after time. Sure this is a social game, to a point, but if you stand back all day and don't help, don't complain if the match either takes a real long time to complete or it goes away.

    I actually enjoy pasting. Gives me a chance to see some nice groups. You can also plan your strategy, without stopping and air gunning.

    Ken

    Air gunning

    in USPSA/IPSC Rules

    Posted · Edited by Floyd D. Barber

    If I haven't completely figured out a stage within the alloted walkthrough time, specially when it is a "memory stage" where targets appear and disappear depending on where I am on the CoF, it motivates me even more to be out on the stage helping reset. It let's my subconscious absorb the stage layout, and on my walk back up range, if time is available, I'll airgun one of the positions I was planning on to confirm my plan. With enough resets and trying out each of the positions, by the time I'm on deck when I have the stage to myself, the plan usually has gelled together.

    Oh, I forgot to mention, stages are posted on the net, usually about two weeks before the match. After cooling myself a bit, I will try to see if the problem can be solved by simply shooting in a different squad.

    Ken

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