Herk

That would be a good term for it. I wasn't really thinking anything. I didn't make a concious effort to "clear my mind" or anything bit after getting up early on Sunday I guess I was just too tired to really even daydream about anything. I wasn't focused, nor distracted. I thought about nothing and I guess it worked! The question is, how do I do that again? I too have attended shoots with the "I'm just here to have fun, to heck with the score" attitude too but perhaps I've just never interalized that mindset? The differences this time were: a) I actually did very well, I made hits without seeing anything that I can remember (much less the sights!), and c) the "Zen-like" *feel* of the whole thing; almost like I was sitting back and watching a not-completely-clear Youtube POV video of a pistol match stage rather than actually being the one shooting. That could be. I guess that, like most people, I want to do well at the thing that I'm passionate about and so I almost can't help but care, even when I'm trying not to. I think the letting go of the "care" might be my biggest challenge. Thanks to all who answered. You've all given me something to chew on.

Went to a club level pistol shoot today and found myself doing something that I first really experienced last month at a 3-gun match over in Weld County, CO. I do not have any (or at least not more than once or twice) recollection of having any focus, visual or mental, on my sights! I don't recall even focusing on anything, per se. I made good hits (mostly As, only a few Bs or Cs) and no misses or no-shoots. Afterwards, we usually just tear down and go home but more than one shooter congratualted me on how well I did and one shooter commented that "It's easy to tell that you've been practising". The funny thing is that I have been slacking; no dry-fire even. So what's been going on? Why aren't I doing the usual "see/align sights, press trigger" like I've been doing for so many years?

THis suddenly makes me give a crap about Armalite again (in spite of their non-existant customer service ). A couple friends of mine have owned the AR10Bs and the modified M14 mags were a source of much hate and discontnent. You know the "hold the loaded mag in one hand and slap the bottom" test to see if a mag's feed lips are toast or not? NONE of the brand new mags from Armalite would pass that test. We tested over two dozen mags like this. The PMags...now that changes things!

If you are using free weights, you really do not need to use any of those gadgets. Start incorporating HEAVY ASS DEADLIFTS into your work out. Your grip, forearm, and back strength will all sky rocket in due time. Don't use any assistance straps for your deadlifts, either. Just cheating yourself out of grip strength gains. This. Holding onto heavy weights while you lift them will strengthen your grip. I am a big fan of excercises that work multiple muscle groups (these are called "compound lifts"). Deadlifts, pull-ups, inverted rows... all will benefit your grip strength as well as other muscle groups.

The only holster I own is a Blade-Tech Phantom (from Blade-Tech's "economy" line) and I can get a full firing grip with it when worn behind my hip. If you can't get a proper grip while the pistol is in the holster then change the holster. Also, losing weight will help; if not with your draw then with so many other things, so you'd might as well do it!

Thanks for the clarification TG.

Hey guys, the whole reason that I got on this forum was because I was interested in participating in the Ironman in 2012. I've done a few local 3-Gun matches over the years but no big matches. Where can I learn more about the Amateur and Pro classes that you guys are talking about? Thanks and I'll see you all in June!

Hi all, does anyone else do Stronglifts 5x5 for strength training?: (NOTE: it won't let me link to the Stronglifts website so I guess you'll just have to google it yourself). I've been doing it for about a year now and while I've been slacking lately I think that the results have been very positive. It has really helped "injury-proof" me for work etc. I no longer feel sore in the morning after lifting and carrying heavy loads all day. The only thing is that it's strictly a strength training program. I think that if some cardio, flexibility, and/or plyometrics (is that the term?) training were mixed in on the off days then it would be a very well-balanced program. Anyway, if you need a program to increase your physical strength overall then Stronglifts is worth checking out.

I did the opposite: I used to like the CZ75B but moved to a Glock (for both carry and competition). I think that this forum will be bad for me, or at least my bank account; you guys are making me want to give the CZs a second chance!

This. Be up front about what happened and see what they do for you. Worst case scenario they tell you that reloads make it your problem and refuse to help you (i.e.: you're no better or worse off than before). IME, gun companies will generally help you out if you call them up and say "Hi, I did a bonehead thing and wrecked my gun!" They want to be remembered as the guys who helped you out when you needed it. Give S&W the chance to do that.

I tried to post pics of my DIY stippling job but I guess I need to post more before I can. I practiced on some spare pistol grips that were sitting around. The first was from my friend's HK91 and then I did one from my AK47. Both actually turned out very well and my friend still has the one I did on his HK. My AK is currently in pieces but I still have the grip. Anyway, after I worked up the courage to do my G34 I was very pleased. It really helps with recoil control and retention. I carry my G34 every day and so some of my t-shirts have frayed on the rear right hip area but apart from that I have no complaints.

Hello all, I am a shooter who has been out of the 3-gun game for a while now but just shot another local match (non-affiliated) this August and got hooked again. I've also watched Sinstralrifleman's Youtube vids for a while now and read Zak Smith's columns and it's made me want to get back into it. I shot the folks at MGM targets an email about signing up for the 2012 Iron Man and when they got back to me they suggested that I sign up here for more info. Well, here I am! I hope you all will be patient with my inane questions (I promise I'll use the search function before starting a new post) and that we can learn from each other here. I'll see you at the range! - Herk