Carmoney

In actual major matches earlier this summer, Dan Carden posted an El Prez in the low 6s, and I put one in the high 6s (different matches). Both with lousy hits, by the way, but by God we were on the pace! Pat Sweeney had one right at 7 seconds with better (but not great) hits at the OH Sectional. I'd say a difficult but realistic target for A and M shooters practicing the El Prez with a wheelie is 6 flat with good hits. Mike

Thanks Skip, I think I would have shot 3.83% better if I hadn't been expending all that mental energy gathering all those nice photos.....

Despite his lack of match experience, this beginning IPSC shooter has somehow managed to knock down a steel popper. He now stands in utter confusion, with no clue what to do next.

Another shot of Sam. (This squad would have been even more fun with two Sams.....)

Here's one of Rudi Waldinger. Rudi's theme song is "My Way" because he never hesitates to shoot a stage differently than the rest of the pack.

Thanks for all the nice compliments about the photos, guys. I just got this digital camera last year, so I'm really just a beginner.... Fortunately, you just point it at the target and push the button and the camera seems to do all the rest!

On this stage you had to grab the gun out of the briefcase and run up the stairs. Most of the revolver shooters felt very comfortable on this stage, as the little house reminded them of the places where they grew up!

Edgardo is so fast he ran into the shadows before I could snap the photo. Cool hat, too!

Keith, I don't really understand how all that classification stuff works. Y'know, I'm still pretty new at this ipsick stuff... Sam and I are definitely looking forward to shooting with you on your home turf in September. We're doing the "ironman" weekend, shooting Omaha on Saturday and Minnesota on Sunday. Should be grueling but fun! Hoping we can talk Skip A. into attending also.

The real squad photographer, Patrick Sweeney:

Rob V., real-life LEO, shooting his revo while simultaneously thinking up new ways to violate the civil rights of the citizens of Area 8.

Ken getting ready to bust through the door:

Gil tosses 'em in with his left hand.

Here's Keith on the run, wearing his LFI (I believe that stands for Leather Force Institute, some sort of B&D group he belongs to) shirt:

RogerT, Jerry's moonclip holders are conventional shoot-the-moon style holders with the long metal posts up the center. One clip per holder, just like everybody else.

Here's southpaw Tom Mainus on the move:

Michaels, Lucky Dan managed to shoot a very strong match, finishing in third place overall. Here's another photo of Dan from his good side--I did my best to avoid the other side because of the obvious deformities, since Dan always takes off the Phantom of the Opera half-mask to ensure a full field of vision while he shoots.

Spook, the government of Ecuador actually sent a media team to follow around their national hero, Clifford Walsh. Here, I managed to push my way to the front of the throng of Ecuadorian admirers to get this shot of El Conquistador on Stage 17:

Here it is, Tom--here is the photo of Sammy demonstrating the blaze of intensity that has come to define our younger generation. The revolver squad had moved on to Stage 11 and was in the process of starting the walk-through, when someone realized we were one guy short of a full squad. Looking back over at the empty gallery of the previous stage, we found Sam fast asleep in his chair..... (Cliff, am I using those words "stage" and "squad" correctly? Sometimes I still get mixed up on those.)

Everybody's favorite junior wheelman, Sam Carmoney. I wonder if he knows he sticks his tongue out when he shoots?

Three of the most talented and experienced revolver guys around: Rudi, Jerry, and Patrick.

Here's an example of the novice gun-handling skills of the fourth-place finisher....the revolver has obviously just gone off, but what the hell kind of grip and stance am I using???? Hell, I have absolutely no clue, I'm obviously new at this stuff. I've had the opportunity to read through "Beyond Fundamentals," though. Unfortunately, nowhere does it say to shoot with the brim of your hat blocking your view of both the sights and the targets, no matter how in touch with your inner Zen peace you may find yourself. God, how embarrassing. I suppose I just need to accept the fact that I'm still a beginner, practice hard, and try to do better next year....

Here's Dan "Mr. Lucky" Carden, who finished a strong third. This guy is so dedicated to wheelgunning excellence that he doesn't even own an autoloading pistol!

Here's Cliff Walsh, the M-class shooter who moved above 85% of Jerry's score to finish in the strongest second-place that's ever been posted against the big guy. They tell me that's really good. I wouldn't really know. It looked good, though. When you see Cliff move, you understand why it's really no surprise his skills have made him a household name in the nation of Ecuador.

We're still on a dial-up connection out here, so it takes a while to upload these...I'll try to post a couple each day, and would welcome any additions from the group! Here's the winner, Jerry Miculek....when reloading he likes to transfer the gun to his off-hand so both hands stay busy....it obviously works very well for him!