rpcruab

Safety and having fun have been constants among the variables so far. I have been recording my last few matches with a head cam, and hope to spot issues through review. A few things I did notice from Sundays match: I lost track of round count/reloads on a few stages, I was making up a few unnecessary shots, I was dropping the pistol after some shots to check shot placement (I have never done that before), and I shot with a generally slow pace (transitions/DRAWS!/reloads were slower than usual). I posted a video of the match under "video training tips" to see if I could pick up some tips. As I stated in that thread, "I seemed out of focus all day." I suppose I could post the video here as well.

I shot an IDPA match Sunday and felt "out of focus" all day. I am trying to pinpoint problems via head cam video, as I can't remember much from the actual match. Any advice is appreciated!

Since my last post, I've had the pleasure of shooting two more matches. The first was at Castlewood Rod & Gun Club's Saturday USPSA match. I had never been there before, and found out they were shooting a multigun match. The folks there were great, and told me I could shoot all but one stage exclusively pistol. Had a great time but didn't get scored. Felt as though I preformed OK. The next day (yesterday) was Lewistown Pistol Club's IDPA. Boy did I SUCK! Or at least it felt like I was doing everything wrong. They held a classifier after the general match, which I have never shot, and I managed to barely squeeze into ESP SS. Anywho, felt good to get some trigger time in, and the stages at both clubs were a blast! Saturdays scores (I am Ryan Chandler in 10th) RESULTS

Thanks for the tip! I definitely need to practice stage 3 (20 down on 1 target is embarrassing)

Thought I did pretty horrible, but I squeezed into ESP sharpshooter...barely. Stage 1 - 37.46 - Stage 2 - 35.55 - Stage 3 - 62.79 - Total - 135.8 (SS) Missed a few head shots and dropped a loaded mag on Stage 3. Now it's time to work towards expert.

Shot two matches since my last post. Shot a local "match" Wednesday, which was super rainy. Due to the weather and poor attendance, they decided to only set up one stage consisting of steels. We each shot the stage 4 times, and I managed to place 2nd overall. I also shot the fastest string of the night! Two firsts for me. Saturday, I shot an IDPA match in Hollidaysburg, PA (also rainy as hell). Not sure how I placed, as the scores haven't been posted yet. I felt as though my performance was sub-par Saturday. After reviewing my head cam videos, I realized there was a large amount of time lost on transitions, tactical reloads, and miscounted rounds. I shot fairly accurately, with the exception of one stage, which I bombed (missed two head shots). At least I didn't have any penalties, non-hits, FTN's or the like. Once I have enough posts to post video, I will put up the match videos for review, and hopefully, some advice. Practice goals for the week: transitions/tactical reloads!

Had a nice (quick) session this morning before work. Also had a chance to test out the head cam, even though I forgot to turn it on until my last 2 drills. I started weak hand and shot 3 mags, 4 rounds each. Shot from about 10 yards. Grouping was decent, despite pulling a few completely off the plate. I landed 9 out of 12 shots. A personal issue that reared it's ugly head, is my lack of confidence when shooting weak hand. Drawing with strong hand and transitioning to weak hand feels extremely "sketchy" to me. I have to maneuver the process at a very slow speed, otherwise I won't feel safe/responsible. Any tips? I then transitioned into strong hand, 3 mags, 4 rounds each, which seemed easy in contrast to the weak hand failure. I drew and fired at a reasonably quick pace and only pulled one shot of the plate, (still a bummer). Hit 11 out of 12. Next was draw/fire/reload/fire. I loaded 8 mags with one round each, and shot 4 separate "strings". I only had one major issue, which was a fumbled reload, followed by a pulled shot. I wish that I would of had the camera on at that point, to see what happened with the horrible reload. I finished off the day with a 10 round slow fire at 25 yards, which was grouped poorly and missed the plate once. I also did a random 8 round drill: 5 shots from 25 yards, reload, advance and fire 3 times beginning at 7 yards, which was also grouped poorly, but all hit the paper. I did record the last two (for better or for worse), and noticed that I rise to target before each shot on the first clip. Not sure how to properly analyze everything yet, but I suppose I will start to catch on. I will be shooting a local match tomorrow, which I am going to film. I also joined IDPA tonight, and will be shooting an IDPA match at The Hollidaysburg Sportsmens Club (WPA15) this Saturday. Anywho, here's is the horrible test video. EDIT: I guess I don't have enough approved post to post a video yet? Guess I'll have to wait.

Going out for a sunrise range session in a few. I am going to work on strong hand, weak hand, (two of my great weaknesses), draw/fire/reload/fire, and 25 yard accuracy. I will be testing out the new helmet cam, and will try to post footage after work. I will be using paper plates as a center mass, although I suppose it will be hard to track misses.

Thanks for the feedback! I have found myself flinching occasionally in the past, I will have to tape myself and review in slow-mo if possible. I am ordering Brian's book this week, and will certainly check out the charts you linked. Thanks again!

I am relatively new to the shooting world, having bought my first pistol last year. I joined our local club and began competing a few months after. I thought I was shooting fairly well for a beginner...until I started attending larger matches at nearby clubs. I have decided to make a serious effort to improve, and figured I would start a range diary to track my progress. I purchased a USPSA membership last week and should receive a card/number soon. My current goal is to progress to A class. Just purchased a Contour Roam helmet cam, (which I have mounted to my hearing protection), and will try to post videos of matches/training sessions as they come up. I went to the range after work today to calibrate the new camera, and worked on "double tap/reload/double tap". I noticed that my 2nd shot each group, was significantly lower than the first (around 6"). I also realized that my rubber Hogue grip is quite slippery in the blazing heat with sweaty palms. I originally purchased the Hogue grip to increase the size of the grip, as the stock XDM grip felt slightly undersized, (specifically: thin), in my large hands. I am now contemplating a stippling job/grip tape in place of the Hogue. I figured I should take the time to readjust to the stock grip before I become irreversibly attached to the idea of an over-sized, ergonomic, rubber grip. What do you folks think? Short term to do list: Buy BE's book, work on grip issue

Cheers!

Welcome Stubby! New member here as well. See you around.

Welcome from another new member! Couple hours west of you, maybe I'll see you at a match.

A father/son team realized their guns were on the kitchen counter at home after registration last Saturday...DOH! Could be worse, I suppose, haha.

Hey there! Most likely. We shoot at Hollidaysburg and Lewistown a good bit. Bedford has held matches for 5 years now at the bedford sportsmens club, and we are finally installing a few bays this summer. Should be fun, we will be able to accomadate more shooters, and shoot more stages. We shoot every Wednesday starting at 6pm. Not sure what part of PA your from, but if you ever get an opportunity, hop out on a Wednesday and have some fun! I shot up in Hollidaysburg Saturday and had a blast. Randi Rogers was shooting at that match, man is she good!!!

New member here from Bedford, PA. Started shooting USPSA/IDPA last year, and fell in love with the sport. Looking forward to learning a thing or two. See ya around!