kita

You've gotta have a direction! Theoretically it would be great if the limit of the summation - well, the integral - of the infinite, two dimensional and cylindrically symmetric force vectors from one's hands acting upon the grip of the firearm would converge to zero, that is they tend towards being equal and opposite in every radial direction. But human physiology will not allow that, and since most of the grip force from my other strong hand is coming from the fingertips and the lower palm in opposing directions squeezing into the medial axis of the firearm, the practice doesn't follow from the theory, so all I can hope for is a rough approximation. You are right in that it should absolutely be constant in both dry and live fire... I have had trouble with slacking off and getting lazy with my grip too. That probably made me sound really smart to someone who hasn't studied science. Don't worry, it made me sound really dumb to someone who actually does. It's an isometric. The force is countered by equal and opposite force. What about the force of the recoil?

If you tighten the big bolt in the middle of the shell plate too much, the handle won't reach its full downward range of motion. Your problem is an easy fix, I could make a video to demonstrate what you need to do if you like.

How can the magnitude of the force be constant if the gun exerts increased force on your grip when fired (the kick), thus leading your grip to increase the returned equal and opposite force? Also, when the shot is fired, would the direction of the vector not change? I read somewhere that pro-shooters push forward immediately after the shot breaks to help eliminate movement of the gun when it kicks.

I would actually say it is a habit you should be maintaining in dry-fire. Agreed. You should maintain a strong grip during dry-fire, but it can be hard to make yourself do that when there's no recoil. Mad Matt, I think that says a lot. When you dry-fire or train with a .22, the bodies proprioception systems that maintain balance automatically will self adjust unconsciously to the reduced need for grip force. It is also connected to CHA-LEE's observations about the grip force of both hands subconsciously reverting to a 50/50 balanced neutral grip. It seems simple but it easy to get dishonest with yourself in dry-fire and really lighten up subconsciously, then in actual conditions all this tension occurs, when our conscious control of the grip force is not neutral. Force has both a magnitude and a direction, making it a vector quantity. During dry fire, what is the direction as opposed to live fire?

I am actually partially deaf myself, but maintain the capability of feeling Ben's eyes boring into the back of my head..or more likely other regions. I think it causes too many things to run through my mind at once, disrupting my ability to block everything else out. You're right. I need to find "the zone".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysis

I used to get the shakes really really badly when I first started shooting. I had to stop drinking my morning cup of coffee before I started shooting and get plenty of sleep the night before. It eventually went away. This is something different. It's like I lose my fundamental skills, and when Ben or Matt reminded me of that fundamental skill, I was then able to execute it. I don't normally have to consciously think about pushing the gun straight back out after my reload, I just do it. In this case, I had to be reminded by Matt. Or when Ben says "I'm watching you" to put on the pressure, I miss an easy shot. I didn't realize he was referring to my derriere.

I was assisting with setting up stages, running errands, etc. for a Mink/Stoeger class this weekend, and had the opportunity to step in and shoot a couple of the drills with the class. Whenever Ben or Matt walked up behind me to critique and offer pointers, I fell apart and couldn't shoot. At all. If I'm going to shoot matches, other people are obviously going to be there while I'm shooting. How can I get over this "stage fright" so to speak? Does anyone else have this issue?

I bought a glock prior to the school shooting. I really wish I had bought all of the mags I needed at the same time. Bummer.

I have a very similar warm up dril but the first mag I dump out as fast as I can. This way it is out of my system and I think it helps me focus for the rest of the match. When I am walking around at work I also try and visualize a good sight picture or random objects to help with my mental conditioning. I see shooters randomly do this at odd times; it's kind of entertaining. Those who don't realize what they are doing think that they are just pensive.

The shooting part is great fun, the performing for others part isn't for everyone.

Welcome!

In reference to your first point, I think this is my biggest problem. I listen to the walk through to get the number of targets, and then try to locate them. Problem is, I think I spend to much time doing this, which makes me feel rushed for the rest of the available time. In anyalyzing myself I want to locate the targets quicker, so I can spend the majority of the time planning how I want to engage them. I think I park on driveways instead of driving on parkways, I think thats how that saying goes anyway. Is it getting any easier for you the more you do it? Maybe if you get there early and take your time without feeling rushed, you will come up with a concrete plan that you will stick to. As your confidence in your stage breakdown skills grows, you will probably get faster.

Those with an enlarged prostate should have their own division.

On the other hand, not winning drives one to work harder and practice more, increasing skill level. This may be more true of a tantalizing close loss as opposed to a soul-crushing last place type of loss, however.

That would be cool if the beavertail was production legal.

Have you seen the movie Jack Reacher?

I'll bet your wife is quite pleased.

Cool!

It seems to me that you would usually be able to tell that something was up and have it ready just in case, hopefully not needing it. Or it could be a way to have it with you without having it on you.

I really don't think it was the gun that won Nationals.

I think as long as you have a plan that eliminates standing reloads, if you have it memorized and stick to it there isn't going to be a significant difference from one stage breakdown to the next.

I would go with the vertical stripes and darker colors to minimize the appearance of the waistline.

Have you seen the guys who use converted jogging strollers? I've even seen some with umbrellas attached!

The dude in the wheelchair doesn't seem to have any trouble making competitive times.