[2016 Georgia State USPSA Championship]

I am shooting on Friday. What time do the Friday squads start? Will there be a match book? Can I register Thursday afternoon?

[Proper trigger reach?]

I also have a couple of Gen 4 Glocks. I based my backstrap choice on the mag release, and not the trigger. I could reach the trigger with all 3 just fine, but the ability to reach the mag release without having to change my grip is what determined which backstrap I used.

Reaching the mag release without changing your grip should be consideration #1, then worry about the trigger finger position. Smokewagon is right on target.

[Wrists locked?]

Rolling support hand as far down as possible and pointing thumb at target and squeezing the gun I understand, but I'm wit GunBugBit on "locking the wrists." I don't think it's really possible.

[Grip pressure and hand tremors.]

I have found that 100% grip strength is not needed, especially if you keep your elbows high so that your hands naturally clamp both sides of the gun. Don't get me wrong, I do have a firm grip, but it is not 100% and there is no tremor when I do it right.

[1/2 Scale Swinger for Dry Fire Practice?]

Awesome invention for dry-fire! Love it! Few of us get any practice on swingers outside of matches.

[home club slump]

If you believe you won't do well at your local match, then you have established a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your belief will usually result in the outcome you believe will happen. You have to figure out how to mentally approach the local match so this does not continue to happen. You might try viewing the local match as just a training exercise instead of a competition. That seems to help me.

[Lack of Gun Focus....I want them all!]

Most shooters I know buy, sell, and trade all the time. Most inaccuracies with modern firearms of reasonable quality are due to the shooter and not the gun. All of my guns are way more accurate than I am, especially when the buzzer goes off. Enjoy trying different ones. I do like the idea of sticking with one or two platforms, but the temptation to try different ones is too much for me.

[How do you avoid burnout?]

Do whatever it takes to keep it fun. It's great to have lofty goals, but don't let them interfere with your ability to have fun. I want to improve too, but I don't want to be like some shooters I see who are so serious they beat themselves up after every stage - that doesn't look like fun to me. Maybe work on small goals one at a time, and then you can have a sense of accomplishment and pride when you master each small goal while still on the path to your larger goal (GM).

[Gun does not return to original POA after recoil]

Great videos alma. I have a CZ SP-01 with the thin aluminum grips. I will be installing more grip tape on the left (support) side. Thanks!

[Can you maintain a tight grip on your gun and not hold your breath?]

I'm going to have to pay attention to my breathing the next time I shoot a match. Haven't really thought about it until now....

[competition is driving me crazy]

The competitive spirit is alive and well in most of us, and it is difficult to use it constructively instead of letting it be destructive. One thing that helps me is to think of every match as "training" instead of "competition".

[Private Party Transfer]

Go through an FFL. Worth the extra few bucks. If there are any questions later, everything is properly documented and records are kept by the FFL holder.

[CZ Fever...]

I've got the fever now, I think the only cure is an accu-shadow!

[Best course of action when encountering illegal stage?]

I have to drive at least an hour to any USPSA match. I would appreciate knowing ahead of time if there are illegal stages so I can decide whether or not I want to go. It is frustrating traveling to a match expecting to shoot USPSA and then arriving to find something different.

[Would different timer help alleviate cheating?]

If you ask to see the timer display after you ULASC, is there any reason the RO would not show it to you? I'm a relatively new shooter compared to many of you on this forum, and I'm just trying to think through this problem before I shoot another big match.

[Do Not RO Your Girlfriend]

I will try to never put myself in that awkward position with wife or daughters. It's hard enough just ROing your friends sometimes!

[Running The stage during the walk through]

I like to practice short movement and maneuvering at full speed during the walk-through after I have been through it once slow. I do not usually run the whole thing, especially if there is a long sprint. Footwork while executing small movements ( 3 or 4 steps or less) seems more important to me than footwork during a long sprint. Also, I'm not young anymore so I don't want to get too winded beforehand.

[TROUBLE WITH TRANSITIONS]

I've been working on my transitions as well, just today actually.

I find that driving from the hips is one of the most important things as far as not overshooting your target is concerned. When you use your arms to sweep the pistol from one target to the next it becomes very hard for your (much weaker) arm muscles to stop exactly when you want them too. The pistol acts like a pendulum and you over shoot.

But if you use your lower body's (much stronger) muscles to drive your upper body, you might find that abrupt stop to be much more easy to complete. I really try to visualize my upper body not moving whatsoever, and try to isolate my core muscles and leg muscles to do all the heavy work. YMMV

+1 Use your hips as a turret for your upper body. This technique works best for me.

[Would different timer help alleviate cheating?]

There is probably still a way to cheat, but from now on I'm going to ask to see the timer after my run at any big match.

[Reload during movement]

A couple of people I have taken courses from recommend getting the reload done in the first one or two steps, then you can take off full speed. I do agree that taking off first and then worrying about the reload can be faster (if you are moving enough distance), but I have seen many who do this and end up at the next position stopped and still have to insert the mag. I like trying to get it done in the first step and then going full speed.

[Shooting with both eyes open]

I am right-handed and right eye dominant. I shoot with both eyes open except when shooting around the left side of a barrier. In that case, it is better to close my left eye so I don't get sucked in to using my non-dominant left eye without realizing it.

[Head angle and google glass]

Sounds like these glasses could be a distraction and they may keep you from focusing on your shooting. What is your head position when you shoot without them? Which feels better to you: shooting with them or without them?

[Anybody have problems with their SIRT pistol?]

Great training tool, but sounds like some serious reliability issues. For the money, you would think they would be more reliable.

[Wife thinking about shooting USPSA]

We need to do all we can to encourage women and juniors to get into shooting sports. They are vitally important to our future. My advice: Do whatever it takes to help her enjoy the sport.

[Percentage of Execution]

I want to enjoy shooting and do well, so it is a tough balancing act between pushing myself to get better and having fun. I have seen shooters who are so serious that they get angry and beat themselves up about every stage. I want to improve, but not at the expense of draining all the fun out.