boo radley

Gary, IMO, the problem isn't so much with existing experienced shooters (and I suspect those are the majority of current SS shooters) but with new and newish shooters. Right or wrong, classifiers are exciting stuff, and there's a chicken/egg thing going on. Suppose a new shooter gets an initial classification in L10 as a D, or C. I'll bet they're going to want to try to improve their classification, but those are also exactly the shooters you need to move over to SS, and if they do, they can't improve their classification (for now).

The security of the scoop draw, with a little practice, didn't really bother me. In fact, I tried intentionally to rip it out of the holster with my index and ring fingers (primarily what I use for the 'scoop') hitting the end of the butt, and it took a little work to lose the gun. But the big problem for me, was the gun is basically weightless when getting a grip, since it's in the air, and in motion. I also found myself getting the weak hand onto the gun late and high -- in the middle of the extension to the target, if that makes sense....And, finally, it was hard to draw in the same way when I was shooting my 1911 out of a DOH. <shrug> I'm starting to get comfortable with this other draw I've been taught. It's basically what Brian has in his book. 3 motions -- 1, strong hand hits grip (I'm coming in from the side, but slightly high), while weak hand slaps the belly. 2, gun comes out and hands immediately join. 3. Extend while prepping. <shrug> It's finally starting to feel better, after a few weeks, but I have a long way to go....

Interesting - this has happened to me now, in two matches back-to-back. I came to a stage well before the match, and ran through it as if I were actually shooting it, with full concentration, and made a mistake. In one case I turned down into a trap, and the other time, I completely missed seeing a target. Went back, of course, and repeated doing it the *right* way, and visualized running the stage the proper way, but the damage was done it seems. Both times, in the match, I made the exact same mistake. A little frightening. Mental weakness or not, I'm *never* going to run through a stage, dry-firing, unless I'm doing it w/out mistakes.

If you throw one over the berm....Does that get you out of the DQ?

Ummm...kind of reminds me of our classification system. I smiled when I saw this, because a couple posts ago I wondered about the difference in being a "Winner" and getting recognition for 3rd 'C', Open Division, 48th overall -- as an example -- vs. a school system rewarding mediocre performance, as part of a more pervasive message of tolerance, political correctness, and other values-undermining practices from a liberal agenda. I do, however, think there is a difference. IMO, the USPSA classification system is more about "fun" than an attempt to assuage egos. I don't see, either, how it's materially different from any other sport or recreation, in this approach. Like playing baseball? The New York Yankees don't support a roster of 1,384,583 bench-warmers. Instead there are other major league teams, then there are minor league teams (of different levels), and local non-professional teams, and then there's softball, but not one softball league, but several, from the hyper-competitive, to mixed-sex "C" leagues....Etc, etc.

I think there are two points here -- the first is a "kids today" kinda thing, where we can agree to disagree. I don't see children OR adults being less competitive than in the past, but I don't have children, either. The second issue, though, fascinates me -- the mental state and focus towards winning, when entering a competition. I have a good friend of mine, I used to play golf with, back when I was playing golf. This person is one of those genuinely "tough" mental people at least with sport -- the kind you'd never want to get in a ring with, etc. We all know people like that - maybe some of you ARE those individuals who truly refuse to lose in any kind of sport or physical encounter. That said, my buddy found golf infuriating -- he was never able to get over the hurdle of not simply being able to *want* to win badly enough, being enough, if that makes any sense. It wasn't a matter of digging down inside and running faster, or hitting harder, because you don't have that in golf. Tiger Woods' "workout" program aside, golf ain't exactly like doing dead-lifts....

With all due respect, I'm not sure I've seen any evidence, empirical or otherwise, that this is so. "Kids today just aren't competitive..." I place this into the same category as a bunch of old men sitting around the barber shop, complaining about that "Elvis outrage! Our young 'uns is listening to that NEGRO music!" I'm told that colleges are becoming increasingly selective in admissions. Certainly revenue-generating college atheletics are hitting new highs (or lows) in recruitment efforts, and competitive selection, with scouts looking at *grade*-school players...At a very young age, countless suburban children are exposed to soccer leagues, Little League, etc. etc, and so it goes. Same as it ever was. On an individual and personal basis, I think wanting to win is an excellent and commendable goal, provided the competitor conduct his or herself with dignity and class. That said, I'm struck by something someone said in another thread here, about "a fine line between having fun and optimum performance," and I"m starting to get intrigued with the idea of bringing as little emotional baggage to a match, as possible, and concentrating on having fun, and simply...shooting. At least that's my "thought of the day."

Man, that's some quick qrowth! If you find the answer, please share it, as I suffer the same disease. I can't tell you how many times I've gone into local matches swearing I'll shoot nothing but "A's" and have that plan evaporate the moment the buzzer sounds.

Very nice match, and congrats to the staff for the hard work in rainy conditions...I know it's no fun pasting in the rain, dealing with bags, etc., and they were cheerful and positive. I had a pretty rough match, but still had fun, and enjoyed meeting DaVita, Strader, Suber and a couple other Benos members, and look forward to trying again next year!

Did you get it Merlin? The pics he sent me were beautiful. Super nice guy too. :D I have had Limited Gun Fever, for a couple weeks, chatted with a few builders who were more or less gracious about answering some stupid questions, but for now I'm going to stay with my G35.... All that said, I saw that ad, yesterday, Merlin, and had the pictures on my computer @4:43EST. <grin> I'm just too leery of a 6" until I try one. When you get the gun, please take some good pictures and post 'em....the one I was sent were kinda murky.

If you cut coils off the OEM striker spring, you actually increased the spring weight, not lightened it -- I'm sure that's not what you meant to say, but just clarifying for anyone who's grinding down their striker, and hacking up their springs....

That is awesome. I don't think I've shot anything complex with such an ambiguous starting position, yet....I imagine -- a big match, tricky field course....people would go *crazy* during the allotted 5 minutes.

Jack/Linda -- looking forward to this match! How late, approx, will the range be open Friday evening? I'm just trying to time when to leave on Friday, and allow an hour or so, to look over the stages... Thx Steve

Lately, I've gotten more and more confidence in what could be called a "scoop" draw -- ripping my gun out of the CR-Speed holster in a single motion, with hooked, or scooped, fingers. Feels awesome fast. Rip - present. Two movements. I believe the conventional wisdom here, ranged from "this draw sucks," to "it can be one of several useful draws..." But I closed my mind, and continued with it. I think I've discovered why it sucks -- first, it only works when the hands are relaxed, at sides. Maybe...50% of starts at *most*? Second, on about two of six stages on average, I'm locked into the gun with a less-than-perfect grip, when I start shooting. Sometimes a downright terrible grip. Not cool. Took a shooting lesson today (not for this issue, but we got working on this issue, PDQ), and learned why a more conventional draw -- driving the hand onto the backstrap -- is better, and how even if you're tense or nervous, it just makes the grip *better*. Good stuff. Just hate having to undo all those repetitive movements burned into the subconscious. Seems to take weeks, minimum.

I think the idea is that if (when) the magwell gets chewed up, you can replace the insert...Possibly the plastic is more slippery, too? Dunno. I, too, confess to *really* liking this magwell. The only issue I have, is some magazines no longer drop-free, but I have enough that do, I'm not going to mess with things.

When y'all talk about Bill Drills, or say, "I shot a successful Bill Drill", that presumes 100% 'A' hits? Or all hits of some kind...

If someday I were to get an Open gun, I'd probably get it in 9mm, because I hate worrying about reusing brass.... But I remember just loading 9mm minor, for my Glock, being a pain on the Dillon SDB because powder would get thrown out when the shell-plate indexed. A mess. Now I have a Dillon 650, but even with .40S&W, it throws a little powder from time to time...I'm thinking with 9mm *major*, it would really spew, no? Don't the cases get almost completely full with the amount of powder needed to make 9-major? Do y'all go slower, and more carefully? Just ignore it? Or it doesn't happen on your press(es)?

I don't know.... Personally, I don't know why the organization is wasting time, energy or money trying to recruit a grumpy bunch of vest-wearing IDPA members. Those that want to shoot IPSC *are* already shooting IPSC. USPSA is better off, IMO, trying to grab new shooters. It's like cigarette companies: you aren't going to take a 20-year Marlboro red smoker, and persuade him to smoke Camel's. They aim advertising at the new smoker. As far as Ron Avery goes, I read that article, and personally find the coined term "Bubblegum IPSC, or BIPSC" completely pejorative and insulting -- so much so, why try to drag something positive out of his "philosphy?"

Looking at the results, looks like you shot pretty d*mn well for your first major match! Good job, and you should be congratulated. Heh -- looking at Open, every other adult gunowner in Florida must be a USPSA 'Master.'

Ouch! I like 'em. I've been using this Heinie (plain) / Dawson FO combo on my G35 for almost a year now, and like the sight picture more and more. On a tight shot, I just look at the top of the front sight, and ignore the dot; on everything else, the red or green dot gives me a warm feeling, since I often shoot without visual patience.

Thx all -- I'll probably have an electrician come out and just double-check things.... Man. Already am having to spend $100 on movers to carry this monster upstairs; don't dare make my friends suffer. This is turning into quite the deal. :/

Noticed our local gym was selling some of their older commercial exercise equipment, and I bought one of their treadmills. What I didn't notice -- the plug has one prong turned sideway: I guess this means 20amp?? Went to Home Depot expecting to find some kind of female/male adapter so I could just use any old outlet in my house, but no luck. I did purchase a 20amp outlet, and figured I could just remove the plate on a current outlet, and swap it out. Now I'm wondering how good an idea this is....I know nothin' bout no electrical stuff. I mean, I can flip the breaker, and swap out outlets, but.... Oh -- I notice the treadmill has a plate that says: "120 VAC 16 amp"

Ron and HSMITH make some interesting points.... Went to the range yesterday, in fact, with my Glock 35 wanting to try some Montana Gold 180's I'd loaded up. Set up some paper plates at 25y with one of those tiny orange stickers as an aiming point. Shot -- didn't see the hole. Shot again, no hole. WTF? Grabbed my binoculars, and both shots were clipping the edge of the 1" sticker. This gun is so dialed-in right now it's frightening. I'm also now so used to ergonomics of the Glock that anything else feels really strange. It did point a little funny at first, but now when I grab, say, my 1911, I'll draw and have to wiggle it around to find the sights. That would change with practice, but I'm not sure now is the time to go changing things.... Truthfully, the craving for a new pistol doesn't have a whole lot of basis in necessity. Maybe I'm just drawn bad, too (still chucking over Sandoz's reply), but there's a little ugly lust for something shiny, new and expensive going on. But not yet.

Damn. That is truly awesome.

I hear ya'. I certainly don't feel stymied yet, but the next jump does seem *enormous.* I didn't have that feeling moving from C-> B, which was mostly about internalizing some truths about speed and sight-picture, and developing a little consistency; for me, anyway. But now, for example....as I said, recently shot "Works for Me" classifier. Did two runs (which I never do, normally) shooting one in L10 at 8.5sec 54pts, and the second in Ltd at 7.6 54pts. So I'm thinking, I shot it as smoothly as I could, was even "warmed-up" on it, and it still isn't even borderline "A". I guess it's now a matter of little bit faster on the draw, little bit quicker transitions, reload...12 shots, if I could improve my splits by just .05, that's a half-second right there! But I don't see any large chunks of wasteful time that can be eliminated. * Which is where the thinking-of-new-gun started. I've been practicing my draws and reloads like a fiend, recently. I don't think I'd gain much there from a new gun. Accuracy -- my G35 is probably accurate *enough*. But it's the splits I mostly wonder about. One big problem with changing platforms, though, is a back-up. Throw a 2nd-hand G22 in the bag, for a couple hundred, done. Instant replacment, at a match. I don't see doing that with a 2011, or equivalent. Anyway, kinda fun to ponder over. Who knows, maybe if I go the new gun route, I'll get an Open gun, which probably really does offer bang-for-buck over an Open Glock.... * If you want a smile, I found this small video, shot with a digi-cam. I think it was my 2nd ever IPSC match from last spring. I chuckle when I look at it, because I see about 8 "wrong" things I was doing, including sticking myself with a reload in the port. 5mb Video