[Warsaw Practical Shooters]

That weekend for some reason has been bad for me all year. Wife's b-day was the same day as your last match and attendance would have been ... dangerous.

So far it looks like I should be able to make it next month on the 9th.

uspsa.org says 9:30 sign up.... what time do you do set up? I could probably make it there around 7:30 or 8 am.

-rvb

[Shooter shooting production, gets bumped to open]

assuming no chrono used for all* competitors...

a) If no stages had been shot, I'd say accept the major declaration.

B ) If stages had been shot with minor declared (either by choice or division rules), then this is the closest that I can find... once a stage is shot and scored minor, everything is will be minor.

pg If a competitor’s match ammunition is retested, or if any authorized replacement

ammunition is used, and different power factors are recorded when

tested according to these rules, the lower power factor must be applied to all

courses of fire, including those already completed by the competitor.

But this section technically only applies for retesting or replacement ammo... so... I guess w/o an official chrono, accept the major declaration and move on... although I do not see a provision to be allowed to change declared pf, which happens prior to the first shot, so.... my final opinion is, if shots already fired then he stays minor. If no shots fired then he can be major....

*5.6.1 One or more official match chronographs are used to assist in the determination

of the power factor of every competitor’s ammunition.

-rvb

[1911 Semi drop in barrel with lower lugs pre-cut]

I had good luck with a Kart "Easy Fit" barrel. It was my first baby-step into barrel fitting. Next gun I'll try my hand at a hard fit barrel and spend the $ on the necessary tools...

-rvb

[Hi-Point for USPSA Production?]

The first part of the adventure would have been to buy four of these and send them off to a gunsmith for a trigger job and have the internals and mags done in NP3

Seems like a tremendous waste of resources ($/time) that could go towards something more likely to get you in the "top 3" such as, oh, ammo and practice using guns you have already?

Perhaps you have enough time and $ to justify such a "joke." In that case, I'm envious as I lack both....

just my 2 cents....

-rvb

[Yet another example of entitlement]

In college I had a good friend who was paraplegic. He seldom used his handicap tag for the spots. He was in good shape and could really move in that chair. He felt there were people worse off than him who should be able to use those spots so he didn't want to occupy them. I think of him and his amazing outlook whenever I see someone take one of those spots that obviously shouldn't. I know there are often conditions you can't see (such as heart conditions, etc), but 95% of the time I think it's just a mental condition (aka jerk).

Unfortunately I've lost touch with that good friend....

-rvb

[Why aren't Berettas more popular in production?]

they quit making the competition oriented ... Elite models. ... So Beretta is to blame for the 92/96 series lack of popularity.

Agreed. When I'm ready to replace my EII, I'll either have to scrounge for a used one or switch platforms. Scrounging seems to just put off the inevitable switching...

-rvb

[Reload Form]

To find where I hold the gun during RL, I gripped a new mag as if I was about to insert it and gripped the gun as if I had just hit the release and was in the process of looking at the opening to insert the mag. I adjusted my how far out and how far up I held the gun until the mag was naturally in-line with the mag well for a smooth insertion. That became my baseline. Worked out [for me] that both elbows are approx 90* with well opening slightly below chin in elevation. May vary depending on body type, shoulder width, how you grip the gun while hitting the release, etc....

can try to post pic this evening.

-rvb

[Practicing Going Faster]

... just paying attention to one minute detail at a time. After a while my reloads started really improving as I realized things I could make more efficient. And strangely [or not] after a while of focusing on each individual detail, I began to develop the skill to "observe" or "be aware" or "see" so many of the details at once, and I began to get an understanding of what I had been reading in BE's book and here on the forum.

-rvb

YES!!! This is what I'm looking for. Stuff like this. Your break-down of having a faster reload is exactly what I'm talking about. Those minute details of the physical attributes broken down into pieces to observe and reflect upon. This is working through the physical pieces that can be processed into the mental aspect and absorbed. Once absorbed, then the understanding sets in.

Hmm... not quite sure the message you took from my post was the one I was trying to convey. My goal was to understand where I was not efficient. My plan was to focus on minute details. The added result was that I began to understand all the "mystic jedi faith crap."

So what started off as a method to improve something technical really became a method to improve my over-all awareness.

The technical aspect of breaking down actions, as in my reload example, is still valid. When I started on my improvement plan, I had to perform a reload while focusing on my weak hand, perform a reload while focusing on hitting the button, perform a reload while focusing while shifting my grip, etc etc. Only now I just perform a reload; I more able to be aware of all the different components simultaneously. I was hoping to convey that I learned more than just the technical details of making a reload efficient, but was able to understand the "seeing" stuff. This is what I was hoping to answer:

Shooting faster, becoming more efficient is about seeing. OK, think about this, think about that, think about everything. So, what can I do physically to become faster, more efficient? ....

What do you see, and how did your seeing these things get faster?

I feel the frustration. I was there. Once people experience this type of awareness, it becomes obvious, but hard to explain. Hard to say "do these drills and you'll be aware and see more." I was hoping my experience would provide an example of how to get there. But that may be my own personal path. It may not work for anyone else. [shrug]

[A more in-depth set of question on the thumbs-forward grip]

I don't like the video that TJ has on the grip that is all over Youtube. I don't know, but...to me...is seems like it is based in an old-school bulls-eye grip. Which would make sense if we were extending our strong arm straight and we were bladed in such a manner to look down that arm (strong handed...left and right shoulder more in line with the one arm and the chin near the strong shoulder).

I didn't either at first. In PD I'm a Beretta shooter, and I always felt my best accuracy and sight tracking was more as you describe. But then I started shooting 19/2011s and after a lot of experimenting I found that a grip similar to TJs video netted me the best trigger control. This then translated over to my 92 as well and I became capable of much better accuracy (incl DA). Looking at things from the top, the trigger finger more naturally seems to work the trigger straight back. I just have to have more bend in the SH wrist.

Of course I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that we have to experiment to figure out the method that results in the best trigger manipulation and sight tracking. And there are lots of variables including the physical attributes of the shooter, the shape of the gun, reach to the trigger, etc. In my case, I should have just listened to TJ a long time ago.

-rvb

[been practicing mag reloads a lot]

received the following advice with a similar question....

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58727

-rvb

[Practicing Going Faster]

So, what can I do physically to become faster, more efficient?

Well, the obvious answers are to pull the trigger faster or run faster, but I know that's not what you're asking.

So if a shooter is stuck doing a 1.8s reload and they want to do a 1.0s reload, the jedi force mantra says "see what you need to see." The engineer in me for years said "wtf!" I want a diagram and a plan and data.

But then that engineer in me started asking, ok, how do I go faster? As with the reload example, physically I feel like I can't move my arms or fingers faster, so why do I continue to be so slow. Then I started wondering where I could improve? What is holding me back? Am I taking too long to hit the button? Too long to grip the new mag? How do I know? So I started doing reloads just paying attention to one minute detail at a time. After a while my reloads started really improving as I realized things I could make more efficient. And strangely [or not] after a while of focusing on each individual detail, I began to develop the skill to "observe" or "be aware" or "see" so many of the details at once, and I began to get an understanding of what I had been reading in BE's book and here on the forum. So I read certain sections about 3 more times while doing these exercises.

I'm far, far, far from guys like BE or FLEX or XRe or shred or Jake or countless others here who have been great helps. I'm a "paper master" at this point (ink's still drying on the card). But this is how I went from B to M in a year and greatly improved my match shooting. And I did it with very, very little true practice time as life has been hectic lately. But I got there by taking a break from the front sight focus and just trying to see what all I could see. And I would push myself and try to understand where it fell apart if I was "too fast"

Now BE and Flex may come along and poke holes in my understanding. And I hope they do. But it's how I'm making the transition from by-the-numbers engineer to "being aware."

-rvb

[rvb]

Tested out my new STI Spartan .45 Sunday after the match.

This is my new full-size carry piece. For the price, $625, this is a great deal. Keeping it stock except I put in a GI guide rod and plug to lighten it up. Took some fitting to get the GI guide rod in.

Gun is very tight, but ran 75 Rem Golden Sabers JHPs ($!!) through it w/ no malfunctions, and I did everything I could to make it malfunction, including the light two-fingered WH grip, odd angles, etc. Used wilson 8 rounders and cmc 10 rounders.

Also put about 25 of my reloads through it w/ no problems (3.9 clays under 230gr zero balls).

Shot a 2" group at about 20 yds. Just standing, somewhat rapid, and using whitespace on a target some previous shooter left on the range, so no good aiming point. Curious now what this gun would do on sandbags. Looks like it might have been hitting about 1" low at that distance but otherwise sighted in well from the factory.

Looks like a keeper, and for <$700 after shipping and transfer costs.

-rvb

[rvb]

I hear crickets chirping in my range diary... not much practicing happening.

I need to re-organize my evenings to find another 30-60 minutes. My previous dry-fire time has gone to tredmill or stationary bike time to loose my spare tire(s). I finally got motivated to get in better shape as I think that's going to be important in making further significant improvement in my shooting.

Shot a match on 7/5 at Angola, in17. Shot Open.

Designed/built my first uspsa stage. 28 round field course. Had to carry an American Flag (4th of July and all) to a fwd flag holder prior to last shot. Bay was smaller width wise than I planned so I had to make due and that caused some holes to appear in the layout that were taken advantage of, but I expected that after it got layed out.

Shot really well, except fubared my stage. Execution went well, except I had two makeups on steel with only 1 extra round in the gun. gun is slide fwd on empty chamber and I forgot to rack it leading to a dryfire. 3.44s reload. Should have taken the mike.

99-11 El Prez was a disaster. 5.4x down 4. blew the reload. Was distracted the whole time by a fly biting my leg. lame excuse, but, well, it was distracting.

My goal for the match was to be AGGRESSIVE. Not necessarily to change my shooting, but everything else. To charge harder, enter/exit positions more agressively, and most importantly, really MOVE when shooting on the move. My stage times reflected good results. I had all my hits, and my only makeups were those two on steel referenced above. Still waiting on scores to see points-shot percentage, but Im' guessing still over 92. I think had I shot Area 5 with the same mentality I shot yesterday's match I could have gained that 50 points I needed to get in the top 10.

Cool demo of expanding Zero JHP:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87978

-rvb

[JHP expansion]

Saw an interesting thing thing today at a USPSA match. Target was partly hidden behind some natural brush. I clipped the very end of a skinny branch and the result on the paper was impressive. The bullet about 50% expanded. I would not have expected that from such a small twig.

The round was a Zero 125gr jhp .38 Super running at about 1390 fps.

In the picture you can see a couple of frayed ends where the bullet clipped off the end of the branch.

Just thought it was cool so decided to share....

-rvb

[Practicing Going Faster]

Peoples perceived “Limits” are nothing more than what their current experience is of a given limit. Expand your experience comfort zone into uncharted territory in search of new limits. What we think are hard physical limitations are more often self imposed mental limitations. Understanding that YOU are the number one road block to just about any performance based goal is a HUGE step forward in breaking through your road blocks.

very much agree!

-rvb

[Practicing Going Faster]

Why does ones seeing become more efficient, and how can a shooter train themselves to see more efficient/faster?

I like to step out of my comfort zone. I often push myself just to see what I can see; to learn to observe more in less time... which is really just observing more.

Sometimes I go through the motions as fast as I can without regard to As (or hits!). Im usually able to learn what is holding me back, work on it, and then go for As.

SA, Here is my current approach. I might look back on this in a couple years and think what a dolt I was....

Perhaps I didn't say what I intended to very well. But there is more to observe than the FS/dot. Sometimes I just want to observe "more;" to observe something different than the norm. It's not necessarily that I'm seeing "faster," but trying to train myself to see more of "everything" in that time.

A different way to word it... I feel I have learned to be aware of my FS/dot. I'm happy with the progress of my shot calling/transitions/etc. Sometimes in practice I try to place my focus elsewhere, to open my awareness to new and limiting things that are happening in my performance.

My goal is to learn to be aware of more things, then I can identify my weaknesses. Then I can learn where my focus needs to be while performing various actions, and hopefully they will eventually blend so that I can always be aware of these things...

In a nutshell, basically trying to identify anything that is not efficient as it could be. I've struggled with the same question you pose... how do I get from where I'm at now, to truly understanding what what BE and Flex are saying.

This is the path I'm on.... typing this I'm wondering why I have to push myself to see these things. My thought is/was that the biggest weakness show up more obviously, the weaknesses "fall apart" more apparently. But if I was truely aware would I need that crutch? Dammit. Are BE and Flex confusing me (beyond my ability) or did a light just come on as I typed.

I love this stuff.

-rvb

[Beretta Brigadier sights]

I know the early EIIs had problems with a too-tall FS. I don't think this was a problem on the original Elites. Not sure what sights are on the brigs.

Anyway, on my EII I use the factory novak rear (which you can get from novak) and a dawson fiber front, I think a 0.11 (the thinnest they make for the beretta).

I assume the brigs have the same dovetails as the elites?

-rvb

[Practicing Going Faster]

Some people drive the cars they own really fast.

driver8M3 and I have a funny story about that.

I went through 1/4 tank of gas following him to lunch after a match once. My f150 takes a lot of gas to push the wind that fast. haha

-rvb

[Practicing Going Faster]

so, "Who does Number 2 work for?"

ok, enough Austin Powers....

I agree with you 90%.

I need to convince myself that physically and mechanically some things can actually happen faster, that I CAN go faster. I like to step out of my comfort zone. I often push myself just to see what I can see; to learn to observe more in less time... which is really just observing more.

Sometimes I go through the motions as fast as I can without regard to As (or hits!). Im usually able to learn what is holding me back, work on it, and then go for As. What I often find is that my old pars seems slow and As come easier. I moved up a class in 2 divisions in the past year by taking this approach (and I think my match performance followed). And that's with very limited live fire and moderate-at-best dryfire.

Where I disagree is that I take that approach in practice. "Damn the mikes" at the local match doesn't have as much benefit for the reasons Rocket35 mentions. I often push myself and experiment in locals, but mikes don't give me any baseline. Mikes leave the question of "was I on the edge or WAY past it?" There is little learning that comes from just slinging lead, even if you're calling the mikes.

That doesn't mean you can't push yourself outside of your confort zone at matches. At the recent Area5, I felt like I plodded along at 85%, being too cautious. At this weekend's local I intend to push myself at 99.9% to bring that fire back and find that ragged edge, but I want to be penalty free, too.

there's a time and place for crash and burn. As in your racing analogy, there's no since hittin the wall 1/4 of the races, either. spin out in practice but at least cross the finish line on race day...

-rvb

[Nissan Xterra.... Any Good ?]

Hi,

We need to get my wife a new vehicle and she brought up a Nissan Xterra. We drove one about a year ago and both loved it. Then I started talking to some people and I hade two people that new someone who had all kinds of problems. Never did meet anyone with one. They have some good and bad reveiws and I just want to hear from people that own one or are very close to someone with one. I would like to know millage, year, and model and any problems, beefs, greatness and such.

We need to get her a vehicle that will last.

thanks,

Dave

Wife is happy with her '06. about 25k miles.

Known several people with them and all had good experiences.

Ours doesn't have a ton of milage, but so far I'd buy another.

I prefer to buy Ford, but their SUVs were all bling and fancy gadgets where the xterra seemed better built for less money.

It's quite fun to drive.

Pros:

- true 4x4. only computer involved is shifting the transfer case. no AWD nonsense.

- STRONG V6. More HP/tourque than the V8 in my F150, and lower in the rev range. Timing chain vs belt, too.

- so far no maint except oil changes (done by me). Smartly laid out, too (access hole in skid plate that has a funnel to drain oil from the filter).

- lot of car for the money. Think we paid $24k - $25k??

- cargo area is plastic vs carpet, so you can actually use it and not worry about stains.

- lots of storage compartments.

- good firm suspension w/ good ground clearance.

- best traction control I've seen. I couldn't get it to do a doughnut in 6" of snow until I turned off the TC.

- gas milage is ~15 city and 19 hwy. not bad for it's size/power.

- super tight turn radius

Cons:

- brakes are mushy. may just need bled.

- a little small. I'm not super tall (~5'10") but I have to lean the seat back a bit or my head rubs on the roof. But it's the wife's car and it fits her.

- getting in/out of the back is tight, but ok for kids or if you don't use it a ton.

- auto tranny shifter won't let you select gears, only set top gear used.

[rvb]

Area 5 was yesterday. Shot Open.

Over all, I was pretty happy with my shooting. came in 14th of 74 in open, 81.17%.

Best stage finish was 2nd place, worst was a 45th. One of my goals was improved consistency... I think that shows I have a ways to go. The 2nd place stage was a short little popper/activator, a couple of papers, and a mover... nothing significant in separating the talent and no real points help.

The good:

Shot 94.7% of the available points.

Brushed off an early NS and didn't let it bother me.

Only one extra shot on steel all day.

The bad:

Felt very choppy all day. Many stages forced you into multiple shooting positions. And lots of far left/right movement across stages. These types of entering and exiting positions is something I know I need to work on and it showed in this match. I've been working on movement and shooting on the move and flowing more, but this wasn't that type of match. This was a P1 to P2 to P3 etc kind of match.

The ugly:

A NS on my first stage. called it near the perf and made it up.

WH mike. called it but it was Virginia count. Might have made it up anyway if it was FS or SH..

no-penalty mike on those screaming fast triple-flopper things. would love to try those again.

Should have paid better attention to how some of the ports worked. Pushed a couple open too hard and they bounced back into my gun. Cost me a couple seconds on that stage.

This was a good match with 15 good stages. Nothing gimmiky. Good variety.

I think I came away with several things I want to work on.

-rvb

[Surgery in the morning]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

It was good meeting you and shooting with ya this weekend.

-rvb

[Sunscreen]

I realize that this post is a tinge on the feminine side so please feel free make fun of me. I would if it were you posting this.

I won't make fun of anyone avoiding the sun burns.

Jan of '08 I had part of the skin on my nose chopped out and some reconstructive skin work done due to basal-cell skin cancer. I'm only 31 so I expect to have to go through it all again at some point.

I now slather on the sun screen and wear a wide-brimmed "boony" style hat on match day when I am out in the sun (and for things like mowing the yard). This helps keep the sun off my nose/ears/neck. I put a regular ball cap on when actively shooting.

I've spent a lot of time through-out my life doing various outdoor activities. Fun sometimes has it's price. So I do what I can to avoid further damage (but still want to shoot!). I come home smelling of the special match-day cocktail of sun screen, bug spray, and sweat! What a treat for the wife!

-rvb

[Beretta Elite holsters]

Bladetech DOH for USPSA/Production

Bladetech belt holster for IDPA/SSP.

-rvb

[Stage array problems- when to move on?]

Think about you reloads and your gameplan, too.

This applies more to the PD/SS/Rev guys, but can apply to everyone depending on the stage.

Is pumping lead at a TX-star or some other difficult array not only costing you time hosing, but time for an additional reload (worst case a standing RL?)?

For example, If I enter an array w/ a TS + 2 poppers, that's 7 rounds. Most likely, shooting PD/SS I'm reloading entering and leaving that position. That means in PD I have 4 extra rounds w/o changing my gameplan. If SS/maj, then that's 2 extra rounds w/o changing the plan. Every target needs to be engaged once to prevent penalties.

While I appreciate the determination to clean an array no matter what, even knee deep in brass and empty mags, the goal is to maximize stage points. Save the practice for another day (preferable before the match!).

Even in Limited for example, if you have 18 rounds in the gun on a 14-round stage, you need to understand the impact of burning more than 4 rounds. Maybe you have a good point to reload later on if need be? Maybe it'll force a standing reload? Is the complex array at the beginning or end of the stage and does that affect your decision?

These are all things to think about during the walk through. Sometimes I'll have a "backup plan" so that if a couple extra shots throw off my reload plan I have an addition point in the stage thought out where I could do an extra reload and not do it standing, or maybe be able to engage a missed target from somewhere else, etc.

-rvb