anonymouscuban
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Posts posted by anonymouscuban
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Thanks. Good to know. I will check my local area to see if I can find some classes.Yes. All the pros do classes. Several GM's will do some type of teaching as well.
I was invited to the range this upcoming Saturday by a couple of the guys from a local club to get some practice. Should be a good learning experience.
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14 minutes ago, B_RAD said:
If you're liking it and think you're gonna get serious, I'd suggest taking a class from a solid shooter fairly soon.
A lot of the top level folks teach. Very helpful early on.
Good luck.
Are there folks that teach specific to competition shooting?
I've take a DEF/TAC Handgun 1 and 2 but these were more focus on defensive techniques.
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
I'm gonna look into some trail running shoes. Seems its the type of shoe that you all are recommending. I'm particular about footwear so will see if I can try a few different brands on to see which are comfortable and provide good traction.
I studied up on Practiscore yesterday and have a better understanding of scoring. @HesedTech poin - See that it basically boils down to points per second. If you're not shooting, you're not scoring and time is ticking. I knew that going in but now I see how important it is.Watching my videos, lots of room to shave time without a lot of effort.
I also realize how much mikes and no hits impact your score. If I understand it correctly, you not only get hit with the penalty score, you also miss out on the potential 10 points on for the target. Example.... you have a 2 mikes on a target. First you get hit with the -20 points for the misses. But then you also lost out on a potential 20 points for that target in the stage. So score is now down 40 points. I can see where on some stages, a couple of misses or no hits and you can never recover.
Honestly, that makes me love this sport even more. It really requires you to stay on your toes. What I love too is that, kind of like golf, you're really competing against yourself. Trying to improve your game at each match.
Can't wait for my next match!!!
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Thanks for that. I noticed this as well too. It was something that was pointed out to me to work on during a training class I took. I guess I gave to work on it more so it becomes muscle memory.Glad it went well and you had a safe and fun time! It looked good for a first match. I think you hit the nail on the head with moving more quickly between arrays (and make sure you get your reloads in while moving instead of standing still). Taking video like this and analyzing your performance will help you spot things to work on and accelerate your improvement, so keep it up.
One tip I had from watching your video is to keep your pistol up high when you are doing your reloads. On both the reloads in the video you dropped it down to around your stomach, which meant you had to take your eyes away from the target to perform the reload, then bring the pistol back up, reacquire the target, and engage. I think almost everyone starting out does it because most are used to shooting stationary in a stall at a range and pick up their spare mags from a bench/table in front of them at waist height. It wasn't until my 3rd or 4th match (and lots of dry fire reloads) that I started to break that habit myself. It will take a good amount of practice to train that habit out but it will give you a pretty substantial speed boost once you get it down.
Watching the videos definitely helps a lot. Watching yourself, you get a completely different perspective than how you thought you ran the stage. You can see exactly where you made mistakes or where technique can be improved.
On the topic of reloads, there was a stage where we started with a mag in the gun at position A and 2 spare mags on a table at position B. The stage required 2 tactical reloads. The first when you got to the table at position B. The 3rd was a few feet away from the table.
What is the best way to approach a stage like this as far as the spare mags:
When you get to position B, load the spare mag onto your belt then continue?
OR
Reload, engage the next array, then grab the next mag off the table and engage the last array?
I did the latter and I think I lost time coming back to the table once to reload. I think I would have spent less time putting the mag on my belt.
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Hey fellas.
I've made several posts, over the past couple of years, seeking advice as a new firearm owner wanting to get into USPSA. You guys have all been extremely helpful answering my questions and giving me general advice.
I finally shot my first match this last Saturday. WOW! What a day. Met some great guys. Have so much fun. I finished with all my toes intact and without being sent packing to Dairy Queen. Icing on the cake is that I finished 80 out of 97 overall. I expected to come in dead last so that was a pleasant surprise.
Here is a video of my very first stage. Nerves were a bit high. I also decided to heed everyone's advice to take it slow. Ended this stage with a hit factor of 3.69. All alphas except for one charlie.
I know I will improve next match because I know I can move faster when I'm not shooting. My time killed me. My 2nd Texas Star also killed me. I completely choked and it took me 12 rounds to bring them all down. What sucks is I shot the first one in 6 rounds.
There is plenty of room for me to improve which is all upside. Really looking forward to my next match.
One question.... what do you all wear for shoes?
I want to make sure I'm wearing shoes with good traction. I was wearing hiking boots which have some good tread on them but wondering if there is something better.
I witnessed a really scary fall. Guy went down head first. Worst part, he had his finger in the trigger well. Gun discharged as he was going down. We all thought he shot himself. Luckily, it went off just before he muzzled himself and the rounds went down range. Fortunately, he was OK except for a some cuts on his hand from the fall.
Really sobering moment. Rattled the crap out of me. Just a reminder not to ever become complacent with the fundamentals. Muzzle and trigger discipline. WOW.
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Really great dialogue going here. And a little different than what I often hear.
The mantra often is "go fast because you can't overcome time with hits." At least i see this posted quite a bit. It seems there is some truth in it but I think it's based on the assumption that the shooter is competent enough to shoot decently at speed. A newb taking heeding this advice will not fare well I suppose.
I have spent a long time with training focused on getting the tightest groups possible. I think this is what a lot of new gun owners that train aspire to do. Then I found some USPSA matches on YouTube and said, "WoW. I want to do that." I changed my training.
My big struggle right now is the transition between shooting tight groups at a leisurely pace and learning to shoot well under the pressure of time. One thing I really struggled with is learning what a "good enough" sight picture and get my brain to break the shot. I was so used to trying to get that perfect aim to get the perfect bullseye that my brain just would trigger that message to my fingers to let go. I've gotten over this but now sometimes I shoot too soon, before I see that my sight picture is acceptable. And hell, I sometimes have thrown shots where I don't even remember seeing my front sight.
The thing is that it's not that I'm not looking at my sights. I am. They just don't register sometimes. It may be that this is very new to me so I kind of still have the deer in headlights thing going on. Just brain overload.
The one good thing is that I can manage to hit some part of the target even when I'm throwing shots. I can index my gun pretty well so the muzzle is at least in the vicinity of the cardboard. As someone said, if you can't hit a USPSA target you probably shooting be competing.
Sounds like I just have to find that balance where I am just on the edge of shooting too fast. Like with anything. You get to where you are really good and then you pushed just a little more so you have one foot on the side of "chaos". That's how you get better.
Also, focusing on doing everything fast when you're NOT actively shooting so you make up time to slow down when you are.
What do you all think? Is my theory correct?
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Thanks for tip. I'm gonna move closer for sure. I'm also going to slow it down to a 2 second par time. Then gradually decrease the par time by one second when I can get consistent hits at each par time.
Why don't you start closer to the targets, like 5 yards, and start increasing the speed, then gradually work your way back to 10-12 yards. Keep dry firing like crazy...practice will payoff for sure.
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I have the mecgar mags for my SP-01 and ran them in my P-01 before I got extra compact mags. Didn't really consider the advantage they give since they extend out beyond the mag well.[mention=66421]anonymouscuban[/mention] one nice thing about running the P01 is you can run it with SP01 mags since they are compatible with the P01. They will stick out from the grip a bit, giving you the feel of reloading a magazine with an extension but while still fitting in the Production box.
Not my picture but this will give you an idea. Those are the 18 round SP01 mags that come from the factory, which might not fit in the box depending on what sights you have, but the Mec Gar 17 rounders should fit anything (they fit even with my suppressor ready model SP01)
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Thanks for the input. It's funny because the SP-01 came first. And I thought it was an amazing pistol. Then a year later, while shopping for an AR at my LGS, I picked up the P-01. Immediately, it was love at first touch. LOL. It fit my hand like a glove right off the shelf. I ended up buying the AR and the P-01.
That's your answer. Yes it sounds simple. That's because it is. If you have a pistol you shoot well with, shoot it. Use that as a base reference and see if you can improve on it. If you want to keep the SP-01 that's fine but leave it as range fun gun. The P-01 feels natural to you, that for me has always been the key. If it doesn't feel right out of the box, you're going to have a hell of a time making it feel right. 1911s have always felt "right" to me and index very well. But I built 9 of them before I found an absolutely perfect fit.
I am going to run with the P-01 for my first match. See how it goes. I will continue to practice with the SP-01 as well to see if I can make it work. I may try some other grips as well. I have the stock grips on it now. I tried some aluminium thin grips but those felt worse. We shall see.
Like I said, I'm looking to have fun with USPSA. Maybe that's what it will be for me. If it turns into more, with time and experience I am sure i will find what works best. I'm over thinking everything, it seems, at this point in time.
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OK. So here's the dilemma I have. I have done exactly the dry fire drill you mention quite a lot. If I am using terminology correctly, my goal is to develop an index with my draw. Basically, muscle memory so that I can draw, bring the gun up to my line of sight and have an acceptable sight picture with little to no adjustment needed. Consistently.In order to be fast and accurate, you need to work on accurate first. Forget speed for now. Just practice getting the gun between your eyes and the target smoothly, with the sights aligned on the target. You need to start slowly and really focus on the movement and and where the gun "WANTS" to point. If the gun doesn't WANT to line up on the target without adjustments, you need to take a good hard look at your grip. You can do all of this in dry fire any time you have free time. Put a 1" target paster on a wall. stand back 15 ft and practice drawing the gun to that spot. Focus on the dot and bring the sights to your line of sight straight. The more you practice that, the easier it will be to do it faster. In the end you'll be doing it dead on without even trying. THAT is when you'll get fast.
I can do this pretty damn well with my CZ P-01. But with my SP-01, I can't. What I am finding is that with the latter, my sight picture is left of the target often. My rear sight is fine. It's that the muzzle is pointing left. I then need to adjust which takes time.
When analyzing my draw with both pistols, the difference is grip. With the P-01, I get a nice solid, full grip of it everytime. With the SP-01, I don't. The P-01 has always felt perfect in my hand. My SP-01 is nice but it doesn't feel as "natural". I think it's a combination of the size of the grip and the weight but I'm a better shooter with it.
So this seems like an easy fix... run with the P-01. But am I putting myself at a disadvantage running a compact in Production where it seems the majority run full size pistols?
Logically, I think since I'm new I should run the P-01 since I shoot that better and I'm going to be at the bottom of the score card no matter what I choose. My real goal at this point is to be safe and enjoy myself.
What do you guys think about me running with the P-01?
Do you have any insights as to why I struggle with the SP-01 and not the P-01?
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This was my thought so glad to hear someone confirm. My first match is at the end of this month and although I have been practicing my draw, I'm trying not to get too hung up on my speed or lack there of. I figure I am only drawing once per stage and training everything else that goes on in the stage will pay off more than spending that time on my draw.It is always good to have a fast draw, however, in competition, the amount of times you draw the gun with a fast draw is not near as important as working on moving into a shooting positions with the gun held high and acquiring the first visible target, working on good/fast transitions, and conducting a fast reload (if needed) when you are no further than one step beyond the previous shooting position...….now if you have a good fast draw that allows a good consistent grip each time you draw......you will be far ahead of most shooters.....!
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I'm having the same issue. I have taken a couple of formal classes. Anything under 1.5 sec and half the time I'm hitting C zone shots at 10 yards. Now... I am not quite sure if it's a bad sight picture or if it's my trigger break is slop.
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I will be doing my first USPSA match at the end of January. I finally have an outdoor range where I can practice action shooting. Last week, I practiced 1 shot and 2 shot strings from the draw. I'm consistent enough I think.
What are some of the things that newbs struggle with the most and what drills can you recommend that I can practice techniques to prepare?
I'm kind of thinking running with a firearm will be a challenge. Not so much physically; I'm in decent shape. But mentally and from a Dairy Queen prevention perspective. I have heard from plenty of people that they found that something in their head kept them from moving fast while holding a pistol the first time out.
I was thinking of setting up a start and stop cone. Run from start to stop and engage the target. Get used to decelerating into a shooting position.
Really would appreciate some suggestions. Next range day is this Saturday. Would like to get the most out my time there.
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Awesome guys. Thanks for the info. You know, had I not made this post, I wouldn't have thought to tell them to bring eyes and ears. Not sure why. I know its safety 101 but I didn't even consider it to this point.
Also, good point about the kids. My niece wants to come and she has a 2 year old. He's my Godson. I would love for him to come see his "Nino" shoot but I'm gonna ask that she not bring him along just to avoid any issues. I plan on introducing him to firearms when he's old enough so there will be plenty of other opportunities for it.
My wife will definitely come, along with my niece and her husband and probably my nephew, who is interested in competing. My sister, their mom will probably want to join too. We shall see. I will bring some Cuban treats to make a good impression on the guys. LOL Funny because my wife always brings some kind of treats for the staff at the range when we go shoot. They love us... or her more than likely. Haha.
Oh... and seating. Thanks for that heads up too. Awesome guys. Thank you so much. I've only been shooting for around 2 years and one of the things that has impressed me the most is the shooting community. So diverse and 99% of the folks are the nicest and welcoming people you can meet.
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Hey all.
First, Marry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all.
Not sure if this is the correct place to post this but I will be doing my first USPSA match next month. I've had several family members ask if they can come to watch and support me. Not sure if this will help me or make me more nervous. It's a blessing and curse of having a Cuban family.
Is this OK? Will they be able to watch maybe a stage or two or will they just be in the way?
Thanks.
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Thank you. I will work on my stance some more. Very helpful.[mention=66421]anonymouscuban[/mention] lower. Still more forward. Grip the gun much harder. Your handshake at shooting pressure should make the other man’s hand ache. Dryfire should make your forearms burn at first.
You progressed from leaning back... to being pretty much vertical on the second rep.
Lean. Forward.
Bend. Knees.
It should feel unnatural and uncomfortable. You’re almost tipping forward. Your thighs should be burning. Then you’re low enough.
Most of us got up to B class or so before realizing grip and stance were in need of an overhaul and it’s an absolute bastard to reprogram yourself. Learn to stand low like an NBA player guarding an offensive player, and to grip like a beast right up front. You’ll be so much better off!
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Hey fellas. So it's been a couple of weeks since I posted my original video. You guys were great and chimed in with some helpful feedback. Be honest, with the holidays and work, have not had much time to practice based on suggestions.
That said, here is a video of more presentation dry fire. This time from the surrender position. Also, I got a drop hanger for my holster. Still getting used to it but it feels more natural.
I've been focusing less on speed and more on getting a clean draw stroke with much less movement. Comparing this video to my last one, I notice dramatically less head and shoulder movement. I am more relaxed. I also am leaning forward a bit as it was pointed out that I was on my heals too much before.
Posting this up for more critique as the last was very helpful. Gonna take this out to the range in a couple of weeks to do some live fire practice. I want to get more dry fire practice with good technique before then though so looking forward to your feedback.
PS. One thing these videos have made me realize is I need to get back to exercising. Sheesh. Pretty out of shape compared to where I was a couple of years ago before I injured my neck and had to stop training.
https://youtu.be/sFNAeuKimJQ
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Very helpful. Thank you. I will work on the things you mention.Lots of head movement going on. Also this. Should be pretty much the exact opposite in terms of forward lean.
It's tough to tell in the video but I would bet you aren't gripping hard enough with the weak hand. Also the sight is dipping as you pull the trigger on quite a few of those reps.
If you are working just the draw, I would like to see a lot more follow through at the end of the rep. Keep the gun out on target for an extra couple of seconds. Use that time to reflect on your grip, what you saw in the sights as you pulled the trigger, etc.
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Thank you. It's what I understood it to be. I'm a little bit of a spaz by nature so I need to work on being more efficient with my movement as you guys have pointed out. Thank you.By "index" I am referring to drawing the gun and pointing it directly where your eyes are focused on the target. This also translates to transitioning to the next target and swinging the gun to where your eyes are looking. While you are working on isolating your draw, try to have zero wasted movements, this includes your torso/upper body.
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Can you explain the concept of "indexing"?What everyone else has said above^^. I would also suggest on keeping your upper body completely motionless besides the hands and arms that need to move. You have too much bouncing around going on which leads to inconsistency. Once you have your index down good then you'll be able to draw while moving towards the first target just like you would stationary in dry fire.
I think I know what this means but I want to make sure. I have a tendency to know more than I actually do. I hope that makes sense.
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I can make this happen. Have snap caps o'plenty.I'll take it one step further. You NEED to have a magazine around, preferably with dummy rounds and snap caps loaded. Drawing the gun closer to "loaded" weight is a lot different, and needs to be part of the way you practice.
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Stop.
Just stop this, dear entire internet.
Please.
This isn’t the Delicate Gun-Owning Flower’s forum on Facebook.
We believe you’re a mature adult, with no need to be swaddled in a safety diaper while he handles firearms.
The fact that everyone on YouTube feels an obligation to show a clear gun at length in every video is very depressing. Common sense implies it will be unloaded. If you’re dumb enough to handle it loaded, well, that’s your personal choice. And we get some very entertaining video out of it. [emoji3]
Consider working with a shot-timer or other beep-maker. A big part of the USPSA draw is reacting to the buzzer. Smoothly cycling through a bunch of reps of a non-pressured draw is probably valuable, but you want to make sure it doesn't all fall apart just because you're going from dead-still to full-speed based on when some outside agency decides to say "go."I agree. In fact, it's not an "IMPORTANT NOTE." I knew the gun didn't have a round in the chamber the first time the OP pulled the trigger and it didn't go bang. Reading it in advance didn't tell me anything I wasn't going to know via watching the video anyway.Hear hear
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Thanks for that guys. Made me laugh. I apologize deeply for my noting the fact that I'm not a complete and utter moron. Hahaha.This will prove helpful. Max wins nearly every USPSA match he enters:
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Thanks. Trying to balance speed with slop. Maybe I'm too relax.You appear overly relaxed before your draw...bent backwards almost. It may be advantageous to lean your upper body forwards a bit so you don't have to do it on your draw. Are your feet where they should be?
As far as feet, I don't know what I don't know. I'm standing in a natural athletic stance. Feet about shoulder width apart. This is new stuff to me but I played baseball all my life so I'm standing how I would while fielding.
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Prep as in get my finger in the guard sooner?you can prep that trigger and break that shot a lot sooner than you're doing
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Hmm... I will try to see how I can do that but stay within my limits so that I'm safe. I've watched so many videos of guys popping off ADs into the dirt. I guess I'm a bit "gun shy". LOL sorry for the pun.
I've been thinking about the boss hanger. I have my first match in January so trying not to buy too much before I have experience to know what I need/want.First I would suggest getting a dropped and offset or at least a drop for that holster. Check out the boss hanger.
Second if you tilt the holster back as in like this \ instead of like this / it will be easier to get your grip and not have to chicken wing your arm out so much.
Third. Get your support hand there sooner so you can have that grip established and start prepping your trigger sooner.
Doing good though! Keep it up!
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One thing that I've improved a lot on is that I now get a consistent grip with every draw. I struggled with this a bit early on. Repetition is paying off here.
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My First Match! I AM HOOKED!!!!
in USPSA/IPSC Shooting
Posted
Interesting. Going to practice this in dry fire to see what works best for me. Thanks.
Thank you. Going to see if I can make this training. Not sure if my schedule will allow. Next month is pretty busy for me with weekend stuff. Maybe I can talk the wife into letting me out of some of it.