tnpyeron3

Thanks again Steve, Sometimes I can run through my mind everything that I've learned, but it still doesn't click or make sense. Then someone (you) puts it in a different perspective and it makes sense. I can't wait to get to the range and refocus my training. My next USPSA match is a couple of months off, so the practice will help. Hopefully I can refine some rough spots, get a slot to the Limited Nationals and have a good showing. I'll let you know if I'll be sh*ttin' in tall cotton. Oh...My Bugatti is in the shop, but you can borrow it when I get it back.

Steve, Thank you, you are right. It sometimes feels like a burden has been lifted when I do tank a stage and then I feel like I'm back in my groove. The conversation in my head goes something like this "Wow, I F**ed that up. Well, at least that's what I expected and 1 stage out of 10 isn't too bad." All too often I pick a stage, even before I shoot it, and assume that I am going to crash and burn. And usually I do. I assumed that was the case on the classifiers. Trying too hard when I should be focusing on the fundamentals. Case in point: while shooting Can You Count, String 1 was fine with a 5 second run but in Sting 2, I failed to seat the magazine all the way. A good example of going too fast and missing what should be an easy reload. Maybe it's time to reread your book (and practice those drills) and a few others to polish some of these rough spots. Flex, All too often I catch myself forgetting the fundamentals and worrying where I am going to place when the scores come out.

At a recent local match (Fredericksburg,VA) I shot the match fairly well for a C class shooter, but I seem to be having a huge issue with match inconsistency. Out of 7 stages, I placed in the top 8 in 5 stages, 13th in another and 30th in the last (classifier). I am at a loss as to why I can shoot well for a majority of a match and completely tank 1 or more stages. Also, I seem to be choking on classifiers. Some I will shoot 60% + and others less than 40%, (example 99-11: Production - 72%, L-10 - 56%, Limited - 41%) Is it possible to put too much stress upon yourself shooting classifiers? I feel that I should be a B class or higher, but my match performance shows that I should be a D. What can I do to shoot a match consistent? I'm sure this has been asked over and over again, but I am still baffled. I know that there is no magic cure all, but I am looking for a starting out point to fix any mistakes. Thanks

I just wanted to thank everyone that gave me the advice on fixing the Para mags. I ended up polishing the insides with Scotch-Brite, ran them in the case tumbler for 30 minutes each, switched back to the stock Para springs and followers, and coated everything with silicone. I used them last Sunday at the Fredericksburg match and they worked flawlessly with 21 rounds in them, so I think I found the right setup. Thanks again, this forum is always a great source of information from some great people.

Phil, I wish I could make that. I'd love to check out the Tulsa ranges. I guess I have to hope and wait for a Nationals slot to check it out. Good luck.

Thank you all for the tips. I'll start with the easy option of using Para springs and followers. If that doesn't cure it, I'll try the Grams springs and/or Canyon Creek conversion. I will let you know what happens.

I've been shooting CDP for the last couple of months and I realized that I've had to do more RWR than I had planned and I'm glad I practice them once in a while. Case in point at the S&W Winter Champs on stage 2: Course of fire required you to shoot 2 threats near to far, slice the pie on the next 2 and then move to a tree, push it down and engage a fairly quick drop turner w/ 2 rounds and then continue on with the rest of the course. Well, my slide lock reloads are fast, but not that fast on that drop turner. A RWR before moving to the tree was the only reload I could think would work and it did.(I figured round dumping was not even an option.) I cleared the stage in 26 seconds, down 0. So, bottom line, I practice them every now and again but I don't beat myself up doing it.

At the FL Open, I was shooting my Para P-16 and on 4 separate occasions (3 different mags) the followers got stuck at the bottom of the magazine, causing a train wreck. Here's what I'm running: Para SS 16-rd mag tube (did not use scotch bite pads inside) Dawson base pad Arredondo followers Wolff Oversize High-Cap Mag Spring (trimmed to fit 20rds, probably a bad idea) The mags were cleaned prior to shooting the match and cleaned after each stage. What is the best solution to this problem? (Besides switching to a S_I, I don't have the money right now. Even though if I sold both Para's I would) Any help is appreciated.

Neil, Congrats on winning your division. I feel better now that I know I finished 3rd in CDP SS. Excellent match for the second year that I've been to it and I can't wait for next years. Thanks to all the staff that made it another wonderful experience.

Does anyone know when the IDPA Nationals will be? The IDPA website has a countdown to Nationals, but I think that is reset with the conclusion for last years match. Someone out there must have heard a rumor of the dates by now. Thanks

This is the way my department has always taught new recruits and veterans to load thier pistols for duty. I always load my duty gun the same way: Lock the slide open, insert mag, give a pull, slide forward, decock, holster, remove mag, top off, reinsert and give it a pull. Hell, it's like second nature at this point in my career. I think it also comes from shooters not having a barney mag at their disposal and/or using 10 round mags and this is an easy way to top off.

This is the biggest thing that I would be worried about. You ban this individual from any and all club competitions, so then he goes to another range to shoot or just shows his gun off to friends and family. He still does not have the basic safety rules in his head, and he still thinks he is God's gift to the gun world. What do you feel deep down in your gut is going to happen? I would probably predict someone or something will have extra holes. I believe that we are in an unique position. Most USPSA (and/or IDPA) RO/SO's are knowledgeable, very safety conscience and are willing to go the extra mile. He will not learn without help. As much as we would like to get rid of him, it is not responsible of us to knowingly let that individual walk away without forcing the basic safety rules upon him. I personally and professionally would have to work with this individual. I've given hours upon hours of my time at my local range working with unsafe shooters to get them on the right track. I even carry copies of the safety rules to give them. If you do decide to ban him, I would also be very careful on how you do it. If you don't know the guy very well or his state of mind, he could be an even bigger problem. He will probably have a very negative attitude toward the RO's and other shooters. And unfortunately, in this day and age, people go off just because they have been embarrassed. Not saying that this will happen, but people with an attitude as described usually have other issues that you don't know about. Just my .02$

I have to say that this was the best matches I've been to all year, even though my performance wasn't as good as I would have liked. But I did shoot Stage 3 really well (7th in L-10). I can not wait for next year's match and another trip to AZ. You guys in Mesa are really lucky to have a range like that.

I had a similar incident happen when I shipped my handgun to be serviced. I went to the local UPS Store in Lorton, VA with my gun all ready to be shipped out. I asked the clerk if I had to do any extra paperwork to ship the gun. She said I could not ship the gun UPS. I immediately asked for a manager. The manager came out and said that although UPS allows the shipping of firearms, this location will not allow it because they are dangerous. I asked who writes the policy for this store. Manager: "There is no written policy, I'm the manager, I make the rules and I don't like firearms in this building. But, you can take it to the UPS main sorting/shipping facitity and they may ship it." Me: "No thank you, FEDEX ships without inane predjudices against firearms and their owners. And UPS will never get any shipping business out of me or my friends again." Side note: the FEDEX clerk just smiled, filled out the paperwork and asked me how she could get involved in the shooting sports. I feel better now.

And from what I remembered, Stages 1 and 2 were the only ones that you could really get a chance to see and video tape. Everything else was kind of tight getting a film crew in there. Does anyone know when the applications for 2007 S&W match will be coming out?

The best I can find is this: Under ESP Permitted Modifications: 12. Hammer and other trigger action parts to enhance trigger pull (includes the use of over travel stop). So as long as it is safe, I don't see a problem. Also, I would highly recommend Canyon Creek for your trigger job. Rich did my XD45 a few months back and I can not describe how good that trigger feels. I let some of my friends shoot it and they want a XD just to have Rich work on it.

I intend to shoot my XD45 in IDPA CDP and maybe L-10. But I would highly suggest getting the trigger and sights done. I just got mine back from Canyon Creek and I can not even begin to tell you how good it feels. (3.5 lb trigger and a Dawson .100 x .170 FO front with a Heinie Slant Pro Rear) As for the slide not locking back, your thumb could be on the slide catch or the followers in the mag may not be coming up all the way. I've gotten used to my slides not locking open because of my thumb on the slide catch.

As a lowly "C" Limited shooter, I don't mind how the prizes are distributed. If I finish a match as the high C Limited shooter, that's what I'm looking for. If I beat some B's or A's, even better. I know that I'm not a GM or M, but I'm willing to work at getting there. I don't care about the match fees. Hell, I'm spending $200+ to shoot Area 2 and another $200 + to shoot the FL Open. If you add that to the cost of hotels, transportation, food, etc., I'd be better off staying home. I shoot these matches to shoot and get better. I don't shoot for prizes. If I wanted a new gun or frame, I could just save the matches fees and the cost of everything else and just buy the damn thing. And besides, the GM or M that wins overall doesn't have to take the best prize. He (or she) may already have 7 Glocks, 4 Frames, 5 reloaders, etc.. He may want something else.

I can carry what I shoot in IDPA, but I don't. The warm VA weather makes them kind of hard to conceal effectively. My carry gun is a Ruger SP101, and shooting that in Revo division would be a real disadvantage.

I'll be going to my first FL Open ever and I'm really looking forward to it. And luckily, the Daytona 500 is the same weekend, so it looks like a 2 for 1 weekend.

Flex, I agree about the volunteers. I volunteer for our IDPA club, and man, what a workout. Carmoney, some fees are a little ridiculous, but we have really good values here in N.Va area also. For around $20-$30 you can shot up to 7 stages at some ranges. Not bad. But some majors leave me scratching my head, especially when you figure in travel, hotel, rental cars, etc. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Hell, I'm looking forward to the travel and experience of going to Area 2 even though it'll cost me around $1500 by the time I'm done. Hopefully I'll have a good showing.

I'm a Federal LEO, so I get to by pass security as long as I know the special knock for the door and the special handshake. I'm not allowed to go through a metal detector since the rocket scientists (aka TSA) would freak if they saw what was on my hip or in my bag. On a lighter note, after 9/11 I was flying armed. I bypassed security with no problem but when I was boarding the plane, the airline staff said that I could not carry my knife. Quote from the staff person "It does not matter that you are flying with a handgun, there are no sharp objects allowed." My comment was "Do you realize that I am a LEO flying armed and so are the dozen or so men behind me?" Staff: "It does not matter, sir. No sharp objects." I lost a good Spyderco knife that day. And when I looked behind me, all my co-workers were stashing their knives deep into their pockets. I love TSA!

Thanks guys, I guess as a shooter you never really realize what the clubs do to put on a big match. Terry

Check the regs. I beleived TSA regulations prohibit armed LEOs from carrying firearms oboard anywhere other than on their person. Yes, they do. But I carry one on me and back up in my carry on. Luckily, the TSA and the airlines extend some courtesies to us.

Matt, I really feel for you. It's like losing a loved one. I'm glad this came out, since I was supposed to fly into O'Hare coming back from Area 2. Looks like I may change my plans. But luckily I can fly as an armed LEO, so I can keep my baby under the seat in front of me. Hopefully the individuals get caught and get a long sentence. Terry