New guy in Pennsylvania

[Parastang]

Hello,

My name is Jason and I have been back in the shooting sport now for two years. I am currently a Pa. State Trooper and an Air Force Security Forces Veteran. I say I am “back into” shooting after about ten years of slacking and making up poor excuses.

While I was in the USAF I was introduced to competitive pistol shooting at the Indian Territory Practical Shooters Club. I would shoot either the IDPA shoots or the IPSC comps. I learned a lot while there. I ran a Beretta 9mm. During a “Law Enforcement” shoot I went up against fifty other shooters and took third place. The second place shooter was I believe a Grandmaster. I lost second to him by less than a second due to a holster malfunction on my part.

I moved back home to Pennsylvania and the excuses for not going to the range started. I was a college student, and a weekend warrior with the Pa National Guard where I was lining up a position to become a firearms instructor. I was also looking into joining a shooting team on base. I ended up doing another year and a half active duty with the Pa National Guard thanks to some idiots who decided to fly planes into buildings. Still no shooting….other than qualification. Even so I was still able to shoot expert with the M-16, M9 and the M-249 SAW.

In 2003 I got hired with the Pa State Police. Great job love doing it. Our qualification in my mind is less than substantial as it is in most police departments. In 2010 a co-worker Tpr. Paul Richey was shot and killed in the line of duty by a coward. I decided I need a change in how I play the game. A retired corporal from my station started having combat matches once a month at a local range. I am the only guy from my station who goes to these.

When I first started shooting “again” ten years later I was BAD! I was using my old trusty Beretta 9mm. Good gun like it or not, it has NEVER failed in the 18 years I have owned it and the paces I put it threw. I met other shooters and began to learn about other ranges and other types of competition. I joined the Titusville Sportsmans Club, and then I was shooting two shoots a month. I learned about more clubs and if I was off work I went. By the end of the first year I bought a Para P14-45 and was HOOKED.

The Para has been a good gun. It had its quirks and I have had to work on it. Amazing what you can do with a little time, patience, and light sanding an polishing. I am thinking of stepping up to a STI in the future.

Now here I am at the end of my second year. The Para is polished and runs great on my load I make in my NEW Dillon reloader. I have put over 2500 rounds down range this year and average three or four shoots a month. Two of which were three gun matches. I practice once or twice at the range by myself a month. My shooting scores have dramatically increased and I have been on the heals of a few Class A shooters. I loose the chase as a result of stupid mistakes. My hits are good and my speed is going up. I loose points in an occasional miss or the target that I simply do not shoot because I passed it up.

Right now I feel good about things. When I was in the USAF I was shooing for fun and practice. It was simply the more I go to the range the better I will get. It was for fun and killed time. Now my mindset is I am shooting to train and be proficient and confident. I still shoot the Para and not my duty weapon which is a Glock 45GAP. Two weeks ago I attended a seminar by Lt. Col. David Grossman, killology.com. The subject matter covered was the “Warrior Mindset”. I will recommend this seminar to anyone in the military, law enforcement or the civilian who carries concealed.

After attending the seminar I was curious as to what mental aspects are involved in competitive pistol shooting. And so my questions are starting to be answered by this site.

The pistol shooting season here in PA is coming to a close. There will be some indoor shooting available; hopefully I can become involved in over the cold winter. I plan to use the practice methods I find on this site. Dry fire combat courses set up in my house. Next season my goal is to dent some egos. I also want to try to go out to some bigger competitions. I hope to pick up the pace and make those who do not practice over the winter wonder what happened to me.

Next week is our first local Police Shoot. I am hoping we get a good number of shooters. My modest side says not to brag or fluff my feathers. But some of what I have read here say I should come out and say it like it is. “I am going to kick some ass”. Down side to it is I have to use my duty rig and Glock. Been practicing a little just to get used to the holster, the mag. pouch, and the flat top of the Glock.

I had links to some of the clubs mentioned but I guess I am not alowed to post links. Sorry.

Thanks,

Jason

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion of your walks."

-- --Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785

[carter300]

Welcome and nice introduction. NW PA, Gem City USPSA match 1st sunday each month, today!!!Some shoots an hour or so south of you on I-79 Pardoe and Castlewood. Then there is Crooked Creek if you want to venture into OH.

Happy ASS kicking!

[Parastang]

Hey thanks. Been to Pardoe twice. Really like it there. Gem City twice also. I grew up about 4 miles from it. Also a nice range. Thought about going today but I worked midnights and I am back out tonight.

Jason

[MARKAVELI]

Nice intro, good luck & Welcome to the forums..

[StephensOutdoors]

Good luck shooting.

[Parastang]

27 Shooters. One stage. 22 rounds minimum. Ten Steel. Six paper requiring two shots each. Requited forward moving and negotiating a narrow hallway. I shot it in 30.44 seconds and took 1st place. Had a good day. Over all I shot the course about 10 times using my duty rig and my Para. Quickest time of the day for me was 25.34 with my duty rig. Glock 45GAP.