d_striker Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) Fun weekend of shooting, man. It's fun when you're progressing and stomping it. I don't think the burnout comes until the plateau and/or perceived regression comes. At least that's how it's been for me in other sports. Edited July 13, 2015 by d_striker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Yea. I hope that day never comes. I see some people at that stage right now and it hurts seeing them run stages sometimes because I know they were shooting waaaaay better a few months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 (edited) This last weekend was the Area 3 Championship. It was an awesome experience. This was my second Area match and they really do a lot to get these going. We showed up Friday early enough to catch some of the squads running their match in one day. We kinda of got an idea of how we were going to shoot it once the stages were clear of people and we walked them. I think I had a solid strategy on almost all of them before I left Friday. The heat wasn't too bad on Friday so that helped ease into the weekend. When we got back to the hotel it seemed that Grand Island has their own hurricanes. I was afraid that this is what we had to look forward to tomorrow because we were shooting in the afternoon. We showed up Saturday and due to a rain delay we had extra time to sit around and watch the stages some more. The wind picked up a little and took the edge of the heat. It was actually not a factor that day thanks to the breeze and cloud coverage.The stages were awesome. There were not that many no shoots and the targets were really wide open. There was a lot of movement and funny little things you had to do so the hit factors were not all that high. I ended the match with capturing 89% of my available hits and only scored 1 miss and 7 D's the entire match. The miss was definitely a surprise because I took my time and thought all my shots were acceptable. There were a few stages were I was doing well and ended up in the top 20 for the stages. The majority were in the 30's and some of them ended up being in the 40's and even a 50's in overall finish for production. My goal was to see if there was an improvement since Area 2 and I can honestly say that I performed better as far as being patient with my sights. The few stages where I finished in the top 20 were because I did everything I remembered. My grip was solid, I put effort into every transition, foot placement and well memorized stage plans that were executed the way I intended. Glock26toker was in my squad and I overheard a comment he made about how all he wants is to finish each stage and the match saying he gave it all he could and did not hold anything back. I felt that on certain stages I was on autopilot and going through the motions of shooting but not being aggressive. I just shot it like I didn't care. After I heard that I made sure of it and it felt very nice. My last stage of the match was something I made sure I gave everything to and secured a very good time and got my hits. This is something I need to do on EVERY stage at EVERY match, including local matches. I really do understand now that it is not all physical ability but mental toughness and preparedness. I do recall that the stages that I did best on were the ones I pushed as hard as I could, had my game plan solid and giving me confidence to go as fast as I could. DStriker also gave me the fire to finally get off my ass and get fit. I am no longer giving out donations in time because I run like my legs are webbed and only move from the knee down! haha. I see his aggressiveness and bolt of energy when running and I want it too. It is cool to see the similarity and differences in our style of shooting because of our abilities. I'm hoping that once I can be fast at these short bursts I will be able to keep up with him and even the A Class shooters. I just want to be close to the top times of the shooters that are winning this and then go from there. Taking away the GM transitions and such I should theoretically be able to finish within 5 seconds on long field courses of top shooters. Once I get the hang of the technical stuff then that's where those last few seconds will be earned. I hope I am on the right track to being a GM. As always there are many stories to share from Area 3 and I can't wait to see you all and share them. They are awesome! Edited August 3, 2015 by Richc2048 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Fun shooting for sure. While I think fitness plays an important role in explosive movement, what I was trying to tell you is that you need to put more effort into just moving period. I've seen you move aggressively before so I know it's possible for you. It seems like you're just not choosing to haul ass with 100% effort. Programming where I need to haul ass into my stage plan really helps me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 That's true. And I think it's because my reloads not done fast enough to just concentrate on movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Make reloads automatic, we have very limited thinking power available after the beep, using any of it to concentrate on reloads is a waste. Concentrate on the movement and let the reload happen instead of concentrating on the reload and letting the movement happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 4, 2015 Author Share Posted August 4, 2015 I forgot to mention that my CZ arrived the day before I was leaving for Area 3. It is sweet. I picked it up that day and fired it at the range and dry fired it a lot that night and at the hotel before the match. It was my stupid idea to run the gun at the match but changed my mind at the match. When we arrived at the match I finally got the pre-major match jitters and combining that with a brand new gun didn't sit well with me. I changed out all my gear to the glock holster and mag belts and immediately felt 100% better about it. I forgot to realize that I did not know the hold of the sights at different distances and along with the fact that if the gun craps out on a stage I will never hear the end of it by my good friends, it was enough for me to almost have a heart attack. My confidence in my glock was superb and I do believe that helped me do better at the match than a brand new gun that's supposed to be "better" could ever do. So in conclusion, thank you to all my friends that helped me make the right choice! Cha-Lee, I still don't know better than to listen to you in the first place. I am sorry. One day I will learn though. I feel like the kid that thinks he has the whole world figured out and doesn't need the advice of a bad ass GM. haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 I shot my cz for the first time in a match setting. It was a bowling pin shoot competition. I went from winning the last one to barely surviving a few rounds. The gun was flawless and it was my part that sucked. Just getting used to it will take a while. I do see the potential in that single action trigger though. I am not used to the sights. The glock sights had a very wide space between the front post. I'm not sure if it's the front site that is thick or if it's the rear sight that is narrow but I was not getting good shots with it. I definitely need to fix some issues with my grip and just get used to it. I feel it'll be a better gun for my journey in the long run. Anyone else that came from a warren tactical sight or similar to a cz have a hard time getting used to the sights or am I just being dramatic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I can't speak to your sight as I have the adjustable rear which may be different. My rear notch is pretty narrow which makes a .100" front seem pretty wide. I'll measure the rear later when I get home. I was thinking a .090" would be perfect on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glock26Toter Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Every change will affect everyone differently. I can certainly see how the relationship between the sights can take some getting used to so just shoot it some more and keep analyzing it to see what you want to change. Even though you got thrown off don't move too quickly to make changes. Maybe the narrower sight will be better after you give yourself a chance to get used to it. I would especially not make any conclusions based on a match and conditions that aren't the primary goal. Outside, at a match you may love the sights. Indoor, just standing there in low light you might hate 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 (edited) The rear notch on mine are .117". With a .100" front, i have roughly a 1/4 width of the front sight's width worth of light on each side. I was accustomed to about half a sight's width worth of light previously. I think John makes a good point and I'm actually starting to get used to it. The other part of me thinks why change something that you're already visually comfortable with. I don't know if you're planning to shoot your glock occasionally (GSSF) but I personally think it'd be easier to switch back and forth if the light bars were the same on both guns. I would recommend you figure out where the gun is verifiably shooting. Settle on your load and if you need to make an adjustment to your elevation POI, get a new front and get the width your comfortable with. At least that's how I'd do it. Edited August 6, 2015 by d_striker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 I think it depends a lot on how you arrived at the glock setup. If that is the only one you tried, then you should definitely give yourself the time to test them and see if there is a difference in performance once your comfortable with appearance. If however you tried tons of possible site setups and settled on what you currently have on the glock then I would try to match those exactly because you know that's the best setup and not just what you're used too. The bottom line is you will get comfortable with whatever setup you practice with. You won't however know if that is the best possible setup for you unless you try other things. Like damn near everything in this sport, what happens in the distance between your ears will likely play a much bigger role in how you shoot the gun than the actual measurement of the notch will ultimately affect your shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHA-LEE Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Iron sights need to be setup in a way that promotes the ability to call your shots at blistering shooting speeds. Tuning the sight configuration to what you need to see is a very important process that takes a crap ton of testing to figure out what works best for you. I have spent over $1000 in different sight setups over the years to figure out the setup that works for me. Try stuff out and see what does or does not work. But always keep in mind that the goal should be a sight configuration that allows you to process what you are seeing while shooting at chainsaw speeds. If the sight setup is too tight or small you will be forced to let the sights totally settle post shot before you can see them again before breaking the next shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 I've tried stock glock sites (bleh), ameriglo i dots (liked it because it was my carry sites; very used to it) and finally settled on Warren Tactical sights for the last 8 months. I liked how thin the front blade looked and how deep the notch was in the rear. The cz sights seem to be a square notch and the front blade that's visible during a good sight picture is a square. To me it seems there's only a sight picture when it's perfect. Any lower and or to the side and the fiber disappears. I guess with good practice my margin of error will be smaller. Right now with a less than optimal alignment the fiber is hidden and not in the notch. I'll keep trying these. Who knows, I may improve with these. I will ask Stuart and see what options are available just in case these don't work out. I'm hoping it's a bigger rear sight because the front site looks like pain to try and do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbeck Posted August 6, 2015 Share Posted August 6, 2015 Next time you shoot it, try not paying attention to aiming it but just watch the sights. What do they do? What can't you see that you could with the glock setup? Are you losing the front sight because it dips low and out of sight? Does it return out of alignment? Does it not return to where it was before the shot? What visual information are they lacking that the others had? What is distracting your ability to see? If you watch the sights from a spectators perspective you'll have a better idea of what the real issue is and what you should try next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 So the little I've shot it it didn't return back in the notch and I had to hunt for the fiber. Reading what you said it could be a grip issue because it's not returning to the same spot. Perhaps the glock sights allowed me to be sloppy? Or my grip was good on that. Hmmm. Thanks for the discussion guys! This discussion may have unlocked more things for me to think about and solve from different angles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy3guns Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 I can't help but wonder how has your shooting improved? I noticed several comments was about your weight. Have you started to work on that? A little story about myself I used to smoke. That was a big factor in my ability to run. I quit smoking added 40 lbs of weight. I now work out everyday a mix of cardio and weights. Have I noticed a difference from a year ago YES. I just got a second place stage finish on a multi bay multigun event with some pretty healthy athletic shooters. I shot it well and ran the stage just about flawless. I have not read any books other then reading on here, watching some you tube videos, and learning from other shooters at local club events Well I wish the best of luck to you and hope you have really improved your shooting Thanks Tommy3gun Tommy Pizzo YouTube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 (edited) Thanks Tommy, My weight is still an issue but my movement has improved somewhat despite it. I learned to move a little more aggressively and I am somewhat able to keep up with the fast times at our local matches. My buddy recorded a comparison video of us on a stage that had some movement and although I was able to keep up with his time, my points suffered slightly. reviewing the video side by side I noticed he was more comfortable in his movement and looked smoother. I think I sacrificed getting into and out of position to meet the speed and that's where I lost the points. I know that being less "plump" would help me get more comfortable at speed. I compare my running as trying to stop a heavy train at a moments notice vs other fit fellas who can do it more gracefully. I am learning a lot using the Max Michel Shot coach. We are comparing our videos on there and I am learning a lot from it. I am having a hard time losing weight due to my unhealthy lifestyle and I do feel that I need to concentrate on that more. It would help me in all aspects of life, not just shooting so I need to make that a priority. I have taken a few classes including one from a local GM that is a high level GM, not just paper, I feel that I am not a good listener, or maybe not a good applier of the gold nuggets I've been given by him. I do feel my game could improve a lot more on the mental side. I notice I am not giving my all on EVERY stage. The ones I feel I do better on are ones where I think to myself I need to hurry. Congrats on your finish in the multi gun match! I know I've definitely looked at things a little different since I started worrying about overall finish and not just being happy with my finish in my class. (currently a B.) There are times when I finish high overall so I know that I can do it. Being fit and working on the mental side would help me the most keep that consistent and not just one or two stages at 12-14 stage major matches. Edited August 10, 2015 by Richc2048 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glock26Toter Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Keep at it bro! Just put that fitness stuff on the same "few things at a time" list that you use for your shooting. "less sugar" is just a step in a long list of rotating goals to get you where you want to go. Just start somewhere. Not necessarily sugar, but that's one that I've been working on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 Yea. Cutting soda and drinks helped for a while. I drank water or unsweet ice tea for a while. Then the Pepsi craving pulled me back for a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 I think you move around pretty good. I think stages like A3 that require A LOT of running are more on the rare side. As we discussed before, there is much lower hanging fruit as far as shaving time off our runs for where we are both at right now. Both our transitions and reloads are slower than dirt. But if you really want to shed weight, drinking your calories is the easiest way to put on fat. Cutting that out would make a world of difference. Also, more meals more frequently helps a lot. I LOVE to eat and drink but have been in shed mode for the past couple months. Training your stomach to feel full comes in time if you don't gorge at meal time. I teeter-totter on weight but will catch it once I'm 15lbs over. I've already dropped 7lbs just from cutting down on the liquid calories and eating smaller meals. And my bacon intake is still high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 This weekend was a full 2 days of shooting that had it's ups and downs. There was the Sectional Qualifier Match at HPPS where I shot my CZ. Then Sunday was the annual GSSF match where I helped RO and shot three divisions. Competition (Glock 34), Civilian (Glock 19), and Heavy Sub (Glock 30). Saturday was a fun, hot, frustrating, and challenging day all rolled up into one. I am still getting used to the CZ it sure showed. I am left handed and switched the magazine release to the correct side to where I drop the magazine with my thumbs. I used to use my middle finger of my strong hand with my glock and it went well. It was very comfortable for me but no matter what, there would always be a few times where I don't hit it hard enough or in the right spot and the mag would not drop free. The CZ grip allowed me to try it the correct way due to the way the grip is. I dry fire practiced it for about a week straight everyday and I am loving this new method. I think it worked out for me already so it can only get faster from now on. I ended the match with 6 Mikes, 2 No shoots, and 6 D's. That is no bueno for me. I definitely confirmed at this match that the sights have to change. I feel that there is not enough of a gap between the front and rear sight which is making me not able to focus on the front sight. I kept looking at the front and rear as one solid thing and could not focus on the front sight to save my life. I feel I'm lucky I only got 6 Mikes. I am going to order from Dawson Precision a narrower sight. I measured the difference in gap width of the rear and width of the front on my glock and I am going to match it to my new CZ. The gap is wider in the glock so I need to go narrower in the front with the CZ. The GSSF Match Sunday was a blast. I always look forward to these. I calculated all my times in the divisions and I definitely improved from the last time I did the GSSF match in Utah Last year. My scores this year would have won me last year. So at best I'll win, and I am hoping at the very least I stayed improving with the rest of the folks from last year. I did win a free Glock Certificate in the R/O raffle again this year so if you know someone that would like to purchase it let me know . I'm already starting to save for my next CZ. I only have one more match left before I leave for the Utah state match so I need to get the ball rolling on getting familiar with my CZ. A part of me still wants to get back into my comfort zone with the glock but I know in the long run this CZ will be better for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHA-LEE Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Just think of how much of a train wreck the Area 3 match would have been if you chose to run the CZ there on its maiden voyage........ Yikes. Switching gun platforms takes a decent amount of time to make the full conversion. It took me about 9 months to get "use to" shooting a 2011 after shooting the EAA/Tanfo for years. Edited August 17, 2015 by CHA-LEE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 Yea. And probably a dq as well with the whole hammer needing to be dropped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richc2048 Posted August 17, 2015 Author Share Posted August 17, 2015 9 months. Yikes!! Was it frustrating? Like 9 months of shitty scores and slight improvements a match at a time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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