Several of my "aha!" moments

[jerryz]

I could write a book on match screw ups, but, here are a couple of highlights:

- at a major event, I was doing my first walkthrough. The last target, paper, was completely behind a barricade, literally, arms length behind the wall, and low. It was a simple reach around the wall and press the trigger -- won't even need the sights. The RO's were in a tizzy because the shots from the previous squad were blowing the pasters off the target so they were trying to fix the problem. I gave them space to work out their problems and never actually walked all the way to the very last target, figuring that I did not really need to practice that last, very easy, shot. Well, when I ran the course, I was certainly shocked to see that the final setup included a no-shoot covering 2/3 of the last target, as I jammed my arm around the wall and double tapped it. Note to self: actually see every target after the stage is completely set and ready, even the "easy" shots.

- Shooting single stack, major, 32 shot course, 4 positions of 8 shots each, unloaded barrel start, and all mags on barrels along the way. Seemed simple enough until my very first round would not go into battery, My instinctive tap-rack-bang sent one of my 8 live rounds over my shoulder. I was now stuck with 7 shots - slide lock - reload - 1 shot - move, rinse and repeat. Believing that all those things that go without saying should just be said: put out way more mags than you need on the course. It won't cost a thing.

- Also on that subject, being conditioned to think in groups of 8 shots, I learned the hard way to adjust my stage breakdown for an unloaded start. First, if you have to shoot 8 shots, plan on dealing with that slide lock. It's quicker when it's planned than when it's a surprise. Also, if possible, try to get a group of shots <8 as soon in the stage as possible to take advantage of leaving one in the tube on a reload. I had a stage that started unloaded. The first position just had to be 8 shots. I planned on the slide lock. But, then moving down a hallway, I had 8 shots left and 4 right. It was easier and quicker to take the 8 left (esp being right handed) but, after I ran it, I realized that taking the 4 right would have been a big advantage making the rest of the course a lot smoother by leaving one in the tube.

- Shooting a major match, things were going badly after lunch. I almost never hit the NS, and had none early in the day, but, I had a run of 7 of them that afternoon. Seemed to be getting worse as the day went on. All the shots were just a couple inches below the very top. I could not believe that I was pulling so many shots low. I figured it was just an evil flinch. Ruined my match. When I got home and went to clean my gun, I found the sight screw was loose to the point where I don't know why it didn't fall out. Tightening it up, my point of impact raised about 2" in 10 feet. Yeah. Wish I thought about that earlier. Maybe make it a point to check your equipment as the day progresses.

Most likely 95% of the people reading this post already figured this out, but, here's to the rest of us.

[Hi-Power Jack]

Nice post. :bow:

Most of them sound vaguely familiar, unfortunately.

Thanks for the tips.

[LilBunniFuFu]

I shot single stack for a bit. That part sounds about right.

[BangSwitch]

This my first year competing - USPSA single stack. I'm making mistakes as fast as I can. Thanks for sharing!

[LilBunniFuFu]

This my first year competing - USPSA single stack. I'm making mistakes as fast as I can. Thanks for sharing!

First year period or first year in SS? One is just a learning curve the other is a very steep learning curve.

[Sup38]

I do good till the timer beeps then all go it crap

[jerryz]

As Mike Tyson says "everyone has a plan ... until they get punched in the face."

I think shot timers have approximately the same effect.

[Vincerama]

My thought on your "mags on barrels" and "8 shots" is ... why not start the stage with two mags on the first barrel, load the gun, drop the mag, stick the second mag in and then run the stage NOT going to slide lock at all ...