AAguitar Posted October 24 Share Posted October 24 Hi all, first time posting here. Just started USPSA recently, only shot 6 or 7 matches so far. As I strive to get my draw consistently beneath 1 second, I've noticed that my gun doesn't easily come free from the holster all the time. More often than not I end up getting "hung up" (wasn't sure how else to describe it) before the gun releases, which results in lost time, a less consistent index, and excessive tension. I'm using the USPSA Essentials kit from the Stoeger Shop which includes the CR speed belt, though I've since upgraded to the boss hanger from the one that comes with the kit. The hanger is firmly connected to the belt, I know that isn't the issue. Maybe I need a better holster than the one that comes with that kit? Maybe my draw is jacked up? Any input would be appreciated. It's maddening to hit a training wall because your gear isn't acting as it should, but again maybe it's me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted October 24 Share Posted October 24 Most likely your draw is inconsistent and you are pushing the pistol to one side or another and binding it up. FWIW, there are far better things to work on than a sub-second draw at this point in your progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAguitar Posted October 25 Author Share Posted October 25 1 hour ago, shred said: Most likely your draw is inconsistent and you are pushing the pistol to one side or another and binding it up. FWIW, there are far better things to work on than a sub-second draw at this point in your progress. Cool I appreciate the feedback. What would you suggest working on? I bought one of Ben's books on dryfire, trying to make that a regular thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinney Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Practice at home dry firing. On your draw work for repeatable consistent movements, efficient. Get it 100% repeatable. Then work on speed of the draw chasing that sub 1 second draw in practice. Repeatable. Then in the match go about 80 to 90% speed on your draw and shoot for under 1.5 ish. Should take the pressure off and give you a consistent draw. More important to get that first repeatable A - than rush and mess up your draw or your shot. Dry fire some more. Rinse, repeat. Buy Brian Enos’ book, and others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefVanHauwe Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of practical shooting! Are you sure it's the right holster for your type of gun, and if so, is it set up/installed correctly? If so, I agree with shred, that you're probably canting it a bit to the left or right i.s.o. straight up, causing to bind. As for the sub second presentation, I also agree with shred, i.e. better to focus on other skills that will be larger and quicker wins in your learning curve, which I recommend in this order: 1) learn and understand all safety and other USPSA/IPSC rules; 2) focus on accuracy for both shots statically from the holstered draw at 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25m in under ~1,6" (will decrease as you progress to ~1,3"); 3) focus on shoot on the move on near/far attack targets moving down range, up range left <> right and diagonal; 4) focus on short distance movement on 1,5 to max. 5m; 5) focus on shoot on the move on near/far control targets moving down range, up range left <> right and diagonal; 6) focus on narrow and wide transitions and try to start your transition in recoil after the 2nd shot and keep them snappy ~<0,35"; 7) focus on splits ~0,25"; learn to call your shots; 9) learn, understand and apply hit factor math, stage strategy and planning; 10) analyze all your match results; and last but not least ... work on being consistent. DVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHAVEGAS Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Assuming that you have a cell phone you might learn a lot in a little time by setting it up to record a few practice draws and reloads. What I learned the first time I did this was that I have a lot of excess movement on reloads. As others have noted a fast draw is not low hanging fruit, but I would add that if your gun is occasionally getting "hung up" on the draw it is likely that you will eventually bring the gun forward before it clears the holster and drop it on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barry Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Don't get hung up on a time like 1 sec. A fast draw will never win you a match but it can easily cost you one. Work for constancy. 1.3 is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Loosen the tension adjustment on the holster? It doesn't have to be tight at all. If you have the thumb screws you can adjust it between stages if you are worried it might get knocked loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAguitar Posted October 25 Author Share Posted October 25 4 hours ago, StefVanHauwe said: Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of practical shooting! Are you sure it's the right holster for your type of gun, and if so, is it set up/installed correctly? If so, I agree with shred, that you're probably canting it a bit to the left or right i.s.o. straight up, causing to bind. As for the sub second presentation, I also agree with shred, i.e. better to focus on other skills that will be larger and quicker wins in your learning curve, which I recommend in this order: 1) learn and understand all safety and other USPSA/IPSC rules; 2) focus on accuracy for both shots statically from the holstered draw at 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25m in under ~1,6" (will decrease as you progress to ~1,3"); 3) focus on shoot on the move on near/far attack targets moving down range, up range left <> right and diagonal; 4) focus on short distance movement on 1,5 to max. 5m; 5) focus on shoot on the move on near/far control targets moving down range, up range left <> right and diagonal; 6) focus on narrow and wide transitions and try to start your transition in recoil after the 2nd shot and keep them snappy ~<0,35"; 7) focus on splits ~0,25"; learn to call your shots; 9) learn, understand and apply hit factor math, stage strategy and planning; 10) analyze all your match results; and last but not least ... work on being consistent. DVC It's definitely the right holster, I'm running a Walther PDP 4.5" and selected that holster option when I bought my rig from the Stoeger shop. It is properly attached to the Boss hanger. Thanks so much for all the feedback! I must be setting my goals a bit too high. Most doubles inside 10 yards my splits are in the .18-.23 range, bill drills are right around (usually just north of) 2 seconds and my draw is what's holding that time back. I'm working on dry fire drills from the "Dryfire Reloaded" book, as well as live fire drills form his website like the accelerator, smokin aces, or the "Blake Drill". Sounds like taking a small step back to refine some fundamentals would behoove me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Try doing the skills in slo-mo. Really slo-mo. Like 10, 20 and 30-second draws and pay careful attention to what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefVanHauwe Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 2 hours ago, AAguitar said: It's definitely the right holster, I'm running a Walther PDP 4.5" and selected that holster option when I bought my rig from the Stoeger shop. It is properly attached to the Boss hanger. Thanks so much for all the feedback! I must be setting my goals a bit too high. Most doubles inside 10 yards my splits are in the .18-.23 range, bill drills are right around (usually just north of) 2 seconds and my draw is what's holding that time back. I'm working on dry fire drills from the "Dryfire Reloaded" book, as well as live fire drills form his website like the accelerator, smokin aces, or the "Blake Drill". Sounds like taking a small step back to refine some fundamentals would behoove me. I try to film all my dry and live fire training in 3 & 1PV. That gives me alot of input to check out what goes well and what needs improvement ... something to consider. To make a conscious skill be executed subconsciously I estimate that you have to repeat that skill at least 500 times (preferably correctly and consistently). As shred said, start slow and if the execution is technically correct increase the speed. There's really not one best way to learn and grow, only the best way that fits you Trail & error and don't worry, the learning never stops If you have the possibility and resources, consider to participate in a course by Ben Stoeger, Kita Busse, Tim Herron, JJ Racaza, Tom Castro, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadside72 Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 It could also be the holster cant. Maybe roll it forward a few degrees at a time to see if things improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted October 30 Share Posted October 30 practice holstering,,, IE do it backwards.. Go from aiming at a target,, now without thinking or looking,, holster,, see what happens. You are looking at angles and cant of the holster.. Rather than adjust what your grip angle is to a holster, adjust the holster to what your hand/ arm ad grip of your gun wants to be. I do the same with the angle of my first reload magazine.. Basically you are building muscle memory coming and going every draw... Keep in mind lots and lots of stages will have you at odd angles,, So realistically spending tons of time on this isnt critical. Also no idea how you are practicing, post some vids and some of these folks way better than I will ever be can coach you. I was trained there are basically 2 draws.. a Z draw,,, IE hand below gun comes up over grip open handed, then down grabs gun, comes up. Basically a Z.. This also translates well to what used to be very common surrender position starts. Draw I use was a scoop draw, hands below gun, index finger down, other 3 fingers at 90 degrees, I come forward and up, my middle finger is contact rear of holster/trigger guard area and basically scoops the gun up. From surrender its a down up thing. For 1911's and revolvers I tend to prefer a muzzle forward angle to the gun.. Probably not the best method to use with a race style holster.. But at one time was pretty consistent with 1-1.2 second A zone shots,, I shot with some guys that were actually good when the Fobus holster first came out and doing adds for them,, and getting sub second first shot azone hits.. and that was with the finger lock. Things change ,, hard to believe there was a time when kydex was the new latest greatest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chutist Posted Saturday at 06:29 PM Share Posted Saturday at 06:29 PM At this point, you want to be filming stuff. You will find YOUR PERCEPTION of what is happening can be very different from what is actually happening. You're already aware of BEN, watch all his older how to shoot videos on Youtube. Velox Training group (Nick Young) and Tom Castro are also excellent. 1 second draw is wasted if your losing seconds on a stage with over confirming shots, not being ready to shoot when you get to a position and not leaving immediately when you've fired the last shot in a position.... I've never seen you shoot but I'd bet lunch you are doing all three. It's okay....we ALL do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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