My 2nd Match: Todays Screwups... With Video!

[USPshooter]

Shot my second match last Saturday. Had a blast, of course, but ran into a number of problems probably typical for a 2nd time shooter. The best thing I have found for seeing mistakes is video, so I had my dad tape this time out.

First stage: Honestly one of the hardest stages I have seen. You start behind 2 big barrels stacked end on end about 2 feet in front of you(have to pull gun in to cross from side to side, this is the only firing position. If i remember right, visible to the left is 3 papers from probably 5-7 yds, Visible to the right are 2 targets arranged around no shoots. Then, theres a texas star at 10 yards, obscured by the barrels so you have to lean around to see it. NOW heres the kicker. You have to egage 1 paper first, then 1 plate on the star, one paper, one plate, one paper, one plate and so on. That star is 'a movin by the time you get done. A hard stage indeed, but I managed to blow it even more. I was 2nd up on the list, and this was the first stage I had to shoot. 2 reloads from slide lock because I lost count because of misses on the star. Overall a bad first stage, luckily there was a very fun stage up next, and I didn't let the first blown stage influence the rest of the day. What I learned? This one was all in my head, starting off on such a hard course of fire threw me off.

2nd stage: Quick moving and shooting stage, at close range. Should have done great on it, would have done great on it. IF I didnt pull the classic stuff a half empty mag in your pouch trick. I even checked my mags before the round, obviously not close enough. I lost time, because instead of dumping the mag and reloading, I assumed it was a jam and went to clear it, it took me a second to realize the stupid mistake. Finaly I dumped it reloaded and finished up ok. What I learned? Used mags go in pocket! and double check before the stage.

3rd stage: Pretty straightforward moving and shooting at medium range. This was my most error free stage, however my confidence was a bit shot, so I slowed down, a bit to much even. A lazy mag change and slow first shots brought my score down. But no mistakes, no big deal.

4th stage: Was a blast. Moving and shooting from close to long range through windows. Started with hands touching 4x4 etc. I got so cought up in the starting position I didnt get my grip right and got the safety off late. Also, I rushed on the poppers at the end. Other than that pretty good. What I learned? Grip and getting the safety off is better than a quick draw from an akward position. And, dont rush the first plate. Once I get the first one, the others usualy fall pretty quick.

5th stage: Classifier, turn and draw from surrender, engage 7 targets 1 shot each, mandatory reload, egage 7. 5 in the middle are half no shoot. With the exception of a slow first shot, and a slight boble on my reload this one went ok.

Heres a link to the video, its about 45ish megs but its interesting to watch a beginner learn = ) enjoy & comment.

http://s42.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=20ZEVA8...WZ15KAV1BEUGH4N

Edited February 28, 2006 by USPshooter

[j1b]

Nice match.

That was fun to watch.

One day you'll have what it takes to win nationals - and you'll still be picking your performance apart. It's what breeds success.

All in all though, that just looked fun. In the end I think that's what it is all about. I did miss the first stage on the video though. Looks like it started on stage 2.

J

[USPshooter]

Nice match.

That was fun to watch.

One day you'll have what it takes to win nationals - and you'll still be picking your performance apart. It's what breeds success.

All in all though, that just looked fun. In the end I think that's what it is all about. I did miss the first stage on the video though. Looks like it started on stage 2.

J

ahh yea, sorry I forgot to say, we didnt film the first round, guess that was a good thing lol.

[mscott]

Thanks for the video. That's one of the best things about high speed internet. Shooting vids are cool no matter how good the shooter is or what happens. I liked the size of your video also. Some are just too small to see anything.

[Bigbadaboom]

That's at CFRPC in Orlando. I missed that match due to work.

Your doing pretty good for your 2nd match. You still have that "Loose" gun control look that all new shooters have but all being as it is you had very few mistakes compaired to most other new shooters I see. Keep it up, you'll only get better.

If you're planning on shooting Tittusville P.M. me and we'll squad up. I'ld be glad to assist you with some of the little things.

[XRe]

Man, for your 2nd match, that's really good I didn't look anywhere near that good for probably my first 20 matches

You've got a lot of talent living in your area - take advantage of them. A small amount of work on grip, stance, and basic skills are going to make a substantial difference for you.

Two suggestions that I can make - first, I highly recommend investing in a 2 piece belt (I use a CR Speed, but have used Safariland in the past), and then getting your shirt tucked in well. Those two things will give you a more stable holster platform, and will prevent your shirt from getting the way of your draw.

Second - after you've done some work cleaning up your basics, go back and watch this vid - you seem to put yourself into awkward shooting positions (like, the last target you shoot in the first position on the 2nd stage on the video). While you can certainly shoot that way, the extra tension in your body required to make that stretch might lead to pulling off the target when you're working at high speed, and also make it slower to do the shooting itself. There's a few ways to change that - you can move your body around slightly, shoot on the move while moving slightly backwards, etc (obviously, it depends on how difficult the target is, too).

Oh, then I'll pass on some advice that was given to me for about the first 4 years I shot this game: "Cut your hair, hippie!" :lol: Just kidding I had hair 3/4 of the way down my back until early '97

[Bigbadaboom]

Oh yeah!! A really good piece of advice I can give you now to save a lot of frustration in the future; Never put empty or partially loaded mags back in your pouches.

[ima45dv8]

Oh yeah!! A really good piece of advice I can give you now to save a lot of frustration in the future; Never put empty or partially loaded mags back in your pouches.

And never, repeat NEVER forget to put a magazine (hopefully full) back in the gun after Barney-in' Up. I've been playing this game for 6 years and just did that for the first time about 3 weeks ago.

I guess you can teach an old dog new (and stupid!) tricks.

Edited February 28, 2006 by ima45dv8

[USPshooter]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

Big, I'll try to make it out to titusville this weekend, I didn't go last time because the weather was crummy and I had a late friday. If I go ill PM you and Dirty so I can watch you guys shoot = )

XRe, Definatly. Im still deciding if I will keep competing with my USP 40, or mabie get somthing new that fits better into one class or another. If I do, CR speed makes a holster for the USP and there belt looks great. I will probably invest in that if I stick to L10.

And yea, no more mags in the pouch after completing the CoF. = )

[rwmagnus]

USPshooter nice job, you're hooked!

Observations

1. Weak hand strips out empty magazine sometimes, costs time.

2. Looked like you hesitated on the shooting direction after the reload on the classifier, costs time.

3. Steel... don't miss, costs time, LOL.

4. Finish the reload as you start to leave the position, have gun up on target as you enter the new shooting position.

Notice they were observations not advise. Like others said you did a really nice job. Looks like a nice range. That Texas Star stage sounds wicked.

[USPshooter]

USPshooter nice job, you're hooked!

Observations

1. Weak hand strips out empty magazine sometimes, costs time.

2. Looked like you hesitated on the shooting direction after the reload on the classifier, costs time.

3. Steel... don't miss, costs time, LOL.

4. Finish the reload as you start to leave the position, have gun up on target as you enter the new shooting position.

Notice they were observations not advise. Like others said you did a really nice job. Looks like a nice range. That Texas Star stage sounds wicked.

yea I noticed I stripped out that mag on the second part in the vid, I dont remember doing it or why... but I dont do it usualy. And I was planning to shoot the classifier L to R, L to R, for some reason, but my body position was better to shoot the last string R to L so I switched my plan mid way though, not the best idea.

[Powder Finger]

Pretty smooth, looked like fun.

I thought I recognized the range shot a FIPT there in 87 I think

It's a fun place except when you step the ground (I think thats what it was called)

would move 4 feet away from where you steped!