My 3rd Match

[anonymouscuban]

Shot my 3rd match yesterday. Training is starting to pay off. My splits were better. Transitions were a little better. Couple of my reloads were too slow but much improved overall. I still catch myself moving slower than I can. Have remind myself to burst out of positions. I did much better on the stage with all the steel. Last two matches, I really choked on the steel stage so I practiced more shooting steel. Still have to work on it though. I'm waiting for confirmation of the steel to drop before I move.

Overall, I'm happy with my progress. I just read Stoeger's two latest books and realize I need to make some changes to my training. Biggest thing is I am gonna focus more on mastering all the standard drills in live fire. Continue drying firing fundamentals like I have been but gonna try to do them daily instead of 4 times a week.

Looking to improve so feel free to share feedback. Thanks in advance.

[Rez805]

Looking good. Some thoughts from another production shooter.

Stage 1
0:08 - reloading could be a bit quicker. It looks like the big hangup on that reload was grabbing the magazine. But it wasn't just that. Consider this: you're done with that position and array. Initiating the reload immediately after the final shot of the array can help save time.
0:13 - No reload between the port and the next array and it's a short distance so you could save some time by keeping the gun up. You were pretty deep into that port. Was it necessary to go that deep?
You can save time with less arm movement, but I think the bigger benefit is you are establishing a sight picture sooner. The recommendation for saving time: have the gun up before you pass the vision barrier.
0:14 - Was that the best position for that left array of two? Would you have been able to see the two targets if you were more centered in the shooting area (i.e., a bit closer to the port on the right) It may have required a slight lean and it would have added a yard or two for those target, but it might have been less uprange movement.
0:20 - Was it really necessary to go that deep into the port? Or could the array have been engaged further out, maybe with a wider stance?

A good thing to consider during your walkthrough is "how far away can I be from the port and still engage all of the targets with ease?" Maybe it requires a bit of leaning in both directions, but you can also start shifting your weight while you're engaging the final target through that port. Then again, some stage designs might not give you a lot to work with in terms of stand-off distance.

Stage 2
More disaster factor. How were the points?
That reload was nice.

Stage 3
You tend to lower the gun a little during wide transitions. Have you practiced wide transitions with the gun up (or in a slightly compressed "high-ready")?
I feel like I can get my sight picture faster by keeping the gun up as much as possible--even in wide transitions. If I do have to lower the gun (more likely to occur during movement), I tend to "punch out" when bringing the gun back up.

As you mentioned, movement could use some work.

Your slight struggle with the moving reload brought you pretty far forward--seemingly past your intended position. You caught yourself and were able to get into the right position for the array on the right side.
That extra step or two downrange (caused in part by working through that reload) might make for a wider transition on "runway" style stages. It's kind of tough to tell from the video, though. Depending on how close the targets are to the walls, it might be the difference between a 179 degree transition and a 150 degree transition.

Were those all open targets at the end? The transitions could use a bit of touch up. Blake Drills can help.

Stage 4
Good pace. How did this pace of shooting feel? Did it come with a sacrifice in points?
This is a good stage to review if you're trying to learn about the tradeoffs in time vs. points.

Stage 5
"Go one-for-one on steel". Easier said than done.
Another consideration is your exit and entrance into the next box. It was tough to see because of the RO, but from box 1 to box 2 how soon was your gun up? If it was like it was from box 2 to box 3, then I would recommend working on getting the gun up and oriented towards the next target sooner. The boxes look pretty small, but I still think you can have your gun up even if you have to search a bit for the next position. Ideally, your eyes would be up a bit sooner too. Fortunately, entries and exits are an easy thing to work on--even in dry fire. It's a great way to cut out dead time.

Definitely low hanging fruit that's worth practicing.

The same goes for reloading on the move. Ideally, the reload is done within the first step or two -- or within the deceleration to the next position. It doesn't always go to plan, so being able to work through fumbles/bumbles is a good idea.

Stage 6
Good job on taking that no-shoot-sandwich on the move--assuming no penalties. Reload was good.
That was a pretty good pace on that final array

[tanks]

...

Looking to improve so feel free to share feedback. Thanks in advance.

...

When you pivot to go to another array you bring you gun down and then back up costing you time. Several instances of that in the video.

When you pivot to go to another array you also take a couple of steps prior to shooting instead of just turn and shoot.

Examples of the above can be seen in the first 5 seconds of the video and also several instances throughout especially with the stage at 0.53.

On arrays where there are two targets per stand (1:28) transitions are much faster to go side to side then up and side than up down up (time it and see).

[theLBC]

cool beans

[357manny]

Good stuff! Would love to do that!

[anonymouscuban]

Looking good. Some thoughts from another production shooter.

Stage 1
0:08 - reloading could be a bit quicker. It looks like the big hangup on that reload was grabbing the magazine. But it wasn't just that. Consider this: you're done with that position and array. Initiating the reload immediately after the final shot of the array can help save time.
0:13 - No reload between the port and the next array and it's a short distance so you could save some time by keeping the gun up. You were pretty deep into that port. Was it necessary to go that deep?
You can save time with less arm movement, but I think the bigger benefit is you are establishing a sight picture sooner. The recommendation for saving time: have the gun up before you pass the vision barrier.
0:14 - Was that the best position for that left array of two? Would you have been able to see the two targets if you were more centered in the shooting area (i.e., a bit closer to the port on the right) It may have required a slight lean and it would have added a yard or two for those target, but it might have been less uprange movement.
0:20 - Was it really necessary to go that deep into the port? Or could the array have been engaged further out, maybe with a wider stance?

A good thing to consider during your walkthrough is "how far away can I be from the port and still engage all of the targets with ease?" Maybe it requires a bit of leaning in both directions, but you can also start shifting your weight while you're engaging the final target through that port. Then again, some stage designs might not give you a lot to work with in terms of stand-off distance.

Stage 2
More disaster factor. How were the points?
That reload was nice.

Stage 3
You tend to lower the gun a little during wide transitions. Have you practiced wide transitions with the gun up (or in a slightly compressed "high-ready")?
I feel like I can get my sight picture faster by keeping the gun up as much as possible--even in wide transitions. If I do have to lower the gun (more likely to occur during movement), I tend to "punch out" when bringing the gun back up.

As you mentioned, movement could use some work.

Your slight struggle with the moving reload brought you pretty far forward--seemingly past your intended position. You caught yourself and were able to get into the right position for the array on the right side.
That extra step or two downrange (caused in part by working through that reload) might make for a wider transition on "runway" style stages. It's kind of tough to tell from the video, though. Depending on how close the targets are to the walls, it might be the difference between a 179 degree transition and a 150 degree transition.

Were those all open targets at the end? The transitions could use a bit of touch up. Blake Drills can help.

Stage 4
Good pace. How did this pace of shooting feel? Did it come with a sacrifice in points?
This is a good stage to review if you're trying to learn about the tradeoffs in time vs. points.

Stage 5
"Go one-for-one on steel". Easier said than done.
Another consideration is your exit and entrance into the next box. It was tough to see because of the RO, but from box 1 to box 2 how soon was your gun up? If it was like it was from box 2 to box 3, then I would recommend working on getting the gun up and oriented towards the next target sooner. The boxes look pretty small, but I still think you can have your gun up even if you have to search a bit for the next position. Ideally, your eyes would be up a bit sooner too. Fortunately, entries and exits are an easy thing to work on--even in dry fire. It's a great way to cut out dead time.

Definitely low hanging fruit that's worth practicing.

The same goes for reloading on the move. Ideally, the reload is done within the first step or two -- or within the deceleration to the next position. It doesn't always go to plan, so being able to work through fumbles/bumbles is a good idea.

Stage 6
Good job on taking that no-shoot-sandwich on the move--assuming no penalties. Reload was good.
That was a pretty good pace on that final array

Thanks for the detailed walk through. This is very helpful. You pointed out some things I saw but also other stuff I missed.

Stage 1 - Yes. The reload was very slow. I fumbled grabbing the mag a bit. My nerves were on edge. Funny. More so than I remember even in my first match. I've been training quite a bit so I think I was expecting a lot of myself.

On the ports... during my stage walk through, I tried to see if I could get a sight line from the center to either both arrays behind the ports or at least all the targets to one side. No dice. I probably didn't have to go that deep though. And it something I realized and tried to keep mindful of on later stages.

Stage 2 - I completely blew this stage. I had a NS and 2 mikes. Really frustrating because it's stuff I can shoot in practice well.

Stage 3 - I also noticed I have a tendency to bring my gun down a bit during wide transitions. Something I've been working on but not quite worked out. Will continue to drill on it. Not too worried. Just a bad habit I need to break.

Oh man... yes!! I totally overran my planned position. I was paying too much attention to the reload I fumbled. Came really close to breaking 180 there. Again, need to work more on the moving reloads.

Stage 4 - Funny thing. I shot better at the fast pace. There were 2 squads ahead of us on this stage so I had time to watch some of the video of my previous stages. I noticed how slow I was moving, transitioning, etc. I am able to shoot faster. Its the kick in the but I needed to see myself. I shot 27 Alphas and 5 Charlies.

Stage 5 - The last 2 matches had a heavy steel stage like this one. They were complete disasters for me. I almost ran out of ammo on one of them. Shot my last round to bring down the last target. 60 ROUNDS!!! So even though my performance wasn't great on this one, it was a huge improvement for me. I was pretty happy. Really boosted my confidence. Also reinforced that I need to work in practice on steel which I have been doing. If my exits and entries were better, I would have had a pretty decent score.

Stage 6 - Man this run felt good. I shot 24 Alphas, 2 Charlies. 7.6 HF. This really just clicked for me. As I said earlier, watching the video really got me focused. My mind was clear. Nerves were all but gone. I remember being very relaxed. Felt good and I need to remember how that felt and what I did to clear my mind.

As I mentioned in my OP, I realized that I have to refocus my training on the standardized drills. Bill Drill, Blake Drill, El Prez in Live Fire. I plan is to get to my goal times at 7 yards, then move to 10, then 15, then 25. Stoeger basically outlines this approach in the books I read. I also will continue to focus on more fundamental stuff in dry fire. Exits/Entries... Reloads... Wide Transitions. Paying close attention to keeping my gun up and getting sights up earlier in all these movements.

All that said, this match was really motivating. My goal for this year is to reach A class. Lofty goal but why not set the bar high. I think I can reach it as long as I dedicate the time to mindful training. I've already seen big improvements. I am fairly new to all this. I shot my first pistol less than 3 years ago but I'm hooked. Need to keep training and developing my skills. So much fun. I love challenges and this sport is full of them.

[anonymouscuban]

When you pivot to go to another array you bring you gun down and then back up costing you time. Several instances of that in the video.

When you pivot to go to another array you also take a couple of steps prior to shooting instead of just turn and shoot.

Examples of the above can be seen in the first 5 seconds of the video and also several instances throughout especially with the stage at 0.53.

On arrays where there are two targets per stand (1:28) transitions are much faster to go side to side then up and side than up down up (time it and see).

Thank you for taking the time to post feedback. REZ08 also noticed the same things. This is very helpful. All stuff I can work through in training. Really appreciate it.

[bruce381]

cool I shot gopher flats for the steel challenge and had a ball.

No running around good for me do not want to fall down, LOL.

My weekly shoot is all steel at 25 yards good practice.

Your reload ammo looks like they are working well.

[anonymouscuban]

cool I shot gopher flats for the steel challenge and had a ball.



No running around good for me do not want to fall down, LOL.



My weekly shoot is all steel at 25 yards good practice.



Your reload ammo looks like they are working well.

Hey Bruce.

I may shoot the steel challenge next month. Looks like fun and would be good warm up for the USPSA match the next day.

Yeah. The reloads are really working well. I shot the last bit of my store bought ammo in practice last week. Switched to my ammo in that same session and what a difference. My load is pretty soft shooting. I'm shooting 135gr bullet with 3.3gr of Tightgroup. Chrono'd at 132 PF. Shoots more accurate than the store bought stuff too. So I'm pretty happy.

I made about 1500 rounds last few days before my match. Nice to have a load that works well and just produce it. Some suggested that the TG is too dirty and smokey but I don't find it to be. It's a bit more sooty than the factory stuff I'm used to running but I think I learned that's more because I'm running lighter loads and not the powder. Whatever. Shoots well in my gun and I clean it everytime I shoot anyhow.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[OCEquestrian]

Looks like you are slapping the trigger a bit instead of knowing exactly where that reset point is and pressing again....

[bruce381]

"I made about 1500 rounds last few days"

yeah I load 1000 or so then set for month funny I'm out now and feel empty.

[anonymouscuban]

"I made about 1500 rounds last few days"



yeah I load 1000 or so then set for month funny I'm out now and feel empty.

Haha. Weird because I'm spending much less on ammo per round now but some how, it hurts a little more when I see my ammo cans going empty. LOL

I was paying about 19 cents per on the cheap side and as high as 30 cents per for the Syntech.

I'm loading at 10 cent per round right now because I bought in bulk while on sale.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[sigstroker]

Looks like you are slapping the trigger a bit instead of knowing exactly where that reset point is and pressing again....

If you wanna be fast you gotta slap. If you have a good grip, the slap won't move the gun off line.

[cindynles]

If you wanna be fast you gotta slap. If you have a good grip, the slap won't move the gun off line.

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

[tanks]

If you wanna be fast you gotta slap. If you have a good grip, the slap won't move the gun off line.

Depends on the difficulty of the target. Here is a video that goes into all 3 types of trigger manipulation.