How do I practice?

[vinnyvangoh]

I always ask people how to become a better shooter. Everyone always says to "shoot lots of rounds and dry fire". I figure there has to be a better way than to shoot thousands of rounds. So my question is, how do you practice? What drills do you put yourself through to get better for your IDPA/ISPC competitions? The indoor range I shoot at does not allow double taps or rapid fires, so maybe time to find a new range to shoot at.

Does anybody practice at Sac Valley during the week? Perhaps we can get a group together to meet at the action pistol range. It would be helpful, especially for us newbies.

Thanks for all your answers!

Vince

[Lethal_addict]

If your doing ISPC, and shooting a 45/1911 you may want to look at changing to a 22 cal upper. It will allow you to become comfortable with your frame and grip while keeping some type of fundimental standardized mental knowledge of your shooting methods. It will cause you to create and engrain your standarized motion in your head after several hundred rounds at a cheap price.

[3GunFunShooter]

There are some shooters that practice at Sac Valley during the week. Some shoot on Friday. Check with the range office and they should be able to let you know when someone has the pistol bays reserved. Show up and shoot with them, if you are a member. Only club members can use the action pistol bays.

[ar15barrels]

Just shoot matches.
Each match is practice for the next one...

[PLINK]

I always ask people how to become a better shooter. Everyone always says to "shoot lots of rounds and dry fire". I figure there has to be a better way than to shoot thousands of rounds. So my question is, how do you practice? What drills do you put yourself through to get better for your IDPA/ISPC competitions? The indoor range I shoot at does not allow double taps or rapid fires, so maybe time to find a new range to shoot at.

Does anybody practice at Sac Valley during the week? Perhaps we can get a group together to meet at the action pistol range. It would be helpful, especially for us newbies.

Thanks for all your answers!

Vince

From what I understand, these are the rules for Sac Valley action pistol bays:

Any Folsom Shooting club member can use the action pistol bays. There needs to be two people at all times. One person must be a FSC member. You will need to bring your own wood sticks, targets, stapler/ staples, tape, etc. The cost is $5 for FSC members and $10 for non-members.

Make sure you check the calender for range availability. I always call before leaving my house just in case something was scheduled last minute.

Now if you want to use the NCPS (USPSA) club stuff like the steel, etc, you will need to become a NCPS member and get on the list for the key. There was some talk of also being an USPSA RO also. I am a USPSA RO so I never followed up with this.

I am not sure what SDPS (IDPA) club rules are for access to their stuff but I hope to find out at the next match. I am a new member with this club.


Also +1 to what Randall said.

[midvalleyshooter]

I always ask people how to become a better shooter. Everyone always says to "shoot lots of rounds and dry fire". I figure there has to be a better way than to shoot thousands of rounds. So my question is, how do you practice? What drills do you put yourself through to get better for your IDPA/ISPC competitions? The indoor range I shoot at does not allow double taps or rapid fires, so maybe time to find a new range to shoot at.

Does anybody practice at Sac Valley during the week? Perhaps we can get a group together to meet at the action pistol range. It would be helpful, especially for us newbies.

Thanks for all your answers!

Vince

I'm out in Ohio on a business trip and I'm experiencing a little insomnia. So I put together these links below to help answer your question. You have gotten good advice already and that is to shoot the matches. I don't claim to be a great shooter but I do dabble at it on a local level and I have a good time.

I asked the same question you are asking a number of years ago. The more experienced shooter I asked then asked me a question. He said, "do you reload?" I said, "yes." He said, " buy an eight pound keg of Bullseye and when thats gone come and talk to me." So I did And thats what the others are saying, just shoot, a lot

But as you know live fire practice is important. Don't rule out the importance of dry firing and working on your mental game. Here are the links:

The Great one:

http://www.robleatham.com/

The Brian Enos forum, Brian who is a Great shooter provides "THE" discussion forum for action shooting:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/

Matt Burkett's web site:

http://www.mattburkett.com/

Steve Anderson's web site, ( Get Steve's book: Refinement and Repetition: Dry Fire Skills for Dramatic Improvement, and dry fire a lot)

http://www.andersonshooting.com/

Lanny Bassham is the shooters shrink. Lanny has put together information structured in a way that can help you get your mind right and focus on what it takes to be succesful. Don't under estimate the importance of this:

http://www.mentalmanagement.com/

There are lots of other resources out there and many talented shooters. If you have the oppurtunity I suggest you take a class from one of the top USPSA shooters.

Another suggestion I will offer for you to consider is to above all else "Keep it fun" don't let it become a chore.

I live in the Modesto area so I'm not real close to you. I shoot some IDPA here: http://www.safetyfirstshooting.org/
Please feel free to join us at the matches. Also on the fifth Sundays are "fun" shoots that are good for practice. I don't know if there are organized practices at Sac Valley. Perhaps another forum member can hook you up with that info.

Best of luck,
Keith

[brokestudent12]

Just shoot matches.
Each match is practice for the next one...

Shoot only once a week? What about the other 4 days??

If I shoot less than 5 days a week I get antsy. 7 is optimal and been doing 7/week for the past couple months without missing a day.

[ar15barrels]

If I shoot less than 5 days a week I get antsy. 7 is optimal and been doing 7/week for the past couple months without missing a day.

You must not be a broke student after all.
1 or 2 matches each week will get you in shape.
That's what I have been doing for the last 6 weeks or so and I am pretty tuned-up for SMM3G now.

[vinnyvangoh]

Thanks for all the great advice. Midvalley thanks for the links. Alright, shoot more matches and rounds down range. Anybody interested in an organized practice at Sac Valley maybe once or twice a month?

Vince

[Timberland]

Just shoot matches.
Each match is practice for the next one...

IDPA

I
Dont
Practice
Any more