April Shoot

[Sticks]

I got stuck working.

So how was it?

[Irving]

It was fantastic!l

Two of the stage had moving targets on them. First time I've ever shot moving targets and I did pretty well.

Also, on stage 2, you were in a bank that was being robbed, and one of the guys dropped his gun, so you have to pick it up and clear the stage with his gun. So Mick, put up his 1911 for everyone to use. They provided the ammo. It was great! I've never even shot a 1911 before. It was really cool to have to shoot a stage with some strange gun. I shot pretty well with his gun as well.

Besides that, I arrived late, and they still let me shoot, so I sneaked an extra $5 in with my payment. I can't imagine how much money it cost them to provide a whole ammo box full of .45 acp for the 60 shooters to shoot that 1911.

It was the most fun IDPA I've done yet!

Oh yeah, and there was a SBS Saiga 12 there as well. Pretty cool.

[Irving]

Oh yeah, and there was a guy there with a helmet cam. Looks like he already posted up the video. Here is the entire shoot that you missed. :)

qK058SdNYh0

[ronaldrwl]

Very nice, thanks for the video. Looks like fun.

[Irving]

Sure, I just found it. I asked the guy if he posts them, and he said to just type "fridpa" into youtube. There are a bunch of other ones on there as well. Also some videos from the Loveland gun club that he shoots at.

[Bongo Boy]

About 80 shooters total with about 25 new shooters. Stages were a lot of fun and the weather held--with a bit of gusty air coming in later in the match. My squad experienced some frustration with the double swinger and had to restart several shooters after it malfunctioned or got tripped by the wind-blown popper.

The stages mostly offered a little bit more than average shooting, I think, and as always, were creative and had some challenges.

Thanks for posting up the video--that's always fun.

[Irving]

Which stage did you start on Bongo? I was in the group that started in the bay closest to the storage house. I don't know if that is Bay 1 or Bay 4. I think Bay 1.

So at the Classifier last month, I placed 19th out of 26 shooters. This month I placed 15th out of 44 shooters. I think I did much better this month.

[Sticks]

Thanks for the replies and vid. Much better than the day I had.

[MelloYello]

I want to give a shout out to the guys at FRIDPA for putting on a great match!!!! BIG THANKS is in order for providing the 1911 and ammo for Stage 2, that was awesome.
[Beer]


It has been a while since my last visit to IDPA, November 2008 was my last match and everyone there as always was friendly and helpful. I just renewed my national membership and hope to see you guys again in the summer months.

Thanks,
Shaun

[RobertB]

Which stage did you start on Bongo? I was in the group that started in the bay closest to the storage house. I don't know if that is Bay 1 or Bay 4. I think Bay 1.

So at the Classifier last month, I placed 19th out of 26 shooters. This month I placed 15th out of 44 shooters. I think I did much better this month.

That's Bay 1. We shot with Gene and Tom. We should have CO-AR15.com nametags or something. You never know who you're standing next to. ;)

I was wondering how much his cam cost, but didn't get around to asking. I'm trying to get videoed myself (from the side or so) so I can see better what I am screwing up, because after those 20-40 seconds I start getting forgetful. It's out of my "workflow" though, and I only got 1 of 4 stages. Luckily, it was the one where I ejected my guide rod. I doubt I'll forget to loctite it now. [Bang]

[Irving]

Ahh that was you. I was talking to Mick when that happened, and when I turned around, everyone was lifting up the props looking for something.

What's funny, is that every time I go, I walk up to a random group of people and ask if they post here, and they ALWAYS say "no" and I always feel dumb. I'm the one who asked if a bathrobe is considered a "cover garment."

[RobertB]

I suppose so, but you need to have your towel and anti-Panic sunglasses, too.

[Bongo Boy]

I started on Bay 3.

I'm happy to say I've enjoyed a good string of matches now shooting the MP40 Pro 5", with no weapon malfunctions of any kind. I've had my share of operator malfs, unfortunately.

Sorry to hear about the guide rod--wow. I swapped out my factory spring with a bit lighter one quite a while ago, and while at the indoor range decided to switch it back to shoot some heavier loads. That was when I found out the guide rod screw was about 1/2 way out--so, I got a lucky break. But, I do carry a spare guide rod/spring assembly in the range bag now, just in case--Clear Creek is a long ride from Colo Spgs.

I was pleased with the Dillinger stage because in training we had to draw and engage a target at about arm's length, holding the weapon against the rib cage. This match was the first time I've done that since the training. I watched just about everyone on my squad and, just as in training, most folks can get good solid hits on target right away. I think it's a good thing to practice, plus I'm a big 1911 fan anyway.

Look forward to next time.

Kirk Fleming

[Irving]

I was pleased with the Dillinger stage because I've never shot a 1911 before and I shot it pretty well. I'm shooting an M&P40 compact by the way.

As for the shooting "from retention" on that bank stage, I too watched some people shoot low from the start. I was thinking about that, and remembered the trick I taught myself when learning to draw and find my sights. When I hold my gun at the ready, with my finger out of the trigger guard, straight along the frame, I "point" my finger at whatever I'm going to aim at. By using this method, I could draw with my eyes closed, point at where I thought my target was, and when I opened my eyes, I would more or less already have my sights lined up. So at that stage, I made sure that I was making a concentrated effort to "point" my finger at the middle of that target when the buzzer went off. I was well in the zero zone as a result.

[Sticks]

I was wondering how much his cam cost, but didn't get around to asking. I'm trying to get videoed myself (from the side or so) so I can see better what I am screwing up, because after those 20-40 seconds I start getting forgetful...

I had been pondering that same thing over the winter and picked one up with the intentions to do some revenue enhancement for the FRIDPA.

I had mine there as a test during the Classifier in March.

Planning on "renting" it out to either video the shooter, or let the shooter wear it, and the proceeds to go to the FRIDPA so we can get some new action targets - rolling, pop ups...

My test during the classifier was interesting, and after reviewing the videos, I observed some technique flaws on a couple volunteer shooters that I did not notice while I was RSOing the stage. Example - one shooter was adjusting his off hand grip after each shot.

Not sure on a price schedule yet, I am thinking $7 per stage or $20 for the whole match, discount if the shooter provides their own SD card.

[Bongo Boy]

Example - one shooter was adjusting his off hand grip after each shot.
That's fairly common I think. I noticed a lot of 'funny' stuff on Saturday, and it made me think two things: 1) No one would ever do that if they could see themselves, and 2) I've got to be doing some of these things and don't know it.

I think the headcam is fun to watch but not super useful...but seeing the shooter from somewhere off to the side would have to provide something good to know. I saw several shooters completely re-grip after each target, and one shooter go into what is basically a 'low ready' or 'cover' position after each target. If I had a vid of myself, I'd probably see myself stopping to play with my glasses between shots...trying to find the target. :)

A couple of years ago I was watching some YouTube of various USPSA matches, and I kept running and re-running one particular video of a shooter, just to watch her draw her weapon. It was just that beautiful a thing to see I had to watch it over and over again. It was, at the time, Julie Goloski, a name I didn't know until probably at least a year later.

[Irving]

When I was an insurance agent, I insured a few food stands. I've been thinking about how bringing a cart up there would probably be profitable.

[Squeeze]

Sucks that I work day shift on the weekends and can't regularly attend those matches. I am going to find someone to switch a day off here & there so I can make a couple of them this year. My friend Pete ran his SBS Saiga-12 in the side match and said it ran like a champ. Sure wish I could've been there. [Cry]

[Irving]

I talked to Pete. He shot in my group and was all cop'd out.

[Bongo Boy]

I've been thinking about how bringing a cart up there would probably be profitable.
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x150/Bongo_Boy/sausage.jpg

I'd like somebody to tell me about one thing that's better than sausage.
Well, okay. Something else.