True, very true.

 

And you can use "practical gear" as a way to practice. Just have to forget about finishing well against the race guns.

 

You can shoot a stock gun with just a 10 round limit for Production, no need for a fancy race gun.

 

Harry

I also took a ricochet off the steel. It hit me right above the lip and stuck right in. Felt like someone smacked me in the mouth. The piece was tiny once I dug it out.

 

 

Maksim, you taking over the scores for CJ correct? Did you oficially take it over yet?

I also took a ricochet off the steel. It hit me right above the lip and stuck right in. Felt like someone smacked me in the mouth. The piece was tiny once I dug it out.

 

Yea them ricochets can suck at times, you should come out to one of the steel shoots, I have one of them fold up chairs with the sun cover and every time you go to move to the next stage I always find some shrapnel on it, that and you feel it every once in a while.

 

Harry

I wore camo shorts and a Billabong t-shirt. Old New Balance sneaks. I shoot a stock Beretta, the only mod I have is a D-spring. I use a blade tek holster, and up until I got a great deal on Double Alpha mag pouches I use standard kydex mag pouches.

 

You don't compete against those race guns. Shoot Production Division. It's like buying a gun off the shelf and showing up to shoot. No external mods allowed at all. The race gun guys might be in your squad but it's not like you shoot against them. Shooting Production Division is basically using practical gear.

 

I go out and have fun, I dont worry about cutting corners or gaming the stage as they call it. Hell, my cousin and I always have a side bet for a head shots only stage. We pick a stage and try to shoot all head shots on it. We get weird looks all the time. I don't care because I am out there to have fun. If you aren't having fun then you are doing it wrong.

 

I'm interested in what stage you did your head shots on, that sounds like something fun to do. Had a great time out there today, but like Ray said it was quite humid. First time shooting a Texas Star, and everyone watching could tell, but who cares I had fun. By the way, Ray thanks for the brass.

I don't do gun games. It COULD be enjoyable if it wasn't all about time and "cutting corners". Take away the finger-point pre shooting, the ridiculous holsters, the team uniforms, the tight shorts and funny looking guns and it might be a good trainer.

 

 

Ray:

 

Sounds like you are a prime candidate for IDPA. Most of what you describe above is written into the IDPA rules (scares me to think that Ray and Bill Wilson share a mindset). Still a game, but very close to what you say you're looking for. You can shoot your .45 in CDP division. SCFGPA is only a couple weeks off.

 

Adios,

 

PIzza Bob

I'm interested in what stage you did your head shots on, that sounds like something fun to do. Had a great time out there today, but like Ray said it was quite humid. First time shooting a Texas Star, and everyone watching could tell, but who cares I had fun. By the way, Ray thanks for the brass.

 

We did the head shots on the stage where you dropped the tennis balls, loaded your gun and then basically took a straight shot down the lane. The head shot challenge tends to work best on stages that are set up that way. Close targets and moving quickly down a lane shooting left and right. I guess you could do it on stage you want but head shots aren't easy on far away targets. It would have been close this time but my cousin screwed up and completely forgot a target. So next match fee is on him.

Yea them ricochets can suck at times, you should come out to one of the steel shoots, I have one of them fold up chairs with the sun cover and every time you go to move to the next stage I always find some shrapnel on it, that and you feel it every once in a while.

 

Harry

 

Yeah I shoot the steel matches at Central Jersey, always getting hit with fragments. 2 months ago a guy who was keeping score took one to the back of the head/neck. Bled like a stuck pig. He was ok, but opted to go home.

We did the head shots on the stage where you dropped the tennis balls, loaded your gun and then basically took a straight shot down the lane.

 

I could see that working out pretty well on that stage, thanks for the info.

I wore camo shorts and a Billabong t-shirt. Old New Balance sneaks. I shoot a stock Beretta, the only mod I have is a D-spring. I use a blade tek holster, and up until I got a great deal on Double Alpha mag pouches I use standard kydex mag pouches.

 

You don't compete against those race guns. Shoot Production Division. It's like buying a gun off the shelf and showing up to shoot. No external mods allowed at all. The race gun guys might be in your squad but it's not like you shoot against them. Shooting Production Division is basically using practical gear.

 

I go out and have fun, I dont worry about cutting corners or gaming the stage as they call it. Hell, my cousin and I always have a side bet for a head shots only stage. We pick a stage and try to shoot all head shots on it. We get weird looks all the time. I don't care because I am out there to have fun. If you aren't having fun then you are doing it wrong.

 

I think I was on your squad today. I had the jersey with the Pig on the back

I think I was on your squad today. I had the jersey with the Pig on the back

 

Yeah you were. You shoot fast as hell. How long have you been shooting? I just started shooting USPSA in May. It's a hell of a lot of fun.

I'm interested in what stage you did your head shots on, that sounds like something fun to do. Had a great time out there today, but like Ray said it was quite humid. First time shooting a Texas Star, and everyone watching could tell, but who cares I had fun. By the way, Ray thanks for the brass.

 

 

How did you do on the star? Did you shoot it from the top down?

Yeah you were. You shoot fast as hell. How long have you been shooting? I just started shooting USPSA in May. It's a hell of a lot of fun.

 

Thanks,

I started in 06, shot L-10 for a year then went to open. Start back with iron in april after taking about 6 months off.

 

You are doing very well for just starting.

How did you do on the star? Did you shoot it from the top down?

 

Yep top down, but I think I let the movement messed with my head. Hope they use it again next month, I want another crack at it.

I think I was on your squad today. I had the jersey with the Pig on the back

 

I think you guys were just ahead of my squad, I remember seeing the "Team Bacon" shirt if that was you.

I think you guys were just ahead of my squad, I remember seeing the "Team Bacon" shirt if that was you.

 

Yep that was me

Thanks,

I started in 06, shot L-10 for a year then went to open. Start back with iron in april after taking about 6 months off.

 

You are doing very well for just starting.

 

Thanks, I grew up around and shooting guns. Long guns though. I only started shooting pistols last September. What got me back into shooting was seeing a youtube clip of a USPSA match and a 3 gun match and said to myself, "I gotta get into that"!

 

I don't know if I would ever get into shooting Open, I like shooting with irons even though it's a lot harder.

Yes, I will be doing the scoring for CJ starting next month, not sure if it will be in time for the October match as I have a little function to be at that day. So most likely starting November match.

By the way, Ray thanks for the brass.

 

Yezzir

I go out and have fun, I dont worry about cutting corners or gaming the stage as they call it. Hell, my cousin and I always have a side bet for a head shots only stage. We pick a stage and try to shoot all head shots on it. We get weird looks all the time. I don't care because I am out there to have fun. If you aren't having fun then you are doing it wrong.

 

That's probably the way I'd have to shoot it, or just have a competition with my own friends. The only thing is that I wonder if some RO's would frown upon that and maybe even disqualify you all together.

That's probably the way I'd have to shoot it, or just have a competition with my own friends. The only thing is that I wonder if some RO's would frown upon that and maybe even disqualify you all together.

 

You can shoot the match any way you want, just as long as you are following the rules of the game. So an RO will not frown upon or DQ you if you are being safe.

As far as competing against everyone with their race guns;

shoot production. You use a basically stock gun with practical gear. You compete against the people in your division.

22 out 65 competitors at this match shot production. The other 43 competitors shot in 4 other divisions.

Do the math, it is not dominated by the funny looking guns.

Or as Bob suggested, try IDPA. More restrictive with no finger pointing pre-shooting. But don't think for 1 second that shooters aren't trying to cut corners and that all the guns are "stock"

Not bashing IDPA because I am a USPSA kool aid drinking fanboy, but they are both GAMES and people WILL find ways to legally cheat within the established set of rules.

Scores are up.

You can shoot the match any way you want, just as long as you are following the rules of the game. So an RO will not frown upon or DQ you if you are being safe.

As far as competing against everyone with their race guns;

shoot production. You use a basically stock gun with practical gear. You compete against the people in your division.

22 out 65 competitors at this match shot production. The other 43 competitors shot in 4 other divisions.

Do the math, it is not dominated by the funny looking guns.

Or as Bob suggested, try IDPA. More restrictive with no finger pointing pre-shooting. But don't think for 1 second that shooters aren't trying to cut corners and that all the guns are "stock"

Not bashing IDPA because I am a USPSA kool aid drinking fanboy, but they are both GAMES and people WILL find ways to legally cheat within the established set of rules.

 

 

Good point Ronny, and I'll do a USPSA match.

Good point Ronny, and I'll do a USPSA match.

 

Ray, The full blown matches are good and while on the outside they may not be your cup of tea, i will say that they are a blast and just great fun. One thing if you want to sample them on a much smaller scale and a much more lay ed back atmosphere you might consider coming out to one of the USPSA light matches at the indoor range on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. There are 2 stages for the first round and then a quick break down and 2 more stages to finish up the night, I only come by for the first 2 stages and boogie early with my work schedule but they are really good for learning a little bit about the sport prior to shotting a much large match. In addition they are good for your minimum of 2 participations of the 5 total needed for probationary members.

 

Also you might want to look at some of the steel shoots, they are also a good time and while conducted as the all other matches, safety first, they are also semi layed back and just fun to shoot and also meet other shooters, I would say doing a USPSA monthly match at OB is a blast and thats what I did for my first ever match, I would have really liked to shoot one of the other smaller matches first to get my feet wet before jumping in whole hog, but I also have no regrets of how I did it either.

 

Also as said, IDPA is also available at OB for you to check out, just take my advise, don't ever just observe, 5-10 minutes into observing and you will be kicking your self in the a$$ for not participating.

 

I'd also mention OBRAMS but that's just about over for this year, but another great time, and cheap (rim fire only) to play for the day, just for future reference.

 

Harry

There are several other locations that hold Steel, IDPA, and USPSA matches each month.

There should probably be a sticky for the matches.

Get out to some and try it out. Shoot it your way within the rules if you want.

I tell this to everyone, once you shoot at a match, you will never want to go to the range and just shoot at a target.

True, very true.

 

And you can use "practical gear" as a way to practice. Just have to forget about finishing well against the race guns.

 

Define practical gear. My production rig is pretty no frills. Heck, my "race gear" is pretty no frills except for the gun. I usually finish at the border of the top third with either my l-10 or production setup.

 

You can finish pretty high without a lot of the go fast gear. Most of it isn't that much faster, just provides some looser tolerances on the performance envelope of the shooter.

Define practical gear. My production rig is pretty no frills. Heck, my "race gear" is pretty no frills except for the gun. I usually finish at the border of the top third with either my l-10 or production setup.

 

You can finish pretty high without a lot of the go fast gear. Most of it isn't that much faster, just provides some looser tolerances on the performance envelope of the shooter.

 

:thsmiley_deadhorse:

You can finish pretty high without a lot of the go fast gear. Most of it isn't that much faster, just provides some looser tolerances on the performance envelope of the shooter.

 

This is true, you can do well with out the race gear, but depending on the stage, race guns, and by that I mean Open div, will give you more than a 10% advantage, other stages it might not be any advantage, but it will never be a disadvantage. But like everything, it comes down to the shooter

There are several other locations that hold Steel, IDPA, and USPSA matches each month.

There should probably be a sticky for the matches.

Get out to some and try it out. Shoot it your way within the rules if you want.

I tell this to everyone, once you shoot at a match, you will never want to go to the range and just shoot at a target.

 

True, and I'll do some events all over our fine state but I need to finish my paperwork at Old Bridge first.

True, and I'll do some events all over our fine state but I need to finish my paperwork at Old Bridge first.

 

OK i'll bite what paperwork? Membership to OB? Nice, but how does that prevent you from attending a match?

This is true, you can do well with out the race gear, but depending on the stage, race guns, and by that I mean Open div, will give you more than a 10% advantage, other stages it might not be any advantage, but it will never be a disadvantage. But like everything, it comes down to the shooter

 

Here's a hint. You aren't shooting against the guys with the open guns unless you are shooting an open gun. REally waht you wind up arguing is something like an inside the waistband holster which is practical for CCW vs something like a plane jane uncle mikes kydex holster.

 

Not having fancy gear is no reason not to compete. It certainly isn't hgoing to keep you from getting better. Also, you can' buy enough gear to be better than you are except for maybe practice ammo. All it really does is up the odds of you delivering your best performance, and even then the only things that owuld count as gear that can make more than maybe a 5-10% difference at best are sights if you are using ones that your brain really doesn't like processing, and a gun that doesn't jam... which is about as practical as you can get.