Glad to hear your first competition experience went good. I've been shooting in some IDPA matches for a year and a half now and really enjoy the people and experiences.
Yee Haa! First Competitive Shoot! (Sorta)
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I had a lot of fun doing this, and wanted to tell you guys about it.
I went to visit my mom in Kentucky from 07/21 to 07/29, and toddled down to Ray's Shooting Range in Newburg (the ONLY indoor range in the greater Louisville area).
I ended up renting a Glock .40. They didn't have any 1911s to rent, and the only .45 they had was a Glock .36 - NO THANK YOU. I figured, "Oh well, shoot some holes, practice my drills, go home."
Anyway, there's a bunch of guys shooting a competition on the secondary range (it was a double indoor range), and unbeknownst to me, they're watching me plink away. After a few minutes, the NRA Instructor who's running their drills comes over and says that the men have taken a unanimous vote and want me to shoot in their competition.
I said, "Nuh-uh, no they don't" (thinking he was joking). He says, "No really - they really want you to come over." I look over, and all of the guys are making "come on" motions with their hands.
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So I walk over, and it's basic: two steel poppers and three circular targets that you shoot at through cardboard "windows", one from regular height, one slightly lower than normal, and one from a crouch. I don't remember the distances but the furthest target was about 65 feet and the closest was 21 feet. Your gun sits loaded on a chair across the room, and when the instructor bellows, "GO!", you RUN across the room, pick up yer piece, and start firing. The poppers had 3 shots to drop; the circulars were three shots for best placement. If you did it right (and I did), you only had to reload to fire your last round at the last popper.
I'm somewhat self-possessed. I didn't run. I walked. I was wearing a tank top and a bunch of guys were watching, and I didn't care about time as much as accuracy (nor did I want to jiggle).
Now, before you say "Whoopty doo" and
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let me tell you that I have never EVER (a) shot competitively in any fashion, (b) shot from a crouching position, (d) shot while moving from target to target, or (e) done a reload while shooting & moving.
The end result? Well, my time was atrocious (56 seconds or something like that), but the average score of the guys was 70-72, and I scored an 84. They all went crazy, whooping and hollering, like I'd won a $500 prize or something. Those Kentucky guys - what nice guys. Maybe we should transplant some here to California and "nice up" the local boys.
Anyway, it was the first time I'd ever done any "competitive" shooting, even though this was more or less informal and "in fun", and I wanted to tell you about it.
Hubby was less than thrilled to hear that I enjoyed the competition aspect so much; he's afraid that now I'll spend even MORE time at the range than I already do...
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Corruptisima republica plurimae leges
(The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws)
[This message has been edited by KimberLady (edited 08-01-2001).]
I went to visit my mom in Kentucky from 07/21 to 07/29, and toddled down to Ray's Shooting Range in Newburg (the ONLY indoor range in the greater Louisville area).
I ended up renting a Glock .40. They didn't have any 1911s to rent, and the only .45 they had was a Glock .36 - NO THANK YOU. I figured, "Oh well, shoot some holes, practice my drills, go home."
Anyway, there's a bunch of guys shooting a competition on the secondary range (it was a double indoor range), and unbeknownst to me, they're watching me plink away. After a few minutes, the NRA Instructor who's running their drills comes over and says that the men have taken a unanimous vote and want me to shoot in their competition.
I said, "Nuh-uh, no they don't" (thinking he was joking). He says, "No really - they really want you to come over." I look over, and all of the guys are making "come on" motions with their hands.
So I walk over, and it's basic: two steel poppers and three circular targets that you shoot at through cardboard "windows", one from regular height, one slightly lower than normal, and one from a crouch. I don't remember the distances but the furthest target was about 65 feet and the closest was 21 feet. Your gun sits loaded on a chair across the room, and when the instructor bellows, "GO!", you RUN across the room, pick up yer piece, and start firing. The poppers had 3 shots to drop; the circulars were three shots for best placement. If you did it right (and I did), you only had to reload to fire your last round at the last popper.
I'm somewhat self-possessed. I didn't run. I walked. I was wearing a tank top and a bunch of guys were watching, and I didn't care about time as much as accuracy (nor did I want to jiggle).
Now, before you say "Whoopty doo" and
The end result? Well, my time was atrocious (56 seconds or something like that), but the average score of the guys was 70-72, and I scored an 84. They all went crazy, whooping and hollering, like I'd won a $500 prize or something. Those Kentucky guys - what nice guys. Maybe we should transplant some here to California and "nice up" the local boys.
Anyway, it was the first time I'd ever done any "competitive" shooting, even though this was more or less informal and "in fun", and I wanted to tell you about it.
Hubby was less than thrilled to hear that I enjoyed the competition aspect so much; he's afraid that now I'll spend even MORE time at the range than I already do...
------------------
Corruptisima republica plurimae leges
(The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws)
[This message has been edited by KimberLady (edited 08-01-2001).]
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Hi, KL. I think that you'll find that kind of "hospitality" at most places south of the M-D line.
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Glad you enjoyed your time down here.
I used to get out to the Ontario, CA, area a lot at my last job. Did a bit of shooting at an indoor range in Riverside. Had relatives that lived in Corona.
BTW, if "hubby" isn't that excited about your accomplishments, maybe you ought to take him with you next time.
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[This message has been edited by logansdad (edited 08-01-2001).]
I used to get out to the Ontario, CA, area a lot at my last job. Did a bit of shooting at an indoor range in Riverside. Had relatives that lived in Corona.
BTW, if "hubby" isn't that excited about your accomplishments, maybe you ought to take him with you next time.
[This message has been edited by logansdad (edited 08-01-2001).]
Well done KL!!!!
Sounds like you had a blast. I hate it when you girls make us look bad - although I'm gettin' used to it - my wife is starting to shoot rather well......
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PS - just curious how your ride-along went? Post it over in LEO if you want!
Sounds like you had a blast. I hate it when you girls make us look bad - although I'm gettin' used to it - my wife is starting to shoot rather well......
PS - just curious how your ride-along went? Post it over in LEO if you want!
I haven't bought a holster yet, because I've yet to hear back on my CHL application and competitive shooting on even a semi-regular basis is a while away.
However, my instructor has me leaning toward a Fobus belt-slide holster. Hubby wants to use a strap-top holster, but I'd rather use tensioning instead. The problem with us women is that with a high-riding holster, you end up getting the "grip dig" into your ribs, since we have that curved waist thing. Instructor said that most people who carry CCW have a box full o' holsters, so don't spend a fortune on them, try 'em out in the store, etc. Right now I just need the holster for drawing and reholstering training, so I'll probably just get the $23 el-cheapo special.
Thanks everyone, for your words of encouragement. I'll probably avoid shooting matches for the time being, as I'm trying to put all of my energy into training at the range as well as the book I'm writing. After the book is done (or my training is up to par), I'll be picking up iaido (Japanese sword training) as well. However, I did have a great time shooting and I want to eventually get back to it.
Jimin - the only problem with a Glock match is that I really prefer the Kimber .45. I have a Glock 19 9mm, but I use it as a "backup" gun in my gun box. I've gotten so used to the 1911-style trigger that any gun with a "creep" (i.e., Glock and Smith style triggers) is kind of irritating. Shot a friend's S&W .40 and it seemed like forever before it finally fired. Same feeling with the Glock if I haven't shot it for a week or two. Guess I'm just spoiled...
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Corruptisima republica plurimae leges
(The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws)
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
