packin45

I have always been interested in action shooting sports, and decided to look into IDPA after I started carrying. I observed a match back in January, and have been anxious to get started ever since. The problem was, the local IDPA organization requires a new shooter to take a formal holster training class, and the only local instructors I could find weren't holding any classes over the winter.
Anyway, I was finally able to get into a holster class, which was today. We went over the IDPA basics, drawing to fire from a holster both normally and from under concealment, and also covered some self-defense topics. We did put in some range time as well, but mostly focused on the different range commands and procedures...I went through about 68 rounds, total. I also found out that my grip technique (teacup method) could get me seriously injured in the event that my Glock decides to kB (apparently not unheard of); I will have to start practicing a different technique.
So the first match that I'm planning on actually participating in will be on the 20th, and I'm pretty psyched up about it. I was originally planning on competing with my G17, but decided to switch to the G21 and shoot in the CDP class; I figure that training with the more difficult to shoot .45 will make me a much better shooter.
So....now to work on my draws, and do some dry firing.

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G17, G21, Beretta 92F

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...

cdwolf

Good luck.. keep us updated on how it turns out!

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GUN CONTROL= I WANT TO BE THE ONE IN CONTROL OF THE GUN

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Ram Rod

Sounds awesome! You sound excited. I'm going to shoot in my first USPSA match on the 19th. Good luck on it all!

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RamRod-----sans remords

sharpetop

My second match is tomorrow. It's supposed to be in the upper 30s, rain, wind and lots of mud! Last months shoot was cancelled because of a blizzard.

I may just go punch cardboard targets tomorrow at the regular range. At least it's covered and you stand on concrete.

Kerbouchard

Good luck in your first match.

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Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever.

http://miscmusings.townhall.com/

Who is John Galt?

crzy4guns

Best of luck in your first match.

Miggy

Packin, welcome to IDPA!

If I may be so bold, lemme share some pointers.
1) When it is your time to shoot, tell the SO you are a New Shooter. That way he will take time to explain the CoF to you and keep an extra eye to make sure you shoot safely. Also, he will analyze your performance and tell you what you did right or wrong.
2) Take it slow. Make sure that you make those holes on paper and don't try to go as fast as the experienced shooters. In IDPA accuracy is a bit more important than speed.
3) Watch your muzzle and don't crowd the hard cover. Pointing it at a safe direction includes the not hitting the barricades. I have seen shooters (new and old) that will hit the edge of a barricade and wonder why their well aimed shots are going somewhere else.
3)Ask questions! If you do not understand or have doubts about the Cof, ask them over and over till you are satisfied. If you have questions about anything else, ask the Match director or any old shooter. Most of the shooters will help you gladly.
4) And Help Pasting, Setting Steel, Setting Up and Tearing Down! Like a fellow shooter in my club says:It is a shooting club, not an an Amusement Park. Any help is always appreciated by those who bring the match to you.
5) Most Important: HAVE FUN!

And we want a range report after you shoot your match. Warts and all!

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You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming.
Randy Cain.

GunFreeZone.net

packin45

Well, the forecast high was 70° on the day of the match, so I wore jeans, a t-shirt, and a light coat. I don't think it got up above 45° until the match was over, and since the humidity was also high, I was soon very cold. This led to an extra cup of coffee, which didn't exactly do wonders for my nerves

I paid close attention to all of the instructions, asked a lot of questions, and watched the more experienced shooters very carefully. I told myself I wasn't going to make mistakes while drawing, or with my grip technique, since I had been practicing both quite a bit.

But man, once the timer starts, it all goes right out the window LOL! My mouth went dry, my fingers felt like rubber, and I got a bad case of tunnel vision. Since I'm shooting CDP, I had to make one tactical and one emergency reload during the first string of the first stage; I managed not to drop my mags in the dirt or jam my weapon, but my emergency reload looked like crap since I had lost count of the rounds I had fired and shot the gun dry.

I had to reload my three mags on the line before the second string; I fumbled with the big .45 rounds because my hands felt so rubbery, and almost dropped a handful. The SO (a very nice and helpful guy, and also an excellent shot) thought my Glock 21 was a 17, and that I had loaded the wrong number of rounds into each mag; this got me even more confuzzled, and I had to reload the last mag twice due to losing count of how many rounds were in it.

On the second string, I managed to do a little better, but I got a procedural penalty due to engaging the last three targets out of order. My closer targets looked good, with some nice neat COM hits, but the longer shots looked like crap (I got one Fail To Neutralize). About 15 minutes after the stage was over, I realized that I had reverted to my old 'teacup' grip technique without realizing it; I told myself I was going to pay closer attention next time so it wouldn't happen again.

The second stage went a little better, but not much. I had the same dry mouth/tunnel vision/loss of fine motor skills as I did the first time around, but I managed to hit every target and shoot the entire stage the way I was supposed to. I purposely went slow, and I'm sure my times were terrible. After I finished the second stage, I realized that I had again reverted to my old grip technique

I couldn't shoot the 3rd and final stage; I had something come up at home, and had to leave early. I was pretty dissapointed, but I felt like I had gotten a good taste of the action during the first two stages. It was probably one of the most stressful situations I've ever been in, but I really enjoyed myself and will be shooting another match on the 3rd.

I've read many accounts of people involved in shootings, and the adverse effects that being under severe stress had on their fine motor skills, judgement, and shooting ability; it was a real eye opener to experience it for myself. There's definately a night-and-day difference between drawing, firing and reloading while on the move and under tremendous stress, and just standing around punching holes in paper targets at the range.

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G17, G21, Beretta 92F

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...

Airedale

It sounds like you had "everyone's" first match.

I hope you had fun and will continue in the shooting games.

Dave