I've received several inquiries for the pistol as well as advice from QP/board members, so I thought I post my system. As I recall more details, I will edit, organize, and add more. My goal is to set the next person with resources and shorten the learning curve.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Team Sergeant
Given the time and opportunity SF would be a large part of that "list" I'm sure.
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FWIW, I concur with TS. I think SF already got the final part, or the mental game down. Several SF/SMU I met at Perry only took two tries to get the tab. I also met former commander of B/2/3, CPT W. few years back. Not sure if he got the tab or not.
Following Master Gene Econ's coaching structure, I divide the primer to three elements: technical, physical and mental.
TECHNICAL
Probably the main obstacle is cost. Gone are the days when everybody got the same wrist-breaking govt issued 230 grain ball ammo. So in a way, there is "race gear" involved. If you're an outstanding reloader then you're ahead of the game.
Decide to pursue rifle vs. pistol. While it is arguable which one is easier, I can say overall cost wise pistol is cheaper. With rifle, unless you got sling, glove, jacket, solid spotting scope, 80grainer for the 600 yards, and so on, you don't get to be competitive. Furthermore, to get good at 600, you must shoot at 600. Hard to learn wind/mirage reading indoor. So that means gas money, range membership, kestrel etc. With $$$ concerned, pistol is the way to go because:
- You don't have to have what the pros use to be competitive. Ignore the fancy pistol box and scope you see. You'd see folks in the P100 with shirt and shorts and bino. I only carried a range bag and a monocular. They were enough. You won't be rapidly scoping between shots like rifle.
- You can master the MOST important part, squeeze, indoor. Remember what the sight picture look like at 50 and 25, draw black circle on a tape, put on wall, then adjust distance accordingly. Too easy.
- At 25 yards, you don't need match rounds. Regular Winchester white box will hold the black or 9 even 10 ring. I used defender ammo 115 gr for practice. Good solid guys. From all army, I learned the military ball ammo can hold the black or 8 ring at 50. The trend of the scores for the last 50 years show that if you shoot 87 and above average, you're a solid contender.
- IMHOO, you don't need $2000+ custom made 1911 or 92FS to make the list. There's so much user error involved, I've seen the same pistol make two very different scores shot by two different people (with different skills). You can't and won't buy performance, but once you're shooting expert/master score, a custom built 1911 will aid you to the next level. At least, that was my experience.
So in a nutshell, invest in a decent pistol with match grade barrel, fitting, sights, trigger job, and you're GTG. An easy route would be to get a Range Officer 1911 and send it to Dave Salyer. The easier route is to buy my 92FS
Get a clear optic that can see 9mm hole at 50 yards, eye patch as necessary, sight black (or lighter and tape), some Atlanta Arms match ammo and you're set. The fee to shoot P100 is $40. Practice at home range, attend your local bulleye match to get used to turning target and pace, then go to Perry. If you can practice not under cover with some wind and rain, even better.
You can print your own targets and save $$$ for ammo(well, if you get to the point you can't miss 8"x11" at 50 yards)
https://pistol-forum.com/attachment....3&d=1322428760
https://pistol-forum.com/attachment....1&d=1322428748
Get used to the match command and course of fire (you got turning target instead of horn in actual match)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bull...605820809?mt=8
and course of fire
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...bullseye&hl=en
http://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-n...-pistol-match/
PHYSICAL
Plenty resources at
http://www.bullseyepistol.com/ and no need for coach until you peruse
http://www.bullseyepistol.com/amucover.htm
Granted, nothing beats doing and self discovery. A coach or even observer can reveal much. A video app that can do slow mo.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/hudl...470428362?mt=8
Find the body position that suits you best, I use a mixed technique. I put support hand in pocket, grab and twist the fabric and keep it straight pushed down at my side. So it's like a second spine. I rotate and pull my shooting arm back, so there's no lax . These facilitates recoil mgmt and rapid recovery.
Find where you are at currently. A good way to gauge preparedness is just with a regular M9 with regular army issue ball 9mm at the rapid/timed target at 25 yards in 20 seconds standing one handed. Figure out the hold-off to land lead on the bullseye then try the above. If you can keep them all on paper or better yet, 8 ring, then you are off to a good start.
Train the eyes to see:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V-TZtLDmm0
Notice several times the sight picture suggest the round will be off the black, but it still lands on x and 10. It's an optical illusion. There's more margin of error than what the eye can perceive, but the moment you try to muscle it back to black, you will yank the shot. The rifle's command detonate does not work here. The method is area aiming. Accept that wobble zone then just concentrate on straight, uninterrupted squeeze. Also keeps in mind with the wobble from a beating heart, what you see is always "in the past." By the time the primer ignites, the sights are not where you saw it last.
Train the finger to move:
Dry fire with eyes closed. See a perfect sight alignment, close eye, (squeeze while concentrating on any tension with each finger, palm, etc.) open eye. If that alignment is not perfect, adjust grip and pay closer attention to the finger position on trigger. Find that perfect grip and pull FOR YOU. Do the same, but start from trigger all the way back. See perfect alignment, close eye, reset, squeeze, open eye. Now do the same but pointing at that black dot at the wall. IMHOO, until you see perfection here doing live fire is a waste of time and money. Once there, do ball and dummy but one handed until there's zero anticipation. Get used to the recoil and actively push the hand back to full extension with every shot. Get a solid follow through.
I also do a lot of isometric exercise with 15 lbs dumbell. Hold for 1 minute x 10. Also a lot of core, shoulder, and back. Finally, a solid cardio for low resting HR. When I do real well at 50, my HR is in the 40 and 50's. With these, you will notice smaller and smaller wobble zone.
MENTAL
I honestly believe this is the most crucial part. The years when I did not make it, I had plan B and told myself this and that, and it's ok if I don't get it because yada yada. This year, there are ZERO negative thoughts. I pro-actively flushed them away. Even when I shot far below 87 in first string. Good or bad shot, the next shot is always the first shot and you give it all. Greg Plitt's talks on the crucible of fear and failure help me a lot. He also stresses how matches are won not during the event, but during the countless hours beating on your craft with no one keeping you accountable but you.
How about wind and rain? What wind, and what rain? Brian Zins told me that first year I showed up and it took me two years to get it. I shot highest rapid fire during wind. You'll see folks show up with extra huge boxes thinking it can serve as a shield. Well, a mind shield is better than a physical. Find the lull or find the steady focus regardless of environment.
Even during dry fire, build your shooting process. Mine is build grip, dry fire, load, press check, build stance, verify sight alignment, verify target, wait for commands, then, I say over and over "squeeze" during timed fire, and "move" during rapid. I never count rounds, or time, or score until the match is over. During slow, do the same but I just did the good 'ol T-11 or UH60 jump count 1000 to 6000. If no shot breaks, I force myself to drop the gun and start over. I shed all ego of thinking "it's a perfect sight picture, i got this!" and breaking the shot shaking all over.
A solid mental focus from one of the multi-champion:
https://firearmusernetwork.com/2014/...w-of-shooting/
Also do EIC matches to get used to applying all the above.
Who knows...in the process of chasing the tab before you know it you got distinguished!
