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TORTURE TEST

Strike a Balance Whilefirstreading“EasierDoesIt”byThomasPinney,IfoundmyselfrollingmyeyeswonderingifhereallythoughtshufflingaroundthesamefourtargetsinanopenfieldwastheessenceoftheperfectCOFforamatch.Iknowthat,evenasamediocreshooter,IoftentraveluptofivehoursonagivenSun-dayinordertocompeteatmorechal-lengingmatchesandpassbythenearerclubwhichactuallysetsupsixstagesintwobaysbyshufflingaroundthesamenumberoftargetsineachbay. ButthereismerittohisideaandIsubmitthe‘CitrusChallenge’atCFRPCinOrlandoasanexample.Thisannu-allysanctioned,fallmatch,incorporated10COF’swithmorethan120shootersandfinishedthedayby3p.m.Nobayhadmorethan2movers;therewerenomarathonsprintsandnobellyflopping,althoughtherewereacoupleoflowcoversituationsrequired.Thetradeoffwasthathalfthestagesrequiredthreeshotseachbut,atleast,itsucceededingettingawayfromthe‘6shot-move’groupingswhichseemtohaunteverymatch.Ahalfminuteintotaltimesepa-ratedthefirstfromthe10thshooterandmorethan2minutesstoodbetweenthefirstandthemiddlecontestant,plentyoftimedifferencebetweenthebestandtherest. Therewasn’tasmuch‘buzz’aboutthestagesassay,theGeorgiaStateMatchwithamyriadofelaboratepneumaticmovers,butevenGeorgianeededaquarterofitsstagestobethreeshotseach.Intherealworldtherearelotsofthingsintheway,everythingcon-tinuouslymovesandyouusuallyhaveimmediatefeedbackifyouhitanoppo-nent.Butthisisacompetitivegame,notdefensivetraining.Rememberingthatshootersareseekingbothaswecom-petecreatesthebestmatches. RandallMilan-WilliamsA37273

I believe that the key is striking a balance. Quick shoot’em ups, long field courses, complicated props, open field of targets, long movement and stand and fight. You need all of these to make a good IDPA match. So sometimes a single club match may get unbalanced one way or the other but the next match should go back the other way. This leads to fresh ideas and ways of look-ing at things and thus better stages and continued exciting matches. The key is not getting pulled too far one way or the other and especially not mistak-ing gimmicks as shortcut to keeping a match challenging and entertaining. Editor

New Trick TheCentralCarolinasShootingClubrecentlyheldaclassifierusingthesys-temdescribedinVolume16-2oftheTacticalJournalanditwasagreatsuc-cess.Notonlydiditshortentheoveralltimetoshoottheclassifierbuttherewereadditionalbenefits.TheworkloadontheSafetyOfficerswasreduced,eachshooterhadachancetolookattheirtargetsbeforepastingandthefast-erpacekepteveryoneinvolved.KudostotheOntelauneeRod&GunClubforthisgreatidea. BenLocharyA37490 I am always looking for a way to speed things up without sacrificing quality. I’ll be using this at our next classifier as well and lend my voice to Ontelaunee for passing the idea around. Editor

Everyone Wins� TwoyearsagoIhadnodesiretopickupagunbutwhenmydearhusbandpurchasedahomedefensefirearmheinsistedthatIlearntouseit.SowithmuchfearandtrepidationIallowed

himtodragmeontotheshootingrange.Evenwithhistraining,Iwasveryuncomfortablehandlingagun,sohewentwithmetotheNRABasicPistolcoursewhichIhighlyrecommendtoanyonewantingtounderstandalltheaspectsofsafelyhandlingafirearm.(Iwastheonlywomanintheclassandmyhusbandwastheenvyofalltheotherhusbandsthere!)Whileattheclasstheytookustotherangeandhelpeduslearntoshoot.Oneoftheinstructorswasawoman,olderthanIam,andabulls-eyeshooter.Iwasinspired! Iwasa2-sportcollegeathlete,butafterhavingfourchildrenanddeal-ingwithacoupleoflife’scurveballs,atage50-somethingIdoubtedthattherewouldeverbeanychanceformetoparticipateinafastpacedcompeti-tivesportagain.IhadacceptedthatIwouldhavetobesatisfiedwithmyglorydaysfromcollegeandmymorerecentaccomplishment-Candylandchampion.AsIbeganshootingIdiscoveredthatinmanywaysitwassimilartobasketball-puttingaroundobjectthroughasmallhole-andthatmanyofthebreathingandsightacquisitionskillsIneededwerealreadyinnatefrommycollegesportstraining.Somethingstartedtoawakeninme.ForChristmasIaskedfora.22pistolandSanta(mydearhusband)leftmeoneunderthetree.Ispentallwinterandspringattherangeplinkingaway.Ialsogotusedtoshootingthehomedefensefirearmandmyfearofthe“bigbang”andtherecoilbegantodissipateasIworkedongrip,triggerpullandshootingstance. Shortlyafterthismyhusbandob-tainedalicensetocarryandwesoonrealizedthatourhomedefensesystem(mydearhubbyandhisgun)wasnotalwayshomewhenIwas,soheboughtmeacompactpistoltohaveatmydis-posal.The.22soonstartedgatheringdustbecauseIdiscoveredthat9mmwasmuchmorefun!(Andagain,mydearhusbandencouragedmewithplentyof

Letters should be typewritten but legible handwriting is

acceptable. Letters must be less than 350 words. We reserve the right to edit all published letters

for clarity and length.

(Continued on page 28)

Letters to the Tactical Journal

SRhooteready

The Tactical Journal welcomes letters to the editor for “Shooter Ready”.

Send your letters to “Shooter Ready” IDPA 2232 CR 719

Berryville, AR 72616 Email: [email protected]

IDPA Tactical Journal First Quarter 2013 3

Tactical JournalTHE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEFENSIVE PISTOL ASSOCIATION

February 2013 Volume 17 Issue 1

FEATURED ARTICLES16 2012 European Cup

Dru Nichols

22 More Tips for Working with IDPA Members...Al J. Noll

25 IDPA - Shooting with StyleElizabeth (Liby) Messler

COLUMNS3 Shooter Ready

6 Run a Better MatchTed Murphy

8 From a Woman’s PerspectiveKitty Richards

12 Random ShotsThomas Pinney

14 Through the Eyes of a Junior ShooterAustin Proulx

15 IDPA Pro TipsRobert Vogel

FROM HQ11 Let our New Year's resolution be this…

Joyce Wilson

30 Upcoming Major Matches

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:The IDPA Tactical Journal welcomes all submissions of press releases and news items of interest to our readers. All material is considered unsolicited and is subject to the approval of the Publisher, Editors and Advisory Board. All submissions imply consent to publish and will not be monetarily com-pensated or returned. If you'd like to submit an article, please send it to [email protected].

11

8

25


Thisyearhascertainlystartedoffwithhighdramaandstress.Wehavearenewedpoliticalattackonourrights,aswellaspanicbuyingandshortagesofshootinggear.Ihopeyouhaveenoughammunitionandcomponentsforyourmatchandpracticeroutines.Ifnot,nowisthetimetolearnthevalueofgooddryfirepractice.Ihopethatinafewmonthsthingswillbelesshystericalandwecangetbacktobusiness.Wewillsoonfaceanassaultonourrights,our

sportandourwayoflife.Nowisthetimeforallofustobandtogetherandstandtall.Besureyourmembershipstopro-SecondAmendmentorganizationsarecurrent.Nowisnotthetimetositonthesidelines.Ifyoudonotbelong,join.Itisthatsimple.Besuretowriteyourelectedofficials.Standupforyourrights.Youmuststandupwithourfellowshootersofalldisciplinesandneveragreetocompromise.IDPAmaybeatenroundsport,buttherighttoownatwenty-eightshotopengunisjustaspreciousandworthfightingfor.MakesurewedonotlettheAntisdivideandconquer.StandTall!Assomeofyouknow,mywifeMelissahasbeen

ratherill.Shehasgonethroughseveralproceduresbutnowisontheroadtorecovery.Shestillcannotshoot,butsheisgettingbettereveryday.Iwanttothankthoseofyouwhohavebeensograciouswithyourcards,letters,gifts,andwordsofsupport.Theymeantalottobothofus.WehopeMelissacanreturntomatchesbylatespring.ShootingIhadamomentoffoolishnessearlierthisyear.I

decidedtochronographbeforeamatchatmyhomeclub,soIgotupearlyat5:00AMtoloadsometestammunitiononmyDillon550B.A9mmnon-toxiccaseworkeditswayintomybrasssupply,andwhenIputitinthefirststation,itjammeduptheprimingsystem.InmyhastetoremovethecaseIforgottomanuallyindexthemachine,whichcausedmetodoublechargethecasesittinginthesecondstation.Idiscoveredthisdoublechargeatthe

chronograph.Thenexttolastroundwentofflikeafreighttrain!Whenthedustsettled,IlookedoverthingsasImassagedasorecheek.Iwasusingmywife’sSpringfield1911in9mmwithafullyrampedbarrel.Thedoublechargetotaled9.8grainsofAutocomppowder.Whenthat

powderwasignited,theextremelyhighpressurecausedthecasetoblowout.ThegaswentdownthemagazinewellandshearedtheweldsoftheMetalformbrandmagazine’sbaseplate.Thebaseplatebouncedoffthetable,hitmycheek,andflew60feetbehindme.Thegasthatblewoutofthemagazinewellflattenedaballpointpenonthetable.Oneendofthebaseplatehadarubberpadandtheotherhadtwosheetmetalscrewsprotruding.Iammostgratefultohavebeenhitinthefacebytherubberpadinsteadofthepointyscrews.Therewasoneroundleftinthemagazineandthebulletwasdamagedandpresseddeepintothecase.

Run a Better Match Build a Better Club

by Ted Murphy A02127

A view of the blown case and my destroyed

magazine

6 IDPA Tactical Journal First Quarter 2013

Therewasnothingwrongwiththepistol,atributetoJohnBrowning’sdesignandSpringfield’scraftsmanship.Itwasblackandfilthy,butnothinghadbeenbroken.Ihadagunsmithcheckitout,andhesaidthegunwasfine.AllIlostwasamagazine,andIgainedsomemoregreyhairs.Isupposeonecouldsaythisisproofthemanualindexstyleofreloadingpressisnogood,butImadethemistake.Ihaveloadedmanyhundredthousandsofrounds,thiswasthefirst(andIhope,last)timecarelessnessbitmeintheear.IdonotthinkIwilltrytoreloadanythingat0500anymore.OfficiatingWhenyouareworkingasaSafetyOfficer,partof

yourjobistomakesurethestagesyouworkarelegalandsafe.Ifyoucomeacrossstagesthatarenotlegal,orthatmaybeunsafe,youmustactuponit.Itiseasyforyoutoshrugandworkthestage,butitisnottherightthingtodo.YoureallyneedtostepupandtelltheMatchDirectoryourconcerns.TheMDmayhavemissedthatdetailandappreciatetheheadsup.Whatkindofthingsshouldyoulookfor?Keep

aneyeoutforanykindof“trap”againsttheSafetyOfficer.Makesurethereisnotachokepointwhereyouwillgetjammed,alowhangingobject,ortriphazard.Lookforanythingprotrudingthatmaycutorotherwiseinjuresomeone.Gothroughthestagewithanimaginaryshooterandmakesurethatyoucangetaroundthestagewithoutanykindofproblem.Checkthefooting,andmakesurenoonewillslip.Makesuretherearemuzzlesafepointssetout.Lookforanyplaceswherethemuzzlesafepointsaretootightand

willcauseunnecessarydisqualifications.This“RealityCheck”willstopproblemsbeforetheyhappen.Beingproactiveisbetterthanhavingtosay,“Ishouldhavedonesomethingaboutthat.”Severalmonthsago,Iwasatamatchthathadthe

shooterbegininaroom.Therewerewallsdownrange,uprangeandtotheright.Ontherighthandwalltherewasadoorway.Theshooterhadtoengagetargetstotheleftandthenbackoutofthedoortotheright.Whenthefirstshootercameup,theSOwentintheroomandstoodontheshooter’sstronghand(right)side.Theshooterdrew,shottotheleftandthenretreatedoutthedoor.TheSOrealizedtoolatethathewaspinnedinthecornerandcouldnotbackout.Allofasudden,hewasinfrontoftheshooter’smuzzle.ThisisanexampleofanSOtrapandnotagreatstage.Youneedtomakesurethatyoucanalwaysnavigatethecourseoffirewithoutbeingindangeroffallingorgettingmuzzledbytheshooter.KnowtheCourseofFireRulesandbesurethe

stageyouworkislegal.Checkoutthenumberofnonthreattargetsandtheamountofsteel.Makesuretheycomplywiththeirrespectiveratios.Checkthetargetdistancesandtheamountofmovementinastage.OneofthemostoverlookedCoFrulesisthemaximumdistanceof15yardsofmovementinastage.Walkitoffifyouarenotsure.AnotherproblemfortheSafetyOfficerishewill

occasionallyrunintothestagethatis,tobeblunt,justplainstupid.Iamtalkingaboutthetypesofstagestherulebookwarnsusabout,suchasthe“revengeof


Run a Better Match

Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of a

shoot house


...in the Shadow of The Big Apple”AsIwalkeddownthestreetsofHudson,NY,I

wasgettingprettyworried.Billedas“Upstate’sDowntown”,thelivelyburgwasfilledwithvisitorsfromtheBigApple,whousetheColombiaCountylocationastheirplayground.Oneachblockfilledwithartgalleriesandupscaleboutiques,Isawsmall,ecologicallycorrectelectriccarswithstickerstoutingpoliticallycorrectsentiments-notoneSUVorNRAstickertobefound!Thenextday,IwasscheduledtoteachanIDPASafetyOfficerclasslessthan5milesaway.WhatkindofpeoplewouldImeetthere,andhowcouldabrandnewIDPAclubsurviveinsuchanurban,firearmintolerantareasoclosetoNewYorkCity?Theclubwasbeingstartedbytwowomenfromthearea–whatkindoffolkswouldbeattendingthisclass?VisionsofprotestorsfromthecitycloudedmythoughtsasIdrovetotheclubthenextday.MyreliefmayhavebeenevidentwhenImetTrish

CutlerandDebbieSinger,Co-MatchDirectorsof

theColombiaPistolActionLeague(CPAL).Theseladiesweredown-to-earth,excitedandcommittedtothesport.Trish’scalmdemeanorandorganizationalskillsputmeateaseimmediately,especiallywhensheintroducedherselfasa“shootingGrandma”,wholivestoshootbutalsolovestohike,planparties,bakeanddecorate.SheisthepistolpermitclerkinColombiaCounty,whichshesaysgivesheranopportunitytomeetmanypeople.“IstartedshootingundertheguidanceofDaveLydon,aretiredpoliceofficerandmilitarypoliceMajorintheUSAirForce,andRayDalrymple,anex-militaryfirearmsinstructor.AnotheryoungmanbythenameofKeithGibsonofferedtoinstructmeinamoretacticalapproachtoshooting.KeithintroducedmetoIDPA.”(MostofusrememberKeithfromSeason3ofTheHistoryChannel’sTopShot).DebbieSinger,avivaciousbrunettewithan

irrepressiblespirit,cametoshootingviaadifferentroute.“Iwasdatingaretiredstatetrooperandhelet

From a Woman’s Perspectiveby Kitty Richards A18564“A Dynamic Female Duo Starts an IDPA Club...”


meshoothisGlock.Ihadmypistolpermitsince1998butneverdidanythingwithit.AssoonasIshothisGlock-IwashookedandthenextweekboughtmySmith&WessonM&P9mm.ThatiswhenImeetTrishassheisinchargeofthepistolpermits,wehititoffinstantly!”StartinganIDPAClubwasagreatidea,and

Trishexplainshowtheybegan.“Myfriend,Keith,convincedmetoshootanIDPAmatchinDutchessCountyafterwehadcompletedourfirstshootinglesson.WeattendedIDPAseveraltimes,whichiswherewemetthematchdirector,RussLeiblerandprofessionalshooter,MarkRedl,whoshootsforColt.IenjoyedthecompetitionsomuchthatIwantedtogoeverychanceIcould.However,itwastoughtomakeittotheclubmatchesontimeafterworkbecauseitwasoveranhouraway.Ibeganlookingforsimilarshootingsportsinourareaandfoundnone,soIapproachedKeithabouthelpingmestartupsomethinginHudson.Iwasalreadyamemberofaclub,ithad

agoodrange,andIknewthatIcouldrecruitatonofpeoplewhoIwouldmeetthroughwork.AllIneededwastheexperiencedshootertobeasafetyofficerandKeithwasmorethanwilling.RussandMarkcametoourinitialmeetingstopresentIDPAtotheBoardofDirectors.Inlessthantwomonthswewereupandrunningandheldourfirstmatchwith23shootersinattendance.”

Trishwasmotivatedbywhatshesawatwork:“FrommypositionasPistolPermitClerk,Ihaveseenahugeincreaseinhandgunownersanddailyrequestsforinformationonwherepeoplecouldgotolearnhowtoshoot.Thefactthatlargenumbersofpeoplewhocarrydidnothaveacluehowtoproperlydraw,shootandmovewiththeirguninasafemannerwasaconcerntome.Therecentsurgeinpermitholders,(alargepercentagebeingwomen),gavemetheideatoaddresstheissueinsuchawaythatitwasseenasaneedtobesafeandafunsport.”


From a Woman’s Perspectiveby Kitty Richards A18564“A Dynamic Female Duo Starts an IDPA Club...”


NOTICETheIDPA TACTICAL JOURNAL

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FirstQuarter2013 Circulation21000 TACTICAL JOURNAL Volume17-Issue1

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IfeellikethesewordsfromformerSwedishPrimeMinisterGöranPerssonspeakdirectlytomeasItakestockofIDPAin2012andplanforourfuture.Thelastquarteroftheyearpresenteduswithsomechallengesasindividualsandasanorganization.Politicalwindschangequickly,andtherecentheartbreakingspateofshootings,perpetratedbymadmen,havemadetownslikeNewtown,CTandWebster,NY,partofourdailylexicon.Everyfirearmownerinourcountryfacesachallengefromproposedlegislationthatthreatensourrightsandoursport.Wemustgirdupforthebattle,andrememberwhoisbehindtheseproposals.Nowisnotthetimetoargueorcastaspersionsonthecharacterofothermembersorothershootingsports;wemuststandtogether,asIfearweunderestimatethelengthstowhichourfoeswillgotoseparateusfromourfirearms.AsIDPAmembers,howcan

wefightback?Iencourageyoutorenewyourmembershipandparticipationinoursport,andothershootingsportsthatfeedyourpassion.RememberthattheNRAhasalegalentitywhosesolepurposeistorepresentus,andotherorganizations,liketheGOA,

alsoperformthatservice.Mostimportantly,onagrassrootslevel,takeanewshootertotherangeandintroducethemtothejoysofshooting.“Let us be there for one another…in the finest sense of the word.”Asupportinggoalinthis

effortisonethatisclosetomyheart,andthatistoincreasetheparticipationofwomeninoursport.Towardthatend,Iwillbe

speakingattheinauguralNationalConferenceofAGirl&AGunWomen’sShootingLeague:Breaking Barriers.IencourageallofourfemaleshooterstoconsiderattendingthisMarch22-24eventinWaco,TX,whichwillincludelive-fireclassesandclassroomsessionsfromspeakersonrelevanttopicssuchasselfdefenseandcompetition.Formoreinformation,seethesignuppageathttp://

www.agirlandagunclub.com/conference-2013.Anexcitingannouncement,made

shortlybeforeChristmas,wasthelocationanddatesforour2013and2014IDPANationals.WearehappytobereturningtotheUSSArangeinTulsa,OK,forthenexttwoyears.IhopetoseemanyofyouthereinSeptemberofthisyear!OurTigerTeamscontinuetheirworkandareseeinglightattheendofthetunnel.Manythankstothosemembersandteamswhocontinuedtomeetthroughtheholidaystogetusclosertoourgoalofanewrulebook.OurMatch Adminis�tration Team completedtheirworkChristmasweek.TheSO Education (SOE) Teamcontinuestomeet;theyarecreatingthecurriculumthatwillbeusedforprevious

SafetyOfficerrecertificationandnewSOcertification;theyhavealsoselectedandwillbedeployinganon-linetestingsoftwarethatwillbeusedforSOtestingpurposes.TheirworkwillcontinuethroughthebetterpartofQ1.TheHQTeam,RobertRay,

TerryBurba,KittyRichardsandIlookforwardtoseeingmanyofourmembersinFebruaryfortheSmith& (Continued on page 28)

A Message from Joyce Wilson, IDPA Executive Director


TherearemanyIDPAshooterstowhomthelettersIDPAstandfor‘IDon’tPracticeAny’.Theseshootersarenotlikelytosignificantlyimprovenomatterhowmanyyearstheyhavebeencompeting.Someofushavesomuchfunincompetitionthatwesometimeslosesightofthefactthatthenameoftheorganizationis‘defensivepistol’not‘pistolcompetition.’Ofcourse,someIDPAmembersareuninterestedincompetingincompetitions;theirmotivationistoimprovetheirshootingforpotentialselfdefensescenarios.Pistolcompetitionis

ourhobby,butisalsoonethatmayallowustobetterdefendourselves.Ourmatchesareausefulwaytopracticeoperatingourfirearmsmoresafelyandefficiently.Howeveryouviewit,practiceiscrucialtosuccessfulperformance.Mostofuspracticeinorderto

performbetterincompetitions.Competitivematchesarecrucialtothesuccessofourorganization.TherearecurrentlyfourtypesofIDPAmatches:Classifier,Sanctioned,Club,andPracticematches.Classifiersarenotreallycompetitive;theyaredesignedtoprovideareliablebenchmarkforourperformance.Sanctionedormajormatchesarethebigeventsthatallowustocompeteagainstlargenumbersofourpeersonchallengingcoursesoffire.Thesearetheeventsthatshooterstrainforandbragabout–andproperlyso.Sanctionedmatchesarewhereawardsarehandedoutandshootersget‘bumped’tohigherclassifications.Clubmatches,sometimescalledmonthlymatches,arelocaleventsthatareusuallysmaller,morelocal,andwithfewerstages.Althoughtheycanbeenormousfun,thewinnersoftheseeventsjustget‘braggingrights’intheirclub;untilthenextmatch.Practicematchesare,strictlyspeakingnotrealIDPAmatchesatall.Thesesmalllocalmatchesarenotsomuchdesignedtoallowcompetitorstosharpentheirskillsbutaresocialeventsandcanalsoallownewandinfrequentshooters

tohavetheopportunitytopracticewiththeirfirearmsinasafeandenjoyablesetting.Clubsmayrunpracticematchestwotofourtimesamonth.AlthoughallIDPArulesandsafetyrequirementsarestillinforce,practicematchestendtobemuchlessformal.Ifyouwanttoimproveyour

shootingskills,itisnotjustenoughtogooutandshootatyourclub’smonthlyandpracticematches.Thatwillonlyhelpyoutoapoint.Inordertoreallygetbetteryouwillhavetoengageinfocusedandmeaningfulpracticetoimproveyourskills.Thismeansnotjustpracticingbutpracticingcorrectly.Asthesayinggoes,“practicemakespermanentbutonlyperfectpracticemakesperfect.”Itisworsethanuselesstosystematicallyrepeatthesamemistakes.Beforepracticing,makesurewhatyouaredoingisgoingtohelpimproveyourshooting.Fortunately,itisrelativelyeasytogetthatsortofassistance.IDPAshootersareusuallymostgraciousaboutofferinghintsandtipsonhowtobestpractice.Therearealsomanyinstructionalvideoclipsontheinternetaswellasbooksandvideosyoucanpurchasetohelpimprove.Byfarthebestwaytobecomeabettercompetitiveshooteristoworkwithaprofessionalinstructor.Itistheequivalentofagolferengagingaclubproorpayingafitnessinstructortoshowyoutherightwaytoexercise.Thecostinhiringaprofessionalforagivenlevelofimprovementinyourshootingwillprobablybelessthanthecostofammunitionifyouspendthesametimetryingtolearnthebestwaystoshootonyourown.Therearethreedifferenttypesof

by Thomas Pinney A24541

Random Shots “Practice, Practice”


practicecoveringtwodisciplines;basicshootingcompetenciesandcompetitionskills.Basicskillsarethebedrockofsuccessfulshootingofanykind.Thefundamentalsofgrip,drawing,sightpicture,andtriggercontrolarecrucialtoshootingatanylevelnomatterwhatthecontext.PracticingforcompetitionskillsisfocusedonmorespecificskillsthataretypicallyinvolvedinIDPA-typematches.Practicecanbeeitherdryorlive

firing.Dryfiringisdonewithoutusinganyammunition.Thisisbyfartheeasiesttypeofpracticesinceyoucandoitathome;itisalsothecheapestandsafest.Itisnotcompletelysafe,however.Aninadvertentdischargeisalwaysembarrassing;itcanalsobecostlyandeventragic.Oneoftheskillsyoushouldbepracticingisthatofgunsafety.Checkanddoublecheckthatyourgunisunloadedbeforebeginningdryfiringandalwaystreatthegunasthoughitwerenot.ThereisapersistenturbanlegendaboutamanwhowouldpracticedryfiringhisfirearmathisbigscreenTV–withpredictable(andexpensive)results.Mostmodernpistolscanberepeatedlydryfiredwithoutdamagetothepistol;forthoseexceptions,plastic‘snapcaps’canprovideprotection.Practicingwithoutammunitionistheverybestwaytodevelopreliablemusclememoryforfundamentalmovementssuchasdrawing,establishingasightpicture,transitionsfromonespottoanother,andreloading.Whenyouconsidertheactionstakeninanormalscenario,reducingthetimeforeachoftheseactionsbyjustafractionofasecondcanmakeabigdifferenceinyourtotaltime

foramatch.Further,bybuildinggoodhabitsinthesebasic,oftenrepeatedactionsyounolonghavetouseyourconsciousmindtothinkaboutthem.Ifyoupracticethemcorrectlyathome,theywillhappenautomaticallyontherange.Becauseitissafe,convenient,andinexpensivedryfiringshouldbethemajorportionofyourpractice.Dryfiringwillimproveyour

shootingbutitisnotenoughinandofitself.Untilrecentlytheonlywaytomovebeyonddryfiring

wastoputroundsdownrange.Now,however,somesportinggoodsstoresareofferingelectronicsimulatorswhicharethenextbestthingtolivefiring.Althoughnotanexactduplicateforrealshootingtheexperienceiscloseenoughtohelpyouadvanceyourskills.Inadditiontoelectronicimagesoffamiliartargetssuchassilhouettes,plates,andpoppers,electronicsimulatorscanalsohaverepresentationsoftargetsnotreadilyavailableinthereal (Continued on page 38)

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Priorities� of the junior s�hooterPrioritizing,theactofdeciding

whatcomesfirstinyourlife,decidingwhatonethingismoreimportantthananother.Ifyou’relikeme,shootingisrightnearthetopofthelist.Forayoungerperson,prioritizingisahugepartoflearningresponsibility.Settingprioritiesisawayoforganizingyourlife.Usually,peoplewilltellyouthatschoolcomesfirst.Sure,that’sgreat,educationisextremelyimportant.Butwhereistheyoungperson,thejuniorshooterinparticular,togofromthere?Asidefromschool,whatismost

importanttoyou?Buyingavideogame,orammo?Goingtoseeamovie,ordoingdryfirepractice?Obviously,thereisusuallytimeforboth;howeveroccasionallyyouwillhavetochoose.Whatitreallycomesdowntoisbudgetingyourtime,money,andfocus.Someofyourfocusandtimewillbetakenupbyschool;somemoneywillbetakenupbyotherpursuits,andsoonandsoforth.Thereareonlysomanyhoursintheday,andtimespentononethingistimelostpotentiallydoinganother.So,whatdoyouspendyourtime

doing?Whatelseshouldyoubedoing?Andhowwillyouchangeyourscheduletofitthemoreimportantofthetwo,ifyoucan’tdoboth?Thesethreequestionsarecriticaltoaccomplishingwhatyouhavetodo,whilestillhavingtimefortheotherthingsyouwanttodo.Ifyouwanttoshoot(andyourparentsarelikemine),youhavetohavegoodgrades.Ifyouwanttohavegoodgrades,youhavetospendtimestudying.Hereliesthedilemmaofhowtobudgetyour“wanttodo”prioritiesaroundyour“havetodo”priorities.Solet’ssayyoustudyforonehour,andhaveanhourlefttodowhateveryouwant.Doyougoseeamovie,ordoyoudodryfirepracticeinyourroom?Doyouhangoutwithfriendsandspendtwentybucksonadanceandgas,ordoyousavethosetwentydollarsandputittowardyournextmajorpurchase,anewpistolforexample.Thecombinationsof

possiblesituationshereareendless.Onceagain,itallcomesdowntobudgetingyourtime.Ioftenhavetochoosebetween

shootingandspendingtimewithmyfriends.NinetypercentofthetimeI’llchoosetoshoot.WhenIhadtochoosebetweenshootingandbaseball,Ichoseshooting.Shootingwastheeasychoiceformeformanyreasons.IhadbeenplayingbaseballsinceIwasfiveyearsold,andhadadvancedtothepointofbeingtheleadpitcheronmyteam.ThatwaswhenIfellinlovewithIDPA,andIcouldn’tmaketimeforboth.Ichosetopursueshootingoverbaseball.That’sprobablythesinglebiggestsacrificeI’vemade,andIhaven’tsecondguessedthechoicesince.Therewillalwaysbesome

situationsinwhichallthe“wantto”prioritieshavetobeshovedasidetomakeroomforthe“haveto”priorities;that’sjustafactoflife.So,whatwillyourprioritiesbe?AsIsaidbefore,forme,shootingisrightnearthetop.TheIDPAisauniquesportinwhichIcancompetewithandagainstmydad,Igettotraveltomatchesandmeetnewpeople,anditopensupotherdoorsforme.Thischoiceisnotwithoutsacrifices,buttheonesIdomakeareminorbycomparison,andwellworthit.Considerthisforyourself,

thinkaboutyourpriorities.Whatwillyoudotobudgetyourtimethisyear?Whatorderwillyourprioritiesbeinandhowwillthesedecisionsaffectyou?Also,ifaskedhowimportantshootingistoyou,willyouranswercorrespondwiththeamountoftimeyoudedicatetoitoverotherthings?“IfIcouldonlyhaveonegun…I

would.”AP

Through the Eyes of a Junior Shooter

by Austin Proulx A39722


Iwasaskedrecentlytowritea“ProTip”articleherefortheTacticalJournalandIofcoursefelthonoredandagreedtocontribute.IamlimitedtoonespecifictopicheresoIdecidedtotouchonthesubjectofpreparingourpistolandammunitionforamatch.ItseemsasimpleenoughsubjectbutIbelievethereismoreinvolvedherethanwhatmanypeoplerealize.Itshouldgowithoutbeingsaid,butitisabsolutelyimperativethatourpistolworks100%.Thisisbeyondadoubtoneparticularitemthatwemustknowinsideandout.Nowitisonethingtoseeashooterhavingmultipleproblems/malfunctionsinamatch,butwhatreallyamazesmeisthatsooftenwhenyoutalktothatshooterafterwardstheydon’tseemtobeconcernedwithfiguringoutorfixingtheproblem.Bottomlineisifyouhaveamalfunctionyouneedtodoeverythinginyourpowertofigureoutwhyithappened;thatwayyoucanfixitandpreventitfromhappeningagain.Rememberthisisamatch,therearenoalibis,re-startsordo-over’s,youandyourpistolgetonechancetoperformandtheresultofthatiswhatyou’restuckwith…goodorbad.Nowgunsaremechanicalobjectsandanything

mechanicalispronetooccasionalfailure.Idon’tcarewhoyouareorwhatyoushoot;ifyoushootenoughyouwilleventuallyhavesomesortofmalfunction.WhatIhavefoundthough,andthisismyopinion,isthat90%ofthemalfunctionspeoplehavearepreventable.ThemostimportantadviceIcangiveistoNEVERchangeanythingconcerningyourpistoljustbeforeamatch.Ifyou’regoingtotrysomethingdifferent,anythingdifferent(recoilspring,sights,magazines,ammo,etc)makesureyouhaveatleastacouplepracticesessionswithitbeforethematch.Ammunitionisoftenabigproblem…ifnotthebiggest.Ifatallpossibletrytopractice,atleastsome,withtheactualammunitionyouwillbeusinginamatch.Ifyoureloadyourown,whichmostpeopledothesedays,beverydiligentaboutit!Donotbeconcernedabouthowfastyoucancrankoutrounds,butrathergoslowandstriveforperfection.Formatchammovisuallyinspectingeverything,seeingthepowderineverycase,andcasegaugingeveryroundisnotoutofthequestion.

Wealsohavetheissueofmakingpowerfactor.Inmyopinionachronographisamusthaveforevenasemi-seriousshooter,andaninexpensiveonecanbehadwithoutbreakingthebank.It’sprettysimple,allyouhavetodoischronotheexactloadsyouwillbeshootingtomakesuretheymakepowerfactor.AsageneralruleIalwaysaimfor5overthepowerfloor.Asanexampleifthepowerflooris125,000(wesay125)Iwillmakesuremineaveragenolowerthan130,000.Itisnotanexactscienceandwithdifferencesinchronographs,humidityandtemperatureresultscanvary.Justasourcarsneedtohavethetiresreplaced

andtheoilchanged,sodoourpistolsneedtohavepartsreplacedonthem.ThekeyhereisknowingwhichpartsneedtobereplacedandthendoingsoBEFOREthatpartbreaksorfails.Thisiswhyitisveryimportanttoknowyourpistolinsideandout.EverypistolhasatleastafewpartsthatWILLfailifthepistolisusedenough.WhatIliketodoiskeeptrackofhowmanyroundsIfireinallmypistolsandwhenamatchis2-3weeksawayIwilllookatthatinformation.Allpistolsaredifferent,butslidestopspringsandtriggerspringsforexamplearepartsthatwilloftenfailfirst.Knowingthis,ifIhavemorethan4-5thousandroundsonthemIwillusuallychangethembeforeamatchjusttobe (Continued on page 38)

IDPA Pro TipsPreparing our

Pistol for a Match

We're excited to bring you our new Pro Tips column. Each issue we will bring you tips from different

professional shooters. We hope you will be able to use these tips to improve your performance and

enhance your enjoyment of your next IDPA match. If you have specific topics you would like our pros to address, please send a short message on that

topic to [email protected]


Standingatthetopoftheworldgivesyouawholenewperspective.IfoundthatoutwhilestandingontopofamountaininLivigno,Italy.That’sintheAlps,ifyou’veneverheardofit.Ihadn’tuntilImadeatriptoItalyforthe2012EuropeanCup.Whilestandingonthatmountaintop,takinginthebeautyandgrandeurofmysurroundings,Ihadtoponderthecircumstancesthatledtomycurrentsituation.ThewhirlwindtripfromBresciathenight

beforeseemedalittleunworldly.Iwasgiven5minutestopackforanovernighttrip.SincemycomputerbagwasthesmallestbagIhadwithme,everythinginitgotdumpedallovermyhotelroomsoIcouldcramafewessentialsbackintoit.WhenweleftBrescia,wewerewearingshortsleeveshirtsandsomeofuswerewearingshorts.Wedrovethrough,whatseemedtothisflatlander,ablizzardandpassedroadsignswarningofavalanches.Now,IwasconfrontedwithclearblueskiesandsnowasfarasIcouldsee.ItfeltlikeIcouldseeforeverfromthatvantagepoint.Forthefirsttimeinmylife,Iwasseeingskiersinperson,notontelevision.Unbelievable,awe-inspiringandhumblingareafewoftheadjectivesthatcometomindwhenthinkingofthescenery.Shortlyafterthe2011InauguralIDPA

WorldChampionship,IreceivedacallfromAssistantMDToni“HoneyBunny”Dandreamatteo.Itwasdecidedthathewastoextendaninvitationtometoattendthe

2012EuropeanCupastheheadofthestatsshack.ImadesureIcouldtakethetimeoffandthenstartedmakingplanstoattend.Thisisn’tlikemostmatchreports.Ididn’t

shootthematch.IfoundseveralyearsagothatI’mnotquitetalentedenoughtobeabletoshootandworkthematchlikemostofourdedicatedsafetyofficersandstaff.SinceIliketodothebestpossiblejobIcan,thismeansIdon’tshootmatches;Iworkthem.ThisstoryisaboutthepeopleImetandtheexperiencesIhad.Ineverimaginedgoingtoanothercountry.Idon’tknowwhy.ThepeopleImetweretrulygraciousandwelcoming.Theymadethistriponeofthebestexperiencesofmylife.AftervisitingItaly,Iwanttogoback.Ifthatdoesn’tsaysomethingaboutthepeople,Idon’tknowwhatdoes.

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MatchDirectorFrankGlover,HoneyBunny,CSOTammyLyneandImetattheAtlantaAirportbeforeourfinalflighttoMalpensaAirportinMilan,Italy.ArrivingatMalpensaAirport,weweremetbyMarcoPedranaandElenaCochio.Theykindlyloadedusupandsetofftogiveusatouronthewaytothehotel.Havingbeentooexcitedduringthetriptosleep,Iwasfadingfast.There’snowayIcouldtellyouwherewewent,butIenjoyedthetrip.Westoppedtovisitashootingrangeinanabandonedmineandeatgelatoalongtheway,thoughnotatthesamelocation.Whenwefinallymadeittothehotel,wefounditwaslunchtime.Afterbeingfedahugemeal,weweresentofftotakeanap.Uponwaking,Idecideditwastimetokeepmypromiseofcontacttothefolksbackhome.IwentinsearchofinternetaccessandwasfoundbyVenezuelan

shooter,JorgeSleiman.HesawmeandfiguredIwasthereforthematchanddirectedmetothediningroom.AsIwalkedin,Inoticedseveralshooterscongregatedthere.Wehadanotherhuge,wonderfulmealbeforeIfinallymanagedtogetemailssentbackhome.WestayedattheTrattoriaGardesanainBrescia,

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Barbara.Ifyouevergetachancetostaywiththem,do.TheytreateduslikefamilyandImeanthatinthebestpossibleway.Ifthat’showtheDonnellyfamilytreatseveryone,theyshouldalwayshaveafullhouse.IknowI’dliketogoback.ShouldIeverfindmyselfinthatpartofItalyagain,Iwillgoback.Earlythenextmorning,we

headedtotherangetoprepareforthematch.EveryoneelsestartedsettingupstagesandbuildingpropswhileIsetupthestatsshack.Imadesurethecomputerswerenetworkedandallshooterswereregisteredinthescoringsoftware.WhenIpreparethestats

shackfortheNationalorWorldChampionship,IwritealistofeverythingIthinkI’llneed.Iaskforadvicefromthefolksinthestatsshack,makesureweordereverythingandtakeitwith

me.Thistime,IhadtorelyonsomeoneIdidn’tknowtomakesurethateverythingexceptthemaincomputerwasthere.Thiswasanewexperienceforme.IfoundthatPaoloPlotegherwasmysupplymaninCalvisanoandhedidawonderfuljob.Hewasalsosupposedtobeworkinginthestatsshack,buthistranslatingskillswereneededelsewhere,soIlosthim.However,TizianaCarrarratookhisplaceasmyotherdataentryperson(mebeingthefirstone)andshedidawonderfuljob.ShespokeslightlymoreEnglishthanIspokeItalian,whichistosay,notmuch.Sometimes,wehadtowaituntilPaoloorHoneyBunnywereavailabletofigureoutwhattheotherneeded,butforthemostpart,wemanagedtomakeourselvesunderstoodsowecoulddoourjobs.Gettingthestatsshackready

doesn’ttakeaslongasgettingthematchready.IfoundIhadtimeonmyhandsandwentlookingforsomethingtodo.Therewasn’tmuchIcouldhelpwithontherangeasthosepreparationswerewellinhand.FrankGloverandhisassistantHoneyBunny,aka‘Toni’wereworkingwithMattiaSgro-nativeofLivigno,Italy,CarlosHenaoandJorgeSleiman-bothofVenezuela,andtheyweremaking

goodprogress.Wednesdayevening,Marco

PedranawasmakingastopinhisnativeLivignoonhiswaytoZurich.Marcowasgraciousenoughtoallowtwoofustogoalongtotakeinthesights.WemadeapitstopatAmadiniCustomandGhostInternational.ItwasarealpleasuremeetingRobertoAmadiniandhisfather.Theyletuspokearoundallovertheplaceandseemedpleasedtogiveusatour.Igottoseebeautifulgunsthatwereworksofartandaninsidethewaistbandholsterthatwasreallycomfortable.FormetofindthattypeofholstercomfortableisamajoraccomplishmentasIhaveanexpandingwaistline.Theholsteris“theCivilianInside”andcanbefoundontheirwebsiteatwww.ghostinternational.com.ItfitseverypistolIownandme,too!AfterleavingtheAmadini’s,

wecontinuedontoLivigno.I

2012 European Cup


believeImayhaveperfectedtheartoftakingpicturesfromamovingvehicle.Marcowasonascheduleandthescenerywasjusttoobeautiful.Ihadtotryandquiteafewofthemcameoutgreat.LeavingTammyLyneandmeinthecareofhiswife,Emmanuella,MarcoproceededtoZurichtopickupseveralshooters,includingGordonCarroll,RandiRogers,MikeAlexanderandToriNonaka.TammyandIdefinitelyhadthebestofthatdeal.TheshooterswerejustcomingoffaplanefromtheUSwhileweweretakinginthesites.Emmanuellawasagracioushostess.Aftershowingusaroundalittle,shesetusupwitharoomandgaveusthefreedomtodowhatwewanted;whichledtomestandingatthetopoftheworldthenextmorning.Afterdrivingthroughanearblizzardthenightbefore,IfullyexpectedtofreezethenextdaywhilewaitingforourridebacktoBresciaandsiteseeing.Nothingcouldhavebeenfurtherfromthetruth.ThoughIdon’tknowforsure,Isuspectthetemperatureroseatleastto65°thatday.Afterscramblingaroundtoborrowajacketthedaybefore,IwaslookingforaplacetogetridofitbythetimeIleftLivigno.Itwasabeautifuldayandperfectweatherforsiteseeing.ThoughthissidetriptoLivignolastedlessthan24hours,itmadealastingimpressiononme.Thatsidetripwasalsoaperfect

exampleofhowwellweweretreatedthroughoutthetrip.WhatIdidn’trealizebeforethatsidetrip

wasthat,ifIwent,MarcohadtoarrangeextratransportationbacktoBrescia.HadIrealizedthathewouldhavetodothat,Iwouldneverhaveaskedtocomealong.Marconeverbattedaneye.Hejusttoldmethathewouldbegladtohavemecomealong.HeneveroncementionedtheproblemsIwascreatingforhim.Wasthatsidetripahighpointforme?Youbetcha!WasIcreatingaproblemforMarco?IbelieveIwas.HeneverletonandIdidn’tknowituntillaterComparedtowhatI’musedto,

thelandscapeofLivignoisoutofthisworld.WhileI’vedoneafairamountofdrivingintheUS,

thiswastotallyoutsidemyrealmofexperience.Theonlythingbetterthanthelandscapewasthepeople.Everywherewewent,peoplewentoutoftheirwaytobekindtoAmericansthatcouldspeaknoItalianexcepttoaskiftheyspokeEnglish.Thefolksatthecoffeeshopweretoopolitetotellustheyweren’topenyet.Whenweaskedifcoffeewasavailable,theyjustsaid“Sure”andsetusup.Wewalkedallovertheplaceandpeoplemadeusfeelwelcome.Aroundnoon,Marcoarrivedwith

theshootershe’dgonetoZurichtopickup.Afterlunch,theshootersheadedoffforaninterviewandIwentbacktopackupthefew

2012 European Cup

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PRACTICAL HANDGUNS THAT ARE TRULY SUITABLE FOR SELF-DEFENSE USE


belongingswithme.ThenwewereheadedbacktoBrescia.Therewere3vehiclesinourlittleconvoy.AndreaSgro(Mattia’sbrother)wasdraftedtodrivethetrailingvehiclewiththoseofuswhowereplayingtouristonboard.Again,Iperfectedtheartoftakingpicturesfromamovingvehicle.UponarrivalbackatTrattoria

Gardesana,IfoundIhadanewroommate,ElenaCochio.IspeaknothingbutredneckEnglish,andwhileElenaspeaksseverallanguages,apparentlymybrandofEnglishisn’toneofthem.Wemanagedtocommunicateafterafashion,butIthinksheunderstoodmuchmorethanIdid.WehadagoodtimetryingtoteachmeverybrokenItalian.Shewasverypatientwithmeinthatregard.

Finally,wecametothe1stdayofthematch.Friday,safetyofficersandstaffshotthematch.Idon’trecalltherebeinganyproblems,butthatcouldbebecauseIwasstillpayingmoreattentiontothetripI’dmadethedaybeforethanthematch.

IdorememberthatIlikedthescoresheetssowellIresolvedtomakesomechangestothescoresheetsweuseattheIDPANationalChampionship.Saturday,the1stbatchofregular

competitorsshotthematch.TheactualclubhostingthismatchisShootingTeamLivigno.Theyimported2peopletomaketraditionalLivignocuisineforourlunches.WhileIcan’ttellyouwhatthefoodwas,thetastewasoutstanding.TheyoungmandraftedintobringingmebackfromLivignowasoneofthecooksandhedidagreatjob.AndreaalsotriedhisbesttoteachmesomeItalian.I’mafraidhewasn’tsuccessful,but,again,wehadagoodtimeintheattempt.

WhenwearrivedbackatTrattoriaGardesanafortheevening,wefoundthatLucianoandhiswifeBarbarahadbeenhardatworkpreparingafeastforus.Weallassembledinasemiprivatediningroomandproceededtodrinktoomuchvinoandeattoomuch

food.Ofcourse,afterthat,wehadtogetupwaytooearlythenextmorningtogobackforthelastdayofshooting.TizianaandIweretypingfuriouslytokeepupwithshootersandmakesurewehadnomistakes,butIbelievewemanagedtogetscorespostedwithinminutesoflastshotfired.Afteritwasdecidedtherewould

benochallengesonthescores,Istartedbreakingdownequipmentinthestatsshack.MatchDirectorFrankGloverinformedmeIwastoattendtheawardsceremony.What’sthatoldsaying…wheninRome?Iwenttotheawardsceremony.Theymadethemostbeautiful

laserengravedwoodentrophiesforthemainmatchwithglasstrophiesforthedivisionchampionsandsubcategories.Ihadbeenadmiringthemforseveraldays.Theworkmanshipwasexquisiteandthedesignquiteunique.Ididn’trealizeIwouldbereceivingone.I’veneverreceivedatrophyforscoringamatchbefore.Itwasauniquelykindgesturetoletmeknowtheyappreciatemytimeandeffort.Thattrophysitsinaplaceofhonorinmyhomethisveryminute.Imadeanamazingdiscoveryin

Italy.AsIsatdowntoenjoythewonderfulmeals,Iwasintriguedtofindmyselfsurroundedbyatleastfivedifferentnationalitiesofpeoplewhohadallcometogetherbecausewelovedtoshoot;specificallyIDPAstyle.Onenight,IlookedaroundanddiscoveredItalians,Americans,Venezuelans,RussiansandCostaRicansatmytable.Atthenexttableover,therewerealsoRomanians.Wewereallhavingagreattime.Ihopetodothesamethingnextyearatthe2013IDPAEuropeanCup.

2012 European Cup


Refer to the First Quarter (2005) issue of this Journal (Volume 9, Issue 1) for Al Noll’s original article outlining recommended accommodations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing IDPA members. This article is a follow up to that article.

In my 2005 article, I dis�cus�s�ed my experiences� as� an IDPA member who is� deaf. With an es�timated 33 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans�, IDPA has� quite a few members� who are deaf (Note: In this article, deaf refers to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or late-deafened.)

I continue to have pos�itive experiences� participating in IDPA matches�, and have attended the Smith & Wes�s�on IDPA Winter Championship in Springfield, Mass., several times. Even so, there’s� always� room for improvement. Below are jus�t a few tips� for continued inclus�ion of IDPA members� who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Communication Methods�Themostimportantthingtoknowisthatdeaf

individualsareabsolutelynodifferentfromyou.Beingdeafinnowayunderminestheirabilities.Infact,deafpeoplehavedriver’slicensesandpilot’slicenses,andtheyhaveownedgunsforaslongastherestofAmerica.Sure,communicatingwithadeafpersonmaybeabitdifferentfromwhatyou’reusedto,butitshouldnotposeaninsurmountableobstacle.First,askthedeafpersonwhatthepreferredmodeofcommunicationis.Withinthedeafcommunity,communicationmethodsvarygreatly.Someprefertospeakandlipread,someprefertowritebackandforth,andothersusebothmethods.Gesturesandsignsmayalsobeused.Thebottomlineistoaskthedeafpersonwhichcommunicationmodetouse.Cours�e of FireDonotassumethatthe

printedCourseofFire(COF)iscomprehensive.ItypicallyreceiveahardcopyoftheCOFfromtheRangeOfficer,whichisveryhelpful.SometimesanextracopyoftheCOFwillbepostedateachstage,whichisagreatconvenienceforbothdeafandhearingshooters.OccasionallyImightmiss

outonimportantdetailsthat

arenotmentionedintheCOF.Forexample,Ioncereceivedathree-secondproceduralerror(PE)becauseIshotfromthetopofthebarrel.IdidnotknowthatshooterscouldonlyshootoneithersideofthebarrelbecauseitwassetupasaUSPScornermailbox.Iwasnottoldaboutthisrequirement,anditwasnotintheCOF.Ialsohadnotnoticedthatthepreviousthreeshooterswereaimingonlyatthesides.

Inaddition,detailssometimeschangeaftertheCOFhasbeenpublished.TheRangeOfficershouldensurethatthedeafshooterisawareofanyandallchanges.Timer NotificationIntheoriginalarticle,IsuggestedthattheRange

Officerstarttappingthedeafperson’sshoulder

Figure 1 - The Range Officer starts

moving his� hand approximately .25 to

.50 s�econds� before the timer goes� off s�o as� to tap the deaf s�hooter’s� s�houlder at the s�ame time that the timer

beeps�.


immediatelyafterthetimergoesoff.Thiswouldcauseonlyabriefdelayateachstage.However,ifthecourseincludesmorethanfivestages,thedelaysaddupandcanaffecttheresults.IDPARangeOfficersJohnPurdyandRussLiebleratDutchessCountyPistolAssociation,whichIamamemberof,devisedabetter,fairerway:theywatchthetimercountdown(seeFigure1).Whenthetimerisveryclosetogoingoff,theytapthedeafperson’sshoulder(seeFigure2).Thedeafpersonthenreactsatthesametimeasthehearingshooters.Other Recommendations� (modified from the originally article)»ProvideahardcopyoftheCOF(CourseofFire)thattheRangeOfficer/SafetyOfficerreadsaloudtoshooters.ThedeafshooterneedstoknowwhetheritisaVickersCountorLimitedVickersCount.Makesurethatthedeafshooterknowshowmanyshotsmustbehitoneachtarget.Ifthreeroundsareused,thedeafshootermustknowthelocationforthehits;forexample,oneroundmustbehitontheheadandtworoundsmustbehitonthetarget.»Donotaskthedeafshootertobefirstorsecondinlinetoshoot.Allowhimtoobservethefirsttwoorthreepeoplebeforecallinghisname.Thatway,

More Tips for Working with IDPA Members Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Figure 2 - The Range Officer taps the deaf s�hooter on the s�houlder when the timer is� very clos�e to going off.

Figure 3 - The Range Officer us�es� a thumbs�-

up s�ignal and the s�hooter then gives�

a thumbs�-up to indicate readines�s�.

Figure 4 - Range Officer signs finger trigger in front of the deaf s�hooter’s�

face.


hecanobservewhattheexpectationsareforeachCOF.

»Whenthedeafshooterisatthefiringline,useathumbs-upsignaltoindicatethego-aheadforloading.Theshooterwillthengiveathumbs-uptoindicatereadiness.SeeFigure3.

Alerts� and SafetyItmaybeagoodideato

staywithinarm’sreachofthedeafshooterforquickcommunicationincaseofafingerontriggeralert(seeFigure4),acoveralert(seeFigure5),amuzzlealert(seeFigure6)oracease-fire(seeFigure7).Ifthereisanythingelsethedeafshootershouldbeawareof,lethimknowimmediately.Besuretoagreeonhowtohandlethealertspriortothecourse.

About Al NollAl Noll is an IDPA

member who is deaf. Having completed several classes in addition to advanced firearms training, Noll has participated in a number of IDPA, GSSF and USPSA matches. He is also an NRA-certified pistol instructor, teaching deaf and hard of hearing people about gun safety and the foundations of shooting. He enjoys meeting IDPA members, and welcomes feedback on the above recommendations.

More Tips for Working with IDPA Members Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Figure 5 - The Range Officer uses hand on the deaf s�hooter’s� hip to

indicate the cover alert.

Figure 6 - The Range Officer puts

his� hand on the deaf s�hooter’s� hand for

muzzle alert.

Figure 7 - The Range Officer taps the deaf s�hooter’s�

head s�o he will s�top s�hooting.


ExperiencedIDPAshootersalwayslookcool.Theyhavetherightvest,therightpants,therightshirt,therighthat...Thequestionis,howdotheyknowexactlywhattowear?LetmetellyouwhatI’vepickedupfromshootingwithThunderTacticalShootersinConroe,Texas(northofHouston).Whilefashionruleschangeall

thetime,IDPAisnotaboutfashion.Itisaboutkeepingyousafewhileyou’replayingthegame.Let’sgetyougearedupfromthegroundup.Feet Firs�tShoesorbootsshouldbe

appropriatefortherange.Ifyoushootindoorsoncement,tractionisvital.Youdon’twanttoslipwhileyou’rerunningwithaloadedgun.AttheindoorrangewhereIshootfromtimetotime,weshootinoneofthetwobays;thefloorthereisslickconcrete.Throughtrialanderror,Ihavefoundthatrunningorcross-trainingshoesworkwellthere.ARiskyBusinessslideacrossthefloorwithaloaded

gunisscaryforeverybody.Gettherightshoes.Ifyoushoot

outdoors,considerthesurfacefirst.Ouroutdoorbaysaredirtandgravel.Heavy-soledhikingbootsorcross-trainersseemtoworkbestoutthere.Moisture-wickingsocksaregreatforhotweather,andsockswitharchsupportknittedinhelpwithyourcomfortlevelwhenyou’restandingforalongtime.Ifyoushootamatchthatstartsearlyinthemorning,youmightbeindewyorwetgrass.Shootinganall-daymajormatchwithwetfeetisnofun,andaninvitationforblistersorworse.Iftheground’sdamp,waterproof(notwater-resistant)bootsareamustforme.Sturdybootsthatprovideanklesupportareperfect.Askyourselfthis:canIrun,jump,kneel,andkickina

doorintheseshoes—withoutbreakingatoe?Ithappened:oneofourguysbrokehisrunning-shoecladfootwhenhekickedopenadooratamajormatch,outoftown.Don’tbethatguy.Pants� and Shirts�Whenitis99degrees

intheshade,with99%humidity,it’sincrediblytemptingtothrow

onshortsandatanktopwhenyouheadtotherange.Don’tdoit!Kneelingongravelorastraypieceofbrassinshortsisnotfun.

IDPA ShootingwithStyle

By Elizabeth (Liby) Messler, MA Ed., A42239

The author, at a TTS monthly match. In the s�ummer, we go without our concealment garments� becaus�e it’s� 99 degrees� with 99% humidity.

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Anotherpracticalconsiderationisprotectionfromthepropsattherange.Overtime,sticksandbarrelswillgethitbystraybullets.Thoseexitholeshaveasharpedgelikeanold-fashionedcanopener.Oneofourshooterscaughtashorts-cladlegonabarrel’sexitholeatanout-of-townmatch.Dramaandatrip

totheERensued,andheneededalmost20stitchestocloseuphisleg.Longpantsaremuchsafer.The5.11companymakesgreattacticalpantsformenandwomen;theyhavereinforcedpocketsforkneepadsbuiltin.Magellanofferslight-weightsummercargopantswithSPF30;they’recoolerandyou’llgetsunprotection,too.Personally,Ilovecargopantswithmultiplepockets,soIcanstowammo,keys,extramagazines,acoupleofLifesavers,andSPF30lipgloss.Incold,wetweather,Ilayerwaterproofhuntingpantsovermycargopants,andIstaywarmanddry.TheGoldenRetrieversIamluckyenoughtohuntovertaughtmeallaboutwaterproofhuntingpants.Whenyou’rebrowsingthroughsportinggoodsstores,keepinmindthatyousometimes

havetorepurposehunting,fishing,orsailinggearforoursport.

Therightbeltcantakeasecondoffyourdraworreload.Thewrongbeltwillcostyoutimeifitletsyourgearmovearound.Tacticalbeltsaboundincatalogsandsportinggoodsshops.Theruleofthumbisthestifferthebetter,toholdyourholsterandmagpouchesinplace.Abeltthat’stooflexiblemightletyourgearmigrateasyoumove

IDPA - Shooting with Style

Sharp edges on a barrel.

The author wearing waterproof hunting pants that fit over jeans; essential when hunting with a s�oaking wet Golden Retriever, like Harry, pictured here completing a hunting title.

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throughdifferentstages.Onceyourmuscleslearnwhereyourgunandmagazinesare,youdon’twantthemtodriftaway,evenbyaquarterinch,andcostyoutime.Aspecialnoteforladies;sometacticalbeltsaretoowidetofitthrough“our”beltloops.Thisisnotadiscoveryyouwanttomakewhenyou’reinahurrytogetouttotherange,orafteryou’vemail-orderedanexpensive“tacticalbelt.”Checkeverythingforfit,especiallyifyouorderatacticalbeltonline.Sailorsandfishermenhavethe

bestshirtsforhotweather.They’relong-sleeved,open-backed,ventilatedwithmeshpanelseverywhere,andwickmoistureawayfromthebody.SomeevenofferSPFprotectionupto30.Youcanrollthesleevesupordownastheweatherdictates,andkeepsafefromsunburn,windburn,andflyingbitsofrockormetal.Haveyouseenashooterdothe“hotbrassdance”whenanejectedshellgoesdownhisshirt?Thisisnotsomethingyouwanttoexperiencewithaloadedguninyourhand.ShootersandSafetyOfficersalikeneedtoprotectthemselvesfromejectedrounds.Somelargeclubshaveclubshirts;thosebecomethepreferreduniformforweeklymatches.Insummer,youwantsomethingthatwicksawaymoisture;inwinter,youwantwarmthwithoutbulk.Cottonbreathes;itismypreference.UnderArmoroffersawideselectionofmoisture-wickingshirtsthatwillkeepyoucomfortableonahotorcolddayifyoulikethatfabricbetter.Chooseafewshirtsdedicatedtoshooting.Inevitably,they’llgetgreasestainsonyourgunside—whichiswhyblackisa

verypopularcolor.The Ves�tMostIDPAvestsaremade

specificallyforshootingsports.IDPArequireseachshootertoweara“concealmentgarment”longenoughtocoveryourweapon.Itshouldalsobestiffenoughtosweepoutofthewayefficientlyonthedraw.Itmayhaveaventedormeshbackthathelpyoukeepyourcool.MostIDPAvestsaremadespecificallyforoursport,andadornedwithpins,patches,andtheAmericanflag.Ofcourse,whereIshoot,Texasflagsappearquitefrequentlyaswell.Ifyou’restartingoutinthissportandbalkatpayingalmostahundreddollarsforaconcealmentgarment,youcanfind“shooter’svests”insportinggoodsstoresoronlineformuchless.Igotmyfavoritevestonlineforabouttwentybucks

fromSportsman’sGuide,anonlinesportinggoodsmerchantspecializingincloseouts.Caps� and Hats�SinceIshootinTexas,thereare

“gimmecaps”everywhere.Itrytomakesurethereareoneortwocapsinmygunbag,orattheveryleast,inmytruck,atalltimes.Acaporhatservesseveralpurposes:firstandforemost,ithelpstokeepbrassoutofyourface.Ihadahotpieceofbrassshimmybehindmyglasses—once—whileIwasshooting.Ihaven’tforgottenahatsince!Evenwitheyeprotection,ahataddsanextralayerofinsuranceforyoureyes.Ofcourse,italsokeepsthesun,wind,rain,andhairoutofyourface.There’salsothe“coolfactor.”IfyourockaGlockorwanttosupportyourfavoriteteam,that’sthehattowear.Ialsohave (Continued on page 29)

IDPA - Shooting with Style

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WessonIndoorNationals.Thoseofyouwhoareworkingthismatchwillgetasneakpeekatanadditiontotheimminentrulebook.AnewSafetyOfficerCodeofConducthasbeencreated,andweexpectitwillbeenthusiasticallyapprovedbytheBoardofDirectors.ItwillbethebasisfortheSOCodeofConductyouwillseeinSpringfield.

Backofficeworkrelatingtotheupcomingchangescontinues.BeginninginthemiddleofJanuary,HeadquarterswillbemeetingwithallofourAreaCoordinators(ACs)todiscussnewprocessesandgoalsthatwillhelpthemintheimportantjobtheydo.PleaseconsiderreachingouttoyourACifyouhavequestions,challenges,orwouldliketostartanewIDPAclub.Theyaretheretohelpyouandyourclub.

ThenewIDPA webs�iteisinthefinaltestingstages,andweareexcitedtoroll-outanewdesign,anupdateddatabaseandanewIDPAclubareafornewsandinformationinthecomingweeks.Inphaseone,IDPAClubscanmanageindividualclubpages,includingclubnews,informationandcontactdetails.IDPAmemberscanexpectfastermatchresults,aswellasaccesstoIDPArulesandamatchcalendar.Watchthecurrentwebsite,www.idpa.com,formoreinformationaboutfutureenhancementsasitbecomesavailable.

Aswebeginthisnewyear,letuslookforwardwithanticipationforthecontinuinggrowthofoursport,andarenewedresolvetobethereforoneanother.

Joyce

ammoandtripstotherange.)Oneday,IdiscoveredtheSportsman’sChannelwasfeaturingasportcalledIDPA.MyhusbandwasimmediatelyinterestedsoheandItraveledtoamatchoneSat-urday,justtowatch.Hewassoldonitinstantly!Iwasalittlefearful.ItjustlookedterriblycomplicatedandIen-visionedmyselftrippingovermyshoestrings,fallingintoawallandshootingwildlyintothecrowd.Allthetalkoftacticalpriority,sequence,proceduralerrors,andnon-threatsmademyheadspin.Thentherewasthatwholeissueofactuallyhittingthetarget.(HonestlytheonlythingthatmadesensetomewasslicingthepieuntilIfoundoutthattherewasn’trealfoodinvolved!)Butbe-causeIlovemydearhusbandandIlovespendingtimewithhimIagreedtogiveitatry.Sohepurchasedmeaholster,magholder,belt,concealmentvest,eyeprotection,earprotectionandashoot-ingbag.Isincerelyhopedthathewasn’twastinghismoney! Myfirstofficialshootingeventwas,ofallthings,aclassifier.Ishotitwithmycompact.TheRO’s(attheHollidays-burgSportsmensClubinHollidaysburg,PA-Ilovethoseguysandjusthadtogivethemashout-out)weresohelpful,encouraging,andcalmastheywalkedmethrough(literally“walked”methrough)thedifferentstagesexplain-ingalltheterminologyandrulesaswewent.Onlysomeoneneedingaseeingeyedogandaninterpretercouldhavegoneanyslower.Iwasofficiallyandbyeveryunderstandingofthedefinitiona“novice”.IwasalsobeginningtoenjoyshootingmoreandmoreanddevelopingtheconfidencetothinkthatIcouldac-tuallydoit. Aftershootinganothermatch,asleep-inggiantwasstartingtoawakeandmycompetitivejuiceswerestartingtoflow!IrealizedthatIshouldhavealongergunforcompetitionbecausethecom-pactreallyputmeatadisadvantageonthedistanceshots.Afterexpressingmyconcernstomydearhusband,hegavemehisgunandwhenitbecameappar-entthatitjustwasn’tgoingtowork,heboughtmeaGlock17.Heevenpaintedmygriptapepurplebecauseit’smyfa-voritecolor. Irealizedthathewasmakingalot

oftheinvestmentintomyhobbysoIpurchasedare-loaderforhis...um...ours!LOL! AllspringandsummerourSaturdaysconsistedofearlymorningromanticbreakfastspulledfromthewarmingrackatthelocalconveniencestorewhichweateonourwaytotherange.There’sjustnothinglikebadfoodandthesmellofgunpowderfirstthinginthemorningwithsomeonethatyoulove!Mydearhusbandkeptammo,targets,trainingDVD’sandlotsandlotsofencouragementcoming.Heevenbraggedonmetohisfriends.Hepatientlycoachedme,givingmepoint-ersandhelpingmetocorrectproblemareas.(Ihavequiteafewwe’restillworkingon!)Heismysponsor,mycoach,andmyfavoriterangebuddywhichiswhyI’vementionedhimsomuch! ThismonthIfinishedmyfirstcom-pleteseasonasanIDPAshooter(amarksman)byshootingthePAStateIDPAmatchinHollidaysburg,PA.Mydearhusbandhastrulycreatedamonster!Iamthrilledtobecompet-ingagain!IamevenmorethrilledthatheandIcanspendtimetogetherdoingsomethingweBOTHenjoy.(Tobehon-est,after34years,I’mtotallyburntoutonwatchingsoftballandhe’sdevelopedararetypeofallergytocraftstores!)He’sasharpshootersowecancompetewithandagainsteachotheratthesametime.Canitgetanybetterthanthat?Whowould’veeverthoughtthatsome-thingIwaspetrifiedofnearlyallmylifewouldbecomeoneofmyfavoritepas-times?MydearhusbandandIarelook-ingforwardtocompetingtogetherformanyyearstocome.Whoknowshowfarwe’llbeabletogetinIDPAbutonethingisforsure.We’regoingtohavealotoffuntogetheralongtheway! CyndiEgolfA48009 Wow Cyndi, that is a great story and we are happy to have you and your husband shooting with us. I hope you continue to enjoy IDPA and that we see you both on the range in the near future. Editor

A Message From Joyce Wilson (Continued from page 11)

Shooter Ready (Continued from page 3)


ahatwithanonboardlight;it’sgreatforscorekeepingduringeveningmatches.They’reavailableatsportinggoodsandhomeimprovementstores.Eyes� and Ears�Safetyglassesareamust.

Clearsafetyglassesprovideeyeprotection,butaren’tmuchhelpinbrightsunshine.Theymayormaynotfitoverprescriptionglasses,ifyouneedtowearglassestosee.Forlowlight,someshootersswearbyyellow-tintedglasses.Forothers(likeme),thecolordistortionissodramaticthatit’sadistraction.Ifyouneedglassestofindyourglasses,likeIdo,you’llbetryingonalotofsafetyglassesuntilyoufindsomethingthatiscomfortableandsafe.Ifyouhaveadedicatedpairofshootingglasses,andyoureyedoctorisunderstandingaboutshootingsports,youcangetyourshootingglasses“set”toyourdominanteye’sfocusonyourfrontsight.Myeyedoctorletmebringmyguninformylastexam,andmyshootingglassesaregreat.ThesamegoesforLasik;ifyouhaveeyesurgerytocorrectyourvision,youcangetyour“near”eyesettoyourfrontsight.Hearingprotection.Don’tleave

homewithoutit.Makesureitworkswithyourhat,notagainstit.Someshooterspreferhatswithout

abuttonontop,becausethebuttonisuncomfortablewiththeirearmuffson.Noisecancellingelectronic“ears”arepreferredbysomeshooters;othersliketheold-fashionedonesthatdon’tneedbatteries.Again,itisyourpreference.

Mostsportinggoodsstoresthatcarryhuntingsupplieshaveaselectionofearmuffs.Often,atlargematches,youcangetcustomearplugsmadetofityourearsrightthereatthematch.Ikeepahandfulofearplugsinmyshootingbag,justincasesomeoneforgottheirears.

The Whole PackageOnceyou’vefoundtheright

stuff,you’llbereadytoplaythegameandlooklikeoneofthecoolguys.Mostimportantly,you’llbesafefromflyingbrass,shrapnel,rocksandgravel,wind,rain,sun,andtemperatureextremes.You’llprotectyourvision,hearing,andhidefromdamage.Bestofall,you’llshootbetterbecauseyou’llbecomfortableandsafe.

(Continued from page 27) IDPA - Shooting with Style

Eric Cooper. Eyes and ears, and a hat for extra insurance.

Hearing protection – get your ears� on!

IDPA’s Newest LicensedTarget Supplier


February 9, 2013 Caswell Ranch IDPA Iron-man Prospect Hill, NC Dean Brevit 919-805-0370 h [email protected] www.caswellranch.com

February 9, 2013 11th Annual West TX IDPA Regional Lubbock, TX Michael Murphy 806-893-2944 h 806-796-2858 w 806-796-2859 fax [email protected] Rick Mosley 806-796-2858 h 806-796-2859 fax [email protected] www.patriotfirearms.com

February 21 - 23, 2013 2013 Smith and Wesson IDPA Indoor Nationals S & W Shooting Sports Center Springfield, MA Lou Denys 413-250-7442 h [email protected] Mike Critser 203-339-0082 h [email protected] www.matchreg.com/SW

March 8 - 10, 2013 2013 FL State IDPA Championship Pinellas Park, FL Dan Bernard 813-340-7707 w [email protected] Charles Kibert 813-545-2932 w [email protected] www.wyomingantelopeclub.org/index.php/action-pistol/49-2013-florida-state-idpa-match

March 16, 2013 Puerto Rico National Championship Caguas, PR Max Rivera 787-447-4445 w [email protected] Tom Yost 860-573-0415 w [email protected] www.idpapr.com

March 16, 2013 Rackensack Classic Little Rock, AR Goose Changose 501-690-6656 w [email protected] Jeff Melton 501-804-8927 w [email protected] casarange.com

April 13, 2013 Single Stack Championship Berryville, AR John May 870-480-8030 w [email protected] Carroll Lawerence 870-480-6310 w [email protected] www.acpl.net

April 20, 2013 AL 2013 IDPA State Championship Montgomery, AL David Rawlinson 334-324-3257 w 866-724-9829 fax [email protected] Kevin Collins [email protected] www.centralalabamagunclub.com

May 11, 2013 The Masters 2013 IDPA Championship Birmingham, AL Michael Lunsford

2055043315 h [email protected] Jimmy Duke 205-281-3603 h www.broksgapidpa.com

May 17 - 19, 2013 Great Lakes Regional Munger, MI Gary Cuttitta 989-928-2796 h [email protected] David Alexander 989-329-0257 h [email protected] linwoodbaysportsmansclub.com

May 18, 2013 AR State Championship Hot Springs, AR Ted Smethers 501-620-0601 h 501-262-5620 fax [email protected] Steve Freeman 501-620-4374 h 501-545-9939 w [email protected] www.mvsaidpa.com

May 19, 2013 Coastal Bend Challenge Corpus Christi, TX Phil Day 361-652-3993 h [email protected] Don Critari 361-668-0768 h [email protected]

May 25, 2013 2013 Comp-Tac Republic of Texas Championship Hempstead, TX Darrell Sells 832-660-4442 h [email protected] Al Liczwek 281-288-7522 h 281-355-7467 w 281-288-1366 fax [email protected] www.tts-idpa.com

June 13 - 15, 2013 Carolina Cup Oxford, NC Frank Glover 919-639-6313 h 919-691-7686 w

Upcoming Sanctioned Matches


[email protected] the-range.com

August 10, 2013 NC State IDPA Championship Boone, NC Gary Hoyle 828-963-6307 h 828-963-3995 w 828-262-2796 fax [email protected] Robert Niemi, Jr. 828-446-8778 h [email protected] www.wgc-idpa.org

August 16 - 18, 2013 MI State Match Mkunger, MI David Alexander 989-329-0257 h [email protected] Gary Cuttitta 989-928-2796 h [email protected] linwoodbaysportsmansclub.com

September 7, 2013

2013 WI State IDPA Championship Muskego, WI Craig Dilley 414-975-4696 h [email protected] www.schultzgunclub.com

September 19 – 21, 2013 IDPA National Championship Tulsa, OK 870-545-3886 870-545-3894 fax [email protected] www.idpa.com

October 12, 2013 Lone Star IDPA Championship Cresson, TX Brian Ehrler 817-704-0155 h 817-975-0315 w [email protected] James Lenaburg 817-431-2407 h 817-521-7934 w

[email protected] www.lonestarchampionship.com

October 12, 2013 MS State IDPA Championship Blue Springs, MS Nicky Carter 662-871-3346 h [email protected] DeDe Carter 662-871-1723 h [email protected] www.ridgecrossingshootingclub.com

October 19, 2013 Kentuckiana Kolonel Sellersburg, IN Leigh Ann Jeter 502-523-4370 h 502-805-0858 fax [email protected] Brian Jueckstock 502-553-5722 h 502-418-8082 w [email protected] www.silvercreekcc.org

Upcoming Sanctioned Matches


SomefriendsmayhavebeensurprisedthatDebbiewashelpingtostartaclub.AlthoughsheshootsTrapandteachesHunterSafety,“Ididn’tgrowupinafamilywhoenjoyedshooting.Ididn’tgetmyfirsthandgununtilIturned50,buthavebecomepassionateaboutguns.Ithinkpeopleshouldknowthatitdoesn’tmatterhowoldyouare–you’renevertoooldtostartlearningandshootingafirearmwiththe

propertraining.”ShewasalsoinspiredbytheSafetyOfficersassheattendedherfirstIDPAMatch.“TheSOtookusasideandmadesurewecouldhandleourgunssafelyandcouldfirethem.Theystressedsafetyalways!Thatimpressedmeandhasstuckwithmeeversince.”Singersaysthatherworkasadentalhygienist

gavehersomebackgroundskillstohelpbuildanIDPAclub.“IalwaysmakesureItreateverypatientasanindividualanddothebestjobpossible,withtherespecttheydeserve.Thesamefeelingappliestoeveryfirearmandshooter,treatthemasanindividualandwiththerespecttheydeserve.”TheanimatedshootersaysofIDPA,“Everyonehasbeensohelpfulandfriendly,anditisaconstantchallengetoimprovemyshootingskills.Ineverrefusethechancetoshootadifferentgun.”Thatenthusiasmtoexperiencemanygunsleadtohertransitiontoarevolvershooter.ShemayalsohaveasecretweaponthatluresnewshooterstoCPAL.Affectionatelyknownas“TheCookieFairy”,hercookiesandothertreatsalmostalwaysmakeanappearanceatmatches.DoCutlerandSingerusetheirIDPAskillsintheir

dailylife?Cutlersaysofdailycarry,“Icarrybecause

From a Woman’s Perspective (Continued from page 9)

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Ican,anditismyrightandchoicetocarry.IamconfidentenoughthatifasituationaroseinwhichIfeltthreatened,Iwouldnothavetosuccumbtotheperpetratorwithoutattemptingtoprotectmyself.”Singeradds,“IlivealoneandfeelmuchsaferknowingIhavetheknowledgeandskilltocarryandusemyguns.Ialsoenjoyeducatingpeoplewhodon’tshootorcarryabouttheimportanceoftheSecondAmendment.”TheDynamicDuoofHudson

isnotintimidatedbythefactthatmostIDPAMatchDirectorsaremale.Whenasked,theyoffersomeadviceforotherwomenwhomaybelookingtostartanewclub.“IfwewerestartingaclubagainthethingsIwoulddothesamearetobringpeoplelikeMarkRedlfromColttotheclubBoardofDirectorstointroducethesport.Ithinkthethingthatreallygotthemwashispassionforthesport.Hesaid“Spreadthesport”andtheylistened.AlittlePRintherightplaceattherighttimecangoalongway,”Trishsays.“WewoulddefinitelybringarealliveIDPAshootingmatchtothepotentialclubtohavethemseefirsthandwhatitisallabout.Peopleareamazedandexcitedwhentheyseeitinaction.I’vehadmorepoliceofficersandexperiencedmilitarytellmethattheylovethesportbecauseitreallychallengesthem.IwouldalsoformallyadvertiseIDPA.”

DebbiethinksthatmorewomenmightstartclubsiftheydidassheandTrishdid,usingthebuddysystem.“DefinitelystartingitwithTrishmadeadifference;weworkwelltogetherandfeedoffofeachother.Ithinkthereasonmorewomendon’tjuststarttheirownIDPAclubistheyhaveamisconceptionthatit’samalesport,andareafraidtoshootagainstmen.IknowforafactTrishcanoutshootmostmen!”shelaughs.Trishchimesin,“Ireally

don’tknowwhywomendon’tstartIDPAclubs.Itwasmerelyastrongdesirefollowedbyawilltodoit.Oneofmyfavoritelifesayingsis,“Aneedseenisanassignmentgiven.”Isawaneed,didmyhomeworkandcompletedtheassignment.”HavethesetwoMDsrested

ontheirlaurels?Apparentlynot,astheyplannedandhostedtheinauguralConcealedCarryHolsterFashionShowlastsummer.Asold-out250-seatvenuewaspackedasspeakersandmodelswearing

differenttypesandbrandsofholstershelpedfemalefirearm

ownersseewhatisavailabletothem.WhatisnextfortheDynamicDuo?Bothfeelthatwiththeirexistingexperience,helpingotherclubswillbeontheiragenda.“Beingconfidentandknowingwhatwearedoingopenssomanydoors.Therearequiteafewclubsinourcountyandwehavebeguntoreachouttoshowthem

howtheycaneasilybeginanIDPAshootingleague.”

From a Woman’s Perspective


thegreenmenfrommars”.Iamtalkingaboutstagesthatdonothingtotestshooting,gunhandling,ormarksmanship,butinsteadismoreofatestofgaming,asenseoftiming,athleticism,ordumbluck.Inotherwords,IamdescribingtheIDPAequivalentofawindmillonaminiaturegolfstage.Pleasedonotmisunderstand

whatIamsayingaboutprops.Propsareimportanttomakingthesportfunandunique.Sometimesaneatpropisaspecialspicethataddstothequalityofthematch.WhatIamtalkingaboutisstagesthataremoreaboutusingthepropthanitisaboutshootingsomething.Inastagesuchasthis,thetargetsaremoreofanafterthoughtthanacorecomponentofthestage.Anexamplewouldbearequirementtothrowaballthroughahoop,entercodesonacomputer,orbeingtiedtofurniture.Doesthisrelatetothepurposeorprinciplesofthesport,orisitawayforaStageDesignertotryto“oneup”apreviousendeavor?AsaSafetyOfficer,youcan

trytoadvisetheMDandofferalternativestoastupidstage.This

iswhereyoumustdrawfromyourexperienceasashooterandSO.IftheMDismarriedtoaparticularpropthatyouthinkwillwreakhavocwithshooters(orasubsetofshooters),trytodowhatyoucantolimitthedamage.MostMD’swilllistentothestaff.Youjusthavetobereadytospeakup.Match DirectingItcanbetoughtodesignstages

monthinandmonthout.IknowIhavelaidoutmatchesthatleftmefeelingthestagedesignwastooclosetoapreviousmonth’smatch.Youneedtogetalittlevarietyinyourstages,anditdoespaytoexperimentalittle.IbelievethatsomeMD’s

attemptstomakesomethingdifferentornewhascausedproblems.OntheofficialIDPAforum,Ireadaboutalowlightmatchwherethestartpositionwaswiththeslideremovedfromtheframe.Thepremisewastheshooterwascleaninghisgunwhenthepowerwentout.Theshooterhadtoreassemblehisgunafterthebeep,loadup,andengagetargets.Idonotknowwhatrevolvershootershadtodo.

Isupposethiscouldbeconsidered“Clever”,“Challenging”or“different”.Idoconsideritsilly.ItwasrationalizedthatsincetheMDwasa1911shooterhimself,itwasokay.Itisnotokay.Itisstupidandabitdangerous.Itisprettydifficulttoputa1911togetherwithoutgettinginfrontofthemuzzletoturnthebushing.Thisisallwellandgoodtodoonawell-litworkbench,butdothisontheclockandinthedark,andthereisalotofpotentialforproblems.Iftheshooterislucky,hewilljustbeoutarecoilspringplug.Ifheisnotlucky,muchworsewillhappen.Itdoesnotseemtobeasmartplayfromastagedesignorsafetystandpoint.Ithinkstageslikethishappen

becausetheMDisbeingdrivenbyadesiretocreatesomethinguniqueorsignature.Itdoesnothavetobelikethis.IDPAstagesmustbeabouttheshootingforemost,andnotaboutwhatevershtickorheadgamethestagedesignerwantstoemploy.Whenyoucomeupwithsomethingnovelandcool,takethetimetomakesurethatitreallyisagoodideabeforeyoudoit.WhileIamdiscussingwhatcan

bebadatamatch,thereisanothersomewhattouchysubjectIwanttoshinealighton.Itispopularatmanyclubstohavea“shoothouse”,or“killhouse”aspartofastage.Thesecanbefunstages,buttheycanalsobeaproblem.Ifyousetasidetheconcernsregardingthetermsusedtodescribea“shoothouse”andthepotentialforapublicrelationsproblem,thereareotherdifficultieswiththeseshoothouses.ProblemswithSafetyandfairnesswillpopuponthesestages.Shoothousescanbetryingon

Run a Better Match (Continued from page 7)

SO’s need to control the shooter in a shoot house


theSafetyOfficer.Thereisalottodoandmuchtolookoutfor.Theshooterismovingmore,andthereisamorecomplicatedarrayofwindowsanddooropenings.Thisraisesthepotentialfortheshootertogetturnedaroundandpointhisguninthewrongdirection.TheSafetyOfficermustbeinstructedtokeepupontheshooter.TheMDneedstomakesuretheSOchosenforsuchastagehastheexperienceandabilitytocontroltheshooter.Whentheshooterisoutof

control,badthingscanhappen.Afriendcaughta.40caliberbulletinhishipafterhelostcontrolofashooteratanon-IDPAshoothouseevent.Hewasoffhisfeetfornearlyayear.In1999,asanewshooter,Igotturnedaroundinashoothouse.TheSOwasnotfollowingmeandwasinsteadofftotheside,leaninginadoorwaywatching.HenoticedIdidnotengageatargetthatwasbehindme.Heyelled,“LOOKOUT!”tomeasawarning.Iwasalreadystressedout,andthenafterhearingtheyell,wentflatagainstawall;sweepingtheSOintheprocess.Ifhewasbehindmewhereheshouldhavebeenhe

neverwouldhavebeenmuzzled.ItwasnotgoodthatIwasturnedaround,badthattheSOwasnotincontroloftheshooter,andworsethatheyelledsomethingsillylikethat.Thatisthekindofcomedyoferrorsthatcausesinjuriesorfatalities.Fortunatelythatdaynothinghappened,exceptsomelessonslearned.TheSOneedstocontroltheshooterandtheMDmustselecttherightstaffmemberfortheshoothouse.Thisisnotaplaceforrookiesorthetimid.Theremaybeatemptationto

haveSO’sorspectatorsincatwalksabovetheshooter.Thismayseemcoolbutitpresentssafetyproblems.Manyshooterselevate

theirmuzzleswhenmovingorduringareload.Youthenwillhavepeopledownrangeofthegun,andthisisnotacceptable.Peoplehavebeenhurtinthecatwalksofshoothouses.Resistthetemptationandputinafixedvideocameraifyouwanttohaveapeekattheaction.Thesafetyissuesareimportant

buttherearealsocompetitiveissues.ThefirstisthenatureofVickersCount.VickersCountworksgreatontheaverageIDPAstage.Whenastagehasalotofmovementorcomplexity,Vickerscountdoesnotworkaswell.Intheselarger,moretimeconsumingstages,themovementthroughthestagebecomesmoreimportantthan

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thehits,andthescoreswillskewinfavorofspeedoveraccuracy.Anotherproblemwiththeshoot

housesisthattheyoften“are”thematch.Theshoothouseisoftenan18roundstagethattakesmostshooters20-plussecondstonavigate.Asapercentageofthematchscores,thisstagedominatesallothers.Oftentimes,thecompetitorsoverallfinishintheshoothousemirrorstheoverallresults.Inotherwords,thematchiswonorlostattheshoothouse,andtherestofthematchbecomesfiller.Mybiggestissuewiththe“shoot

house”conceptisthetroublewithofficiating.Ihaveseenshoothousesthathadaseriousadvantagefortheyoungerandfastershooters.Ifyousetupashoothousethathassomedistancebetweenpositionsandyoustaffitwithamiddleaged

SafetyOfficercartingaroundanextra30orsopounds,thatyoungfitshooterhasan“in”.Atthestartsignal,theyoungshooterputssomedistancebetweenhimselfandtheSO,thenhecanshootthestagewithnoregardtotheuseofcover.TheSOnevercangetinapositiontomakethecovercallandthefastshootergetsapassontherules.ThismaybedeniedbymanySO’s,butIhavewitnesseditenoughtoknowthistobetrue.Inreallife,apersongoing

intoahousehasthe“restofhislife”togothroughthatbuilding.Searchesareslowanddeliberate.Incompetition,thegoalistorunthroughitasifyourhairwasonfire.Shoothousesdemonstratethedifferencesbetweendefensivemindedshootersandthecompetitors.Itcanbefuntoshoot,

orfrustrating.Itcanbefairtotheshooters,oritcanhandthetrophyovertosomeone.Itcanbeaneatadditiontothematch,oritcandominateyourmatchscores.Iamnotsayingthatyoushouldneverdoashoothouse,butpleaseconsidertheimpactsuchastagehasonthematchoverallscores,andmakesureyouarenotdiminishingtherelativevalueoftheotherstagesinyourmatchaswellasmakingiteasierandmorefairtoofficiate.

Putseriousthoughtintothekindofstagesyoudesign.Makesuretheyaresolid,safeandfollowtherules.Besureyouarenotbeingunfair,oraredoingsomethingtoosillyforwords.Havefundesigningyourstages,andremembertotakecareofyourSO’sandstaff.

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safe.Ialsohaveasparepartskitinmyrangebagthathasvirtuallyeverysparepartformypistol…exceptfortheframe,slideandbarrel.Magazinesareoftenthecauseofmalfunctionsas

well.Theyneedtobecleanedandmaintainedjustasourpistolsdo.Iwillalwaystakeapartallmymagazinesandcleanthembeforeamatch,aswellaseachtimeonetouchesthegroundduringamatch.Ifyoubecomeproficientatityoucantakethemagazineapart,cleanitandputitbacktogetherinlessthan30seconds.Magazinesspringsarealsosomethingtopayattentiontoandneedtobereplacedoccasionally.Atrickhereistoquicklyemptyaloadedmagazinewithjustyourfingers.Youcaneasilyseeandfeelhowquicklyandsmoothlytheroundsfeedoutofthemagazine.Whentheystarttofeedupslowlythisisprobablyasignthespringiswearingoutandneedstobereplaced.

ThelastthingIwilladdresshereisknowingwhatwecanandcannotdotoourpistolpertheIDPArulebook.Thereisaverysimpleanswertothis…readtherulebook.Occasionallytherewillbeaquestionthatisnotaddressedspecificallyintherulebook.IfthisisthecaseIhighlyencourageyoutoaskBEFOREyoubegintoshootthematch.ManytimesyoucangetananswerbeforehandfromanauthorityatIDPAheadquarters.IfthisisthecaseitmaybeagoodideatogetsomethinginwritingincaseyouarequestionedbyanotherSOormatchdirector.Wellthat’sitfornow.Rememberyouwanttogetall

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worldsuchasrandomlybouncingballs.Althoughtimerentedinthesesimulatorrangesisnotcheap,whenyoucomparethoserateswithrangefeesandammunitioncoststheycanactuallybeabargain.Withouttheneedtoreload,ashootercanfiremanymorevirtualroundsinahalfhourtrainingsessionthanispossibleonarange.Ofcourse,itisasimulationandthuscanonlytakeyousofar;forexampleyoucannotreplicatesomeactionssuchasreloading.Evenso,ifsuchasimulationfacilityisinyourlocalityitmaywellbeworthusingittoimproveyourshooting.Livefiringatarangeisthe

traditionalcornerstoneofshootingpractice.NotallofushaveaccesstoagoodplacetopracticeourIDPAshootingskills.Drawingfromaholsterandrapidfiringcangetyouaskedtoleaveatsomeranges.Talktotherangemasterbeforeyoupracticeandensureyouaremeetingtherangerules.Itmightbepossibleto

makecompromisestopermityouconductmeaningfulcompetitivepractices.Ifyouarenotallowedrapidfirebutcandrawfromaholster,workondrawingandgettingoffasingleshotorloadonlyoneroundandthenreload,firingasecondshot.Ifdrawingfromaholsterisforbidden,seeifyoucanpracticeskillssuchasshootingwithonehand,setuptwotargetsandpracticetransitions,andreloading,allstartingfromthelowreadyposition.Oneofthemostvaluableandleastutilizeddrillsislongrangeslowfiringdrills;nothingelseisasgoodatconfirmingsolid,effectiveaccuracy.Thereisnotnecessarilya

correlationbetweenthenumberofroundsfiredandagoodpractice;thatis,yourpracticemustbefocused.Timeontherangeshouldbeusedtomaximumadvantage.Youshouldhaveaplanforeachdrillyouwillrunandeachdrillshouldhaveaspecificobjective

inimprovinganaspectofyourshooting.Thebiggestadvantageofpractice

versusapracticematchisthatyoucanrepeatandimprovespecificaspectsofyourskills;thatmeansmeasuringyourruns.Ifyoudonothaveashottimer,‘thereisanappforthat’onsmartphones.Freeshottimerappsforyoursmartphonemaynotbeadequateforscoringamatchbuttheycertainlygiveyouwhatyouneedtocompareyourtimesbetweenvariousruns.Itispreferabletopracticewith

anotherpersonwheneverpossible.Notonlyisitmoreenjoyable,italsoallowsanotherpersontoobserveandprovidefeedback.Itisalsosafer;ifthereisanaccident,thereshouldbeapersonrighttheretoprovideimmediatesupportandsummonhelp.Eachofuswantstobeableto

shootbetter,eitherforcompetitionorforpotentialselfdefense.Thebestwaytodothatistopracticeandpracticeeffectively.

IDPA Pro Tips (Continued from page 15)

Random Shots (Continued from page 13)


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1011Tactical Journal_ab.indd 1 11/1/11 12:36:57 AMIDPA Tactical Journal First Quarter 2013 39

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