[jbpmidas]

Had a practice session today. SGMJody and I went to the range to try my reloads and help me prepare to shoot IDPA tomorrow. It will be the first match for me in 1+ years and only my second match ever. I am really excited! Any other members going to be there?

Anyway, here is what we did. We kept it very simple, just a few really basic skills to work on. We did not shoot around barricades or anything. I was mostly getting used to my reloads and my gun (drawing and reloading).

COF: 2 silhouette size targets, 3 feet center to center

Begin at the 7 yard line, weapon holstered, cocked and locked (I love saying that, doesn't everyone)
Draw: One shot each target strong hand only: One shot each target weak hand only: Back up to 15 yard line: 1 double tap to each target while travelling to 15 yard line: Reload (8 round mag): 1 shot to each target strong hand only: 1 shot to each target weak hand only: 1 double tap to each target while moving forward to 7 yard line

We did not time me on any of the strings as we were focusing on accuracy and fundamentals. My gun failed while I was running my last string. The tube that contains the slide release and safety detent came loose from the frame. SGMJody restaked it, so hopefully it will last through the match tomorrow!

I would like to hear some drills others run to "practice" for IDPA or other competition.

 

[GunOneDown]

I practice MAG changes alot lately just because that is something that has slowed me down. I draw shoot 2, mag change , shoot 2, mag change, shoot 2, mag change, shoot 2.
I also practice weak hand quit a bit all the way out to 25yds. because a lot of matches seem to have long weakhand targets for classifier.
I shoot USPSA.
DRY FIRE practice at home helps I don't care what anybody says. It works.

 

[jbpmidas]

I don't know about my times, but my mag changes were surprisingly smooth. That being said, it may all change tomorrow on the timer!!!! The weak hand is tough, but my 1911 was much more controllable than I expected when shooting unsupported.

 

[Xd357]

Yeah when that buzzer goes off it all changes.

 

[jbpmidas]

Man, I had a blast today (pun intended)! I had major problems on the first two stages. My ammo was not functioning my weapon. I had a bunch of failures to go into battery. For the last four stages, I went to factory ammo. No more problems surfaced. The reloads I shot yesterday were loaded with a Lee die, which is a roll crimp I think. The others were loaded with RCBS taper crimp. That is the only difference I can think of. I will try recrimping with my Lee die and see if my 1911 will funtion with the ammo. After I got my function problems cleared up, my times were in the middle of the pack. My accuracy was decent also. I only hit one non-threat and that was a really tough shot. My reloads were smooth and I think I will really improve with some more practice. I know I want some better sights for my 1911 and possibly some trigger work. However, if I get it to function 10% with my reloads, I will be one happy camper!

 

[DBChaffin]

Glad you had a good time and that the weather was good enough for the match. We've had some pretty heavy rain at times down South today.

Sorry to hear you had ammo problems though. Did you case gauge or barrel check your rounds? A taper crimp is the appropriate crimp for an auto, as most of them (.45/.40/9mm, etc) headspace off of the case mouth. Roll crimps are typically for revolvers. Maybe the Lee die was a taper also and was just adjusted tighter? A little tweaking and I am sure it will run as good or better with your reloads than it does with factory.

 

[jbpmidas]

Yeah, we'll have to work on it to get it running 100%! I was thinking it was a roll crimp, but I am prone to being wrong! That's half the fun though, screwing up and trying something else. That's the best way to learn anything from my experiences!

 

[swede62]

Sounds like you had fun. Sorry I missed it. Reloads with retention are good thing to work on. Sounds like you had a lot of practice today with malfuntion clearance. Sorry that happened to you though, but it's kind of mixed blessing. Malfuntion clearance is a good thing to know. My first match I had some jitters and didn't seat a magazine properly, and killed my time. Many matches latter and a different pistol with some ammo it particularly care for hit a bad round and didn't miss a lick. It affected my time, but not much.

 

[jbpmidas]

There wAs only one other 1911 there. I looked at the results and he did not beat me by much on the other four stages. I think I beat him on one and I had fewer points down and 1 hit on non threat compared tohis 2. I had fewer penalty points. Accuracy was my main goal yesterday , speed will come!

 

[swede62]

Sounds good! I got an E-mail with the scores, and if it weren't for the malfunctions your times looked good. It looked like stages 5 & 6 that were the problems.

 

[jbpmidas]

Yeah, 5 & 6 were the first two stages I shot. I would have been competitive with the only other CDP shooter. Either way, I'm looking forward to my next oppurtunity!

 

[swede62]

Yeah, 5 & 6 were the first two stages I shot. I would have been competitive with the only other CDP shooter. Either way, I'm looking forward to my next oppurtunity!

I'm glad you had a good time. They are all good folks there aren't they.

 

[jbpmidas]

Yes, everyone is very supportive! I will be back when time allows!

 

[swede62]

I always enjoy my time there as well. Some of the folks there I've been shooting with going on 11 years now.