Nice work! I need to try this type of thing one of these days. It looks like fun.
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Thanks for posting the video. I see more people with the hatcams recording their runs and I while I used to write it off as tech-geeks, I've come to accept that it's a great way to critique your shooting. I completely understand the feeling when a plan collapses ("Did I shoot 10 targets, or 9? Weren't there three targets on this part of the stage? That popper didn't drop that fast on the walk-through!")
I always encourage friends who carry to shoot IDPA -- both for the sport and competition, but largely to get familiar with drawing and presenting a concealed gun, to get the feel of moving/shooting/thinking all at the same time, and to 'wring out' their gear and gun. Some have found what they thought would work for carrying wasn't actually very functional under the pressure of competition, and some (myself included) have found gun problems (I had to replace the base plates on two Bersa mags that seemed fine shooting at the range, but spontaneously disassembled when loaded into the gun with any sort of force).
I tend not to be focused on the competition so much as the practical training side of it. I've done things such as show up at a match wearing a suit, because I often carry wearing a suit ($5.00 suit off a thrift store rack -- I found that drawing and moving in a suit is not quite the same as trying to shoot and scoot in trail shoes, shorts, and t-shirt with a fishing vest).
The matches are fun for the shooting, but also for getting together with other shooters. From a pure shooting aspect, a match is of questionable value -- a lot of local matches run about 5 hours, out of which you actually get to shoot a total of about 5 minutes (unless you get stuck with reshoots). But the chance to watch and talk with other shooters makes the matches worth the time.
I always encourage friends who carry to shoot IDPA -- both for the sport and competition, but largely to get familiar with drawing and presenting a concealed gun, to get the feel of moving/shooting/thinking all at the same time, and to 'wring out' their gear and gun. Some have found what they thought would work for carrying wasn't actually very functional under the pressure of competition, and some (myself included) have found gun problems (I had to replace the base plates on two Bersa mags that seemed fine shooting at the range, but spontaneously disassembled when loaded into the gun with any sort of force).
I tend not to be focused on the competition so much as the practical training side of it. I've done things such as show up at a match wearing a suit, because I often carry wearing a suit ($5.00 suit off a thrift store rack -- I found that drawing and moving in a suit is not quite the same as trying to shoot and scoot in trail shoes, shorts, and t-shirt with a fishing vest).
The matches are fun for the shooting, but also for getting together with other shooters. From a pure shooting aspect, a match is of questionable value -- a lot of local matches run about 5 hours, out of which you actually get to shoot a total of about 5 minutes (unless you get stuck with reshoots). But the chance to watch and talk with other shooters makes the matches worth the time.
Good post. The camera was a gift about a year ago and it is fun to use from time to time. It does help to see where mistakes are made. The first stage it is very clear where I messed up. There is a target on the left that I shot twice. I should not have shot at it the first time. It threw my round count off and caused me to be standing still and doing 1 extra magazine change. Without the video it would not have been so easy to figure out where I messed up.Thanks for posting the video. I see more people with the hatcams recording their runs and I while I used to write it off as tech-geeks, I've come to accept that it's a great way to critique your shooting. I completely understand the feeling when a plan collapses ("Did I shoot 10 targets, or 9? Weren't there three targets on this part of the stage? That popper didn't drop that fast on the walk-through!")
I always encourage friends who carry to shoot IDPA -- both for the sport and competition, but largely to get familiar with drawing and presenting a concealed gun, to get the feel of moving/shooting/thinking all at the same time, and to 'wring out' their gear and gun. Some have found what they thought would work for carrying wasn't actually very functional under the pressure of competition, and some (myself included) have found gun problems (I had to replace the base plates on two Bersa mags that seemed fine shooting at the range, but spontaneously disassembled when loaded into the gun with any sort of force).
I tend not to be focused on the competition so much as the practical training side of it. I've done things such as show up at a match wearing a suit, because I often carry wearing a suit ($5.00 suit off a thrift store rack -- I found that drawing and moving in a suit is not quite the same as trying to shoot and scoot in trail shoes, shorts, and t-shirt with a fishing vest).
The matches are fun for the shooting, but also for getting together with other shooters. From a pure shooting aspect, a match is of questionable value -- a lot of local matches run about 5 hours, out of which you actually get to shoot a total of about 5 minutes (unless you get stuck with reshoots). But the chance to watch and talk with other shooters makes the matches worth the time.
I agree with you about the learning/training being the more important aspect over the competition. Of course I do check the final scores to see where I finished but it's not a huge deal to me. If I do happen to finish higher than some other person it is maybe because I have made some improvements in my abilities and that aspect is important. A good case for not worrying about the competition can be had from how I finished in this match. In the over all scoring I was way down towards the bottom of the scoring. But that over all score pits my score against many people that are running their very expensive race guns and equipment and have been shooting this sport for a long time. It would be silly to try to compare and compete against those types. Even if I break it down to seniors in production class I still finished mid pack.
I focus on 3 things when I participate in these events. Safety, fun, learn!
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