Maybe I learned a little something

[seadawg221]

For those of you that were at the PSC event last weekend and seen my wife kick my butt on the "Texas Star" hopefully you could imagine how embarassed I was . Both of us just took up this shooting sport a few months ago and neither of us had much shooting experience prior to a year ago.

As a child I never had any instructions on firing a gun, my dad bought me some rifles and a shotgun but basically I was just turned loose with them to blast away at what ever critter happened to cross my path. When I was a teenager dad gave me a 38 snub nose revolver to play around with...I could NEVER hit anything with that little gun!

When my wife and I decided to get our CHL I went and bought myself a Highpoint 9mm (still a good little gun even though TomCat didn't like it ) and I bought Marilyn a Bersa 380. I was really concerned that I would not be able to even pass the class because I had never been able to hit anything I aimed at with that old revolver. In spite of myself both Marilyn and I were able to pass the class.

Anyway, since last weekend all I could think about was that "My wife out shot me with my own gun". I knew that I had to be doing something wrong (the only thing that comes natural to me are my bull skills). I decided to figure out what I was doing wrong and why I could not hit those little metal plates. After searching the internet I discovered that I DON"T KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY ALIGN MY SITES WITH THE TARGET!!!

It's hard to say what I was doing wrong but almost everything I was doing was incorrect. Marilyn and I went to an indoor range last night and I practiced the tips I found and the internet. Almost immediaitely I was shooting much better. I think I may very well be able to out shoot Marilyn now (so now I am not nearly as scared of her as I was :D )

BRING ON THAT TEXAS STAR...I want to shoot those little metal plates that have been haunting and taunting me in my dreams. 8)

[stevie_d_64]

I have learned enough in my 41 years on this planet, to know that it is impolite to snicker at a man's dog, his shooting skills, his grilling technique and his woman...

I know I had some drop outs, and moments of sheer internal embarrasment last Saturday...Echhh, I'm lucky if I hit the ground when I fall sometimes...

But the best part to me was watching my wife shooting better and better, cooking some things for my friends, and having great fellowship with folks I respect and have similar beliefs with...

It absolutely doesn't get much better than that...

[stevie_d_64]

Suggestion...

Go back and find that target you shot up when you qualified for your CHL...

Tack that up somewhere, where you 'll see it from time to time, to remind you of what really counts...

I put mine (ours) up in the garage (a.k.a. Steve's doghouse)...

[ElGato]

I apologize and take full responsibly, I usually show a three point overlay, rear sight, front sight, and point of impact, when showing you the target, I must have missed it that day.

I can certainly understand the Post Tramatic Stress Disorder, I would have been the same when I was younger, ( old guys have built in excuses )I'm here for you if you need to talk, and we'll go to the range to work on your shooting and make up a good excuse list so you will have one ready in case this happens again.

It will take some work but we will get your Macho back!

Come to IDPA at PSC tomorrow and you will see a lot of us embarrassed and looking for excuses.

Tomcat

[jbirds1210]

It sounds to me like you guys and girls had a great time and learned something about shooting. I agree with Steve that being with like-minded friends with good food and guns doesn't need much improvement! I wish I could have been there and will make an honest attempt to attend the next one. Thanks for the story, it is what I needed today.

[seadawg221]

It will take some work but we will get your Macho back!


Tomcat

Well! I certainly NEED it back!

Thanks for all the support guys

[seadawg221]

I apologize and take full responsibly, I usually show a three point overlay, rear sight, front sight, and point of impact, when showing you the target, I must have missed it that day.


Tomcat

Oh yeah, by the way Tom...You don't need to apologize! besides having Attention Deficit Disorder adn being Dislexic SOMETIMES I just don't pay attention.

[sensei]

The problem with MACHO: It's just so fickle.

You work years and years to get it to an acceptable level and along comes some female of the species (can be wife, girlfriend or even a complete stranger) and jerks it all away form you in a split second. Years of work down the drain. And each time this happens it takes longer and longer to get it back.

Can't tell you how many times I've sworn to just give it up. It just keeps creeping back into my life.

However, know you are not alone my non-macho friend.

Sigh!! As you get older you will learn of these truths and come to accept them, young Grasshopper.

Ray Glass (posing as sensei)

[seadawg221]

The problem with MACHO: It's just so fickle.

You work years and years to get it to an acceptable level and along comes some female of the species (can be wife, girlfriend or even a complete stranger) and jerks it all away form you in a split second. Years of work down the drain. And each time this happens it takes longer and longer to get it back.

Can't tell you how many times I've sworn to just give it up. It just keeps creeping back into my life.

However, know you are not alone my non-macho friend.

Sigh!! As you get older you will learn of these truths and come to accept them, young Grasshopper.

Ray Glass (posing as sensei)

Ahh So Master! Many words of wisdom you have spoken!

[stevie_d_64]

When you can snatch the pebble from my hand...

It will be time for you to leave...

[Paladin]

But the best part to me was watching my wife shooting better and better, cooking some things for my friends, and having great fellowship with folks I respect and have similar beliefs with...

It absolutely doesn't get much better than that...

On that subject, I'll say you were a real pro on the grill. Excellent burgers! I think I'd have burnt 'em. :)

[dws1117]

seadawg, FWIW, I didn't think you did too badly. Sure we had a little fun ribbing ya, but those moving things are tough to hit. Now, watching Tom and Chas shoot was almost unreal, but they have also been doing this for a lifetime and spend many hours practicing. I think that the quality of thier shooting is what we all strive to achieve. Some get there quicker than others. I say just have fun putting many rounds downrange and you will see you skills improve greatly.

Over the past year I've seen my skills improve a vast amount. I've gone from being happy with hitting the paper at 15 yards to getting most of them in the black. I was surprised at how well I did on those stars. One thing that seems to help me is just having fun. The accuracy will come in time. Watch others, listen to other, and SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT.

As far as being outshot by your wife, I'm sure that most of us will admit to having that very thing happen to us. From what I've seen women seem to be more instinctual shooters than men. I can't explain why.

BTW, I'd rag ya about the HiPoint too. :P

[ea40ss]

Hey seadawg221, I wouldn't fret too much about it. It's great that your wife likes to shoot with you. The CHL shooting test can be very misleading and may give someone a false sense of security. It's a great test for that situation when the BG is three yards away, not moving, and is allowing you time to aim and fire. It's one of the reasons I decided to start shooting IDPA. It's a great way to practice and learn ,and, learn what to practice. Oh, it's alot of fun too.

Everyone that I have ever come in contact with at PSC has been great. The SO's at the matches are always willing to help and offer advice and will help you relax and have fun. They have a great deal of skill and experience.

Hey, if you really like the Texas Star, I think the IPSC shooters use it pretty regularly in their matches. IPSC is very similar to IDPA with just a few differences.

I'm not trying to force feed training and practice on anyone, just putting out some options for seadawg221 and anyone else interested. IDPA has really helped me understand what I need to practice, everything. Although you couldn't tell from my scores I can see improvement in myself. Or I could be just kidding myself.

Thanks for listening... uh... I mean reading,

Eric

[seadawg221]

Hey seadawg221, I wouldn't fret too much about it. It's great that your wife likes to shoot with you.
Eric

Her shooting WITH me is much better than the alternative of her shooting AT me

[CaptDave]

I'm not trying to force feed training and practice on anyone, just putting out some options for seadawg221 and anyone else interested. IDPA has really helped me understand what I need to practice, everything. Although you couldn't tell from my scores I can see improvement in myself. Or I could be just kidding myself.

Thanks for listening... uh... I mean reading,

Eric

Ok, I'll force feed 'em!
I think anyone who takes a CHL class and carries a handgun for protection owes it to themselves to get some good training.

To supplement training, not to replace it, IDPA is perfect. And, I am a BIG FAN of IDPA.

Granted, IDPA is not training "per se" but it presents some great "what if" scenario's to get your mind thinking in the right direction as far as "if this happens, then I'll do that". And lets you have a feeling on how you would actually "do" in a similar real life situation as opposed to how you "think" you'd handle a real life one.

However, after making that point, if Thunder Ranch, Gunsite, etc are not in your budget or immediate future, by all means shoot IDPA whenever you can and practice what you learn in between matches.

Also, there are a lot of good to great shooters who come to our matches at PSC and the other area matches that will answer any questions you may have and show you the proper equipment that works for them as well as methods of draw, grip, presentation, sight picture, mind-set, etc... that are the basis for good technique.