VFRgrl
Member
http://www.mpsa.net/pg2.html
I took the MPSA Safety course on Sunday with Paul Mason.
As a new handgun shooter- I wasn't sure what to expect from a skills/experience needed perspective.
My background:
Shot on a rifle team as a kid at the gun club (<10yrs old)
Started with a general handgun class in Jan 2018
HQL Class in Feb 2018
Lessons and range time on a weekly basis.
First handgun (Glock 19) purchased the beginning of April.
First holster draw lesson/practice this week.
I think its great that MPSA offers this new shooter safety course; I learned a TON of information and in addition got to shoot just about all the stages that were set up for the match for fun.
Paul went over the general rules, classifications, classes of shooting, and recommended I attend as many as I can and talk to people about equipment before I invest a lot in anything. (also make sure I actually want to do this sport). The biggest emphasis was going over (multiple times) the safety rules and pointing out how important they are and also how easy it is to make a small mistake that results in a DQ due to safety violation
Paul had me start with practicing several times the mechanics of the sequence of events doing dry fire and then with live fire and simple drills.
RO: “Shooter make ready.” (load gun, holster)
RO: “Shooter ready?”
RO: “Standby”
RO: “BEEP” (RO starts timer)
RO: “IF the shooter is finished; Unload and show clear”
RO: “Hammer down and holster.”
RO: “Range is clear.” (Calls out time or shows scorekeeper)
The first time I unholstered (empty gun)- I swept my hand (DQ) holding my belt in front of the holster because it is new and snug. Paul pointed that out and I didn't do THAT mistake again I really just need to practice smooth and efficient holster movements (literally just got this holster on Weds so very little practice).
I also need new/different mag pouches because I'll most likely shoot production and they need to be behind my hip- its awkward at best for me with the configuration I have now.
From a technical shooting perspective- I think I did O.K- when I was able to carefully sight and shoot. As people have mentioned previously-shooting fundamentals are important; however when I'm at the range and shooting (even with some timed drills); I'm an average shot- only because I've practiced A LOT and had private lessons and spend time developing that skill (not bragging- I am a VERY NEW shooter- I'm not great but think I am doing o.k. for a novice. This is my first handgun (I've had since the beginning of April) and was renting prior to that for a few months. ALL the skills you have developed can evaporate when there is pressure on (time, a malfunction, movement, etc).
As Paul explained- there are LOTS of things you CAN practice without needing live fire- and all of those things are things I NEED to practice (Loading magazines from the belt, re-loading, sighting while moving, holstering/unholstering, etc).
My biggest problem was dealing with the mental aspect of the varied shooting scenarios (kneeling, moving, around things, steel targets). I think I'll get better with experience, practice, and developing a mental management strategy.
Everyone (esp Paul and Dave) was welcoming, friendly, and willing to talk about equipment, etc.
I highly recommend the MPSA for new shooter experience.
I'm definitely going to get as much practice in as I can with mechanics, and hopefully will get to shoot in a match.
Lori
I took the MPSA Safety course on Sunday with Paul Mason.
As a new handgun shooter- I wasn't sure what to expect from a skills/experience needed perspective.
My background:
Shot on a rifle team as a kid at the gun club (<10yrs old)
Started with a general handgun class in Jan 2018
HQL Class in Feb 2018
Lessons and range time on a weekly basis.
First handgun (Glock 19) purchased the beginning of April.
First holster draw lesson/practice this week.
I think its great that MPSA offers this new shooter safety course; I learned a TON of information and in addition got to shoot just about all the stages that were set up for the match for fun.
Paul went over the general rules, classifications, classes of shooting, and recommended I attend as many as I can and talk to people about equipment before I invest a lot in anything. (also make sure I actually want to do this sport). The biggest emphasis was going over (multiple times) the safety rules and pointing out how important they are and also how easy it is to make a small mistake that results in a DQ due to safety violation
Paul had me start with practicing several times the mechanics of the sequence of events doing dry fire and then with live fire and simple drills.
RO: “Shooter make ready.” (load gun, holster)
RO: “Shooter ready?”
RO: “Standby”
RO: “BEEP” (RO starts timer)
RO: “IF the shooter is finished; Unload and show clear”
RO: “Hammer down and holster.”
RO: “Range is clear.” (Calls out time or shows scorekeeper)
The first time I unholstered (empty gun)- I swept my hand (DQ) holding my belt in front of the holster because it is new and snug. Paul pointed that out and I didn't do THAT mistake again I really just need to practice smooth and efficient holster movements (literally just got this holster on Weds so very little practice).
I also need new/different mag pouches because I'll most likely shoot production and they need to be behind my hip- its awkward at best for me with the configuration I have now.
From a technical shooting perspective- I think I did O.K- when I was able to carefully sight and shoot. As people have mentioned previously-shooting fundamentals are important; however when I'm at the range and shooting (even with some timed drills); I'm an average shot- only because I've practiced A LOT and had private lessons and spend time developing that skill (not bragging- I am a VERY NEW shooter- I'm not great but think I am doing o.k. for a novice. This is my first handgun (I've had since the beginning of April) and was renting prior to that for a few months. ALL the skills you have developed can evaporate when there is pressure on (time, a malfunction, movement, etc).
As Paul explained- there are LOTS of things you CAN practice without needing live fire- and all of those things are things I NEED to practice (Loading magazines from the belt, re-loading, sighting while moving, holstering/unholstering, etc).
My biggest problem was dealing with the mental aspect of the varied shooting scenarios (kneeling, moving, around things, steel targets). I think I'll get better with experience, practice, and developing a mental management strategy.
Everyone (esp Paul and Dave) was welcoming, friendly, and willing to talk about equipment, etc.
I highly recommend the MPSA for new shooter experience.
I'm definitely going to get as much practice in as I can with mechanics, and hopefully will get to shoot in a match.
Lori