Took a HDF combo skill builder this weekend.  I did notice that with the 1911, I am much more accurate, but when I flinch, it's way bigger than the VP9.  Like 6 inches low and 2 inches to the left.  But the grouping of my flinch is consistent, like jabone size.  And the flinch grouping is pretty consistent (6 inches low) whether it be at 4 yards or 15.  So this is pretty weird.  And again, had same hole during the course of the SB.

My RDS on my rifle came loose.  I didn't loctite it down, but it has been this way for the pat 6 years and only now it came loose.  So when I got home, I loctited.  Weird thing is I don't have to re-zero.  I know where my dot sits on my irons.  Which means I can line it up with out going to the range.  Because we were at 4 yards, I was still getting hits on target.  And I keep the star key in my butt stock, so after the exercise, I tightened her down and was g2g for the rest of the SB.

I posted this in the First 1911 thread, but I had 1 jam. It was the 3rd bullet of the day. I loaded the mag and had a failure to feed.  This was during a "load to make ready" part.  So not under stress or time. So 653 rounds later, and got my first FMJ jam.  I don't remember when I got my first VP9 jam or P10C jam.  No issues the rest of the SB and this is the first SB running the 1911.

Now I will see how long I can go without cleaning the 1911, just oiling.  I think the longest I've gone without cleaning the VP9 was like 400rds later.  It was bothering me too much to keep going.  But with the 1911 being more humbug to clean, I think I may be able to surpass this.  So right now we're at 100rds.

Had a few guys who liked my lighter plates.  I wonder how many now are gonna upgrade.  I know at least 1 guy who is.  So me letting them feel how light they are is like never flying on first class. Then you try it once and it screws you the rest of your life. Cause now you know what you're missing out on.

For RDS, was it from the optic to the mount?  Or the mount to the gun?  In any case, recommend you confirm zero, at your desired zero distance (25, 50, 100, etc).

For the 1911 malfunction, how dirty was the feed ramp? 

So you're saying the lighter plates changed your life?   

For RDS, was it from the optic to the mount?  Or the mount to the gun?  In any case, recommend you confirm zero, at your desired zero distance (25, 50, 100, etc).

For the 1911 malfunction, how dirty was the feed ramp? 

So you're saying the lighter plates changed your life?   

Mount to the gun.

1911 was clean, I cleaned it after my last range trip and this was the 3rd bullet of the day.

Yup, muscle memory is a thing. That's why during SB's I don't just do the drill to be the fastest, it's often I do it at what pace I would normally do it.  The last HDF SB it was a combo. We did a square walking drill. Walk left and shoot 1 shot with rifle, then walk backward and shoot 1 shot with pistol, then walk right and 2 shots with rifle, then walk forward and 2 shots with pistol. Then walk left and 3 shots with rifle and so on until time runs out.  I guy was wondering why after my 1 shots, I still held on the target and didn't just speed up my walk pace so I can do the next transition. I explained that I was working on keeping gun on target and the same speed, I wasn't trying to be the fasted to finish.  Due to this, I didn't get the "cone". But I'm sure the guy who did earn the cone would have beaten me anyways.  He is a very good shooter.

Continuing from other thread on CCW guns.

There are many things that I've noticed that become bad habits, or at least potentially for different contexts.  Say competition shooting and defensive/training.  The quick to unload and show clear.  I have seen many super quick to get through a set course of fire and quickly unload and show clear.  Almost as if the act of unloading and showing clear is timed.  Nothing wrong with completing a course of fire and doing what one needs to so (whatever that may be).  Be quick to have gun up/out when needed, but don't need to be quick to put it away. 

Took a combo HRA skill builder this weekend.  Mrs. CMO's technique has been getting sloppier over the past few months.  She realized it yesterday.  I noticed it a few months ago, but kept silent because when a spouse tries to teach something, it often doesn't get learned as well compared to an outsider teaching/correcting.  Her technique as in the pistol draw form and transition from rifle to pistol.  She had it locked down, but been slipping.  So we are going to do practicing at home.  I think this is due to the fact that she hasn't been taking the HDF SB's which are a smaller in size and more 1 on 1 focus. Her hair appointment are typically the same day as the HDF SB's.

My technique has been fine and a hasn't slipped.

This HRA SB there was more 1 on 1 teaching.  Which is good so the newer guys can learn the proper techniques.  A few guys forget to activate their rifle safety when reloading or transitioning. HDF really stresses this, so it's automatic for me.  Like they will give u 1 warning, then kicked out if you keep forgetting. 

So each groups SB's both have their benefits and are good to take.

Took a HDF pistol SB.  Really bad day.

Started off trying to qualify for their CCW SB in Sept.  I did the drill cold because train how you fight and I wanted to see what I can do.  I mean, I know what I can do, cause I've done similar stuff cold before with the VP9. But this one was bad. Out of a 300 score, I scored 70. 1 target was at 25 yards on a 2.4ft by 3.5 ft cardboard.  I had basically unlimited time to shoot 10 rds.  I missed the entire cardboard with 6 of the 10 rds.  The other 4, only 1 was on paper (8x11) and not even in the B8 circle target.  I have hit an index card before cold at 25 no problem and the shots not on the index card were just to the left and high, like 1-2 inches off. Last HRA open shoot, I was at 15 yrds getting all hits in the same 8 inch circle with the VP9. This was about 2 weeks ago.

Then the 15 yard B8 target with 25 seconds or 15 seconds, I sucked major.

After this was the SB that I used the 1911.  At 7 yards, I got 1 of 10 in an 8 inch circle (first shot).  All the missed shots were about 2-3 inches below (9 shots).  This is not my normal, even cold.  Normally I can get all 10 in the circle, which I've done the prior months. Or maybe 1 or 2 dropped shots, but not 1 of 10.  The next 10rd string, all 10 rds were low.  again this is at 7 yards.  By the 3rd string, I got all in the circle.  And the rest of class was fine. Another drill was smaller than index card at 7 yards. 1 shot only. I got it inside the box.

We did seated shooting. Some guys were sitting in a chair like they're ready to draw and shoot. Train how you fight. So I was slouching big time or elbows on the table, like I'm eating  a meal.  I was back to my regular accuracy by then.   My mid drop leg didn't interfere with the chair or table, which I thought it might.

Last we did a drill where if you shoot it perfect, you need 20rds. I was expecting to use 50 due to my sucking earlier.  But to my surprise, I only had to use 10 more. So it took me 30rds, which seemed to be the class average. So as the day went on, I got better.  But it was a total mind fu*k cause I'm never this bad cold.

1 of the instructors is a gym friend so he put it in a way that I can understand.  Even in the gym, I lift heavy, but have bad days. Like the warm up sets feel super heavy.  And I immediate understood what he was telling me.  Train thru it cause now you know how u are on your worst day.  A good instructor can say things in a way that his students will understand.  And everyone learns differently.  So kudo's for this.

Shot my 38spl revolver to test out a potential CCW qual test recommendation.  Shot 10 rounds at a b27 target at 7 yards.  I got 1 second splits double action in the scoring rings.  Reloading from loose rounds in the pocket took me 15 seconds, with half the rounds dropping on the ground.

Maybe skip the reloading part on the test recommendation.   

With my problem above, I've been dry firing at home. The issue is the mental block. I know there will be no recoil, so my trigger pull is movement free. Even under time to induce a more hurried draw and fire. This has been my problem for a while now.  So the only remedy is to go to the range and shoot.  I'm gonna wait till I pick up my Shield Plus next week and go to the bullseye side.  A friend showed me to put some random empty brass in my mag to see if I flinch.

I've been watching some various YT vids on shooting low or low left and some do mention the mental block of knowing the gun wont go bang when dry firing. Then you have the Tier1 Concealed guys doing the Dickens Drill and getting almost all A zone hits (4 inches by 10 inch rectangle).  Others were near there.  So this is demotivating, but I hve to tell myself that these guys shoot multiple times a week, compared to my 1 or 2 times a month. So I refer back to my weight lifting example.

With my problem above, I've been dry firing at home. The issue is the mental block. I know there will be no recoil, so my trigger pull is movement free. Even under time to induce a more hurried draw and fire. This has been my problem for a while now.  So the only remedy is to go to the range and shoot.  I'm gonna wait till I pick up my Shield Plus next week and go to the bullseye side.  A friend showed me to put some random empty brass in my mag to see if I flinch.

I've been watching some various YT vids on shooting low or low left and some do mention the mental block of knowing the gun wont go bang when dry firing. Then you have the Tier1 Concealed guys doing the Dickens Drill and getting almost all A zone hits (4 inches by 10 inch rectangle).  Others were near there.  So this is demotivating, but I hve to tell myself that these guys shoot multiple times a week, compared to my 1 or 2 times a month. So I refer back to my weight lifting example.

"Ball & Dummy"

When I was shooting more often, I did that almost every range session.  Load up 3-4 rounds and mix in a dummy.  Having someone insert one randomly and you're doing stuff like drills can be very telling since youre mind is focused on the course of fire. 

Dry fire with a red dot and refined point of focus can see some movement.  So subtle that you may not see with irons. 

With my problem above, I've been dry firing at home. The issue is the mental block. I know there will be no recoil, so my trigger pull is movement free. Even under time to induce a more hurried draw and fire. This has been my problem for a while now.  So the only remedy is to go to the range and shoot.  I'm gonna wait till I pick up my Shield Plus next week and go to the bullseye side.  A friend showed me to put some random empty brass in my mag to see if I flinch.

I've been watching some various YT vids on shooting low or low left and some do mention the mental block of knowing the gun wont go bang when dry firing. Then you have the Tier1 Concealed guys doing the Dickens Drill and getting almost all A zone hits (4 inches by 10 inch rectangle).  Others were near there.  So this is demotivating, but I hve to tell myself that these guys shoot multiple times a week, compared to my 1 or 2 times a month. So I refer back to my weight lifting example.

Don't necessarily need dummy rounds or brass.  Just chamber a round, remove the magazine.  Live fire one, dry fire one shot, repeat 30 times in a practice session.  Also do it one handed.

Dry fire with a red dot and refined point of focus can see some movement.  So subtle that you may not see with irons.

Dont own 1 cause I dont got a coupon for a RMR

Dont own 1 cause I dont got a coupon for a RMR

Check out Brownells. . . (giving you "a clue"). . .

Don't necessarily need dummy rounds or brass.  Just chamber a round, remove the magazine.  Live fire one, dry fire one shot, repeat 30 times in a practice session.  Also do it one handed.

I'm going to try this next time I go to the Bulleye range.  Thanks for sharing this tip.

Switching to keep things out of the other thread.

And a lame duck with pistol. The bad day is still in the back of my mind. Prob go bullseye side when the Shield is picked up.

While it can be a downer, something you can concentrate on improving.  Targets and results don't lie.  It is what it is.  Always good to get back to basics. 

Shooting pistols does take more work than carbines.  However, if you envision using your pistol for SD more than your carbine, worth the effort. 

Shooting pistols does take more work than carbines.  However, if you envision using your pistol for SD more than your carbine, worth the effort.

I like to be at a certain level and last SB wasn't even close to being it until the middle/end. So more of a confirming what I can do cold.  Which if I suck again, then it wasn't just a bad day.

Put it this way, the pistol is always in arms reach. And more practice at what you suck at right.

I like to be at a certain level and last SB wasn't even close to being it until the middle/end. So more of a confirming what I can do cold.  Which if I suck again, then it wasn't just a bad day.

Put it this way, the pistol is always in arms reach. And more practice at what you suck at right.

Where you think you are vs. where the target/performance indicates you are.  Can definitely be humbling, but better that than another time. . .

I enjoy shooting carbine and bolt action a LOT more than pistol.  But I know pistol is where I should be focusing more time on. 

Shot some RDS pistol.  Slowly getting back into shooting pistol more regularly.  I had been super busy and what time I did have, had been shooting bolt action rifles.  Got back into shooting carbine and pistol more regularly over the last 3-4 months and my neglect of shooting pistol showed. 

Hit the range for carbine and pistol this past weekend.  Training with a bunch of like-minded folks, as well as a couple of folks coming out to get better acquainted with their new pistols, which is ALWAYS a great thing!

Some highlights:
1) Pistol draw.  Have been doing a lot more dry fire and a new technique.  Helping me with both grip consistency and picking up the dot a lot faster and consistently.  Being out of practice, speed has suffered in past range days.  New technique plus a lot more dry fire seemed to help quite a bit on speed to first hit and transitions. 

2) Did more work on reloading.  Consistency on grip after reload improved.  Think the new technique helped, as well as overall shooting more recently.  Really happy about progress there. 

3) Natural point of aim.  Had a college buddy come out to the range with a new RDS pistol.  He hasn't shot in a long time and I also had not seen him in a long time.  Anyways, is his first RDS pistol.  So he was asking me how I draw, pick up the dot, etc.  I have gone through different methods, including trusted instructor/friend methods, etc.  Shared my current method and that seemed to help and resonate with my buddy.  Worked on stance, from isoceles to more "fighting stance", which affect natural point of aim.  Slight tweak and that seemed to help with target/dot acquisition.

4) Friendly competition.  Had some friendly competition shooting steel.  Testing draw, transitions, targets of different distances, etc.  Was super fun.  Haven't done that in a long time.  Was also good to push each other and see how folks stepped up to the challenge, or even fumble at times under the "pressure" of competition.  All great stuff. 

Great to get back into shooting pistols more, as well as having new folks join in on the fun.  That there are groups that are welcoming and really for all skill and experience levels. 

I think my yips are gone. Shot cold in Vegas a suppressed G19 and at 10 yards, grouping was inside golf ball. Also shot a Maxim-9 and was inside golf ball too. Which would translate to maybe orange or grapefruit at 15yrds. Moderate fire speed for both.

Compared this to my qual for HDF CCW SB. 15 yard B8 target, most shots were outside the 8 ring and even some total misses.

Not a SB, but did the HRA open shoot with MRs. CMO. She got to shoot a Shadow 2 blue and at about 25yrds, got all hits on steel 10/10. Steel was the size of about 12x12. She then went to her CZ P10C and got like 4/10.

Which makes me wonder, I've always heard its the indian, not the arrow. But if someone is more accurate with a better gun, why wouldn't it be the arrow? Or is it a combo of both? Like Jedi can prob shoot a HI-Point better than I can shoot any race gun with puff puff ammo.

Not a SB, but did the HRA open shoot with MRs. CMO. She got to shoot a Shadow 2 blue and at about 25yrds, got all hits on steel 10/10. Steel was the size of about 12x12. She then went to her CZ P10C and got like 4/10.

Which makes me wonder, I've always heard its the indian, not the arrow. But if someone is more accurate with a better gun, why wouldn't it be the arrow? Or is it a combo of both? Like Jedi can prob shoot a HI-Point better than I can shoot any race gun with puff puff ammo.

So many variables.  It may be one pistol has "more inherent" accuracy than another.  Like a match 1911 vs say a bottom end model a lot of slop.  Both prob still capable of more accuracy than a shooter. . . Then there's personal preference.  How a gun fits in someone's hand, how their trigger finger ends up, etc.  Like if someone with smaller hands were to shoot a 92F.  Then there's also just the mental block thing.  Where folks think an expensive gun is suppose to be more accurate, so they sometimes have more confidence. 

I bet if the order was reversed, with the CZ P10C first, the results would have been different.  The triggers on my CZ SP-01 Shadow Target is very different than Glock, starting with distance to the trigger.  That said, always look for enablers, never disablers. . .

Attended the Modern Samurai Project Path to Performance in Amherst, OH end of May.  The course is a combination 1-day AIWB and 2-Day RDS pistol course.  I had planned this trip over a year ago as the MSP courses sell out quickly.  Overall, it was an awesome experience and will definitely look for other MSP courses in the future.  I have a bunch of notes I took from the course, and still haven't sat down to review them.  Learned so many things, as well as many "aha" moments, along with "wtf" moments during the three days.  Jedi has a lot of content on YT and IG, but there's no substitution for his in-person instruction as well as his awesome staff instructors. 

Some highlights:
1) Ammo situation was a concern going in.  The original plan was for this course to be hosted at a range over an hour away.  I had arranged for ammo through the owner of that range.  About 2-3 months ago, pistol and rifle shooting was shut down at that range due to an injunction from neighbors.  So only trap and skeet.  The range owner gave me the run around and didn't get back to me.  I was willing to meet him to pay for the ammo I had ordered, but no response.  Received email on change of course location 3 weeks ahead of the course.  Ended up working out better as I found bulk 9 mm ammo on sale at a Cabela's maybe 10 mins away from where the course moved to, and at a way better price.  Bonus was that I was forced to visit the Cabela's in Avon, OH.  Awesome location and excellent customer service. 

2) Jedi breaks down what he teaches in an excellent manner, and progression as the course progresses is clear and tested along the way with skills challenges.  The challenges are timed, one at a time, and most include prizes.  More on that later.  Key is to focus on YOUR individual progress and improvement during the course.  There were some excellent shooters at the course, and it was obvious that they train and compete on a consistent basis.  I had planned on shooting a lot in general this year, especially ahead of this course, but those plans were derailed with the range shutdown. 

3) Unlearning old habits is WAY harder than developing new habits.  I had gone through significant transition in stance and body position for pistol shooting maybe 3-4 years ago with courses with SSG.  For MSP, the change was the grip and presentation.  I had watched his videos and had been putting time dry and live fire, but it wasn't "Jedi's kung fu".  He mentioned that he wants you to take what he teaches and if it works, keep it and discard what doesn't work.  Where he is also clear on his definition on defining and metrics on what works.  Problems often arise when you mix his kung fu, with your kung fu.  I definitely experienced that over the course of the 3 days. 

4) Highs and lows.  I shot pretty well day 1.  That was all AIWB, but with a lot on Jedi's grip, dot acquisition, etc.  Main thing was the grip.  Jedi and the AI adjusted my grip slightly and noted my firing hand thumb occasionally causing issues.  Almost everyone in the course encountered this to a certain extent, even the seasoned shooters and a few folks that had taken the course before.  I left day 1 feeling pretty good overall and ready to tackle the black belt standards.  Day 2 started well, but experienced some issues as we got into the focused sessions on refining accuracy.  Long story short was my old grip started creeping back in.  Jedi and the AI noted it here and there and I would adjust and get back on track, but two of the "three voices" that Jedi mentions were there.  I was disgusted with how I shot in day 2.  We ended earlier than scheduled, so I hit up a local range to work out some things.  Noted the grip and ironed some things out.  Day 3 started with lead up to the last of the performance challenges, which was a Bill drill at 7 yards.  I shot well in the lead up and ended up winning the challenge.  It was the toughest of the black belt courses of fire, which meant the prize was the best of the 5 challenges.  I won my choice of the MSP pro series holster or a milled slide from C&H.  I was super shocked when I received the Jedi chalice from one of the best shooters in the class, and was closest to meeting the black belt standards.  I shot in the first third of the group, so I thought no way I keep the chalice, but my time and clean run ended up being best.  It wasn't below the black belt standard time, but balance of speed and accuracy. 

5) Take what works for you, and discard the rest.  However, base your evaluations on metrics like timed speed and accuracy.  Not what you “feel” works best.  Be honest with your self-evaluation, both good and bad.  There were definitely highs and lows for me during the course.  Highs coming when I could clear my mind (“no mind”) and executed what was taught, and lows coming when I would get ahead of myself or old bad habits mixed in.  The lows mostly happened when the timing or courses of fire got more intense/involved.  Some help from the keen eyes of instructors and others in the class certainly helped along the way.  I appreciate instructors that have “their way”, and while they want you to work their methods, they understand that everyone’s different and they find ways to make individuals better, no matter if it’s not exactly “their way”.  Adding tools to the toolbox. 

6) I took two newer pistols to this course.  I had thought about taking a couple of older/tested pistols, but the pistols I took were what I am moving forward with.  I had acquired them well ahead of the course and had planned to shoot them a lot more prior to the class, but the KHSC shutdown and “other factors” put a damper on those plans.  I had maybe 500 rounds through one and maybe 200-300 on the other prior to the class.  No problems with function, but there were a number of segments focused on accuracy, including finer points of trigger manipulation.  It was good with the pistols that I had, but I think better to have done those sessions with pistols that I’ve had more time with.