Sunday I shot in a steel plate match as a novice. I shot a Ruger Mark II .22, and I think I did alright. The Ruger belonged to one of the match officials, and I'd never shot it before, but it was a really fun plinky gun to shoot, and quite like its sister I shot a few weeks back.
There were five groups shooting and I got cobbled onto one group which apparently had room for one more person. The person organizing the match said "now don't let these guys intimidate you. Just take your time and I know you'll do well. These guys are known as the God Squad."
Oh, crap.
In truth, I didn't even have a flutter of nerves or anything. I went in expecting to likely finish last out of the scores of humanity present, and I forgave myself in advance. I was very pleased when I shot my 5 sets in the first bay clean with no misses. I was slow on the first set, and then I found my legs and the next 4 sets were at least 3 seconds faster than the initial set. I missed a couple smaller targets on the second bay, but shot the third bay cleanly again. *FUN* The fourth was a longer range than ever I had shot, and it was more of a hash for me, but I'm still okay with it. I had to leave a little early to attend an emergency back at my property, and I was just going to withdraw, and officials very graciously offered to let me shoot through on the final bay. This final set wasn't my best, either, but at that point, I was so hot that focus was becoming an issue for me. I know a lot of things I'll do differently next time.
As reportingly, the God Squad were colossal badasses on the range, some moreso than others. One guy shot revolvers and he had a belt with a row of spindles sticking out for his autoloader thingies and it turned out I was shooting just after him. I kept thinking at least I'm not following an animal or kid act. Well, revolver guy was a beast, let me tell you--his accuracy was impressive to say the least, and he was fast. So much for not following an animal act
One cool thing about this match is that I didn't have an inkling I'd compete that day until just the day before, so I didn't have weeks or months to wrap around my own axle over the whole thing. I'm looking forward to shooting again. I got steady support throughout the process, and I hope it didn't seem too much like hand-holding. No one had to babysit me, and I don't think I took dramatically longer to shoot my turn than other folks.
Oh, in the first round and before my turn, I was sitting on a bench watching the shooting when I suddenly felt a searing pain on my sternum. I was wearing a v-neck top and this was my first experience with a fiery bit of brass. I didn't jump out of my skin or think I'd been shot, but it certainly surprised me how something several millimeters wide could hurt so badly. Today it's a grayish sort of welt. So, one of the things I'll be doing differently is I'll be the chick at the matches in a turtleneck in July. I'll try to get a pic of the brass bit up later today so you can see what a wimpy tender vittle I really am.
12 comments:
One of the things I love about the shooting sports is the fact that you're really only competing against yourself.
I've also never seen any other competitive endeavor where the participants were so quick to help and advise. Not just the newbies either; even in bigger matches, if a shooters equipment goes tango-uniform, you'll see a cluster of heads trying to put it right.
I'd also recommend IDPA as a fun way to hone your defensive shooting skills and meet and learn from other shooters.
Shoot well and be safe,
Joe
I love those Ruger pistols. I've got one and I used to shoot the hell out of it.
Waa-HOO!
Very, very good!
Great job!
hey, I know where there's a super-nice S&W 41 for sale when you're ready to step up the the next level :D
Regards,
Rabbit.
LaP, from your description, I think you prolly outshot me.
I kept having trouble with the first target on each round.
And for some unknown reason...one round I used an ENTIRE 10 round magazine for 5 targets! [insert face of shame] I think I'd have done better thowing the frellin' cartridges at the freakin' plates!
More up at my blog in a bit.
joe allen - you know, I'm noticing that - how very helpful and congenial this group is, generally speaking. I had a great time just hanging out and talking to people.
memphis steve -- LOVE the avatar! Yeah, this is a fun one to shoot - I may be buying one like it rather soon...
lawdog - Thank you, Sir!
rabbit - Thanks! I'll keep that in mind, mister!
hollyb - well, at least they drop your longest run, so you still may have out-paced me. I just had a good time. I'm disappointed by some of the errors I made at the end as a result of fatigue, but next time I'll be more prepared. I'll wear a hat, for one thing! I'll watch for your post.
Don't that just piss you off!?
Turtle neck would be a good idea.
Looking forward to the photos!
You go girl! I love the way you've taken your new sport and grabbed it with gusto!
Way to go Phlegmmy!
Yep, hot brass can add interest to any shooting event.
The revolver guy wasn't Gary, was it? If it was, I know what you mean. I shoot IDPA with him and he's amazing to watch.
Mushy - well, at least there's an upside -have had offers to apply aloe vera and the like!
kvegas911 - Why thank ye, honey!
xavier - Thanks! Yes, it certainly got my attention! I'd say there's no more riveting cure for ADD than hot brass. I was able to focus on it for quite a long time thereafter!
xander - I didn't catch his name, but he was tall and English, and quite the good-natured character, in the most bad-assed sort of way.
Ah, well, good-natured describes Gary, but tall and English do not. :-)
You'll get to meet him at some point if you're shooting steel where I believe you are.
Regardless, congratulations on what sounds like a fine match and good times had by all.
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