16 replies to this topic

[Doc Maker]

After my last couple of matches, I began to wonder how to define the opposite of zen. The literal translation of zen is "meditative state." That's the last place I've been lately. Shitsu (lose, error, fault, loss) definitely applies to the current situation but pin boke is a more direct antonym. I've been hesitating with my gun since it hit the major malfunction stage of it's life. It's a Beretta 92F with about 16k of BVAC 115 FMJ through the barrel. Last month, the locking block cracked and then the right de-cocking lever snapped off at a match. I noticed when I went to rack the slide and sliced my left thumb. So, I changed the parts, did a detail clean and took a couple of weeks off for T.M.'s NROI(I) class and some 3 gun fun.

Yesterday, I found my pin boke.

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[jmorris]

If you don't have a gun that runs, you won't find "zen" unless it's time to change your bong water.

[Doc Maker]

If you don't have a gun that runs, you won't find "zen" unless it's time to change your bong water.

The gun is running fine since the midlife crisis. It's the nagging little notion, every time I pull the trigger, that something else is going to break. As a result, I'm taking my eye focus off of the front sight and watching the action of the handgun. Essentially, pulling focus to the rear sight and watching what my hands are doing instead of the front dot, like a total noob. At least I'm aware of it so I can make the necessary corrections. Posting is proving to be more therapeutic than I anticipated. If you can spare some, perhaps I could use your water in the action to mellow it out.

[Doc Maker]

I've taken a small step towards the re-acqusition of Zen. Tuesday night is falling plates at my club. It's like a drag race, two shooters, three 6-plate racks and two poppers. 10 targets, 6 rounds per mag (revolvers need love too.) So the back rack is at 25 yds and I've been missing the rack completely for the last three weeks. I've also been experiencing a flare up in my lower back, not uncommon for most people. standing around was a chore last night because there were a lot of shooters, I started stretching a bit and realized that I was missing because my muscle memory didn't feel right. I'd been favoring my back and putting my body out of position. I rolled my hips forward slightly and straightened up. And the hits just kept on comin'...

Turns out I didn't need to change the battery in my front sight after all...

[benos]

Nice work on finding a solid base to let the shots come from, Doc Maker.
be

[Doc Maker]

Thank you, Brian. I appreciate your comments. I even managed to catch the moment of epiphany on video.

http://s1106.photobu...nt=MVI_1773.mp4

You'll notice that the top of my head is below the bar, until I make my last mag change. As I come back up, you can see that the top of my head is now covering the bottom of the bar. That's when I started making my hits again. I've been conscious of my daily body mechanics for the last few days and I've noticed another problem. I've had tendonitis, from my right elbow down, for several moths now. I thought it was just the extra use, dry fire drills, more shooting, etc. No. It's my mouse. I have used a laptop for years, until last October when I got an iMac. I was typing away and my right wrist was hurting. I looked and I was resting the inside of my wrist right on the edge of the desk, restricting blood flow. Hence the pins and needles I felt. So, I am now experimenting with my workspace ergonomics.

[Lensman]

Thank you, Brian. I appreciate your comments. I even managed to catch the moment of epiphany on video.

http://s1106.photobucket.com/albums/h376/DocMakerAR/?action=view&current=MVI_1773.mp4

You'll notice that the top of my head is below the bar, until I make my last mag change. As I come back up, you can see that the top of my head is now covering the bottom of the bar. That's when I started making my hits again. I've been conscious of my daily body mechanics for the last few days and I've noticed another problem. I've had tendonitis, from my right elbow down, for several moths now. I thought it was just the extra use, dry fire drills, more shooting, etc. No. It's my mouse. I have used a laptop for years, until last October when I got an iMac. I was typing away and my right wrist was hurting. I looked and I was resting the inside of my wrist right on the edge of the desk, restricting blood flow. Hence the pins and needles I felt. So, I am now experimenting with my workspace ergonomics.

I've switched from a mouse to the Magic Trackpad on my Mac. It has really made quite a difference for me.

Hope this helps.

[Doc Maker]

My thoughts as well. I'm used to the track pad, having had several macbooks. I'm also getting a new chair. One that is height adjustable so that my wrist is parallel to the desk.

Tomorrow is one of my regular monthly USPSA matches. I have been pre-occupied with my next classifier. When I was initially classified in March, (46%) I set a goal for myself to make B class by Labor Day and I'm very close. In July, I managed to get up to a 56% and shot no classifiers in August. More than usual for a club match. Way more than usual for an easy-going person like me. I don't rattle easily and I am lucky enough to calm down a bit in stressful situations. I've been working on automating as much as I can so I can focus on the front sight instead of targets, RO's, etc. Hence, I've put a lot of pressure on my performance tomorrow.

Admitting it is the first step... right?

But I feel good today. It's been warm around here, finally. My back feels better. I'm loose and I had a proper nights sleep last night. I'll post an update after the match.

[Doc Maker]

Conundrum is the word of the day. Considering my performance at todays match, it covers all the bases. In short, I feel good but my scores went down. It was my first time as squad leader since I get my NROI certification and I had at least three CRO's and/or MD's in my squad. There wasn't a problem but it was enough to make me more concerned with my performance as an RO than shooting. At least there was no classifier.

I am happy with the minor improvements in my mechanics. I had front sight focus, most of the time. Footwork was adequate. I made new mistakes though. I am a natural at the tactical reload. I rarely, if EVER, run my gun dry and I did it on almost every stage today. There were also a lot of moving targets, I took extra shots at the flippers, spinners and movers. I only had three mikes and one procedural penalty but my times were slower. I could see myself, as I was shooting, and I would think to myself... "You're going too slow." Which I see as a good sign because that's the first time I've been THAT aware of my actions on a micro scale, during a match. That means progress, however slight.

Edited by Doc Maker, 29 August 2011 - 12:50 AM.

[benos]

So, I am now experimenting with my workspace ergonomics.

I'm behind a computer so much these days - today the keyboard is my "range," and workspace ergonomics are huge!
be

[DonovanM]

I got you beat on miss count. I missed 6 times yesterday

Amateur tip: you know, you can grab the mag on your ULSC... instead of just dropping it on the ground and getting it dirty. I used to do the same thing.

Also, Dave, you run a film company, that's the best video quality you can manage? Come on!

[Doc Maker]

grab the mag on your ULSC...
Also, Dave, you run a film company, that's the best video quality you can manage? Come on!

LOL. I'm always filming others... and I'm certainly not handing off my HD cam to some guy in my squad. I thought about using a POV but I can't see my footwork or body mechanics. That's all I'm interested in taping myself for.
ULSC? I drop my mags because I don't care if they get dirty. They're steel and I only use them once per stage. I can drop the mag on a Beretta 92 with the middle finger of my strong hand. No need for two hands, so I shave a couple tenths off my reload time.
Besides, Sunday is my day off.

Edited by Doc Maker, 30 August 2011 - 02:16 AM.

[DonovanM]

grab the mag on your ULSC...
Also, Dave, you run a film company, that's the best video quality you can manage? Come on!

LOL. I'm always filming others... and I'm certainly not handing off my HD cam to some guy in my squad. I thought about using a POV but I can't see my footwork or body mechanics. That's all I'm interested in taping myself for.
ULSC? I drop my mags because I don't care if they get dirty. They're steel and I only use them once per stage. I can drop the mag on a Beretta 92 with the middle finger of my strong hand. No need for two hands, so I shave a couple tenths off my reload time.
Besides, Sunday is my day off.

ULSC = Unload and Show Clear. I'm just talking about the last mag that's in your gun at the end of the stage Ain't no IDPA frippery here.

[Graham Smith]

Yesterday, I found my pin boke.

Last year, I was starting to get my mind to quiet down and get concentration under control and my shooting definitely improved. This year, I've taken over as a match director and the shooting part of my brain has turned to mush.

I like your pin boke example. Mine is more along the lines of Daffy Duck in "Duck Amuck". Near the bottom of the main Daffy link is something that describes my feelings fairly well:

A poster of Daffy is prominently displayed in Michael Garibaldi's quarters in the science fiction TV series Babylon 5. In one episode, Zack Allen jokingly explains to G'Kar that Daffy is the "ancient Egyptian god of frustration".

Edited by Graham Smith, 30 August 2011 - 09:18 AM.

[Doc Maker]

Daffy is the "ancient Egyptian god of frustration".

I'm totally stealing this.

Consistency is the name of the game for me. I have flashes of perfection. On at least one stage per match, that front sight is so big and clear that I can't miss. Time slows... my feet are moving on their own, head on a swivel, smooth reloads. Then reality strikes. The third and fourth stages, on any given Sunday, are my best. I usually drop the first one because there's no warm up and by the end of the day, I'm mentally fatigued. Building endurance is key. Falling plates every week, dry fire and reload drills all work wonders. Back in January, I bought a Crimson Trace laser grip and that was the single greatest tool for trigger control I've ever used (disclaimer: CTC became a client in July.) Watching that little dot dance around during dry fire got me to smooth out my press. I also have no regrets getting the RO cert. Knowing the rules makes me a better competitor. I actually find that RO'ing gives me the chance to "walk thru" a stage several times. I get a close look at what works and what doesn't when a shooter runs a stage.

[Doc Maker]

I feel like a corner has been turned. Saturday's match was a good one. Granted, I always feel better at my home club matches but I felt like I had a modicum of focus. I had a good squad and nice weather to help the mood. I had more front sight focus than usual and managed a decent classifier score. The gun is also running nice and smooth again, not a single worry about a failure.

[Doc Maker]

My right arm has given up. (no jokes) Yesterday's match was a disaster. My right elbow on down, is twitching. Most likely from the poor ergonomics of my computer, using a mouse and extra rifle training. Several times, my finger simply would not move. At one point, I remember having the time to think the words, "pull the trigger" three whole times. It was hot, for these parts, and my glasses fogged up whenever I was shooting.