[fayetteflash]

Well... I showed up at my first outdoor match after a few weeks of shooting Production in our local weekly fun shoots. I got a new Limited gun and wanted to run it through the Special Classifier. One buddy advised that I shoot it with my Production gun (XDM9) since I'm familiar with it and don't want to be changing rigs between runs. I notice I don't have enough ammo for 9mm and made a dumb decision to use my new single action .40.

There I was... First stage... Ran my Production gun well, a solid "C" class run... Changed rigs to the Limited .40... Make ready... Feeling the rush of running the gun for the first time... Holster... Then flip the safety... What? It wasn't already on safe? What's that noise? Is that the RO saying to Stop, Unload and Show Clear? Oh no!

There I was in front of my squad, my 9 year old son and myself... Disappointed for doing something unsafe and really bummed to have to pack up my junk and be done for the day. Very tough lesson, but good lesson.

This is where the story gets good. I know it was hard on the RO to call it, but he did the right thing. He pulled me aside and explained why anything that hit that trigger on the way to the holster would have cause the loss of my foot. Then, others came up and expressed their condolences. My boy and I stayed a while and helped paste until the rain got heavier. On the way out, another buddy encouraged me and said not to let it get me down. I was bummed, but knew it was the way it had to be.

Last night, we had our weekly shoot and I received some playful ribbings, but more encouragement and instruction. That's what I love about this sport. People are genuine and helpful. People take safety seriously. I'm really glad my boy got to see that played out and hope as he grows up into the sport, he knows how we are all there for him.

Thanks, guys. I really hope I don't make that mistake again.


FYI... I did run the Limited gun last night and didn't DQ...

[fayetteflash]

Wise words sent to me from a resident GM:

"My saying is this......there are three kinds of people. Those who have not DQ'ed,those who have,and those who will again. It happens to the best. It sucks more for the guy that has to do it believe it or not. Nobody ever wants to be the bearer of bad news."

[Neomet]

fayetteflash, on Apr 8 2009, 09:29 PM, said:

Wise words sent to me from a resident GM:

"My saying is this......there are three kinds of people. Those who have not DQ'ed,those who have,and those who will again. It happens to the best. It sucks more for the guy that has to do it believe it or not. Nobody ever wants to be the bearer of bad news."

A timely post. I just DQed someone yesterday for the first time. It was not a good moment for anyone involved.

Glad to see you are approaching this with the right attitude. As I am sure many will tell you, you are not in an exclusive club at all. Now the fun part is going to be when you start to flip the safety up on your Glock after chambering a round and your thumb just flails around in the air.

[Singlestack]

I hated to watch that happen fayetteflash.

[ima45dv8]

fayetteflash, on Apr 8 2009, 10:25 PM, said:

Well... I showed up at my first outdoor match after a few weeks of shooting Production in our local weekly fun shoots. I got a new Limited gun and wanted to run it through the Special Classifier. One buddy advised that I shoot it with my Production gun (XDM9) since I'm familiar with it and don't want to be changing rigs between runs. I notice I don't have enough ammo for 9mm and made a dumb decision to use my new single action .40.

There I was... First stage... Ran my Production gun well, a solid "C" class run... Changed rigs to the Limited .40... Make ready... Feeling the rush of running the gun for the first time... Holster... Then flip the safety... What? It wasn't already on safe? What's that noise? Is that the RO saying to Stop, Unload and Show Clear? Oh no!

There I was in front of my squad, my 9 year old son and myself... Disappointed for doing something unsafe and really bummed to have to pack up my junk and be done for the day. Very tough lesson, but good lesson.

This is where the story gets good. I know it was hard on the RO to call it, but he did the right thing. He pulled me aside and explained why anything that hit that trigger on the way to the holster would have cause the loss of my foot. Then, others came up and expressed their condolences. My boy and I stayed a while and helped paste until the rain got heavier. On the way out, another buddy encouraged me and said not to let it get me down. I was bummed, but knew it was the way it had to be.

Last night, we had our weekly shoot and I received some playful ribbings, but more encouragement and instruction. That's what I love about this sport. People are genuine and helpful. People take safety seriously. I'm really glad my boy got to see that played out and hope as he grows up into the sport, he knows how we are all there for him.

Thanks, guys. I really hope I don't make that mistake again.


FYI... I did run the Limited gun last night and didn't DQ...

Hell yes it was hard. It breaks my heart to have to stop someone's match, but you "got" what we were saying and you acted like an adult. And I was impressed that in the middle of an awful circumstance your son got to witness a real-life example on how to deal with adversity. You'll be a safer shooter from the experience, and your son received a good frame of reference on how to deal with disappointments down the road.

[gino_aki]

I am continually heartened by stories like these...because they reinforce my notion that our sport in general, and the BEnos community in particular attracts ADULTS. These stories invariably contain lessons learned, and the discussions remain intelligent, reasoned and at the same time quite lively and entertaining. For all the good-natured bantering that goes back and forth, or the even completely opposite points of view expressed on various topics, can anyone cite any example of the glaring immaturity that plagues other forums? Who here has read any DQ story where the persons involved whined or raged about it? Even if the author questioned the call made or not made, none ever seem to question the premise of SAFETY FIRST.

Issuing DQ's is hard. Taking a DQ like an adult is hard. They are both VERY much easier than dealing with the tragic results that DQ's are there to avert.
Your son was there to see you being the Dad he looks up to. I can see you both shooting matches together very soon.

[mountaincoulee]

gino_aki, on Apr 10 2009, 11:49 AM, said:

I am continually heartened by stories like these.......
Your son was there to see you being the Dad he looks up to. I can see you both shooting matches together very soon.

My thoughts exactly.

Fayetteflash, you role modelled maturity and sportsmanship to your son, and gave him reasons to be proud of you. When his time comes to play with the big boys he will mimick your responsible behaviour, and our sport will be all the better for it.

[boz1911]

You did handle it well, and I know cause it sucks to DQ. My last DQ was also shooting an unfamiliar gun. I fumbled a reload going right to left and sure enough broke the 180 before I got the mag in. But on the bright side, you damn sure had the safety on Tuesday night.

[jrguar]

I may be missing something here but what was the DQ actually for ?

[JThompson]

jrguar, on Apr 11 2009, 02:20 PM, said:

I may be missing something here but what was the DQ actually for ?

Holstering the gun without the safety engaged.

10.5.11 Holstering a loaded handgun, in any of the following conditions:
10.5.11.1 A single action self-loading pistol with the safety not applied.
10.5.11.2 A double action or selective action pistol with the hammer
cocked and the safety not applied.

This post has been edited by JThompson: 11 April 2009 - 01:30 PM

[HRider]

I have been fortunate enough to be in the "hasn't DQed yet" catagory, however I did have to DQ my best friend on his first stage of one of our club matches. He wasn't even sure what he had done when I said "Stop". He had fumbled a reload and advanced slightly past a target and broke the 180 engaging it. He handled it like a complete adult (I think I felt worse than he did). We had some new shooters there that day and they got to see that we are serious about safety and that the rules apply to everyone.
Hang in there, this will only make you better.
Hurley