Shot my first match at RTSP

[MissionaryMike 1]

My write from another forum.  Wanted to share with you guys, too.

 

Well, I shot my first match yesterday.  

 

Man, it was the bestest gee golly whiz, gosh darn it, giddy up, spin your partner, adrenaline pumping, hair raising, eye popping, time freezing, funnest thing I've done in a long time.  Ummm, not that I don't enjoy dates with my wife, or watching my kids grow up.  I really do.  It's just different....right?  Oh, crap, I had so much fun.  

 

So, as a new shooter, I've gotta say, the absolute best part of the evening, though the shooting itself was extremely fun, was introducing my introverted self to some awesome people and fellow shooters.  They were from all walks of life: different ages, ethnicities, jobs, etc.  Just as eclectic were their preferences on pistols and gear, which was also cool to see.  Man, up close those Open division guns really do look like some sort of space age stunners.  One young gentleman didn't mind spending most of the evening just chatting it up with me.  It's obvious that he really enjoys this sport.  But really, everyone was very friendly.  I also learned a lot about myself.  I never realized how competitive I am.  As much as I tried to be careful and take it slow, once the buzzer went off, I just wanted to do well.  That awakened me to another thing: learning how to control my physical properties and conscious thoughts when my nerves and adrenaline kick in. 

 

All in all, I'm pretty much addicted to USPSA and shooting sports.  Time will be my biggest restriction, as I'm a devoted Christian and family man.  The LORD and my family will always get the best of my time.  But with any spare time I can afford, I am going to spend it trying to improve my shooting skills.  I know it's a big mountain to climb, but those are the ones I like climbing.  

 

All the best,

MM

 

EDITED**

[brucin 923]

Glad you enjoyed it so much. I have sadly missed the last 2 matches due to my bad back. My advice for you is to just go slow the first few times you compete. Don't worry about your time just be safe and speed will improve the more you compete.

[MissionaryMike 1]

Glad you enjoyed it so much. I have sadly missed the last 2 matches due to my bad back. My advice for you is to just go slow the first few times you compete. Don't worry about your time just be safe and speed will improve the more you compete.

 

Yes!  Totally want to do that.  I almost have to go extra, super slow b/c it all just felt like an out of body experience.  I think I have to learn in the moment a little better and not get overwhelmed by the excitement.

[MissionaryMike 1]

And I hope you're back on your feet soon.  Looking forward to meeting you at one of the matches.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Mike:

 

I'm glad that you enjoyed your first experience with USPSA. I am disappointed that the RO's at RTSP are apparently lax in their jobs - your transgressions (plural) would have bought you a DQ at any other match venue at which I have competed - and that's quite a few.

 

It is a game, but it is a game that is played with instruments that can kill you - that is why strict adherence to and enforcement of the rules is so necessary. Had the point been driven home by a DQ, I doubt that you would ever make the same mistake again.

 

I don't mean to be harsh, I have welcomed lots of people to these disciplines (USPSA & IDPA), and the one thing emphasized above all else is safety. The life I save may be mine.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[Howard 538]

^^^^THIS!

[MissionaryMike 1]

Bob, I appreciate your comments.  I don't take your comments harshly.  Safety is critical, no exceptions.

 

-MM

[LoneSniper 4]

 

 

I am disappointed that the RO's at RTSP are apparently lax in their jobs

I don't think the RO's are lax. They do a great job running a safe match. DQ'ing and sending someone home on first outing is not going to bring new people to the sport. Everyone was a newbie once.

 

Go slow, be safe and don't do anything until told to. See you next month.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

 

[Golf battery 1,223]

First match 10th match. It doesnt matter. Safety is safety. Not everyone gets a good boy badge. Shoulda been dqd. I got dqd once for something so much more frickin ridiculous than that. And they still see my face showing up. Thats when you man up and learn and sign up for the next match.

[Charlie Mike 0]

Mike:

 I am disappointed that the RO's at RTSP are apparently lax in their jobs - your transgressions (plural) would have bought you a DQ at any other match venue at which I have competed

 

Pizza Bob

Lax ROs? I read his post twice, what transgressions are you talking about? Or were you there and saw something but are keeping it to yourself?

[Nucrunner 75]

Is it too late to get a generic description of the infraction so the rest of us could comment (or even better, learn from it)?

[Golf battery 1,223]

Basically keep your finger off the trigger when reloading or not shooting and dont break the 180. That all that he wrote. But let it be. He understands the possible complications and as he wrote. He learned from it. So lets not beat a dead horse. Mike. There is uspsa this sunday at oldbridge. Id advise to go. Outside matches are more fun. Especially there. Hope to see you there.

[Pizza Bob 1,488]

Lax ROs? I read his post twice, what transgressions are you talking about? Or were you there and saw something but are keeping it to yourself?

 

Those that have joined the thread late - the OP edited out his transgressions to spare the RO - who I know and who is really a nice guy - too nice in this instance. I am not going to expand further other than to say it was a more serious issue than a trigger call.

 

Rehashing it all here may be worse than the DQ he should have received and will insure that he doesn't repeat his offense. I've reached out to the OP and hope to meet him at a future match. Enough already.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

[Kingsoverqueens 10]

I dq'd myself once. lol

 

Put a shot over the berm.  The guy running me didn't know what to say, what to do.  I just looked at him and said..."It's a dq, and then ran through the range commands with him...."tell me to unload and show clear,  tell me if clear, hammer down, holster." lol  Poor kid...never dq'd anyone.  Turns out the first time I dq'd someone it was me.  That ain't right.

 

Then I had to write down the rule why I dq'd, tell Vlad, and then run the timer for the rest of the day while my kid shot the match.  

[Smokin .50 1,907]

I dq'd myself once. lol

 

Put a shot over the berm.  The guy running me didn't know what to say, what to do.  I just looked at him and said..."It's a dq, and then ran through the range commands with him...."tell me to unload and show clear,  tell me if clear, hammer down, holster." lol  Poor kid...never dq'd anyone.  Turns out the first time I dq'd someone it was me.  That ain't right.

 

Then I had to write down the rule why I dq'd, tell Vlad, and then run the timer for the rest of the day while my kid shot the match.  

BRAVO!  You're a great example of what to do.  FWIW I've been around long enough to see the same thing happen to friends of mine.  

 

It's true that the absolute BEST learning experience is to "put yer toyz away and hang-out and TAPE".  Everybody on yer Squad gives ya pointers on how to NOT screw-up again, relates what they saw and how bad it looked to them from their angle, etc.  Staying to TAPE is a respected way to MAN-UP and OWN the mistake and LEARN FROM IT.  Doesn't matter what discipline, game or location.

 

When it's your turn to run a Competitor and you have to be the one "to make the call", usually NOBODY will challenge you or "get in your FACE"......since it's "known" that you've already DQ'd YOURSELF!

 

That all being said, Pizza Bob is right.  No need to dwell on this incident.  Everybody stay SAFE out there!

 

Dave

NRA CRSO

OBR&PC PPC Match Director