AAR - National Pistol Matches @ Camp Perry 2011
This year I made 2 trips to Camp Perry. The first trip was for the Small Arms Firing School and the Service Pistol Warm-up Match. I attended the SAFS last year and earned 4 leg points in the M9 match. This year I wanted to introduce the sport to some friends and take the Advanced SAFS. While my 3 friends did get to take the SAFS their M9 match got cancelled due to the weather. I shot in the Service Pistol Warm-up Match and then we headed back to Indiana. Other than the M9 match getting called I thought the trip went pretty good. The visit of the CMP store and commercial row made the trip worth it regardless.
One of the things I took from the Advanced SAFS was the importance of dry firing. At the end of the class a panel of experts took questions from the audience. The panel of experts included 10 time National Champion and first loser on last season’s “Top Shot”, Brian Zins. If you ever get the opportunity to take one of his clinics you will not be disappointed. Someone asked what one thing made the biggest difference in their shooting. Every member of the panel said it was when they realized the importance of dry fire. The guy that asked the question didn’t like the answer (I suspect he was looking for that one magical thing that makes good shooters) and tried asking again but the answer never changed with any of them. I need to see if I can find a list of the other members, off-hand I know an Olympic shooter, AMU armorer, psychologist and 6 time women’s champion were some of the resumes.
The Service Pistol Match proved to be challenging but after some adjustments on the rear sight I managed to shoot a 94 on the last rapid fire string. The course of fire was the President’s Trophy Match all with one hand.
· 2 - 10 shot strings of slow fire at 50 yards (10 min)
· 1 - 10 shot timed fire string, 2 mags of 5 rds, 20 sec each mag
· 1 – 10 shot rapid fire string, 2 mags of 5 rds, 10 sec each mag
Total 400 points possible, my sorry ass score was 294. If you plan on shooting at Perry and never have this match is a great starter.
Up at the crack of dawn Saturday morning my son Patrick and I headed back to Camp Perry. We made good time and after getting my pistols triggers weighed we checked into our room. For $10.98 each person each night the accommodations can’t be beat. AC was cool and the showers were hot. We went to town and checked out a place called Cheesehaven. Awesome cheese and shooters get a discount. We checked out the beach and pier on Camp Perry, made a little tour of the base then lights out. Breakfast in the shooters mess hall was the best yet, all you can eat for 5.50.
First match is the President’s Trophy Match, first relay, firing point 124 that’s me. Made it to the line early, I hate rushing. My goal going into the matches was to keep the slow fire strings above 85. I thought if I could do that everything else would come together. Frist slow fire string 88, not bad but I started getting a little too comfortable. Second string was a disaster, nervous, sweaty, and stupid. 48 points, devastating end to the match without even firing the timed fire (my best). That’s the Perry experience for you. Tried shaking it off before the next match but I need to work on my mental aspect of the sport. I didn’t throw it in but never could get the front sight to focus the rest of the day. My scores were low but I am glad I went. Last and first time I shot in the National Trophy Individual Match was 1988. I was a young LCPL then and I didn’t appreciate what was going on so I was glad that I made the return trip to pay my dues to Perry. I will take a lot from this experience and come back next year better prepared.
I didn't do the camer work.
More pics in my album and here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezRzDeVObNY&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esXd84AcsLw&feature=player_detailpage
This year I made 2 trips to Camp Perry. The first trip was for the Small Arms Firing School and the Service Pistol Warm-up Match. I attended the SAFS last year and earned 4 leg points in the M9 match. This year I wanted to introduce the sport to some friends and take the Advanced SAFS. While my 3 friends did get to take the SAFS their M9 match got cancelled due to the weather. I shot in the Service Pistol Warm-up Match and then we headed back to Indiana. Other than the M9 match getting called I thought the trip went pretty good. The visit of the CMP store and commercial row made the trip worth it regardless.
One of the things I took from the Advanced SAFS was the importance of dry firing. At the end of the class a panel of experts took questions from the audience. The panel of experts included 10 time National Champion and first loser on last season’s “Top Shot”, Brian Zins. If you ever get the opportunity to take one of his clinics you will not be disappointed. Someone asked what one thing made the biggest difference in their shooting. Every member of the panel said it was when they realized the importance of dry fire. The guy that asked the question didn’t like the answer (I suspect he was looking for that one magical thing that makes good shooters) and tried asking again but the answer never changed with any of them. I need to see if I can find a list of the other members, off-hand I know an Olympic shooter, AMU armorer, psychologist and 6 time women’s champion were some of the resumes.
The Service Pistol Match proved to be challenging but after some adjustments on the rear sight I managed to shoot a 94 on the last rapid fire string. The course of fire was the President’s Trophy Match all with one hand.
· 2 - 10 shot strings of slow fire at 50 yards (10 min)
· 1 - 10 shot timed fire string, 2 mags of 5 rds, 20 sec each mag
· 1 – 10 shot rapid fire string, 2 mags of 5 rds, 10 sec each mag
Total 400 points possible, my sorry ass score was 294. If you plan on shooting at Perry and never have this match is a great starter.
Up at the crack of dawn Saturday morning my son Patrick and I headed back to Camp Perry. We made good time and after getting my pistols triggers weighed we checked into our room. For $10.98 each person each night the accommodations can’t be beat. AC was cool and the showers were hot. We went to town and checked out a place called Cheesehaven. Awesome cheese and shooters get a discount. We checked out the beach and pier on Camp Perry, made a little tour of the base then lights out. Breakfast in the shooters mess hall was the best yet, all you can eat for 5.50.
First match is the President’s Trophy Match, first relay, firing point 124 that’s me. Made it to the line early, I hate rushing. My goal going into the matches was to keep the slow fire strings above 85. I thought if I could do that everything else would come together. Frist slow fire string 88, not bad but I started getting a little too comfortable. Second string was a disaster, nervous, sweaty, and stupid. 48 points, devastating end to the match without even firing the timed fire (my best). That’s the Perry experience for you. Tried shaking it off before the next match but I need to work on my mental aspect of the sport. I didn’t throw it in but never could get the front sight to focus the rest of the day. My scores were low but I am glad I went. Last and first time I shot in the National Trophy Individual Match was 1988. I was a young LCPL then and I didn’t appreciate what was going on so I was glad that I made the return trip to pay my dues to Perry. I will take a lot from this experience and come back next year better prepared.
I didn't do the camer work.
More pics in my album and here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezRzDeVObNY&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esXd84AcsLw&feature=player_detailpage
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Sorry I don't know but if involves Camp Perry and shooting give me the date and I will see. 
