One more IDPA Classifier question.

[mollow]

I noticed when I was at the range last night that I could significantly up my speed if I let shots hit the -1 area as opposed to zero. How should I determine what counts more-- speed or accuracy? Right now, at my present speed, I am able to put all shots in the zero range at 7 yards and a few -1 in the 10 yard range. At 20 yards I get a smattering of all three area, but no misses at all. Am I going too slow?

Mike

[Jim Watson]

Well, you determine which counts more by looking at your final score. Can you shoot fast enough to make up for dropped points at half a second each?

Misses are intolerable. If you are shooting -3s at 20 yards do not speed up. Do not miss the headbox at 7 yards.

[mollow]

Hi Jim, good to hear from you. Well, I have the current disadvantage of not having a timer. That should be my next purchase. At seven yards I get no penalties. At 10 yards I may have 3-5 minus ones for the whole stage. At 20 yards I'm getting 3-5 minus threes.
Since I practice alone, are there timers that I can set for a long enough delay that I can set it, put it down and then be "ready"?

[GoSlash27]

Mollow,
IDPA makes it easy to think about this. Standard Vickers count is 1/2 the time per point, so unless your "precision" aiming takes less than 1/2 second longer (my precision shots are nearly 2 seconds) it's just not worth it to shoot for down-zeroes.
Go ahead and speed it up, but don't shoot so fast that you start incurring penalties.

You should shoot fast enough to get a smattering at all ranges within the constraints of the cover.

[GoSlash27]

But upon further reflection....this question pertains to the classifier itself, huh?

Since that one's limited Vickers, you'll want to go slow enough to keep your shots within -1 because you can't throw another round downrange to be sure.

You're shooting too slow at 7 yds and too fast at 20 for the classifier, but for actual scenarios you're about right at 20 and too slow for the others.

[mollow]

Thanks GoSlash, that makes good sense to me.

[GoSlash27]

YVW :)

Are you gearing up to classify soon? Our IDPA stuff is shut down 'til spring :(

[mollow]

I am classifying tomorrow at the Smith and Wesson Shooting Sports Academy

[GoSlash27]

Well, best of luck and merry Christmas!

[mollow]

Shot the Classifier today. No problems, except rushing some shots. I was nervous. Took a tour of the Smith and Wesson museum. The tour guide was the guy who designed the Model 39 and also a Machine Gun and silencer for S&W. My buddy and I were the only ones there. What an enormous facility.

[rhino]

So what was your score?

[billdncn]

If I may.....How does your gun group at 20yds.? If it's a 5" gun @ 20yds then 2.5" either way can easily get you -3s.

[GoSlash27]

So what was your score?
+1! Don't keep us in suspense! :eek:

[mollow]

I'm waiting on the scores still. I don't expect to be more than a Marksman at this very early stage in my competitive shooting.
The gun I shot with was a Glock 17, unmodified. I lent my S&W Model 952-1 to my buddy and I think he shot a little more accurately... as you would imagine with the extra inch plus single action only.

[mollow]

I got a score of 166 which squarely makes me a Marksman. I'm going to practice with a timer and try to improve to Sharpshooter for the next Classifier in March. I don't know if that is a reasonable goal, but it seems to be.

[GoSlash27]

That's excellent!
I couldn't get classified my first time out. :eek: