Topic: USPSA Questions and Answers

[ekuo]

How about we start a place people can post questions about shooting USPSA?  Everything from "What pistol should I get", to "is it better to shoot SSTK in 9mm Minor than it is to shoot it in .40 or .45 Major" is fair game.   

There is a wealth of info out there from the USPSA shooters, so fire away and hopefully somebody who knows the answer will chime in! 

Oh, by the bye, to use my newly anointed Moderating powers, let's start a rule that we're not going to say things like:  USPSA is superior to ______ competitive shooting sport because _________. 

Apples and oranges, and I personally like fruit. 

Remember, an armed society is by necessity a polite society. 

[ekuo]

For example, I think we've covered the question on what kind of belt for USPSA...

http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php/topic,11117.0.html

[YamaLink]

Can you shoot more than 1 division at the same match? Pay two entry fees.
Go first in the squad's rotation, help tape & brass (oooh, that's a whole other question) a bit and then sling on the gear for the other firearm.

Shoot Production and then shoot revolver. Doable?

[ekuo]

Man, ask me an easy one like what kind of shoes to wear for USPSA... I had to look up your question in the rulebook!

Rule # 6.2.4  Subject to prior approval of the MD, a competitor may enter a match in more than one division.  However, the competitor may compete for match score only in one division, and that must be the first attempt in all cases.

So it's gonna depend.  My answer as a MD would probably have to do with if it will cause a disruption for the rest of the squad.  If no, then I can't see why I wouldn't allow it.   

[Jaggy13]

Whats a good shotgun to start out with? and why?

I need to buy one but can't justify the 1k+ price tag on a benelli...
I've been looking into used 1100's. What barrel length choke and mag capacity?
I understand there are several that can get the job done, I'm not terribly brand loyal so lets not worry about offending anyone with mossy vs rem vs benelli...
I can pick up a new Mossberg 930 for $500 so thats been my build price goal. Thats 18" and has no mag extension.
I can also grab a used 1100 and extend the mag for about the same or less.

What I want is a shotty I can start off with, learn with, build to suit. So I am looking for a good foundation and don't have unlimited funds to throw at the sport. I don't want a mag fed thats going to make me start off in open class...

I haven't shot 3 gun yet but when I decided to start shooting comps 3 gun is what I wanted to do the most.

[ekuo]

Well, there is multiple-gun in USPSA, so why not?  But really, this is probably more of a question for Travis as he's the local 3-gun guru.  

I took a bone stock M2 Benelli, and added a Nordic Component mag tube to load to the division capacity of 8+1.  Total cost to me was less than $100 because the M2 was previously my bird gun...

Without showing my brand biases, I would say get a shotty that fits you, and is well supported by manufacturers of after market race parts.  That said, there is the Winchester SX2, the new shotgun from FN, Mossberg 930, and probably a few others worth looking at.  

There are a bunch of threads on Brian Enos' forum right now talking about the new Mossberg 930 with favorable impressions.  The only problem that i've heard of is the barrel ports which would put you in Open division if you tried to use it. Maybe they will offer non-ported barrel soon.    

[YamaLink]

Did some searching but have a headache from all the nuances. So here goes.

Production is a 9mm class yet a Production shooter can go to Limited 10, right?

Is L10 based on major and minor? So that 9mm shooter has to load up to make Major pf or else do battle with Minor, right?

I'm probably wrong somewhere thus far, but why would a 9mm Production shooter go to L10? Are they rare? Is L10 for the serious competitor a 40 or 45 game?

At one of my first matches a SO put me in L10 (or maybe it was Limited) with my G34. Someone mentioned "you really ought to be in Production and not here" so off I went to Production, and I truly enjoy shooting against all Minor pf and changing mags like crazy.

[carharttfarmer]

Whats a good shotgun to start out with? and why?

I need to buy one but can't justify the 1k+ price tag on a benelli...
I've been looking into used 1100's. What barrel length choke and mag capacity?
I understand there are several that can get the job done, I'm not terribly brand loyal so lets not worry about offending anyone with mossy vs rem vs benelli...
I can pick up a new Mossberg 930 for $500 so thats been my build price goal. Thats 18" and has no mag extension.
I can also grab a used 1100 and extend the mag for about the same or less.

What I want is a shotty I can start off with, learn with, build to suit. So I am looking for a good foundation and don't have unlimited funds to throw at the sport. I don't want a mag fed thats going to make me start off in open class...

I haven't shot 3 gun yet but when I decided to start shooting comps 3 gun is what I wanted to do the most.

if your not in a hurry watch the cabelas ads they have been puttin 26inch winchester x2s on sale for 599 about every(was on sale a week ago) other month  a mag extension and you would be good to go  the x2 is the same action as the fn slp but the 26inch winchester barrels as light as the 22inch slp barrel 

[ekuo]

Did some searching but have a headache from all the nuances. So here goes.

Production is a 9mm class yet a Production shooter can go to Limited 10, right?

Is L10 based on major and minor? So that 9mm shooter has to load up to make Major pf or else do battle with Minor, right?

I'm probably wrong somewhere thus far, but why would a 9mm Production shooter go to L10? Are they rare? Is L10 for the serious competitor a 40 or 45 game?

At one of my first matches a SO put me in L10 (or maybe it was Limited) with my G34. Someone mentioned "you really ought to be in Production and not here" so off I went to Production, and I truly enjoy shooting against all Minor pf and changing mags like crazy.

Actually, Production is not restricted to 9mm.  It's just that in Production, everyone is scored minor PF.  As a result, 9 mm is pretty popular in Production.  However, when I shoot Production, I use my Glock 35, and just download my reloads to a soft 135 PF.  

Limited-10 can be scored major OR minor.  However, the minimum caliber for major in most divisions is a .40SW.  IIRC, the only division where you can use a 9mm to shoot major is in Open...  For L-10, .40 and .45 are the only calibers allowed to load major, and as a result are probably the most common for that division.  If you have a 9mm and you choose to shoot L-10, you will be scored minor PF.

A G34 is pretty competitive in Production division.  After all, Dave Sevigney uses one!  The only thing I did to my G35 was grip tape, changed out  the sights for the Warren-Sevigney sight combo, .25 trigger job, 3.5 lb connector, and a 6 lb trigger return spring.  

My guess is they put you in Limited at your first match.  It's a common practice by MD's to put new people that show up with hicap magazines in Limited division, irregardless of caliber, so the new shooter doesn't have to worry about reloading as often, and can focus on shooting and being safe.

Good Q's.  Keep 'em coming.  

Hope this is helping.        

[YamaLink]

With all this talk of Minor vs Major, how come they don't chrono at local matches? I take that back, I was chrono'd at the IDPA State Championship, but seeing as how this is the USPSA forum....I was never chrono'd and that includes the USPSA State Championship.

I guess you're only cheating yourself but since USPSA is a game and people do cheat shouldn't a random chrono here or there be used?

[popsgunner]

Jaggy,
The rem 1100 2 3/4 or the rem 11-87 that takes up to 3 " are great places to start. Going around the valley for 3-4 hundred, with very few mods can run with the expensive boys , no worries. lots of guys still run them to this day with no problems. they are simple and soft shooting, mostly the only thing you really need is justa extended mag tube, usually selling for about 45 bucks. I rarely if ever see any semi auto Mossbergs running at 3 guns. I actually ran  an 1100 for many years and loved it and still own one. my current shotgun is a used winny sx2 that I got a great deal from a BS shooting god. I've got maybe 750 into it and it ROCKS.
my moeny to start in 3 gun is on the 1100's. IMHO
Pops

[ekuo]

I guess you're only cheating yourself but since USPSA is a game and people do cheat shouldn't a random chrono here or there be used?

Guys, I hate to intervene, but speculating about people cheating or falsely claiming major power factor is a slippery slope to be on unless you have 100% positive proof that this is occuring.   

First of all, this sport (like many others) requires a degree of personal integrity.  Because the consequences are so high, we have to have some pretty high standards.  This is why the consequence for an unsafe act of any kind is an immediate DQ.  The rulebook also contains criteria for "unsportsmanlike conduct" with similarly severe penalties, and in the past this has been enforced WHEN IT IS ABLE TO BE PROVEN. 

Claiming that somebody will cheat just because it is a game, or speculating that somebody's load does not meet PF because it appears to be a powder puff load is a very dangerous position to take.  Unless you have positive proof, you can't make the claim that somebody is cheating.  If you feel that somebody's equipment or conduct is in question, my suggestion is to follow proper procedures and inform the RO/CRO or Match Director and let them take the appropriate steps. 

Mike Gibson once told me (and I'm paraphrasing a little):  "I learned the hardway as a competitor to let the RO do their job and focus on mine as a shooter."  This has resonated with me ever since, and I'm not about to start a dust-up over the appearance that somebody is shooting sub-PF ammo just because there doesn't appear to be very much recoil, or because they got higher HF than I did.

FWIW, Travis G. did bring out a Chrono at a local Level 1 match a few years ago, and a few people were unpleasantly surprised. 

At any rate, we're back in play, and please feel free to pose questions or respond to question, but please be mindful of certain conduct expectations of this Forum and the sport in general.

Thx
-Mod Squad 

[Nealio]

speculating that somebody's load does not meet PF because it appears to be a powder puff load is a very dangerous position to take

I was actually referring to guys marked down as "major" that were shooting 9mm's.

Nobody wants to be the guy that's the tattles on someone else.  I think it would just be nice if RO's could just ask "what gun are you shooting and what caliber" or something when they sign up.  I think (hope) these were just honest mistakes from guys that have a few different guns and were used to putting major for their .40.

[ekuo]

A question that gets asked a bunch is what a fiber optic front sight and different widths of the notch and post will do for a person.  

Here's a pic of the Warren-Sevigney competition sights mounted on a Glock-35 so you can see for yourself.  IIRC, this particular front/rear sight set is roughly $85, and if you're not into installing it yourself, Pops can do it for minimal fee while you wait (shameless plug...).  



The front sight in question is a 0.115" wide post with a .040" dia fiber optic tube.  The tubes are a breeze to replace, and you lightly melt the end of it with a cig lighter, insert it into the end you look at when aiming, trim to length leaving 1/8" poking out the other end, melt that exposed end into a mushroom so that it is tight up against the front of the post so the tube doesn't move.  

The rear sight is an all-black blade with a 0.145" wide notch, which is pretty wide in the scheme of things.  

The combination of a wide notch and narrow post helps with quick sight acquisition, and the narrow front post aids in taking precise shots.  But I it took me a little while to get used to the really wide rear notch of the W-S because I wasn't accustomed to having so much daylight on either side of the front post.  But there is no doubt in my mind that the fiber optic tube really helps your eye see and track the front sight when shooting in broad daylight.  

By comparison, my STI's all have Bomar-style rear sights with a 0.115" wide notch and .0.100" wide front post, and I still find it relatively easy to pick up the front sight in the narrower notch.  


Measuring my Kimbers, they have a 0.125" wide front post and 0.130" wide rear notch (no pic, you you get the idea I'm sure).

It seems like most carry guns are set up with a .125" wide front post and a .125-130" wide rear notch.  They work fine, but I realized after using a few different types of front sights that I really like a narrow one, and for rapid firing and keeping track of the front sight during recoil, its hard to beat a fiber optic (unless you're shooting in low light or the dark).    

Cheers

[ekuo]

The question of caliber has come up recently in some other threads, so thought I might include some thoughts in this sticky.    

For USPSA, it's going to depend on the division that you shoot in, and most divisions generally have a "preferred" caliber for some good reasons.

Open:
Not being an Open shooter, all I can say is most people in this division are shooting .38 Super or .38 Super Comp because it is light and snappy, and has sufficient pressures needed to make the compensators work effectively.  However, since the rulebook says the minimum caliber for Open is .356" and 9mm components are much cheaper to come by, recently there has been a movement towards loading 9mm to velocities that make major PF.  But I suspect you have to reload your own ammo since your typical 9mm WWB factory ammo won't make major PF.  But then again, you also typically do not see an Open gun for sale at Wally World or big box gun stores.  

Production:
In Production Division, everybody is scored Minor PF, irregardless of the bullet's caliber or performance.  That being the case, 9mm is probably the most common caliber in Production division, followed by people shooting downloaded .40SW.  9mm is relatively cheap to buy or reload for, and Production was kind of designed with the 9mm "production" gun in mind.

However, there's nothing in the rulebook that says you can't shoot a larger caliber or full power ammo in Production (provided the gun meets the requirements of the division), but you would probably find that when you match up two shooters of equal skill with one shooting 126 power factor 9mm and the other shooting 190 power factor .45 acp, the 9mm shooter will have faster times due to the lower recoil.  

Limited:
In Limited, you have the choice of shooting Major or Minor PF ammo.  However, the rulebook says the minimum caliber allowed for Major PF is .40".  For whatever reason, USPSA has not chosen to recognize .38 Super or 9mm for major PF -even though both calibers are capable of being reloaded to major PF velocities.  Like Open, Limited Division does not have any restrictions on the number of rounds you can load in your magazines, however it restrict the length of the magazine to 141.25mm.  As major PF ammo scores higher than minor, most people shooting Limited will choose one of the major PF calibers (either .40SW or .45acp), but generally opt for .40SW as you can get more .40SW rounds into a 141.25mm magazine than you can .45acp.  

This doesn't mean that hi-cap 9mm guns can't be used in Limited.  In fact some people do in order to take advantage of the 23-25 rounds in their mags (which means less reloads during the stage), but the disadvantage is they are scored Minor (which is one point less for each hit in the B/C/D zones than major).  

Limited-10:
L-10 is a slightly different beast than Limited since the rules restrict the number of rounds in the mag to 10, not the overall length of the magazine like it does in Limited.  So in this case, .40SW or .45acp can be competitive in L-10.  9mm shooters can compete in L-10, but once again:  welcome to minor scoring!  

From what I've seen, this is where the Sigg P220 or Glock 21 shooters can be competitive since the .45 acp is at a disadvantage in Production Div, and they don't quite have the mag capacity to be competitive in Limited Div.  The other type of L-10 shooter is the guy who already has a full blown Limited gun/gear, but downloads their mags to 10 rnds just because they want to shoot in L-10 Division (different strategy).      

Single Stack:
Like Limited, the competitor has the choice of shooting Major or Minor PF, and shares the same rule where the minimum caliber for Major PF is .40"  In SSTK division, my opinion is .40SW or .45acp is equally competitive, but 9mm is at a disadvantage because of minor PF scoring.  Which is not to say people don't shoot SSTK in minor, it's just that they better use the advantage of the lighter recoil to shoot a lot of Alphas really quickly!  

However, if you're shooting Minor PF ammo, you can load 10 rnds in the magazine (for 10+1 at the start) which may mean one less reload in a stage, whereas Major PF ammo shooters are restricted to 8 rnds in the mag (or 8+1 at the start) even though they may have a mag that can hold more.  The gun plus fully inserted magazine must fit in the "Box", which precludes the use of 10 rnd .45cp mags like the ones that CMC, Tripp or Wilson makes.   Fortunately, most 10 rnd 9mm 1911 magazines will fit in the box.  IIRC, many .40SW mags can hold 9 rnds, but if you shoot Major PF .40SW ammo, you can only load 8 rnds max.  

Revolver:
Revo division is a big mystery to me, primarily because I'm not a revo guy.  However, .45 acp is a popular round for this division because the case is short and they eject quickly and cleanly when compared to .38spl.  Mr. Revo Himself (Jerry Miculek) shoots a SW 625 revolver with .45acp moonclips and I swear that guy can shoot 6, reload, and shoot another six before I would even be thru the first SSTK mag.

Maybe one of our resident-Revo shooters will add their thoughts on a good caliber for revolver division (Pops?)

Cheers

[idcastandblast]

I see mention of 4-6 magazines, and I have a question about magazine capacity.  I have a Ruger SR9c which accepts a 10 round and a 17 round magazine.  I have 2-10's and 1-17.  Would it be best if I had all of the same size?  If so, which is the better way to go, 17 or 10?  They are about $40 each so I want to make sure that I am investing correctly.  Finally, how do the magazine rules for USPSA differ from IDPA?  I am interested in both, and not sure which way that I would eventually go.

[Jaggy13]

really depends on what devision you want to shoot.
Limited would allow for the 17 round mags, and Idpa you can download you're mags to 10 rnds.
If you bought 1 more 17 rounder and had a 10 rounder as a 3rd you would be fine.
I believe 32 rounds is the max stage length (with no misses).

I carry 6 mags because I shoot single stack. Basicly if I move, I reload. I almost never run a mag dry but leave alot of ammo on the ground!

bring what you have and give it a try. Figure out what devision you want to shoot before you gear up to heavy.

[ekuo]

Interesting question for an interesting gun...  I'll admit to not being very familiar with the SR9c, but I'll give it a try.  

First off, the number of magazines you'll need is dependent on the division you shoot in.  Generally speaking Production, L-10 and SS divisions require 4-6 magazines due to the limitation of how many rounds those divisions allow you to load in the mag -irregardless of the magazine's capacity.  In Open and Limited divisions, the number of rounds is not limited to a certain number, instead what they do is limit the overall size of the magazine you are allowed to use (ie 170mm for Open, and 140mm for Limited).  

Looking at your gun in particular, if I understand the SR9c right, it is a striker-fired pistol sort of like the XD or Glock, is a 9mm, and the C model means it is a compact?  

In that case, there's no reason that I can think of why this pistol wouldn't be legal for Production, Limited-10, or even Limited. But there are advantages and disadvantages to each of the three.  

Being a 9mm, this gun would probably be the most competitive in Production division because in Production everyone is scored "minor", and the 9mm is the most popular caliber for the light recoil.  The longest stages you should run into at a USPSA match is 32 rounds, provided you do not miss.  But sometimes it takes more than the minimum to get thru a stage -especially one that has a lot of steel targets at longer distances (occasionally we do miss...).  This is why most Production shooters carry 4-5 magazines each loaded with 10 rnds (40-50 rounds).  Not all stages will require 32 rnds, and some will require much less, but by carrying 40-50 rnds that's the insurance for making sure you don't run out, but it also depend on your shooting ability.  

On the other hand, even though a 9mm compact gun would not be very competitive in Limited division compared to the typical full size gun that other people are using in Limited, Limited does allow you to load to the maximum capacity that your mags will hold, provided they are less than 140mm long.  Not having to reload as often means you don't need as many magazines, and can concentrate more on your shooting and learning the ropes without having to worry too much about reloading.  Most Limited shooters carry 3 magazines on them, each one holding 15-20+ rnds, depending on the make and model of the magazine/gun.  

If you're just starting out in competition, we typically recommend you bring what you have for at least the first match to see if you like it.  When you register, tell the person what kind of gun you have, the number of mags you brought, and they'll do their best to place you in the division that your gun/gear fits into and where you will have the best chance at.  Then once the addiction starts you can check out what other people are using and get some ideas for which division you want to shoot in, and the gear that is required.  

For IDPA, your SR9c would most likely fit into Stock Service Pistol (SSP) division, and the maximum you can load in your mags in SSp division is 10 rnds -irregardless of capacity.  You are also limited to two magazines with 10 rnds each on the belt and a one mag loaded to 10+1 in the gun.  So based on what you have, you are good to go for shooting your SR9c in SSP division.  In truth, your SR9c is probably better suited to IDPA than it is USPSA, but then again there are a few people shooting sub-compact pistols at the monthly USPSA matches, and they do pretty well (probably because they practice).  I suspect their pistol is also their EDC, and they are having fun with that gun and getting in some good practice to boot.  

This Saturday there are two matches you may be interested in:  Nampa is holding an IDPA match at their outdoor range, and Parma is holding a USPSA match at their range.  My advice is to bring what you have and shoot a match or two before investing any money in more mags.  With the three mags you already have, you have enough to compete in either IDPA's SSP division or USPSA's Limited division.  At a minimum, you'll need ear/eye protection, a strong side holster, 2 mag pouches if you have them (otherwise pockets are OK) and 150 rounds of ammo.

Hope this helps.  

Cheers  

[ekuo]

I suppose there is a little bit of a blogger in all of us, the subject just depends on the degree of narcissism that one succumb to...  But this isn't about me, just some thoughts I've had lately on how to improve one’s shooting game. 

"Shoot slow, do everything else fast" is a quote somebody posted on Enos that resonated with me.  I think the author was trying to point out that there are more gains to be made in this sport by shooting at the speed that is within your accuracy level but try to save time in all the other areas where it won’t affect your accuracy.  I sometimes see people trying to go fast by hammering out doubles when there is much more time savings to be had in their stage planning, footwork, transitions, and setting themselves up for their next target.  It is true that getting your splits down into the .20-.30 sec range is a worthy goal, but not at the expense of dropping too many points or even incurring a Mike.  Without going into the math too much, saving .10 secs in your splits over the course 10-12 targets won't make up for even one Mike or a hit on a No-Shoot.  You should only be firing as fast as you can see your sights, and if you didn’t see your front sight on the follow-up shot, wait until you can before breaking the trigger.  After all, the skills you gain in this sport can easily transfer over one day into something much more serious, and it won’t be a cardboard target down range from you. 

The Magpuls guys talk about BSA -Balance of Speed and Accuracy in their pistol DVD, and I believe that exercise is intended to teach you exactly how quickly you can shoot while maintaining an acceptable degree of accuracy.  Matt Burkett's timing drill also does the same, but also gets you to focus on finding the correct amount of grip strength that results in the best accuracy.  Suffice to say, even though speed is a factor in our game, accuracy also very much comes into play and you cannot have one without the other if you expect to improve and do well. 

After Acton Reviews (AAR), be they self-reflection, reviewing video footage, or just reliving the match with your pals afterwards is another key to success in my mind.  You can shoot all you want, but if you don’t learn anything from your last session and don’t use that new found knowledge to break down what you could have done better then chances are your shooting skills will plateau at some point.  In my line of work we have a saying that some people have 1 year of experience 10 times to describe somebody who has been fighting fire for 10 yrs but never really learned to apply any of the things they learned or experienced.  The same could be said of this sport unless you take the time to break down what worked, what didn’t, and what you can work on for the next time. 

There is also another saying that goes something like:  “It takes you 100 repetitions to learn how to do something right, but a 1000 repetitions to unlearn something wrong.”  So early identification of something that is hanging up your shooting and countless reps in dry-fire training can help cement that into the way you draw, grip, shoot, and even breath.

Enough for now.   Good shooting, and happy holidays! 

[luvmy45]

Aim Faster, shoot slower 

[ekuo]

Stage Planning:  One of the biggest things that determines how people shoot a stage depends on the division they’re competing in, i.e. 8 rnd mags, 10 rnd, or 20+ because mag capacity is the biggest limiting factor on medium and long stages.  Generally speaking, you want to time your reloads for the most opportune time, and think of standing reloads as being inefficient and costing you time.  So breaking down the stage into increments of your magazine capacity is one of those things that should be taken into consideration.  I’m not suggesting that you count your rounds fired, but instead establish a particular point in the stage where you will perform your reload(s).  

In some ways, I think shooting SS is easiest to learn how to break down the stage because it basically comes down to reloading whenever you move.  USPSA has a rule that limits stage designers to requiring no more than 8 scoring hits per location or view, so technically you shouldn’t run into a stage that forces you to engage more than that.  Limited and Open would be the next easiest division IMO because you only have to do one reload (if that) per stage.  Which leaves us with Production and Lim-10 as the two divisions that I think are the hardest to plan for because you're trying to optimize having 10 rnds in the gun to minimize the number of reloads you’ll have to do.  My general rule of thumb is each reload adds about 1 to 1.5 secs, so if I can eliminate a reload I can save time (even if I’m reloading while moving).  
 
Another area in stage planning that needs to be considered is how to run the stage, be it left to right, right to left, or zig-zagging.  This one is harder to advise on because every stage is different, but what you're looking for is the most efficient way while playing to your strengths. One way to evaluate a couple different options is to pace it out during the walk-thru.  Running a stage one way way may require that you take 12 steps, and another may require only 8 steps.  But a lot of times it comes down to trade-offs, and to shoot the stage in 8 steps may require that you take a riskier shot than if you shot it the 10 step way.  This is where knowing your strengths and weaknesses is important, and you can then plan the way you shoot to play to your strengths.  

For example, most right handed shooters move better going left to right because it allows them to lead with the gun, and also facilitates reloading since it favors moving in a direction that reduces the potential for breaking the 180 when reloading.  Another example would be somebody who is confident of taking head shots at 15+ yds, and in this case they may opt to take that riskier shot in order to eliminate the need to even go to a certain shooting position, saving time (distance).

So to sum up, use your walk-thru time well to come up with a good plan for how you're going to shoot the stage.  For me, once I walk it a few times and figure out what I'm going to do I'll stand off to the side and visualize it a few times in my head, which I found to be more effective than walking a stage over and over again.  Hey, it works for me so I'm going to keep doing it!  

[ekuo]

Footwork:   Another area in which huge improvement can be made is with footwork during a stage.  To me, footwork not only describes one’s shooting stance but also how you move through a stage. 

A lot of trainers are promoting an aggressive weight-forward stance that puts your feet slightly wider than your shoulders with your support foot slightly forward of the strong hand foot.  Key to all this is to have your weight on the balls of your feet with knees slightly bent and the rest of your body poised as if to launch yourself forward or sideways.  Not only does this give you a shooting stance that helps you deal with recoil, but it also positions your body to move to the next position.  When I took a rifle class from Raul and TG, one of the exercises centered around driving your upper body with your legs to transition to another target.  Turning, transitioning, and moving all start with the legs and not only is it faster but it also allows you to stay balanced.  Try it sometime, then try it with your weight rocked back on you heels and only turning by moving your upper body and see which one feels better. 

Another element of good footwork is how well you move through a stage and capitalizing on the efficiencies that can be gained from good footwork.   A lot of USPSA stages are set up so that from any particular location or “view” there are 3-4 targets that need to be engaged from a static position.  But a lot of times those same targets require some body movement to transition from target to target to keep it from becoming a stand-and-shoot hose-fest, and this is where good foot placement will help.  When I’m doing a walk-thru I’m looking for the optimum place to position my feet at each ‘view’ to where I can see as many targets in that array as possible.  The thing I try to avoid is needing to shift my feet for each target, and the more targets I can engage from a single stance the more efficient it is.  And speaking of balance, try to avoid a stance where you have lot of weight on your right foot and then the very next target requires that you shuffle your right foot a little…  your balance is all jacked up.  That results in herky-jerky footwork during the stage and all that repositioning adds time to your stage. 

I also look for opportunities to engage targets in an array while moving into position or leaving that position.  For example, imagine an array of 4 targets that are fanned out in an arc 5-7 yards on the other side of a wall with a port.  While moving to get into position at port chances are there is at least one target that can be seen thru the port while you’re still a few yards out, so why not engage it on the move?  Shoot two of the other ones from a static position at the port, then engage the fourth one while you’re backing away from the port to save time as you’re headed to the next array.  So it works out to be move…acquire T1, shoot T1…come to a stop in the port (position your feet so you can see T2 and T3)…engage T2 and T3, then as you back away from the port to move to the next array engage T4.  If you’re shooting Limited or Production, maybe hit T1 and T4 with three shots each until you get comfortable with shooting and moving.

A good way to learn this skill is to watch a Master or GM shoot a stage.  Most of those guys seem to float through a stage and they hardly stand still the entire time.  Not only are they using their legs to drive their movement, they take quite a few shots while on the move.  Each bit of movement is intended to put them into a position where a target or targets are visible and they do this in a nonstop flowing motion as opposed to the run-stop-shoot-run-stop-shoot.  It’s not so much that they are moving and shooting at a high rate of speed (they are) but they are constantly in motion flowing from one target to the next. 

'nuff for now.  Stay well and good shooting!