Down Range Radio #68 - The retrofitted Ruger SR9

[Marshal Halloway]

The retrofitted Ruger SR9 , new features on DRTV, Legacy Sports.

http://www.downrange.tv/radio/68.htm

[Trevor]

I agree about the benefit of competition.  Yet, when I have openly supported the value of competition for improving personal defense skills with a pistol, I have taken heat in places such as the Brian Enos forum and my local USPSA club.  There is a contingent of competition shooters who want to detach the game from anything that smacks of “real world” scenarios.  They have no patience for beginners, they mock stock service pistols, they waste everyone’s time while airgunning a stage for fifteen minutes during the walkthrough, they whine when the stages are not published before the match, and so on and forth.  It is irritating and has prompted me almost to quit shooting pistol competitions on more than one occasion.  I continue though because I do not want to surrender a great sport to such losers.  While I am alluding primarily to USPSA events, I have seen the egregious behavior happen in IDPA too although with more of a sotto voce quality given the well-known aspects of how IDPA got started.  Anyway, thank you for the articulate and well-reasoned support for the benefits of competition beyond competition.  We all need to learn to shoot better without making excuses

[Pathfinder]

I agree about the benefit of competition.  Yet, when I have openly supported the value of competition for improving personal defense skills with a pistol, I have taken heat in places such as the Brian Enos forum and my local USPSA club.  There is a contingent of competition shooters who want to detach the game from anything that smacks of “real world” scenarios.  They have no patience for beginners, they mock stock service pistols, they waste everyone’s time while airgunning a stage for fifteen minutes during the walkthrough, they whine when the stages are not published before the match, and so on and forth.  It is irritating and has prompted me almost to quit shooting pistol competitions on more than one occasion.  I continue though because I do not want to surrender a great sport to such losers.  While I am alluding primarily to USPSA events, I have seen the egregious behavior happen in IDPA too although with more of a sotto voce quality given the well-known aspects of how IDPA got started.  Anyway, thank you for the articulate and well-reasoned support for the benefits of competition beyond competition.  We all need to learn to shoot better without making excuses

At least you have competition. I have tried on two ranges, one near Bismarck and one near Fargo to get an IPSC or USPDA type of run and gun going, and the looks I get are astonishing. Almost like you want to do what? Or, what's wrong with shooting paper?

But, the new owner at one of the ranges seems more interested, has actually talked of installing poppers. Of course he is looking at getting the police to come to the range (paying of course) so he has rehabbed the range (still closed    , rehab in progress). So there may be hope.

[Trevor]

Best wishes with getting an IDPA or IPSC club started.  It is a lot work that takes many dedicated persons.  One person cannot do it by himself.  Both organizations have tips on how to get started.  It is really about what the traffic will bear.  If people want something fast and fancy, then USPSA (IPSC) is the choice.  If there is a desire to improve gun-handling skills while having some fun, then I recommend IDPA.  I go back forth between the two clubs in my area.  Each one offers its own rewards.  I also shoot bowling pins and falling-plate matches with a third group.  It is all good.  I get out of the house, I forget about work, I improve my shooting, and I meet some interesting people.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.