Course design

[m25operator]

I hope Michael will chime in on this as he is a certified Range Master.

I have been designing courses of fire for a long time.

My mix has always been tactical. I always build my stages around skill sets.....

1) Up close fast and serious.

2) Reloading  drills..

3) Target recognition, and no shoots.

4)  Extended range shots, with a scenario based reason.  35 - 100 yards, Ipsc, shooters hate that.

5) Low or no light drills.

6) Chuck Taylor Master drills, If you have not done these, you will be humbled.

My goal was to always stress a different skill in each stage. In the hopes it would make my contestants better handgun shooters. A lot of whiners, at my matches, but those who endured, became better shooters.

Comments, anyone???

[TAB]

I've always wanted to be part of doing that.   I've got some much crap ( construction scrap and the like)  I know I could create something really intresting.

[SwoopSJ]

Darn, I wish we lived closer to each other, I'd love to come and play.  Heck, I'd even bring the beer!  (For after the shootin' of course.)

Swoop

[tombogan03884]

Darn, I wish we lived closer to each other, I'd love to come and play.  Heck, I'd even bring the beer!  (For after the shootin' of course.)

Swoop

Make it fair, have M25 drink his share BEFORE the shooting 
I know, safety. But you need to get your advantages where you can 

[Rob10ring]

Those are some good, well-rounded skills to cover. They are pretty similar to our monthly matches. Occasionally, I am called on to to put together a couple of the stages, and when I haven't had any warning this will happen, I fall back on Rick Miller's scenarios in Combat Handguns Magazine. Our range is indoor, so I have to modify some scenarios to fit. Our range master throws in some Rob Leathem Drill Master stages too.

One thing that we have started doing more recently is transitions from long gun to sidearm. This past month was tactical shotgun to sidearm and 2 months ago, we did tactical carbine to sidearm in total darkness. It's amazing where people will point their flashlights when they aren't used to it. I know I get a lot out of trying and practicing these new skills.

[Sponsor]

[ellis4538]

I can see why IPSC shooters object to 100 yard shots (I have been an IPSC/USPSA shooter for over 25 years).  It seems strange to me to engage a target that far out with a handgun unless you are hunting.  That target is not a very big threat to the shooter so there is no reason to engage.  That said, I believe it would be fun to play at 100 yards. 

Richard

[m25operator]

I'll give one quick 100 yard scenario.

At the lake, your at the ramp in the boat waiting for your wife to bring the Suburban and trailer from the parking lot, and you see her being approached as she approaches the truck. Could that be 100 yards, what you gonna do??  Hopefully, she's got what she needs to deal with it.

[TAB]

A 100 yd shot could be a match breaker as well.  most people can not hit a man sized target at 100 yds with a hand gun, older eyes may not be able to see it.

[ellis4538]

Ouch!  Got me there.  That make more sense now.

Richard

[Grizzle_Bear]

Been a few years since I did any IPSC, mostly doing Cowboy Action Shooting now, in the NCOWS flavor.

At a shoot earlier this year, we explored what you might have to do if you were injured in the fight.

Had a big cardboard tube, 6 inch diameter and 3 feet long, rigged with a sling.  You put your weak arm in it and put the sling over your neck to hold it on.

Shooter had to shoot their revolver, reload it, and shoot again, all with one hand.  This is pretty tough with a single-action revolver!

Also took a couple of pairs of cheap safety glasses, and painted over one side of each one.  Shooter had to wear the one that covered their dominate eye, and shoot both rifle and pistol.

Grizzle Bear