Competition 2025

[Rastus]

Talladega sounds like the best option.  Right now we're in the snow again and single digits for the majority of a 24 hour day.

[alfsauve]

Did the GSSF match at RiverBend today (Dawsonville).  Second largest match with usually 900+ entries.

Since they're now recognizing Amateur shooters in the Master-Stock division, I did three entries.  That and I had $60 credit with Glock for some reason, it was basically 3 entries into the gun lottery for $30.

Not my best: 
Amateur Civilian Division - 70.89
Competition  Division - 77.37
Master Stock - 90.17.

shot each stage in order MS, Comp, AC, which is reflected in the scores.   Other things and weather prevented any practice in the last 3 weeks, so it is what it is.

70 would be a winning score in Amateur division at many ranges, but there's too much competition at RiverBend, and also at the Nationals (Talladega) and at Savannah.  Got to go to some of the smaller matches to get a match win.

[Rastus]

<snip>
Got to go to some of the smaller matches to get a match win.

Or get some practice weather....

That score is nothing to sniff at...

[alfsauve]

Prizes have been awarded.  Got $75 for High Super Senior.
I’ll hand it to GSSF since they updated their procedures they’ve been very prompt about posting the scores and awarding prizes.  In the past we’d wait 2 weeks for scores to be posted and another week or two for awards.  Now it’s such that if corrections aren’t in by Monday morning then it’s too late.  And the check’ will probably be here by next Monday.  And that’s with 775 entries.

This weekend is River Bend’s IDPA classifier match.  Doing both long form and 5X5, plus a couple of fun stages. And yet again weather is going to make it difficult for me to get in practice outdoors.  At least drynfire with a revolver is realistic.

[Rastus]

Good job. 

So I gotta ask...how many seniors were there?

[Sponsor]

[alfsauve]

So I gotta ask...how many seniors were there?

Since GSSF has implemented their own on-line match registration and scoring system, it's really not possible to tell.  Unlike Practiscore where you can get a list of competitors and their categories, GSSF doesn't have that feature.  It's also not reported in the match results.  The only data is name and amateur/master status, and of course score. 

I do know I beat out all other special categories, Senior, Lady, Jr Lady and Jr Male.

[Rastus]

Nice.

[alfsauve]

Steel Challenge. 

I skipped the GA State match last month because a) It was 6 hours round trip  b)  They only shot 6 stages.  That weekend I went to Talladega for their local match which is less than 4 hours round trip and they shot all 8 matches.   Of course the state match had "prizes".

I did go to the AL State match this past weekend in Talladega.  Besides the usual chatchkes I got a $200 certificate from Hunters HD Gold glasses.  Basically it amounts to 50% off as they're pretty much all $400 with shipping.  Oh well, had a great time.   I chose to shoot with the SOs on Friday.  My squad ended up with only 4 shooters each of us doing 2 divisions.  So we all shot each stage twice.   I did Optic Sighted Revolver and Rim Fire Rifle Irons.  On my squad were to two really nice Master shooters.  Paul Sims out of Birmingham and Erick Sauder out of Harrisburg PA.  With only 4 people we didn't have time to rest.  If you weren't shooting you were running timer or tablet and of course painting.  Busy but fun.  I enjoyed watching Paul and Erick shooting up close as I ran the tablet when they shot.  Paul shot one stage faster than the "peak" time so casually, it almost made me feel I could do that.

I ended up 7/9 in OSR.  I was the lowest classified but beat our two "B" level. and I shot a new Personal Best on every stage and only need ~1.5sec to move from "C" to "B" class.  Hopefully at the local May match.  I'm going to be practicing 5 to Go and Pendulum over the next couple of weeks.

In RFRI there's not much hope with all the young guns like Jesse Grant.  I did manage 2nd place amongst all the non-master shooters.  21/29.  If you're quick on the math you realize 19 of the 20 shooters were Master Level.  So I'm proud of that.   Only improved PB on two stages.

As far as Distinguish Senior (70+) I was first in OSR (the only one) and 3 of 4 in RFRI. 

I'll shoot OSR in the local May match then, after World Speed Shoot, if I make it, I'm on the wait list.  I'm going to send the 929 off to Clark and have the barrel shortened to 5".  Then I'll shoot RF Pistol Iron for the summer.

OH Anybody want the $200 off certificate from Hunter HD?  I'm going to pass.  I like to get all the light I can on my sights when shooter and am not a fan of auto-tint.  Just PM me.

[alfsauve]

Got back last night from World Speed Shoot.  Really off my game.  Improved in two stages with both OSR and RFRI by a little. 
Maybe I'm tired, maybe it's sour grapes, but I think the World Speed Shoot was rather bland.  Okay, yes all Steel Challenge matches are the same, but there are nuances that make each match fun, enjoyable, or  satisfying.   Several specifics.

-There were almost no giveaways.  One or two vendors had a patch you could pick up at the check in table, but that was it.   No random prizes at all.

-The setups were basic. 1 shooter's barrel, w/ top, a tent for the shooter/RO and one for the ROs rest area, and a cooler with water. The local club at Talladega does so much better job of even the local matches.  A second barrel/top just for the on-deck shooter.  A barrel on either side of the shooters position for the paint.   Tents if needed including one for the on-deck shooter. Snacks as well as water at each bay.


-Something many high level IDPA matches do is print out an plastic ID card for each shooter.  It has their name, Divisions, Classification and home city/state.  Afterwards it's a souvenir of your participation.   For a World Shoot, I'd do ID cards with Country and State/Providence flag.


Maybe I'm getting old, but I thought the previous years' were better.  It just didn't feel special.  Didn't feel World class. 

[alfsauve]

Things get in my craw and I can't let go.  Here's my design for a shooter's card for Steel Challenge.