Rastoff's Challenge- Dropping the Gauntlet

[Rastoff]

I sound like a broken record, "Slow Down!, Slow Down!, Slow Down!"

I see and say the exact same thing at every class. You have time. Why rush it? And they still rack off 4 or 6 rounds in 3 seconds.

What's really interesting is the dichotomy of it all. One group I can't get to slow down. Then there is a second set that I can't get to speed up.

Defensive shooting is a balance of speed and accuracy. If you're not accurate, you don't hit the target; you get killed. If you're not at least a little fast, they shoot you first; you get killed. So, you must be fast enough to get the shot off and accurate enough to put it in the right place.

Some students get so focused on accuracy, you really could get the paint to dry before they get the first shot off.

When shooting a controlled pair, 2 shots in 2 seconds, they don't need to be any closer than a fist to a hand span apart. Closer than that, speed up. Further apart, slow down.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Took a friend along with my wife for some shooting recently. Just before we left, I suggested some double taps just to liven things up. We started from the ready position at 5 yards. Wife was accurate but slow, so was I, slow but bullets in the proper place about 3" apart. My friend stepped up and almost before I could say "GO" he had shot twice...... but one shot was below the target and the second was above it. Fast is just... fast, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Rastoff]

...I suggested some double taps...

Let's talk terminology. The term "double tap" is ambiguous. Most think it's just blasting away with two shots. Indeed, that is how most do it. As your friend demonstrated, not very useful.

Instead, say controlled pair.

A controlled pair is different. As the name implies, each shot is controlled and deliberate. Each shot includes aiming and its own sight picture. I can shoot a controlled pair very fast, but each shot is aimed. Starting from the ready, I can put two into the thoracic cavity, about 4" apart, from 7 yards, in about 1.4 seconds. If I have time to warm up, I can do it faster. But that's not the point. Control is the point. I regularly demonstrate this in classes and I rarely do it faster than 1.8 seconds. Why? Because as Old Joe said, hits are better than speed. So I demonstrate it at a speed that shows it can be done rather than trying to make it look like something that's hard; it's not.

Now, Joe, if you're putting up 3" pairs, go faster. A fist to a hand span is close enough.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

Even when I'm cheating shakyshoot makes me look bad.

It's no fun when no one takes the bait.

I used a Ruger 77/.357 and the biggest problem was that the scope doesn't focus at close range.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Even when I'm cheating shakyshoot makes me look bad.

Ruger .357, 5 rounds per distance. I spent too much time on the early shots and got tired and started rushing shots towards the end.

Shakyshot makes everybody look bad. In reality, I am what his forum name implies.

 

[T2C]

Rastoff's Challenge

I hit the range today and shot in the rain. I took the Glock 42 and shot some Tula 91g FMJ. I couldn't see wasting a lightly used target and I had 80 rounds left, so I shot some timed drills at 5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards and 25 yards. Everything at 10 yards and closer was fired while on the move.

The 15 rounds fired at 25 yards were not bullseye accurate, but close enough for government work. Speer 90g GDHP is a bit more accurate than Tula, but at $1 a shot I decided to shoot the cheap stuff today.

 

[Whisper]

This week I installed an Apex barrel in my 2006 vintage M&P 9. Took it out for test firing today, and these are the first 20 shots through the new barrel.

To my immense dismay, that one miss came at the seven-yard stage. I shot clean at 10. I can't understand what happened.

The barrel must be a piece of junk.

Cheers,
Whisper

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

This week I installed an Apex barrel in my 2006 vintage M&P 9. Took it out for test firing today, and these are the first 20 shots through the new barrel.

To my immense dismay, that one miss came at the seven-yard stage. I shot clean at 10. I can't understand what happened.

The barrel must be a piece of junk.

Cheers,
Whisper

I agree, the new barrel is trash and should be returned to the seller. Great shooting though. I can shoot almost that good from about 12........... inches.

I need too find out if powder burns on a target make you subject to disqualification.

 

[Rastoff]

To my immense dismay, that one miss came at the seven-yard stage. I shot clean at 10. I can't understand what happened.

Believe it or not, the 7 yard line is where most shooters drop a round. I think it's just the attempt to do this 20 times more than the distance. We tend to lose focus around shot 14 or 15 and let one go.

Still, very nice shooting.

 

[wildmanbeck]

Out of curiosity I tried the challenge with the Governor using Federal 000Buck.
4 @ 9' was pretty tight
6@ 15' had the target looking pretty ratty
6@ 21' & the target was coming apart
The 4 @ 30' was like shooting at a flag in a breeze

 

[Whisper]

Well, I decided to try again this weekend, but with my Shield 9. The results are attached.

OK, I know I failed again. But, comparing this week's effort with last week's, I am impressed by the little Shield. The FS 9 I was shooting last week has an Apex barrel and sear and a Dawson Precision fiber optic front sight. The Shield is stock except for its Dawson Precision front sight -- it has the OEM barrel and sear, and notably heavier trigger than the full-size. Yet the Shield doesn't shoot that much worse.

Yeah, yeah, I need more practice. I'm going to keep at it. It annoys me to be so close to a passing score and still to fall short. This shall not stand.

Cheers,
Whisper

 

[Rastoff]

OK, I know I failed again.

Failed is such an ugly word. You've just found yet another area where you can be better.

I know I can't do as well as you with a Shield. As far as I'm concerned, that's some very good shooting.

 

[NCBeagle]

I'll do the challenge...in the next day or so when I can get to the range.

Will probably do it once with a Detective Special and then again with some sort of Smith J frame.

 

[Bob L]

HAd a chance to drop by the range today and try out the:

4 at 3 yards'
6 at 5 yards
6 at 7 yards
4 at 10 yards

Enjoyable challenge using some new reloads for my Model 15.Need to adjust the sights a little but still made it into 2 5/8 x 1 3/8" group. I'll get there yet. Thanks Rastoff!!

 

[jdesro1911]

I haven't tried this in a while, so I thought I'd give it another go. I used an M&P40 with an Apex DCAEK and Dawson sights.

20170501_170907 by John, on Flickr
20170501_170957 by John, on Flickr

 

[Bob O]

When the weather breaks, I'll get out and do this again, this time with a 642 and GP100.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

[Rastoff]

I haven't tried this in a while, so I thought I'd give it another go. I used an M&P40 with an Apex DCAEK and Dawson sights.

Success!! Very good shooting.

 

[LOBO]

Glock 19 fired cold per instructions

pic of the G19

 

[Bob O]

Very nice.

When my groups open up, they generally have a vertical component to them like yours.

The best I could do on this challenge was one flyer on the line at the top edge of the orange.

The 10 yard shots were the most challenging.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

[LOBO]

Very nice.

When my groups open up, they generally have a vertical component to them like yours.

The best I could do on this challenge was one flyer on the line at the top edge of the orange.

The 10 yard shots were the most challenging.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

The high flyer was at 10 yards, and low one was at 7 yards believe it or not.