A good size group completed the IPSC TC last weekend.
There were 6 shooters in the class using 2 CZ Shadows, 2 SW M&P, 1 Glock and 1 SW 5946, all in 9mm Luger. Yes, the SW is a prohib but Mounties can use them š Always a pleasure when our law enforcement members participate in our game. It was a good cross section typical of IPSC matches; young, old, men and women. The only thing missing was a junior.
All right handers and no reloadersā¦yet š Mike M came by at the end of day 2 and let them shoot some 147 custom loads so they got a feel for one of the many differences to shooters when they become reloaders. One Abby member so another good chunk of Day Card fees from the course. I always tell the class they can hone some of their skills at Skills & Drills sessions.
Dean again helped out which made the project flow smoothly as normal. Thanks to Rod G for opening and closing the club for me Sunday. I am always encouraged by the cooperation and support from the Abby club.
These classes certify the students for holster use anywhere holsters are used. That is a great testament to the quality and trust the IPSC TC provides. The class also provides a peek into the world of IPSC and, hopefully, intrigues the students to continue on. I used to be shocked that there was a 40-60% attrition rate but have come to grips with the fact not everyone is an IPSC junky like me:))
It was obvious this group got it that the TC first priority is SAFETY while learning to shoot a wide variety of skills; freestyle, strong hand, weak hand, reloads, kneeling, prone, movement and more that students may encounter in matches.
Metro Van now has 8 qualifiers this year, not including Provincials. Local matches fill quickly, nothing available until Poco, June06.16(you DO know why that date is important in history, donāt you:) even if that date is a bit of a rush. Opportunities to complete TC requirements can be a challenge to the students. Thanks to Poco for putting on a qualifier.
You can always travel outside Metro Van and get a broader experience in matches as well as meeting new shooters. Dom in Victoria, August, still has space. A trip to Victoria is always a good time, make plans to go.
If you canāt get into qualifiers, check out ISL on the Island. They host club matches that are good practice for qualifiers. These are held in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River. And, of course, steel matches at TMSA and Mission. Chilliwack does IDPA for yet another exposure to pistol shooting challenges.
IPSC Canada nationals filled up very quickly. Bad news, good news. Bad news; filled up quickly:( Good news; with that much interest, IPSC Canada may have to start looking at more days of shooting to accommodate more entries. With the World Shoot covering 6 days and 1300 shooters or 200/day, Canada s/b able to get every Canadian and even some international shooters through an expanded match. Letās see if that happens.
In my last report, I had mentioned to some folks that with the rapid filling of matches locally, Abby may have an opportunity to help those who did not get in. My vision would be a club shoot of about 4-5 stages, 120 or so rounds. One or more indoors and 3 outdoors which would leave R#2 open for members. No movement on that so far but the future may see changes.
Students can, and should, shoot steel matches before their first qualifier. TMSA has a steel match Sat June04.16. Mission is starting steel matches too on the 3rd Sat of the month. I am hoping that Abby again puts on Steel Challenge matches as steel matches are THE way newbies can ease into our great shooting games. Even coming out to a qualifier just to watch is a good idea to get a feel for how the game is played.
Another IPSC class is scheduled for May14/15.16. Still lots of time to stop saying, āI really want to shoot IPSC and take the courseā and ACTUALLY sign up to prove it:))
You can join this fast growing dynamic shooting sport by being a class graduate. Classes and more information can be found atĀ http://mdgardner.com/extreme-pistol.htm#SCHED
I look forward to having you involved.
DVC
Murray “DOC” Gardner