Well I suppose it wouldn't be Texas if we didn't have ONE LAST event for 2023 with temperatures in the upper 90s, even if we're TECHNICALLY into the Fall season. Of course the temperature dropped 10 degrees the day after the weekend :slap: Nevertheless, we ain't afraid of no heat.
The North Texas crew really shined through and put forth a fantastic pistol clinic. Given the number of available instructors we opted not to run relays this time, but still had a pretty full line with 11 - count them, ELEVEN participants. None of the participants had ever attended a pistol clinic before (which makes the high number of new Pistoleer™s particularly impressive), and three of these fine people had never attended ANY event with Project Appleseed before.
HELAMAN did a great job instructing the line on safety during the first day. I think your days as an orange hat are coming to a close, sir. MRAKESTRAW, our resident pistol guru, then walked everyone through a thorough theology of pistol familiarization - safe handling, controls and what to expect. After a rousing course of hits count, we were off to discussing the important topics of steady hold factors and grip before ScottInTX covered the Six Steps of Firing the Shot and Natural Point of Aim. You, sir, will also look good in a red hat in the foreseeable future.
By this time the line was starting to realize it can be tiring to hold a pistol for an extended period of time, so we covered the proper ways to rest via the Low Ready and Center Line Index positions. Then MRAKESTRAW was back at it, discussing the differences between trigger manipulation for pistol or rifle. A rousing discussion of in battery and out of battery malfunctions was immediately followed up by a practical exercise, where participants got hands on experience - and maybe learned that they should be careful not to anticipate the shot at the same time ;) Finally we were on to magazine changes, before we stopped for lunch and the two strikes of the match. ScottInTX told his first ever first strike, and knocked it out of the ballpark. Great job!
After a nice lunch break in the a/c classroom, we're back at it with controlled pairs, double taps, target transitions and one handed shooting - both strong hand and weak hand. Some of the participants were surprised to find that their offhand one handed firing was better than their strong hand - it pays to pay attention to the process O0 We then had a chance for the students to take a break from the sun and hear the thrilling conclusion to April 19 1775, and the third strike of the match ("I hope we win") ;D Finally, it's time for the much anticipated Pistol Qualification Test where . . . get ready, you won't believe this . . . Not one, not two, but THREE people earned the coveted title of Pistoleer™! ^:)^ Congratulations to Chuck, Scott and Dan!
Day two comes bright and early, and we started moving right away before the warmer temperatures came in. After Flighttime reviewed the safety rules, MRAKESTRAW immediately jumped in to a thrilling rendition of "Appleseed Pistol Clinic in 10 (ish) minutes." The participants all enjoyed a number of different exercises to review and reinforce the techniques taught on day one before it was time for a "friendly" little competition of Big Dot Little Dot >:D I really thought that Scott was going to take the day with a time of 47 seconds, but Chuck pulled the rug out from underneath and beat the time with an impressive 44 seconds! ^:)^ That Project Appleseed lapel pin was well deserved, sir.
After some additional exercises, it's on to another Pistol Qualification Test before lunch. MRAKESTRAW presented an excellent tale of Sam & Sam, and how we got "here" from "there" in terms of the pistol's popularity in America today. We then had an excellent group discussion around a number of topics including the Onion of Self Defense, different holsters and their benefits, and some common accessories such as pistol lights, etc.
After lunch we're back on the line, running Pistol Qualification Tests and follow up drills. I'd love to hear what others say, but I really think that good old "ball & dummy" has some of the best return on time investment - ESPECIALLY when we do it for the one-handed shooting. Most of our Pistoleer™s weren't satisfied doing it once and decided that the best thing to do would be to qualify again on day 02. Matt wasn't one to let that rest, and decided that he should be a Pistoleer™ - that's a total of FOUR first-time people earning Pistoleer™ at one event! ^:)^ Grayson, I'm so sorry that you had to pay for dad's dinner Saturday night. You came so close to earning Pistoleer™ on day 02 and we're looking forward to seeing you back, assuming that dad gives you your pistol back. Next time don't compete for pink slips :wb:
Congratulations to all of you for a job well done. I hope to see all of you back on the line soon. Come back and join us for our 25 meter rifle event next month, or there are still two spots open for our Known Distance event in November.
Had a great time as a participant in my first Appleseed event. You guys did a great job! Dan
I was really impressed at all the shooters perseverance, as the mercury climbed so did the scores. Hopefully October will bring some cooler temps for the 25m event.
Everyone did a great job at the pistol clinic. Every student was great and safe. I hope to see those on the verge of earning it come back and earn the coveted Pistoleer™ patch! Remember to practice proficiently daily and the patch will be yours in no time!