AAR Phoenix AZ Pistol IBC May 3-4

[ScubaSteve]

What a great weekend in Phoenix Arizona. They tell me it is starting to get hot in Phoenix but we had an air conditioned building for our Pistol IBC so we did not mind the weather.

We started our IBC with Appleseed instructors from 4 different states. Florida, New Mexico, Arizona and Arkansas were all represented. One of our instructors said it best. "I just got here and I don't know anybody here but I already feel like I am among friends."

Our day started with our guard snake (Western Diamondback) guarding the bathrooms. He was friendly enough so we let him be. Once we all found the building, this is a big shooting facility, we got to work. Everything from what is an Appleseed instructor, to how to work with models was discussed.  Once we had all the pieces to the puzzle figured out we started applying what we learned by practicing our demos. safe pistol, line commands, grip, stance, you name it, we talked about it and practiced it in our groups.  By the end of day one every instructor had given almost every demo we do in Appleseed pistol at least once.

We ended day one around 5.
As this is a new state for Appleseed pistol the day before this IBC we held an instructor only Appleseed pistol event. Most instructors made score.  Kelly was very close but just could not get over that hump. The instructors got together after day one of the IBC to go shoot some PQTs with him to see if we could get that score.  Kelly shot and shot but just was not getting it. On closer inspection of his pistol they found some fairly serious lead fouling. Well that aint good!.
Kelly being the smart man he is barrowed his wife's really pretty purple sparkly new pistol and shot one more PQT.  Made score with no problem,  Way to go Kelly!   Sometimes it really is the pistol but a Pistoleer™ will persist.

We started at 8 am on Day two. We again had a guard for the bathrooms. Another Western Diamondback. He was protecting us from those ever dangerous ground squirrels. This one was much larger than the one the day before. Best to call the range officer and have him removed. Good news this is a wildlife preserve so he was moved to the other side of the facility to live in the cactus.

Nick our local shootboss asked me later in the morning when we were talking about Arizona wildlife if in Florida we have to shake out our shoes before we put them on. of course not! We don't have alligators that small in Florida.

We were a little behind schedule from day one so we jumped right into the demos we missed and then review of everything we did yesterday. By lunch on day two we were back on schedule and everybody had done all demos at least twice.

What is Appleseed, a history organization or a Marksmanship organization? Well both...The IBC reflects that. At lunch the Shootboss started off with a little more of the story behind Patrick Hennery's famous speech. Then each instructor had a chance to come up and tell history that we usually don't talk about at our normal 2 day events. From Tarleton and his lack of quarter to the siege of Boston. Great stories all around.

All the instructors had a chance to diagnose common errors on the line. The Shootboss and Scott a Charter Pistol instructor demoed all the errors and each instructor had to find the error and then instruct us on how to fix the error. And no Tom "stop doing that" was not the fix we were looking for. It was funny as heck when you said it for sure. LOL!

We tried to end a little early on day two as some had a few hours drive. 4pm was the goal and we made it. The day ended with the Shootboss telling just a little more history. I love Hezekiah Wyman so I gave my rendition of that story to close out the day. I think when I grow up I want to be Hezekiah Wayman.


A big thanks to our host facility and a big thinks to Nick the local shootboss in Phoenix. He handled all the arrangements. He called the range master to save us from the snake. He even arranged lunch for all of us both days for the IBC.  And of course thanks to all the instructors that came out to help work and learn.   Thanks so much.

Many promotions to pistol instructor from this event. New pistol instructors, strike while the iron is hot. Get out there and start pistol events in Arizona as soon as the weather allows. Instructing, like shooting is a perishable skill. Don't let those skills wither on the vine.

Note, I did not take many pictures this weekend. "Bad Shootboss"..... If anybody else has some please post them.





Day One Snake

Day Two Snake

[Mahamotorworks]

Follow Through


Steve Instructing


Teaching

MAHA

[JustKim]

Looks like a great event!  IBCs are such a valuable tool!