AAR Watervliet MI Pistol Clinic - June 14-15, 2025

[Rangerat67]

Click on the link at the end of this to see a select group of pictures.

           
It was a great weekend in Watervliet! Seven eager students showed up for two days of marksmanship instruction and stories about April 19th, 1775.

This event was sold out with eight students. Just prior to the event, one student accepted an orange hat and began his journey towards becoming an instructor by attending a pistol IBC during this very weekend. Huzzah Zach! We missed you, but you are on a more important journey. Three students were attending their very first Appleseed event. Brian, Doug, and Shelley, welcome to your first event and I look forward to seeing you at a future event.

The key to earning a Pistoleer™™ Patch is persistence. It is not easy. It takes a mastery of grip, sights, and trigger. You must focus on the fundamentals, maintain the right mental toughness, and conquer exhaustion and doubt. Two received the coveted Pistoleer™™ Patch!

On the first PQT of the weekend, Rod and Jason showed they were prepared. Rod scored a 222 and Jason a 211. Rod and Jason battle for high score for the weekend. Rod won with a 237. Jason was close with a 235. Jason won high score with a centerfire with his 211. (Sorry Pookie, instructor scores do not count.)

Shooting highlights include Jason and Rod clearing the "Hit's Count" target. In fact, Jason cleared it three times! Do not offer a flag to Rod if he can hit the button using one hand, he did. Congratulations to Doug, Rod, and Scott, the victors in Team Battleship! Jason dominated in "Big Dot/Little Dot" Unfortunately, I did not record his time, but I do know he finished quickly with only twenty-four shots.

Shooting pistols well is based on three skills, grip, sights, and trigger. A Pistoleer™™ score depends on mastering all three. Scott is very close as he peaked with a 202. For reference, if I add up the best stages from all the PQT's, Scott has a 223. It just did not come together this weekend. Your rapid-fire stages were particularly good. You just needed one more good shot on the slow fire stage five for your second Pistoleer™™ patch.

Brian demonstrated good grip and sights. With a little work on keeping the sights aligned during the trigger press, and consistency with grip, your scores will improve. Practice with dry fire and a few trips to the range. It was great to meet you and I hope to see you at a future event.

Jeff, it was a pleasure to meet you. If I add up your best stages on all the PQT's, you have a  191. You are close to a Pistoleer™™ patch. Keep practicing with emphasis on focusing on the front sight and sign up for a future event!

Doug and Shelley will have to plan some date nights at the range. Shelley stated that she had almost no pistol experience but was easily the most improved. Doug, keep working on that grip and your accuracy and speed will follow.

Three Huzzahs to Pookie, MI-Copperhead, Fidget, Pepper Spray, and Captain America for helping to make this a safe, fun, and enjoyable event that included great story telling of the events of April 19th, 1775.
 
Three Huzzahs to our host Kevin and the Watervliet Rod and Gun Club for allowing this event to be held in Watervliet MI.  Appleseed is a great program but cannot exist without supportive ranges.

Finally, three huzzahs for the students. The attitudes and active participation of this group was outstanding. Hopefully, the shooters enjoyed the weekend as much as the instructors did, and we will see you again at a future event. Please share your experiences with your friends and family and help get the word out regarding the quality of the Appleseed program!

Huzzah!
Rangerat67

A link to pictures!

https://imgur.com/a/fCRwxmJ

[Zorak]

Thanks, Rangerat67, Pookie, MI-Copperhead, Fidget, Pepper Spray, and Captain America, for a fantastic weekend. This was my third Appleseed event, but my first Appleseed Pistol Clinic, so I kind of sort of knew what to expect. I also knew that I had a strong slow fire skill set to draw on, but needed a lot of work in rapid fire. As usual for anyone at their first class, I had more to learn that I thought. I had not been applying NPOA to my shooting, and when I remembered to do so, my scores improved. My one-handed scores also started to pick up as I applied the grip the instructors demonstrated. I still need a lot of practice to get my rapid fire shooting up to the level of my slow fire shooting, but I hope to show the benefits of persistence at my next Appleseed Pistol Clinic.

I regret the job pressures that keep me from taking an orange hat. Until things improve, if any of the instructors have feedback on how I can be a better participant, I'm all ears. You're going to see me again. You may as well make the best of it.

[Zorak]

One more though - electrolytes! I was good about drinking water all weekend, but I didn't drink my Gatorade on Saturday, and all my scores on Sunday morning were below my real potential because I really struggled to steady myself. Slamming some sports drink made a huge difference in my ability to take steady aim. I won't make that mistake again!

[Rangerat67]

Thank you for the reply Zorak. I'll be quoting you at future events regarding the electrolytes. Anytime your work/life balance allows, I have an orange hat with your name on it!

Rangerat67