Practical Pistol Show 14 - Hoppy in the House Part 2

Published on February 26, 2015
Duration: 18:06

This episode of the Practical Pistol Show features Ben Stoeger and Matt Hopkins discussing various aspects of competitive shooting. They compare the CZ SP-01 Shadow and Tanfoglio Stock II, analyze the evolution of talent in USPSA, and delve into the effectiveness of dry fire training. Hopkins shares his journey to becoming a top competitor, emphasizing realistic goals, consistent practice, and the importance of stage strategy. The discussion also touches on the physical demands of the sport and the value of case gauges for ensuring firearm reliability.

Quick Summary

Improvements from dry fire can be immediate in live fire, provided the dry fire practice accurately simulates the demands of live shooting. If dry fire drills don't reflect how a shooter actually performs under pressure (e.g., slow trigger presses vs. fast ones), those specific improvements may not translate effectively.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Intro & Question about 20 Years Ago
  2. 00:10Welcome to Practical Pistol Show
  3. 01:03Matt Hopkins' Opinion: SP-01 Shadow vs Stock 2
  4. 02:42Talent Level in USPSA: Then vs Now
  5. 03:54USPSA Stages and Classifiers
  6. 04:04Perception of Past Talent
  7. 05:26Agree/Disagree on Talent Evolution
  8. 05:36Dry Fire Improvements in Live Fire
  9. 06:14Example: Accuracy Dry Fire vs Live Fire
  10. 07:00Disconnect Between Dry Fire and Live Fire Goals
  11. 07:17Example: Drawing Dry Fire vs Live Fire Grip
  12. 07:51Simple Dry Fire Improvements
  13. 08:13Getting Serious About Improvement: Timeline
  14. 08:31Part 1: How Long to Get Better?
  15. 09:30Part 2: How Much Dry Fire?
  16. 10:47Part 3: Drills That Paid Off Most
  17. 11:12Next Level: From Good to Top 16
  18. 11:35What it Takes to Reach Top 16
  19. 12:04Top 16 Achievability
  20. 13:06How to Get into Top 16
  21. 13:27Biggest Shooting Difference: Now vs 2-3 Years Ago
  22. 14:02Training Differences
  23. 14:21Difference: Now vs Top 16 World Shoot Finisher
  24. 14:34IPSC as a Physical Game
  25. 15:05Recoil Spring in SP-01
  26. 15:27Competing as a Larger Shooter
  27. 15:56Improvements Since Regular Dry Fire
  28. 16:44Pro Shop Products: Case Gauges
  29. 17:27Contact Information
  30. 17:52Show Wrap-up

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between the CZ SP-01 Shadow and Tanfoglio Stock II for competition?

The CZ SP-01 Shadow is generally easier to acquire and has more affordable and widely available aftermarket parts, with good support from CZ USA. While the Stock II might have some inherent advantages, the Shadow's accessibility and parts support make it a very popular choice among competitors, reflected in holster sales.

Has the talent level in USPSA increased over the last 10 years?

The general consensus is that the talent pool in USPSA has deepened due to increased information accessibility, allowing more shooters to improve. However, top-tier talent from past decades, like in the mid-90s, would likely still be highly competitive today, suggesting the pinnacle of skill hasn't drastically changed, but the overall level has risen.

How long does it take for dry fire improvements to show in live fire?

Improvements from dry fire can be immediate in live fire, provided the dry fire practice accurately simulates the demands of live shooting. If dry fire drills don't reflect how a shooter actually performs under pressure (e.g., slow trigger presses vs. fast ones), those specific improvements may not translate effectively.

What is the most effective way to reach a top 16 finish at a national competition?

To achieve a top 16 finish, focus on consistent performance across all stages of a match rather than excelling at a few and failing at others. Minimizing mistakes and avoiding 'bombing' any stage is crucial. Setting realistic, incremental goals and dedicating consistent practice, including focused dry fire, are key components.

More Range & Competition Videos You Might Like

More from Ben Stoeger

View all →