Practical Shooting After Dark EP 160

Published on September 9, 2021
Duration: 34:28

This episode of Practical Shooting After Dark features discussions on competitive shooting experiences, including the Utah State USPSA Championship and the Polish Nationals. Key topics include stage design, hit factor analysis, and the challenges of moving targets. A significant portion is dedicated to a detailed comparison of red dot sights for competition, focusing on durability, performance in various conditions, and MOA dot sizes. The episode also touches on the process of changing shooting techniques and the importance of data collection over perceived failure.

Quick Summary

When choosing red dot sights for competition, prioritize durability and reliability. The Trijicon SRO is highly recommended for its robust performance, with some units handling over 120,000 rounds. For pistol shooting, a 5 MOA dot size can offer better visibility against glare compared to smaller dots. Always consider battery life and performance under recoil.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Welcome to Practical Shooting After Dark
  2. 01:24Utah State USPSA Championship Experience
  3. 02:53Match Stage Breakdown and Round Count
  4. 05:00Weekend Only Shot: Paper vs. Poppers
  5. 05:36Match Duration and Stage Distribution
  6. 05:50Cowboy Props and Themed Stages
  7. 06:29Utah's Reputation for Challenging Matches
  8. 07:05Salt Lake City Environment and Weather
  9. 08:03Ben's Trip to Poland: Teaching and Match
  10. 09:18Polish Nationals: Stage Count and Moving Targets
  11. 10:00Positive Shooting Culture in Poland
  12. 10:24Feedback on Moving Targets and Organizational Response
  13. 11:33Specific Moving Target Types: Mickey Mouse
  14. 13:15Controversial Up-Down Bobber Targets
  15. 14:22Shooting Culture and Problem Solving in Poland
  16. 15:09Polish Extreme Open 2 vs. Czech Match
  17. 15:55Flying to Poland with Firearms
  18. 16:33Target Colors: White vs. Brown
  19. 17:44Carry Optics Nationals: Finalizing Gear
  20. 18:19Optic History: SRO, Delta Point, Romeo 3 Max
  21. 19:16SRO Issues: Sand and 'Fake Dots'
  22. 20:06Romeo 3 Max Durability and Failure
  23. 20:26SRO Durability with High Round Count
  24. 21:00Testing 5 MOA SRO and 6 MOA Delta Point
  25. 22:20Final Optic Choice: SRO 5 MOA
  26. 23:25Kim's SRO Experience: Durability and Reliability
  27. 24:51Carry Optic Recommendations: 5 MOA
  28. 25:27MOA Dot Size Comparison: 2.5 vs. 5
  29. 26:20Carry Optics Nationals: Competition Level
  30. 29:01Changing Shooting Techniques
  31. 30:17Giving New Techniques an Honest Try
  32. 31:14Data Collection vs. Pass/Fail
  33. 32:31Analyze, Don't Criticize
  34. 33:32The 'Worse Before Better' Phenomenon
  35. 34:10Podcast Wrap-up and Listener Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key considerations when choosing a red dot sight for competitive shooting?

Durability, reliability, and dot size are crucial. The Trijicon SRO is highly regarded for its robustness, with some units exceeding 120,000 rounds. Dot size, like 5 MOA, can be beneficial for pistol shooting in bright conditions to differentiate from glare. Battery life and performance under recoil are also important factors to consider.

How should one approach changing shooting techniques in firearms training?

It's essential to give new techniques an honest, extended try (weeks, not just a few sessions) and to analyze the results through data collection rather than labeling it a failure. Sometimes, performance may temporarily decrease before improving as the new technique is mastered.

What was the experience like at the Utah State USPSA Championship?

The match featured 14 scored stages with a high round count, emphasizing fast-paced, high hit factor shooting. It included a challenging memory stage and offered a choice between paper targets or poppers for a specific weekend-only shot. The event was noted for its variety of stage designs.

What were the notable features of the Polish Nationals shooting competition?

The Polish Nationals had 18 stages with a significant emphasis on moving targets, including challenging 'up-down bobber' targets. The shooting culture was positive, and the organization was responsive to competitor feedback, indicating a functional sports environment.

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