New girl on the block

[WAZX3DRVR]

Welcome to the forum.

[nickb]

Originally Posted by Susan West

Greetings again: fficeffice" />>>
I posted on the XD forum to make a contribution. The response from some was great.>>
I was not prepared for some of the others. I looked at the 10-8 forum, I saw nothing of interest in the topics. However give me a few days, might even send them my credentials. Funny in the past 25+ years of shooting, NO ONE has ever questioned my ability or honesty.>>
I usually finish up with new shooters with the line, “I am better than most, not as good as some.”>>
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“When I take some of my students to the range for some practice I begin with them shooting 50 rounds at 50 metres 100 at 25 metres and 150 at 15 metres”>>
When you read the above carefully you will see that WE BEGIN at 54 yards, I want to see that “they” the students know what trigger control, sight picture, etc is all about.>>
Shooting at that distance and hitting a “THE” target under pressure means they understand. This is the time factor/pressure.>>
I THEN go on to say we move to 27 yards, then etc. >>
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“Speed is paramount, accuracy is critical, but accuracy with out speed is pointless and speed is irrelevant without accuracy, although I still teach speed.”>>
The above I stand with.>>
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“By speed I mean at 15 metres 3 shoots per second at a standard IPSC target and if you miss the target at that distance perhaps you should take up another sport, or occupation, or learn how and why you need to do it better.”>>
The above is also good, then if you are able to do the above, GUESS how great you will be if you need to shoot at 7 yards.>>
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In the posts I have read there is much said about trigger control, grip, sight picture etc, they are all a given. Without the above you are a danger to yourself and those with you in a situation.>>
Hope no one has a problem with this.>>
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Practice is critical, bad habits must be eliminated. Then more good practice, strong hand weak hand, instinctive shooting, etc. In situations there is no time to think.>>
I also teach karate, when you need it you do not think, you respond, reflex.>>
However if you are really smart you would have seen the situation develop many seconds before it happened and taken the appropriate action.>>
Shooting is similar, be observant, know what is happening around you, who are the players and who are observers. I am not making reference to police officers in a tactical situation; I am making reference to the average person walking down the street, a person who carries.>>
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“To end, if you can take a pistol to the range and at 50 metres hit 3 targets 1 metre apart with 2 shots on each I will assume that you are competent and this should be done in under 10 seconds from the draw. >>
If you accomplish this I will know factually that you understand about the grip, stance, sight picture, sight alignment. Then guess how easy and fast it becomes at 7 metres or less. There is always more, but more rests with an individual, more is about attitude, more is about who you are.” THIS was the salient point, it is obvious that some experts out your way where to fast in sending a reply without reading this in context.>>
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As a post script, I work in the cash in transit industry, covert, yes I know every time I go into a major shopping centre there is an element of risk, yes I know the threat will come from real close. Yes I understand there are hundreds of people around me, all innocent. BUT still I practice my routine, beginning at 54 yards, then moving forward, it hones my skills.>>
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It will be interesting to read some of the responses, or perhaps there won’t be any, what would an Australian (a female at that) know about shooting an XD, or in my case a HS2000.>>
Late last year I also purchased my Smith & Wesson M&P, an interesting firearm, still I prefer my HS2000.>>

I agree 100% with the longer shots to make you better up close. But, a lot of ranges here won't let us shoot rapid fire.

As someone above questioned, didn't they outlaw most weapons in Australia some time ago? I'm not doubting you, just looking for clarification.

Also, did you find the answer to fixing your gun? I think I found the info you were looking for and left it on your first thread.

[Susan West]

Hi nickb, good to be back and it’s Sunday.

Contrary to popular belief in Australia or Australians can own and store up to 15 handguns in their home without additional security, in a safe at their home. SUBJECT to background checks etc. The licence requires that the person shoots a minimum of 10 times per year.
Our buyback several years ago was more for the unused or little used semi automatic rifles owned/ this also applied to automatic shotguns. The government wanted semi automatic rifles out of circulation, they felt and I totally agree, there is no need for a AR15 or like weapon in the hands of the general public. Now you can own subject to background checks all the bolt action rifles you like, any and all calibres. 308 is good.
THEN came our beloved handguns.
We were allowed max 10 shot magazines, only security and police etc kept the full capacity.
.38/9mm where the maximum calibres we were allowed in our sport. I even had to hand in my .40 cal, as at the time I did not wish to shoot in another discipline.
HOWEVER if you shot classic, or metallic or some other disciplines you could keep your .45 or desert eagles etc, all you need to do is shoot a minimum of 10 times per year.
Hence most of us shoot various disciplines to keep what we like.
Security the industry I work in can use whatever our employer supplies, Glock or other. Calibre most popular is .40 cal. Possible the most popular calibre is 9mm, it’s the round that makes the difference, not the calibre perse.

Thanks nickb I did get my mag release fixed, but not in time for what I needed, so I used my M&P in 9mm for the 4 day match. Unfortunately I was not to familiar with this gun at distance, had only used it once before and all I can say is I had a great time.
It was the first time in over 10 years I shot as a competitor instead of as a range officer. Only goes to prove, if you need to shoot at your very best, practice with what you use constantly, makes you that little bit better, and that is what counts.

[Cannibul]

The government wanted semi automatic rifles out of circulation, they felt and I totally agree, there is no need for a AR15 or like weapon in the hands of the general public.

What is your reasoning behind this?

It's an extremely small step for the government to also decide that you don't need semi-automatic pistols. Then revolvers.

Look at Britain. You will be next.

[Reno82]

A gun is a gun is a gun. Semi-auto or revolver or bolt action... I have a 30.06 and can get off 5 shots as fast or within 1 or 2 seconds of a AR15 for 5 shots. I wish you luck Susan West. I'll stay in the USA.

[Susan West]

Hi, i agree, the government could take the view that semi auto pistols are next, then revolvers. There are groups in all countries that advocate for this, in America most from what i read are Democrates, hope i spelt that right. Do-gooders in Australia and greenies and others would like to see that, most of them do not think, are appossed to everything, advocate love every one, that is until there is a problem, then, ah to hell with all of them. As for England, i have little time for most of their government, they need to change that, perhaps then they will get it right.

[RAVXD]

Originally Posted by Susan West

The government wanted semi automatic rifles out of circulation, they felt and I totally agree, there is no need for a AR15 or like weapon in the hands of the general public.

do you now what the govermant uses AR's for ? for protection from criminals

do you know what the general public uses AR's for ? for protection from criminals and tyranny of government

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson

[Susan West]

RAVXD, governments should be changed at the ballot box, not by use of arms. You live in a democracy, majority rules, you have the right to your point of view because others died to ensure you have liberty.
However the world turns and moves on, this is the 21st century, not the 18th. Good people such as you should be allowed to select and do and own what they want, however there are others out there that i would not allow to own a water pistol, less alone an AR, or FN, or any other rifle.
Governments are voted in by the majority, at least in the USA, if you all want what is unreasonable, and more of the same, just where does it end, with atomic bombs, i need one of those. No, settle for what you have, and allow the world to move on.

[KEVWYO]

I know I am going to be perceived as an a-hole for saying this and so be it but to all you guys welcoming Susan West to the forum ... do it at your own peril. She was quite the egotistical handful on the Beretta forum when I used to visit it from time to time. She is very adept at stirring pots.

[Cannibul]

Once the asses in the masses in a Democracy learn that they can vote themselves bread and circuses the Democracy is doomed.

While the US is not a true Democracy but a Representative Republic it is still headed down the path of doom.

Susan. Just because the Majority of voters think something is right doesn't make it right. If the Majority of voters decide the you should be killed will you meekly submit to the will of the people?