New Match Shooting Plan

Tom B. and I attended the Prescott Action Shooter's monthly match November 22.  We thought the match started at 9 am, so we arrived at 8:30 am.  The match started at 10 am so Tom and I had plenty of time to talk about "stuff."

Biggest item on our agenda of talking about "stuff" was the shooting situation in The Verde Valley and also what we could do to preserve our current shooting range area where the Monday Matches are staged.

It was a most productive discussion and we both agreed that arriving an hour early really yielded some productive "mentalizing," as Tom calls it.

Here's the rough outline of what will transpire soon.

First, we are going to split into two shooting squads for the December 15 Monday Match.  The squads can be up to 7 shooters so we can have a roster of 14 participants.  That right there is huge.

Second, we will occupy the wash area upstream and downstream from the road crossing.

Third, we will create a new shooting area "on top," as we call it, with a very decent backstop.

Fourth, we will prep and place a warning sign to rifle shooters who may use the spur road that intrudes into our 180 shooting plane.

Fifth, we will interface with the couple in the Jeep beforehand to make sure they don't show up expecting to shoot in their regular spot.

Sixth, we will interface with the horse people and make sure they don't decide to trail ride into our shooting area during the Monday Match.

Seventh. we will prep and place a warning sign at the Yavapai County Materials Pit where the Horse People stage.

Eighth, We will totally tape off both ends of the wash on our shooting area.

Ninth, we will tape off the road at our shooting site.

And, finally, tenth, we will design all our stages to maximize the closest possible backstop.

We believe these Ten Steps will allow us to expand our Monday Matches without endangering participants or recreationists who may be in the vicinity.  It's a classic win-win situation the way we see it right now.

The two graphics here have captions below.

Our Monday Match Shooting Range is located at "A."  The Horse People Stages at "B."  We will interface with them and make sure they understand our shooting schedule and ride north into the new non-motorized area rather than ride "upwash"as they like to do.

Here's the shooting sight-lines for our new four-stage, two-squad setup.  We are confident it's going to work out really well.  The up and down ends of the wash will be completely taped from bank-to-bank with rebar and yellow caution tape.  Someone would have to get off their horse to remove the tape to get through.  Likewise, a driver would have to get out of their vehicle to get through the caution tape closure on the road.  (Unless they simply drove through the tape.)

We think we're getting somewhere with this new plan and we are pleased that Tom and I could concoct a "doable" deal today.  THANKS, Tom!

High Noon Saloon Sequel

The Wild Bill Hickok Stage in The High Noon Saloon proved to be very popular at Monday Match #1.  We thought it would be interesting to see what happened to The High Noon Saloon generations after Wild Bill and The Wild West were long gone.

This is going to be a very challenging stage because of the use of hard cover for all 11 targets.  In addition, there will be the IDPA legal number of hostages--4.  IDPA allows the use of one non-threat target for every three primary targets.  Thus, with 11 targets we are allowed four non-threats.  (See Rule 6.13)

The non-threat targets will take up quite a bit of the open space of each of the threat targets that are not already hard cover.  Thus, the shooter will have a very small actual sight picture area for most of the targets.  The first four targets are wearing body armor so head shots only will be scored.  We will NOT be using wigs to obscure the heads on any targets in this stage.  Also note that we will NOT be giving an FTN on T1 through T10 of this stage.  A miss on a head shot on T1-T4 will be score as five points down without the five second FTN added.

T11 will be eligible for an FTN.  Remember that.

Since The Wild Bill Hickok Incident, The High Noon Saloon has been expanded many times.  T11 is coming through your bat wing doors with an AR in hands.  Hence, T11 must be engaged at 20 yards and must be neutralized.  T11 is key to this stage's success.

Although technically this is an 18 round stage, it would behoove shooters to expend more than 18 rounds due to the difficult and challenging nature of each target site picture.

Here is the link to the PDF file for this Stage: http://goo.gl/NhGWJF

Match Schedule

Here's Our Arizona Season Match Schedule

Note the "@" sign indicates we participated in that match.

We have also shot in formal practice sessions on November 10 (APP - MM) and November 15 (FLG IDPA).

Note that the Phoenix Rod & Gun Club will be conducting a Tier II Sanctioned Match on January 17, 2015.  The PRG's "South Mountain Showdown" (SMS) is a favorite mid-winter event IDPA members from far and wide.  The SMS Roster generally runs to about 100 shooters. The upcoming match will have 8 stages and a 120-130 round count.  Cost is $85.

Here is the registration link:

https://clubs.practiscore.com/2015-south-mountain-showdown/register

Here's the 2013 SMS results:

http://prgcpractical.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=80&id=834&Itemid=496

Here's the 2012 SMS results:

http://www.prgcpractical.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=80&id=635&Itemid=496

This link has a couple of videos from the SMS:

http://www.idpascore.com/2012/11/05/idpa-2012-south-mountain-showdown/

Monday Match #1 Preliminary Results

David W. begins to engage  the "Secuestro en la Universidad"

while Safety Officer John C. watches with a careful eye.

Thanks for a Great Match!  Eleven shooters participated under sunny skies and warm calm air.  Congratulations to John C. for his Top Finish in both Total Time and Most Accurate.

Here are the preliminary results of the first Monday Match. (Some Photos appear below the data tables.)

One shooter was not able to shoot Stage #4 so the first three stages were scored for a total and Stage #4 was score separately.

We will be calculating the other stage rankings later today as well as posting photos.

Three Stage Totals

Here is the link in case the 46 photo-slide show doesn't appear.

https://picasaweb.google.com/106237303842175829251/SecuestroEnLaUniversidad?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Normally, I take many more photos but my camera batteries died today.  Sorry 'bout that!

Here are the Match Director's Post Match Notes for anyone who may care to read them:

http://goo.gl/2rDfDG

Monday Match #1 Notes

The Match Director has lots of various notes about the upcoming November 17th Monday Match.  This is a "catch all" blog post for all those notes. The most recent update to this post was added at 5:45 am Monday, November 17.

Windy? Maybe Not...

The 5:45 am temp in Rimrock was 22 degrees.  However, Match-time temps are expected to be in the high 40's or low 50's, rising toward 60 by the end of the match At 5:30 am this morning, the wind was blowing 17 mph at the Sedona Airport with gusts to 32 mph.  Other NWS Observation sites are showing calm conditions. Here at our Rimrock home, the air is calm and the "official" wind speed is a mere one mile per hour.  As you know, it can be windy one place and near calm nearby.  Cross your fingers and hope for light air today.  We are "rigged for the wind" but it's always challenging the stage a match in high winds. 

Two Squads

Due to the large number of participants (12) registered for the 1st Monday Match, we are splitting into two squads.  One will shoot two stages in the wash while the other will shoot two stages up on top.  Stages 1 & 4 will be in the wash.  Stages 2 & 3 will be on top. Barring additional cancellations, we will have two squads of six shooters each.

Arrive Early & Be Prepared

Please, please be parked on the range by 9:45 am.  Please also arrive at the range with your holster and magazine holder on your belt.  The magazines for the first two stages should be loaded and ready in your range bag.

Group Photo

We will be taking a group photo before this match at the request of Tony G.  Tony's amazing dietary success clearly calls for a new picture of him in our group shot.  Please plan accordingly.

Shuttle Vehicle Needed

Larry & Deanna are driving a low clearance Prius.  We told them we will send a pickup truck to the gate area to shuttle them and their gear to the range.  Although their Prius would probably make it OK on the road, we'd rather be safe than sorry.  Our truck will be hitched to the gear trailer so we will need someone to have their truck seat(s) cleared and ready to shuttle Larry and Deanna.

SAFE AREA

Beginning this season, we will have a formal, designated SAFE AREA in which to holster and unholster your unloaded pistol.  SAFE AREAS are part and parcel of both Cold Ranges and IDPA Matches.

In the past 3 seasons, we have utilized each shooter's pickup truck bed as an informal Safe Area.  This season we will utilize a designated SAFE AREA. 

Review The Stages

If you haven't already done so, please review the stages. Begin at this link and then inspect the blog posts that have been prepared for each of the four stages.  

http://montezumamarkmen.blogspot.com/2014/11/monday-match-1-stages.html

Note also that the stages are considered "draft" until the match begins.  The Match Director reserves the opportunity to make changes  in any or all of the stages until the match actually begins.

Weather Outlook

The match weather is looking OK. As of 8:30 am Sunday morning, the Flagstaff NWS and national NOAA modeling forecasts expect Monday to be dry.  The Thursday forecast said:

"THE MAIN WEATHER IMPACT IS BREEZY NORTHEAST WINDS ALONG AND SOUTH OF THE MOGOLLON RIM MONDAY MORNING."

This prognostication continues.  A private weather website said Sunday morning to expect "Northeast winds around 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the morning."  Dress for chilly conditions.

Attention to Details

There are 12 shooters participating in the first Monday Match.  Due to the large number of participants, the BUG Stage has been deferred to a future match.

Because we have a large roster and two squads, we will have to really move quickly in order to complete all four stages within our two hour time frame.  All participants should arrive at the range with the range with their holster and magazine holder on their belt.  The magazines for the first two stages should be loaded and ready in participants' range bags.

The first stage requires three mags loaded to six rounds each. The second stage requires the pistol loaded to division capacity (9 rounds in CDP and 11 rounds in SSP & ESP)

Each shooter who is "on deck" should immediately move to the firing line to be in position for the "load and make ready" command as soon as the targets have been scored and taped.

At least two target tapers should be standing by ready to tape as soon as the targets have been scored. We should have enough target stands to have the entire match set up without having to carry stages from one stage to another.

New Brass Plan

We are going to try something different in this match. We will not be picking up any brass after each shooter.  All brass will remain on the ground until everyone has shot the stage...or possibly the entire match. After the stage (or possibly after the match), the entire squad can pick up and sort brass.  This should help us speed up the conduct of the match. If you want to make sure you get YOUR brass back, please mark the bottom of the brass with a felt tip pen.

Larry M is bringing a brass broom and sorter.  Thanks, Larry!

The APP Stage Trailer

Thanks to Brad W. we once again have a trailer to haul our stage props and targets to and from the Monday match Range.  This year, the trailer configuration has been completely redone.  (APP = "Arizona Practical Pistol")

Click here to see photos:  https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/APPStageTrailer?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Introducing APP TV

As some of you know, "The Texas Good Ol' Boy" Stage begins with the shooter seated and watching TV.  This year, we decided to get a much better simulated TV for the stage.  And what better than the that famous classic 1939 NBC Indian Head Test Pattern.  If there is one universal symbol that screams Tee-Vee, it would have to be this graphic.  we have also added a TV remote to the stage.

Experimental Wall Sections

Also new for the first Monday Match will be at least one new experimental wall section.  It and possibly a second such section will be used in The Texas Good Ol' Boy" Stage. You can read much more about this experimental wall section here:

http://montezumamarkmen.blogspot.com/2014/11/wall-section-experiment.html

Donations

We've spent about $100 so far getting ready for this season.  You donations are always appreciated!

Stay tuned...

Keep an eye on this blog post as more information may be posted from time-to-time right up until 7 am Monday Morning.

Wall Section Experiment

Anyone who designs IDPA Stages knows that walls are a hassle.  Typically, they weigh way too much and are cumbersome to move and store.  So, here's our latest "wall experiment."

It requires two ten foot lengths of plastic 3/4 inch pipe, two elbows and two tees.  Then it requires a section of very lightweight garden netting and a minimum of eight small zip ties, plus two pieces of rebar.  That's it.

The finished product weighs practically nothing and the thin netting offers virtually no wind resistance.  The 4 foot wide by 6 foot tall sections could easily be zip tied together to create hallways, room sections and even more architectural features.  One section by itself makes a nice cover structure.

One of the nice things about this design is that there are no braces or "feet" that could cause a tripping hazard.  There are no rough edges, no splintered wood and no sharp corners.

We put this one together by friction fitting the elbows and tees.  Technically, the wall sections could easily be taken apart at the end of the season to facilitate easy storage in our tiny shooting stage storage shed. The only recurrent annual cost would be the zip ties.

Now we need to test the wall section in action, as well as in high wind to see how it behaves.  So far, so good.  We got this idea back in September but haven't had the time to get it together until today.

(Added later) We think it would be a good idea to glue the inside joints of the tees and elbows.  Otherwise, the other parts can be friction fit, making seasonal storage a piece of cake.

The pipe and fittings for one section cost $6.75, including sales tax.  We bought 100 feet of the netting for $15, so there's about 75 cents worth of netting in this section.  We buy our zip ties at Harbor Freight when they are sale so 8 zip ties would cost about 16 cents total.  The grand total cost comes in under $8 per section or basically $2 per lineal foot of wall section.  We're thinking it would take a minimum of six sections (24 lineal feet) to build some decent stages. Cost would be about $50 for that much wall.  Ideally, we'd like to have 48 lineal feet which would be about $100.

As far as stage design materials go, that $100 is a genuine bargain for what it buys.

Monday Match #1 Stages

Greeting!  Monday Match #1 is on track for November 17th.  We have a challenging array of Stage Designs, including a "Guest Stage" by Costa Rican IDPA Member Daniel Madrigal.

Also, we've dusted off an Old West Classic courtesy of Stage Design Master Jeff Brown.  You're sure to enjoy a new and improved version of "The Texas Good Ol' Boy."

One of the UDPL 2013 Utah IDPA State Champion Match stages is included, too.

And, if that's not enough, we have an optional BUG Stage from the S&W 2013 BUG Nationals.  We're taking a departure from our normal method of presenting stages.

Each of the stages now has its own blog post.  In addition, we have created a PDF of all of the stage designs.  And, finally, we also created a slide show of the stages.  Hopefully, all of these alternatives will allow each participant to have a better understanding and grasp of how the Monday Match #1 Stages will be put together.

The minimum round count will be under 50.  However, it's highly unlikely you will be able to shoot the Match at the minimum round count.  Your own individual round count could go as high as 70+ depending on how many shots you take during the Vickers Stages.

Here is a link to a simple PDF of the stages.  Scroll down through the blog to see each individual stage description in more detail.

http://goo.gl/koybZj

All Monday Match #1 Stages are shown here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/MondayMatch1Stages?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Thanks for reading!  Happy Shooting & Many Cheers, jp

Texas Good Ol' Boy Sequel

Old Timer Montezuma Marksmen have fond memories of "The Texas Good Ol' Boy" stage.  It has appeared in many a Monday Match.  The stage is based on a true life incident in Texas.  For the 2014-2015 Arizona Season, we've adapted this popular stage to increase the round count, up the ante on the "challenge factor" and thrown in two reincarnations of the ever-endearing "Crack Head" Stage.

Beware that we will be adding at least one and possibly two surprises to this stage.  So what you see here is just an approximation of the stage "as built" on November 17th.  If you can shoot this stage Down Zero, you will be doing very, very well!

Here is the true story upon which the Texas Good Ol' Boy Stage is based.  IDPA rules state that a scenario stage cannot have targets farther than 25 yards from the shooter.  Hence, we have reduced T1 from 50 yards to 25 yards.

All Monday Match #1 Stages are shown here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/MondayMatch1Stages?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Wild Bill Hickok at Monday Match

Good Ol' Wild Bill Hickok has his mug shots plastered all over the internet.
You can read more about his illustrious (some say infamous) life here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hickok

Stage Designer Extraordinaire Jeff Brown has his fingerprints all over this stage.  The "Wild Bill Hickok" stages shows up throughout the IDPA Family Tree.  However, Master Designer Jeff put together a rendition to use at the 2008 IDPA Nationals.

Jeff Brown posts stage scenarios at the
 NAZHCS, Oct. 25 at the PAS Range.

Here is the scenario narrative Jeff used for the 2008 Nationals:

"On Dec 22, 1867, US Deputy Marshal J.B. “Wild Bill” Hickok entered a small rural bar in 
Jefferson County, Nebraska. While drinking at the bar, 4 men taunt him about his long hair and fancy buckskins. Words lead to a shoving match, then gunplay. When the smoke clears, Wild Bill has a bullet in his right shoulder and his opponents are all on the floor, each with a bullet in the head! Only 1 survives. After hitting the first man and taking a bullet in the right shoulder, Hickok dropped the three left handed!"  (See Editor's Note at end of blog post.)

It is shown here along with another version of the popular stage.  We are going to modify the stage slightly so that we can affix our own name to the amended version.

In our version, you will be hold a glass of faux whiskey in your support (weak) hand.  You will draw and fire at T1 with retention. In our version, your first shot will be to Center of Mass, not the head.  Then you will throw down the whiskey, switch the pistol to your support hand and engage T2-T4 with one head shot.

Due diligence must be exercised in the "on the clock" switch of the loaded pistol to the Support Hand.  An accidental discharge during this switch will be an automatic DQ.  Keep ALL your fingers out of the trigger during this switch.

(Editor's Note:  We read many of the numerous online accounts of the Life & Times of Wild Bill Hickok and were unable to find a specific reference to the December 1867 event upon which this stage is based.  We believe the December 1867 account is loosely based on an 1861 shootout described in the Wiki link below the Hickok portrait collage above.  Regardless of whether the event is fact or fiction, it is in keeping with the Spirit of Wild Bill Hickok and represents a valid IDPA Stage.)

All Monday Match #1 Stages are shown here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/MondayMatch1Stages?authuser=0&feat=directlink

UDPL 2013 State Championship Skill Drill

This is listed as a Vickers Stage but it actually a Limited Vickers "standards" stage.  This stage was included in the match roster of the UDPL 2013 Utah State IDPA Championship.  It proved to be very challenging for all skill classifications.  Perhaps one of this stage's greatest "assets" is that it uses only one target!  Many THANKS to Koski & Crew for including this stage in the 2013 UDPL Match!

All Monday Match #1 Stages are shown here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/MondayMatch1Stages?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Putting the "International" in the International Defensive Pistol Assoc.

Thanks to Costa Rica's Daniel Madrigal for giving permission to use his IDPA Stage "Secuestro en la Universidad" for Monday Match #1 on November 17.  Here's what Daniel had to say after we sent a note November 7th asking to use the stage design:

"Hi John:

Thanks for the kind words.  I designed this stage for next week´s IDPA match here in Costa Rica, but you are most welcome to use it.

My IDPA # is CR0094.  I just started shooting about two years ago.  Last year I became a SO and have been match director for a couple of IDPA matches.  You can say I´m all in for shooting sports.  I´m still a marksman, but will probably get bumped to sharpshooter by the end of this year.  Have not traveled to shooting events outside of Costa Rica, but plan to make amends by being SO in the S&W Panamerican Invitational in Puerto Rico next year and later either go to the Carolina Cup or the World´s in Tulsa.  Hope to make it.

Our club, ASOTIPRA, holds IDPA, IPSC and 3-Gun matches.  Here is our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Asotipra  Some of the pictures are mine from past events.

Would love to visit Arizona again in the future.

Have fun!

Daniel Madrigal

We found Daniel's stage design on the great website: http://idpastagedesigner.com/

Thanks, Daniel!

All Monday Match #1 Stages are shown here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/MondayMatch1Stages?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Possible BUG Stage

We "might" script in one BUG Stage for Monday Match #1.  It depends on how long we think it will take to shoot the other four primary stages.  The diagram and scenario below comprised Stage #10 at the very first S&W National BUG Match held in November 2013.  You can find the original page from which we copied this material here:

http://www.idpa.com/blog/post/2013/11/11/SW-Back-Up-Gun-Nationals-Stage-10-Firewood-Shootout.aspx

Chances are we would make it only two strings instead of 3.  We would then count your best string in your final Monday Match score.  No holster would be required for this stage.

SCENARIO: You are cutting and splitting firewood with your friends when bad guys spot you and decide you look like easy prey, so they try to take your equipment. You see that they have guns and try to warn your friend. As you are fighting out of harm’s way, they grab your friend as cover.

PROCEDURE:

String One: Standing at P1, facing down range with gun at low ready. On the buzzer, engage T1-T5 with one round each in tactical priority.

String Two: At P2, same as string #1.

String Three: At P3, same as string #1.

SCORING: Limited Vickers

ROUND COUNT: 15

TARGETS: 5 IDPA, 2 Non-Threat

SCORED HITS: Best Three On Target

STAGE DESIGN: Warren Baker

All Monday Match #1 Stages are shown here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/idahohighlights/MondayMatch1Stages?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Practical Pistol Practice

Here is the link to the PDF of the scoresheet: http://goo.gl/uL39Q6

As promised last April, we will conduct bi-weekly practice sessions using the same exercises and a 50 round count.  The exercises were chosen this summer in Idaho while staging various practice sessions there.

The first practice session will be held November 10.  No advance signup is required.

While it is not possible to cover all potential practical pistol exercises within the context of a short, 50-round session, we feel these exercises will put participants on a solid footing for Monday Matches and IDPA matches conducted in Flagstaff, Prescott and Phoenix.  We are purposely NOT making these exercises complex and also are not using any stage props (other than one cover) for the exercises.

The simple score sheet is shown above.  Each participant will take home their score sheet.  results will not be posted on this blog.  There will not be a "total time" for all the exercises.  If any participant wishes to track their own progress during the course of our Arizona Shooting Season, they may save the sheets to compare them over time. (PDF Link: http://goo.gl/uL39Q6 )

A total of five targets will be utilized, as well as one cover structure.  All Exercises will be set up in the dry wash area of our shooting range in The Winter Horse Pasture of The Apache Maid Allotment.

The practice sessions will begin at 10 am and end when all participants have completed all exercises.  We are guessing the sessions will last from 60-90 minutes, depending on participation. Based on our similar practice sessions in Idaho this summer, the pace, scoring and taping will move very quickly.

PLEASE remember to bring your concealment garment!  Also, please arrive by 9:45 am so we can begin promptly at 10 am.  Note that we will NOT have coffee on hand for the practice sessions so you will need to BYOC.