MS Classic Prep

Ok, I took Cliff's suggestion and signed up for the MS Classic.

I have shot 3-4 USPSA matches at Magnolia but this looks like a totally different beast.

I'm a D class shooter (most days D-) shooting production.

Do I need any equipment different than our regular matches? I did order some extra Glock springs.

You experienced guys have any other suggestions about "stuff"? Also how many rounds will be needed?

Besides knowing I need to dry fire and practice mag changes I am open to all advice.

Thanks.

Way to go is all I can say...my hats off to ya...

As a D class I did not have the kahouna's to try and shoot anything other than a local match...

Good for you my man...I'm sure Cliff or someone else will be along to give you round count 411 etc.

In the past i think its been a Fri - Sunday event.

I saw Jerry M shoot there...guess that was 2 years ago

smooooooth....

I'd say dry fire a bunch....have plenty mags...make sure your ammo makes power factor if you reload...Cause they run ya through a chrony

Don't sweat stuff...Hang tough and don't DQ

Stay Hydrated...cause it can get pretty hot in May

Good Luck to ya...

Thanks, Neck. Now I really feel I am in over my head.

Na

Sometimes the lower ranked shooters surprise em

Go get em....Gotta keep your mind right

Practice all you can till 3 or 4 days prior...then ease off and relax...

You might get to shoot in same squad with some famous shooters.

Take a sharpie...and get Jerry to sign your gun...

Wunder if Jerry is coming this year...

The round count is 250+ , the plus being if you miss a target(s) and need to shoot more rounds to hit it and/or you need to reshoot a stage because of a prop failure or a target not being pasted. Personally I'll bring 350 rounds just to be on the safe side.

I shoot factory ammo so I figure there should be no problem making minor power factor.

Bring sunscreen, some munchies to keep your energy up, and have fun, which I'm sure you will.

I'd think 5 to 6 mags should be enough and mag pouches to hold at least 5, you can alway keep the 6th in your pocket and start the stage with that mag. If you have more mags bring them in case one of the mags breaks.

Now this is just a personal preference but, I'll throughly clean my gun the day before the match.

msredneck wrote:Na

Sometimes the lower ranked shooters surprise em

Go get em....Gotta keep your mind right

Practice all you can till 3 or 4 days prior...then ease off and relax...

You might get to shoot in same squad with some famous shooters.

Take a sharpie...and get Jerry to sign your gun...

Wunder if Jerry is coming this year...

Don't think Jerry is coming this year.

It's just like a local USPSA match with a lot more shooters. Everyone is glad to be there and glad to have new shooters enjoying the sport.
After two days of shooting you will be amazed at what you have learned and the confidence you have gained. Then you will show up at the next local match and shoot like crap.

Gale B wrote:It's just like a local USPSA match with a lot more shooters. Everyone is glad to be there and glad to have new shooters enjoying the sport.
After two days of shooting you will be amazed at what you have learned and the confidence you have gained. Then you will show up at the next local match and shoot like crap.

That sounds just about right

Just remember 3 things..

1. Only way to get better is shoot with folks better than you...and get your a$$ handed to ya....Humility is a good trait

2. Its just a game...not life or death...it just aint that serious

3. Have Fun...knowing that you are a better shooter than 99% of the rest of the world...even as a D

I sure have a lot of advice...for someone who has never shot more than a local match

Believe me...I've done my fair share of being the FNG (freaking New Guy)

JD, you bring up a question I meant to ask.

I shoot a Glock 19 with factory ammo in 115 gr. Is this ok for the power factor? Do they chrono at this match?

Still not sure about the "power factor" business and don't know if I need different ammo.

Thanks.

surgdog wrote:JD, you bring up a question I meant to ask.

I shoot a Glock 19 with factory ammo in 115 gr. Is this ok for the power factor? Do they chrono at this match?

Still not sure about the "power factor" business and don't know if I need different ammo.

Thanks.

I shoot federal 9mm 115 gr and had no problems making minor power factor. I've been shooting for about a year now and still have not "manned up" to shooting a state match. Don't go on my info only, but if it were me, I would try and soak up as much info at the match as possible. I think you will be surprised with the outcome if you just shoot like you do at a local match. Just my $.02

It you are shooting commercially available ammo I think they might let you skip the chrono.

I always shot Winchester White Box 115 9mm's. They are pretty hot.

If you shootin a 9 you in minor power factor

...It don't matter

Where's ole Cliff when you need him to chime in...He's gotta be getting a giggle out of this...

newbs trying to counsel newbs

Hang In there...Help is a coming...I'm sure

Thanks, Will.
I would like to do that.
Would you be at Magnolia next weekend?

OK, if you get out this week sometime let me know know and may be I can meet you there.

It would be terrible to get to the match and DQ before the first shot.

I will PM you my email.

Thanks

surgdog wrote:Ok, I took Cliff's suggestion and signed up for the MS Classic.

I have shot 3-4 USPSA matches at Magnolia but this looks like a totally different beast.

I'm a D class shooter (most days D-) shooting production.

Do I need any equipment different than our regular matches? I did order some extra Glock springs.

You experienced guys have any other suggestions about "stuff"? Also how many rounds will be needed?

Besides knowing I need to dry fire and practice mag changes I am open to all advice.

Thanks.

I'm in the same boat as you I'm a D class production shooter and the Classic will my 7th match to compete in. Man we've gotta get our feet wet sometime! Good luck!

All good advice thus far.

As Will mentioned, they will check you on chrono. WWB 115's would be a good choice for a match this big. Also, poppers start off calibrated but go heavy as the match goes on. Shooting ammo a little hotter will benefit you in both cases.

Focus on safety and getting your hits. You will get 10 local matches worth of experience hitting this big match. If you need to chrono, let me know. I will be testing this week.

If you've shot local matches, you understand the shooting part. The big difference I see at large matches is the non-shooting part. The chrono is no big deal, either you make it or you don’t. If you are shooting factory, I wouldn’t worry about it, but Will and Cliff have offered to chrony you, so no big deal there. You need to prepare yourself for being outside on the range from 8 AM to 5 PM. Drink plenty of water/sports drinks, bring energy providing snack food (not snickers bars) and sunscreen, and re-apply the sunscreen often. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be on your feet all day for two days. Bring extra shoes for Sunday in case it rains and your Saturday shoes get soaking wet. This has happened to me before. It has rained 2 out of 3 MS classics I have attended. Bring a chair if you need it. Bring whatever you need to work on your gun if there is a breakdown. Bring extra ammo, especially if you are new shooter. Bring a wagon to carry everything around in.

Make sure you eat breakfast and lunch. You don’t want to run out of gas at 2-3 PM and still have a few stages to shoot. I want to be 100% when I try to break down a stage plan and but sights on the target.

A really, really, really big one is safety areas. If you are not familiar with them, make sure that you do not handle any ammo or loaded magazines in the safety area. Do not pull your gun out on a any old table at the range thinking that it is a safety area. Look for the sign that says “safety area” to ensure that you are actually at one. It is really tempting to use safety areas for loading mags, since they are often the only table around. Last year, a new shooter almost got disqualified because he walked up to a safety area from the other side of the table from where the sign was pointed and was setting up to load ammo.

Oh, and don't sweat the D shooter thing. My first MS Classic, I was a D shooter in Single Stack. I ended up beating all the C shooters in that division. Just watch the front sight, everything else will follow.

Don’t forget to have fun. Make sure you say “Hi” at my stage.

Chris Brown

Appreciate all the advice.

The thing I have found from the local matches is how nice and willing everyone is to share their knowledge and experience with us lesser knowledgable folks.

A fella in Memphis that I took some hand gun courses from says that the gun society is a polite society and that is for sure.

Just got to get chrono'ed to make sure I am set.

Thanks

Lots of real good advice posted.