FEATURE
TAIWAN | ISLAND INSIDER
Finally, the most complicated stage 4 was shot by our squad
and took a good while to assess with everyone doing multiple
planning runs to try and optimise their routes, aiming angles
and reloads. As for my performance, this was really the only part
where I had any issues: I got somewhat distracted just before
starting when the Range Officer questioned the starting condition
of my M17. It’s a hammerless/striker fired design as such, so it
should just be a case of load, make ready, safety and re-holster but
he seemed confused for some reason and began asking me to decock
it, before the other RO came over and clarified the situation.
Unfortunately, that distraction and confusion led me to forget
my stage plan to some extent and when the start buzzer went
I just tried to engage whatever I could see, completely failing to
engage two paper targets, earning me four misses that cost me
about half the points I accrued elsewhere. I was a little slow with
other targets but that was largely because I saw two rounds go
through the same hole on one of them so paused to go back and
give it a further round to make sure, as well as running my gun to
slide lock twice instead of pre-emptive reloading.
I was somewhat annoyed by the FTE’s as I basically shot the
rest of the targets as clean A zones, with the exception of a C
on one of the longer range targets but being confused, slower
and missing four hits wiped out most of the advantage my
marksmanship would have given me. Such is life, at least I know
what I have to improve and it was really the only major failing
point that came up in our post competition focus meeting at our
next training session.
With all shooters finished we began clearing the stage
equipment and site away as well as packing our personal gear
away and catching up with friends on the other teams while the
range officers began tabulating the results and preparing the
winner’s certificates. Finally, around four in the afternoon, the
scorecards were finalised and the first, second and third places for
the open, standard and production divisions.
All told, the six of us from SPPT unfortunately walked
away empty handed on this occasion but nonetheless I wasn’t
disheartened at all with my own performance, aside from the final
stage. At least my safety and range practices had caused no issues
and when I had remembered to shoot targets I had nailed mostly
A zones or one shot hits on poppers - being particularly happy
with my first stage despite my heart pounding audibly in my chest
once I stepped up to the start point and readied myself and my
pistol!
After reviewing all of my own GoPro footage, as well as
the SPPT team camera’s 3rd person footage and integrating it
to produce my video content for my Instagram and Youtube
channels, I counted a total of 67 hits required across the whole
shoot, with me managing 55 rounds on A zones, 8 on C’s and
those 4 unfortunate missed shots on the two paper targets I failed
to engage on the last stage. I only had 12 other misses in terms
of extra shots on poppers and made 6 other shots on target that I
didn’t necessarily need to - but was “making sure” with. All in all,
I was very happy with my technical abilities, just my stage planning
and the speed of movement and reloading are the things I need to
concentrate on improving.
I had a great time and really enjoyed the atmosphere and great
support and sportsmanship exhibited by everyone involved and
wish to thank the range officers of the Taiwan Practical Shooting
Association as well as the site owners and organisers and everyone
from the SPPT, Spring Rain and Taipei Focus Action Shooter teams
for taking part and congratulate those who excelled in their
respective divisions.
Now I can’t wait for my next outing! AA
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