Tropical Sport Shooting Association again held the monthly South Florida Defensive Carbine match on the 4th Tuesday, the 24th of March, 2009 at the Markham Park Target Range in
western Broward County, Florida. Set up began at approximately 18:00,
with sign-in beginning at 18:15 and shots fired by 19:00. All shooters
were complete and props and targets off the range by 21:00.
Course Description
Stage One consisted of three barrels arranged as cover
on an elevated shooting platform consisting of a flatbed trailer
putting shooters approximately 3 feet off the ground, with the
arrangement dictating that most shooters shoot from sitting in order to
properly utilize cover. There were a total of 6 carboard targets, one
non-threat, and a steel silhouette. The course of fire began with the
steel and ended with the steel, with the requirement that the steel be
re-engaged in between each cardboard target. Shooters were limited to
two 30-round magazines. Targets were arranged at 20-40 yards from the
firing position.
Intent
Shooting form an uncomfortable position, having to
re-arrange oneself once in that position in order to engage all
targets, and re-acquiring the proper target after moving your sights
away from it..
Gaming
There really wasn't much opportunity to game this one.
Personal Lessons
Sighting
in a carbine prior to a match is generally a good idea. Pretty much
the same lesson for all the stages this night. I can skate by on a
close quarters stage, but not a stage with extended range shots like
the ones this night.
Admin Lessons
We
need to come up with a way to anchor cover is that's the intent.
Shooters were able to muscle the barrels around to their liking, which
is fine if it's the intent of the stage but I have a hard time coming
up with items that would be true cover that are also easily muscled
around like a plastic barrel.
Course Description
Stage Two consisted of 4 cardboard targets in a row,
with the furthest left partially obscured by a non-threat target. Four
clay pigeons were placed on the berm in-between the targets. Cover was
provided in the form of two barrels stacked vertically and one laying
horizontally to the right such that the arrangement made an "L" shape.
The targets were approximately 40 yards from the firing position. The
furthest left clay pigeon was supposed to be placed behind the
non-threat such that it couldn't be shot from the right hand side of
cover.
Intent
Shooting a clay pigeon at 40 yards with time pressure is not as easy as many people think, nor is it as hard.
Gaming
Unfortunately the intent of the far-left clay pigeon placement got
lost and many shooters were able to hit that pigeon by shooting through
on the threat target.
Personal Lessons
See above re: zeroed guns on Stage One. Same lesson here only magnified due to the size of the clay pigeons.
Admin Lessons
See above "gaming", as the intent of the
placement of targets is critical. The club had purchased holders to
hold the pigeons in place which would have helped tremendously as they
would have ensured that the targets were placed in the right location
each time.
Course Description
Stage three consisted of three walls to be used as cover
with the shooter moving from one end of the first wall to the far end
of the last wall in order to neutralize all of the targets. There was
a total of 9 targets and 1 non-threat.
Intent
A nice house-clearing type stage requiring use of cover on both
strong and support side for most shooters with targets placed at
varying ranges.
Gaming
Maximizing angles, minimizing movement, and engaging as many targets from each position as possible.
Personal Lessons
I engaged at least 4 of the targets more than once. This is, to a
large degree, due to shooting the stage before anyone else and not
getting the chance to rehearse my movements before I shot. I do this
intentionally, however, as I think it's the only way to really get the
most out of a stage.
Admin Lessons
It's a good idea to have a charged drill/screwgun if you're going to be building walls for a stage.
