pre match ritual

What's yours? Big or small match.

Mine is to tear down my gun all the way the day before and clean it. Fire 30 round and check my trigger weight. Then dry fire the morning of the match.

I just got back from my pre match ritual. The first 50 yd match of the season is coming up and all my pistols had winter zeroes. After I check the zero I fire a NMC with each pistol.The pistol that I shot the best NMC with in each caliber is the one I shoot in the next match.I am 100% aware that how I shoot a 30 shot match on any given day doesn't make that pistol better than the other. However it does make that one luckier.Absolutely no science involved.

Len

OldMaster64 wrote:I just got back from my pre match ritual. The first 50 yd match of the season is coming up and all my pistols had winter zeroes. After I check the zero I fire a NMC with each pistol.The pistol that I shot the best NMC with in each caliper is the one I shoot in the next match.I am 100% aware that how I shoot a 30 shot match on any given day doesn't make that pistol better than the other. However it does make that one luckier.Absolutely no science involved.

Len

You must know your triggers really well, and have lots of guns. I only have the 1 so my marvel and hardball share the same 4lb trigger.  I think I'm better off for it.

Yes, I do know my triggers very well.I have had most of them for over 40 years.If I was really interested in shooting the highest scores I can shoot everytime I would just grab my model 41 I picked up in 1971 and my old gold cup that I put so many rounds thru that it rattled before I had it rebuilt. They are definitely my "go to" guns.But everything I do now is because I love shooting all my pistols.The last match we had in Portland was a 25yd reduced match and it was miserable weather.When there was a show of hands to see who wanted to shoot the Reeves match I was the only one that brought a revolver or was crazy enough to want to shoot another 30 rds in that weather.I just looked at the match director and smiled.I shot the whole 45 match with my wheel gun (its a 45).I knew I wasn't going to win  but I had a lot of fun.Just starting out you are better off not having many choices.You will learn to shoot better with the ones you have.The Army gave me two pistols when I shot for them.A model 41 Smith and a NM hardball pistol.As for having lots of pistols.Give me a call in 37 years and tell me how many you have when your 64.They multiply on their own. FYI I shot an 821-15x with the wheel gun

Len

I will take a minute to gather my thoughts together and ask myself why I am there, (to execute my shot process).  
I eat the same thing for breakfast everyday so that ritual stays the same.

We have 25 yard matches on Wed nights. Today, I'll take down and clean my Model 41 and check the trigger. Pre match I set up bullseye box, brass catcher, clock, pad and ammo. Then take 5 shots as a warm up. That's it. Yiogo

load my 45 ammo a few days before then Clean and oil my guns, check my box for everything I might need,  dry fire some

For a weekend match, I shoot a NMC on Thursday or Friday after work with my .22 and 45.  When I get home, I pack my box with adequate ammo, touch up clean in chamber area with Qtip rather than tear down, bore snake the guns and oil guns.  I put the box and brass catcher by the door at home.  I dry fire on Saturday after doing yard work.  Go to church saturday night.  Get up early Sunday, eat three scrambled eggs, two pieces toast and half cup coffee.  I drink two bottles of water on way to match.  Take a pee when I get there . 

Then I have good time at the match being with my friends and guests. 

Go home clean my guns, talk to my wife about the good time I had and can't wait for the next time out!

Load ammo on Monday for league shoot on Tuesday.

Have a good time on Tuesday with my friends and guests shooting bullseye.  Did I mention have a good time?


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I set up my target, scope, water, pad, timer, brass catcher and ammo in the same spot.  I shoot 2 or 3 5 round magazines for practice. I clean the chamber with Q Tips.

Exercise shoulder and arms and stretch.

Then, I remind myself that I am there to enjoy the evening and have fun.

Yiogo

On match day I cut my coffee down from 2 pots to one.  No weight training the day before the match. Pull the slldes off and clean the top end out good after the last shooting session before the match. Clean the bore of the 45.  Clean the chamber only of the 22.   If things are working well no shooting or fiddling with guns the day before.  If thing are NOT working well do what ever needs to be done.