Shot my first National Match Course. I am not very good

Well yesterday I shot my first National Match Course at CRPC. Disclaimer... I have been shooting for 7 months in my entire life. I have never shot a 45 until last week. The farthest I shot was in my range at 21 feet and about a hundred at 50 feet. Ok enough of my excuses 

I was a bit embarrassed with my scores but the people shooting with me were so unbelievably nice and supportive that I am hooked. They were master, expert and high master shooters and there was no ego involved at all they just wanted me to enjoy. Special thanks to Dave Salyer for standing by my side The Whole time and probably affecting his shooting because he was making sure I was ok and he built my gun

They want to make you feel at ease.  They've been where you are.  Shoot more.

It's not where you start that matters, it appears you have the gear now learn how to use it.

I have met some of the nicest people I know at gun related events and clubs. Also made some great friends online at gun sites.

As long as you enjoyed it, want to compete more and know what you want to work on next, I'd say it was a great success.

The great coaches here have convinced me to always find a shot or a target that I am proud of, to reinforce the positive.   What went really well for you?

Sorry it did not post the rest of my story. Score was 448/900. Yikes. 
SF ave 31,  TF ave 63, RF ave 55.3 with 2X's. I used an RO .45 with Iron Sights and NSK 200gr LSWC.  They say laughter makes you live longer. After this I should live forever. DRY FIRE,DRY FIRE, DRY FIRE

Don't feel bad... the only Match ive shot was a few years ago, and I shot a 1717.   Ive improved over the years, but you gotta start somewere!!

Good for you you had your first match!  Keep focused on the fundamentals, goals early are simple:
1) all shots on paper
2) all shots in scoring rings
3) all shots on repair center. Even HM's still have an occasional outside the repair center!
4) all shots in the black
by now the fundamentals are really starting to take shape and how fast you progress depends on the time you put into it!

HAVE FUN!!
- Dave

Think about why the good shots were good. It's ok if you can't figure it out right away. You'll get there. Read these articles and you'll get there faster! Pistol Shooting: The Art (Part 1) by Ed Hall

I never had natural ability or any coaching (both help bunches), but I stuck with it and worked my way up all the classes except HM. If you have the patience and tenacity, it will come. Welcome aboard.

Great; now that you have your first match under your belt.

Now the work begins.

Enjoy the ride 

Clarence

I shot my first match in 2014 and I was awful. Every decent shot had a shot off the target to go with it. You'll get there.

Congrats on breaking the ice! Keep at it. We all jumped in somewhere at some point and shared in the same experiences. Dry fire, read a LOT, and watch shooters for there stance and grip. Ask questions. Learn trigger control. So much more. But take your time with it and enjoy it.

Glad to see you jump right in. There are so many that "wait until they get good enough" before they go to a match, it never happens. As you saw, no one laughs at your score, or cares.

"If I knew then what I know now" I would shoot iron sights and work on getting distinguished first. Worry about advancing through the NRA classifications later. Read Lanny Bassham's book. Go to a Brian Zins clinic.

My first National Match Course (that I have any record of, it was a long time ago) was a 100/300.

Everyone starts at the bottom. Your attitude and aptitude determine how far you make it towards the top.

When you talk about what you did it caries more weight than talking about what you would have done if you showed up.  Sit on the fence and all you end up with is splinters in your butt.

KenO wrote:Glad to see you jump right in. There are so many that "wait until they get good enough" before they go to a match, it never happens. As you saw, no one laughs at your score, or cares.

right on the nose there!!!

Man I was green at my first!! I had never shot at 50yd before, and could not even hit all on paper at 25yd!.  But you know, I was safe, and the range had a good backstop.   I was so worried about making a fool of myself. But you know, everyone there helped me along. A few guys really took me under their wing, and helped me through it. It was rough because I was just coming off of a major illness to boot, and was pretty weak!!  But I did it. Sadly I haven't been able to make a match since, but I hope to this year. I have been shooting leuage the last two years, and between that, and this site ive improved a LOT!!!!  The BE world is really a vary welcoming world once you get in to it.

Mightyheb wrote:...the people shooting with me were so unbelievably nice and supportive that I am hooked. They were master, expert and high master shooters and there was no ego involved at all they just wanted me to enjoy.

 Sounds like you found a good group.  Stick with them and you will only get better.

Just think of all the High Masters you outscored because they didn't show up.  A 31 on the line beats a 0 on the couch every time!

You are not alone... I have only run two 1800's indoors and only shot 22 throughout, the second 900 was for more real world practice.
I now have a good 45 and am itching to get shooting it.
My first scores were low to mid 700's. I plan on improving that !

Multiracer,

I will shoot .22 when my Nelson gets here soon hopefully. I just used the 45. What a great sport though.  Nice buy in the Salyer guns also and case. I use the Salyer 1911 also. Actually that's who took me shooting for my first match

I have a pretty good mentor up here too.

dronning wrote:Good for you you had your first match!  Keep focused on the fundamentals, goals early are simple:
1) all shots on paper
2) all shots in scoring rings
3) all shots on repair center. Even HM's still have an occasional outside the repair center!
4) all shots in the black
by now the fundamentals are really starting to take shape and how fast you progress depends on the time you put into it!

HAVE FUN!!
- Dave

What is the repair center?

The repair center is a smaller square that only goes out to the 7 ring and lets you cover your last 10 rounds without replacing the whole larger target or putting pasties over the existing holes. Much less expensive then replacing the whole target. When you get good enough then your shots all stay inside of the 7 ring. Well, that's the plan. Hmm, I just realized that I don't have any pics to show that are not good targets. Who keeps bad targets?

Repair center.

Keep attending matches. Watch what the other shooters do. Ask why they do what they do if it's not obvious. You'll get lots of great information.