[jyl]

So I went back last Monday and shot with the pistol team. They did a NMC. I had no idea what that is, but it turns out to be the basic building block of bullseye. 10 rounds slow fire in two strings of five shots, 10 minutes per string, but no-one was dawdling. Then 10 rounds timed fire in two strings of five, 20 sec per string. Then 10 shots rapid fire in two strings of five, 10 sec per string. I’ve never had timed/rapid fire targets before, but have now ordered some to practice on. My targets weren’t scored, thank goodness. After the shooting, the club president said I should come back for the general member meeting next Wednesday, “bring a check or Paypal” for the dues, and I should join the team. So, more progress.

I say thank goodness because I did something dumb earlier that day. I went to my range to get a little practice in, having not shot for weeks. Somehow things started to click, I found that if I gripped the gun in a certain way, with the right pressure on the beavertail (the part of the grip that hangs over the web of my hand), and pull the trigger in a certain way, I shot much better. Consistently much better. Eureka, thought I. Flush with confidence, I thought maybe I should finally adjust my trigger forward, because I have long fingers and was having to curl my index finger back to reach the trigger. I moved the trigger two millimeters. At most. Suddenly everything was a mess, I could hardly hit the black bull. And it was in that state that I went to shoot with the team. Fortunately, they seem like forgiving fellas.

I think I’m going to be giving up afternoon coffee. Seems to interfere with holding steady.