Day 1 - Pistol
We started out on a walled stage, and worked on accuracy while moving. I've always planted my feet to aim & shoot, so this was completely new for me. It was hard to break the habit of planting and setting up, even as Taran was bringing up my heels with, "Don't stop! Keep moving!" When running through the stage, proper target sequence, and footwork were key. I tried not to sacrifice accuracy for speed, but in doing so, I got a taste of how to game it.
When moving between steel bays, Taran had me practicing a low center of gravity, wide stance, and long steady strides to cover short distances ...instead of my natural bouncy shuffle. I cringe when I watch myself run in my videos. Do I really move like that? My whole life? Why didn't someone tell me I run like a flaming fawn sometimes... every time.
It must be funny watching a goofball like me hack through a stage like a Hutu rebel with a dull machete, and then be all like, "OK my turn." and BOOM. Surgeon Butler with his scalpel over here, eviscerates the stage like it's no big deal. The man is a finely tuned machine. I could barely keep up with him. I'm convinced he's got two cheetahs zipped up inside his belly that eat all his food for him, and slow him down so he doesn't accidentally break the sound barrier. All his double taps were perfect inch-group, straight A zone hits. 100% accuracy.
Skill Level: ASIAN.
Day 2 - Pistol, Rifle, & Steel
We practiced on plate racks, plate fields, and plated hills. Transitioning from either side, near and far, distances of 2 yards to 275 yards. This was my first opportunity to run'n gun with a rifle. Again I struggled with the fluidity of shooting while moving, but my targets were still toast so I was happy.
I brought Wifey (my custom Citizen Arms AR15) and was able to hit my marks with iron sights, but when in Wonderland... you drink the kool-aid. So I took the TTI TR-1 Ultralight AR15 with Trijicon Accupoint for a few spins and was more than impressed. The TI TR-1 is definitely something I could fall in love with! As a woman I'm always keen on weapon weight, and the TTI TR-1 is highly accurate, light, and maneuverable. Champions like Jessie Duff, Allie Barrett, and Taran use it to win their world titles. It's badass, to say the least.
Taran was an excellent instructor. I've never had as much individual attention & competition specific coaching. He was able to critique every movement I made, and humor me out of my comfort zone. I have a lot of work ahead of me. Particularly issues with my grip, and tracking my sights. Besides tightening the fundamentals, movement seems to be my next biggest challenge.
Before I left, I got to browse through the Taran Tactical Innovations workshop. TTI cooks up some serious customizations, and accessories. I've got my eye on that TTI custom Benelli M1 shotgun. Unf. It was like being a kid in candy store, and Christmas came early for me! Taran hooked up my M&P with TTI extended basepads. Depending on what type of mags you're competing with, you can max out at 23rounds +1 in the chamber for 9mm, or 20+1 of 40S&W. He also had my M&P grip stippled to perfection. And he hooked up Wifey with a PRI compensator. I'll be changing divisions, from Production to Limited, to try out the new basepads. I can't wait!
-Jess
www.tarantacticalinnovations.com/
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I just saw a mini-doc on Taran and he seems like a fantastic instructor and very down to earth given his HW upbringing. I lived in LA for a while and had friends in that business who struggled mightily with the egos. I don't think ego flows well with firearms instruction. So, I watched a few more and was virtually introduced to some of the women whom he instructs and I am super proud of what the sport has produced, or maybe more accurately, what woman have done for the sport.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it wasn't easy moving up the ranks in the sport, but there are shooters out there that put male shooters to shame. Not that shame is the goal, but I do think you should be proud.
I shoot 1,000 rounds a week and I SUCK compared to almost everyone in these videos, but I keep trying. It's fun, it keeps me out of my head, it makes me laugh (like league shooting last night had me in hysterics laughing at my own run it was so bad), and there are great people that shoot. I came across your blog by accident so hello. Keep shooting!