Got any ideas on practicing for the Classifier?

[jdkelly]

I've just started practicing for my first Classifier of this year. Last year I shot three Classifiers, and lowered my scores each time. This year I'm hoping to step up a class and could use some advice.

I practice body and head shots at 10 yards, from the draw, as well as body shots at 20 yards, again from the draw.

What worked for you in improving your Classifier scores?


Respectfully,

jkelly

 

[Navy joe]

Don't practice for the classifier, practice for what you feel you could do better in matches and let improvement in the classifier come to you as naturally as the improvement in matches boosts your confidence. IDPA I assume?

If you must practice for the classifier, start with 20 yd shots. Going down zero on stage three is the quickest way to move up. I shot it down 3 and down 2 the only time I shot it, once for SSP and once for ESP. Nearly screwed up and made SSP Master, I'll be more careful in the future.

Remember what Mr. Miyagi said about belts, they are useful only for holding your pants up.

 

[jdkelly]

In the winter, practicing for the Classifier is about all I can do.

Navy Joe,

I think you're right about how shooting well in matches helps you improve your Classifier scores.

The problem is that around here, at this time of year, there are only two IDPA matches a week and those are a 180 mile round trip. That's not something I want to do in the winter.

I do have access to an indoor range, but I'm limited to a single lane with no shooting while moving, and no turning to engage a target. So my thought is, if I can shoot twice a week, what should I practice to improve?

My answer was to practice those things that I'm not prohibited from practicing. Of course those skills are pretty much the skills used in the Classifier. Better scores in the Classifier will be some evidence of improved skills. The others I'll have to work on when I can shoot outdoors.


Respectfully,

jkelly

PS Stage 3 down 2 or 3 points? Hell I can do that in one shot .

 

[Navy joe]

180 miles for IDPA? Nope, haven't done that myself. 180 one way for IPSC is no problem.

I guess with your practice situation(much like mine), it is draws and long shots that will help you most. I've devoted a fair amount of ammo recently to gun timing and continuous sight picture, I throw about 5 mag pouches on and Bill Drill and slidelock reload until the target gets tired. Occasionally I load up some 20 round mags and run them in a rapid manner. Really helps my sight tracking. I just do it with a 25yd pistol bull, it makes me strive for a smaller zone than a 0 or A zone would. Recommended only if you have lots of time to reload, ammo bill is rough.

As far as shooting long, I give at least 25rds a session, often 50 to shooting a 25 shot 25yd group in 5 shot strings, of course reloading like I'm on the clock. Shoot freestyle. This verifies my sights and load, focuses me on trigger control after the aforementioned ammo wasting, and after a long time doing this gives me confidence on closer stuff, I know that me and my gun can hit so I don't worry about it.

 

[Sludge]

I agree with the opinion mentioned earlier in the thread..

Practice for shooting a good match. Work on what you feel are your weak points.

Now, that said, there is a mental aspect to the classifier and there are some tried and true tactics to it. This page should give ya some idea about that.
Classifier Tactics

Pay close attention to the stage 3 suggestions. Stage 3 is the one place on the classifier that really seperates the men from the boys.


I hope this helps some.

 

[jdkelly]

Good Info, Thanks

Nave Joe,

I can see how shooting five shot strings at 25 yds could help with "continuous sight picture", I'll try that with both a 25 yd target and an IDPA target. I don't want to key myself into referencing on a smaller (black?) target because I won't have that aid when I shoot at IDPA paper targets. But for improving my long range shooting mechanics, I think it should help. I'll try this around a barrier also.

Sludge,

Thanks for the link, that site gives some good points on how to shoot the Classifier intelligently.


Thanks Again,

jkelly

 

[Ankeny]

There is an interesting thread on Brian Enos' web site about the break down or times per stage that would be expected from a Master class shooter. You might find it interesting.

Classifier Break Down

 

[BILL]

The best practice for the classifier is to shoot as many of the strings from the classifier as you can at your range.

Score and tape after each string. Keep track of points down and time for each string. You will then know what skills you need to work on. Then you can go shoot the classifier for real and be confidant in the scores you can shoot.

Good luck.

Bill Nesbitt

 

[jdkelly]

Thanks for the help

Ron,

Thank you I'll check on Mr. Enos site.

Bill,

I'll start shooting stages outside in the spring.


Thanks Again,

jkelly

 

[OF]

I told ya John, 20 bucks and you can have any classification you want! Just don't tell anyone...

My greatest strides in the classifier (and I'm still not doing very well, but I've come a long way personally) have not come from shooting faster, they come from shooting cleaner and more smoothly. Being calm, making the hits in the 0-zone and doing it as quickly as I can, but no quicker. Specifically: make all the head shots in stage 1. Get that sight-picture-trigger-squeeze perfect on every shot in stage 3. Don't blow it trying to burn down a string...like I often find myself doing. A smokin' string here and there will not get you your classification, but it could really lose it for you. Calm, quick, clean and steady.

- Gabe

PS: Read those Enos forums that Ankeny linked to and if you don't have it, get Brian's book (off the brianenos.com site) Practical Shoooting: Beyond Fundamentals. Best book on shooting, period, I've even read.

 

[jdkelly]

I'll bring the cash!

Gabe,

Thanks, I'll bring the cash.

I'll also try practicing a little too, just to see what I can get done before the April Classifier up in warm and sunny Scarborough.

Did you ever write an article on Scott?


Respectfully,

jkelly

 

[OF]

Not yet. We kind of back-burner'd that until we get into this season a bit. We've asked him to help out at matches and he'll likely be on the scoresheets as much as possible. When then weather gets nice we can get some good photos and put together something worth shopping around with.

- Gabe (working his dryfire practice every night!...sort of)

 

[Ankeny]

Bill:

Welcome to the "other forum", lol. Guys, listen to Bill...he knows his stuff.

 

[jdkelly]

Welcome to the Forum Mr. Nesbitt

Bill,

I sorry I didn't notice that you were new here, having seen your name so often on Mr. Enos' forum it didn't click. So welcome to the Forum! And thanks for you ideas.


Respectfully,

jkelly

 

[BILL]

Thanks guys,

Actually, I have been lurking here for a long time. Every once in a while I think I have something to add.

Bill Nesbitt

p.s. Be sure to listen to Ankeny too. He knows his stuff too.