It was lots of fun---tiring, but fun.
Added Later:
And here's the commentary!
Let's get the "Cons" part of the "Pros/Cons" out of the way.
Cons:
1) This was a first-ever match, so there were all sorts of unforseen headaches and administrative/paperwork problems associated with it. Enough to almost move past the "oh, that'll happen in a first match" level of annoyance. Speaking truthfully, I think there were several things that prior preparation would have handled, that didn't have to have been a problem---among other things, getting the final results out at the end, and having them posted in a readable fashion relatively soon. For example, I knew that I placed decently enough in Production to get to go to the prize table---but I had no idea what my place actually was.
2) There was also one stage ("Speed Option") where the stage description didn't mention anything about the "option" and time bonus given. While it was mentioned in the morning meeting, the stage briefing didn't have it, so we operated according to the stage briefing. Well, some other people didn't, so the stage was later scored according to the "option" version. (NOT what was written in the stage briefing.) In my case, that didn't make a difference. However, in Ardi's case she would have shot it very differently, and had a much better time overall. Out of the whole match, this was probably the only thing that I really thought was a mistake on the part of the match officials. (If nothing else, people should have been given the chance to re-shoot the stage according to the new requirements, if they wished. Again, I wouldn't have done anything different, but Ardi definitely would have.)
3) Some of the steel, especially on a couple of the Steel Challenge stages, were very close. I'd prefer a slightly harder shot to getting hit with spatter repeatedly while trying to shoot at speed. (Got hit a couple of times in the face with lead spatter while I was in the middle of a string. NOT helpful for the concentration.)
4) Next year, everyone gets one entry. That's it. This time, there was a GM from Chicago (I believe Chicago) who participated in Limited and Production, with the same gun (only changing magazines), and won both. And high law enforcement. In both. Now, he certainly deserved his wins, because he thrashed the rest of everyone in both classes, especially Production. So this isn't against him in any way. I just think that everyone should get one shot at each stage, and that should be it.
4) There really isn't any four--no other large "con" for the match, though I do have a couple of suggestions for next year that I'm going to send to Drazy and Hirst.
Pros: It was a fun match to shoot!
1) We got to shoot a LOT. 24 stages total---12 steel challenge, and 12 USPSA. Matter of fact, in some ways it was almost a bit too much of a good thing. People who shoot with me already know that if I'm out there, I want to put some rounds downrange. I don't mind the occasional short stage, but I really like the long involved ones, and I like to shoot a lot of them. That being said, I really think that two days of 10 stages each would work better. People will get done a little quicker, and no one is going to feel short-changed after 20 stages total.
2) The USPSA stages were nicely tricky here and there. A good selection of running stages, with a good selection of standing stages. Decent angles, some nicely switching shots (short-range large popper to small plate at a distance, etc), and in general, some stages that really rewarded good stage planning and tactics. No really small stages---med and long stages only.
3) Steel Challenge was fun. I have only tried offical SC stages once before, so they were pretty much all new (and happily, I wasn't stomped too badly even by the experienced SC shooters) and that was a good time. I much prefer USPSA shooting, but SC is still enjoyable.
Commentary on MY shooting:
Unsurprisingly, when I tried to rush, it didn't work out. Big shock. Matter of fact, looking back at my set of runs, it irks me how incredibly much time I could have saved. Reloads were sloppy/slow, movement was sluggish periodically (mostly), draws were pretty slow on the USPSA stages (though decent on the SC stages except for Outer Limits), and I should have taken more time to aim. (Hmm, how many times have I said that before.) Watch the video and count how many times I have to do a slide-lock reload to get One Last Shot in to finish the stage. Arg!
I'd say something here like "if I could have fixed those things, I would have placed higher" but that only makes sense if everyone else gets a shot at fixing their problems also. So--I placed 5th, and had a lot of fun. And while the prize table was kind of pathetic (well, it was) I grabbed a Glock shirt for Ardi. So she got something out of it also.
It was a good time, and I didn't mind being an RO while shooting. I will say, however, that I really wish my squad had gotten off their rear ends and helped out more. When the RO who ran the stage timer has to go out and set all the steel for the next run, the shooters are NOT doing their jobs. Lazy @*%&#^!! There were a couple of people who helped almost every single time (even when they could have been getting ready for their own run---thanks Ed and Ardi!) but we had a couple who didn't do hardly anything--but complained when other people sat around and didn't help either.
[sigh] I've had pretty good luck up until now---most squads I've been on in larger matches really have mostly been good about pasting and setup. This---wasn't.
Anyway---overall, a fun match. And a good check on accurate shooting at speed. For next year, I might try the Pro-Am---but I might do this instead. The Pro-Am looks like a lot of fun, but this definitely was lots of fun.
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