Contents
1) Announcements
2) Upcoming Classes
3) Upcoming Major Matches
4) Drill of the Month
5) Newsletter Article
Announcements
USPSA Trophy Match this Saturday(October, 10th)
$30 for 6 AWESOME stages(150+ rounds) and trophies in all divisions/classes.
Unclassified shooters are not eligible for a trophy, but are welcome to shoot for $20.
It should be a FUN match, but we could use HELP setting up on Friday to build the shoot house. We will probably start around 3PM, but feel free to show up later and pitch in. I will be providing BEVERAGES to anyone that helps out.
Upcoming Classes*
October 17th Missouri CCW 8AM $125
November 1st Women's Self Defense 1PM $35 (Lunch Included)
Upcoming Major Matches*
October 10th USPSA Trophy Match
October 18th IDPA Trophy Match
December 12th 2009 MCSA Fall MULTI-GUN Championship
* All Classes/Matches will be held at Bench Rest Rifle Club unless noted.
Drill of the Month
Using a Steel Plate Rack. (If you don't have access to a plate rack, get 6 paper plates that are approximately 8" in diameter and set them up similar to a plate rack with 8" between the plate's edges)
At 10 Yards, Draw and shoot plates 1 thru 6 while RETREATING and ensuring all shots are fired while on the move. IDPA shooters should add 1 second for each miss and USPSA shooters should add 1/2 second for each miss. NO EXTRA SHOTS!!!! Re-shoot any string of fire with more than 3 misses.
Here are the times for various shooting levels:
|
Beginner |
14.92 |
|
Intermediate |
12.30 |
|
Expert |
12.30 |
|
Master |
6.70 |
|
Professional |
3.95 |
Newsletter Article
I've run into the following question THREE TIMES in the last two days, so I feel it needs to be addressed.
Question: Can I use Hornet/Wasp spray for self defense because it will spray a long way and irritate the attacker's eyes?
Short Answer: NO!!!
Long Answer: Do not PLAN to use Hornet/Wasp spray in this manner because it is not lawful. Read the label and you will see it's a Federal Offense and people have been prosecuted for this in the past. Keep in mind there is a difference between planning to use tools for self defense and using whatever is on hand when your life is threatened. If my life is in jeopardy and I find myself ill-prepared, I would not hesitate to pick up a rock, hedge clippers, a rake or even Hornet/Wasp spray to save my life. However, I would not choose any of those items as self defense tools prior to an attack.
Pepper products are tested extensively until they are proven to NOT CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE to an individual, but insect sprays do not go through any of this testing. In addition, pepper products are proven to be effective as a skin and eye irritant while Hornet/Wasp spray is made to KILL insects. As a matter of fact, the EPA has prosecuted people for using pepper spray designed for humans on animals. They make special sprays designed for bears, dogs and humans so they are effective on the intended target without causing permanent eye, lung, or heart issues. A friend of mine told me about a chemist at MACE that was accidentally exposed to bear spray and even with the best decontamination chemicals available it took over a week for his skin to change back to its normal color.
USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB!
There are actually four major types of pepper products these days:
1) Spray or Fogger
2) Stream
3) Foam
4) Pepper Gel
They each have their own special purpose. The spray or fogger can be used effectively by law enforcement to draw someone out that's hiding because line of sight is not necessary, but when used outside the wind can blow the spray in unintended directions. The spray requires you to see the target, but is slightly less susceptible to wind. The foam is great for targeted application and has been used extensively in prisons for years, but the foam can also be blown around by the wind when used ouside. The Pepper Gel is one of my personal favorites because it adheres to the assailant like glue which makes it very effective at stopping an attack. Because it is in a gel form there is the least amount of contamination to the surroundings making it the preferred choice of hospitals that use this as part of their security plan.
There are a huge variety of containers available, but they fall into four main categories:
| Description |
Size Compares to: |
# of Uses |
# of Threats |
| Home Defense Canister |
Small Fire Extinguisher |
Single |
Multiple |
| Pepper Gun |
Small Handgun |
Multiple |
Multiple |
| Law Enforcement |
Handheld Flashlight |
Single |
Multiple |
| Personal Protection
|
Large Magic Marker |
Single |
1-2 |
| Disguised |
Varies |
Single |
Single |
The "Disguised" category includes units that look like lipstick, cell phones, key rings, pagers, pens, jogging weights, rings, etc... I would be remiss not to mention the Kimber Guardian as well. It does not fit nicely into any of the above categories, but is a choice worth considering depending on your situation.
THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT IS TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR PEPPER UNIT WORKS!
Most of the larger companies offer inert training units that dispense water for testing purposes. If an inert unit is not available spend a couple extra bucks and just buy two products. You can test one unit to see how it operates and then carry the other.
I have had multiple women come to my class and be shocked and the performance of the spray they have been carrying. You don't necessarily need a spray capable of going 25 feet, but you do need to understand how far your personal spray will go and what will happen if there is wind or you are inside.
Pepper products have expiration dates, so check the dates when you purchase and develop a routine to rotate what you carry out of service. When it does come time for a replacement use the expired unit for practice before discarding and you will be reminded of your units advantages and disadvantages.
Remember that when it comes to self defense...Only Shoot as a LAST RESORT!
John Parker
President - Missouri Competitive Shooting Academy
John@ShooterShack.com
