It was crisp and overcast for Sunday’s Garand Match. The visibility was good, not too bright or dark.
I shot on the 11 am relay. I’m not sure what I was doing in slow prone, I didn’t take my time to get into position and I ended up shifting a couple times mid string which was a little frustrating. I made up some in rapid prone and off hand, is off hand.
A couple of my friends came to the match this month, one of them a new shooter. Unfortunately the new shooter had some equipment trouble and his extractor went flying. Once the RO was able to get his rifle clear from the line we were able to get him a loaner rifle to finish out the match.
Just one more match this season then its time for another long winter.
I took a trip across the river to York Riflemen, one of my favorite places to shoot, for their fall Garand Match.
It was raining when I pulled in but by the time we headed to the pits the ran stopped and by the off hand string of the first relay it was in the mid 60’s with the sun was shining. There were only enough shooters for two relays so we “scored in the pits”. I had never done this before. This initially gave me some anxiety but, after some advice from my fellow shooters, it turned out to be not so hard. Run the target down, score paste, and run it up like normal. Then Grab your clipboard and write down the shooters score, with any luck before your shooter takes their next shot.
After a round in the pits it was my turn to shoot. The weather had significantly improved by the time I was all strapped in for slow prone. I am happy to report that I beat my personal best entirely due to off hand. I had been in a bit of a slump with the Garand the past few matches, especially on off hand. I had an “ah ha” moment while dry firing this week. I was not leaning back nor to the right (away from the line) as much as I had been Note in first picture there is way too much space between my side and my support arm.
In this match, with the position I had practiced, I was able to get my support arm tighter against my side. This gave me a more stable position. While I still have some other things to work on I think this was good breakthrough.
This old picture that has been floating around the internet for some time gives a good visual of what I’m talking about. Why he is barefoot I don’t know, GTB recommends you wear a sturdy pair of boots when shooting.
It was a great match and I am glad I made it out. I’ll be back for thier spring Garand Match in April and plan to stay for their spring NRA match.
Except for an afternoon with my 22 upper, I have not shot a match with my AR since Small Arms Firing School at Camp Perry back in July. So I made sure to dry fire a bit before this weekend’s match.
Saturday was NRA high power. It was beautiful outside. Sunny, low 70’s just a little breeze from time to time. I took my time in off hand and kept them all on target. I loosened up a bit in sitting. I should have taken more time to establish a good natural point of aim, which hurt me a bit. I made it up some in rapid prone. I really tried to leverage the clock and took my time in slow prone, which helped. I’m happy to say I did pretty well for once. Applying what I learned in Small Arms Firing school and a little luck paid off.
Sunday was the Garand match another beautiful day, unseasonably warm for September. I didn’t have the same luck as I did on Saturday. I struggled in prone with a bad position and according to the video playback I could have kept a better cheek weld.
I am off to York Riflemen next week for their fall Garand match. I’m looking forward to and have kept my rifle next to my desk to get in as much dry firing as I can this week. If all goes well I’ll take my time in off hand and keep focused on a natural point of aim, trigger control and breathing.
The big white truck of happiness brought a surprise from CMP.
I ordered a “non-LMR” Service Grade IHC early in June. I was initially backordered but my order opened in the e-store late last week and a beautiful Tractor Gun showed up at my door.
I was expecting just a IHC receiver but I was pleasantly suprised.
The stats
– Postage stamp
– IHC proofed SA barrel
– IHC trigger assembly
– IHC op rod
– IHC hammer
– IHC bolt
– ME = 2.75 TE = 3
– made between 54-56
The stock is a late Springfield and, gas tube, screw, front sight, along with the rear sights are replacements.
The gas screw is marked BMB which is Italian which I think is interesting. The going theory on the CMP forums is many of these were Turkish returns. The CMP tag shows it was graded on 11.16.2012 which means it was one of the IHCs that CMP has been collecting for this sale not a more recent find to fill the backorders.
All in all I’m very pleased, CMP over delivers again! I will touch up the stock and peen the barrel but otherwise I think I’ll leave it be.