IDPA Stage Breakdown: Dave’s Speed Zone

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending my first IDPA Match at Ontelaunee Rod and Gun Club. Ever since I started researching competitive shooting, a couple of years ago, I’ve both read and heard good things about this particular club. As such, Ontelaunee has been on my list of clubs to visit for some time now.

After registration was complete, I squadded up and was eager to get shooting. My first stage of the day would be Stage 6: Dave’s Speed Zone.

When the buzzer sounded, I stood up and retrieved my gun from the box. I stuffed in a magazine, racked the slide, and got to work. Far be it for me to toot my own horn, but my first ten shots were beautiful. My shots felt smooth and each round went where I intended.

My problem came when going to slide lock. I pulled my weak hand away from the gun, to grasp a fresh magazine, and depressed the magazine release button. Nothing happened. I panicked, gave the gun a shake, and pressed the button again. Still nothing.

I was forced to strip the magazine away, forcefully, before I could get the gun back up and running again. A little shaken, I pressed out and my next two shots were lower than I intended them to be. I saw light shine through the two fresh holes and opted to not make up the shots. My thought was that I couldn’t make up both shots in less then the second in penalties I would incur.

IDPA Stage Breakdown: By The Numbers

• Raw Time: 16.39
• Points Down: 2
• Total Penalty Seconds: 1
• Final Stage Time: 17.39

Ask The Readers:

What do you think of my shooting, including how I managed the stoppage? Is there something that I could have done better? Would you have addressed this stage differently had you been the shooter?