First IPSC competition, first stage, first magazine - extractor shears off. Bye bye Para.
Luckily, another guy had a 1911 I could borrow.
Second stage, second magazine - Turns out my magazines didn't fit. So, after the first mag, I couldn't get another round down range. So, two stages, two complete failures.
Some other guys pooled some different magazines for me and I was able to shoot the other 4 stages with no failures. I definitely need a lot of work and while my patented Todd Jarrett, kung-fu grip is spot on right out of the holster, by the 3rd or 4th shot it slips and I'm practically shooting one handed. I don't know what happened, but I really have to concentrate on my grip better.
I didn't shoot anyone, no penalties, DQ's or procedurals, and definitely no "No Shoots". I'm going to make an MP3 of me saying "Slow Down" over and over and slip that in my ear muffs the next time. Sight picture seems automatic, I'm definitely focusing on the front sight rather than the target, but only if the target is at a distance. I have no idea what the hell I do when the targets are up close, but I just seem to naturally find the point and shoot away. It was a lot like the shoot house - I can't tell you how I hit anything, I just did.
Didn't get a lot of video because I spent an inordinate amount of time just trying not to break Dave's gun. The second and third stages were completely obscured from view behind barriers, so it wouldn't have been exciting to watch anyway. I just have 5th & 6th videoed, and I'll get that up as soon as I can.
I'm not really happy with my Para right now. 3 complete failures in less than a month does not inspire much confidence in the pistol. It got a lot of "oohs" and "ahs" before the match started, but the people in my group definitely weren't very impressed with it.
I guess it's back to the shop again. Hopefully something else doesn't break next month.
*sigh*