I completed my second Babes with Bullets Practical Handgun 101 camp two weeks ago, and once again, WOW, what an amazing experience!
For those not familiar with Babes with Bullets, it is an almost all inclusive (instruction, room and most meals included) two and a half day hands-on shooting class for women (sorry guys) held in several areas around the country each year. The Babes with Bullets instructors are among the top women shooters in the world. Yes, I said world. It’s the equivalent of taking golf lessons from Tiger Woods, learning to QB from John Elway or taking a NASCAR driving course with Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson as your instructors.
In addition to learning safe gun handling skills and basic shooting techniques, Babes with Bullets camps also teach the art and skill of USPSA competition style shooting. What is USPSA? It’s a run-and-gun type of sport, where your score is based on how quickly you can shoot through a “stage”, as well as the accuracy of your “hits”. Here’s an example of Babes with Bullets senior instructor shooting a stage at a match in Florida this year:
Last year, I walked in to my first Babes with Bullets camp just a few months after deciding to learn to shoot, and I was still very uncomfortable holding and firing a pistol. Three days later, I walked out a safe and competent pistol shooter, comfortably drawing from a holster, and I had completed a USPSA style mini-match (where I surprisingly came in third).
And now I’m completely addicted to competitive shooting.
I jumped at the chance to attend another Babes with Bullets camp this year, and during my second camp, we once again worked on many of the physical and mental aspects of shooting. This year, I was able to work on fixing some bad habits I had picked up while improving my speed and accuracy, smoothing out and speeding up my choppy and painfully slow draw and resetting my stance, which had somehow become strangely exaggerated. We also received some great mental tips, including concentrating on getting the sights properly aligned before squeezing the trigger, rather than just trying to shoot as quickly as possible. This one was particularly important for me, as I have become very proficient at missing quickly.
And did I mention it’s only $675.00? I know that’s a pretty good chunk of change (especially in the midst of these hope-n-change times), but if you can manage it, I promise it’s worth every penny, and then some.
So whether you’ve never held a gun, or if you are an experienced shooter looking to up your game, this camp is for you. If you’re female, that is. I will be back next year for sure, and with a few more years of practice, perhaps I’ll be one of the women wearing the yellow instructor shirts.
P.S. I would like to thank Babes with Bullet’s sponsors. Their generosity makes it possible for Babes with Bullets to offer this high caliber training at well below market rates (see US Training Center or Gunsite’s prices for comparison). Smith & Wesson provides equipment, including the loaner .22 and 9mm pistols, Hi Viz donates fiber optic sights for the pistols, Safariland provides holsters, mag pouches and belts, Howard Leight provides loaner hearing protection, Otis Technology provides Elite cleaning kits for the givaway (yes, there are prizes!) and financial support, Insight Technology donates their M6X laser light for flinch and low light training, Atlanta Arms and Ammo provides 9mm ammo that campers can purchase (at very affordable prices) and USPSA helps fund the instructor airfare and promotes the camps through its magazine, Front Sight.
Congratulations to the The TrainMeAZ campaign, who has put up the first of a series of billboards as part of their campaign to get the word out about how every gun owner in Arizona can ensure they are well trained and safe when handling a firearm.
A billboard just like the one above has been placed on the south side of Interstate 17, at the Peoria exit in Phoenix, and it’s estimated 135,000 people will see it every day.
You can take look at the other billboard designs that should be popping up around town at TrainMeAz.com. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out their list of shooting ranges and training opportunities in Arizona.
Or more appropriately titled “D” classy, as I’m certain that’s where I will end up after shooting today’s all classifier USPSA match this morning at Phoenix Rod and Gun club. I was starting to think that I had a chance at C, but the red mist descended quite heavily over me this morning, and ended all hopes of ranking at or above 40 percent of all USPSA shooters.
While the Gods of weather were extremely kind this morning (sub 90 and heavy cloud cover), the Gods of shooting were not so kind to me, or my shooty buddies C. Pig and ExKev. We all had some malfunctions of the operator error variety and shot the first run through, well, let’s just say, not up to expectations. Kevin stood tough and gave it another go, while I went home, tail tucked and a little frustrated about my performance (or lack thereof).
In order to get a classification with USPSA, you have to shoot four stages that are specifically designed for qualifying. You score times plus hits on the paper, subtract your misses, add penalties, then do a couple of hocus pocus calculations, and eventually you get your “percentage”.
The match today consisted of the following stages:
It’s Not Brain Surgery – I might have fared better trying my hand at surgery this morning
Oh, No – Oh, S***, was that another no shoot I just hit?
Table Stakes – I rocked this one. 4 A’s, 2 each on the paper targets and no misses on the poppers. If I did the calculations correctly, I shot this at a (very) low B percentage. Would have shot it faster too, if it wasn’t for that darn popper that wasn’t falling the first time for anyone shooting smaller than .45 caliber.
Observations and Notes to Self:
Practice is for thinking, shooting is for doing. When I wasn’t thinking, just trying to stay slow and steady, I rocked it. Unfortunately, I only did that on one out of the four stages today. I’m getting to the point where I shoot better when I’m not thinking of the bajillion things I’m supposed to be doing. At least I think I am. Hmmm, I’ll have to think about that.
Perhaps I should have gotten my feet wet by shooting at least one regular USPSA match (or at least a practice) before getting classified. Shooting steel and shooting paper are two different things, especially when most of the paper targets are covered up and your misses and no shoots cost you a fortune in points.
Sleep is good. A good night’s sleep is better. I felt alright after about 5 hours of sleep (NOT a morning person), but the brain was definitely not firing on all cylinders.
A couple of days ago, I wrote a snarky post about the casting call for Season 2 of Top Shot . It seems that the folks at Pilgrim Films, the casting company for Top Shots, have been dropping their press release on the comments section of several gun bloggers websites (Stuff From Hsoi’s blog, Say Uncle and In Jennifer’s Head), and as you can see at the bottom of the original post, we were also paid a visit.
Since Mr. Aboud from Pilgrim Films was kind enough to leave a personalized comment on our site, I decided to reach out to him to thank him, as well as provide him with some of my own comments about Top Shot. Mr. Aboud promptly respond to my email, and I’d like to share it with you, along with my original email to him:
Hello Mr. Aboud,
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment on our blog at https://www.greatsataninc.com/top-shot-2-casting-call/13/ this afternoon. It appears that my post was taken with the grain of salt that was intended, and I appreciate your professional response. Despite what it may look like, Top Shot is one of a select few shows I make time to watch each week. I do enjoy the shooting aspects of the show and I wish there were even more challenges for the contestants.
The entire shooting community was excited about the prospect of positive national coverage of the shooting sports. The show appears to be shifting to emphasize personality conflicts and strife, which is a shame, as I believe this is the best crop of shooters you will be able to attract if the trend continues.
As a 2nd Amendment advocate, I am concerned that the personality conflict aspect of the show will only perpetuate media driven caricatures of shooters as volatile and dangerous people. This negative image will harm the shooting sports and the shooting community. If interpersonal conflict is the driving force of the show, then I fear that you will only attract marginal shooters from the ugly fringe of possible contestants. I understand that drama is an important and necessary part of a successful reality show, but I question the focus of that drama.
Shooting is a dramatic sport in its own right. Biting personality conflicts and “crises” have already become a distraction from what has made Top Shot uniquely interesting and exciting. Some of the current contestants are outstanding shooters who would probably elicit strong emotional responses if pushed to shoot well beyond their abilities. Shows like “The Deadliest Catch” and “Dirty Jobs” have continued to reign because of the organic nature of the drama, and I believe Top Shot would do well to capture some of that essence, rather than become “Rock of Love” with Firearms.
That being said, I hope my opinion does not disqualify me from being considered as a contestant in the future. After all, I’ve got the big opinions and personality part covered. ; )
Sincerely,
MzVRWC
Mr. Aboud’s response:
By all means, (MzVRWC), apply this season! The one thing we’ve maintained about this show from the very beginning is that it’s a “reality competition” show. Top Shot probably wouldn’t have the exposure and popularity that it does if we didn’t focus on the personalities as well as the skill. Folks looking for coverage of speed shooting and multi-gun matches can find them on the web. But we think this format has broad appeal. These people are real shooters with some real skill, and these are their real personalities. There will always be critics who think your average gun enthusiast is too “stoic” for television, and there will always be critics who think that anything beyond the stoic professionalism of the average shooting competitor has no place in a shooting competition. I’d like to think Top Shot strives to strike a solid balance in order to educate, entertain and put a human face on the community.
Enjoy the show and best of luck!
FYI, I expect fair royalties when and if Rock of Love: Floozies with Firearms goes on air.
Looks like the new and improved second season of the History Channel’s Top Shot will be focusing more on “Big Personalities”, and less on shooting.
According to the Top Shot Season 2 casting call website, you may not have to be a “master shooter” to become Top Shot 2, instead, it looks like they will be focusing even more on conflict creation and BIG personalities (You know, jerks):
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, a resident or citizen of the United States and reasonably proficient with shooting and marksmanship. Further eligibility requirements are listed in the casting application.
Not sure if you’ve got what it takes to become the next “Top Shot”? Here’s a short list of additional requirements to help you decide if Top Shot 2 is for you:
Do you know which end of the gun the bullet comes out of?
Are you always the loudest person in the room?
Can you find the bang switch?
Do you have a long list of enemies?
I understand that I’m not the target demographic for the show, but I would think that more shooting and less faux drama would be a more effective way to increase the popularity of the show.
P.S. How did Caleb make it on to this show? He is the polar opposite of all the above.
The Melon Head gang needs to find a new line of work. We’ve got a new Judge that abhors melon heads.
Click the images to enlarge
Taurus Judge Public Defender won at Central Arizona Friends of NRA dinner.
I’m very happy to report that my first Friends of NRA dinner was quite enjoyable and was even better when I found out I was going home with a Judge. It only took a $20 raffle ticket at the Central Arizona Friends of NRA dinner last night to win a new stainless Taurus Judge “Public Defender”.
Taurus Judge Cylinder
Barrel Burr on Taurus Judge
It’s always nice to have a Judge on your side, especially when the Judge shoots .45 Long Colt and .410 shotgun rounds. 🙂
If you’d like to support gun safety education, marksmanship training, and shooting range improvements, go to a Friends of NRA dinner. You’ll have a great dinner, meet people with similar interests, support good causes, bid on auction items, and have chances to win some great prizes. Did I mention anything about tax deductions? You just might end up with new friends too.
Day 2 of the 2010 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Charlotte proved to be a packed day, just like the first day of the NRA convention. Staying in the center of town made for a short walk to Charlotte Convention Center and the few panhandlers I saw didn’t pester me. I should note that Charlotte’s panhandlers did have the newest and cleanest clothes I’ve seen on beggars anywhere, the Charlotte Observer should be proud.
Honored American Veterans Afield, also known as HAVA, has a booth in the main lobby area. We’ve written about the great work HAVA does, backed by the outdoor industry, to help injured and disabled soldiers transition back to civilian life. I participated in their fund raising raffle and happily departed with a few HAVA branded Smith & Wesson lockback knives. We hope you’ll support their efforts too. Despite the large attendance at the show, I was able to get a photo of the HAVA booth in main lobby area.
(Click on the pics for a larger version)
Honored American Veterans Afield
Even though the lobby was fairly easy to navigate, the show floor was very active and crowded around the popular booths.
NRA Meeting & Exhibits floor on Saturday.
Lauer Weaponry, maker of Duracote gun paints, had a display of custom painted firearms. I looked at the graffiti laden Manhattan paint scheme momentarily before this brightly painted AR-15 with a rail mounted .45 caught my eye, then apparently blinded me.
Lauer Weaponry displayed their Bloomberg edition gun paints, along with a Manhattan themed rifle, complete with graffiti.
I completed my second Babes with Bullets Practical Handgun 101 camp two weeks ago, and once again, WOW, what an amazing experience!
