Night Shooting IDPA style

[Bidah]

Well I got a real eye opener this past weekend. We had our yearly night shoot IDPA match. I have never shot it, nor have I shot my pistol in the dark. You could use a handheld light ( I used the Shurfire Nitrolon ), or a weapon mounted light (a couple of those present). Needless to say, I bit the dirt bad. I have been taking training to get better, and it has helped, but boy was this different.

My biggest mistake was my first one.. I was pointing the light at the target, and did not even look at the sights. I think I missed almost every target with at least one round.. After I settled down I did better. I did drop a mag during a change, so rather than look for it in the dark, I just got a new one.

If you have never done it, give it a try. I will now work on doing some night shooting at home, and some dry practice.

-Bidah

[Dr. X]

At night, my first shot would be the only one I got off, because after the first muzzleblast I would be blind. (astigmatism=no nite vision) Even oncoming car lights blind the crap outta me, and if it's raining...I carry my shotgun after dark, it's safer for everyone involved, and as Harry Callahan says: "A man's gotta know his limitations"... ;)

as ever,
Dr. X

[Ryder]

I have a slight astigmatism in my left eye..but the right one is fine and its the one that counts being right eye dominant.

[FN74]

Did our night fire qualifications tonight. Light rain, pretty dark, and with blue strobes behind you can make it very challenging, especially when you have to determine if the target is a threat or not, and utilise cover and concealment. On the regular center mass target, I only dropped two of 30 rounds, but the targets were not hung properly, so in real life, those two misses would likely have hit. On the judgemental, I got 3 of 4 targets, and unfortunately wounded a hostage. Not much you can do, low light, and utilising my flashlight only for brief target ID.
It is great training however, and most LE do it routinely.