Hot tips for competitors.
Load your magazines before the match.
Bring as many mags as possible, swapping mags takes less time than reloading them. Although it does increase the amount of kit you have to manage.
Before each stage do a run through of your rifle from front to back(or vise versa) checking lights, lasers, sights, sling, stock, etc.
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Have a sling for every long gun, doesn't need to be attached but needs to be available
Spare guns are always a good option
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Only put full magazines in magazine pouches, partial mags go in pockets, empty mags go on the ground.
If you don't have a dedicated set of magazines for starting the stage(one to chamber a round then replace with another full one) then start the stage by loading with the MOST DIFFICULT to access magazine. Never use your fastest reload as the starting mag.
Wear a dump pouch of some sort. Works well for spare ammo or shotgun ammo. Also useful for quickly recovering your magazines after the stage or for storing your starter mags before a stage.
Practice wearing your gear, all of it. Practice as many positions as possible while wearing all of your gear.
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Good practices and some pet peeves:
When you finish a stage stop.... Take a breath then unload and show clear. There is no race to unload and show clear.
When you unload and show clear and are commanded to "hammer down/dry fire"(a dumb command but I digress) don't just pull the trigger with your pistol at waist height and/or your eyes looking at the RO. Take the time to press out with a proper grip(one handed or two) and align the sights on a target and practice the trigger squeeze. It's free practice and it instills good habits like not pulling the trigger unless your sights are on target and you've made the conscious decision to fire.
HELP RESET THE STAGES
Top up your pistol and your rifle whenever possible. That extra round might save you a timely reload.
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