Arrived yesterday after overnight flights. No sooner did I walk into the S&W Shooting Centre that I ran into a whole bunch of shooters that I met at the Italian & European IDPA Championships last October! There was Giorgio the Area Coordinator for Italy, Franco D’. and Gary C. from Michigan, Tom I. from NC, and Craig B. from here in Massachusetts.
Tom, Gary and I took in the organized tour of S&W. We saw everything from how frames are forged from bar stock, to final assembly and all the processes in between. Very cool! This makes three gun manufacturers that I’ve toured (Tanfoglio & Beretta last fall and now S&W) and each have many similarities but differences as well. I’ll definitely take any chance I get in the future to take in a gun factory tour.
Went to the Jerry Miculek product demo and then went out to dinner with him and his wife Kay. (well, in fact it was a big group (over 20) and I didn’t get to chat with him) After a big feed and a few beers I was ready for some much needed sleep.
Shot this morning and as always, didn’t do as well as I’d hoped (does anyone ever do ‘better’ than they hoped?????) but had a GREAT time never the less. (I’m getting night sights for next year!) I was squadded with Robert I., a US Airlines 767 pilot from Philly (who I also met at the Italian match) and three great guys from Connecticut (Joe, Bryce and Kyle). Most of the stages were either ‘low’ or ‘no light’ so regrettably, taking pictures (particularly with a flash) wasn’t an option. However, here are some photos from some stages where photography was possible:
Me on Stage 3 - 'Shopping With Baby'. The scenario had the shooter at a grocery store and started holding a 'baby' in carrier. On the start signal, a close target was engaged while moving to cover. Once at cover the baby was placed on the ground and remaining targets were engaged. You see T1 to my left (Down 1 
)
My buddy Robert I. at the start of the stage.
Me on Stage 5 - 'The Wrong Floor'. The scenario had the shooter coming out of an 'elevator' and being charged by three bad guys. (the shooter 'opened' the elevator door by pushing a button which also started the charging targets) Once they were engaged, the remaining targets were to be engaged using cover.
Robert at the start of Stage 8 - 'Rooftop Serenade'. The scenario had the shooter waiting for their significant other at a rooftop restaurant that gets visited by a local gang. The props were excellent!
Me moving to the second position after engaging the first target while seated.
Me engaing some of the subsequent targets on Stage 8.
Robert engaging the last two targets while holding onto the 'fire escape' (a stage requirement) on Stage 8.
Me at the start of Stage 9 - 'Poolside Pandemonium'. Stage 9 was the best stage in terms of props but it's the stage I did the worst on. (I dropped 24 points including 10 for for two misses on a target that I didn't shoot at. So I got a 5 second FTN penalty as well.) The scenario had the shooter hosting a 'pool party' that gets crashed by some violent local gang members.
Me shooting the second string on Stage 9.
Going out to dinner with the ‘Italy crew’ tonight. Tomorrow, I’m going to try to watch some of the ‘Super Squad’ shoot (Rob Leatham, Todd Jarrett, David Olhaso, Donnie Barton, etc.) after which I think I’ll hit the Springfield Armory museum. Awards ceremony is late tomorrow afternoon. I fly back on Sunday.........
