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OK, so it looks like I have to add another pet peeve to my top 10 list! The scheduled Dallas IDPA shoot at Elm Fork (12/7) is canceled due to cold weather. Really, COLD WEATHER???

Does it really matter that it will be in the low 40s or even the 30s? I don't think so. It is a good opportunity to train with cold weather gear.
(Joe citizen) "I'm sorry Mr. Criminal, I need to take a rain check on being robbed...the weather is in the 30s and I haven't trained with my equipment in this weather." "As a result, I might not be able to defend myself as well."
(Criminal), "No problem. What day would be convenient for you?"

This is something that I can't get used to since I've returned from my combat tours and it irritates the out of me! We didn't cancel our missions in Iraq due to exigent circumstances...
(Platoon Sergeant) OK, guys...when the weather clears up, we will do this raid. Until then, lets hug each other and gather by the make-shift fire."
(Private) "Sarge, I'm glad that you canceled the mission. I was worried about it being too cold and possibly getting sick!"

For me, it all boils down to a mindset that accompanies the gravity of carrying a weapon and being proficient using it...(yes, this is my rant).

Very true and hilariously funny...

THANKS for your service and for the good laugh today.
(edit: Hopefully you meant that to be sarcastic/funny?... Because I LOL'd .... Otherwise... )

Amen.

It's one thing if the conditions are life threatening. If they're canceling for unpleasant weather then it's just a game to them and they should drop defensive from the name.

I'll agree that this is jacket weather, but it's really not even that cold outside.

v-rog wrote:...(Joe citizen) "I'm sorry Mr. Criminal, I need to take a rain check on being robbed...the weather is in the 30s and I haven't trained with my equipment in this weather." "As a result, I might not be able to defend myself as well."
(Criminal), "No problem. What day would be convenient for you?"

Funny thing about that. When I was working as a paramedic on an MICU, one of my partners and I compiled some statistics that showed when really bad weather cold occurred (snow, ice, sub-freezing weather, etc), the bad guys DID stay home - apparently they didn't like the cold weather, either. Slip and falls increased, car wrecks increased, and if the weather stayed around for more than 3 or 4 days, cabin fever/depression types of calls (suicides, suicidal gestures, etc.) also increased. But, assaults and shootings went down in frequency. Go figure.

*Yeah, I know it wasn't a scientific, peer-reviewed survey, so take it with a grain of salt.

n5wd wrote:

v-rog wrote:...(Joe citizen) "I'm sorry Mr. Criminal, I need to take a rain check on being robbed...the weather is in the 30s and I haven't trained with my equipment in this weather." "As a result, I might not be able to defend myself as well."
(Criminal), "No problem. What day would be convenient for you?"

Funny thing about that. When I was working as a paramedic on an MICU, one of my partners and I compiled some statistics that showed when really bad weather cold occurred (snow, ice, sub-freezing weather, etc), the bad guys DID stay home - apparently they didn't like the cold weather, either. Slip and falls increased, car wrecks increased, and if the weather stayed around for more than 3 or 4 days, cabin fever/depression types of calls (suicides, suicidal gestures, etc.) also increased. But, assaults and shootings went down in frequency. Go figure.

Newest tool in the fight against crime.... Mr. Freeze.

IDPA is a game anyone who thinks it's training is just fooling themselves. There are rules (some will get you killed in real life) and scoring. I enjoy participating in IDPA competition but I don't think it's training at all.

Now, if you want to train train if you want to game game but don't think a game is training because when the chips are down you'll lose.

Easy fix - volunteer to be the match director - the club is ALWAYS looking for them.

One can have an attitude that it is just a game. For me, continually practicing shooting on the move, under cover, reloading and actual FTFs, and etc. force me out of my comfort zone. I focus on accuracy as well as time. An important bi-product of this is muscle memory which may just save my life one day...

MoJo wrote:IDPA is a game anyone who thinks it's training is just fooling themselves. There are rules (some will get you killed in real life) and scoring. I enjoy participating in IDPA competition but I don't think it's training at all.

Now, if you want to train train if you want to game game but don't think a game is training because when the chips are down you'll lose.

MoJo wrote:IDPA is a game anyone who thinks it's training is just fooling themselves. There are rules (some will get you killed in real life) and scoring. I enjoy participating in IDPA competition but I don't think it's training at all.

Now, if you want to train train if you want to game game but don't think a game is training because when the chips are down you'll lose.

I agree 100% however trying to find a place that allows me to do all that has been quite the challenge.

MoJo wrote:IDPA is a game anyone who thinks it's training is just fooling themselves. There are rules (some will get you killed in real life) and scoring. I enjoy participating in IDPA competition but I don't think it's training at all.

Now, if you want to train train if you want to game game but don't think a game is training because when the chips are down you'll lose.

Perhaps self-defense drills were made into a game to make it more interesting and have a more detailed synopsis on pass/fail. In fact, most people that practice with their firearms for self-defense purposes also enjoy shooting. I don't know of one person that dreads going to the range (that is serious about this lifestyle) and doesn't turn it into a game with themselves.

Where is the difference between training and a game/having fun? I'll make sure to scowl next time I go to the range. This is serious business after all!

Let me clarify. If you shoot any "tactical" or "practical" shooting sport you need to realize you are conditioning yourself to perform according to the rules of the game. THERE ARE NO RULES IN A GUNFIGHT! Well except for the one rule survive!

I was told of an IPSC shooter who walked in on a robbery in progress - - - the robber turned toward the guy and was promptly shot twice COM - - - Mr. IPSC re-holstered just in time to be fatally shot by the now dying robber. He "won" but due to conditioning he lost his life.

Now, if you look at tactical games as gun handling, shooting on the move and use of cover practice and don't think it's training and actually train mentally and physically you will be OK. Remember, two shots won't always neutralize a target, a head shot in a REAL gunfight is almost impossible and, cover is your friend. Last man standing is the winner.

All of the above is generally amusing, accurate, and clever. I enjoyed it.

HOWEVER, one thing to keep in mind is that in some cases, IDPA matches can also be a business and a lot of work for the ones who come out hours early and set it up and run the thing, whether it is personal business, club business, or just a bunch of volunteers doing a good deed.

On very cold days, it can be a business decision whether it is worth the time and range fees to set up for what might reasonably be expected to be a very light turnout. Even volunteers make a cost/benefit calculation.

Now I don't know if there was rain associated with the cold weather, but if there was, poor footing conditions and the associated safety factor might have entered into the decision.

If someone is donating time and at some point they decide that there are certain conditions where it might be better to NOT donate time, I don't feel that I am in a position to complain.

I have been to a number of COLD local matches and agree that there are benefits to having to operate under changed circumstances. The same can be said for low-light/no-light matches.