Here’s to trying new things!  The Western States Single Stack Championship was held at the famous Rio Salado Sportsmans Club in Mesa, Arizona on January 30-31, 2010.  It was a great start to a new year.  This was my first Single Stack match, and I have to say that Steve Horsman, Kyle Schmidt and Polle Blanton put together an outstanding match.

I’ve shot a few major matches in the past, including the IDPA Nationals in 2000-2002, and the USPSA Area 2 match in 2001, but I took a big break from the shooting scene.  After finally becoming stable in a new career, I gave in to the constant harassment of my coworkers and started shooting matches with them.  It was so much fun, I can’t believe I stayed away so long!

After shooting Area 2 in November last year, I decided to put the Glock away and try something different.  Out came the 9mm STI Trojan, and I haven’t looked back.  While shooting is shooting, the 1911 sure feels different.  I’m using an adjustable BoMar rear sight, with a Dawson fiber optic front.  All new equipment was in order, so a Safariland purchase was made. The injection molded 5188 holster and 079 double mag pouch slid right onto my CR Speed belt.  Add a half dozen MetalForm magazines, filled with factory 115 grain FMJ American Eagle ammo and I was off and running!

Moving from Production to Single Stack didn’t mean too many changes in how to approach a stage.  I’ve grown accustomed to counting in groups of 8-10 and scoring minor.  Of course, SS usually means groups of 8 and major scoring!  This match was set up so that running 10 round magazines only gave you an advantage on 2 stages, and that was only if you had a miss on steel.  It was a very level playing field for equipment, so points were gained and lost on trigger speed, reloads and hits.  How refreshing to have a match be all about the shooting!

By some stroke of luck and good fortune, I was able to shoot on the same squad as Kippi Leatham, Maggie Reese, Kandi Blick and Sara Drake.  Add in Rob Leatham, Taran Butler, Mike Voigt, Angus Hobdell, Mike Lin and the rest, and it was almost more a learning experience than anything!  All the shooters I’ve run into at matches are so helpful and willing to answer questions about stage strategy and equipment.

The stages had a true mix of skill sets, mixing up close, far, open, no shoot, and hard cover targets.  While there was very little stand and shoot stages, you didn’t need to lace up your track shoes either.

My favorite stage at this match was stage 10. It was a 12 round course with 2 poppers, a clamshell, 2 swingers and 2 static targets.  Rob [Leatham] was kind enough to do a walk through with several different plans of attack, depending on your skill level.  I was able to hit the activator and take care of a static before the clamshell, which is always a huge confidence boost!

I want to take a moment to thank the RO’s and match staff for putting together such a high caliber event. The shooters were all top notch, and it was a great experience.  Hope to see you out there next year! ~Sara Dunivin