Seven day Update

 I write this post because I said I would and to record my thoughts for myself.  There is really about four changes going on which I will try to segregate.

The Holster:  I think the Max 3 is about 10 millisecond slower than the Max 2 for me right now. That is really pretty good considering I have only 7 days and 250 rounds into it.   That number comes from my mean time on 15 test rounds starting first thing in the morning.  Couple things that I have noted.  The Max 3 has considerable barrel wobble and a significant butt wobble.  I think this comes from the fact that my competition guns do not have sights.  I tried a New Vaquero with sights on it and the gun was secure both for barrel wobble and butt wobble.  The barrel wobble I don't think will be a problem but the butt wobble was definitely a distraction for me between the set command and the light. WOW suggested a small slot for the trigger guard.  I did this by Dremel and I think that has solved the butt wobble.

If you order a Max 3 and you do not have sights on your guns I would suggest you tell Ernie that and he may adjust for that.  I think the barrel wobble is within limits but if it is not, a leather strip will have to be added in the boot.

The Draw:  I am trying to draw nearer the pocket. From the gunfighter badge, it is clear that I am not there yet.  The higher holster and new stance has resulted in the badge being higher on side.  I will continue to work on this.  I want to get down to where Hi Strung is on this. Less gun travel should mean quicker.

The Stance:  I am trying to shoot from a more upright stance.  This moves the barrel forward and is easier on my old body.  When I shoot the new stance I am pretty accurate.  The problem is that I tend to lose focus and revert back to old stance trying to go fast.  This is what happened at the Four Corners.  Yesterday, shooting in two competitive matches I shot 21 rounds at 95% accuracy with no hit less than 6 inches from the light.  All shots were from the new stance, no lapses of focus.  I have thirty days to finalize this new stance.  Should be enough time.  I posted previously I am now doing bucket work from 10 feet on the light.  I think that has helped.  It is important that I stay focus and not try to lean back for speed. 

Post Set Command Routine:  I am using a new post set command routine. On average, I would say that it is about 20 to 30 mls quicker. Yesterday, my last three shots at championship distance were almost identical times which were about 25 mls quicker than what is normal for me.

Fairly happy with the progress.

Just remember "I ain't as slow as I look," and "I don't practice missing!"

Final Update:  I have given the Max III a fair trial and have not gotten any improvement of speed from the holster.  I have returned to the Max II.  I have improved timewise because of the new post set comment routine.  Today baseline was .363 twice to .385 with the Max II.

Update New Bucket

With my new holster I have been hitting about 20% at championship distance. Generally, I have been missing high and my close work has not solved the problem.  I thought I might try bucket work at 10 feet.  My calculated target height is 45 inches so I drew two lines one at 40 inches and one at 50 inches.  This is my target area. It would be the same as a 21 inch target at 21 feet. I also used the light by setting the target in front of a light and making a hole for the light. Here is first 20 round session.

I hit all twenty shots so bucket work at 10 feet seems to help. Generally my groups got better later in the set.  I am about 10-15 mls slower with the new holster.  Hope it picks up.

I have been using a new post set command routine.  Seems improve times but also results in high misses. 

Will keep you posted. So far have not seen that speed.

Starting Over with MAX III

Two weeks prior to the Springs I went back to the bucket but was not a fully engaged. It was enough to take me three days without a loss until my good friend, Buzzard, brought me back to reality in the final round of the main match of the Colorado State.  Ernie was watching and he suggested that he thought the Max III would bring me some additional speed.  Not one to avoid a challenge I am starting over with the new holster.  My goal is to be a 160/160/23 shooter in 30 days.  We shall see.

My plan is to get back to the bucket at least three days a week, with mirror and reaction training intersperse during the week.  Some of you may have noticed that on my practice gun which I shot clean in the jackpot shoot, I had a velco strip.  This is to hold a piezo for reaction practice. It has not seemed to help in the past but I am going give it another try.  I am a 200/200/23 shooter now.  I need to improve my reaction time.  Ernie thinks the Max3 will improve the draw time.

The Draw:  I have not been at the lip since 2016 and since the new holster is a little higher it seems to be a good time to get back there. To comply with Rule 17, I have straighten my stance a bit.  The main problem I have now is that some times I lose my focus and I will revert to my old stance.  One can not change draws or stances in the middle of an event.  30 days of bucket work should finalize this draw from a new holster.

 

I shoot the Alleluia Training and Competition System.  It does work.  I will start anew as soon as I get the Max3. I intend to post how it is going ever 7 days in the comments to this post. The gunfight on the Niobrara will tell the tale.

Just remember "I ain't as slow as I look." 

 

First Update:  I had a pretty good session on the mtn with the Max 2 today.  I started off with a .089 anticipation then followed it up with 13 hits within 6 inch circle with times ranging from .366 to .389.  I was using a new routine after the set command which seems to work.  Mean time was .377. I will use this as a base line to evaluate the Max 3.  

I received the Max 3 in the mail from Ernie this afternoon.  My initial impression is that it is going to be quicker.  We shall see.  Here is the difference:

Max 2:

 

Max 3:

My initial impression is that it will be quicker.  In the mirror it seems to set the cylinder of the gun right over the pocket which means the muzzle clearly extends past the lip.  I am going forego the flash guard for a while to use the gunfighter badge to gauge the location of the cylinder.  It is three months early for grail fever, but what the hey, Fallon has been cancelled.