4th at Single Stack Nats: Todd Jarrett

Courtesy of the Women of USPSA blog, this is the second interview in a series with the top five shooters at this year’s USPSA Single Stack Nationals. Fourth place this year went to Todd Jarrett, a shooter well known to DRTV readers and fans of Shooting Gallery.

Interviews from the Top 5 at the 2010 Springfield / USPSA Single Stack Nationals – 4th Place, Todd Jarrett

Our coverage of the men’s race at the 2010 Single Stack Nationals continues.  Read on to discover a bit more about Todd Jarrett and his match.  We’ve also included a video compilation of a few of his stages from the event … this man is fast and smooth!

4th Place – Todd Jarrett (9-Time USPSA National Champion, 1996 IPSC World Champion)

WoU: Congrats on your 4th Place finish, Todd!

Todd: Thank you, and thanks to Women of USPSA for taking time to expand on the SSN coverage!

WoU: It’s our pleaure … What was your mindset going into this match?

Todd: Honesty, I was looking forward to going back to Barry … somewhere I have shot many, many matches. It almost feels like a “home club” in a way and I really enjoy shooting there. It’s familiar territory and I get to see old friends, which makes shooting the match a bit more comfortable for me.

WoU: It’s one of our favorite ranges, too.  Now, tell us about the gun and your gear.

Todd: This year I changed from .45 to .40 and I shot an STI Trojan. The .40 SS has more predictable recoil than a .45 but it can be challenging to keep it running, so gunsmithing and preparing ammo took a little more time before this year’s match. I had some magazine problems a few weeks before the match, so I contacted Virgil Tripp who kindly overnighted me some Cobra mags. They ran flawlessly. My holster, belt, and pouches are all Blackhawk!

WoU: It’s good to have friends like Virgil!  : )  How do you train when preparing for the Single Stack Nationals?

Todd: Reload, reload, reload! There is such a big difference in reloading a single stack versus a wide body – it requires so much more patience and practicing reloads is the big key. The SSN is probably the most challenging match in USPSA and I practice shooting very difficult target arrays to prepare. I focus a lot on limiting extra shots because there are so many stages at the SSN where taking an extra shot could mean the difference in having to make an extra reload or not.

WoU: You put down some amazing runs.  How do you feel you performed overall?

Todd: Win or lose, I’m never completely satisfied with my performance … I always find something to improve upon. This year, I was relatively pleased with the first part of my match, but got in to some trouble on the Standards stage. One bad string of fire was the turning point for my overall performance in the match. It’s amazing how one draw and six shots can really affect your confidence. Overall, I was content. Over the last few years my priorities have changed a bit, and I am ok with not always winning if I know I did the best I could do on a given day.

WoU: Historically at the Single Stack the GM’s are spread out all over the match in different squads. This year was no exception. Do you prefer to shoot with a variety of shooters or do you like to be squadded in a Super Squad?

Todd: This year was a real treat because Rob and Phil and I were finally invited to shoot with the ladies super squad! I have shot with Rob at almost every National match as long as I can remember. I do like shooting with new faces, but there is always an advantage to shooting with the best.

WoU: Aw, that’s sweet to say … and we felt very fortunate to be able to shoot with you.  Which of the variety of stages that we shot stands out most for you?

Todd: I’ve always enjoyed speed shoots and strong hand/weak hand has always been one of my strong suits. There was a VERY tough strong/weak hand stage at this match that had me sweating. I came through it well but it will stand out in my memory among the many stages I’ve shot.

WoU: You won the strong-hand stage, too.  Very impressive shooting!  What is it that you like the most about the Single Stack Division?

Todd: I like the strategy that’s involved shooting single stack. It requires more patience and concentration and it helps keep up my mental game.

WoU: Is there anything you would like to add?

Todd: If I could only shoot one match a year, it would be the Single Stack Nationals in Barry, IL.  Thanks to Springfield for their dedication to the action shooting community for so many years. And congrats again to Rob! See ya next year …

WoU: Once again, congratulations on your 2010 Single Stack Nationals finish! We hope to see you soon on the range!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1R1HyKEfUY&hd=1