I hate the Texas Star

[DenStinett]

Great picture.....
Caption:
??.and then David opened the door and all of Danny?s Coce blew away !?
How do you spell the slang for Cocaine ? ! ? 

[1SOW]

I hated the star at first, but it got better as I had some practice with it. 
Seems most use one of two--maybe three methods: 
1.  12:00, then a fast 2:00 and 10:00--- it won't move much as it's still 'almost' in balance.
Then 5:00 and 7:00.
2. 12:00, 2:00, and the rest as they rotate counterclockwise up into view.
3.  The third is like in the above video, sort of random but good fast shooting, not quite spray-and-pray.

We had a match where you had to shoot a popper first.  The popper pulled a prop-rod out from under an empty arm of the star.  The four remaining plates started that sucker spinning IN A Hurry.

I know I wish I had the ammo that's been wasted on that thing.  I used to need a mag change.

[1SOW]

Have you guys ever shot one of those balanced plate racks of 5 (6?)  Ohhh man.

[jwc007]

Have you guys ever shot one of those balanced plate racks of 5 (6?)  Ohhh man.

Yes, we have a Plate Rack of 6.  Sometimes we've had a Split Rack Man on Man contest where the first one to knock down all the Plates on his side wins the string.  Lots of fun!

[1SOW]

Man-on-man is always fun, win or lose.

[kobus]

that is a scary monster.     practice, practice and practice some more. i've found that the more i practice the luckier i get. 

[DenStinett]

Man-on-man is always fun, win or lose.

One on one, man on man may not always be fun, but it will sure get your adrenaline pumping

Hey 1....
Experience is usually preceded by ?Foolhardiness ! ! !?

[jameslovesjammie]

We had a match where you had to shoot a popper first.  The popper pulled a prop-rod out from under an empty arm of the star.  The four remaining plates started that sucker spinning IN A Hurry.

We've had one similar to that at our range.  All 5 plates were on the star but the popper started the wheel spinning, which dropped off a heavy counter weight and got it spinning FAST before you could get a shot off.

[sfrenchy]

I'm fairly new to USPSA shooting having only done 4 matches. Here in Ca. it's not know as the "Texas Star". I don't know what it's called, I could think of some great names, but if I even see it at a match I break into a cold sweat. I HATE it also. Sign me up for the club....I think the problem with it is that when it starts moving you tend to forget the front sight and watch the contraption slowly swing while the bullets fly on by....mag after mag.....   ( :

[1SOW]

Den Stinett:

One on one, man on man may not always be fun, but it will sure get your adrenaline pumping

Hey 1....
Experience is usually preceded by ?Foolhardiness ! ! !?

Right on all counts.  I do like man-on-man though.  I'm no stranger to losing in that situation, but that adrenaline rush is terrific medicine.  "Only" the front sight is focus.
My son and I shot in in an all day match this spring.  The whole afternoon was man-on-man using a J-Ladder format.  Man, I was/we were both pooped coming down off the adrenaline highs.
 

[gja70]

FWIW, I love the Texas star.  Most guys at my club piss and moan about it.  My thought is, if I'm going to see it at a Major match, I sure as hell want to practice it at the local match.  Kind of like shooting Weak hand classifiers.  If you go in dreading it and planning not to fail, you probably will.  Look at it as a new exciting challenge, and you will learn from it and get better.

Have you guys ever shot one of those balanced plate racks of 5 (6?)  Ohhh man.

I believe you're referring to the Polish Plate rack.  I've never shot one, only seen it on Youtube.  Check out this link.  The first shooter is Jerry M, showing how it's done.  The rest of them have a little more difficult time of it.....and they're all shooting Revos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8fc3ncgZSw

If you want sadistic, check out the Evil Oregon Star

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTXCzTEOz1U

[1SOW]

gia70, Thanks, THAT "Polish Plate Rack" is EXACTLY what I was referring to.

Like the Star, it takes a little getting used to; but it's fun to do after the shock wears off.  I've only shot it once, but look forward to my next try.

[recoilguy]

I never plan to fail, it just happensto me once in a while. Those 2 videos are cool. The polish plate rack I have shot one time but the star with no shoots thats one I would love to see them run at the club.

RCG

[czkali]

If you're a reloader the Texas Star and the Polish Plate rack are awesome -- piles of spent brass to pick up!!   
We've had the plate rack and I believe the star too as the first target right from the start box. There was so much brass around the start box you had to be careful not to slip on it.
I think pride is the biggest obstacle with these things. The way our matches are scored there comes a time when it's best to move on and take the miss instead of burn time (and ammo) trying to get the final plate(s). But no, we all keep shooting and for me my trigger mechanics go to pot if I let myself get frustrated.
We had some Los Angeles Sheriff's shoot with us one match. Some of them were on the Sheriff's pistol team. One guy took down the Texas Star with it barely having a chance to rotate. Even his buddies were somewhat awestruck.

[recoilguy]

CZkali.....I know exactly what you mean. That is why I hate the thing. I either do it in 7 or 8 shots or 3 or 4 mags. Either way I aint stoppin until the 5th plate falls down.

RCG