YVK, Yes, we bounced this notion around earlier in the thread...I'd disagree with you on the ability to measure objectively, with a timer, with competitive baseline's available in books and the internet for all level of shooting be it "Pro" time's, "Very Good Shooter time", "competent shooter time", it is very easy to see how one is dong vs. the rest of the "world"...Again, tracking these times need to be taken seriously, like long term, write it down at the range and put it in excel at home. Much better way to micro-analyse results for specific shooting tasks and drills. In USPSA you get one run time, doesn't assist in drilling down on where you need to improve (ie, did you run too slow, did you shoot to slow, did you mag change too slow, etc.). It isn't granular enough. Also on your own, it is easier to check the accuracy of ones hits after each drill. Yes an uspsa all "A" zone is great but a string of center-body spine shots even better
...
It is hard to beat the objectivity of a timer one-on-one measuring specific shooting tasks (vs an entire stage), unless one is a total egomaniac and shoots along those lines (with a lot ego, waving off the timer-results). And there are many "Pro's" that recommend timing on's range session, even as more important than match attendance, so there are various view here, best to keep an open mind.....We can also get in a long philosophical discussion about if match stress vs one-on-one timer (assuming one is using a timer with sincerity) stress has more value. And there are very easy ways to raise the stress-level on own, like running to/from/side-of the target before shooting, etc...Granted, people watching one shoot can add that feeling, but I think it is way over stated in the genera (Jeff Cooper, the great, has some interesting thoughts on this which I agree with), in real life, if attacked, you are not going to be thinking about people watching (OK, maybe one may still have wifey looking over your shoulder - "Ahhhh, make sure you don't miss Harold!!!"
), but the folk(s) you are concerned with are the dirt-bags, if you aren't focused on putting rounds on-target, you will loose, and imo, timer stress one on one will facilitate this just as well as a match environment. Remember, one gets much more repetition, and ability to fine-tune one skills shooting on their own, granted they have a dedicated range plan every time they shoot, measure it with a timer and accuracy, and keep track over time.
This said, this is my view, this is what works for me, I have documented my results since I got my timer (~2 years ago I think), and couldn't be happier comparing to the baseline #'s out their in the literature....
I don't proclaim it is the best way for everyone, that would be arrogant. Some people don't like tracking their performance on their own, and there are other reason's it wouldn't work for other's.
Once again, like most things shooter's choice...BUT, man, I do miss kicking in that wooden door at the USPSA matches, it has a unique stress-relief component, and besides, I am not allowed to do that at home.
Good discussion, always fun talking shooting as long as one keeps an open mind. Many paths to shooting "bliss" out there.