I'm new here and hope I can get my two cents in without ruflling any feathers as this seems to be a hot button issue. I have shot in a number of competition matches and no matter what I do I come out "average" in the standings. I carry concealed and take defensive training and mindset seriously. I have listened to and read various opinions on the subject of gun games verses defensive shooting or combat. I understand what people mean by "mall ninja" allthough I think many people who are quick to pin that tag on someone else may be just like the people they are talking about. I also know folks who are so into the "gaming" aspects of competitions, that shooting becomes all about the wiz bang gadgets the magic techniques, and planning the stage for the fastest possible sequence. If that is your entire preperation for self defense then you are going to be in trouble when you find yourself faced with a real and determined attacker that didn't give you a chance to "walk through" or pre-plan, and you are carrying a 38 snubbie instead of your tricked out "Sunday go to IDPA gun".
Trigger time is all good, and the chance to shoot senarios of someone elses design will broaden your scope, and point out your strengths and weaknesses. It can tell you what you need to work on and what skills you are ready to take to the next level. The bigest problem I see is that we get so accustomed to shooting per gun game rules that we are likely to do that in a real defensive incident as well. The trigger control, reloading skills, use of cover, and safety learned in competition are good things but the habbit of two shots and moving on could get you killed. As Clint Smith points out, people will fire two shots, in one case the target falls after the first shot and the second round go's through you kids bedroom wall, or the guy you just hit COM twice is standing there with an evil grin because he is wearing body armour and is about to kill you while you are already changing your focus to look for the next BG. The point is, enjoy the games but remember there is a huge deference between winning an IDPA match and winning a fight fo your life.