Open Pistol Week 2

[CaptGeorge]

ac12basis - 3/26/2009  12:38 AM

The problem with "aim small...hit small" is, you can't hit what you can't see.
Using open sight, my middle age eyes can't see the small bulls that you younger guys can see, or are you guys using a scope on your pistol?

Middle-aged eyes!!! Just wait to you have SENIOR-aged eyes like mine! I shoot open sights on pistols.  The only sighting device I use are my BI-FOCALS. LOL

Any target is OK with me as long as it has decent sized black center and enough contrast (white space) for a decent 6 o'clock hold.

[JQR]

My thoughts inserted below (after some trimming). Even after writting all that's below, I am liking the idea of a more formal target to mimick sanctioned competition but instead of adjusting target size maybe we can come up with a way to adjust scores for distance... ie... a '7' from 10m would end up being worth more than a 7 from 5m but I would only do the calcs on the final score. As you shot a 7 is stil a 7....

I absolutely understand the sight picture issue so I'll skip that below.

I'm with TCups on the standard 10m ISSF/NRA AP target at 10 meters....if I shot the Gamo target, I would make my own targets, with the black bull matching the regulation ISSF/NRA AP target - I have a version of the 'Gamo5' with black centers if that's what you mean. Otherwise we may as well buy the targets in bulk as suggested. The prices are better than just ink for me.

For those that do not have a clear 10 meters... 10 vs 5m, the 6m minimum, reducing the targets accordingly while making adjustment to ring size.... Sounds too complex for an informal postal match with 7 or 8 particiapants. I would/will do it. I'm happy to shoot 10m regardless of my scores butwould enough folks join in to be worthwhile????

The problem with "aim small...hit small" is, you can't hit what you can't see. Ever take a good look at a 10m air rifle target? Center is nothing but a tinydot. Something to reference the center of the target, and now an appropriate overall sight picture, is really all i'm going for.

are you guys using a scope on your pistol? mine is scoped, which is probably why I have not worried about sight picture till now.

confusing with too many targets if they are close together. part of the challenge for me, learning to avoid the distraction and all...

I do not have the vertical height to shoot a target (paper) much taller than about 8". tip - grab a 9x11 cookie sheet and 4-5 pugs of duct seal to spread in the bottom (3/4 inch thick) It'll never dry out, silences the 'trap', you can prop it anywhere, just pick the pellets out with a tweezer when your done and smooth it back over, and... the paper sticks right to it so you need no clip or backer.... (note - this configuaration works forpistols,rifles with more power will require thinker duct seal and a studier backing. I shoot my TSS into a HD9x13 cake pan with an extra layer of steelin the bottom and ~ 2 inches of duct seal. Pelletssettleagainst the steel backer)

or.... am I just feeling old and grumpy today...?

[airgunandy]

So, are we still using the squares this week since some have already turned in scores? Hope so as I was planning on shooting this tonight! :)

I thought this match was supposed to be a fun informal shoot. Sounds like it's getting complicated. I can live with the squares.
I like the 5m distance as I can shoot it indoors whenever I have time and don't have to wait on the weather to cooperate. 6m is about max for me indoors though if we have to go long. There are other matches for 10m pistols. I glad we have this one at 5m.

Maybe we could try something like this target if the squares are too offensive? -
http://www.glockfaq.com/targets/bullseye/bullseye_halfinch_20.pdf

[ac12basis]

I have seen places where people have 5m versions of the standard 10m AP and AR targets.  I think they are simply the 10m targets reduced by 50%.
However, for the average person shooting at home (inside), it will be a LOT easier to find a clear 5 meters to shoot in than 10 meters, so I see the value in keeping the range at 5 meters.

On the 10m AR target, you don't aim at the 10 ring (you can't see it anyway), you aim at the black bull.  When you aim, you center the black bull in the center of the front aperture which is centered in the rear iris.  Works quite well.  The issue again becomes the size of the bull.  If significantly larger or smaller than the regulation target, then the size of the front aperture has to be changed to be correct for the new bull size.

My trap issue is mine.  My 10x10 silent trap is squeezed into the low end of the crawlspace of my home.  I don't have any more vertical space to make it bigger.

airgunandy is correct, I can shoot my match AP in the match AP section.  Soon as I finish my exam  :-(

CG, I wear TRI-focals.  I had to get a special pair of glasses made for me to shoot AP.  w the tri-focals, I could not focus on the front sight.

[TCups]

Couple of pistol scores:
At 5 meters, standing, off-hand, 2 hand grip, Beeman P3 w 1X red dot / RWS Hobby: 135
At 10 meters, standing, off-hand, 2 hand grip, IZH-46M / Vogel Greens: 86

[TCups]

Jeff:

Thanks for your good efforts with the new target -- but as much as the apparent size of the bull, I prefer the type of paper the official targets are printed on.  Much cleaner scoring.  I will probably continue to shoot the Beeman P3 at 5-meter targets, whatever we decide on, but I will continue to post a 10-meter / 10 shot score with the Edelmann targets on a weekly basis, too.

[CaptGeorge]

ac12basis - 3/26/2009  11:54 AM

....CG, I wear TRI-focals.  I had to get a special pair of glasses made for me to shoot AP.  w the tri-focals, I could not focus on the front sight.

There's a front sight?  LOL
I envy your special glasses.  I wear the no-line multi-focals. And, it's really hard to get good sight picture with open sights - especially on a pistol.

[airgunandy]

Starting to get the hang of this pistol shootin' stuff. Was reading some stuff on the Pyramid Air blog about pistol shooting. Realized the rear sight notch wasn't wide enough to see light on both sides of the front sight. A bit of time with a needle file fixed it right up.
Anyway...

Score: 102

Distance: 5 Meters - 2 handed

Pistol: Custom Crosman 2240 with 10" .177 barrel - Open sights

Ammo: Daisy Precision Max .177 wadcutters

[imadogman]

Week 2 results.

Total score  137

Weapon=  IZH 46M
Grip= 2 handed
Pellets= CPHP
Sights=  Factory Partridge

[TCups]

Hey Dave -- let's see what you can do with the Izzy at 10 meters.  We seem to be pretty evenly matched.

[imadogman]

Tommy,

I noticed that you are shooting pretty nice scores too. I think that mine would improve a lot if I had younger eyes. Sights are pretty fuzzy, and I have a red dot ordered.

I managed a 150 while practicing, and I think that my average is in the high 120's with this target at 5meters. I don't have 10 meters hereinside of myhouse, but when the weather gets a little nicer, I may be able to figure out a way to set something up outside. (maybe tomorrow)

I will need to kind of hide from the neighbors so that they don't get upset. I have a spot planned for 10 meters, but Ineed to put up something so that I am not easily seen. I might go to the local range too, but I don't really like to pay to shoot...that is why I bought a couple of airguns.

When I retire, I want to move to a place where I can walk out back, and start shooting....without offending anyone.

[gamo2hammerli]

First practice sheet was a disaster...a measly 45. Took a 5 minute break and shot the match.....ended up with a 72....4 points higher than last week. Messed up my 19th shot due to the trigger not tripping and continued applying pressure while the hand was trembling terribly.....should have "let-down".

Gun: Crosman 1377 multi-pumper, Scope: Iron Sights, Pellet: .177 Crosman WadCutter, Distance: 5 Meters indoors,

Position: Isosceles stance, 2-Hand grip, SCORE: 72

A couple more suggestions to consider for the 10 bull target.  It would be helpful to have some margin on the page to allow for mouning the taget.  That will probably require eliminating the lower scoring rings.  But, at 5 meters that should be okay.

Also, you might consider using a gray or cross hatch for the bullseye to save everyone some ink.  It needs to be definite so all eyes can see it but again at 5 meters it does not need to be black.  

Another reason to lighten the bullseye is that not all the open sight shooters have their sights set for 10 meter competion.  Their aim point is the center of the bullseye.  If the bullseye is large and black, there is not enough contrast to see the front sight.

[ac12basis]

CG
That's why I had to get a special set of glasses made to shoot AP.

My "special" glasses is simply a special prescription in a regular frame, not one of those special shooting glasses frames.
Right (aiming eye) lens prescription is so I can FOCUS on the front sight while still being able to see the target.  The eye doc and I did some testing in her office (with my AP) to figure the correct prescription.
Left lens is normal distance prescription, so I can walk about w/o falling over.
I tried to have them put a reading prescription as a bifocal on both lenses so I can see stuff on the bench, like my notes.  But the lens was too big for them to put a bifocal on the bottom.  Next time I have to use a frame with a smaller lens.

[ac12basis]

TC
I think you and I will have to go to the Match Pistol section and shoot there.