TargetTalk

I hate to ask warmed over questions, but I've done a reasonable amount of searching without good answers. I have just purchased an air pistol and would like to compete in some postal matches. I can't find shoulder to shoulder in Alabama.

I found an NRA postal match. I found references to postal matches that were discontinued because the administrators were overwhelmed volunteers. Is there a list of others somewhere that I missed?

Also, while I have discovered that the course of fire is 60 shots (men) in one hour and fort-five minutes, I have not received my rule book and wonder if that is broken down in any way. That's a long time to keep focus. Perhaps that's part of the challenge?

Thanks for any information.

Dave.

You can go to the USAS web site and the rules are there.
TM

David:

Go here for a list of postal matches ... High Noon perhaps the best fit:
http://69.94.120.135/matches.shtml

Your are correct about the 1 hour and 45 minute time. Generally (depending on the individual) once the range officer annouces the start of the match (and the 105 minute clock begin its countdown) you are allowed to shoot sighters on a specially marked "sighter" target(s). Once you take your first shot at target #1, there 's no going back to sighters. You much continue on through the match and its remaining 59 target before the 105 minutes expires.

Once you get the rulebook things will become clearer.

David W. Johnson wrote: I found an NRA postal match. I found references to postal matches that were discontinued because the administrators were overwhelmed volunteers. Is there a list of others somewhere that I missed?

The High Noon Postal (http://omega.pol.lublin.pl/highnoon/highnoon.htm) and the Canadian Postal (http://www.targetshooting.ca/matches_tsc.htm) are both well established 60 shot matches. The AGI 20/20 (http://69.94.120.135/matchinfo.htm) is a short, 20 shot, postal run every other week. Don Williams (bawilli@attglobal.net) runs an annual 160 shot match every summer. You might want to get on his mailing list for next year.

Here is the URL for NRA AP matches http://www.nrapublications.org/sh.%20sp ... pistol.asp

And here is the URL for the USAS AP matches http://usashooting.web.aplus.net/module ... oad&sid=44

Looks like you will have to drive to Georgia to shoot shoulder to shoulder. Or try to get members at a local club interested in AP.

Fred

You had responses for the postal matches, so I'll spend time on your last paragraph:

Also, while I have discovered that the course of fire is 60 shots (men) in one hour and fort-five minutes, I have not received my rule book and wonder if that is broken down in any way. That's a long time to keep focus. Perhaps that's part of the challenge?

The normal rules for a 60 shot match are just as clear as you have above - you have the set time to fire your sighters (first) and your record shots last, not to exceed the time limit. You may finish as early as you want. But, included in that time is changing the targets, if you have a carrier system. Those are the rules for a "normal" match. However, you will find format variations, based on necessity and cost at matches lower than the National Level. Depending where you shoot and the equipment on hand, you may have multiple bulls per target card and/or you may fire multiple shots at each bull. Your time may be broken into segments with a set number of bulls and shots, so shooters can move forward and change targets, if there isn't a carrier system in place.

Now to the focus issue: Don't try to focus for 105 minutes. You should bring your focus in as you approach each shot and relax your focus after it happens. Depending on your cadence, you may even take a break or two within the match. There is normally a chair provided for you at your firing point.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

Thanks for all the help. I've always enjoyed the shooting community. Seems to have some of the nicest people anywhere. Just another confirmation. Thanks again.

Dave.

Hi David,

I am not aware of air pistol competitions in Alabama at this time. Hopefully another TTer knows of some and can help you.

Tony Wood coordinates some international pistol events in Birmingham, although air is not one of the events currently offered. You could contact him to see what their plans are.

We hold USA Shooting sanctioned competitions almost once a month at Fort Benning coordinated by Randy Phillips. We offer all ISSF rifle and pistol events, including air pistol. The next one is Sat 09 Sep. We would love to have you shoot with us!

There are also events in Glen, MS coordinated by Nathan Hendrix.

All of the above series and contact info for each are listed in the USA Shooting upcoming events.

Of course, be sure to check the NRA upcoming events for additional possibilities. Note that some of those organizers may have additional events that are not sanctioned and provide additional local competition opportunities. Contact anyoen in your area that you find to learn of these possibilities.

Feel Center!

-JP