[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

I thought we would have a little fun with this topic,
and give everyone a chance "to tute their own flute"
so to speak!:uhoh: What I'm looking for here is,
how each one of you guys and gals would rate your
self, as to how well you shoot semi-auto pistols and
revolvers? Look at the poll and decide which category
you fall in; and give us an HONEST answer!
That's all there is too it, have fun and lets see what
happens.

Well, the poll didn't work! So I will ask you all, in
which of these divisions would you fall ?



Distinguished Expert

Combat Expert

Sharpshooter

General Marksman

Novice

Rookie


I can't wait to see some of your answer's; as I'm thinking
all of our membership would want to fall in the top of the
Distinguished Expert class!:D :uhoh: :rolleyes:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Blackhawk]

So where's the poll...? :confused:

[Schuey2002]

If there was a poll to click on, I'd have vote for...

General Marksman

;)

[444]

Just like all posts such as this, there are no parameters to define each class. I know I am a better than average pistol shooter. I have competed in IPSC, IDPA, and have taken formal shooting classes where I got to see how I shot compared to others. Since this is purely my own opinion, I would rate myself as a Sharpshooter; better than average, but I have seen a lot of people better than I am.

[cordex]

I'm not really a novice or a rookie as both of those imply a beginner and I've been handgunning for a few years now.

I'm just not very good.

General Marksman, perhaps.

[JohnBT]

Caffeinated, four-eyed, over-the-hill used to be mediocre.

(Pardon me for making up my own class.)

If you have a paper plate stuck on your chest I can hit it with a .45 and I'm working on the 9mm.

I think I know now why my 81-y-old father has a scope on one his two favorite plinking guns. No scope on the Python yet.

John

[Berg01]

Spray & Pray!

[spacemanspiff]

you mean i have to AIM this noisemaker??? this is getting more and more difficult as time goes on.
:neener:

i'm definitely a novice distinguished expert.

[Chupacabra]

I consider myself a novice semi-auto handgunner. Groups at 7 yards are fairly consistent but farther than that and my accuracy takes a nose dive. I still flinch occasionally and get those embarassing flyers too...But I'm improving. Dry fire drills help ALOT!

[kalibear45]

Spray & Pray!

LOL! Your nickname must be "The Hoser" :D

[MJRW]

Distinguished Rookie

[Mike Irwin]

Mean, Heartless Bastard

[usnavymasterchief]

Many years ago, many more than I care to think about, I earned the US Navy Expert Pistol Medal with a Colt 1911 .45 cal. As a Combat Aircrewman I had to qualify with a S&W .38spl revo, got Expert Pistol Medal with it also. Not to mention six weeks of Aerial Gunner School with an old .50 cal machine gun. Musta done ok because they graduated me and sent my butt off to Nam as an aerial gunner in a Huey, some fun that was.Given my age (66) today I really don't know what level of expertise I have. Of course there are many variables involved such as distance to target, type of firearm being used and ammo being used. My primary carry piece is a Kahr K40 with a 3.5" barrel. Using good ammo, slow fire, on a very good day. I can get all seven rounds in a standard paper plate at 25 yards. You tell me what that qualifies for.

[sm]

MHB
Tenacious
How my long time friend/gunsmith/trainer describes me

[themic]

somewhere btwn general marksman and sharpshooter, i would guess.

nah, probably just general marksman. haven't done real "target practicing" in a while. keep working on this point shooting -> coars-aiming -> aimed rapid fire stuff lately, all at short distances. not really the same thing, seeing as i go as fast as i can and still hit that COM.

[El Tejon]

mediocre, but zealous!:D

[Correia]

In IDPA my rank is Sharpshooter because I've managed to tank my classifier match. In actual match performance I usually score about average with the Expert class. (State match is coming and my buddies are accusing me of sandbagging!) :)

Tell you what though, if you have not shot in organized competition yet, take what ever you ranked yourself and move it down a notch. :) Not to insult anybody or anything, but I considered myself to be really really good until I got involved in actual competition, on the clock, with witnesses, no do overs, no disregarding bad shots, etc. The first couple matches are usually a real wake up call for many shooters.

[Pappy John]

At twenty-five yards I'm happy if I can keep all slow fired shots in a 5.5" circle.




But I'm not happy all that often.:D

[Neal Bloom]

Mediocre. There are times when 'sucks' might describe my shooting.

[caz223]

Good days and bad days.
I'd have to say General Marksman because if I don't practice with at least 200 rounds a week, I have many bad days in a row.
If I practice 500+ rounds a week, my steel plate shoots usually turn out a lot better.
Another 5 years of constant practice and improvement, and maybe Sharpshooter would be within my grasp.

[sanchezero]

uh, whats above Distinguished Expert?

I'm so good it pains others to watch as I pour round after round with blazing speed thru the same tiny hole at 50 yards while jumping on a trampoline.

I'm so fast I nearly always finish the IDPA classifier before the buzzer is done buzzing and while most of my brass is still in the air.

To top it all off I show no discernible difference between shooting two-handed, one handed or weak handed and so I always fire full power ammo thru my twin hard-chromed Desert Eagle .50AE zappers simultaneously when I'm not prohibited from doing so by rules written by those beneath me.

:cool:
















Huh? No, I only hit snooze once, c'mon, lemme go back to sleep...

Please...

[BHPshooter]

I would say, all in all, I'm about in the General Marksman category. I'm still having a little trouble transitioning from my Mom's .22 revolver to my 9mm BHP, but I'm getting much better. Dry fire practice sure does help. It also helps not being so excited about having a new gun that you can hold still. :D

Wes

[10-Ring]

I haven't had the formal training many here have, or the hours of reps required to build the proper muscle memory required to develop those skills required to be considered a true marksman but I have been 'schooled' by a couple people who knew what they were doing & showed me what I had to do to improve myself.

That said, I guess I'd consider myself a general marksman

[Hkmp5sd]

It greatly depends on the gun. With some guns, I can't hit the ground, even with assistance from gravity. Some guns, I can't miss.

[Monkeyleg]

In my thirties, I was probably in the Sharpshooter class. Now, especially with no time to shoot, I don't know that I'd even rate myself as Novice. :(

[P95Carry]

Probably fairest to state General Marksman ........... in as much as I have shot most disciplines over the years - and still do...... quite a lot of compo's.

Handgun ..... Not the tightest of groupers but ''fluent'' ... and familiar with a number of weapons, revo and auto.

Rifle/carbine ........ again round the average but tend consistent .. I know my limitations but also my strengths.

Peak compo time was maybe near 20 years ago ..... I seemed to win plenty of trophies tho far from all were 1st place!!

Bit of an ''all-rounder'' perhaps fits too.:p

[Greg L]

Is there a "broad side of the barn" catagory?

Now with a rifle I am usually shooting 1 MOT (minute of torso ;) ) but with a handgun... :eek: . Of course I also am comparing myself to the local IHMSA shooters that I help out by being a RO for their competitions. Those guys are SCARY at what they can do to a ram with a pistol at 200 meters.

All in all I guess I am reasonably confident with placing a disabling shot on a target at a reasonable distance for the weapon used. The second shot probably won't go through the same hole but it will be impacting the target within a very short time frame from the first shot.

Greg

[Kcustom45]

I would rate myself as General Marksman, because I am ok. I can hit the target most of the time, but the groups sometimes look more like a shotgun rather than a handgun. Oh well, I guess there is always for improvement.

[seeker_two]

Accurate enough to make a BG real nervous inside 50 yards (150 w/ a rifle)...:evil:

[MessedUpMike]

experienced novice?

[Andrew Wyatt]

distinghushed expert, of course. i have consumate carbonfiberousity.

[MikeJ]

In my mind I'm unbelievable (shades of Walter Mitty) but in reality I'm probably a General Marksman. Since I don't really know how good a general marksman is I'll be humble and play it safe. :rolleyes:

[Majic]

FAIR TO MIDDLIN :confused:

[Apple a Day]

Public Menace

[Prodigalshooter]

I'm somewhere between Marksman & Sharpshooter, depending on the day...
and the moon phase
and the quality of my mornings "business"
and any number of other factors:rolleyes:
but that's OK, as I'm still having FUN.
insert smiley here

[PATH]

No expert but good enough for government work!;)

[E357]

I'm in International Class in standing IHMSA super slow shooting. I need a red dot to hit anything now. Still learning (after all these years) to shoot fast revolver - but can't reload very fast.

Elliot

[Ala Dan]

"Momma Told Me Not To Lie"

so therefore, I'm just a

General Marksman!

as I have some really good day's; and some down right
awful day's!:D :uhoh: :rolleyes:

Best Wishes To All,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

PS: Maybe the poll will work on the next go'round!

[HBK]

General Marksman, but sometimes a Sharpshooter.

[Zach S]

General marksman, but i still have better (and worse) days.

[4v50 Gary]

General Marksman. :o Use to be good, but can't call myself that now.

[Tropical Z]

Im so AWESOME i almost cant stand myself!:D

[Dr.Rob]

When it comes to handguns? General marksman trying to be a sharpshooter. (I've never shot a full IDPA classifier btw)

But with a rifle? Much better.

[Berg01]

LOL! Your nickname must be "The Hoser"

Not a Hoser, but General Marksman doesn't apply!; I'm no General, I work for a living!

[RustyHammer]

Qualified "Expert" with both pistol and rifle while in Navy. I'm probably 'best' with my D/A revolvers .

Won a few medals and such in competition in my younger years.



/Rusty

[happy old sailor]

in another life, like four decades ago, i was quite the cat. now am just an old duffer squinting at the sights thru bleary eyes. i still shoot at every opportunity, just on the family range. mostly i teach and take great pride when the guys/girls can consistently hammer stuff down at the longer ranges. doing what i can to keep the sport of pistol shooting alive for the future.

i hesitate to speak of my own accomplishments. those were just a result of my concentration on a sport i loved. what i was most proud of was the day a womens four person team that i had coached set Two national women's team records. that was about 1969. still have a photo copy of those two certificates from the NRA somewhere in my stuff.

as my rocking chair misses my cat's tail, all i can say is "them wuz the days"

[bountyhunter]

I shoot Grandmaster class in open (wheelgun) and stock (auto) in our PPC league, same in our bullseye league with a Ruger .22 auto. The shooting course of fire is pretty generous because it's a WOF (wobbly old farts) league.

[cslinger]

General Marksman Jack of All Trades.

I can't shoot just about anything well enough to hit my target. I have shot and I am familiar with just about every type of modern firearm up to the belt feds. No cannons, or GE Miniguns. So I figure I am pretty much the Jack of All Trades General Marksman.

Now with a 12 gauge at home defense distance I am absolutely deadly. :scrutiny:

[Smoke]

I am but a lowly student.....and always will be.

[Intune]

"Beware the man who owns one gun!"







I KNEW that I shouldn't have bought all those other ones!
:eek:

The only way i can be sure of hitting the target is to duct tape it to the muzzle.

[TaxPhd]

Depends. As there is no scale or baseline to grade against, proper classification is impossible.

If the categories corresponded to, say, IPSC rankings from Grandmaster to D class, then I would be a General Marksman (B class IPSC shooter). But that is compared to the best pistol shooters in the world. If I were comparing myself to all other shooters that I have shoot with, or seen shoot, it would be very different.



Scott

[WhoKnowsWho]

General Marksman

I don't get out often enough to increase my skill lately.

But when it gets cooler, the rifle range will help me a bit.

But I am still a rookie with shotguns, as all the quail in the desert are laughing at me from last year still. Everything else is good.

[jon1481]

I practice to make sure my weapon will go bang and that I hit what I aim at. I will be the survivor!

[New_comer]

Hmmmphh! Sandbaggers... :scrutiny: :rolleyes:


Well, I'm a rookie!:evil: :neener: ;)

[DWS1117]

At twenty-five yards I'm happy if I can keep all slow fired shots in a 5.5" circle.

I'm happy if I hit the target at all.

Most days I'm a Novice . Between 2" and 4" groups at 7 yards is the norm. But every now and then, watch out because I can pick a fly apart 1 part at a time at 25 yards. Sadly those days are few and far between.

[foghornl]

General Marksman.

Some days, very, very good. Other days, if I was using a bass fiddle, couldn't hit a bull in the butt.

[mec]

I usually (but not always) shoot well enough to enjoy the process. This is one of my .22 groups- not by any means, the worst.
http://www.milesfortis.com/guests/images/mcump/07/K226172.jpg
Where as this is not too untypical a 25 yard "NRA Slow Fire" pattern with a 4" 29 and light loads.
http://www.milesfortis.com/guests/images/mcump/08/29-24O1.JPG
I get better with 6-8 3/8" N Frames but only wish all the groups looked like this:
http://www.milesfortis.com/mcump/images/mcump/02/Heritageohsml.jpg
and no matter how hard I try, this is the best I can do with a centerfire auto.
http://www.milesfortis.com/mcump/images/mcump/19/milspec25oh.jpg

sometimes i throw one wide in the ditch with this one, but when I get the trigger squash-off just right, it is histerically accurate and more fun than makes sense:
http://www.milesfortis.com/mcump/images/mcump/20/fourpointfive200.jpg

When I practice up shooting two-handed, it gets a bit better -but not as much as you might think. In summation, I can have fun but would be laughed at by a dedicated bullseye shooter and my speed is highly disrespected by the entire range of IPSC competitors. To be really good, I would have to quit messing around with so many different handguns and WORK at it. I'm not all that fond of work.

[TIMC]

25 yards or less I can hit a Silhouette every time. I consider myself ... " good enough" what catagory is that? :D

[Johnny Guest]

- - - And it bears repeating:Tell you what though, if you have not shot in organized competition yet, take what ever you ranked yourself and move it down a notch. :) Not to insult anybody or anything, but I considered myself to be really really good until I got involved in actual competition, on the clock, with witnesses, no do overs, no disregarding bad shots, etc. The first couple matches are usually a real wake up call for many shooters. In the little group with which I normally shoot, I am considered pretty good. But a reality check is ALWAYS in order, especially when one reaches the point when "Selective Memory" starts to get the upper hand.

I normally manage to shoot in organized competition about once a month - - IDPA, steel plates, club personal defense match - -Whatever. With that group, I congtatulate myself when I manage to stay around the middle of the pack, and am not too chagrined when I'm in the bottom 25%. Yeah, I can tell myself, "They're a bunch of game players," and, "This is not truly realistic." The fact of the matter is, there are a lot of dedicated contestants who are just better shooters than I . . . .

Ah, but back in the day, sonny - - -
Oncet upon a time, I shot a LOT of IPSC matches with Texas Section North, and qualified to go to the Nationals four times. I actually went twice. One learns of the Big Frog in Small Pond syndrome, vs. Small Frog in BIG Pond.:D My trouble is, "back in the day," was twenty years agone, and I do right well to barely keep current today.

I'd like to claim Sharpshooter, or maybe even Low Expert. Those durn reality checks, though, nudge me back where I belong: General Marksman (With fond memories.)

Best,
Johnny

[martin]

The group I shoot with calls me the human Ransom Rest(no kidding). There is a lot of validity to that. Too bad I can't shoot freehand as well so I place myself as a General Marksman.

[Dr.Who]

Based on IDPA, Sharpshooter...

[m.i.sanders]

I'm just a tad better than the novice category with auto's at less than 15 yrds, and with the pistol less than 20. I USUALLY hit the target at those ranges. :rolleyes:

[556A2]

Depends on the situation, I'd say General Marksman. Now, if I'm out with the middle of nowhere with a case of soda cans and my CZ, I'll say Sharpshooter. I don't tend to shoot as good while at a range for some reason.

[GitSome45]

COMBAT EXPERT


Howard

[YodaVader]

Shooting one handed at 50 yards slowfire with the Model 41 and a Tasco Pro-Point I can usually shoot high 80's - low 90's and on occasion something like the 94 pictured. This is on the NRA 50 yard bullseye target.

[mec]

"This is on the NRA 50 yard bullseye target.

Attachment: model 41 @ 50 yds.jpg"

Yes Indeed!

[YodaVader]

Thanks mec! By the way, that is a beautiful 22 revolver you have pictured above!

[mec]

a local dealer does estate sales and has come up with a number of new- to near new condition. Smiths. He doesn't try to get rich off every sale.

[cool45auto]

I'd have to go with General Marksman, too.

[Dorian]

Combat Expert

It's all about sactics and ttrageties!

[Fed168]

Distinguished expert. I base it on the class I shoot in for PPC, the distinguished marksman pin on my uniform, and the Governor's Twenty awards.
Combat? Not too shabby at that, either.

I'm adone tootin'.

[sgt127]

I would rate myself pretty high. When I go the range on my own time, I generally shoot at arms length, 5 yards, 10 yards and then 100 yards. Standing, unsupported, I can reliably put 18 out of 20 in the chest of a Milpark target at 100 yards with my HKP7M8, my Wilson master grade 130 Govt. model or a 6" S&W Mod 27, all with iron sights. Up close its all speed. Using a PACT timer, I can break 1.3 seconds from under a T-shirt until first hit, center mass at 7 meters from the beep. Far away its all trigger control. I figure if I have those two bases covered I can do pretty well in between. I cannot yet do it with my issue Glock. Either I haven't gotten the trigger figured out right yet, or, the gun is just not that accurate.

I practice more on being faster up close and better tactics.


I blame it all on my original instructor in shooting. The quote "The bullet goes where the front sight is when the hammer falls." Was repeated to me until I mumbled it in my sleep.

[mec]

"the distinguished marksman pin on my uniform, and the Governor's Twenty awards. "

uh oh. people are starting to show up with real credentials here.

[Fed168]

Mec, this is the only time I would post or talk about it. Nothing to really brag upon, just the results of alot of hard work. It didn't happen overnight, more like a couple years.

I've been accused of sniffing too much gunpowder.

[mec]

That's a couple of years of intense effort getting to that level of skill. -Good!

[VaughnT]

Well, I'd like to brag and call myself a Sharpshooter, but that's not entirely accurate.

I'd say that I rank as a Sharpshooter if the COF allows it. I shot a perfect score in my NC Quals (500/500, day and night), but that was super easy. When I went to the local IDPA competition, I got to see just how easy the NC test was and it knocked me down a few rungs!:o

Give me a few months of shooting in these competitions and I'll have earned the Sharpshooter title, no questions.

[Chris Rhines]

Hmmm.

In IDPA, I'm ranked as a Sharpshooter, but I've shot a few Expert-level scores on good days.

In NRA Bullseye I'm still unclassified, but I'll rank Expert after my next match unless I blow it completely. I average around 92%.

With pistols, I'll round down and say I'm a Sharpshooter overall. Rifles, I'm a Novice at best. I'm much better with pistols than with rifles.

That said, I'm not shooting even close to my potential.

- Chris

[longeyes]

I'd call myself another of the "Good Enough" shooters. My interest
is practical self-defense accuracy and most of my shooting is at
seven yards, with much less at 15 and 25 yards and beyond.

At my outdoor range you aren't permitted to draw from a holster
and concealed carry, where I live, is extremely rare. Looking at
the targets of those shooting on the line beside me, I'd have to say
I'm better than average, but that may not mean much. If I can put
all, or near all, of my shots in a fist at seven yards I'm reasonably
content, not that I'm not trying to get better. I've really only
been shooting three years and coordination-wise I'm on the downslope,
not the upslope, of the curve. No "one ragged hole" stories to tell
here, sorry.

[Edward429451]

Well I qualified as Sharpshooter on the OPOTA PPC course many moons ago. Still have the little medallion thing.

I'm still as good. Realistically you could probably rank me up there at Combat expert on a good day, down to General Marksman on a bad day.

I don't practice like I used to though. I practice more, but it aint no PPC style practice. I dont even hardly practice at 25 yds anymore, 15 yds & under, combat style. If I can ring the steel repeatedly, I walk away happy.

MOF (Minute of Felon) will save your butt. Shooting one hole ragged groups isn't very realistic. Speed and MOF is the goal for people who want to live.

Who knows what I could do on an IPSC course?:uhoh:

[355sigfan]

Distinguished Expert

Combat Expert

Sharpshooter

General Marksman

Novice

Rookie

END
Could you defind these standards. On our qualifications I preaty much always shoot expert and I have shot a possible once. There is only one other officer in our department that is in the same ability range. I can shoot 2 to 4 inch groups at 25 yards. I can clear a SS3 070 holster and fire 2 rounds in 1.5 seconds at 4 yards into the A zone of a ISPC Brussels target. Thats my personal best anyway. Normally its around 1.7 or so. At 7 yards the time in creases to 1.8 to 2 seconds.
Pat

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's 355 sigfan-

I think the title of Dintinguished Expert should be
reserved for those people like Fed168*, that is a member
of the "Governor's Twenty" in his state.

Likewise, the title "Combat Expert" should be filled by
those who are able to keep 10-shot's in the X-
ring on a B-9 target from 25 yards.

Then, the title of "Sharpshooter" should fall to
the guy's and gal's that can keep all ten shot's within
the boundaries of the 9,10, or X ring.

Us, "General Marksman" are those folks that can
keep all rounds (numbers can deviate) in the black on
a B-27 target.

'Novice" applies to that group that has a working
knowledge, and the correct tutoring to apply to the
art of handguning; but can't seem to keep all shot's
in the black; with their shots often times landing in
the white, or into the target frame.

"Rookie" is the group that has virtually NO IDEA
what they are supose to be doing!:rolleyes: :uhoh:
They are here because their family member's own
a few handguns; and they came to see what
its all about? Most would have NEVER fired a handgun
in their lifetime; and the ones that have, have very
limited experience.

Hope that helps to determine the different class'es
of shooter's, for our survey. I should have included
this portion in the opening comment's.

*FootNote- and perhaps a few other's?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Keith]

I hate to blow my own horn, but I'd have to rate myself as "Scary, Almost Godlike, Distinguished Expert".

Of course, even I miss sometimes when the sun is in my eyes or the damned gun just isn't working right or there's something wrong with the bullets or the wind isn't blowing just right or the relative humidity is all wrong or my underwear is too tight or somebody must have messed with the sights on my gun or the bullet must have hit a skeeter on the way to the target or I forgot take the gravitational pull of the moon into account or some damned fool coughed just when I pulled the trigger or the target moved or light caused a parallax problem.

Other than when those issues come up, I hit the target every stinking time!

Keith

[Hypnogator]

Combat Expert, thank you very much!

Always shot expert when qualifying for CID. Still shoot about the same, even though I now have to wear glasses.

When we qualified for CID, we used to get 10 shots for "familiarization" before shooting 60 rds to qualify. I used to put all 10 rds through the small silhouette beside the target silhouette on the Colt silhouette target. :D

[eviltravis]

I like semiautos that hold lots of bullets. That way what I lack in accuracy, I can make up for in volumn.:D

[SPG]

Like the man said, " A student".....;) Stay safe all SPG

[RTFM]

For the most part General Marksman, but about twice a month Sharpshooter and I don't appear to do anything different!!!???

[KMKeller]

Honestly, I couldn't say. I haven't been shooting long enough to say definitively.

I can put 10 rounds in the x-ring from 25 yards in a non-timed fire situation. I recently accepted Fed168's invitation to join the North Carolina Police Pistol League and shot my first competition in Kinston, NC. In the first flight, I scored a 428 out of 480, second flight was a 450 out of 480 for a combined 878 (NRA Marksman) with a new gun, new holster-level II, new mag holders, etc. Afterwards, I spent about a week working on my presentation and reloading techniques. Fed168 and I met up yesterday to go through the course again and get some practice in. This time out, I shot a combined 935 (NRA Expert). Our next match is middle of August in Asheville, NC. I'm pretty anxious to see what I shoot there, as I think it'll be a better barometer as to what I can do at this point in time. I'll be more familiar with the equipment and more comfortable on the range. Right now, I'd have to say somewhere around sharpshooter, but don't yet feel I have the range time or score consistency to lay claim to any title.

FYI, Fed168 is being modest.

[Dorrin79]

I would say General Marksman, at least with handguns and rifles.

I can hit what I aim at 90+% of the time at combat distances.

[faustulus]

Master Blaster :D
actually I think I would fall somewhere between rookie and distinguished expert. ;)

[taoshooter]

Sorry but I must say that I am absolutely the best shooter I've come across - X is my middle name - I practice every day at least 2 hours so I NEVER miss my target no matter how small or far afield. My shots are only a little less accurate than my draw is fast. Then I wake up...............

[Spot77]

Well I guess I'm about a novice plus. There's a day here and there where I can keep em' all in the black, but it's rare.

so at least I've got a loooooooooooooooong time to enjoy this before it becomes stressfull.

[Hal]

Dano ole bud,
You ask a fair and honest question, so I'll give you a fair and honest answer..

I'd rank myself as annoying.

When it comes to the simple mechanics of hitting,,,,I'm ashamed of the few times I've let it get out of hand ,, just for the trivial.. It cost me a good shooting buddy.

Jim and I used to shoot every other Sunday morning. Maybe, a year and a half ago or so, we were shooting @ 25 yard paper targets. Jim was using a scoped Winchester 9422, and I was using my Ruger .22/45. Jim got tired of shooting the paper targets and started popping the thistle plants growing under the backstop.

Looked like fun so I one-upped him at it.:(

He'd pop the top of the thistle,,,I'd cut the stalk. It was stupid and immature to do it,,,,something I really shouldn't have done.

[Ian11]

Anyone remember the movie Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man? I'm more like Harley than Marlboro.:o :D

[gearbox]

Success through Superior Adequacy :D

Great realistic groups two-handed at 7 yards with my USP9C, horrible at slow-fire 21yards.
Good slow groups with my GP100 at either range.

[Gewehr98]

Dangerous to myself and others around me on the range.

(but even a blind pig gets an acorn sometimes)

http://mauser98.com/theball.jpg

[Mr Jody Hudson]

International expert at age 20 in military bullseye NRA shooting; placed first or sometimes second.

Placed first in one hand standing at Nationals in Mexican styly Silhouette Shoot at about age 30.

Instructor in ultra-long distance pistol shooting from about age 30 to age 50.

Still able to hit some things, but not as well or consistently as I could when I was steadier, could see better, and could stand up longer. :D

Currently, and for the last couple of decades, my primary interest is getting accurate with small pistols. I am currently facinated with the Walther TPH, the Keltecs and most of all with the Glock 19.

I was shooting once in a while with one of my best buddies, a Grand National Master ... BUT he has a detached retina now and seldom practices, other than at the meets... I didn't beat him often anyway (and not for more than a few shots) and he never did like it if I did. :D Besides only beating him for a few shots, would hardly count now would it.

I don't shoot for competition anymore, except against myself or shooting one gun against another. I just shoot to calm myself. I find the concentration of pistol shooting to be the best mental therapy of all.:banghead: :banghead:

[Ala Dan]

Attention: Hal

My friend if you cut the stalk with the Ruger, I'd say
thats pretty fair shoot'in. Heck, you may very well
qualify to do some re-enacting in Dodge City!:D :uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Hal]

My friend if you cut the stalk with the Ruger

:D

I detect a bit of scepticism(sp) and a little bit of rib-poking. ;) (Dodge City)

Let me put it this way. When you shoot at a target @ 7 yards, do you aim for center mass?

[Ala Dan]

Yeah buddy, I eat the heart (X-ring) out! :uhoh: :D

But, at further distances that becomes a challenge.:rolleyes: :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[38Mike]

general ( holy mackeral, do I need more practice ) marksman........:cool:

[Hal]

But, at further distances that becomes a challenge. Then why,,,, if I push myself beyond so called -"reasonable" limits,,, because that's what offers me personally a challenge,,,,,,

[MLH]

But I would not want to be shot at by me!:eek:

[PCRCCW]

Ok.....I suck. Man how did this get here and I MISSED I? :scrutiny:

General Marksman/Sharpshooter...................


Shoot well

[cobb]

Sharpshooter if I'm shooting and Expert if I'm tooting. :D

Pretty bad rhyme, huh. :rolleyes:

[Starpower]

Technically, I am qualified as expert on the Police Range, but this year I missed Master ( 292+) by six pts average, (286), which I say is one bad score (256) with an unfamiliar gun. I psyched myself out of that one because a rookie with no formal training shot 287 with the same gun, one month later. With my issue Sig 229 and my own personal 229 I can usually hit somewhere in the 290's range, even though my department is one of the few still shooting 12 rounds from the 50. Ok, all that said, in self defense situations with the target shooting back, we all spray and pray.

[Loaded]

I'm a regular joe making an honest living. Pay my taxes, vote, drink socially, don't do illegal drugs, obey most laws. I carry because I can. I am good at shooting my pistol but I am not a match shooter. I'll use it if I have to but I hope that day never comes. Basically I'm a working stiff making my way comfortably through life and willing to protect myself and those I love and or those I see needing assistance.

[pax]

In a field of roughly 20 pretty good shooters per match, all with formal training, I generally finish mid-pack, or on a good day a bit above the middle.

Using our group's handicap system, I have a .7 handicap, but I'm only 3/4 of a second from being bumped up to a .8 handicap. Last match I shot the best of the .7 shooters, shot 10th place overall without handicapping, and finished 4th overall when the handicaps were taken into account.

This is IDPA-type shooting and I have no idea how I'd do at any other discipline. Probably poorly or worse.

I've been shooting for three years now, and intend to keep practicing, competing, and taking classes until I'm shooting with the big dogs. Then I intend to keep practicing, competing, and learning for the rest of my life.

pax

[GitSome45]

After reading the detailed perameters that were set forth later in the topic, I downgrade my response from:

Combat Expert

To:

Sharpshooter

Howard :D

[bountyhunter]

....is that the group sizes fired reduce by 50% by the time anybody gets to their keyboard. And human memory seems to instantly erase the shots that were yanked 15" offline. I'm pretty sure this accounts for the difference in performance I see between internet shooters and range shooters.

As for my rating, it is officially Grandmaster in both open and stock in the *WOF League competition for PPC and Bullseye.

*WOF = Wobbly Old Farts

Winning in WOF is sort of like winning in the special olympics. Not really anything to brag about, but sure is better than losing.

[Deepdiver]

General Marksman, I guess.

I can put 'em all in a paper plate at 25 yards shooting fairly fast, with either hand....with any of my 45's, 38 or 32. (AS LONG AS EVERYTHING IS STANDING STILL :D !

...but if I am moving or the target is moving - it's a new ball game.

I have been practicing for over 35 years, so I ought to be a hellova lot better - but I think I am way past my prime at this point.

Reckon I can just ask and BG's that I encounter in the "#$%&Storm" to hold real still while I plug 'em:D

[Stevie-Ray]

Sharpshooter mostly, Combat Expert sometimes.

[45R]

General Marksman because I can hit the black

Sharpshooter when I can make one small hole were the "x" use to be :)

[Grampa]

Handguns -- general marksman with lapses of "I suck!" and rare exhibits of brilliance (luck?).

Rifles -- novice

Shotgun -- "Where's the rear sight? What's that little round thingie where the front sight should be?"

[Shane]

On a REAL GOOD DAY: Sharpshooter

On a REAL BAD DAY: General Marksman

On most days, somewhere in between.

[CZF]

GREAT TOPIC! I'll rate myself as a Master Of Disaster. The best i've ever shot on a police course was 98%. I noticed that the guys with the
top scores took longer to shoot, took their time. However, when we shot
a tactical course for speed and accuracy, they did the worst of all officers.

I have a cross-eye dominance that takes over past 20 yards or so.
This makes me more comfortable at shooting fast @ 15 yards and
closer.

Some people might justify a 25 yard shot in a defensive scenario.
I feel that the court would frown upon such, excepting that the
bad guy had a rifle.

As I shoot CZ75 type guns the best..I prefer a autoloader over a
revolver. I like the higher- capacity and faster reload of an auto.

My scores/times have improved and...
my targets have the X ring chewed out of them most every time.

I did shoot perfect score for my CCW course. The ammo was the
horrible American Eagle brand. Most people did not shoot as well.

When possible...
I practice double-taps and firing on the move, feeling that standing
in one place while returning fire is quite foolish. I also carry two
guns and keep n mind that in an actual encounter, one can expect
to take hits in the arms and hands and even firearm.

[gbran]

I'm extremely good with my two hunting revolvers, with which I hunt most everything from varmints to big game. I'm OK, but just that, with my Glock that is my CCW piece. I really need to practice with it more.

[MountainPeak]

Compared to the guys I normally shoot with in the woods, I'm at the high end. If I compare myself to the better competition shooters at the range I occasionally go to...probably Sharpshooter at best.

[Erik]

Well, while the government seems to think I'm an Expert with pistols, and the old PD I worked for seemed to agree, I'm definitly firmly in the Sharpshooter category, at least in my mind. Always looking to improve, though.

In the end, I imagine it comes down to the standards used.

[Brian Dale]

Thanks for the definitions, Ala Dan...

Revolvers: love 'em. I've shot them sometimes-rarely to sometimes-frequently for many years. I can hit with them, especially with medium-to-long barrels. Dad's old Cobra was awfully jumpy for me (translation: I was terrible with it). And maybe the sun was in my eyes, all those times. Novice. It's time to buy one and practice a lot.

Semi-auto pistols: love 'em. I'm no danger to others on the firing line, but some days I can't hit the ground with my hat. Barely a Novice. Again, time to buy one and practice a lot.

(Offtopic?) Rifles: love 'em. I've brought home some deer; I don't take long shots - it's called hunting, not Palma, right? {for me, the definition of hunting is "sneaking up as close as possible BEFORE shooting"} Organized competition? A couple of matches, surrounded by terrific people, happy to teach. Novice, and I'm practicing.

Shotguns: love 'em. I've eaten a lot of birds. This is the weapon that stays loaded in the house; I'm comfortable with it. Maybe General Marksman.

In short, if it shoots, I like it! I need more practice (and How is this a problem? I Get To Practice!).

[LiquidTension]

General Marksman I guess. When I have the money to practice more, I'll jump up at least 2 categories :D

[CZ52GUY]

...trending General Marksman

Does that make me a...Novice Marksman...or a General Novice?;)

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

[Rembrandt]

Last time I qualified for my CCW, scored 98.5 out of 100...not sure what that equals.

[JPM70535]

Time has certainly taken its toll. If you had asked that question 30 or even 20 years ago, I would not have hesitated to have shouted "Distinguished Expert" from the highest mountain. Now however as I sit here with the glare of the computer screen reflecting off my no line Bifocals, fingers shaking as they hunt for the right keys to hit, and wondering if I can finish this response before natures call must be answered, I can only say I feel lucky to call myself barely adequate, and glad to be even that.