[photo_guy]

ReadyontheRight (ROTR) started an informal 'virtual' shooting match here on THR about a year ago. He ran the match by posting an often fun, sometimes challenging, target and scenario each month and invited the members of THR to participate. I found it about 6 months ago and have enjoyed playing the game. Each month it provided a motivation to use some different firearms or try a type of shooting that I don't normally attempt. There are about a dozen regular participants and many more who have at least tried it once or twice.

ROTR is taking a break from running the match for a while and I have volunteered to run it for two months. El Rojo will do a two month stint after that.

I'm guessing that there are many THR members that have seen the matches but have not tried it for some reason. I thought it might be a good idea to get some input from THR members, in general, regarding the matches. If you have not tried it, why not? Could we do something to make it more attractive?

Let's hear your input.

[tc300mag1]

I chose they look to diffuclt cuz im not really sure what ya have to do .. plus at this time of year i can only shoot a handgun. To cold to go shoot rifle nothing close indoor that will allow ya to shoot rifle indoor..

[chickenfried]

Didn't know about them. I'll join the next one.

[Correia]

Too busy shooting in other organized competitions. You guys are doing a good thing, keep up the good work.

[Smoke]

You left out another option.

Too lazy to drag my butt out to the range and just do it.

Smoke - the slug.

[Ankeny]

I get all tied up with other shooting issues and I just forget, or it isn't a priority. Sometimes I don't have the required gear. For instance, I don't even own a rimfire gun. Right now, it's 20 below zero so I am hoping it will warm up in the next couple of days.

As for the shooting community as a whole. I think there are a whole lot of shooting enthusiasts who really aren't into competition.

[MoNsTeR]

Where's "I am lazy and forgetful" ?
Hell, I won the first one, but I think I've only done one or two since then. Some of them I couldn't do (no rifles), but mostly I just space it out.

[T.Stahl]

I can't participate in all matches because the ranges I have access to are only licensed to allow shooting at 25, 50, and 100m. :( Yards or meters don't matter that much, but the number should be the same. ;)

[MLC]

I didn't participate in January's because my range has 5 and 25 yards for pistols. I shot the match at 25 and got 0's on both. I only had a 9mm and a 45 no 22.

[Eskimo Jim]

The reason I haven't participated is because I just signed up last week and forgot to print the targets before the weekend. I won't have a chance to get to the range until this weekend coming up and the deadline will have passed before I can shoot and post.

I got a new digital camera at Christmas time and I'd like to use it for online matches etc.

Keep coming with the matches, I'll try to participate.

-Jim

[Brian Williams]

PROCRASTINATION

[Mal H]

I'm afraid I'm in the lazy category also. I keep telling myself to get the heck out there and do it, but other things seem to take precedence. That and the weather this time of year make it difficult. My range washed down the creek during hurricane Isabel in Sept. Finally got it rebuilt in late November.

In all honesty, I did shoot the December match, but my result was so miserable I didn't want to embarass myself by sending it in (Mike Irwin is a witness to the state of miserableosity of it :) ). It seems harder and harder to hold any gun steady, unsupported, shooting at 50 or 100 yards for 10 rounds as one gets older. :o

How about considering some bench rest (or supported in general) competitions, say every 3rd or 4th one? I know some comps allowed support (Aug., Sept.), but not for all classes in the match.

[photo_guy]

Great input eneryone. Keep it coming.

Yes - I should have added a poll option for "Too lazy/forgetful" . I was going to do that but....I forgot.:D


tc300mag1 - Glad you are thinking about it. The requirements are pretty simple. I suggest you look at the posts from the past few matches and read through them to get an idea of what is going on. Each months match is a bit different so some months it may be difficult and other may be easy. Some may request firearms you have and others may provide an excuse for you to go buy a new one!
:D

Eskimo Jim - You are in luck! Look at my last post on this months match thread. The cut-off for January's match is now 2/9/2004. One less excuse for you - how else can I help?

[Mike Irwin]

"Mike Irwin is a witness to the state of miserableosity of it."

Sorry, didn't actually witness it.

Laughing too hard and rolling around on the range floor...

[Mal H]

Come on, Mike, it wasn't that bad! Ok, yes it was.

[Tamara]

Why isn't "I'm too much of a lazy procrastinator" an available choice in the poll? :confused:

[VNgo]

Or how about "I can't participate because I don't own any firearms yet?"

[Mike Irwin]

That's OK, VNgo...

Mal was threatening to use a paper punch...

[bowhnter]

this time of year I shoot a 50' indoor .22 rim only range.
The 100yd outdoor range is open, however it's under about 3 feet of snow.:cuss:

[Dr.Rob]

Lazy sums it up.. though I have downloaded a number of targets etc from the vuirtual matches.

[ProCharger]

I would like to see the skill from those who claim its too easy......I am willing to bet they would change their minds after participating in a few of the matches......If it is so easy why not prove your top dog? I think we have a little BS flying around on that one.

Brett

[Peetmoss]

How bout I tried one and did so bad that I was embaraced to show the results.

[photo_guy]

Peetmoss - I'd say that would be "I am shy. I do them but don't post my results" as a best fit. Or, it could be the "too hard" as well.

ProCharger - I can understand how someone would legitamately say they think these are "too easy". The shooting sports cover a lot of different type of skills and motivations. There are shooters who only shoot targets at a range and others that only hunt. There are still others that are training in the self defense applications of firearms. All of these are very valid directions and they do not overlap with the virtual match format in some cases.

Because of the format we can not include skills that some may consider 'hard' - we do not use a timer (at this point) nor drawing from a holster, nor shooting on the move, nor shooting a moving target. If I could figure out a way to do those things in a virtual match I would give them a try.

So, I have no problem with someone answering "Too easy" to the poll. I expected some of those. I also don't mind the "it seems stupid" answers for similar reasons.

I think the most important replies were the "I didn't know it existed and will try next month". At least someone who did not know it existed has discovered it because of this poll.

[zahc]

Combinaton of "never know when they're going on" and Too cold/too busy with school. The second one will be overcome.