Anyone been to the Camp Perry Small Arms Firing School?

[Ukraine Train]

I'm making my first trip to Camp Perry in a couple weekends for the Rifle firing school. Just looking for some tips from people that have gone before - stuff to bring (other than eye and ear protection), what to expect, etc. I can't wait.

 

[Trebor]

Make sure you understand when you have to arrive on site. I know someone who thought he could show up the day of the classroom session and he was turned away even though he was registered. You need to check in the night before unless they've changed it in the last couple years.

Sit up front during the classroom portion. It's a large auditorium and you'll have a hard time seeing and listening if you aren't up front. The instructors know how to shoot, but some of them are a little shaky on the presentations. They tend to talk too fast and sometimes too quietly.

Bring food. You'll be out on the line and then in the pits for quite awhile and having an easy to eat snack while you are waiting or while you are in the pits waiting for stuff to get started or resume can be a Godsend.

The nice thing about SAFS is they supply the rifle. You'll still need a shooting jacket, if you own one, and a shooting glove. A shooting stool is also handy. You can get all that stuff at Camp Perry before the shoot if you get their early enough before the vendors close for the day.

Bring rain gear and take it to the line with you. Bring it to the pits with you as well. Just a poncho will do, you don't need to prep for a hurricane (usually).

Bring sunscreen and use it. A boonie hat that covers more then a baseball cap is good as well. Make sure it works with your muffs though.

Bring water. They have some water on the line so a bottle you can keep refilling is good. Take it to the pits with you as well.

A small camp chair in addition to the stool is nice to have. If you can find one, get one of the ones with the small umbrella to shade you from the sun while you are waiting for your relay to shoot.

If you have any questions, catch one of the instructors during the break during the classroom portion. Just go up and ask. I had one guy fix my sitting position in about four minutes. All I had to do was get into my normal position and mime having a rifle and he could instantly tell what I was doing wrong and show me the right way.

Oh, and bring money, Lots of money. Everything you'd ever need for High Power is available at Perry.

 

[jaholder1971]

Ditto what he said...

I went through it in 1997 when they simply pulled the bleachers around and we had 4 hours of classroom in the morning.

It may have changed, but when I was there the line coaches may or may not be shooters, mine was a OHARNG Nurses Corps Captain. On the relay I was in the pit on of these coaches gave a live round to a newbie and told him to take a sighter during a prep period. Not Good.

Other than that, have a blast.

 

[CypherNinja]

+1 to both of them.

SERIOUSLY consider taking your hearing protection into the pits with you. The rounds will pass less than ten feet above your head, still supersonic. When I was there, most didn't take their ears with them (including me). Turns out the noise is a bit uncomfortable.

If you decide you don't need them, just set them down somewhere.

Also, lots of money for commercial row is a REALLY good idea.

I managed to escape with only a few reloading books, mags, and a sackful of GI Garand and Carbine parts, including stocks.

 

[Trebor]

Yes, I agree that you should wear some sort of hearing protection in the pits. On the line I wore muffs and plugs. In the pits I just wore plugs and I'd pull them out after each string of fire ended and just let them dangle on a string around my neck.

 

[Ukraine Train]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I don't have a shooting jacket or glove... I'm not even sure what they're for. How important is it to have those?

 

[cdrt]

Very important. You'll be slingling up in the sitting and prone positions, so it's important to have a jacket with non-skid elbows and a non-skid pad where the sling goes around your upper arm. Your non-shooting hand is going to be wedged between the sling and the forearm of the rifle and it will be real uncomfortable without a glove on your hand.

Check out Champion's Choice and Creedmoor; they have some cloth coats for around $80 and regulation shooting gloves. You could also pick them up on Commercial Row before the SAFS if need be.

A shooting mat is nice to have, but you can use a piece of carpet or whatever as a substitute.

 

[Bullseye57]

Take a look at these links

http://www.odcmp.com/USAMU/Shooting_Tips.htm
http://www.odcmp.org/1007/default.asp?page=USAMU_BARENECESSITIES
http://www.odcmp.org/0308/default.asp?page=USAMU_COATSANDGLOVES

There are some good articles for the beginner here. Sounds like you are interested in learning service rifle shooting. If you are then starting to acquire equipment is a good idea. If you're not then go and experience SAFS and learn as much as you can from your coach.

Are you planning on going alone or part of a group of shooters? Perhaps you all can share equipment on the line. I typically bring extras for new shooters to use. Try and find a club nearby in the greater Cleveland area that has highpower shooters and join in with them. Most of all, enjoy yourself at Perry. It is an awesome experience but the site can be a little overwhelming to a new shooter. The best thing is that shooters are not like any other sports competitor, they are some of the friendliest people and will bend over backwards to help new shooters learn the game.


Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

 

[El Tejon]

Say hello to Steve Pahs from Lafayette, Indiana.

He may be "old" but he's a devil with a rifle (Vietnam Vet). He'll show up on his motorcycle.

Be nice to him and don't hurt him; he's my carpenter, I need him back.

 

[Trebor]

Ok, you'll *really* want to buy a shooting jacket and glove. Trust us on that.

The best way to do it would be right there at Camp Perry. You can do this if you arrive before the vendors close the day before the SAFS starts. Get a cheap Champions Choice jacket and have them fit you for it. It needs to be snug. Btw, you want to wear a sweatshirt UNDERNEATH the jacket. Yeah, sounds weird, but that's what works best.

The shooting glove or mitt is because the rifle sling will be so tight that your left hand will go numb without the glove.

A shooting mat is nice. I used to use an old sleeping bag before I bought a mat. Bring one of those if you don't have a mat.

 

[jaholder1971]

Hold on here, folks!

This is SAFS, not The Matches. Plenty of people show up with nothing more than cup of coffee and still shot perfect scores.

BTDT and got a T shirt around here somewhere.

 

[Ukraine Train]

I'm reluctant to shell out $100 on a coat and glove that I'll use rarely. I'm not a new shooter but I haven't gotten into competition shooting. Really, I just want to learn some proper technique. Would maybe just a regular heavy jacket and leather work/mechanic glove help? It won't be really great for support but at least it'll keep the sling from feeling too tight.

 

[Bullseye57]

Ukraine,

You'll be fine with that. Actually you won't even need it for shooting the M-16/AR-15. You are going to have a coach on your firing point, most likely a military shooter, as they are required to participate as SAFS instructors. Take a look at this page and you'll see exactly what to expect. SAFS Pictures Go out there and enjoy yourself. Learn from your instructor -ask plenty of questions and you'll get good answers. Take in this experience as it will be one you'll remember for a lifetime.

Have a great time at Perry.

R,
Bullseye

 

[Trebor]

Yeah, OK, I gotta admit I didn't have a jacket at first either until I knew I wanted to get into the sport.

Wear a long sleeve sweat shirt to the line. That will help protect your arm. A regular work glove is better then nothing.

And, if you ask around, someone might loan you a jacket and a glove, especially if you've made friends earlier.

You'll be fine either way.