bullseye gun

[BiXLL]

Hi all! I have only been shooting for about a year now with any regularity. I started just basicly going to the club (range) to do some plinking with the family. I then got into our combat league. I have enjoyed and done well there. I now think I am wanting to try my hand at our bullseye league.

My question to you all is, is there a gun selection out there, that would allow me to be competitive, without putting me in the poor farm? I have looked into the Kimber target model, and I can get it for around $720.00. In all honesty, I would be a lot more comfortable if I could get into it to try, closer to the $500.00 range. I realize that some of these guys have thousands in thier bullseye guns, but I just can't justify taking that amount of money away from my familys' budget for recreation for me. Am I looking for a pipe dream, or is there anything I could look for to fit the bill?

 

[Steve Smith]

You bet. What you want to look for is a Norinco 1911 or a gun show queen. The Norinco is known to be one of the best "builder guns" there are, so you start out low and build as you can. My roommate just picked up an ORIGINAL 1941 (I think) Colt 1911 that had originally been built as a match gun. All the numbers are correct. What a sweet pistol this is. You'd never guess the price. $425 from some old timer.


Keep your eyes open.

 

[Quantrill]

Bullseye

Don't forget that bullseye (National Match) shooting is done with 3 guns. Not just a .45. Maybe a .22 (S&W#41,Colt Woodsman Target, or High Standard Supermatic Citation or Victor) would be more to your price range and ammo would be easier on the wallet also which means more practice. When I shot in the NM league for several years, I would say that 70% of the entire groups shooting was done with target .22s. Just something else to consider. Quantrill

 

[BiXLL]

Thanks for the input guys. I am looking for a 45. I have the new Berreta Neo in 22 that I was going to try, and also a Springfield XD 40 tactical. I don't know how they will stack up, but I was going to use them, and try to get a good 45 for bullseye. I guess I'm am going to have to watch for a good used buy.

 

[Steve Smith]

I'll bet that Neo will be a good one for the .22 portion.

 

[Quantrill]

Most military bullseye shooters use the .45acp for both the .45 and the centerfire portion of the National Match Course. Some civilian shooters use other centerfire pistols for that stage mostly the S&W#52. If you find a good .45 bullseye pistol, then try using it for the centerfire stage as well because it is one less pistol you will have to learn to shoot well. In 30 years of NM shooting, I never saw anything but Colts used for the .45 stage by experienced shooters.

 

[Steve Smith]

Hey Quantrill, do you know of a Bullseye group in Colorado? Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks.

 

[Quantrill]

Steve,
I'm sorry I don't (know of a particular group of NM shooters in Co) BUT, I bet there is a Colorado state rifle and pistol Assn. that could tell you right quick. State ***'ns normally are the ruling state organizations that sponsor NM shooting. Also, call the NRA. As the national group, they should know of any. Last of all, Camp Perry in the summer (Julu and August) have "Small Arms Firing Schools" of 2 day length for both rifle and pistol to teach NM shooting with the teachers being Army, Army reserve, USMC, USMC Reserve etc. teams. Quantrill

 

[Steve Smith]

Yup...same as Highpower Rifle. I try to avoid CSSA when I can.

 

[Quantrill]

Steve,
I understand what you mean about state ***'ns. NJ is no better. But they might have the info you want. Quantrill

 

[Old Fuff]

You mention shooting at a "club range." Is this indoor or outdoor? On indoor ranges the course is usually fired at 50 feet. On outdoor ranges the distance is 25 yards for timed and rapid fire and 50 yards for slow fire. Obviously the accuracy requirements at 50 yards are greater then those at 50 feet.

At fifty yards (the longest range) you want a pistol the will group within 3 inches off a machine rest. In addition you need a crisp trigger pull between 3 1/2 to 4 pounds and adjustable sights. What you don't need is a lot of gadgets and fancy finish options.

Today many of the "basic" guns are far morre accurate then they used to be, and adding adjustable sights and perhaps a trigger pul job will put you in business - at least to start with. If you shoot light mid-range loads you may need a lighter recoil spring. Switch back when you want to shoot ball ammunition.

You will also find that the kind of pistol I've described also will double as a holster gun - you can use it in combat matches if you want too.

 

[Steve Smith]

BTW, how old does one have to be to start shooting Bullseye Pistol? I know its an "old guy thing" but just how "old" is old enough? 60?

(there is no "ducking" smiley here and there needs to be!)

 

[Quantrill]

Boy, can you make a guy feel old. When I started pistol shooting (at the age of 9), there was only bullseye and PPC. No IPSC, cowboy, silohuete(sp), IPDA of any thing else. You could only shoot PPC (police combat) if you were a cop and then it had to be done with a revolver and 5 shot loadings ( a leftover of, never let the hammer down on a live round). So if you shot competitively, you shot bullseye. I believe bullseye (and the National Match Courses that came with it) to be the "mother of all competition". It is the basic. If you can shoot NM, you can quickly adapt to any other shooting dicsipline. Because the basics of stance, trigger control, sight picture, sight alignment, grip, breathing and trigger squeeze must all be practiced if one is to do well. How old?? I think every one should start there and progress to the others and when things go wrong, go back to bullseye. Quantrill

 

[Steve Smith]

Sorry, man, I guess you didn't know that I'm an avid Highpower shooter. The same principles apply there. Do Bullseye guys know that Highpower guys have an inside joke that all Bullseye is for "old guys?" We don't mean any harm!


Once I go Distinguished in Rifle, you guys look out in Pistol!

 

[Quantrill]

Steve,
Sorry I misinterpreted what you said. I'm sure the pistol shooters out there in Co. will be glad to have you along. Thanks for the nice exchange of posts. I now count you as a friend. Quantrill

 

[Steve Smith]

Now that I've explained where I'm coming from you probably get my humor a little better!

Going to Perry this year? I am!

 

[Quantrill]

I wish I could say a positive yes, but probably not. I'm hoping in a few years to be able to take out my grandchildren for at least a SAFS. Then again, you never know. I just might show up to buy powder or something. Bill

 

[BiXLL]

Steve, I believe I will be at Perry. My stepson was supposed to shoot in the Jr. Rifle last year, but decided his all-star baseball tournaments were more important. He has stated if he makes the shooting team again, he would like to go.

 

[Jim Scoutten]

How many of you guys who really know Bulls Eye are going to shoot the NM this year?

Cause, we're going to cover the Pistol matches and finally make good on my promises to Bulls Eye shooters over the past 7 years.

And I'm reading what would be great "sound bites" in these posts to explain the history of the sport and the guns of the game.

This will hurt Steve Smith, but this is the year we are not going to cover the High Power and Service Rifle Matches.

Jim

 

[Steve Smith]

NOOOOOOOO! Say its not so, Jim! :banghead:

 

[Jim Scoutten]

Steve:

I've been promising to cover Bulls Eye for over 5 years... and I figured out how to slip it into the schedule this year... set it up with the NRA Competition Department and all. So it comes down to whether I'm a "man of my word" or not. So we're doing it.

Next year... High Power and Service Rifle.

Jim