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American Firearms and
Sporting Shooting Events
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Pictured: Remington Model 90-T Trap Gun
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There are various types of competitive sports that
involve the use of diverse guns, including firearms and air guns.
People enjoy taking part in competitions that require the use of
accuracy and speed, such as hunting. Shootings competitions have
been a part of the Olympics since the 1800s and amazingly as it
seems at that time one of the main events was the shooting of live
pigeons. Today, shooting sports are arranged into categories
depending on the type of firearm used or also after the chosen
target.
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Americans were always interested in
shooting sporting competitions and due to this interest they’ve formed
the National Rifle Association in the year of 1871. Their intention was
to contribute to the progress or growth of rifle shooting, being one of
the first aims to start national competitions. The next year, the first
rifle range was opened in Greedmoor and it soon became the place where
many sporting shooting competitions were held. As these competitions
became more and more popular, another location was picked at Camp Perry.
It took another 20 years for the first rifle clubs to be formed by
prestigious universities and military academies. The National Matches
were held since 1906 up to this very day, with over 1 million youngsters
participating in shooting sporting competitions.
There are many popular shooting sporting competitions in America, some
using military and sniper rifles, other civilian versions. Also, a lot
of people enjoy competitions where bullseye targets are used. There is
the Service Rifle competition where the main guns used are from the
military and the High Power competition where participants have the
right to pick out whichever rifle they wish, provided they respect the
rules of the competition. By far the most popular sporting shooting
competition held in America is Cowboy Action Shooting. It was brought
into existence in the 1980s, in California and today it is practiced
worldwide. The firearms that are used in this competition include 19th
century single-action revolvers, lever action rifles, double-barrel
shotguns and pump-action shotguns. The competition is split into matches
that require the use of two handguns, a shotgun and a rifle.
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Cowboy Action Shooting is also called Western Action Shooting
and it is the single most popular competition involving the use of
American firearms. Contestants wear incredible old west costumes,
similar to the ones that were used in the 19th century. One of the
most interesting parts of this competition is that the competitors
have the possibility of picking out an alias, demonstrating their
creative thinking at the same time with their accuracy and speed.
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These competitions usually have a
specific set of rules, regarding both the scoring and the given
penalties. Each event is called a stage and it requires 10 pistol
rounds, 10 rifle rounds and 8 shotgun rounds. As for the targets, these
are commonly made from steel making a loud noise when they are hit. When
a target is missed, the contestant is given time penalties, the winner
being the competitor with the fastest time.
As for the other type of scoring, the rank point, the winner of the
competition is decided depending on the rank for each stage and the
lowest score wins. Cowboy Action Shooting competitions rely heavily on
safety rules, keeping all guns unloaded until the shooter enters the
shooting stages. After the specific stage is finished, the shooter
proceeds to the unloading table where the firearms are unloaded under
the supervision of the Range Officer. Safety is a very important issue
for these sporting shooting events and the unloading process is
carefully supervised. The time of each shooter is recorded, adding
missed targets or any penalties, closely observed by three judges.
The whole atmosphere resembles the old west, with contestants wearing
costumers and all the décor being made according to history. The whole
competition is an incredible adventure and it manages to demonstrate the
credit people give to the American firearm history. No matter if they
have to shoot in the most awkward positions or carry sacks of gold while
shooting various targets, they still enjoy it. The diversity of props
used in these competitions make them even more popular, the participants
feeling themselves attracted by the different stages they have to go
through with coaches, wagons and even old salon doors.
While participating in these competitions, shooters can fire their shots
with fixed or adaptable sights, using black powder or smokeless powder.
They can choose from revolvers, double barrel or lever action shotguns.
And as these competitions are all about having fun, competitors race and
show their skills in duels or single matches. Men, women and children
all can participate in such sporting shooting competitions, using as it
was already said, a wide variety of firearms and ammunition.
Cowboy Action Shooting is not the only popular shooting sporting
competitions. There are many events held throughout entire America,
reminding Americans of how proud they should be of their firearms and
the famous gun inventors. Handgun shooting has emerged in the last
couple of years, being also included in the Olympics. In some cases, it
is included in Cowboy Action Shooting and even with muzzle loading.
Also, there are certain sporting competitions requiring the use of
handguns. These are called metallic silhouette shooting and they mainly
simulate hunting, contestants being asked to shoot at the animal’s forms
that appear. Shotgun shooting is also widely encountered, especially in
the famous competition Sporting Clays, having the most incredible
variety of targets available.
As everyone already knows, action shooting is completely different
versus other traditional sporting shooting competitions. It is alive,
wild and exciting, involving the use of a variety of firearms, dressing
up in costumes and taking part in different sceneries. Other popular
shooting competitions include 3-gun shooting events, using three
particular firearms: rifle, handguns, shotguns and submachine gun
shooting events. These competitions have started somewhere around 1980s
and are even more popular today. They challenge the shooter to provide
his skills and they represent a more exciting form of reenactment.
Practical shooting is a generic name given for a wide variety of
competitions requiring the use of firearms in America. They basically
test one’s accuracy and speed, using rifles, handguns or shotguns.
Shooters participate in different stages, undergoing careful observation
and scoring systems. Penalties are given for each mistake and every
contestant makes his own show. And the best thing about these
competitions is that they teach people about the use of firearms. They
observe how each gun is used and they learn in some way important
notions about self defense. Practical shooting may have started as a
training experiment but today it encompassed diverse American
competitions, being more than well known. Important competitions have
been held since the 1950s and participants always enjoyed participating
in events where accuracy and speed are the most important abilities
required.
Modern sporting shooting competitions combine the training with the
challenge provided by a contest. One example is the one of Police
Society, offering handgun shooting competitions. And there are many
examples of shooting competitions and events that maintained their
popularity during many years, including bulls eye that requires the use
of center-fire and rim-fire caliber pistols, plus automatic revolvers.
Americans have certainly every right to be proud of their firearm
history and sporting shooting competitions! These competitions are not
necessarily about winning, they are all about enjoying a nice shooting
event and remarking how truly wonderful these firearms are!
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Semi-Autos: |
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Colt Mustang:
.380 caliber, baby 1911 - DOM 1992, real mop. |
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1908 Colts: 24kt
gold plated, fully engraved with mother of pearl. |
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1911 Colt:
For nine
decades the Colt Government Model 1911 has been without challenge
the most ... |
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Colt Officer's Model:
Slightly smaller than a Government Model, with the barrel length
reduced from 5" to 3.5". |
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Browning .25 Caliber
Automatic Pistol: The 1968 Gun Control Act stopped the
importation of these guns. |
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Colt 1903 Pocket
Hammerless .32: Produced from 1903 to 1945. |
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Colt 1908
Hammerless .25 (Vest Pocket) Model N was made in 1916. |
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Revolvers: |
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Colt .32 Detective Special:
Made in 1950, this gun is chambered in the .32 New Police cartridge
(.32 S&W Long). |
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Peacemaker:
The Colt
Single Action Army - this is a first generation gun. |
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Colt Python:
Pythons produced from 1955 to 1969 have no letter in
the serial number and are the most desirable to collectors. |
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Detective Special: One of the most well known and most
copied guns in the world. |
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Colt Cobra: It was an
earlier version of this gun Jack Ruby used to kill Lee Harvey
Oswald. |
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Ruger .22 Single Six: Commonly referred to as a "Flat
Gate". |
| Holsters: |
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Gun Holsters and
Various Methods of Carry: The holster is a very important
part of "concealed carry". |
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Holster Gallery:
Pictures of holsters that I have found to be of good quality as well
as design, functional, easy to use and a good value. |
| Rifles: |
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Colt Sauer Rifle:
Bolt Action, 30.06 caliber, 24" bbl., magazine capacity 3 or 4 rounds. |
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Winchester .30-30:
Lever Action, 30.30 caliber, saddle gun. |
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Shotguns: |
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Browning A-5:
Auto 16
gauge short bbl, stamped U.S. Property. |
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Remington Model 90-T:
A Single-Shot 12 Gauge Trap gun with a 34" bbl, Full Fixed Choke,
low vent rib and adjustable comb stock. |
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Remington Pump: Pump action 12
gauge with stamped patent dates... |
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Abercrombie & Fitch: 12 Gauge, Single Shot, 32" bbl.,
full fixed choke, made by Renato Gamba for Abercrombie & Fitch about
1978. |
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