The Heat Is On!

Russ Douglas is enjoying the demands and rewards of competition

Back in the August issue, I mentioned that Grampian Air Rifle Club (GARC) had been enjoying a 10m pistol competition. Since then, we’ve all been encouraging each other to have a go at every opportunity, and some have taken the rules literally – using a different pistol for every round. Chris enjoyed delving into his collection and brought out some veritable museum pieces, all still great fun to shoot.

RULES

There are some: unsupported single-handed shooting only; open sights, which deprived Bri of pistols brimming with his favourite shiny red lasers; two cards – 10 shots – per week, and no checking cards mid-shoot.

Everyone can shoot as many practice cards as they like, but they must sign the two that will count before they send them downrange. This regularly leads to howls of anguish when shooters either practise too much, and then score terribly on the cards that count, or improve massively after submitting their cards for the night. Such goings-on greatly increase the fun quota all round and a good time is had by all.

Early on, I shot a great 81 with my recoiling Webley Hurricane, which didn’t count because it’s a .22 – rules stipulate .177 only. This is essentially the same pistol, with an anatomical wooden grip, which can make a huge difference to downrange accuracy, providing you get the right size for your hand.