Should I give up on pistols?

[urban winter]

I've been shooting air pistol for nearly 2 years now. I've worked quite hard at it but my scores are stuck in the 530's at best. Today I shot smallbore prone rifle at 25 yds for the first time in 18 months (and I've only done it a few times ever). I shot 10 shots to zero - then two cards. First was 97, second was 98. Seems to me that I'm way better at rifle than pistol.

I wonder if I should ditch the pistol.

U.

[br22]

The question is, why are you doing it. ?

If you just want to do something that you can win at probably go for rifle, if you enjoy perfecting something that you are not so good at stay with pistol or go with rifle and perfect it till you hit 100 every time.

I see people all the time fixated on winning and really holding themselves back in the process.

I picked up an air pistol for the first time last Nov and have never been close to a 530. 260 in a half match and 512 in a full match.

I am showing improvement and enjoying it, in the last .22 rifle bench rest match I shot 199/200 and got a nice silver trophy to keep for a whole year and a little naff plastic thing to keep forever

But if I had to give something up it wouldn't be air pistol

br22

[AD_K]

Urban,

Have you had any pistol coaching? and if yes by who? ie club level coach, county level coach, national coach etc...?

Remember that prone rifle is much easier than pistol, it takes more effort to become a good pistol shooter than it does to become a good prone shot.



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[Hemmers]

Remember that prone rifle is much easier than pistol, it takes more effort to become a good pistol shooter than it does to become a good prone shot.

Well, that depends on how you measure.
If you measure by how difficult it is to get into A-class or X-class, then they're equally difficult.
If you measure by how difficult it is to get a certain grouping, then obviously prone rifle is an inherently more accurate firearm in a much more stable position.
Air pistol is difficult in the same way air rifle or .22 standing are difficult.


It depends why you're doing it. If for competition, then it would appear you have more of an affinity (or more experience) with rifle. If for enjoyment, then that's obviously something you have to decide for yourself.

Also depends if you've had any coaching.
I self-taught myself to shoot .22 rifle standing by looking at books and examining how others shot standing and why they adopted the various positions that they did. A session with a coach (ISSF Class-C) did no end of good for my scores and stamina after she pointed out all sorts of niggly little things I'd never quite reconciled or indeed not picked up on in the first place.

[Powderfinger]

I think it is best to shoot the discipline that you enjoy most even if it is not the one that gives you the best scores. Which type of shooting gives you the most satisfaction?

[urban winter]

I enjoy all types of shooting. I must admit that one of the reasons I chose to concentrate on pistol is because of the comparative lack of hassle - no jacket, sling, mat, scope etc etc - just one small bag to carry to the range. It's also easier to practice with pistol at home - less space needed to dry fire and I can shoot at 6yds in my shed.

Also I find prone rifle, although I enjoy doing it, to be a quite uncomfortable experience (especially yesterday when it was far too hot to be lying in a hot range wearing a tight jacket).

But it would be nice to win something one day! And my scores yesterday, with a 30 year old Match 54 and after no significant coaching or practice contrast with what I can achieve after 2 years of training (and a bit of coaching, including with the national pistol coach) with my Steyr LP10.

I shall stick with pistol for a while. But if I can't get to 550 by the end of the year then maybe I'll give rifle a fair crack of the whip instead.

U.

[Cooper 250]

I've been shooting air pistol for nearly 2 years now. I've worked quite hard at it but my scores are stuck in the 530's at best. Today I shot smallbore prone rifle at 25 yds for the first time in 18 months (and I've only done it a few times ever). I shot 10 shots to zero - then two cards. First was 97, second was 98. Seems to me that I'm way better at rifle than pistol.

I wonder if I should ditch the pistol.

U.

Depends on your age.
When shooting full bore pistol, I shot some fantastic scores, once broke a world record in practice.

30 years later I cannot hope to get a good score.
To many health problems.
I now shoor pistols, full bore and air, sitting in a chair and holding them with both hands.
Aint no competitions for shooting like that.

But I still do shoot because I love shooting.

So l would say, shoot which ever gives you the most pleasure.

[tufty]

only 2 years...lightweight

[Synthasy2000]

Maybe, just maybe, shooting a pistol has helped you with technique for shooting the rifle? I know this is the case for me

Don't give up the pistol.

[Nikkormat]

You're at a considerably higher level than me, but I asked for advice on this thread and it helped enormously. It's pretty much all stuff I'd read before, but being reminded of it again was useful. I can now just about hold the black - on the UBC scaled 6 metre target I've gone from low 70s to mid 80s in a couple of weeks.

[Jim McArthur]

You're at a considerably higher level than me, but I asked for advice on this thread and it helped enormously. It's pretty much all stuff I'd read before, but being reminded of it again was useful. I can now just about hold the black - on the UBC scaled 6 metre target I've gone from low 70s to mid 80s in a couple of weeks.

Good for you, Nikkormat, and I'm glad that the UBC was able to help.

I'm still a low to mid 70's man myself, most of the time, but occasionally do better.

Jim

[mat BRC]

pistols are great fun, and i love me rifles too, but there too difrent ball games lol, depends on what you realy want out of shooting, personaly pistol is a lot harder i find rifle pretty easy to a point but dont we all lol

[mawibri]

If you give it up can I have your pistol?

[urban winter]

If you give it up can I have your pistol?

:-)

No.

Shot 185 tonight on my team comp cards anyway so feeling slightly more cheery about the whole thing.

U.

[Jim McArthur]

:-)

No.

Shot 185 tonight on my team comp cards anyway so feeling slightly more cheery about the whole thing.

U.

Good for you! See, we all told you!

Jim