How can we raise and promote awareness of NRA Conventional Pistol?

First topic message reminder :

Does anyone know of any literature other than a rule book that is designed as a pamphlet that can be handed out at Gun Shows, Membership Meetings or local Gun Stores to generate interest in Bullseye Pistol?

What have you done that got someone "hooked" on this challenging sport?

Post your ideas or success stories here to help others expand interest in Bullseye Pistol

I'm not really sure how to promote this avenue, but I was introduced to the sport in the military. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I've been away from the game for quite a while, but just got back into it this year. Once you're hooked it's tough to let go, but getting new inmates (shooters) into the asylum is tough. It's not a cheap pursuit and requires a lot of time and dedication. These are tough to get when you are raising a family and trying to get ahead at work. I think that if we could sponsor more rimfire matches or leagues it would open it up to people with more limited resources (one gun,don't have to reload, etc).

JLK wrote:Please take this in the spirit it's meant.
I'm not trying to make anyone angry or insult them.
All you have to do is LOOK!

http://www.bullseyepistol.com/bullseye.htm

http://www.bullseyepistol.com/

It's all already out there.
JLK

Sure, once you know "conventional pistol" is called bullseye. I didn't know that until this thread. I heard bullseye after a month of looking for target competitions (and being told about IPSC and cowboy shooting) and then, once I knew the term bullseye, I found the bullseyepistol.com site (amazing), tony's blog, this site and the Target Talk site and then I spent a good couple of months educating myself. It's hard to see how invisible this sport is from the inside.

Oh, and thanks for that link. I found an air pistol match nearby that I want to try. Sincerely appreciated.

G

Might there be some added interest if perhaps one relay was dedicated to revolver shooters?

I realize one can use revolvers now but wonder if not being on the line with semi-auto users would be of appeal. I think it would be enjoyable to use a Bisley style single action revolver in competition but think it would annoy other shooters who would need to wait while I unload/reload a single action gun.

The USRA has (had?) classes for such firearms as "Defense Revolver" and "Snub Nose Revolver" among others.

Ned

Ned,
Sounds to me like you are proposing "Fun Matches" like have been added to Highpower rifle matches. Like shooting the M1 Carbine. I think if there were interest it would be very cool to shoot a slow fire SA 50yard match after a Bullseye match. I think I would shoot it. It would be a good excuse to buy another type of pistol. I do not think I would have a rapid or timed fire just because of the manipulation required to cock the pistol. It would be too easy for someone to fumble a pistol.

Personally I would prefer to have these as regular matches following all current rules.

At my age and skill level I'm not thinking of becoming a state or national champion but I would like to progress as far as I could using the same format as all other shooters; I just thought keeping revolver shooters seperate might avoid discontent from those who can ready themselves for their next string much quicker than a revolver shooter using a single action arm might.

From what I've read I get the impression those that do use revolvers in BE use double action guns but most fire in single action mode and can do so in both timed and rapid fire.

Ned

Congrats and thanks for taking on the match director job Joe. It
involves more work than most realize but it can also be fun and
rewarding to build up a program. If you need any help, ideas or
anything else don't hesitate to contact myself or other match directors
on the list. I received some help when I took over my club's program a
few years ago and it made things a lot easier.

One thing I have is a Word document that is basically everything the
match caller has to say to call a match according to the rule book. A
real help, especially at first. If you or anyone else would like a copy
just PM or email me. Another somewhat obvious but key insight is if
you want people to come to your matches you have to ask them. Build up
an email list and send out a preseason announcement so they can make
plans, and reminders early in the week of the match. Get them approved
early by the NRA so they will be in the database and can be found that
way. Also try and keep the matches feeling friendly and comfortable
but run by the rules (keep a printed copy handy just in case),
while at a steady pace so they don't feel rushed but the match ends at a
reasonable time. All obvious stuff but I see too many who don't get
at least some of the parts right.

Good luck!

Invite a non-bullseye shooter to an NRA match or to your bullseye league. If they don't have a pistol, loan them one, even the ammo. I've found that a some shooters may be turned off by the time it takes to shoot a 2700 match. Invite them to a 900 match or a bullseye league.

I think for some shooters, a 2700 match is full of unknowns, such as the NRA rules, what type of gun or ammo meets the rules, how to score the targets. At my first 2700 match I was green as grass, but everyone there took the time to explain the rules and how to score.

I constantly offer to lend my guns for 300 match league nights....still no takers...

I think one of the big problems in trying to recruit new shooters, is that it takes a certain type of individual to want to compete. I have several friends who own guns, and enjoy shooting, they just don't have any interest in competing. It seems no matter how much I stress it's about having fun, and that there is no need to worry about a low score, they still have no interest. Before I got into Bullseye, the only type of shooting I and done was trap and skeet, I shot in a trap league in high school and really liked it. I never really had any intentions of taking up pistol shooting to the extent that I have, but when I joined the club I belong to, the president of the club was very persistent with telling me I should come down on a league night and watch one of the matches. I just watched at the first match I went to, then shot the next week, and have been shooting Bullseye ever since. So I guess what I am saying is, if you haven't already tried, talking to people who are already active in some sort of other shooting discipline, might be one way of recruiting some more Bullseye shooters.

BHeintz is right a lot of people are put off by competition. Some people just do not want to compete where they feel they will not do well. I have a friend and he likes for me to go play golf with him even though I do not practice or really enjoy it. I go but I do not keep score. We have a good time and while it is obvious I am not on his level there are not numbers on a card documenting and highlighting it.

Maybe the answer is have a few no score matches. Don't even call them matches. Call them shoots. No scores collected from anyone. A shooter handles his own targets and only shares what they feel like sharing.

I am a new BE shooter and like when I was shooting Highpower I shoot for improvement. I am not shooting against anyone I shoot against my last score.

I know the thing I like best about a match is the time before and after when I get to spend time with other shooters.

I have heard another type comment from a non-BE shooter. He shoots the two hand stuff. I do not know how good. His comment for not doing BE (paraphrased) is it is too hard to win. If he has to work at the win, he wont even try.

For those who want to win, that is, first place, or for those who want to avoid losing, BE is probably not the best shooting sport. Maybe they should try trap, skeet or bowling pins. The BE shooters I know are very competative and seek higher scores, mostly through self discipline, training and practice. However, there is a place in BE for winning and that is when you are invited to compete on a team.

Check out this youth bullseye club: http://juniorpistol.com/

As I understand it, they own a bunch of ruger 22/45's, have distinguished coaches, and really work with these kids. I guess alot of them are shooting distinguished expert already.

I also understand that any junior shooter that is participating in a sanctioned match is allowed to shoot the .22 for all stages including CF and 1911 stage. This is a secret that I think would help more juniors move up to sanctioned matches. Oh, and you are considered a junior until you turn 21 years old.

If we can get our local clubs to develop a similar program, I think that would help bullseye grow!

I tryed to start a league at my range where I shoot....It when ok for a few weeks then one buy one they just stopped shooting.....I think 99% of people find this sport very hard ...as most people I see at the range have a hard time hitting man sized target 2 handed let alone working with a NRA pistol target one handed...then again most people only think a pistol is for self defense.....Thats pretty much what I see at the ranges ..people bangin away at 21 ft or less and if half there shoots hit the paper their impressed.....sad..but true

we have 300 people in the club. Only about 25 have ever shot BE.

You need an iron sight, stock gun division. Also, a stock gun iron sight centerfire division. Not having those kept me from trying it for years. Newbies get discouraged shooting unsuitable pistols against full tricked out guns.

If other clubs have similar participation levels, you have plenty of room to recruit.