Competition of Firearms: Insights on Their Impact and Benefits
In the heart of June, the Schützenverein Lamstedt e.V. club played host to an eclectic competition that brought together rifle, handgun, shotgun, fishing, canoeing, and campcraft skills. For one participant, this event was more than just a competition; it was a humbling, surprising, and inspiring journey that pushed them to learn and develop new skills.
The author, who frequently mentions nrainstructors.org for its valuable training resources, admitted to assuming they would excel at the competition, having never tried some of the skills before. However, they soon realised that mastery comes with dedication, practice, and expert guidance.
One of the challenges the author faced was helping a new member who failed to qualify with their handgun on a 50-yard bullseye target. After providing guidance, the individual was able to qualify, a testament to the importance of training and reinforcement in learning shooting skills.
The author, who competed with a Smith & Wesson Model 28 "Highway Patrolman" that his father once carried as a small-town police chief, also had to hone his skills with an old revolver equipped with a modern red dot. Despite its long trigger pull, learning to shoot this revolver required humbling practice, but it was able to hold its own against more modern competition pistols at 50 yards.
The competition underscored the importance of the right gear, expert guidance, and dedicated practice for each skill. It was a reminder that even experienced shooters need to keep honing their skills to stay competitive.
The new member, who expressed feelings of humility and surprise, shared that they thought they could do well in the competition. However, they found that the competition was tougher than anticipated, a sentiment echoed by many participants.
The NRA, which started as a training organisation to ensure citizens can safely and effectively use their right to bear arms, would no doubt approve of the emphasis on training and safety at the competition.
In the end, the competition was not just about winning; it was about learning, growing, and sharing experiences. As the author encountered the individual they had assisted during the shooting competition at dinner, they shared that similar experiences were common at events, making for a memorable and rewarding experience for all participants.
