Current Status:

Plans are on hold due to lack of interest.  If you want to see this event happen then send me some mail.  If we get critical mass we'll see what we can put together.  We are most are dependent on the location for the shoot and what's allowed there.

• Location: We've looked for places to hold the shoot. So far we've come up with several possibilities:  gun clubs that brothers belong to, and Manchester Firing Line Range.  The local gun clubs are typically not oriented toward hosting a large number of guest shooters.  We would have to make special arrangements with the officers of the club.  Manchester Firing Line is a commercial range in NH.  The drawbacks are that it's farther away and you pay for your range time.  On the plus side they could certainly host a group, and they have rental guns -- from pistols to rifles to shotguns to full-auto machine guns.  Can you say "rock'n roll?" There's something for everybody.

Our current best bet is Riverside Gun Club in Hudson, MA. While coordinating the CMP match with club VP Jack Vezeau, he indicated he might be willing to host us, but it would have to be as part of an open range day, where the public is invited (it's their version of a rush event for new club members). 

• Date: The date is primarily dependent on restrictions imposed by the location, and secondarily by my availability. I want to accommodate as many brothers as possible, so once we have some potential dates I'll poll all interested parties. I am looking to have it on a weekend morning.

• Structure: Assuming we can hold it at Riverside, we'll have outdoor pistol and rifle ranges; possibly we'll be able to use the skeet range as well. I expect we will have several spots on each firing line where brothers can take turns shooting the guns we bring.  If we have it at Manchester we'll rent several lanes where we can swap in and out.

I don't think there will be room (or guns) for us to all be shooting at the same time. That shouldn't be a problem, as there will be several cease-fire times where we can retrieve targets and switch shooters. Non-shooting brothers will have a chance to help out as needed or check out the action on the firing line.

If the club doesn't run one, we'll start the morning off with a quick review of range safety rules. After that we'll also take the new shooters aside and give them a thorough orientation so they can enjoy the experience.

I would also like to add a competitive aspect to the day so we can establish bragging rights to Epsilon Top Gun. Perhaps we'll reserve one spot on each range where you shoot for score, and then tally the results throughout the day. I am open for suggestions on how to do this -- it's a work in progress.


• Cost: I don't know if there will be any range feesif we shoot at a local club, but if there are they should be minimal. Our group will have an up-front sign-up fee to cover the cost of ammunition and targets. I don't have a good idea yet what the cost will be, but a rough estimate of $50 - $70 would provide for a lot of fun shooting. If we go to Manchester the costs would be significantly higher, probably to the tune of $100+.  We'll have better numbers as plans are finalized.


• What to bring: Obviously, if you've got guns and are properly licensed, BRING THEM! If you don't mind letting other brothers take a turn then contact me and we'll make arrangements to supply ammo for the day. The more guns we have the more you'll get to shoot. We'll make arrangements so that people using your guns are properly supervised.

Even if you don't have a gun, make an effort to bring eye and ear protection. This is very important; most ranges will not allow you near the shooting without adequate protection. Normal eyeglasses with impact resistant lenses are fine, as are the safety glasses you typically use with power tools. Ear muffs and/or ear plugs can be easily and inexpensively obtained at your local Walmart while you're getting your safety glasses. Look in the hardware and sporting goods sections.

Here's a few loose odds and ends that we'll be resolving as the date draws near. Let me know if you have additional items to consider.

• Targets: I've thought of a number of things we can shoot at besides boring old paper bullseyes. We'll have to see what will actually be allowed at the range. Some things I'll be bringing up for consideration include:

• Bullseye targets (do you have a target stand?)
• Poppers, reactive targets (do you have any?)
• Pins
• Plates
• Silhouettes (IPSC)
• Clay pigeons
• Balloons
• Fruit (melons make a nice splat)
• Water bottles (ditto on the splat)
• Soda cans (foamy spew)
• Charcoal briquettes (poof!)

• The Competition: Likely this will be a multi-gun event, where each person takes a turn shooting at targets with various guns. We'll tally up scores by category for winners in each individual discipline, and compare grand totals to see who is the Epsilon Top Gun. I can think of 5 categories so far:


• Small-bore pistol (.22)
• Centerfire pistol
• Small-bore rifle (.22)
• Centerfire rifle
• Shotgun (skeet/sporting clays)

How we actually do the scoring will be worked out in advance to ensure that I win, or at least don't come in dead last.

• Participant Survey: We' be putting together a quick online survey to help us organize. We'll ask simple questions like:


• Your level of familiarity with firearms (novice, infrequent shooter, competitor, range officer, instructor)
• Can you bring guns? If so, what types, and are you willing to share.
• Can you help organize the event?
• Can you make it on any of these dates?
• Are you interested in an post-shoot social?

You may recognize these questions from an old topgun email. Jim is going to put together a servelet that will let you enter your info interactively and let everybody else see the results

Feedback:

In addition to the survey we're also including a comments section where you can add suggestions free form. I am especially interested in comments on the competition and alternative targets. You can either enter them here or email me directly. Your input will help make the event better, so let me know what you think.

Post comments here to share with other visitors to this page.

*** brother255 *** 06/13/1999 17:40 EDT *** I'm definitely a novice gun user. However, I'm very interested in learning more about the sport. I'm also VERY interested in the "post-shoot" social. I only hope weapons are not allowed in the vicinity of the barrel! Virgin Shooter

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