Bullseye Shooting

What percentage of bullseye shooters do you think use open sights today?

That was meant to be a rhetorical question in context with the premise of the post. I didn't intend or expect guesses of actual figures of percentages and only meant to convey that when you introduce a new element to the bullseye discipline that promises to improve scores, most shooters will adopt it (glass) and abandon the original standard (irons). At Camp Perry over the past few years, my unofficial observations tell me that not much more than 5 % of shooters (including myself!) still use open sights, mostly older shooters with no real hope of winning a trophy at this stage in their (our) lives.

As evidenced in my earlier post in this thread, my real point in obliquely addressing the op's query was that if the rules are changed and the shooter is permitted to use two hands in bullseye competition, believe me, most shooters, certainly those with any real expectation of winning something, will be holding their scope equipped pistols with both mitts. Not everybody, mind you: I'll still be shooting with these aging eyes, squinting over iron sights and holding my Smith Model 42 or Smith Model 52 or Colt Gold Cup with one shaky hand.

Of course, I've never really cottoned to the Designated Hitter rule...;)
 
Being a Bullseye shooter of some time...

An accomplished Bullseye shooter - or even a mediocre duffer, like me - can shoot one handed and beat out any number of two handed blaster shooters. However, to some degree that is comparing apples and oranges.

If one is firing from a stable position, has ample time to prepare one's self and has a reasonably known distance to target, one handed shooting can be very impressive. I have had 'good days' when I've shot scores of 97 and 98 in rapid fire. With all that, I could probably do better generally with both hands. Most assuredly, if firing from the holster and not from a 'set' position, two handed shooting is appropriate. Except of course, for those moments when the off hand is occupied with something else.

Firing at longer distances with heavier recoiling handguns seems to be easier done with both hands. But if one has practised the routine, some very good shots can be delivered with one hand.
 
Our Bullseye matches are strictly for fun with very few rules other than basic safety. Therefore, we allow any caliber and one- or two-handed shooting.

Many of the regular shooters are well "seasoned" after 50+ years of shooting, so if they want to use both hands, it seems fine to me.

I shot Bullseye competition in the 60's --- then went on to other hobbies. Now after 40 years I'm back to shooting paper targets again and really enjoy it.

So I shoot one-handed. Not because I have to now, but because that is the way I learned.

When hunting, I use both hands. My Bullseye scores go up considerably when I shoot two-handed --- and I practice that way frequently --- but I'll stay with one-handed for the matches --- just for the fun of it.;)
 
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