NRA Marksmanship program -- meaningful or not?

P

Porkchops

New member
I'm pretty new to handguns (4 months), but I've started off by taking courses from an NRA instructor. I'm taking a marksmanship course. After just two lessons, I've progressed through the NRA's marksmanship program to the "Expert" level. I tried for "Distinguished Expert", but couldn't quite do it.

I'm wondering now how much respect the Marksmanship program has in the gun community.

For example, (not that I would do this), if I stuck all these NRA Marksmanship patches (promarksman, marksman, sharpshooter, expert) on my gun bag and carried it to a serious shooting event, would I just get laughed at?

Would it be kind of like going to a hard-core outdoor survival competition with my cub scout patches all over my backpack?


The nice thing about the program is it motivates me to try for the next level, and gives me something to work for. But, "Expert" just sounds like it should be reserved for veteran shooters, not for me.

It's not that I'm a terrible shooter. I'm not. I think I've picked it up fairly quickly. But, I've only got about 600 rounds through my new gun. Other than that not much experience.


Anyone out there who has reached "Distinguished Expert"? Is it respectable, or just silly?

Thanks!
 
i wouldn't laugh at you man. i appreciate anyones effort to improve their gun skills. i am almost 46 and i still wear my nra safe hunter patch i got when i was about 10-11. no doubt some snobs will sneer at you. there are jerks in every culture, gun or otherwise.
 
I'm not sure...

I shoot in NRA 2700 Bullseye competition. Are you classed as an "Expert" in that program?

Can you, in 25 words or so, tell us what the criteria is for being an "Expert"?

I'm an NRA life member and I think the NRA is a very good outfit. But I'm not sure exactly you are describing.

But keep working at it anyway. And welcome to handgun shooting, Porkchop.
 
You should be proud of your certifications and if you wish ,display them with pride. You pointed out that you learned from the experience and therefore it was time well spent.
 
Not many people know about them. If you're going to be shooting, you might as well have some goals.

Some of the programs are pretty easy--some are very hard.

After racing all the way through the handgun qualificationin two long shooting sessions, I was a bit dismayed that my skills ran out about halfway through the international air rifle program.

I know a couple of guys who have made DE in all three main disciplines (rifle, pistol & shotgun) and that takes some skill, and a good bit of shooting. For example, making DE in Trap/Skeet will require around 1000 rounds if you never have to reshoot a round to make the necessary score. The international air rifle will take you around 1200 rounds if you never have to reshoot.

Archie,

These are different from the shooter classifications earned in competition.
 
My neighbor bought a Jeep and still has the "trail Rated" badges on it :barf:
:D West Hollywood :D

Just kiddin'
But I always thought patches were for the older gents.
 
My 13-year-old son is working through the junior marksmanship thing. He's extremely proud of his targets & of his increasing skills, and it really motivates him to focus and practice when we go out, rather than just blazing away for the thrill of it. I think it's a valuable program because it gives people something specific to focus on.

pax
 
Marksmanship Program

Anything that helps you learn safe and effective use of a firearm is a good thing. Take pride in your marksmanship awards. You did not get them for attendence...you earned them.
Pay no attention to anyone else that would laugh at you for it.
Once I shot trap with some guys that all had expensive trap shotguns. They all laughed at me because I chose to use a short stock youth Remington 870 in 20 gauge. They called it my "Toy" shotgun. I shot better than all of them with it. They no longer laugh.
Those that would laugh usually have the biggest mouths and they are a dime a dozen. These are the my gun is bigger than your gun guys. Every range has them.
Like anywhere else in life....show respect to get respect.
 
Porkchops,
Congratulations on your accomplishments. About 35 years ago, I went thru the same program. Still have all my decals and medals. They represent specific, measurable achievements in your skill progression. You should be proud of them. On the other hand the EXPERT level in the Marksmanship program DOES NOT begin to compare to the EXPERT level in NRA 2700 point Bullseye competition. The Marksmanship program is a good beginning course. Getting involved in NRA Bullseye competition is one way to continue improving your target shooting skills.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
LHB1 - NRA 2700 Bullseye

LHB1, I really do like having something to work towards.

Maybe someday I'll do the NRA 2700. Another poster on this thread also pointed out the difficulty of this program, so I'm sure it would take a lot of work.

How long does it take an active shooter to become "expert" according to the NRA 2700?


Thanks everyone for the encouragement!
 
Porkchops,
The NRA 2700 point Bullseye course is technically competition and not a program. Firing is done under specific rules and scores are recorded and stored. Your "classification" of Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, and Master is determined by a specific number of recent official scores. After so many years I may be wrong about the specific levels but think the Marksman grade is for scores greater than 2025 (75% of 2700), Sharpshooter = 80%, Expert = 85%, and Master = 90%. Perhaps a current Bullseye competitor will correct me on these numbers if necessary. How long it will take you depends on you but the fun is in the chase.

Suggest you call Gil Hebard Guns at 309-289-2700 and order his Pistol Shooter's Treasury book ($5.95), a Score Record Book ($4.30), and a copy of his small catalog. The Shooter's Treasury is a compendium of great articles on the skills and techniques for shooting a pistol accurately. Try the 2700 point competition. Your score will determine your initial classification. Work towards improving your scores and classification. It will provide lots of fun and is a great learning, testing source. Last suggestion: DON'T FOLLOW SHOOTING SUGGESTIONS FROM EVERY TOM/DICK/HARRY YOU MEET. USE ONLY BASIC FUNDAMENTALS AS CONFIRMED BY RELIABLE SOURCE. The best shooters don't use secret methods; they just perform the basics better on EVERY shot.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
Anyone out there who has reached "Distinguished Expert"? Is it respectable, or just silly?
Click to expand...

"SILLY" I think not. I worked hard for my Distinguished Rifle Badge. I wear the patch on my shooting coat.

No one has ever laughed. Either people don't know what it is, or if they do, they respect it.

You should read this, a short history of the Distinguished Program:

http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Distinguished_History.pdf

As far as NRA or CMP programs being useful: I've been shooting competitively since 1977. I've coached national guard rifle teams, and was a LE Firearms instructor. Even now, after being retired from the National Guard, and LE, I still put on NRA/CMP style Rifle and Pistol Clinics. This style, of what is called "conventional shooting" is the best venue out there for teaching fundamentals. Without your marksmanship fundamentals you have nothing in other shooting games.

When, as a LE firearms instructor, and I ran into an officer who was having problems qualifying, I would take them and run them through a short "conventional" shooting program (the amount was dependent on the problem and individual officer). I have never, when using this approach, failed to get one to, not only qualify, but vastly improve their shooting.

Gen Pershing, tasked the infantry broad to come up with a program to increase the soldier's abilities to shoot. The program was nothing but a Rifle Clinic and in High Power Rifle Clinic similar to the Small Arms Firing School that is provided for new (and old) shooters at Camp Perry (and the Service Competitions) we have to day. I've posted the results of the Infantry Boards program before so I wont bore you with it not, nuff said, IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

Regarding Pistol: Gen Hatcher (who was double dist) commented on "conventional pistol shooting" in his book, TEXT BOOK OF PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. I POed people here when I quoted him before but it matters not. They and their comments played into Hatcher's hands proving he was right.
Many practical users of pistols or revolvers are fond of making fun of target shooting, and of advice given on how to learn this branch of the sport. Such an attitude is well understood by the psychologist. It is founded on the unconscious jealousy and feeling of inferiority that the poor shot feels when he sees a well trained marksman making scores out his power to equal. Unconsciously he will try to belittle that accomplishment that he does not possess, so that he will seem to his audience to be just as important and well equipped as the good marksman whom he ridicules. MG G.Hatcher; "Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers" 1935
Click to expand...

If the above offends, TOUGH, if you knew Hatcher's background and experience then you know you can't legitimately dispute his statements.

So yes NRA/CMP conventional pistol and rifle training is a valuable asset. It's pretty much a well known fact that the best shooters in the world come from the Army Marksmanship Unit, The CMP website has an "Ask the Experts" section. Go there and post your question to the AMU shooters, I'm sure they will answer as I have.
 
I don't know a thing about the NRA's program, but in my opinion, any one that tries to improve their shooting skill has my respect. Keep working at it and enjoy.
 
LHB1 said:
Porkchops,
The NRA 2700 point Bullseye course is technically competition and not a program. Firing is done under specific rules and scores are recorded and stored. Your "classification" of Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, and Master is determined by a specific number of recent official scores. After so many years I may be wrong about the specific levels but think the Marksman grade is for scores greater than 2025 (75% of 2700), Sharpshooter = 80%, Expert = 85%, and Master = 90%. Perhaps a current Bullseye competitor will correct me on these numbers if necessary. How long it will take you depends on you but the fun is in the chase.

Suggest you call Gil Hebard Guns at 309-289-2700 and order his Pistol Shooter's Treasury book ($5.95), a Score Record Book ($4.30), and a copy of his small catalog. The Shooter's Treasury is a compendium of great articles on the skills and techniques for shooting a pistol accurately. Try the 2700 point competition. Your score will determine your initial classification. Work towards improving your scores and classification. It will provide lots of fun and is a great learning, testing source. Last suggestion: DON'T FOLLOW SHOOTING SUGGESTIONS FROM EVERY TOM/DICK/HARRY YOU MEET. USE ONLY BASIC FUNDAMENTALS AS CONFIRMED BY RELIABLE SOURCE. The best shooters don't use secret methods; they just perform the basics better on EVERY shot.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
Click to expand...

Old thread is old, and it looks like Porkchop and LHB1 haven't been on here since last year...

But. I'm a Bullseye competitor, so I feel I can answer this question here.

In NRA Bullseye, a competitor must shoot a:
0.00% - 84.99% to be classified as a Marksman
85.00% - 89.99% to be classified as a Sharpshooter
90.00% - 94.99% to be classified as an Expert
95.00% - 96.99% to be classified as a Master
97.00% - 100% to be classified as a High Master

As LHB1 said, the fun is in the chase; how long it takes to move up is up to the competitors. Some people have gone from absolute newbies (e.g. "Unclassified Masters", the class you get placed in when you're just starting out, and you'd compete in the Master class until your score is reported and you get re-classified in the appropriate class) to Master in just one season. Some will shoot for a lifetime and plateau in the Expert or Sharpshooter class.

It's all fired standing, one-handed, unsupported, at set distances and under well-established time constraints, and there are rules governing the equipment (e.g. barrel lengths, sight radii, caliber, etc.).
 
NRA training is respected by the majority of people who know what it is.

If you feel proud of your achievements, and you should, then sew the patches on to your shooting bag or jacket.

All you have to do is live up to your level of training and no one will look down on you.

Never be ashamed of any education.

Missed the age of this thread, geez.
 
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Your patches will serve an important purpose.

Anyone who cracks on you for having them is immediately identifiable as a jerk you don't want to know.

The fundamentals of marksmanship are the basis for *all* shooting sports and any time seriously pursuing them is time well spent.

Congrats and wear them proudly!
 
You should read this, a short history of the Distinguished Program:
Click to expand...
That is good reading, but the NRA Marksmanship Qualification program is a different program entirely.

The effort and skill required to achieve Distinguished is very different and is quite elevated over what is required to earn the Distinguished Expert patch/badge from the NRA Marksmanship program.

That's not to put the Marksmanship Qualification program down, just clarifying things.

Here's a link:

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/index.asp

Interesting--I see it's now the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program...
 
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