Glenn E. Meyer
New member
I thought the first episode was pretty interesting. Liked the focus on the shooting.
Top Shot returns this month.
- Thread starter g.willikers
- Start date
This actually doesn't surprise me at all. Most of the seasoned professionals are specialists, in that they train extensively with one type of gun, and one type of competition. They don't have nearly that level of experience with other types of guns or competitions. Whereas the hobbyists and recreational shooters will go out and shoot whatever they feel like. Those that compete will usually compete in several types of competitions based on what their club is hosting on a particular weekend.
This competition favors the jack of all trades. If you're a specialist, you're going to lose eventually. If you have well rounded experience, you'll do very well. Also, most of the compeitions are "close enough counts" type of matches. In other words, it counts as long as you get your round in this general target area. Scores are usually number of targets hit, not based on how close to a bullseye you can shoot.
Yup, I think you nailed it.
I found it interesting that in an earlier season, one of the professional pistol shooters who competes very impressively in the "practical" style pistol sports demonstrated a surprising lack of proficiency squeezing off slow accurate shots from an off-the-shelf autopistol. Clearly he had taken specialization to an extreme.
This is where I was coming from with my comment about Kelly, Peter, and Cerino. Each of these guys has spent time developing areas where they were "less strong" (as opposed to weak), while continuing to develop existing strengths. I expect Kelly to be one of the best all around performers this season. He has always been fantastic with the long guns, and something of a robot (kind of the rifle version of Mike Hughes), so I expect that we'll see him looking like a very seasoned pistol shooter.
I see what you're saying. With more experience in the area's they were lacking the first time around, the would have had a much better chance of winning in their particular season.
Kelly was sort of a favorite of mine when I watched season 1. Mainly because his specialty was what I used to do, oh, 16 or 17 years ago. I think he might just be the one to beat this time around. Even as a specialist in Season 1, he was still a better shooter than almost every other person there.
Are you talking about Brad Engmann? Wasn't he the one who was supposedly this great pistol guy, but completely bombed the shoot? And then blamed the loss on the fact that they were shooting a 92FS, and he was used to Glocks? That was a memorable moment to me. Blaming the equipment...when no one else had an issue with it...
allaroundhunter
New member
It was indeed, Brad. He rubbed me the wrong way from the get go. He blamed everything except himself. No, he did not have extensive practice with the Beretta but he did have time prior to the competition to gain some more familiarity with it. He didn't prepare enough, that was his own fault and I was glad to see him go.
Yes, different equipment can pose a different challenge to a shooter, but adapt and perform; that is what the show is about.
if i remember right it was/was also Blake miguez that bombed and stated he was going to go home and buy a over the counter handgun and learn how to shoot all over again.
Take anyone that shoots a "Race Gun" and they will struggle with any out of box gun.
What do these guys carry for daily self defence???
And i look for Blake to be a very top finisher
Nooooooo! 
Take anyone that shoots a "Race Gun" and they will struggle with any out of box gun.
What do these guys carry for daily self defence???
And i look for Blake to be a very top finisher
Nooooooo!
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Agreed.
I think this may be about the best way I can explain how Brad's struggles with the 92FS bothered me. While Brad is certainly a better shooter than I am, I can pick up a 92FS (or most other handguns), and perform aaaallllmmmmoooosssstttt as well as I do with nearly any other firearm. While there are certainly firearms with which each of us may shoot better than we might with another platform, the 92FS is not exactly the most challenging handgun to shoot well.
I found last night's show, Jun 12th, enjoyable. The primary firearm was the Sig P229. It had some very fast action firing. There was very little slow-mo replay that might of been helpful with as fast as the show moved along.
Several contestants were a little less than pleased with the P229 and some of the others praised it as a good pistol while admitting they were not good with it. Although, a majority of the shooters made no comment.
They used a top break revolver (I think .45 Colt) in the sudden death finish (final 2 elimination Shoot-0ut). I did not catch the pistol make.
Several contestants were a little less than pleased with the P229 and some of the others praised it as a good pistol while admitting they were not good with it. Although, a majority of the shooters made no comment.
They used a top break revolver (I think .45 Colt) in the sudden death finish (final 2 elimination Shoot-0ut). I did not catch the pistol make.
zincwarrior
New member
It was a Schofield (Smith and Wesson) shooting 44 S&W
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_3#Schofield_Revolver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_3#Schofield_Revolver
Yes, I enjoyed the fact that they used the P229 since it is one of my favorite guns. I thought it was neat to see how some loved the gun and others not so much kind of like the gang on TFL. I also noticed several of the contestants were sandbagging during the practice sessions some of it was almost humorous.
It was also neat to see how they agonized over having to send a fellow competitor home as opposed to the previous scheming in earlier shows. However, I think Chee was so concerned about sending Gabby home it sort of got into his head and messed up his shooting, so maybe that killer instinct isn’t always bad.
It was also neat to see how they agonized over having to send a fellow competitor home as opposed to the previous scheming in earlier shows. However, I think Chee was so concerned about sending Gabby home it sort of got into his head and messed up his shooting, so maybe that killer instinct isn’t always bad.
allaroundhunter
New member
I think Chee purposely dropped a couple shots in the elimination. I haven't liked him, he seems to have an excuse for everything. If there was drama in the show, he was a part of it so now with him gone it can only get better 
Spats McGee
Administrator
If I remember correctly, Chee seemed a little "sweet on Gabby" when they were on the show together, and didn't like the fact that he sent her home last time.
I liked Chee a lot in Season 4. He wanted to go to elimination when he shot poorly, and was visibly upset when they sent someone else, instead. He commented a couple of times that he wanted to prove himself.
In last night's episode, I absolutely believe that Chee's head wasn't right when he was going head to head with Gabby. I believe that she would beat him on that type of challenge whether his head was in it or not, but I don't think she'd have beaten him quite so badly.
Gunny vs Alex was interesting. It showed a lot of confidence and competetive fire on Gunny's part to call out Alex, and to then calmly take that challenge from him.
Jamie was very transparent with his "poor shooting" during practice. He missed too big. He should have aimed for one of the rings closer to the bull, rather than shooting at the edge of the paper. I was surprised that William actually bit on that obvious bait. Even knowing that Jamie was trying to look bad, I didn't expect him to beat William. I know Jamie is a strong shooter, but William is a monster with pistols-- his audition tape for the show really illustrates that. It's on YouTube, for any who want to see it.
Kelly... Wow. He was very casually fast & accurate. The work he has put in since Season 1 was very visible. I think I have to call him the person to beat on the show. 3 episodes in, he is making it look easy, so far.
In last night's episode, I absolutely believe that Chee's head wasn't right when he was going head to head with Gabby. I believe that she would beat him on that type of challenge whether his head was in it or not, but I don't think she'd have beaten him quite so badly.
Gunny vs Alex was interesting. It showed a lot of confidence and competetive fire on Gunny's part to call out Alex, and to then calmly take that challenge from him.
Jamie was very transparent with his "poor shooting" during practice. He missed too big. He should have aimed for one of the rings closer to the bull, rather than shooting at the edge of the paper. I was surprised that William actually bit on that obvious bait. Even knowing that Jamie was trying to look bad, I didn't expect him to beat William. I know Jamie is a strong shooter, but William is a monster with pistols-- his audition tape for the show really illustrates that. It's on YouTube, for any who want to see it.
Kelly... Wow. He was very casually fast & accurate. The work he has put in since Season 1 was very visible. I think I have to call him the person to beat on the show. 3 episodes in, he is making it look easy, so far.
I was thinking more along the lines of dealing with "match pressure"; the guys and gals who shoot professionally don't seem to be as cool as might be expected of someone who shoots in competition all the time, versus some of the people on the show who don't admit to having any competition background.
I've shot in USPSA and/or IDPA competition against three people who have appeared on past seasons of Top Shot, and all were excellent pistol shooters, even the one who was considered to be a rifle expert, with little handgun experience; probably more about what the show's producers sold us concerning each of the competitors' abilities.