Why aren't NRA Action Pistol matchs more popular?

G

g.willikers

New member
When the USPSA and similar type shooting sports arrived, the more sedate, and more accuracy demanding NRA Bianchi style matches lost ground.
But with the advancing age of competitors, both active and former, these kinds of matches should be more popular.
Just very challenging courses of fire, requiring good shooting skills, without the need for being in physical shape for a biathlon.

Trigger finger a little slower than it used to be?
Eyes a little fuzzy?
Kind of creaky in the old joints?
Ain't into bending, squatting, running, or doing lickity-split reloads, these days?
Need a little more time to make good hits than it used to?
Those old school Action Pistol matches seem like a perfect new/old game, for us old, but still pretty good shootists, don't they?
So, where are they?
Eh?
Watcha' think?
 
Well IDPA is not run and gun, well much. I've seen lots of people with physical impairments or merely bad knees (including me) play it.

I wouldn't mind different types of competition, but I never see NRA matches. How many NRA matches will be in Texas in the next month? Within driving distance of Austin there will be 6 IDPA matches in the next 30 days. Its my understanding USPSA is even more popular.
 
I thought I'd like to try NRA Action Pistol, more specifically the Bianchi Cup, but...

...it's highly specialized, and I'd have to spend a lot of range time working on a fixed course of fire. That's practice time that's being taken away from the practice that I'd otherwise put into IDPA & USPSA. Seeing that I'd shoot many more IDPA/USPSA matches per year, the compromise just doesn't make sense.

...to practice properly would require movers that move as they do at matches. That's more specialized stuff that ranges around here simply don't have.

At the end of the day, I have to balance what I'd ideally shoot against what's most do-able in my area. NRA AP/Bianchi looks attractive, but it's just not practical for me.
 
Probably the only way to find out if Action Pistol still has an audience, is for a club to try it and see.
It might bring the older folks back, who are no longer interested, or able to do the other kinds of matches.
They are also good types of matches for the less experienced.
While the mover is definitely neat to have, it's not at all a necessity.
When our club used one, we probably spent more time working on it than shooting at it.
The falling plates are more fun and much easier to have.
And they rarely cause trouble, not nearly as much as a mover.
Most of the courses of fire only require some barricades and target stands.
All easily home made for a pittance.
AP matches are easy on the range officers, too.
AP matches are great skill builders and provide lots of good shooting, without a lot of effort.
 
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With the new rule book, IDPA is really trying to draw mobility-challenged shooters to the sport. It was always the less physically demanding of the two major practical pistol sports, but it's been "taken to a new level" in the last four months.
Not to say NRA Action Pistol isn't great sport, just that there's a step between standing still while shooting and running while shooting.
I think NRA doesn't do enough to promote it. I could not tell you where, in my area, that NRA Action Pistol matches are held?
 
A33102

As an old blind crippled competitor I continue with USPSA because it helps me the most with certain skill-sets I wish to develop.

I just get beaten by eagle-eyed youthful gazelles.
 
I'd "LOVE" to see NRA Action, (Bianchi), come roaring back.

In my opinion, what killed NRA Action, the miles to drive to a match that had a regulation mover.
The wife and I put alot of miles on our cars and spent alot of money just going to and from matches getting ready for the Cup.
And, that was before gas became 3 to 4 dollars a gallon!


(Side Note on a "past" shooting disipline)

Just for kicks and giggles I recently approached a local, private range to see if they might be interested in allowing me to put on some P.P.C. matches this summer.
Their up for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We're starting to work out the details in the next few weeks.
They'll be held in Toledo, Illinois.
Anyone around the Il., Mo., Ind., area wanting to get back into P.P.C. drop me a P.M. and I'll let you know the details as their available.
 
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The only expensive part of club versions is the amount of ammo.
Range equipment, other than the mover, is far less than most of the other types of matches.
No need for the mover for a club on a budget.
And it doesn't have to a high round count match.
Adjust it to the audience.
 
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