The Sissification of the Service Rifle- time to vent.

[carym2a]

I was just thinking of puttng a rest on the door of my ol pontiac and bringing a doctors release for it

[Plain Old Dave]

I will go along with this sentiment up to the point where it begins to subvert the intent of the sport. NRA has done that and then some. The very best of the "Old Guys" know when the time has come to hang-up the cleats....others demand that we change the nature of the game to accommodate their increasing decrepitude. I admire the former and hold the later in contempt.

EXACTLY. IMHO Richard Petty should have retired NLT 1987-88. His last few years in the car basically put Petty Racing in the "also-ran" category they are in to this day. You could probably say the same about Joe Montana or any number of athletes in any sport that stay too far past their prime. Over in the field of music, I heard Tina Turner said at one point she was going to quit doing rock and roll when she turned 50 as she felt it was 'undignified'.

Fellers, it ya can't hack the Drop, it's time to coach the youngsters or take up another shooting sport.

[Maury Krupp]

They don't have to quit. I don't want them to quit. More people on the firing line is always more better.

If it takes special rules for special cases/groups that's OK by me. There are a bunch of special groups already. What difference would one more make?

But don't change the rules to put me in that special group when I don't want or need to be.

Maury

[mdoerner]

Why not institute a "points penalty" for not dropping into position? This would compensate for the advantage of remaining in position. A 5 or 10 point penalty for each stage ought to do it. It would only subtract 20-30 points from the end result, out of 500.

Mike Doerner

PS Are we so clumsy and forgetful to keep muzzles downrange and safeties on until we're in position? Has there ever bee a negligent discharge before dropping into position?

[Collector497]

If it takes special rules for special cases/groups that's OK by me. There are a bunch of special groups already. What difference would one more make?

Multiple special category groups exist (police, junior, etc.) but they still shoot the same course of fire with the same rifle as everybody else. Not only do they compete within their own category, they also compete for the overall prize.

The problem with making special rules for some but not others is that it begins to get difficult to decide when to stop. The fear that many have is that the sport will be changed so much to cater to a minority that highpower will become something very different and lose that link to it's history.

[Collector497]

I don't think he is calling the M14 a sissy gun. He's just funnin on how every generation looks back fondly to the Good Ol Days that never were. I remember an old Marine telling me about back in his day the old timers carried on about losing their 1903s and having to carry the ugly a$$ gas operated mess called the M1.

Somebody gets it. A sense of humor is important when reading message boards.

[Maury Krupp]

...The fear that many have is that the sport will be changed so much to cater to a minority that highpower will become something very different and lose that link to it's history.

Which is exactly what has happened in NRA matches.

The ability to quickly assume a good position and fire a good rapidfire string has been a part of highpower rifle shooting since its inception.

Now it's gone

For everyone

All because the situation was forced into a choice between telling some people to "hang it up" or eliminating the requirement.

Maury

[Plain Old Dave]

This is not a choice, really.

Did NASCAR shorten the races because Richard Petty got too old to hack being in the car for a whole race?

Did the NFL change their rules so that Joe Montana would only play touch football the last few years he was playing?

The answer is simple, and is one the money-grubbers at the NRA won't hear:

"I have this medical issue that prevents me from dropping into position."

"I'm sorry, those are the rules. If you can't compete according to them, please enjoy observing the match."

[Maury Krupp]

Quickly assuming a good position and firing a good string is (was) a basic skill and an important part of highpower competition. Particularly Service Rifle competition.

But not as basic or important as putting shots in the middle of the target.

CMP saw this and decided to retain the standing-to-position requirement.

But even then they had the sense to make allowances.

For EIC and National Trophy matches when the whole story is "I have this medical condition that prevents me from dropping into position. It's called getting my f'ing legs blown off by an IED" CMP rightly allows those shooters to stay in position.

Standing in the Games matches has been optional for years. All it takes is a request to the range officer prior to the string. Nothing formal, no paperwork, no review. This has allowed many shooters to remain active and hasn't done any harm to the either the Games or the discipline as a whole.

Clearly it's possible to retain standing-to-position as a part of the course of fire without it being an all or none proposition.

The only thing you get from saying "all" is fewer people on the firing line; the only thing you get from "none" is fewer skilled riflemen.

Maury

[John Sukey]

to all those who say exemptions should be banned, just keep in mind that you will get to that time in life as well. Do you intend to sign a statement that you will sell off all those nasty rifles and take up dominos and shuffleboard instead?

[John Kepler]

No....but there are other things I can do with my rifles than shoot Highpower Service Rifle and demand that the rules be adjusted to my level of decrepitude! "Shoot" is also a verb....and there will be a time in EVERYONE'S life when you have to hang up the cleats.....hopefully with a certain amount of grace.

John, you've told me on numerous occasions that you are not a competition shooter....so how can you pass judgement on those of us that have been doing it for decades?

[Mudcat]

I also realize that at some point, I wont be able to compete at the top level of the game, or my top level, but thats part of the game. If my eyesight goes, why should I get to move the targets closer, or run a scope or if I get the shakes from my meds, why should I get to use a rest and still have a chance at winning just the same as those that have to do it the "hard way? Might as well lower the basketball rim so white guys that cant jump like me can dunk the ball and play in the NBA.

Noone said those that cant stand to sit, or cant see, etc cant play, but if you cant play like everyone else, you dont get to take home the National Championship like everyone else.....

I dont expect anyone to change the rules from me when my old ass gets to the point I cant compete any longer, why should anyone else? If I f' myself up in a car wreck, I shouldnt get the rules changed. If I dont practice and cant hit the broadside of a barn, I shouldnt get the rules changed. If I get fat and cant sit and shoot, I shouldnt get the rules changed.

Pretty simple if you ask me.

John

[Plain Old Dave]

No....but there are other things I can do with my rifles than shoot Highpower Service Rifle and demand that the rules be adjusted to my level of decrepitude! "Shoot" is also a verb....and there will be a tme in EVERYONE'S life when you have to hang up the cleats.....jopefully with a certain amount of grace.

THANK YOU! If I am in decent enough condition when I'm 80 to compete IAW the rules, I will. If I can't, I will find a Junior team to impart my wisdom to. Done deal.

[jem102]

This I can agree with. Don't stop me from playing but "I" understand the rules are what they are and I don't get my own set to play by.

John

[Sights]

They don't have to quit. I don't want them to quit. More people on the firing line is always more better.

If it takes special rules for special cases/groups that's OK by me. There are a bunch of special groups already. What difference would one more make?

But don't change the rules to put me in that special group when I don't want or need to be.

Maury

Maury,
You are my hero!

All the best to you...Prost

Brian aka "Sights"