Practical Pistol Show 28 - All About the GM's?

Published on April 9, 2015
Duration: 26:01

This episode of the Practical Pistol Show discusses the role of Grandmaster (GM) shooters in competitive pistol sports like USPSA, addressing concerns about them becoming a 'dinosaur' and their financial impact. The hosts also delve into practical shooting advice, including strategies for shooting partial targets effectively and the technique for weak-hand-only shooting. Ben Stoeger, a seasoned competitor, emphasizes that the core of the sport relies on A, B, and C class shooters, and that prize tables are largely irrelevant to his decision-making for attending matches. The discussion highlights that top competitors often incur significant personal expenses for training and travel, debunking the myth of widespread professional sponsorship.

Quick Summary

The financial core of competitive shooting sports like USPSA relies on A, B, and C class shooters, not just Grandmaster (GM) competitors. Top shooters often find prize tables irrelevant due to high personal expenses for travel and training, which far outweigh prize values.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction & Show Topic
  2. 01:05Discussion: The Role of GM Shooters
  3. 03:30Tim's Perspective on GM Shooters
  4. 05:00Championship Matches vs. Club Matches
  5. 07:23Misconceptions About Pro Shooters
  6. 08:07Prize Tables and GM Eligibility
  7. 09:10Actual Costs for Top Shooters
  8. 11:03Hypothetical: What If GMs Were Paid?
  9. 13:34Question: Shooting Partial Targets
  10. 16:08Tim's Advice on Partial Targets
  11. 17:11Personal Experience with Partial Targets
  12. 18:10Hit Factor and Partial Targets
  13. 21:14Question: Weak Hand Only Shooting
  14. 22:26Tim's Advice on Weak Hand Shooting
  15. 23:46Body Positioning for Weak Hand
  16. 24:45Contact Information & Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the financial backbone of competitive shooting sports like USPSA?

The financial backbone of competitive shooting sports like USPSA is primarily the participation of A, B, and C class shooters. While Grandmaster (GM) shooters add prestige, the bulk of revenue comes from the larger number of participants in lower classes, not solely from the top-tier competitors.

Do professional competitive shooters care about prize tables at matches?

For many top competitive shooters, prize tables at major matches are largely irrelevant to their decision to attend. The significant expenses of travel, entry fees, and training often far exceed the value of prizes, making them a non-factor in participation decisions.

What is the correct technique for weak-hand-only shooting?

When shooting weak-hand-only, it's generally recommended to use your dominant eye. The technique involves positioning the firearm in front of your dominant eye and keeping the gun as upright as possible to maintain proper recoil control and sight alignment, rather than canting the firearm or switching eyes.

How should a shooter practice for partial targets in competition?

To improve performance with partial targets, shooters should incorporate them into regular drills and scenario practice. The focus should be on building comfort and experience to understand capabilities and the attention needed for accuracy, rather than solely chasing specific goal times.

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