Shooting matches arent for prissy gun owners...

[MarikinaMan]

Joined a match this weekend. My shotgun fell on the ground twice. Once by I dont know who, when I left it on the common bench and came back and saw red dirt on it. A little scratch or two on the barrel and a gouge on the hand guard. Another by myself, when I was saw amped up after a stage and I placed it wrong on our pull wagon. After 2 stages and twice hitting the ground, I pulled my rifle case out of the car, kept the Mossy in the case when not in use, and just dragged it around the match site.

Scuffed the barrel on windows in stages where we had them too.

No biggie got over it fast when I saw a Benelli M2 in full Taran Tactical garb looking like a shotgun whose been around the block, 3 times. I guess it was par for the course.

I was surprised that the loading port was gouged as well from speed loading some 200 rounds that weekend. Seems like the edge of the shot shells were snagging the edge of the loading port causing deep scratches. Could be bad technique.

Is this common? This shoty is gonna get ugly after 10 or so matches.

I need to get me a jogging stroller set up for matches. WITH AN UMBRELLA!

[smoothy8500]

I could never figure out people that want to keep their stuff pristine, especially if you "run what you brung".

[MJB]

Does it still shoot good?

A firearm is a tool most tools have wear marks

[MrOrange]

Yep, practical matches definitely constitute hard use. This is how we find out what breaks, what could use beveling or polishing, etc. I'd guess the overwhelming majority of defensive shotguns don't get 200 rounds through them in a couple year's time; that's like five times what I've ever shot in a 3-Gun match. Personally, I like my lead launchers with some character on 'em.

I always thought it would be cool to have a gun/ammo bearer, or two, for matches. Maybe hire models dressed up like cowgirls, or cosplayers looking like your favorite vidya game characters.

If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

[k1dude]

I've found my rifles and shotguns covered with mud and dirt from being knocked off the rack at matches many times. There's idiots out there that are very careless placing or removing their weapons from the rack. There's also others that can't walk past the rack without slamming into it.

Bottom line is your equipment will get trashed by both you and other people at competitions. It's rough on equipment if you like to keep your stuff looking new and pretty.

[Spyder]

Oil gets dirty in your engine too.

[Capybara]

Buy cheap but reliable and accept the fact that a competition gun is going to get dinged and scratched. Not a big deal on a $500.00 shotgun, big deal on a $2,000.00 shotgun (for me).

[Corpral_Agarn]

Wait, wait, wait.

Somebody ELSE dropped your gun?
That would be a heavy WTF moment for me.

I am fine with my competition guns getting a little scratched but if someone else is being negligent with MY gun that would pi$$ me off.

People should be courteous of other peoples firearms.

[trackcage]

I wouldn't mind a little character and memories from the matches. Not sure I'd appreciate someone else knocking over my guns, though.

[MarikinaMan]

I wouldn't mind a little character and memories from the matches. Not sure I'd appreciate someone else knocking over my guns, though.

Yeah. I would too if I saw it happen, but I didnt, and I didnt wanna dwell on it as the stages were coming on fast and furious.

The way I'll handle it is to build a match gun carrier/dolly/wagon. That way, I'm not sharing a bench with 12 other guys who are adrenalized as much as I am. Stuff got banged around as I saw. Some people came out of stages super wired. I'd rather do my own banging on my guns

Just cleaned the gun. I can live with the wear.

[Formerlyknownas]

I started competing about two years ago. I thought my skills were somehwat on point and my tools were dialed in (i did alot of stationary range time). First competition i found out how wrong i really was...my skills under stress were horrible, my tools all failed on atleast one stage of 3 gun. Not one gun made it through the day without problems. After about two years my shootin and moving skills have improved a ton, my tools run like a top no matter how hard i push them. Doing these comps often helps build your confidence in yourself as well as your tools if a time ever arised that you needed to defend yourself....odds are your level is higher, faster and more accurate than the burglar that just busted down your door.
Id advise anyone that wants to improve go enter a competition. The clock and some of the top shooters in the country watching your every move can stress you out a bit and make you want to improve.

[bazineta]

You should see what an issue weapon typically looks like. As long as it goes bang, 'tis goodness.

[sargenv]

Heck.. I purchased a Browning Over/under in 410 last year and promptly used it as a stage gun at last year's Cal Action Shotgun match.. It made many a trip into a dump barrel.. it's a tool, use the damn thing..

[penguin0123]

I was surprised that the loading port was gouged as well from speed loading some 200 rounds that weekend. Seems like the edge of the shot shells were snagging the edge of the loading port causing deep scratches. Could be bad technique.

Did you open up the loading port?

[k1dude]

Yeah. I would too if I saw it happen, but I didnt, and I didnt wanna dwell on it as the stages were coming on fast and furious.

The way I'll handle it is to build a match gun carrier/dolly/wagon. That way, I'm not sharing a bench with 12 other guys who are adrenalized as much as I am. Stuff got banged around as I saw. Some people came out of stages super wired. I'd rather do my own banging on my guns

Just cleaned the gun. I can live with the wear.

I've never seen it happen to my guns either. But mud down the whole side of your gun is a clue to what happened.

Most times coming off a stage, the guns are so hot, you have to put them on a rack to cool down. That's when the damage occurs. If you build your own carrier, make sure it can handle a very hot barrel. Most of the manufactured ones can't. You'll melt the foam/nylon with the hot barrel.