I was browsing through my LIFE packet this morning and was wondering if any of you guys are working on getting your NRA qualification awards.

If yes, how's it going?  If not, how come?

I keep meaning to do this.  Seems like it would just be a fun incentive to get to the range.  Plus, I'd make a new shooting vest so that I would have a place to mount all the rockers and patches. 

Hmmm... maybe if someone as interested in committing, we could form a support group!

Hi Tom_G,

I am in!  The qualification tests seem to be a good way to measure skill progression in shooting.   

I have my Basic Practical rocker (LOL, meaning that I took the basic firearm safety course) and plan to start practicing for the Pistol Qualification next weekend. 

Looking over the rules, it seems like our biggest challenge is going to be finding a range.  The trap and skeet could clearly be done at the respective ranges.  Most of the other disciplines have either distance or time requirements that wouldn't be allowed on the rifle, pistol, or silhouette ranges.

I'm pretty confident we could do the basic pistol during HRA fun shoots.  No reason they wouldn't let us set up off to one side and shoot our qualifiers.  I'll certainly ask and get an official "ok," though.  Just hope this doesn't suddenly make me "Mr. in charge of Winchester/NRA qualifications!"

There's one coming up this Sunday, the 29th.

Hi Tom -- I took the wife and a friend to the range last Saturday and tried out the pistol range for the first time at the far end of KHSC. I shot so-so with a 9mm pistol at 25 yards and definitely could benefit from additional practice first.  The nice guy next to us let me and my wife try shooting with his match-grade Ruger MK II with red dot optic... we definitely shot better with it and with the smaller caliber.

Still, we looked at our target afterwards and the shotgun pattern tells us that we need more practice. We probably should get 2 targets also so she and I can track our shot patterns separately and get a better idea how our progress is.

So what I am trying to say is... Unless there are other folks out there that are interested in getting their qualifications, there is "no rush" on this.  We will be planning more weekend trips to the range before we are ready to try for qualifications. 

Just a note... I saw a lot of cars at the action bay this Saturday and was hoping to stop by the HDF event, but needed to head back and pick up our son from grandma.  Perhaps next time.

Doh --- just re-read the requirements --- 15ft!  I am sure I can hit the target consistently at this distance!

http://trapleague.org/qualbook.pdf

Doh --- just re-read the requirements --- 15ft!  I am sure I can hit the target consistently at this distance!

http://trapleague.org/qualbook.pdf

I was gonna say....

This new NRA qualification award program seems to get entry level shooters back to marksmanship fundamentals. It is NRA's attempt at a marksmanship based "No Child Left Behind" program. I grew up with the old NRA shooter classification system starting in highschool smallbore rifle. Many people still get discouraged and won't even attempt local NRA matches because of the steep learning curve and complexity of the rules.

The qualifications appear to be pretty attainable with good training on the appropriate firearm, a little practice, and actual time put into get the completed necessary shots.

This new NRA qualification award program seems to get entry level shooters back to marksmanship fundamentals. It is NRA's attempt at a marksmanship based "No Child Left Behind" program. I grew up with the old NRA shooter classification system starting in highschool smallbore rifle. Many people still get discouraged and won't even attempt local NRA matches because of the steep learning curve and complexity of the rules.

You know its sad you don't see too much shooting in Hawaii highschools.  The local highschool I went to had a small rifle range and an air riflery team.  The JROTC program used the NRA doctorine and during the semester after learning basic firearms safety and marksmanship techniques you would spend 2-3 weeks at the range trying to qualify for medals to pin on your uniform.  I went through four years of JROTC and enjoyed learning to shoot in the different posistions.  All the shooting was done with various brand bolt action .22lr rifles.  But if you went to spring camp up at Schofield you got to shoot the real deal, an M16.  If you qualified high enough there you got to shoot it on 3 round burst.  I miss those days.  Sadly my alma mater no longer has a JROTC program and while a new range was built I don't know if they still have an air riflery team.