Frank, Your posts are
very insightful and
"frank" if you excuse the pun.
I have a somewhat
related but more foundational question: (1) Introduction: So, I understand that in shooting competitions (PB + AG) there are often rules that
limit the equipment being used.
Because we want to make the competition more realistic to real life shooting, e.g., hunting, combat shooting, shooting with service weapons, etc.
Or because we want to make the competition more accessible for more shooters by using e.g., only unmodified guns, or only allowing certain modifications that are financially more accessible, or prohibiting special shooting clothes, etc.
Or because we want to extend the service life of the targets.
Makes all sense to me.
(2) Question But what's up with
rules that limit the way you hold your gun? What purpose does a rule serve that obligates a shooter where he/she must put the offhand, or the buttstock, or whatever else?
In my mind (with very limited understanding of competition shooting) it seems that does not give anybody an unfair advantage — everybody can put their hands and feet where they want to — usually we've all got them (outside of special olympics and the like).
And in hunting and combat shooting or self-defense, you can hold your gun however you like — as long as you can hit your target! ➔ So, why make rules for competition shooting, that
originally started so people would get better at real life shooting (hunting, combat, self-defense)?
Again, a competition like FT requiring some
forced positions makes total sense — because
it simulates real life hunting, where not all shots can be taken prone — grass is often too high....
But why be so specific of how to hold and handle the gun? Please, bear with my ignorance and darken my dim mind (dim in the competition area, that is).
I live in Peru were airgun competitions are pretty much non-existent, so I have no beef in this. (Well, maybe I can get something started some day...!
).
Thanks!
Matthias