The 1985, pre safety, 39A lives again

Last year, my trusty 39A decided she was tired of all the attention other guns were getting and concluded the best way to ensure some love and attention over the winter months was to break.  As I covered in an earlier post. the lifter has a rather magical spring loaded pin in it that lost its "capture washer".

Plenty of research and posts on the Marlin Owners Forum yielded the start truth, my era 39A had no parts available.  Plenty of folks purchased what was said to be the solution but it did not function correctly.  Because this gun was in the midst of the re-design for the cross bolt safety, it has a unique collection of parts.

Captured! Click on image for full view.

This weekend the 39A traveled up to Rumney for a second attempt to fashion a repair.  The first trip, the little pellet tin with the small parts got left behind in Hopkinton and there was nothing to do.  The second time, I opened the tin which I use to hold all things small and easily lost.  John surveyed the collection of screws, 39A parts, Lyman 17A globe inserts etc.  As we attempted to measure just what diameter we needed, John suggested just using the center of a globe insert.  After playing with 2.6, 2.8 and 3.0, it was concluded the 2.8 would be sacrificed to act as a washer.  What you see to the right is the inner ring cut out of the outer ring and then pressed over the pin.  Then some rather crude peening of what remains of the pin began.

Not pretty but she functions well.  Sometimes ugly works.  Amazing how much more a digital photo can show you, even after using magnification to see what we were doing.  Someday I hope to find a 1985 39A and see what an original looks like.

I also learned a few things while trying to repair my bent magazine tube.  We have all had the magazine tube follower fly closed and the small pin ding the outer tube.  I found a 23/64 drill bit and a brass drift allowed me to get things back to normal.  Then, I had the bright idea to clean inner magazine tube.  DUMB IDEA!  A little gummy oil actually prevents the follower from falling too quickly.  Now mine falls down with the slightest bit of gravity risking another bent outer tube..  Tip of the month, don't clean it unless it really needs it.

Rainy Day project, casting for CLA.

No progress on the 39A.  I am hoping some brilliant tip will come up before I start some back yard gunsmithing.  So, on a day like today, it was time to get some more bullets cast for the 30-30.  This year, I am paying attention to alloy and working on getting to a harder bullet, same bullet physical characteristics from weight to hardness.

Not much to report really.  I have struggled a bit with my quest for bench rest accuracy out of a Lever Gun with cast bullets.  I am learning but mostly on what not to do.  I am hoping I will find something that works soon. 

My mould is an old 31141 single cavity.  I picked up the correct handles so I don't have to borrow them.  The old Ideal mould, after some TLC, is working fair.  This batch of bullets are a bit mottled (or what I call eczema) in places and I suspect that is due to zinc in the melt.  I hope the issue impacts looks only and not accuracy.  Now comes the fun part.  Sizing them.  I scrounge range trash cans for the 9mm ammo boxes with Styrofoam holders.  They treat my little gems in good shape as well as assist with keeping things organized.  Now if I could just find the right load.  I made 325 bullets today.  It would be nice to load them all up and just shoot.

2016 Tentative Schedule NH Silhouette matches

Pemi-CLA              APR 24
PA Consolidated    APR 30-MAY 1

PFFG                       MAY 1
PSI-100m                MAY 15
Pemi-CLA                MAY 29

PFFG                       JUN  5
PSI-100m                JUN 19
Pemi-CLA               JUN 25
Pemi-100m             JUN 26

PFFG                      JUL 3
PSI-100m               JUL 17
Pemi-CLA              JUL 23
Pemi-100m            JUL 24

PFFG                      AUG  7
PSI-GSR                 AUG 20-21
Pemi-100m             AUG 28

PFFG                     SEPT  4
PSI-100m               SEPT 18

PFFG                     OCT  2
PSI-100m               OCT 9

39A mfg 1985 pre crossbolt safety carrier pin issue

39A action without pin, lever open

Sometime in September I think my rock solid, highly accurate, much loved and used by many Marlin 39A jammed.  This is a gun that simply never jams, never fails to eject, always feeds slow or fast just plain stopped working.  Range triage discovered the problem was beyond a Leatherman and the gun was bagged and that was that.  Image to the right is the action open with no pin in the carrier.  When the lever is cycled, the carrier does not raise as it should.

Carrier removed, looking front (left) side of carrier and pin/spring

Over the New Years, John and I embarked upon a more detailed diagnosis in hope of finding the right part to order and install on some cold winter day.  After looking high and low for the missing parts that were no longer in the gun. It occurred to me that I had kept the tiny bits in my tiny bits pellet tin where all such small parts go.  Happily they were there less the "washer" which was missing from the start.  Image to the right is the small pin which is .121" in diameter.  I cannot locate my feeler gauge to get the thickness of the groove where the washer is captured.  The more I look at the photos it would seem the real question is, what is the original "minor" diameter of the pin.  It does look to be held in place by peening the back of the pin.

Pin, pushed through hole in carrier showing back side with missing "washer" to hold pin in place while spring pushes the pin to project out on front/left side of carrier.

30-30 casting and hand loads

In preparation for the first match of the year I am working on my 30-30 loads.  Last year I had some issues and a lot of other things going on so, I decided to do a little more investigation this year.

First, I was living off previously loaded bullets done by myself and a shooting partner.  Read, I was shooting off of reload inventory.  This got me in two areas.  First, although this gun was the exact same model, caliber, barrel etc, the chambers were not the same.  What would fit in his would not chamber in mine.

Second, I assumed he was using the supply of cast bullet I gave him.  Turns out, he was using up some LaserCast bullets that looked damn near identical.

Third, never underestimate the importance of trimming all your brass to length.  I had some variation here which was the first thing to attack.

Case Prep:

I tried to get everything shot up last year to empty the brass.  I think my gun was enjoyed by a number of new shooters who may or may not be back.  Iron sights at 200 yards is not the easiest introduction to the sport.  I still have 17 rounds which won't chamber.  I think I will just pull them.

STM is great stuff.  John even better with his patience to trim to length some 400 cases before he cried uncle, time for a margarita.  Then de burr them all, clean out the flash hole and then, put them in the STM again.  Dry, and weight sort. Some say it is all a waste of time but it was a long winter.

Then the million dollar question, what will I use for COAL.  (Cartridge Over All Length).  I fussed and fuss and concluded 2.555" is perfect where the lands DON'T come in contact with the bullet.  Or that was my logic at the time, it has since changed.  I was not really sure what was optimal and winter was not kind this year for any testing.  You will see to the right that this left my crimp groove exposed and the topic or crimp or not to crimp comes into play.  If you are in search of accuracy, no crimp.  If you need a rugged bullet that you don't want to baby, crimp.  In my case, the bullet to the right is sized .311" and it is snug in the case and is not going anywhere.  I used these at the St. Patty's day Match.  This handsome bullet was cast by John who has perfected alloy management unlike myself.

More research.  Turns out you are just guessing until you create some form of chamber cast. You can melt a number of products and pour into your chamber.  Not an easy feat with a lever gun.  Or you can try the process called a "pound cast".  Read the link and you decide.  I got it right on my second attempt.  First, aluminum rod did not transfer the sharp hits as well as steel.  And, don't overfill your brass with lead.  I had mine too full and I could not chamber my pure lead bullet even with some care tapping from the breach end.  New pure lead bullets and filled brass were made, a steel rod and my second attempt yielded the picture to the left.

So now things get complicated. What makes for optimal bullet depth and case length can't be accommodated.  I have not been able to find 30-30 brass that is 2.085".  Maybe 2.040" is the longest I have found in my bag of untrimmed brass.  Even if I did, there is the issue of COAL and the ability to get the round from the magazine up into the chamber.  My current mould's "aspect ratio" prevents me from getting the largest diameter into the chamber without making the bullet so long it can't be cycled.  So the research will continue.  I now have some .313" sized bullets, larger than .311" and they are set as long as will cycle in the subject gun.  Still fighting some lead shaving but here is the current product that waits for a certain range to be opened on the 100 yard line.  Note how the bullet is expanding the brass above the shoulder in order to fit.  Heavy pressure left a ring on top of bullet in order to push into the brass.  Could be time for a neck sizer and just kiss fired brass.  Remember, the 26th is just two weeks away.

CLA Schedule. (click date for results)

April 26, 2015
May 31, 2015
Aug 22, 2015

See the results post for all NH match dates for 2015.  They will turn orange after the results are posted.

Link for Bore measurement definition.

Click on the images for a detailed view.

Shooting for Score, a different animal....

Animals that don't fall down and tell you where you are in your progress toward completing 20 shots!  I was terrified of shooting on the wrong target.  6 targets numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.  And I had to be on #5 for every shot.  5th target out of 6 would be the penultimate target but in this case, it was 3rd from the right.  Just to keep you thinking if the snow blowing in your face, my carefully prepped 30-30 brass dropping on the concrete, snow melting on the barrel and going who knows where when it hit the forearm.  FOCUS!

Well, first there was the chaotic reload.  I have spent hours, days prepping brass, like 400 RP cases are all now 2.030".  Thanks John for use of your trimmer and equal effort turning all these cases.  I was having some rounds last year that would not chamber and having identical brass length is a good place to start.  Why not deburr the flash hole and weight sort them too in the winter months.  Then, plat with seating depth only to find that a depth just shy of the lands has the bullet too far out to crimp.  All this put me in a quandry as to what was the right thing to do.  Then the match came so I just them in without a crimp and loaded them one by one.

The circle is 6 3/8" so......I might have lot a pig or two.  The high shot I called.  the others were not bad breaks, or bad enough a break to have me look through the spotting scope.  On a whole, it is a good performance with the 30-30 hand loads, hand cast.  My issue is too much input from pulling and not squeezing the trigger causing the shot to go low or high.

My bullets were cast a few years back when I first got into loading but were never shot.  They have a bit of oxidation but I think that is only objectionable to the human and it makes absolutely no difference accuracy wise.  interesting that the shinny sized areas don't show any oxidation.

Next effort is to create a "pound cast" which I am learning is a trickier project in a lever gun than a bolt gun.

St. Patrick's Day shoot at PEMI

I have been working hard this winter to develop the best 30-30 home cast, handloads I can.  Last year I had some feeding issues and what I thought was some inconsistent accuracy issues.  Turns out I had a mix of bullets, home cast 31141 and a clone that LaserCast provided.  They look identical until you measure them.  So, without an open range to test ammo, I decided to head north to Pemi.  No range time or air rifle this winter, something which became painfully evident today! It was 34F when I left Hopkinton and by the time I got to Ashland, there were cars in the ditch and snow coming down.  As Lanny Bassham says, "I'm the best snow shooter in the world".

I got there early in an effort to help out and learn from those who are already shooting for accuracy.  Let's face it, score shooters are a bit more demanding than Silhouette shooters.  You can't just hit the target, it has to be an X.  Me, I was happy to be on paper!  New bullet, new load, new front sight insert and no bench time....phew!  There was a lot of twisting of knobs in the first few record shots as I got the kinks out.

As it turns out, there were just 3 out of the 12 shooters shooting non Service Rifle firearms.  My New Haven, Conn Marlin 336CB in 30-30.  Skip's Miroku/Winchester Low Wall in 38-55 and another shooter had a Winchester
Model 70 in .308, it looked pre '64 to me.  Double click on the bottom picture and let me know if I am wrong.  The rest of the shooters were military rifles from .30-06 M1903s to current AR15 platform and everything in between.  I am not up on military firearms.  It would seem, just like silhouette, it all depends how seriously you want to pursue the sport.

The good news, my handloads all loaded without pressure on the bolt and they fired. Getting on the 6 3/8" target bull was not an easy feat. I fear I had a lot of pass shooting due to a numb trigger finger and a host of other excuses.  PRACTICE!  I am woefully out of practice and the time spent reloading is of little value if I can't break on the target.  Still, snow shooting is always fun.  Watching the snow melt on the hot barrel and having to blow the snow off the timer is something I will remember at some hot match in August.

I just wish I had taken a picture of the target so I can figure out what I need to work on.

April 26th is around the corner.  Be sure to dust off those reloading presses and get ready for CLA!

Match Results.

Magnums at Pioneer and target damage in general

Recently there has been some dialog around what you can or can't shoot at the Pioneer Silhouette range.  Here we go on the slippery slope which as I researched the material for this post, is not that slippery at all.

The club rules state you cannot use Magnums on the Silhouette range.  Well, that kinds snubs all those who shoot 44 Rem Mag, 357 Magnum and .22 Magnum.  .22 Magnum would be the very easiest on the thick animals and I would rather have those rounds fired at steel than a 45LC.

From the NRA rule book under 3.1.3., 2 a. is states:

Any lever action rifle with a tubular magazine. A rimmed pistol cartridge loaded with a round or flat nosed bullet must be used, i.e. 25-20, 32-20, 38’s, 357 Magnum, 38-40, 44’s, 44-40, 45 Colt, 45 Long Colt, .22 Magnum and .22 long rifle.

It goes on to state in rule 3.1.3 c.

Ammunition may be loaded with smokeless or black powder, using jacketed or cast bullets, with or without gas checks. All bullets must be round or flat nosed suitable for tubular magazine use. Any cartridge causing target damage or deemed unsafe may be banned.

It is all about target and target stand damage.  We just want the club property to last for the other shooters who have followed the request of the match director.

There is no reason to run with ammo that damages the rails and/or animals.  Although popular, I will not allow use of XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullets.  There are too many other options and these bullets are designed to be explosive on impact on live game, and not intended for steel targets.  Hitting the rail with such force that it knocks down all 10 animals is also a queue that perhaps you have a bit too much flame under that bullet.  I fight hard to keep match fees down with an eye to promoting shooting sports in NH. A $15 match fee to cover target damage would likely discourage new shooters.  As you ready for the 2015 season, develop a load that does not damage targets.  Keep in mind, PSI borrows Purgatory and Pemi steel to host the regional.  I will not return damaged or cratered animals.

If you use factory loads, figure out how to get downloaded ammo.  Factory loads are loaded hot so John Q. public thinks they have "the good stuff".  My 30-30 hand loads using hand cast bullets shot a group at 100y that was half the size of factory jacketed bullets.  You reload to not only save money but also to produce higher quality ammo...that won't damage the targets.

Let the 2014 Season begin!

2014 New Hampshire Silhouette Schedule.

Hello everyone.  I know, many folks have been wondering whatever happened to my BLOG.  Or what happend to me?  In short, life events, new job at a 24/7 start up, a crashed hard drive and yet other life events pushed shooting to the back of the line.  My apologies.

That said, many have been asking for this years schedule.  I have been working with the NRA Silhouette department to get a few things sorted.  There is no shortage of paperwork for a match director I can assure you that!  Anyone who would like to help is more than welcome.  The approved matches have been submitted and the Regional has also been submitted.  Greg has to review and approve and I see no reason it should not be approved.

The first match at Pioneer needs volunteers as I will be at a college graduation.  Yes, my oldest graduates from College and the real world lies ahead.  Recall life moments?  Please email me if you want to help.  I also have a new cell phone as my youngest has assumed mine. 

Hope to see many new and old faces tomorrow at John's CLA match.  Rain or shine!

2014 NH Schedule.

2014 PSI Match Program

2013 Old post with some interesting info and links for new shooters.

2012 Old post with some other interesting info and links for new shooters to explore.

Historical results.

Aggregated Marlin 39 info

The Marlin Model 39 is hailed as the longest running 22LR rifle to be manufactured and sold in the United States.  I'm not expert enough to author an authoritative history on the 39.  There are many others who know far more than I do about the Marlin brand and the evolution of the Model 39.  But over the years, I have picked up tidbits here and there and thought I would share them with the NH Silhouette community.  The picture to the left is an early "alpha" model.  Note the absence of grip cap and a "fat" forearm.  But I get ahead of myself. Photo source credit HERE.


1890:  The "39" started out in the 1890s as the Model 1891 which was the first lever action to chamber a rimfire cartridge.  Invented by L.L. Hepburn whereas John Marlin only gets credit for having "improved" an existing design invented by someone else.  A common occurrence back then.  But, if you want a more detailed history about the early Marlin 39 and its predecessors, go HERE.

1922:   The first year of the 39 as it was introduced post WWI.  I have not read any good reason as to why it was called the Model 39 as such a date would suggest it's origins to be either 1839 or 1939.  Neither are realistic so we are just left to our imagination.

1924:   Frank Kenna Sr. purchased the bankrupt Marlin Firearms company for $100 and assumed all debt.  The beginning of a long and fruitful family owned business which sadly came to an end in 2008.

1939 Catalog.

1939:   The actual Model 39A was introduced in 1939.  I am unclear of the intent of the A other than to denote is may have had some minor "version" improvements, so why not start with the first letter of the alphabet to denote version enhancements.

1942:   1942 to 1944 Marlin ceased production of the 39 to focus on war time production of machine guns.  I wonder if Micro-Groove was a byproduct of the war?

1953:  "Micro-Groove" rifling was introduced which from what I read, turned a good rifle into a GREAT rifle for those in pursuit of accuracy.  It also increased manufacturing efficiency.  Micro-Groove was adopted by both rimfire and centerfire guns.

1957:  Although Mounties had been in production with 20' barrels and straight stocks before 1957, starting this year, all Mounties were now stamped "Golden 39A Mountie" to avoid any confusion.  Now folks can understand how there can be both 39A Mountie.  This topic gets deeper and deeper and is not really material to a new shooter looking for a Smallbore Cowboy Silhouette gun.  But if you insist, here are some links.  Source. Source2

1960:  "Original Golden 39A" is said to have been made from 1960 to 1983 with a "gold" finished trigger.  I have an issue with that as mine is a "Golden" and was made in 1985.  Wikipedia says gold triggers were "phased out" by 1985.  I also read that the golden trigger was re-introduced in 1985 and remains a feature to this date.  Not really that important but something people use to ID guns.  See source2 above.

1968:  Between 1968 and 1973 Marlin worked out the kinks with a new serial number (SN) methodology.  I'm not clear why there is so much conflicting info out there but at this point, take it all with a grain of salt.  There is a transition period when some odd numbers came out and you may need to rely on other factors to date or at least "periodize" your firearm if you fall in this time frame.  Basically, they went from an alpha prefix to define year of manufacture to using the first two digits in the SN subtracted from 100.  So, if the first two digits are 15 like mine, it would be 100-15 or 1985.  If your gun starts with an alpha, see the list at the end of this post.  Alpha SN tend to be under the lever on the tang.  Non alpha SNs tend to be on top of the tang in clear view.

1971:  The 39D was introduced which is a Mountie with 20" barrel but WITH a pistol grip.  Made from 1971 to 1973.  This is an excellent solution for smaller shooters who find the barrel too heavy to support.  Some folks say D stands for Deluxe.  I am unclear if this is true, slick marketing or lore.  Because of its relatively short production period, these are rare guns and tend to command a premium.  I have never seen a 39D so I cannot comment if it stands for Deluxe or not.  The D is what causes confusion with new shooters and I wanted to straighten that out. Source

1972:  Mountie markings were changed.  Instead of roll stamping Golden 39A Mountie, they just stamp 39M.  Guess that saved money by using less tooling and time.  The 39M was discontinued in 1987 and replaced by the TDS.  See below.

1973:  2,550 or a "short run" of  24" Octagon barreled 39As were produced.  Highly sought after variant made for one year. If you find octagon barrel with the numbers 27 starting the SN, buy it if you can.

1988: Crossbolt safety (CBS).  Due to legal liability issues, Marlin introduced the CBS in 1988 on the 39A but earlier on big bore models.  When this change is made the 39 went from 39A to 39AS adding the S for "Safety", or that is what I was told.  1988 is not a perfect date as I have seen 1987 dated rifles with a CBS

1988:  Introduction of the Marlin 39TDS.  TDS was short for "Take Down System".  I read they were made from 1988 to 1995.  The intent of this rifle was to offer an "ultra portable" rifle that could be taken apart and put in a bag or "papoose" is what they called it.  The barrel is just 16.5" long making it easy to slip into a bag, canoe or whatever your desire.  This is not a suitable gun for silhouette IMO.  But if you stumble on one that has a serial number that starts with TDS, that is the first year of manufacture and has some collectable value I gather.  The TDS also replaced the now discontinued Mountie.

2000:  Marlin buys H&R aka Harrington & Richardson of Gardner, MA.  In an odd way, I wonder if this was not the beginning of the end for Marlin. The CT based firearms manufacturer tried to find avenues for growth as the "Gentleman Shooter" faded into the sunset.  The new "gun buying public" wanted semi-auto and full auto arms as used in self defense and/or simulated self defense competition shooting sports.  Why would you want to buy a company who's claim to fame is being the world's largest producers of single shot rifles and shotguns?

2008: Change in ownership.  Like Colt, Winchester and Schwinn, just to name a few, products become brands only and ties to roots, history and what a gun stood for changed forever.  Investors drove the market as this family owned business looked for a way salvage three generations of fortune before nothing was left.  In 2008 Marlin Firearms was sold by the Kenna family, which had run the company since 1924, to Remington Arms, which was already owned by The Freedom Group which is owned by Cerberus Capital Management.  Need we say more?  Marlin RIP.

2011: 141 years of history ends.  In April of 2011, the Marlin plant in North Haven, CT was shuttered and production moved to other plants in the Freedom Group's portfolio.  Specifically, the 39A was moved to Ilion, NY.  The only way to accurately determine which plant made your gun is to look for a JM or REP stamped in the barrel where it is joined to the receiver.  Proof marks by definition define the plant that made the barrel.  JM is now an extinct proof mark.

For the Silhouette shooter.

Although I have never knowingly had the pleasure to shoot a pre 1953 39A, the "net consensus" is that the Micro-Groove technology greatly enhanced the accuracy of the 39A.  Given that opinion and the silhouette shooters preference for accuracy, I will limit the following comments to post 1953 guns. Not that I can even begin capture the many variants produced over those 60 years.


Armed with your new knowledge about the 39, 39A, 39M, 39D, let's cover the even more challenging area of 39 variants.  The objective being to help inform you of what you are looking at when a 39 is presented to you for sale.  For simplicity, I am going to break it into three groups. 

Rifle

The most common variant is the 23-24" barrel version.  You'll see both lengths listed because some folks measure external barrel length from the receiver and some actually know the factory specification which is the distance from the breech to the crown.  There is one "rifle length" and it is 24".  Don't worry about those details.  What is key is whether the barrel is over 20".  If yes, then you have a full rifle version.

Early "alpha SN" guns have a "fat" or what is sometimes called a "semi-beavertail" walnut forearm and a simple butt stock with no white "inlay" or cap on the pistol grip.  Later versions got a pistol grip cap with a matching white "accent" stripe sandwiched between wood and plastic.  The forearm went on a a diet as well and thinned down. A key visual to an original gun is that the white accent piece tended to shrink overtime so what was once a "factory" smooth transition between wood, accent and end cap is disrupted.  This is normal and a sign that no one has attempted to alter the gun.  At some point this accent piece was dropped.  The details about the 39D suggest 1973 but my 39A made in 1985 still has the white accent piece.

Carbine:

Marlin introduced a short barrel version called the Mountie.  Sometimes 39M or 1897 Mountie in homage to the Marlin model that was the precursor of the Original 39A.   This gun has two distinct features.  The barrel is 20" and the stock is straight.  Void of a pistol grip.  This is an issue of personal taste.

My taste.  Longer the sight radius the better.  Pistol grip feels better.  All that said, I shot a 38/40 with a Mountie unknowingly.  My 39A was still in Texas and John B. put his in my hands and it shot great!

Promotional:

Where to begin?  The sales and marketing team would often make limited runs of 39A with certain "embellishments".  For the competitive shooter, they are all cosmetic and neither add or detract from the utility of the gun.  To the collector, it can be important.  They underlying gun did not change.  Sometimes octagon barrels were added to replicate earlier versions.  Gold like inlays, engraving, wood checkering etc etc.  Unless the gun is unfired and in box, the value of this "short run" 39s are a small premium unless you just love the way it looks.  It's marketing.  Some are very rare and thus command a premium.  Some were marketing gimicks and there is not a whole bunch of demand for them.

What to look for?

Quality trends and year of manufacture:

Ultra passionate Marlin lovers feel it was down hill since 1988 when the crossbolt safety was added.  Some say it was downhill when management lost their focus on manufacturing and succumbed to the lure of Investment Bankers with their acquisition in 2000.  Now the focus had become the income statement and balance sheet.  More people get down on Marlin quality when Remington/The Freedom Group/Cerberus Capital bought them in 2008.  And finally, just about EVERYONE says the brand and the quality it stood for completely imploded when production was moved to Remington in Ilion, NY in 2011.

Condition considerations:

Factory drilled and tapped (D&T'd) holes vs DIY D&T'd holes.  At some point in production, the factory
added two small holes on the left side of the receiver for attaching a micrometer sight.  Later, they added tapped holes in the top of the receiver to accommodate attachment of a scope rail.  Factory holes are preferred.  But, home gunsmithing may not be bad.  Just not original.  I view guns with mars, drill holes, pitting as an opportunity to get a bargain that will shoot just as well as a pristine specimen that cost 4x as much.  It depends what you want.  My advice, keep your eyes open for both and know the range of prices for poor aesthetic quality "shooters" and wonderful "time capsule" finds.  They typically all shoot if made before 1988. 

Serial number cheat sheet.

C-1946
D-1947
E-1948
F-1949
G-1950
H-1951
J-1952
K-1953
L-1954
M-1955
N-1956
P-1957
R-1958
S-1959
T-1960
U-1961
V-1962
W-1963
Y-1964
Z-1964
AA-1965
AB-1966
AC-1967
AD-early 1968
68-late 1968
69-1969
70-1970
71-1971
72-1972
27-1973
26-1974
25-1975
24-1976
23-1977
22-1978
21-1979
20-1980
19-1981
18-1982
17-1983
16-1984
15-1985
14-1986
13-1987
12-1988
11-1989
10-1990
09-1991
08-1992
07-1993
06-1994
05-1995
04-1996
03-1997
02-1998
01-1999
00-2000
99-2001
98-2002
97-2003
96-2004
95-2005
94-2006


Reference links


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlin_Model_Golden_39A
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlin_Firearms
http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/marlin_LARF_rifles.htm  Article about early 39s
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/01/chris-dumm/classic-gun-review-marlin-model-39/  Nice pics of early 39.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5mfbtaZzhkSS1N1VW5ybVJlTW8/edit?usp=sharing  SN info from Marlin
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=261635  In the event you can't sleep.  The Marlin 39A club with 4,500 posts and counting.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3362653&postcount=245 Post with an array of folks selling Marlin parts.

44 Rem Mag take three. She's BACK!

For those of you who follow the blog, you will know I put a great deal of time into developing a self cast hand load for my Marlin 1894CB.  I simply love the trigger and wanted to use it over my 336CB in 30-30 which does not have as nice a trigger.  I tried two different moulds.  Two different powders and thought I had an acceptable solution as discussed in THIS post.

But, on June 3rd, 2012, I was shooting my new rifle with rounds produced per Junior Doughty's excellent "how to" make cast bullets perform at their maximum. After methodical benchrest like handloading techniques, (all cases trimmed to one length, primer pocket deburred, weight sorted brass, weight sorted bullets) I was getting scatter gun results. 10 Chickens, 6 Pigs, 2 Turkeys and 3 Rams for a whopping 21!  That was almost a year ago and I have not shot the 44 since or for that matter, even attend the last two matches of the CLA season.  This year, I dug out my 30-30 sight settings and shot it instead of the 44 and managed an improvement with 34 animals.  Was it me or the gun?

So, what happened to my 44?  I concluded the only variable to blame was that I had pounded in a blank in the rear dovetail.  My "used" gun came with no rear sight and I decided to make her look pretty.  I used my vernier to ensure I had the small side go in the wide side of the dovetail but it still took a great deal of force to beat in the blank.  Like an idiot, I kept beating on it until it "looked pretty".  Perhaps this blank introduced some barrel stresses?  There are some owners of the 44 who claim there is a tight spot where the barrel was stamped with Marlin et all.  Their point, there is not as much barrel wall relative to other calibers.  Today, I removed the blank, cleaned the barrel looking for a "tight spot" and concluded all was well.  I took some of those very same handloads to the range to test two things.  Accuracy of the gun @ 100y and the viability of a Redfield 75 which I will save for another post.

I started on chickens (50y) to get on paper.  I did in a fashion as the Redfield cannot come down as much as
I would like.  Once on paper and on the chicken, I went to the 100y benchrest.  I fashioned a crude "paper plate" from a hunk of white corrugated and stapled it on brown corrugated.  (I failed to bring a blank targets or spotting scope).  Put in 20 clicks of "up" and took 5 shots with just a front post insert to see if I was on paper.  (See "1" shots).  Fair but a little high.  Took out 5 clicks and moved it right 2.  Took another string of 5  resulting in the shots labeled "2" and WHOA!  My 44 is back to what it had been doing pre blank installation!  Please note, this 2.5" group was shot with iron sights off a rolled up jacket!  

Clearly the gun is capable and I need to get back on the 44 bandwagon.  But can I get enough loaded for Sunday?  Hope to see you at PEMI  this year, the link is current schedule and past results!

 

2nd Annual Silhouette clinic at Pioneer May 18th, 2013

Saturday May 18th Schedule

8:30    Pioneer silhouette range open (rain or shine)
9:30    Clinic begins on silhouette range.
11:30  Burgers on grill.  Please bring your own drinks
12:30  How to sight in or "zero" your firearm at Chickens and so on...
           How to find the best ammo for your gun
           How "iron sights" and "scopes" are different yet the same.
           How to shoot off hand. 
           (There will be four veteran shooters at four stations demonstrating these topics)
1:30    New shooters buddy up with veterans to shoot for fun until....

Why a Silhouette Clinic?

Last year we ran this program for the first time and it was a great success.  The objective of this "second annual" silhouette clinic is to introduce new shooters to the sport.  Since there is no "NRA approved match" going on Saturday, it is a great time to ask questions.  The best way to describe silhouette is organized plinking.  The sport can be an outlet for a number of interests.  You will find folks there who enjoy old lever guns.  For others it is an opportunity for a family to shoot and pass down a tradition..  For a husband and wife to share an interest.  Still others enjoy serious competition and the science of equipment and shooter.  To each their own which is why silhouette is such a fun sport.

The objective of this clinic is to demystify what typically goes on three Sundays every month during the summer and let new shooters ask questions in a informal setting without timers and guns going off.

Cost.  Donations requested for food and drink. 

What We'll Cover

Here is an outline which will be updated right up to the 19th.  Consider it a "work in process" as I get input and come up with other ideas.

• Introductions and what you want to get out of the day
• Silhouette history
• Why all off hand?
• Why different types of targets and various sizes?
• Where to begin? (Family, competitive shooting, use what you own, try something new, cowboy/lever gun, improve your marksmanship, or just do it)
• Equipment options (Rifle or pistol or both)
• Caliber options
• NRA Classification book and pursuit of a Grand Slam
• Ammo is akin to women's shoes.  Vast selection and you can't every have too much!
• Sight systems.  (Iron sight vs scoped gun)
• Safety.  (Ears & Eyes & lead management.  OBI/ECI etc)
• QUESTIONS
• Course of fire and the Range officer.
• Primer on how to shoot off hand. 
• The role of a spotter or coach
• The importance of learning how to 'call your own shot'
• How to get your equipment (firearm) ready for a match.
• Want to really immerse yourself, a binder for each gun you want to shoot.
• Matching ammo to the gun (rimfire) or hand load development, cast or jacketed.
• How to practice or what to practice.
• QUESTIONS
• How you can help the game and the clubs that make the sport possible.
• MORE QUESTIONS

HEAD over to the covered Silhouette range  We will spend an hour or so going over issues at "four stations" and then have a fun match with veterans and new shooters paired up.

What should a new shooter bring?

Firearms: First, if you don't own a firearm that is not an issue.  I expect there will be some "loaner" equipment available and at least two youth sized guns.  Now, if you have some equipment bring it in your car, cased and unloaded.  We will review the proper method to remove your firearm from the car and bring it to the safety table.  Although the intent is not to make this an antiques road show, if you want some advice on how to best utilize what you own, bring it along and I suspect a veteran shooter will be more than happy to counsel you on how to best enjoy "Grampa's old gun".  So yes, if you own something, bring it along.  If you are unsure or uncomfortable about how to handle it or use it, ask a volunteer for help getting it out of your car.  When in doubt, ask.  Throughout this entire day there are no dumb questions!

Safety equipment:  Even if you don't have a firearm, coming with your own pair of safety glasses and ear plugs is HIGHLY recommended.  Visit Riley's Sports Shop as they support our club, or the sporting goods store of your choice.  If you are bringing a youth member, they make nice youth sized safety glasses which work much better than generic safety glasses.  If you bring a firearm, please also bring an OBI (open bolt indicator) also called ECI, (empty chamber indicator).  If you don't have one, you can buy one at the club for $1, our cost.

Ammo:  If you are bringing a firearm.  Centerfire:  Factory ammo is overkill for this sport but you have to start collecting brass sometime soon.  100% of all centerfire competitors reload their own ammo.  We will not have centerfire ammo available but we can advise you as to what your options will be.  Rimfire:  Bring your favorite.  If you don't have one, I find Federal Lighting 22LR to be a good start.  In short, bring what you have and we'll tell you whether you are good to go or not.  At my first match, my mentor reviewed what I brought and politely told me to put it all back in the car and we used his gun for the session.  12 years later my ego is just fine.  Besides,  I learned a lot more that we would have trying to sort out my equipment.

Pre clinic day Questions: you can ask them here in this blog.  Or, email me at durantjud---yahoo----com  if you want to call me call 6ix 0ero 3hree 7even 4our 6ix 3hree 0ero 4our 0ero.

Please, let me know if you plan to attend.  Not required but helpful.

JD

PS:  All this fun on Saturday will be followed by a real silhouette match on Sunday where you can come and shoot, which after Saturday, you should be more than ready.

Sight Radius

I was at our CLA match last weekend and the question came up about what "sight radius" was all about.  And why do you hear CLA shooters talking about it so often when considering gun options?

It seemed like an innocent enough question.  So here is the short and simple answer.  Sight radius is the distance between the front sight and the rear sight.  Pistols have short sight radius and rifles have a long sight radius.  Sight radius only applies to gun using iron sights and does not apply to scoped guns.

In concept, the "greater" this distance, the easier it is for the shooter to visually align the gun sights on the target.  So, in CLA, the general rule of thumb, more sight radius is better than less sight radius.  This has meaning when you are selecting your gun and sight system.  But how much meaning?

Much to do about nothing?  Academically, the rule of thumb is true.  Look at a smallbore prone shooter and they will have a "bloop tube" extending the barrel to the maximum length to give greater sight radius.  They don't want more weight or more barrel.  They just want the front sight as far away from the rear sight as possible to afford a greater sight radius.  But do we need this with clowboy?

Since cowboy shooters cannot add something off the front of the rifle, they move the rear sight back.  Many shooters seek out a tang sight to get 3 more inches of sight radius.  I myself got sucked into this pursuit but the tang sight is in the way and, I ride up on my gun.  Maybe not the best idea for CF guns.  My point, does the 3 inches of increased sight radius out weigh the lost "comfort" of a head forward position or a thumb wrapped around the tang?

I think we tend to over emphasis these issues.  Sure, if given a 20" barrel vs a 24" barrel, you'd pick the longer barrel.  That does not mean you are at a significant disadvantage with something shorter than 24".  Favorable results are the aggregation of many variables.  Accuracy of load and shooting ability are top priority.  The other stuff is secondary. Helpful but secondary.  Maybe when you are working on that 10 in a row ram for a few years it cold be time to seek out more sight radius.  Until that time, have fun.

Of course I have a 24" barrel and tang sight and I still missed a pig last weekend.  You can't blame that on sight radius!  Bottom line, new shooters should shoot what they own.  If you don't own anything, longer barrels are better than short barrels but come with a price due to scarcity.  More sight radius typically costs more and although it helps, the greatest variable is the person pulling the trigger.  Remember, this is a shooter's sport, not an equipment sport.  Maybe after you clean your chickens and pigs, can you begin to wonder if your equipment is the weak link.  Until that time, I would propose that the importance of "sight radius" is tertiary.

Homemade stocks

A few of us went to a youth prone match today and as with any trip to another club, you learn so many little things.

Ok, this is an equipment centric post, sorry.  Getting youth to shoot should not be focused on equipment!  But....we need to have functioning equipment first right?  One of the guns I always suggest when they ask me what to get for a youth is the CZ Scout.  It is light weight (5.5 lbs), small and amazingly accurate for the money.  I am not current on the whole CZ marketing strategy as the move from the 452 action to the 455.  Based their website, the Scout is still based on the proven 452 action which is a good thing! Any used or new Scout will work.

Other than a Cricket, it is the smallest, commonly available 22LR for youth today weiging in at 5 lbs vs the Cricket's 2.5 lbs.

The purpose of this post is to share my story with making a youth silhouette stock.  The take away can be; how easy it is to make a quick and dirty stock as well as how you can make a stock to help withe head position, cheek weld.

Material was to pieces of Baltic birch plywood glued up.  Cut the blanks to the desired profile before gluing them.  Rout out the inlet and bed (fit) by using

bondo.  No need to get fancy.  the hardest part is keeping the "depth" of the stock the same as the factory stock so the factory action screws and metal fit on the new stock just as they did on the old stock.  Measure twice, cut once.

Then get out a rasp and a cold beverage of your choice and shape the stock.  The next day sand, file, rasp and repeat for the right size.  If I were to do mine again I would make the "wrist" of the stock smaller.  Otherwise, it works great.

To the right, if you look closely, you can see the bondo.  Bed the action with bondo and save yourself inletting in plywood.  Not fun!  It took me a work week of evenings to get this stock made.  Then let the shooter pick out their favorite color at the store and have some fun.  Always make it fun!

The shape of this stock lets the kid get the heel of the stock into their shoulder while also getting their head holding the stock and gun more steady.

It does not need to be beautiful.  if they can get their head in the right position and hold the gun with more bone on bone support and less "muscle" hold, they will be far more excited with the results. 

Next up on the Scout is figuring out how to put iron sights and a rail on it!  We saw a Scout fitted with an aftermarket rail and iron sights and it looked like a very promising 5.5 lb target gun for 3P.  Or, if your child is bigger and ready for a gun ready for 3P, you can buy a CM-2 Youth aka Cadet. Here is some info on these guns but they weigh 7.2 lbs and now we are getting into a heavier gun.

Blog restored! PHEW!!

Below is an email I sent to folks on 4/9/13 who have previously attended a silhouette match and are on the "silhouette distribution" list because my BLOG was down.  Google has just restored it and I thought I would ensure the letter is here as well.  There are some good links and general info.  Of course there is also some stuff you may not understand.  Contact me if you have questions.

I wrote....

1. Some of you may have noticed my blog is gone.  Google's "automated system" disabled it 4-3-2013 and even after my "human" plea asking they restore it, no response as of yet.  I remain optimistic as it was disabled due to SPAM.  Based on what I read, all my external links suggest I am "SPAMMING" to a bot-program analyzing blogs when in fact I am sharing information.  For now, if you need this year's schedule, go HERE for NH or HERE for all the various Metallic Silhouette matches in the NE quadrant of the country.
2. May 18th clinic at PSI.  I would like some helpers and some new folks to come out and ask all those questions you have never been able to ask.  The intent, for the first half of the day, with no guns going off, ask questions, get some background, find out some things you might not have known.  In the afternoon, have a fun mini match with a veteran and learn the ropes in a no pressure environment.  This was a great success last year and I hope we have some folks who want to attend this year.  If you're a veteran, bring a new shooter!
3. Volunteers.  There are three core non shooting responsibilities at a monthly match.  Steel set up, calling the line and stat shack.  This year I am going to try something different because...I want to shoot to get ready for Nationals.  I am going to ask for 3 volunteers to call the line.  8:30 - 10:30, 10:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 2:30.  This will be "pre arranged" I hope and those that volunteer get a free shoot that day.  Send me an email telling me which time slot you want. First come first served.  Steel setting is a non issue really.  Stat shack is an issue which I have not resolved.
4. 1/5th Squadding.  May 19th things WILL BE DIFFERENT for 1/5th shooters...in a good way.  If you are a club rifle, cowboy or pistol shooter, nothing changes and you don't need to read this.  If you shoot 1/5th, the AM time period will be SQUADDED! The PM will be McDonalds style.  What does that mean?  If you want to shoot 1/5th squadded with a shooting partner/spotter or even some person you don't know, you pay your money and get assigned a partner.  You will be assigned an animal and a relay.  This "1/5th am registration" will end at 8:45 and the teams get called to the line at 9 to the 1/5th barrels. Even if some folks are already shooing, the 1/5th barrels will be "reserved" for the squadded teams.  Then, just follow the range commands and we hold a squadded match simultaneous to cowboy, club etc who will be putting their numbers on the board for 1/2 scale animals, business as usual.  In the AM, no numbers will go on the board for 1/5th.  When the 1/5th squadded match is over, we return to business as usual. I suspect squadded match will be done by 11.  Casual shooters are not affected.  You don't have to shoot squadded if you don't want to. New shooters will get the help they need from a spotter/coach to tackle the more difficult 1/5th game.  Teams can practice as a team for Nationals in Ridgeway.  The only negative I can see, if you want to shoot 1/5th squadded, you have to get out of bed and get to the range by 8:30 so you can get yourself on the list.  If you sleep in....you can shoot 1/5th on your own or non 1/5th stuff whenever you arrive.  
5. Don't forget, April 13th, first match is at Georgetown, MA put on by Tom Cannon, match program HERE.  Second match in April is John Bartlett's CLA match April 28th, match program HERE.  And, Purgatory is up and running. Their dates are in the schedule and they look forward to seeing you!  PSI match program HERE.  Sorry, I don't have the PFFG program yet.

Normally this stuff goes in my BLOG but it is gone for now.  For the month of April and most of May....I think this is a good start for new and veteran shooters alike.  Questions, email me.  Forward this to anyone you think might be interested in shooting.  Hopefully my blog will be back soon.  Look forward to seeing you May 18-19th at PSI!

Jud

10 meter Air Rifle match # 16

Twenty one 10s!  Now the less good news, one 5, two 6s and four 7s.   ARGHHHHHH!  Woulda coulda shoulda! 

In truth, the only reason I went to tonight's 10m match is because.....I run it.  Only one other shooter showed and he shot a pistol.  I had not shot since March 11, the last match.  Issues have kinda gotten in the way and 10m AR has kinda faded in my priorities.  What a perfect time to shoot my top score of the season right?  I shake my head in dismay.  531 with no practice!  No real engagement.  Go figure!?!?!?

I was very "muscle hold" at first which never turns out well.  I knew it and worked hard to rediscover the right position and tension again.  I had to relearn the trigger again as my 5 taught me!  Let's face it, anything less than an 8 is pretty sad shooting and I had seven shots less than an 8!

Make it a game.  There were times when things went right.  Lanny says, "catch what you are doing right and do it again".  Great advice.  "Never give up" is another cardinal rule!  Not sure who said that.  When I shot a ten, I told myself, "do it again" on the next shot and let's see how many I can string together.  Silly really.  But, it made me FOCUS!  I tried for three tens in a row once and failed but the fail was a 9.  I tried it again and I got it (shots 26, 27, 28). 29 and 30 were both nines.See a pattern here?

Then, shots #55, 56, 57, 58 were all 10s.  #59 and 60 were 9s.  I guess by playing a game of trying to string tens together helped me focus.  For any shooter, stringing 8s or just keeping it in the black could be the trick. When you do something right, work on repeating it and forget what went wrong.  Now, if I could just get shot #51 back....it was a 5 For whatever reason I did not get setup right when moving to the new target.  I know better and shot #52 was a 10!

2012-13 Season score log

#01 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#02 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#03 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#04 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#05 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#06 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#07 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#08 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#09 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!
#10 513 (88 85 89 85 86 80) 9 7s or worse, 9 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Stock shorter
#11 518 (83 92 83 87 85 87) 8 7s, 1 6, 12 10x. H&N (3.8)
#12 502 (82 85 87 84 77 87) H&N (3.8) fist
#13 512 (91 83 84 78 83 93) H&N (3.8) fist. I shot a 3 on target 4.  ugh!
#14 526 (87 93 90 89 85 82) H&N (3.6) fist.  14 10x
#15 525 (92 86 84 85 90 88) H&N (3.6) fist.  17 10x!
#16 531 (79 88 93 91 91 89) H&N (3.6) fist.  21 10x!

10 meter Air Rifle match #14 and #15

The good news, I am shooting up where I should be.  At this point, I believe my below PR shooting is the result of mental factors.  I get this weird desire to "get the shot behind me" at times.  This is what I need to stamp out.  I lose confidence in my hold and I start taking less than solid shots and....well....that is how a 7 or 6 sneaks in.  I'm better than that.

Fist is working well.  NPA is critical.  Both vertical and horizontal.  I switched to the 3.6 element.  I think it helps me take more center shots.  But, if the hold (poor NPA & tension) The smaller element can induce snatching at good sight picture which rarely yields a positive result.

Key focus area.  Why my hold goes away in a match?  I think this problem then kicks off my mental desire to "get the shot behind me" in some hope the hold will come back by the next shot.  Things to work on.

2012-13 Season score log

#01 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#02 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#03 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#04 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#05 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#06 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#07 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#08 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#09 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!
#10 513 (88 85 89 85 86 80) 9 7s or worse, 9 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Stock shorter
#11 518 (83 92 83 87 85 87) 8 7s, 1 6, 12 10x. H&N (3.8)
#12 502 (82 85 87 84 77 87) H&N (3.8) fist
#13 512 (91 83 84 78 83 93) H&N (3.8) fist. I shot a 3 on target 4.  ugh!
#14 526 (87 93 90 89 85 82) H&N (3.6) fist.  14 10x
#15 525 (92 86 84 85 90 88) H&N (3.6) fist.  17 10x!


2011-12 Season score log

#1 515 (87 83 87 88 90 80)
#2 510 (85 89 85 86 82 83)
#3 532 (94 87 83 91 89 88) (season high, 94/100 tied best ever 10 shots)
#4 530 (87 90 90 93 89 81)
#5 524 (86 84 88 91 85 90)
#6 517 (88 85 88 87 90 79)
#7 524 (82 91 88 91 84 88)


Personal Top three 600 scores. Goal, 540.

539 (93 90 90 85 87 94). 11x 7 or lower, 22 10x. 11/??/08
532 (94 87 83 91 89 88) 3/??/12
530 (87 90 90 93 89 81) 3/??/12

Home or last post.

Road trip to NRA Junior Sectional Precision Air Rifle

This post is written for those wanting to learn more about youth precision shooting programs.  It is New Hampshire and rifle centric.  Good read and many links for the parent trying to lean more about what might be available for a young girl or boy interested in precision shooting.

For some time I have been wondering how to help create a true youth rifle team.  Team or individual.  I ask myself why?  In truth, because I guess if I were to do it again, I wish there had been such a program for me to join when I was a small-fry.  Even with all the video games, there is nothing like live fire to build discipline and mental toughness.  Plus, they learn how to interact with their peers and adults as an extra bonus!

My serious shooting days are about over and it would be good to pass down the little I do know to the next generation and their parents..  I also believe precision shooting and the mental control it requires is a great way for kids to develop self esteem.  Kids can't blame their goalie, their coach or the referee.  The buck stops with them.  Sure, I guess you can blame the equipment.  Nothing a quick bench test or parents' check book can't solve!  If a youth is able to "out shoot" their equipment, that is a what I call a "good problem to have".

As I research what is going on in the area of precision shooting sports, there are currently two hotbeds of activity in NH.  First and foremost, I think the Hudson Fish & Game Club in, no surprises here, Hudson, NH, has a very strong program.  I also am told and certainly witnessed the shooters who traveled from Keene, there is a strong program at the Cheshire County Fish and Game Gun Club.  Their team is called the Ferry Brook Junior Shooters.  Here are the results from the road trip.  It was an NRA regional event.

So what does strong mean?  First, it means kids.  There were 24 kids who preregistered for the NRA Jr. Sectional I visited Feb 23rd, just 40 miles from Concord.  I suspect if the range had more shooting positions, there would have been more shooters.  Second, fully engaged parents.  I would say there were more Moms than Dads there.  This sport is no different than hockey, swimming or skiing.  It takes equipment, special facilities and travel.  These parents see the value of this individual sport for their child and support their child's pursuit of it.  Better yet, unlike skis or skates or pads, quality shooting gear depreciates very little.  Over the past 10 years I would argue all of it appreciates!

Third, I would have to say the sponsoring club has to be supportive with range time and budget.  When I talked to a group of Moms, they said when they first started, they simply brought their child and the club provided coaches and entry level equipment.  Of course now the parents have purchased collegiate level equipment but at the start, the club set the hook as well as validated the child's interest with club resources.

Fourth, volunteers.  I was very impressed at how deep the volunteer pool was. One for stats, registration.  Two for scoring. One for calling the line and likely three floaters.  All were Hudson Gun club members with club sweatshirts.  Very well done.  I saw seven volunteers of which only two had kids shooting that day.  Yup, seven folks who never fired a shot and five of them did not even have a kid in the program.  Very impressive.



So what do I know?  The first step is to see what kind of interest lies out there in the local area.  There is no organized youth program with the objective being to provide a path toward collegiate level shooting and potential scholarships offered by Div I, II and III schools.  Shoulder to shoulder competition does exist in the North East.  Even in NH!  Precision shooting is 80% mental.  It is about putting it all together and executing each element perfectly 40 or 60 times in a 40 or 60 minute time period.

Second, identify those "seven" volunteers, preferably some with kids, to help start building a program.  What type of "Program" do you mean you ask?  In my humble opinion, it all should start with air rifle.  Optimally it should start with what is called "Sporter air" for which there is an NRA rule book and a range of approved guns.  These guns are not $2,000+ as you see pictured above.  Here is a pretty comprehensive electronic publication from the NRA.  If you read it, you will see a broad range of different levels of shooting. From the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program to full blown youth Olympics in Colorado Spring, CO sponsored by USAShooting.  USAShooting is the the Olympic Development organization for Olympic shooting sports in the US.

Third, create some awareness.  Host a Jr Sectional in Concord area and promote it to parents and youth so they can come see what it is all about.  As they like to say in Missouri, SHOW ME! Pioneer has an excellent facility that could provide these youth the chance to travel to an unfamiliar place and work on performing as well as they can at their home club.  An important component of training.  No doubt the club might learn a few things along the way as well.

So, bottom line, in some parts of the Country kids start off in earnest with the simple Daisy 499 BB gun and compete in the Daisy Nationals. They can then move on up to NRA, CMP, JROTC programs. If they love it and strive to do more, they can head to Colorado Springs, CO for the Junior Olympics.  Some of the kids I saw last weekend will be heading to the Junior Olympics.  Hats off to them! Even if they don't achieve Olympic level performance, they have a sport for life.  They know and respect the use of firearms and likely have learned one heck of a lot more about themselves.

To the right is a picture from 2011while in Texas for a silhouette match.  Shooting in Texas is no different than Little League.  Kids start with the Daisy 499 and if they have fun (note the pink gun with flames) they keep on shooting.  Click on picture to enlarge.  They are all the same gun.  Just some creative woodwork to make the butt of the stock longer or shorter.

Learn more about Daisy and their youth BB gun program go HERE.  Daisy is quite involved in the youth shooting arena and has a full line of competition youth guns under the Avanti line. Not the stuff you find in Walmart.

As always, click on pictures to enlarge for detail.

Interesting links.

CMP - Primer on youth shooting sports. For more look under Air Gun, Coach Resources for other good articles, manuals, powerpoints etc etc.  .