Any other competitive shooters here?

[schardein]

I just got home from the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio.  I went to see the Marines of the United States Marine Corps Rifle Team.  They had an incredible showing this year, even by their standards.  They won the Infantry Team Trophy Match for the second year in a row, and with a very good score.

 

The Dogs of War is considered the most prestigious Match at Camp Perry, and is a 6 man Team Match.  We came in second this year, but during the Match one of the Marines fired a 500-15x.  This is out of a possible 500.  Think about that for a minute.  50 shots, 50 chances to make one mistake.  Incredible.

 

As the former SNCOIC of the Team, it made my heart swell to see their outstanding performance.

 

I fired the M1 Garand Match, which is very popular and a lot of fun.

 

[HOrnbrod]

Are there any drawbacks (or advantages) as a left-handed shooter?

[Pete M]

a buddy of mine is a lefthanded shooter (right-handed, but left- eyed) and he says the only real disadvantage he noticed with the m16 was the shells ejecting past your weak eye if it was open.  I've noticed my 5 year old nephew is also right-handed/left-eyed and so I've been training him to hold it left handed on his toy guys. 

 

 

I was a top sharpshooter way back in boy scouts, does that count? :D

[schardein]

Are there any drawbacks (or advantages) as a left-handed shooter?

Don, for Highpower Rifle competition using an AR15 platform, there really are no drawbacks or advantages.  The magazine release is on the right side, easily manipulated by a right handed shooter.  The bolt release is on the left side, which requires a right handed shooter to reach over the rifle.  If a left handed shooter has large enough hands, they can reach the mag release with the shooting hand thumb without breaking position and the bolt release on the left so easy day.  The left handed shooter who taught me can perform mag changes faster than a right hander, without breaking position.  If competing in the Match Rifle category using a bolt action rifle, there is definitely a challenge in the rapid fire stages, unless you are using a left handed bolt gun.  During my years on the Team, I was supplied with a left handed bolt gun, so no issues there, although I only competed with it in long range matches where there are no rapid fire stages.

 

For the Garand, it does take some practice.  When loading the first clip for the rapid fire stage, the bolt is ridden home OVER the rounds so the chamber is empty.  This requires pushing the rounds down with a finger while releasing the bolt and riding it home.  This requires some practice to do with the left hand as the bolt release is on the right and your right hand is wrapped in the sling and grasping the fore end of the rifle.

 

Shorter answer, no drawbacks with proper training, unless using a bolt gun that doesn't match the shooter for XTC (Across The Course) Highpower Rifle competitions, because of the rapid fire stages.

[schardein]

a buddy of mine is a lefthanded shooter (right-handed, but left- eyed) and he says the only real disadvantage he noticed with the m16 was the shells ejecting past your weak eye if it was open.  I've noticed my 5 year old nephew is also right-handed/left-eyed and so I've been training him to hold it left handed on his toy guys. 

 

 

I was a top sharpshooter way back in boy scouts, does that count? :D

True.  Many competitors, myself included, use a blinder on the non-shooting eye, which among other things mitigates the distraction of the ejected cartridges for a left handed shooter.

[HOrnbrod]

 

Are there any drawbacks (or advantages) as a left-handed shooter?

Don, for Highpower Rifle competition using an AR15 platform, there really are no drawbacks or advantages.  The magazine release is on the right side, easily manipulated by a right handed shooter.  The bolt release is on the left side, which requires a right handed shooter to reach over the rifle.  If a left handed shooter has large enough hands, they can reach the mag release with the shooting hand thumb without breaking position and the bolt release on the left so easy day.  The left handed shooter who taught me can perform mag changes faster than a right hander, without breaking position.  If competing in the Match Rifle category using a bolt action rifle, there is definitely a challenge in the rapid fire stages, unless you are using a left handed bolt gun.  During my years on the Team, I was supplied with a left handed bolt gun, so no issues there, although I only competed with it in long range matches where there are no rapid fire stages.

 

For the Garand, it does take some practice.  When loading the first clip for the rapid fire stage, the bolt is ridden home OVER the rounds so the chamber is empty.  This requires pushing the rounds down with a finger while releasing the bolt and riding it home.  This requires some practice to do with the left hand as the bolt release is on the right and your right hand is wrapped in the sling and grasping the fore end of the rifle.

 

Shorter answer, no drawbacks with proper training, unless using a bolt gun that doesn't match the shooter for XTC (Across The Course) Highpower Rifle competitions, because of the rapid fire stages.

 

Good stuff. The bold text above is what I was curious about. Mastering this technique has got to be painful at times during the learning process. Thanks for the explanation.  :cheers:

[schardein]

 

 

Are there any drawbacks (or advantages) as a left-handed shooter?

Don, for Highpower Rifle competition using an AR15 platform, there really are no drawbacks or advantages.  The magazine release is on the right side, easily manipulated by a right handed shooter.  The bolt release is on the left side, which requires a right handed shooter to reach over the rifle.  If a left handed shooter has large enough hands, they can reach the mag release with the shooting hand thumb without breaking position and the bolt release on the left so easy day.  The left handed shooter who taught me can perform mag changes faster than a right hander, without breaking position.  If competing in the Match Rifle category using a bolt action rifle, there is definitely a challenge in the rapid fire stages, unless you are using a left handed bolt gun.  During my years on the Team, I was supplied with a left handed bolt gun, so no issues there, although I only competed with it in long range matches where there are no rapid fire stages.

 

For the Garand, it does take some practice.  When loading the first clip for the rapid fire stage, the bolt is ridden home OVER the rounds so the chamber is empty.  This requires pushing the rounds down with a finger while releasing the bolt and riding it home.  This requires some practice to do with the left hand as the bolt release is on the right and your right hand is wrapped in the sling and grasping the fore end of the rifle.

 

Shorter answer, no drawbacks with proper training, unless using a bolt gun that doesn't match the shooter for XTC (Across The Course) Highpower Rifle competitions, because of the rapid fire stages.

 

Good stuff. The bold text above is what I was curious about. Mastering this technique has got to be painful at times during the learning process. Thanks for the explanation.  :cheers:

 

M1 thumb!  Obviously you are familiar with the rifle.   :thumbsup:

[HOrnbrod]

Yep. I remember firing them off the fantail at sea in my early Navy days. The M1 and .45 Thompson's too. Lot's of fun..  :)