Glock against the Clock

Running and shooting were the order of the day last weekend as shooters converged on Taupo from all around the North Island for Taupo Pistol Club’s annual Three Gun Shoot.

The different disciplines were pistol, shot-gun and rifle. In the handgun section competitors using semi-automatic pistols in calibers ranging 9mm to .45in raced against the clock to put the required number of shots into targets dispersed about the shooting range. Different skills had to be employed at different stages including shooting from hip level, shooting through an opening door at a turning target and shooting targets partially covered by “no shoot” zones. Targets ranged in distance from 3 metres to 50 metres and were scattered haphazardly.

In the shotgun section, semi-automatic, pump action and one double-barreled gun were pitted against each other as shooters panted up a narrow gully, shooting at steel plates. One of the plates falling part-way up the gully signaled the release of 3 clay targets which were also to be engaged. Surprisingly many of the clays were missed by the higher capacity guns, while the double barrel claimed two hits. Later in the speed shooting where 5 targets had to be downed in quick succession, the double-barrel (12 seconds) was outgunned by the semi-autos (3 seconds).

In the rifle section 24 targets were scattered over a range covering 100 metres. Each target required at least 2 shots – a total of 48 rounds minimum. Most shooters had military style semi-automatics with magazine capacities of 30 rounds. There were however 2 contestants giving their all with bolt action rifles (one a fully wooded WW2 .303 with open sights). Tactics ranged from choosing a position and shooting all targets from the one spot, to running the course and engaging each target at close range.

Day 2 of the shoot saw a more relaxed event involving putting 10 shots into 5 targets with a pistol, picking up a shotgun and knocking over 5 steel plates then running up the range with a rifle to finish with 10 more shots into another 5 targets.

(Press release November 2002)