In this issue: Univ of Utah pistol scholarships - part 2 UIT vote on women's trap and skeet Gripping a Pistol ******************************************************************** The Utah Precision Marksmanship Society is proud to announce the establishment of two $1000 tuition scholarships for members of the University of Utah Collegiate Pistol team. Applications for the 1997-98 academic and shooting year will be available from UPMS at the address listed below by 1 May 1997 and must be returned by 1 August 1997. Scholarships will be awarded by 15 August 1997. Send scholarship applications to: Matthew C. DeLong Utah Precision Marksmanship Society 3715 Astro Way Salt Lake City, UT 84109 Telephone: (801) 278-6335 FAX: (801) 272-3652 Email: delong@pclab.physics.utah.edu ********************************************************************* You might not be aware but the UIT has voted to include a separate women's Trap and Skeet event in the 2000 Olympics. Apparently the IOC has also approved the change. This will be the first time that women have had there own medal in these events. Prior to 1992 women were allowed to compete over the same course of fire for the same medals. This is a refreshing change and will add a lot of activity to these sports. There is a downside however as the number of overall shooting competitors will probably not increase therefore some of the shooting sports will lose quota spots. Sincerely Tom Baber ******************************************************************** HANDGUN GRIP: Before taking aim the athlete must grip the pistol correctly. The variety of pistol stocks available would probably fill another book, but most factory supplied stocks are unsuitable for precision target shooting. Despite improvements, none of the supplied stocks will suit more than a few individuals; no two athletes have the same shape of hand. For holding the pistol correctly on aim, the athlete will need to alter the stocks or have a new one made to suit their personal grip requirements. If the stocks are correctly shaped the natural "V" between the forefinger and thumb will be bisected by the line of the barrel. The pistol is fitted into the center of the "V" of the hand midway in the web between thumb and index finger. The hand will fit comfortably around the contours of the stocks, and all elements of the hand except the forefinger and little finger will be in hard contact with the pistol. The little finger will have only a soft contact with the pistol grip in such a manner as to prevent any movement of the pistol by the little finger during the hold and firing of the pistol. The under side of the pistol should rest naturally on the middle finger. Through the grip the weight of the pistol is transferred to the hand. The pistols center of gravity should be near the trigger, so a considerable weight is taken by the middle and ring fingers (middle two fingers) curled round and under the trigger guard. The pistol is held firmly against the ball of the thumb by the two middle fingers, giving full control over its direction and height. The forefinger (trigger finger) must be free to move without affecting the other elements of the grip and not be in contact with the frame or stocks of the pistol. The pressure with which an athlete holds or grips the pistol is determined by the pressure applied by the two middle fingers pressing the grip into the palm and the ball of the thumb. To take the grip, grasp the barrel with the non-shooting hand and press the pistol into your palm. Close the middle fingers round the stocks, making sure the top of the middle fingers is against the trigger guard, and the trigger and little fingers being absolutely free of pressure against the pistol frame and grips. The position and pressure of the grip must be the same for each one-shot match. Pressure from the little finger and the tips of the two middle fingers must remain minimal, or the muzzle is forced down, causing low shots. Relax your grip slightly and ease the pinched flesh. If the athlete has not fired the pistol within the first two seconds of aim, lower the pistol and break the circuit and breath two cycles and restart the position and grip to aim procedure again. Remember that enforced breathing always increases pulse rate so relax and take shallow breaths until you are ready to again balance the lungs and call the Quiet Zone for firing the pistol in a new one-shot match. The athlete will find that tightening the grip during aiming and firing, will increase grip pressure to a point will cause muscle freeze. As muscle freeze increases, the trigger finger will loose it ability to pull the trigger smoothly to the rear as all pressure is diverted to grip pressure and in the process diminishes the trigger fingers sphere of movement. Quite often, the athlete will experience spasmodic jerking or convulsive muscle spasms. Such occurrences will cause sudden movement of the pistol away from the intended point of impact upon the trigger being pulled. This is another form of match pressure and is not acceptable to the athlete. With mental practice and direct control of mental check list of firing procedure, this typically will not become a problem for the competing athlete. Chet Skinner, Coach ****************************************************************** End of UIT Mailing List #31 Michael Ray - Systems Engineer Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach UIT Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/index.htm