NASA September 4th Match Recap

[young_skywalker]

Zealous competitors arrived early to setup for the 10 meter silhouette match on September 4th at Outdoor America the Airgun Capital of Northwest Arkansas www.outdooramericaarchery.com. Shooters are always eager to practice before the semi-monthly match that takes place the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month prior to encountering the fierce inner rivalry against oneself. It was during this week’s warm up that a lively discussion ensued about equipment and the advantage it gives to shooters; especially rifles. Of course opinions varied widely based on research, economics and experience but each marksman had a firm opinion on the equipment that gives them shooting superiority. However often times it’s easy to judge a shooters preference by the rifles they compete with.

NASA member David Stitch competed with his trusty Deutsch built Diana 34. The celebrated Diana 34 is one of the handiest air rifles ever designed. It’s easy cocking effort and ergonomic design make it a backyard attraction that the whole family can enjoy. David’s polymer stocked rifle has been upgraded with a Maccari kit and is equipped with an experimental Harmonic Dampening muzzle brake that he believes gives him a superior advantage over opponents.

Although Junior NASA member Sylvia Smith didn’t participate in any of the evenings matches she did offer her opinion on the renowned Beeman R9 (HW 95). The R9 is a break barrel spring piston air rifle hand assembled in Germany. Equipped with a Rekord trigger this gun is versatile enough to be used for hunting, field target or plinking. As Sylvia examined the Limited Edition R9 rifle owned by NASA president Chris Fitz she commented on its beautiful blue laminated stock but decided for her stature that the R9’s weight, substantial cocking effort and length of pull deprived her of the comfort required when she is a match contender.

Arnold Smith and Brian Groves both competed with Rifles from the Feinwerkbau (FWB) family. Arnold with the legendary FWB603 and Brian with its venerable cousin the FWB 601. The 601 and 603 are .177 caliber side lever single stroke match guns manufactured in Obemdorf Germany. When Arnold Smith was asked for his thoughts on FWB 6** class he reverently replied, “They’re the gold standard for single stroke pneumatic 10M rifles. Proven winners in Olympic competition, still used today by those who don't want to deal with the hassles of filling a PCP. The extra weight of the cocking arm and the moderate effort to charge the SSP has made it less competitive in modern competition. However, it remains a phenomenal match rifle for those who want a self-contained power plant”. It’s apparent that Brian Groves is also taken with his FWB. When asked for his thoughts on his 601 Brian described this friend with benefits by saying simply “Love it”. Brian acquired his FWB 601 from famed Texas airgun enthusiast Tom Smith. However, Arnold’s FWB started out as a project. His FWB was purchased online by a seller who’d come across a crate of FWB 603’s that had presumably belonged to a club that had retired them to move onto more advanced PCP air arms. When the rifle arrived it was in very poor condition. The stock was stained and marred and the interior mechanisms didn’t function. Arnold spent many painstaking hours refurbishing his 603, rebuilding the inner workings and refinishing the stock. When he was done he had a rifle of remarkable beauty. A collectors piece that is capable of miraculous accuracy.

After the match the conversation about the best equipment continued at the clubs favorite eatery Taqueria Guanajuato and it was eventually decided that a shooters accuracy didn’t depend on the shooter or the gun but the perfect combination of each.

-TicTac



Respectfully submitted,
-YS