NRA Journal - Summer 2003 - National Rifle Association

As I write this the Programme for the Imperial HistoricArms Meeting, to be held on 5 and 6 July, is with theprinters. Mailing will be soon after Easter, so if youcompeted last year in either the Imperial or the Trafalgaror have requested a copy, by now it should have arrived.If you have missed out, contact the NRA for your copy.One of the tasks that fall to a Match Director is balancingthe wishes of the competitor, who is your customer, andthe correctness of the Rules, whatever that may mean.For example, how do you equate the wishes of some touse a modern supportive shooting jacket, against thehistorical fact that before 1945 it was not usual to deviatemuch from normal clothing, perhaps with a bit of elbowpadding or a sling button added?This year there are a few changes that you should lookat before rushing off your entry. There has been no takeup of the modern type percussion rifle, so these matchesare now entirely covered by the “In the Spirit” rules.This has enabled the target rifles to be run in two classes,one permitting supine and other NRA positions, theother not. A class for Standing Percussion Target Riflehas been added to correct a previous omission.In the pistol classes the 25 metres Precision Matches arenow entirely under MLAGB Rules; this clarifies theposition, and allows scores to be assessed with otherMLAGB Meetings on a level basis. The matches P15 andP17-R are now Target and Standard Revolverrespectively. Target Pistols compete in P12.Under review for change next year is in the 25 metresSlowfire; at present there are separate classes for openand closed frame revolvers. In practice it appears thedifferences between the two are not so marked as tojustify this, so it is proposed to reallocate these twoclasses to Target Revolver and Standard.Another item is the small aiming mark on the HistoricPistol target; this causes problems for those whoregularly shoot on the more common PL7. This raises aconflict between them and those who welcome theClassic Armsby Rae Willschallenge of trying something different. A suggestionwas made that the size of the aiming mark, but not thescoring rings, should be enlarged, however thatsuggestion will have to be considered in the future aswe have just restocked with at least three years worth oftargets! But it was always in the Rules, so I am told, thatauxiliary stick-on aiming marks are permitted, so thisyear this is emphasised and the Rule is now printed inthe Programme. The mark must be provided by thecompetitor, and must not exceed the size of the originalmark.On the Sunday afternoon of the Historic Arms Meeting,the NRA Percussion Revolver Championships will beheld. There will be one detail only, so competitors mustenter one of three classes, Target Revolver, StandardRevolver, or Open. The Open Class really means whatit says and is not under the restraints of any historicalcontent, so nitro variants are acceptable even ifpercussion is by primer and not by a cap; full detailswill be posted with the Programme, and entry is on theHistoric Arms entry form.I make no apologies that this report has been all a bittechnical but it has been the result of feedback by youthe competitors, and I am very grateful for the time andassistance that Dave Robinson, Dave Spittles and AllanWhiffin have given me.Parting shot: don’t just moan, do something; if you havean idea, tell me!YOURASSOCIATIONNeedS YOU . . .. . . if you know a company who would liketo run a Corporate Day please put them incontact with us. If you introduce acompany and they book an event we willgive you a voucher which can be redeemedagainst a half days target hire.Various packages availableFor further detailscall Sarah Bunch on01483 797 666.22 Smallbore at the NSRA Meeting. (Photo: Jim Hallam)22ConditionsThe minimum group size is six (on any discipline). Thevoucher will be for a half day on either Cheylesmore,Melville, Century, Stickledown or Short Siberia. Thevoucher does not include the cost of a marker.