History of Target Shooting

This history of gun range and the practice of shooting as a test of skills is a long and storied one that dates back to the 1300s. At that time, people were shooting with bows and arrows. However, the earliest shooting gun range was for the shooting of rifles. The first recorded shooting range was in Eichstäat, Bavaria in 1477. As well as, in Germany, people discovered wooden targets in museums dating back to 1540. These were part of the reception of weddings at the time. Guests would shoot at them, later giving them to the hosts as a souvenir of the occasion. Quite an interesting tradition! By the 16th century, target shooting was a popular hobby across most of Europe.

As the 1700s arrived, Russians began shooting a mark when empress Ann decided to establish a target-shooting range in her royal court. The marksmen would shoot at live birds and would gift them gold and diamond-studded cups as the reward for their proficiency. These royal shooting range events became so popular that they became a tradition.

In Great Britain, gun range target shooting evolved into volunteer rifle brigades in the 1850s as the English military researched various rifles. Moreover, The events held by these brigades attracted some of the most skilled shooters in the United Kingdom, all of them vying for the first prize at National Rifle Associations. In fact, at the meeting in 1860, Queen Victoria fired the first shot. Another royal appearing in the history of target shooting!

On the American Frontier

Rifle shooting was a way of life. Rifle shooting was also essential in farming life. However, as Americans began to make their way west pursuing manifest destiny, they used rifles for gun range target shooting, protection, and hunting. Moreover, as settlements popped up, almost every village would have a shooting match on weekends. These would attract at least a hundred shooters at every event. These matches evolved closer to the gun ranges we think of today. As a result, people started establishing shooting clubs in the 1830s.

Handguns made their appearance as gun range became cemented establishments in the late 1800s. Pistol shooting became an official sport in the Olympics beginning in 1896 and then became a category at the National Rifle Championships in Great Britain in 1893 and the United States in 1900. In the early Olympic games, the shooters were primarily men only, although Olympic Federation didn’t ban women. In 1976 an American woman actually won the silver for the rifle in three positions after winning the world championship. Similarly, in 1984 three separate events were created for women. Moreover, ultimately after the 1992 games, organizations decided to drop all mixed-gender events. Individualized events replaced them.

Gun ranges would not exist without the history and popularity of target shooting. Their immense popularity would never have taken over the U.S.

Why it is important to get trained with different guns

Significance of gun training:

Gun training or knowing how to use your gun is absolutely a key thing for your safety. There are many type of makes and models of gun around the world. Particularly the automatic ones. Most guns have long-range, long barrels and sufficient weight. Handling without proper training. Can be fatal. But when you get the proper training, it is important skill on how to handle a weapon. Safely and responsibly. Training and practice with a gun provide you with enough muscle memory which enables you to use it in case of an emergency. Every gun has different dimensions and weight. So, it’s better to get hands-on experience of as many gun types.

Why it’s important to get trained on Rifles?

Training and practice on the rifle are even more important than guns. Rifles are dedicated to accurate shooting. Accuracy is something that can’t be achieved with sheer practice under the supervision of an instructor. Rifles are designed to be held by both hands and support against the shoulder of the shooter via buttstock. For new and untrained it becomes slightly difficult to control the rifle due to its backward force.

 Key reasons to get trained on Pistols:

Pistols are something that seems like a small and easy thing to handle. However, pistols are a crucial and tricky thing to handle. Firstly, pistols are held only by hands without any ground or shoulder support and secondly due to their small size the backward momentum of pistols is high. If you don’t have a firm hand grip and enough training then you might lose control of it while firing. 

Why it’s important to get specific training on Shotgun?                                                                                                          

A shotgun is also known as a scattergun or fowling piece. It’s a long barrel firearm made to shoot a straight-walled cartridge called a shotshell. Training or use of another type of gun doesn’t give you an advantage on shotgun because of pellet type discharge. A shotgun is quite a unique type of gun and requires specific training. These are shoulder supported weapons designed to fire many pellets rather than a single bullet. These pellets usually spread in a diverging pattern. Only proper precise training enables you to hit your target with a shotgun. Otherwise, you might miss the target. Shotguns are specified for skeet shooting.

 Leading a target in skeet shooting is affected by three things. Speed of the target, distance of the target and the speed of shot gun shell.

Three techniques to successfully lead a target in skeet shooting:

1. Start with the gun behind the target and sweep through the target. Pull the trigger and follow through. Follow through essential.
2. Match the gun with target and pull away in front of the target to establish the lead. Fire the shot and follow through.
3. Bring your gun in front of target, maintain a lead. Fire a shot and follow through. With persistent practice you’ll get better.  

Revolvers are often mixed with pistols however there are few major differences between these two. Revolver is also known as six-shooters or wheel guns. Here are few key things due to which revolver training is necessary. This type of firearm is a little complex to use as compared to pistols. Unlike pistols, revolvers don’t have a magazine in the handgrip. They rather have a cylinder to hold the cartridges. Revolvers are on the heavier side due to their cylinder and they also have more trigger pull than pistols. The barrel of revolvers is unrifled. 

Gun Range – A Popular Place for Gun Enthusiasts

Anyone who is a fan of target shooting loves to visit the gun range. However, there is a good reason for this. Moreover, Gun ranges offer a safe space to target practice with other enthusiasts and knowledgeable staff who are available with technique tips and answers to equipment questions. It is estimated there were over 10,000 gun-ranges in the U.S. in 2013. This number is expected to continue to grow.

Moreover, Gun ranges have long been an escape for gun enthusiasts who cannot own property somewhere they can freely shoot. As well as, For those in urban areas or who live in states where it is not as widely available to sport shoot, gun ranges are the perfect place to spend a few hours or a whole day. However, Gun ranges can be enjoyed as a date, a day out with friends, or even fathers and mothers teaching their sons or daughters how to shoot. They are a place where the right to bear arms can be freely expressed!

If you frequent a gun range, I am sure you are always interested in the latest and greatest technology the person next to you might be using or wondering how they are shooting so quickly and accurately. Is it possible they have a secret that is helping them learn about their weaknesses and improve them every time they are at the gun? They might be, and I may know the company that is helping them do it. Mantis.

Mantis Products For Gun Lovers

For a gun enthusiast who loves to spend time at the gun range, there are many products on the market to choose from. With flashy advertising and famous endorsements, it can be hard to know which ones to trust and which are the right fit for your hobby. When looking for products with great reviews that are quality made, Mantis is an outstanding brand. Some of their most popular products are below in a bit more detail to help you build your hobby with the best of the best. If you are looking to increase your shooting skills, then they cannot be missed! Want to know why? Keep on reading.

Mantis makes four systems to enhance your shooting, each uniquely designed dependent on your gun choice. Each has similar but also distinct features to help take your shooting to the next level. These are detailed below. They are:

Products

X2

This system built for dry fire use and provides real-time, shot-by-shot feedback. Compatible with 99% of firearms, including Glocks. It features a shot timer, trigger control analysis, and muzzle trace. By collecting thousands of data points per second, it can analyze your shooting in real-time. The X2 is a second-generation iteration of the original system and is lighter, smaller, and has a significantly longer battery life and more data analysis capability. Able to attach to all standard rails, it can also be used on guns without a Picatinny rail by using an adaptor available from Mantis.

X3

Similar to the X2 system, this is compatible with 99% of firearms. It differs in that it is built for dry and live fire use. It features a shot timer, trigger control analysis, and muzzle trace. The system collects thousands of data points per second and can analyze your shooting in real-time. Like the X2 it can attach to all standard rails. It can also be used on guns without a Picatinny rail by using an adapter available from Mantis.

X7

For all the shotgun enthusiasts out there, the X7 is the right system for you. The most powerful shotgun analyzer ever, the X7 designed for dry and live fire use, muzzle trace, smoothness analytics, a shot timer, and consistency comparisons. It also features multi and moving target analysis. With its primary focus to aid skeet and trap shooters, sporting shooters of all kinds will gain value from using it.

X10 Elite

The cream of the crop, the X10 Elite combines all of the other MantisX systems into one amazing tool to enhance your shooting. Pistols, shotguns, rifles, or even bows are compatible. This system is built for dry and live fire. On top of all the other features of the other systems, it also has recoil and holster draw, shooting on the move, and rapid-fire analysis.

If you are looking to up your shooting game, then look no further than these MantisX systems. Their products all have access to the app that accompanies it. The app is groundbreaking in how it analyzes and presents data. I am not exaggerating. If you convince of the superiority of their systems, you may want to check out some of the accessories and other things they offer to up your shooting game. For additional products from this company, keep reading below.

On top of their amazing performance shooting systems, MantisX also has accessories like rail adapters, dummy ammo, apparel, and training kits. Their products allow you to train better and more efficiently so that your shooting becomes more accurate for whatever your gun-focused hobby may be. However, If you are a gun enthusiast, I know you are never 100% happy with your shooting. Moreover, It could always be a little faster, more accurate, and quicker out of the gun holster. Why not harness analytics that can help you see where you excel and where you can improve? Products of MantisX provide information like no other. There is just nothing like it out in the market today.

Cities & States For Gun Lovers

As well as, with any passion or hobby, you enjoy being around people that are as enthusiastic about the sport or activity as you are. However, Gun lovers are no different. Moreover, being surround those who appreciate the same things leads to conversations, friendships, and the discovery of new spaces in the hobby. That said, there are cities and states in the U.S. that are more saturated than others if you are looking for fellow gun lovers. Whether looking for conventions, competitions, or just a wider array of ranges and shopping, below are some of the most enthusiastic gun-friendly cities and states. Your next road trip may be on this list!

The 12 most gun-friendly states in the U.S. are:

1. Alaska
2. Arizona
3. Arkansas
4. Idaho
5. Mississippi
6. New Hampshire
7. South Dakota
8. Utah
9. West Virginia
10. Texas
11. Oklahoma
12. Florida

Bottom 5 – Worst Gun-Friendly States

1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. Hawaii
4. New York
5. New Jersey

Moreover, most of these states have permitless carry, no waiting period imposed on handgun purchases, no handgun registration, no red flag laws, and no ammunition restrictions, among many other gun-friendly measures. Each state is slightly different. You can check out all their gun-friendly measures through their state websites.

These states have some of the largest and most well-attended gun conventions and shows in the country. These include:

1. Anchorage, AK – Great Alaska Sportsman Show
2. Tucson, AZ – Tucson Expo Gun Show
3. Fayetteville, AR – Xander’s 3-Day Gun Show
4. Boise, ID – Boise Gun Show
5. Biloxi, MS – Biloxi Gun Show
6. West Lebanon, NH – West Lebanon Gun Show
7. Rapid City, SD – Rapid City Firearms Association Gun Show
8. Sandy, UT – Crossroads Salt Lake City Gun Show
9. Summersville, WV – R&R’s Summerville Gun & Knife Show
10. Dallas, TX ( DFW ) – Premier Gun Shows
11. Tampa, Florida – Florida Gun Shows

If you are a gun lover looking for states and cities that embrace your passion, then check out the lists above. These are just a few of the many shows that are out there in the U.S. The United States is a country with a strong passion for guns. Checking online is a great resource to find shows not only in your area but across the country. They are a great place to start building your collection and knowledge base.

Conceal & Carry

Concealed carry, or carrying a concealed weapon, is the practice of carrying a weapon in public on one’s person or in close proximity in a concealed fashion. As well as, often carried in self-defense in a gun holster, it usually requires a permit or license in most states. These issue a government authority. Many times, this is at state levels. In some areas, these can be much harder to obtain than in others. As a gun enthusiast, if you do not already have your CHL (concealed handgun license), it is something that you should do some research on and seriously consider. Some of the information you will need to know are below.

There are four categories that permits fall into in regards to state regulations for concealed carry and they are:

1. Unrestricted jurisdiction – A permit is not required to carry a concealed weapon.
2. Shall-issue jurisdiction – License to carry is required. Granting of the license is subject to criteria set by law.
3. May-issue jurisdiction – License to carry is required. Granting of the license is subject to criteria set by law. If criteria are met, the permit may or may not be granted at the discretion of local authorities (i.e. sheriff’s office or police department)
4. No-issue jurisdiction – Private citizens are not permitted to carry a concealed firearm in public. Few exceptions exist.

If your interest in obtaining your CHL, then there are essential criteria you will need to meet. These can differ from state-to-state, but in general, they tend to include:

1. Must be 18 or 21 years of age (varies by state).
2. Be a resident of the state to which you are applying.
3. Have no prior felony or serious offense convictions.

Before applying in your state, make sure to do your research either online or reach out to a local gun shop or retailer. However, The staff stays educated on the current requirements, wait times for permits, and any updates that you should be aware of concerning gun ownership.

Why Women Should Invest in Self-Defense

Moreover, As we talked about MantisX systems above and how they can improve shooting with handguns like Glocks, rifles, and shotguns, it is crucial to discuss why self-defense is a necessary investment for women. Performance shooting systems can help women invest in their safety. However, If you are a woman or know someone in your life who has spoken about the interest of having a gun for protection, it may be possible that there is some doubt about owning a weapon. Some of this doubt may include making sure you know how to operate it safely and effectively. MantisX products are worth investing in to alleviate any of these concerns.

Using training kits, dummy ammo, and performance shooting systems that track analytics, you can assure that you are learning to operate your gun the right way. This way, you know that you are safe, and if you need to use it for self-defense, there is no second-guessing. When it comes to safety, a woman should never have to feel uncomfortable shooting her own gun.

Using Knowledge to Enhance Your Shooting

If you are reading this article, I am betting you are someone who takes your right to bear arms as one of your freedoms. You also take your responsibility as a gun owner seriously. Whether you are a handgun, rifle, or shotgun owner, you know these weapons are powerful. As well as, it is necessary to train to use them properly. Moreover, you should continuously aim to educate yourself on how to improve your shooting performance. Education is crucial for safety. It also enhances the enjoyment you get when you are at the gun range target shooting.

The article you just read has covered quite a bit. I hope it has imparted some history on target shooting you may not have previously known. It may have given you a few gun-shows to check out in the future in some states and cities you know are full of enthusiasts like you. If interested in a concealed handgun license, it should have given you a jumpstart on your research.

However, As a woman, it may have cemented your decision to learn to use a gun, purchase one and look into a concealed permit yourself. It all comes down to making sure you are training to shoot at your highest performance level. The products and systems you choose matter. Now that you’ve decided that it is time to learn to harness all the analytics available to make sure you are the best shooter possible, go check out MantisX systems and their entire product line. You will wish you had started using their products a long time ago.

Safety Is Mandatory While Going To A Gun Range

Conclusion

At all times, act responsibly. Foul language, horseplay, and any other potentially hazardous behavior will not be tolerated. If we see you doing something unsafe, we’ll explain what happened and work with you to learn the proper safety measures. You may be asked to leave the range and meet with the Chief Range Safety Officer if you repeat or commit another risky act. The Range Safety Officer will evaluate you if you appear impaired, and you may be asked to leave the range.