I just finished watching Top Shot on the History Channel (in HD!). My wife and daughter watched it too.

First off, I was very entertained. I was surprised and pleased to see Colby Donaldson from Survivor as the host. I always liked Colby on the three Survivor seasons he competed in. I think he did a great job hosting Top Shot, even if he had similar moments to Survivor's Jeff Probst.

I think anyone who is a shooter should enjoy the show. Remember that it's tv and this show is made for both those who understand shooting and for those that don't. I think it did an excellent job of treating firearms with reverence and respect without being over the top.

This is also a show not just about shooting competition. It's about getting along with others and helping your competitors.

The slow motion camera shots of the guns and empty cases and bullets hitting their targets is simply amazing.

The personalities of all the shooters will probably come into play even more as the show whittles down the competitors each week.

The biggest thing that just amazes me is that a show like this is even on television. We have taken huge strides in the gun world and it's wonderful to be able to sit down on the couch with my family and watch this kind of entertainment.

You can learn all about the show here:

Top Shot — History.com TV Episodes, Schedule, & Video

It's re-airing again during the week and I am assuming it will be On Demand if you have that option with your cable or satellite provider.

I DVR'ed it and I will be keeping all the episodes!

yep...i watched it as well....good stuff

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Not to spoil it for people who haven't seen it, but the right guy was eliminated IMHO

I watched the show and found it entertaining, though I have issues with the shows format. I was under the impression it was going to be a shooting competition, but from the looks of the first show a large portion of the competition is going to be a popularity contest.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I liked it because the competition centered around guns that were not multi-thousand dollar tricked out guns. They used 03 Springfield's and Moisin Nagants, commonly found rifles (plus the M14 and the Soviet semi auto rifle they had). Next week, Beretta 92's.

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Vaya con Dios

Pretty dumb that the first competition didn't let everyone shoot before there was an elimination. I bet one of the better shooters was eliminated tonight. Not really into the exploding targets, but its TV...

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War Eagle! '10 BCS & '13 SEC

I agree, but ...

Can't hit an 8" or 10" target with a 30-06 at 100 yards in 30 shots? With a spotter?

I can't imagine the producers expected it to take that long, and that most everyone on the team was expected to shoot.

He may indeed be one of the best marksmen in the world, but he for damn sure wasn't on that day (or the next at the elimination challenge, although those targets appeared to be MUCH smaller).

Oh, come on - I want to know where to get them/how to make them myself!

Thanks for the warning, I hate "reality" shows like that regardless if they are about firearms, musical talent, survivability or interior decorating.

I watched and really enjoyed it. I was happy to see Colby as well, and I like the personality aspect of it. I was glad that young kid waxed the super ninja everyone was kow-towing to. Next week looks good, too.

I was just watching it while I built up some DVR time on "Breaking Bad". When I had enough built up to be able to watch Walt and Jessie without having to sit through commercials I tried to change over. My wife and sister, both non-gun enthusiasts, said - "Hey, lets watch the rest of this. I want to see who wins."

There's some value in a series that appeals to a wider audience and shows guns and shooting in a fun and entertaining light. If they had launched into a history of the development of the Mosin Nagant most people would have reached for the remote.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Saw all the previews for Top Shot and auto tuned my receiver for the debut....

Totally disappointing... Too much soap opera, not enough shooting....

They glossed over the range time, but focused tons on participant personalities...

Shoulda known with a "survivor" host... I hate those soap opera reality shows...

Coulda been a great series if it had focused on the competition and marksmanship with various weapons and firearms. Instead, a pop culture waste of time... Between shootings, they coulda focused on the history and/or development of the firearm/weapon being used in the challenge instead of the he said/she said personality fluff...

I found myself surfing away when all the soap opera reality **** was on and trying to time it right to surf back to watch the shooting...

There were a few good moments that capruted my interest- about 7 minutes of quality surrounded by 53 minutes of ****.

I watched. I didn't really know what to expect. I was hoping for more of an exhibition type format where the shooters try to one-up each other or something, as opposed to an elimination style reality game.

There is one show that comes on History every now and again (I don't know the name of it, or any of the shooters off the top of my head) but it consists of "impossible shots" that have supposedly take place in history. They try to recreate the circumstances a la Mythbusters. Shooting the noose rope from a gallows, severing it for instance. There's also a fella on this particular show (I'm sure he's famous in pro shooting circuits) who can throw 5 or 6 clay pigeons in the air and shoot them all with this 12ga before they hit the ground. I could watch that all day.

I also think the voting system on Top Shot is a little overdone where you shoot the target of the person you think should go into the elimination round. I think they should duel. JUST KIDDING! I'll still watch. And I'll stop complaining now.

Too much survivor BS! The gentleman who shoots the clay birds is Tom Knapp, one of the best in the world. Saw him break the world record at a Ducks Unlimited Festival in Memphis several years ago. Spent some one on one time with him. He's a real pleasure to talk to and is ready to give pointers on how to fix a problem shotgunning, provided you can articulate the problem concisely.

Yes, that's him. "Extreme Marksman" is the name of the show I mentioned. I think I just watched the whole show in clips on Youtube.

I like exploding targets. I like Survivor too. I don't like many shows with "stars". I'd rather see shows with real idiots, instead of shows with famous idiots pretending to be real. Acting isn't a talent unless it's live and on stage.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

I just finished watching the 1st episode of Top Shot. I never watch live anymore, I DVR all shows so I can skip the commercials. I really didn't know what to expect since I did no research on the program. For the first show I liked the fact they choose to use 4 well known and available rifles from WWI to Vietnam. I have personally fired 3 of the 4 and know what a challege it is to fire different weapons in a short time while sighting for wind. The aspect that troubles me is I doubt they chose the contestants strictly on their shooting abilities. Most reality shows have psychologist on the staff that participate in the contestant selection. They want conflicting personalities that will create constant tension amoung the contestants to make the show more interesting to the average viewer. Even better if they have a couple of near fights. If you close your eyes, Colby sounds just like Jeff Propst on Survivor. I suppose that should be expected since Colby participated on Survivor 3 times. Contrary to some reality show, they did appear to vote off the correct contestant, Mike. However if the Red Team had advanced past the first competitors that outcome may have been different. Slow motion shots of the bullet strikes were good. As another poster stated more colorfully, about 7 minutes worth of content and 53 minutes of wasted time.

I expected something more fro the promos.

That shoot-off was way too slow for any kind of conditioned rifleman and the "spotters" were no help at all. There are hundreds of REAL shooters across the country that would have won that.

Just another BS reality show!

Good shooting.

+1,000! I'm sure we are going to have "good guys" and "bad guys" as well as many emotional situations. Though IF they are in fact treating firearms fairly I do approve of that.

Reality TV simply SUCKS in my opinion. Contrived from start to finish...and idiots think its REAL.

I'll pass and use my time for something useful.

FN in MT

I watched it and was dissapointed. Not enough about the "shooting" and too much about "personality."

The firearms used were common and most shooters could relate to them.

I really didn't think that the shooting displayed was really all that good. It seemed too easy.

I'll not give up on it, but will give it another try.

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G.P. Charlie

El Stinko!

All the drama made me want to ovulate.

Can the host, bring R. Lee Ermy - now you've got a show.

two thing I dislked was Colby calling the 03 the longerst serving rife when there was a Mosen Nagant, and the fact tat they did not use the flip up site on the 03 or remove the front sight protecter.

Just to let you guys know, I was supposed to be on the program but the producer said that shooting a beer can off my wife's head from 15 yards with my model 10 two inch while seated in a lawn chair was too tacky.

Thanks for the heads up! I missed it and now I am not interested. I cant stand reality shows.

I enjoyed it, a whole lot better than most.

beats ice road truckers i guess

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

I agree 100%. And bring on R. Lee in complete Full Metal Jacket Gunner Sgt. Hartman mode. Not "Mr. Nice Guy" from his "mail call" series. Now that would be a show to see some of these guys cry.

A few points:

- This was the first episode of 16. Give it a chance. They have to establish a little bit of the personalities of the participants.

- Seeklander explains in his online blog that the rear sight on his Springfield was loose. That's why he couldn't hit anything with the rifle. He said he only has himself to blame for not checking the rear sight. Rookie mistake made by an expert. It happens under pressure.

- People who first watched Survivor thought it was going to be all about "surviving" in the wilderness. They were disappointed when they didn't understand the whole concept that it's a tv show. Top Shot is hosted by Colby Donaldson, a three time competitor on Survivor and one of the best players ever. I really like Texas Colby and he brings alot to the show, but for those who don't know him from Survivor, the opening episode of Top Shot hasn't showcased him much yet.

- As the each week progresses, there will be more time in an hour to get to know the participants. A one hour show can't focus much on 16 different people. Just wait until there's one hour to focus on just 6 people!

- The show is not about who can make the best shot or fire the best course. I see enough of that on all the Wed and Thur tv show like Shooting USA and Cowboys and the like. This is a totally different show. Notice how angry the 22 year old was that they voted for him to be in the shoot off against the guy who missed with the Springfield. The 22 year old was saying, "Why did they vote for me? I didn't even get to shoot at all." They voted for him because they know he's good. Think about it, if you want to win, you want to vote off your best competitors. Just like on Survivor. All of these participants are excellent shots.

- The real fun is going to be when they're no longer in two teams, but competing against each other individually.

- I love that they don't get to use their own guns. I love that they won't be just shooting firearms. I can't wait to see what other guns they are forced to use. I know guys who are great shots with their pet load .38s with big target sights. Stick a Colt SAA .45 in their hands and they can't even load or unload it, let alone hit anything with the fixed sights. I love that! Sight alignment, trigger squeeze, breath control. If they can do the basics, they should be good to go. It will be very interesting to see where people excell and where they fail.

- I really believe that all shooters should watch and support the show if they can view it. It's not like there are many choices out there to pick and choose among various shooting shows. Just for the HD slo-mo camera shots and the fun of seeing odd weapons getting fired, it's worth the one hour. Seriously, what are you gonna watch instead, Oprah?

I liked it, especially the ninja that couldn't hit a target. That was priceless!

It could be better but at least it's a "gun" show.

It's like bad breath. Better than no breath at all.

I enjoyed it, it was entertaining. It even got my wife's attention for the few minutes she sat on the couch with me to watch it.

I was surprised to see some familiar faces made it on to the show. People that I recognized from shooting competitions and other firearms related areas.
Guys like JJ Racaza from the Steel Challenge, Mike Seeklander from the United States Shooting Academy, and Caleb Giddings from Gun Nuts Media.

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not limited by 30 characters

Missed it on Sunday, but watched the re-broadcast last night. There's enough to keep me entertained for awhile.

i watched the show last night.an i was not impressed..my gosh a rookie could shoot targets that big.i do not care about their personality traits..i want to see great target shooting .i thought the guy shooting the 03 springfield (20 or 30) had no common sense at all.if you do not cut papper in 2 or 3 rounds you should know that something is wrong with the rifle or ammo and stop.the 22 year old shooter goes around patting himself on the back every time gets sicking.....i will stick to watching the deadliest catch..IMHO

Hi:
I was only able to view a few minutes of this show due to Granddaughter and "Sponge Bob".
On the elimination shot by each contestant with a Beretta Model 92 9mm Pistol, was the shots single action or double action?
Jimmy

Both. Looks like they let each shooter decide how they wanted to shoot at the targets.

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not limited by 30 characters

Mike, the eliminated one, shot his double action. I think another contestant did, too, but all the other cocked the hammer first. Sissies....LOL

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War Eagle! '10 BCS & '13 SEC

I was very disappointed by the show. It wasn't much of a competition. And lately the History Channel has been about everything but history.

I hear that the real top-ranked sponsored shooters were not allowed to participate due to the repercussions from losing.

BTW: War Eagle!

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

Was Seeklander using a Model 1903 or a Model 1903A3?

I wasn't impressed. Eventually I lost interest and changed channels. Where did they find these "sharpshooters"? I can find a van load of guys that shoot better at my range.

Out
West

It seemed strikingly similar to the Big Break shows on the Golf Channel. Most of the competition seemed to be off the range,a nd the contestant commentary was more than I can handle. At least in theory its about shooting.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I was looking forward to direct competition man to man,gun to gun.People in and out of their comfort zone, all firearms and methods.Down to the last standing-"Top Shot"- This Survivor,Big Brother, American Idol seems to be the wrong way to keep a large bunch of viewers interested.Might be surprised-butt I don't think so.

The zip line was cool, and more what I expected from the show than just prone target shooting (at whatever distance)