@AZshooter,
I can appreciate where you are coming from. I shot competitive smallbore rifle from '69 to about '84 when I fractured my back, I just couldn't stay in prone that long anymore. I started shooting high power in '88, shooting first match rifle, then service rifle, until I became disabled in an MVA in '07. That was 2 weeks before I was supposed to shoot a regional match at Quantico. My drive to get back behind the trigger is what helped to get me to walk, something the trauma team didn't expect.
Fast forward to '11, I was physically able to get back on the range, where after a year and a half, I finally accepted the fact that I couldn't shoot position matches any more. I then built up an F class rifle, and that was my initial saving grace. I still have my 4 service rifles, hoping for the day that either I can shoot them, or my children start shooting service rifle.
I now shoot F class out to 1000 yards, and I have a ball. While I have always loved competition, I have always accepted the mind set that I am shooting against myself, seeking to beat my last score. Before my accident, I held a Master classification, now I am lucky to shoot a Sharpshooter score. It is a little disappointing, but I am still able to get out and shoot.
Because of a bum arm (on top of 2 bum legs), I am easing back into pistol shooting. I don't expect to shoot heavy magnums, but I can still hit my target.
What I have found, is that my home rifle club has been very accommodating to my disabilities, and at Camp Perry, the line officials and match directors have been very helpful in allowing a disabled shooter stay in the game.
My advice to you would be to keep your equipment, unless you really have the desire to change models. Don't give up in frustration. Sell only because you want to, not because you feel that you can't play the game anymore. Talk to the match director and the line officials, and share what is a barrier to your shooting. You may just find that they may rake the rocks out of the way. One of the things that I have discovered, is that the unchallenged never look at a situation like a physically challenged person does, so they don't see the challenges and obstacles that we do. Keep in mind, and remind the match officials, that shooting is one of the few sports where both the challenged and unchallenged can compete on an equal playing field.
I can appreciate where you are coming from. I shot competitive smallbore rifle from '69 to about '84 when I fractured my back, I just couldn't stay in prone that long anymore. I started shooting high power in '88, shooting first match rifle, then service rifle, until I became disabled in an MVA in '07. That was 2 weeks before I was supposed to shoot a regional match at Quantico. My drive to get back behind the trigger is what helped to get me to walk, something the trauma team didn't expect.
Fast forward to '11, I was physically able to get back on the range, where after a year and a half, I finally accepted the fact that I couldn't shoot position matches any more. I then built up an F class rifle, and that was my initial saving grace. I still have my 4 service rifles, hoping for the day that either I can shoot them, or my children start shooting service rifle.
I now shoot F class out to 1000 yards, and I have a ball. While I have always loved competition, I have always accepted the mind set that I am shooting against myself, seeking to beat my last score. Before my accident, I held a Master classification, now I am lucky to shoot a Sharpshooter score. It is a little disappointing, but I am still able to get out and shoot.
Because of a bum arm (on top of 2 bum legs), I am easing back into pistol shooting. I don't expect to shoot heavy magnums, but I can still hit my target.
What I have found, is that my home rifle club has been very accommodating to my disabilities, and at Camp Perry, the line officials and match directors have been very helpful in allowing a disabled shooter stay in the game.
My advice to you would be to keep your equipment, unless you really have the desire to change models. Don't give up in frustration. Sell only because you want to, not because you feel that you can't play the game anymore. Talk to the match director and the line officials, and share what is a barrier to your shooting. You may just find that they may rake the rocks out of the way. One of the things that I have discovered, is that the unchallenged never look at a situation like a physically challenged person does, so they don't see the challenges and obstacles that we do. Keep in mind, and remind the match officials, that shooting is one of the few sports where both the challenged and unchallenged can compete on an equal playing field.
