I’m at Canton McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club’s Regional for three days. It is the biggest regional bullseye match in the country. (By the way, it's open to the public, you can visit if you want!)
Why?
Simple. The National Bullseye Pistol Matches start at Camp Perry the week after CMRPC’s Regional and Leg Match ( What’s a Leg Match?) It’s like a tune up before the main event.
They get the military with their armorers, police teams, civilian shooters to come and punch holes in paper targets. It’s very cool, ‘cause anyone can participate and you could find yourself shooting next to a national champion or a housewife from Sour Plane, NY.
I’m not shooting. Bullseye takes practice and deliberate concentration stretched out over hours and days and years of practice. It can also be a bit of an equipment race.
There’s always a better gun or gunsmith. Maybe a new and improved oil which will make the gun shoot better, maybe a magic bullet that will shoot head and shoulders better than the rest. Of course you can reload and the chase for perfection starts over.
I used to shoot bullseye, but it has fallen out of favor with me.
So, I’m there selling knives.
But it was so hot today…. I didn’t care if I sold anything if it meant I didn’t have to move. The building is open on part of one side and we had fans moving air around, but when it’s 98 degrees, it’s just hot air. I don't know how the shooters survived for all those hours on the sunny firing line. I thought for sure we would have some heat stroke, but we didn't.
It’s interesting to talk to the professional knife fighters, trainers, and amateur collectors and users. No matter what you read in the knife magazines, you’ll find a contrary view from a person in the same profession.
I had a nice conversation about knife length with a Pentagon employee. A police officer from Newport News Virginia and I discussed autos or switchblades. I sold a SOG Tomahawk to a Marine. He’s not sure what he’ll use it for but he thinks it’s a good idea. I wanted that one for myself so I guess I’ll be ordering one. I met a Coast Guard Captain who sailed around South America helping those nations set up their own coast guards. He’s stationed stateside now and he always has some interesting things to say.
I sold a few knives too. The ceramic kitchen knives are hot. CRKT’s M16s are always picked up and purchased.
