Sunglasses for When You're NOT Shooting–Serengetis for Under $70.00

Smart shooters know they need a quality pair of ANSI-certified, impact-resistant shooting glasses, the kind we list in our comprehensive Guide to Shooting Eyewear.

But active shooters need MORE than a pair of shooting glasses. Think about a typical out-of-town two-day shooting match–you drive for hours, then spend most of the day standing around in the sun. The actual amount of time you’re shooting the rifle or on the firing line is probably only one or two hours a day, max.

So consider the numbers–you need shooting glasses for maybe 4-5 hours total over the weekend. But you need regular sunglasses for another 20+ hours.

Accordingly, we recommend shooters have a clear or lightly-tinted pair of ANSI safety glasses for shooting, PLUS a second, darker pair of sunglasses for general outdoor use and driving–these should be quality sunglasses, not $7.00/pair junk from a convenience store.

Consider this–If you have a QUALITY pair of driving glasses you will arrive at your shooting match with less eye fatigue. That means you will be able to see better, with less strain, through that $1000+ scope.

There are many quality brands of sunglasses, but we prefer Serengetis with the “Drivers Lens”. Most Serengetis have extremely high-grade, optically-correct lenses. The rose-brown Drivers Lens filters 95% of blue wavelengths. That reduces eye fatigue and increases sharpness — and that’s no BS. Because blue light focuses at a different point than other wavelengths, by filtering it out, far-away objects will appear more sharply focused.

Serengetis typically sell for $100 or more. We’ve found a source, Sunglasses Giant, that sells Serengetis (with Drivers Lens) for just $68.94. We like the Serengeti Summits because they have strong frames, photochromatic (light-adjusting) lenses, and decent side coverage. The Bromos are similar, but with a tortoise-style frame. Optics Planet also has the Summits with Drivers Lens for $71.95. Summits retail for $120.00 elsewhere. NOTE: Summits and Bromos are also available with a rose “Sedona” lens. Avoid that. Intended for snow skiing and mountaineering, the Sedona lens is too dark and too pink.

This editor has tried many of the other name brand sunglasses such as Bolle, Hobie, Maui Jim, Oakley, Smith Optics, and Vaurnet. I’ve owned them all. Serengetis offer a better, sharper lens than any of them. And nothing beats the Serengeti for driving. For fishing, snow-skiing, or boating, polarized SR-91 Kaenons are great–but that’s not what you want for general driving use. Polarization blocks 50-80% of visible light.

If you order the Serengeti Summits or Bromos, remember that these are NOT safety glasses. You need separate ANSI-certified safety eyewear for the relatively short amount of time you’re actually shooting or situated near the firing line.

FYI, Serengeti is a division of Bushnell Outdoor Products, a company that supports the shooting sports.

NRA Hires Lady Shooter to Run High Power Program

Janet Tomsyn Raab, a Distinguished prone and position shooter and ISSF Class ‘A’ coach, has been named National Manager of the NRA’s High Power Rifle Programs.

AccurateShooter.com thinks Raab is a great choice. Not only is Raab an accomplished shooter with victories in both national and international competition, but she shoots a 6BR in 300m matches for the USA women’s team. We think Raab will bring a fresh new perspective to her position and do a great job promoting competitive shooting among women and juniors. Rabb founded Center Shot Sports in Centreville, VA and coaches junior athletes in the area.

Raab achieved her Distinguished Badge in High Power Service Rifle in 1986 and her International Distinguished Shooter Badge in 2006. One of only three Class “A” International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) coaches in the United States, Raab is the only woman High Power Rifle competitor to win the coveted Nathan Hale Trophy as High Civilian in the National Trophy Individual match at Camp Perry. Janet was also on the USA 300m Women’ Prone Team that won the ISSF World Championship in Croatia.

Raab’s responsibilities include managing the Competitive Shooting Department’s High Power Rifle competitions and programs. She works with State Associations and local clubs to enhance current programs while developing new ones. Raab can be reached at NRA Headquarters at (703) 267-1479.

Williamsport Opens Season this Weekend

The Williamsport Club kicks off its long-range benchrest season this weekend. Light Guns will shoot on Saturday, May 3, while Heavy Guns compete on Sunday, May 4. Cold, windy conditions are predicted–but serious shooters won’t miss this chance to dust off their bench guns after the long winter. Assistant Editor Jason Baney will be shooting his 6BR, and his gunsmith, Mark King, may try out a radically long-throated, short-barreled 6BR burning H4895. This season, it should be interesting to see how the small “sixes” fare against the big 30s at 1000 yards.

Williamsport, aka “The Original Pennsylvannia 1000 Yard Benchrest Club”, will also host 600-yard matches this year, starting with a “Fun Shoot” on May 17th following the scheduled 1K Light Gun Match.

CLICK HERE for the full 2008 Williamsport Match Schedule (600 yard BR, 1000 yard BR, Prone League, and Keystone High Power).

Court of Appeals Dismisses NY Case against Gun Makers

On April 30th, the gun industry scored a huge win in Federal Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit tossed out New York City’s long-standing lawsuit against firearms manufacturers. That suit sought to hold gun makers responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms.

CLICK HERE to READ FULL COURT OPINION

Judge Robert J. Miner, writing for the U.S. Court of Appeals, held the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, enacted in 2005, is constitutional and that Brooklyn, NY, federal court judge Jack B. Weinstein misinterpreted the law by not dismissing the case.

“We think Congress clearly intended to protect from vicarious liability members of the firearms industry who engage in the ‘lawful design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, importation, or sale’ of firearms,” said Judge Miner. In dismissing the city’s claim that its suit fit within an exception to the Arms Act, the court wrote that the statute was “intended to shield the firearms industry from the vicarious liability for harm caused by firearms that were lawfully distributed[.]”

The Appellate Court ruling is seen by many as a major setback for gun-control groups, principally the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which funded many of the municipal lawsuits, including this New York City case, against the firearms industry.

The city’s lawsuit against the nation’s firearms manufacturers was originally filed by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in June 2000 and was continued by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Mayor Bloomberg is also suing out-of-state firearms retailers. That case will go to trial later this month before Judge Weinstein.

This report is provided by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).