Summer is almost here, so it’s time to focus on fun. Here are four specialty targets with game themes: Dartboard, Billiards Table, Bowling Alley, and Poker Cards. Each target features multiple aiming points. Shoot the dartboard like a regular game or make up your own sequence. For the billiards target shoot the balls in number sequence or alternate stripes/solids. Click any target to load FREE downloadable PDF files. Then print the targets and take them to the range for a fun shooting session. A big thanks to our friends at NRABlog.com and NSSF for creating these colorful “fun & games” targets. Enjoy!
Dartboard Target
With this fun Dart-Board Target, aim for the four outer bullseyes, then go for the center bull. The colored darts provide additional targets. With an accurate rifle you can also aim for the colored stripes.
NSSF Billiards Table Target
This Billiards Table Target offers 15 brightly-colored numbered balls with the cue ball at the bottom. Aim for the numbers, shooting 1-15 in sequence, or alternate between stripes and solids. You can also draw an “X” on the white cue ball (or attach a paster), and use that to set your zero. This target is fun for shooting outdoors with rifles at 50 or 100 yards or indoors with pistols.
This billiards target is part of a set of 12 Fun Targets from the NSSF. These were issued a couple seasons back for National Shooting Sports Month, held in August of each year. The other free targets include Golf Links, Bowling Pins, Fireworks, Baseball Diamond, Dutch Windmill, Water Balloons, Light Bulbs, Dartboard, and three Bullseye targets.
NRA Bowling Pins with Bowling Ball Target
Here’s a fun target for close-range pistol or 100-yard rifle shooting. This NRA Bowling set target has 8 bulleyes. The largest bullseye is on the blue bowling pin. Then there are three slightly smaller bulls on the center of three of the seven bowling pins. Finally there are four small bullseyes located on the top of the first, third, fifth, and seventh pin. To test your skills, start with the bowling ball and then work up to the more challenging bulleyes.
Poker Target — Get the Best Hand
With this playing card-themed target, each shooter takes five shots and the one with the highest hand wins. With the Poker Game Target you can also shoot for 4-of-a-kind, against the clock, fastest four (without a mistake) wins.
Monday, May 27, 2024 is Memorial Day. Many leading shooting sports/outdoor vendors are now running Memorial Day Sales over the next few days. You’ll find savings on guns, ammo, reloading supplies, brass, optics, hunting gear and more.
Brownells Memorial Day Sale — Save 15% with Code MDAY15
Brownells has kicked off a major Memorial Day Sale. Use Code MDAY15 to save 15% sitewide on a vast range of products. You’ll find great deals on Howa products, optics, AR components and more.
Creedmoor Sports — Free Shipping and Peterson Brass Sale
Now through Tuesday, 5/28/24 at noon CST, Creedmoor Sports is offering FREE Shipping on orders over $149.00. In addition, there is a big sale on quality, USA-made Peterson brass. You can save $32 per 100 or more. A very large variety of Peterson brass is in stock now. (Note: Some of the brass sale prices have not been updated yet.)
Palmetto State Armory Memorial Day Sale
Palmetto State Armory has a major Memorial Day Weekend Sale underway now. Save on ammo, optics, tools, triggers, and more. A wide variety of AR-platform parts are discounted and there are some great deals on handguns. For example, the Taurus G2C 9mm pistol is now just $229.99, a $120.00 savings.
Popular retailer KYGUNCO is offering significant savings on Beretta, Glock, Springfield Armory, and Taurus handguns as part of its Memorial Day Sale. For example you can get the Beretta APX-A1 9mm carry pistol for just $199.99 after Beretta $50 factory Rebate. With Rebate that’s $109 off the typical $309.00 price.
Today is the last day of the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Dallas, Texas. The 153rd NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits has been running at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The Exhibit Hall has been open all three days, showcasing over 14 acres of the latest guns and gear from leading gun industry manufacturers and vendors.
Here are some quick videos showcasing new (or recently-introduced) products on display at the 2024 NRA Exhibits. These four product videos are hosted by GunsAmerica Digest Editor True Pearce, who reviews new rifles and pistols, plus optics. Among the new firearms, Mr. Pearce was quite impressed with the Beretta BRX1 straight-pull rifle, which has a very smooth cycling action and a sub-2-pound trigger. This could be a game changer for hunters. True Pearce also liked Walther’s new WMP model rimfire pistol chambered in .22 WMR. CLICK HERE for more NRA Show product reviews on the GunsAmerica YouTube Channel.
Beretta BRX1 Straight-Pull Rifle
Walther WMP Pistol in .22 WMR
New Colt Viper .357 Mag Revolver
Three New Optics from Steiner
BONUS: Trump 2024 NRA-ILA Speech
Former President Donald Trump spoke at the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings yesterday in Dallas. Here is a video of Mr. Trump’s full 97-minute speech at the NRA-ILA event:
We think all shooters should have a quality .22 LR rimfire pistol — something with a good trigger, ergonomic grip, and excellent accuracy out of the box. Right now, with the Walther P22 Target Model, you can get all those things for just $269.99 at CDNN Sports, a great deal.
Plus, if you order this pistol by June 30th, Walther will throw in 200 rounds of Federal .22 LR Punch ammo, which retails for $11/box of 50. This free ammunition deal is good for all Walther P22 .22 LR rimfire pistols. SEE FREE AMMO details.
So you save hundreds off the price of this nice pistol, plus get $44.00 worth of free ammo. That makes this one of the best rimfire handgun deals we’ve seen in a long time.
The P22 is a very nice rimfire handgun with a 5″ barrel plus a forward ported compensator. The ergonomic grip boasts an interchangeable backstrap. Walther states: “Best-in-class ergonomics, supported by interchangeable backstraps, establishes the P22 as one of the most comfortable handguns available today.” Compared to most other rimfire pistols in this class, the trigger is very good right out of the box with a light, crisp pull. We also like the ambidextrous controls. A rare feature for a rimfire, the P22 is covered by the Walther Legendary Lifetime Limited Warranty.
Video explains how to get 200 Rounds of Federal Punch .22 LR ammo when you purchase a new Walther P22 pistol or get 100 Rounds of Federal Punch .22 WMR ammo when you purchase a Walther WMP pistol during Walther’s Free Ammo Promotion running from May 1st through June 30th, 2024.
Federal offers advanced Syntech ammunition with polymer-encased projectiles. Federal Syntech Ammo is the first range-specific factory-loaded ammunition designed to reduce fouling and extend barrel life with a high-tech polymer bullet coating plus specially-formulated clean-burning powders. The potential for reduced wear and fouling is real. When tested against conventional FMJ ammunition, Federal claims Syntech pistol ammo produced 12% less barrel friction and 14% less heat. Also, since Syntech bullets lack a metal jacket, there is less chance of ricochets on steel targets.
Syntech user reviews have been highly positive:
Syntech ammo does what it says, I’ve tested it. Barrel stays cooler, easier to clean without lead or copper fouling. Extremely reliable — the Syntech coating aides in the feeding cycle.
This my favorite ammo for shooting steel plates. Makes a terrific sound when hitting. Far less barrel cleaning after a day of shooting.
Great range ammo. Clean pistols less often.
Federal now offers Syntech ammunition in 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, and .45 ACP. These four chamberings are offered in various bullet weights with both round-nose and flat-nose bullet options. The best value we found is a 500-round case of 124gr 9mm Luger for $239.99 at MidwayUSA.
For years this Editor has loaded his .45 ACP and .44 Mag handguns with polymer/moly matrix-coated bullets from Precision Bullets in Texas. Those poly/moly-encased lead bullets shot VERY accurately and I found that my barrels fouled much less than with conventional lead bullets. Likewise, there was much less cylinder fouling on my revolvers. If the American Syntech bullets work as well as those Precision bullets, we think the Syntech line will be a winner. Syntech bullets should benefit any shooter who frequents a range where conventional lead ammo is not allowed.
Features & Benefits
• Polymer-encapsulated Syntech bullet prevents metal-on-metal contact in the bore, eliminating copper and lead fouling, while extending barrel life.
• Exclusive primer formulation provides reliable, consistent ignition.
• Clean-burning propellants minimize residue and fouling.
• Significantly reduces the required frequency of cleaning.
• Absence of a copper jacket minimizes splash-back on steel targets.
While AccurateShooter.com focuses primarily on rifle disciplines, we know that most of our regular readers also own handguns. It’s fun to shoot pistols, both outdoors and indoors. With a short site radius, and the snap of pistol recoil, handguns can be challenging — but that’s part of the fun. We enjoy shooting revolvers and semi-auto pistols at distances from 25 feet to 50 yards. Here are some fun targets you can download and print for FREE. These should provide a fun challenge for your next handgun sessions.
1. Patriotic Stars Target with Three Score Values
Here’s a fun Patriotic Stars Target created by the NSSF. This would be a great target to shoot on the 4th of July. Aim for the stars. The red stars are worth 3 points, the blue stars are 5 points, and the smallest white stars are worth 10 points. After aiming for the one-color stars, try to hit the center red, white, and blue star for added fun. You can also use this target with rifles at longer ranges.
2. Red Center Pistol Target
Here’s a NRA-type target for pistol shooting. The bright red center helps when shooting indoors because well-placed bullet holes are much more visible. This target includes data entry boxes to record gun type, score, and load data. This Red Center Target is one of many good free targets available at Targets4free.com.
3. NSSF Billiards Table Target
This Billiards Table Target offers 15 brightly-colored numbered balls with the cue ball at the bottom. Aim for the numbers, shooting 1-15 in sequence, or alternate between stripes and solids. You can also draw an “X” on the white cue ball (or attach a paster), and use that to set your zero. This target is fun for shooting outdoors with rifles at 50 or 100 yards or indoors with pistols.
4. Poker Target — Get the Best Hand
With this playing card-themed target, each shooter takes five shots and the one with the highest hand wins. With the Poker Game Target you can also shoot for 4-of-a-kind, against the clock, fastest four (without a mistake) wins.
5. Tic-Tac-Toe Fun Game Target
This Tic-Tac-Toe Shooting Game Target lets you challenge your shooting buddies at the range. One player can shoot the red triangles, while the other shoots the white zones, taking turns. You proceed just like a regular Tic-Tac-Toe game, alternating shots, with the goal of getting three of the same color in a row. This is a fun game for a parent and a young family member. You’ll find other fun targets on Targets4free.com.
With rising crime rates in the USA, many Americans are taking a much more serious look at armed self-defense. We understand why citizens in large cities are more concerned than ever with the need to protect themselves, their families, and their homes and businesses.
Shotgun vs. Handgun — which is better for home defense? That question inspires strong opinions on both sides. We think the best answer may be “both”. There are some situations where a pistol is most handy, while there are other situations where the power (and lethality) of the shotgun clearly wins out. Some would argue that the shotgun offers an “intimidation” factor that may better resolve a threat without a shot being fired.
The NSSF, in cooperation with Thunder Ranch Training Center, has created an interesting video that examines the Shotgun vs. Handgun debate. As the Cheaper Than Dirt Blog notes: “The primary argument against the shotgun is a longer length leading to less maneuverability. On the other hand, the pistol offers better maneuverability, but lacks the stopping power of a shotgun”. Moreover, the pistol may be less accurate, according to some critics. This NSSF video looks at the question from a logical standpoint — making some surprising points.
As you can see in this still frame (above) from the video, the shooting stance of the pistol shooter (Clint) is NOT much more compact than that of the two shotgunners (compare actual muzzle positions). So a shotgun may actually be more handy inside a home than some people realize. Clint concludes that the gun selection debate “is all very easily solved by only one question: ‘If someone was going to run across a bedroom at you and they had a big knife, would you rather shoot him one time with a pistol or one time with a shotgun?’ When you answer the question you figure out why this [shotgun length] doesn’t really bother us. We simply take these [shotguns] and use them in a slightly different manner…”
In this video, Thunder Ranch Director Clint Smith explains why the overall length of a shotgun, as held in firing position against the shoulder, is not really that much greater than the “shooting stance length” of a handgun held in a proper firing position (with arms extended). Accordingly gun length/size should not be the deciding factor when choosing a firearm for home defense.
Whatever Weapon You Choose — Train with It
Fundamentally, you should use the firearm that is 100% reliable, and with which you have trained regularly. Mastery of a defensive firearm — whether shotgun or handgun — needs to be second-nature. You should be able to operate all the controls (safety, pump, decocker, slide, bolt handle etc.) by “instinct” based on hours of training. Likewise you should know how to operate the light/laser if your defensive firearm is so equipped. Importantly, you should be able to reload in darkness, and clear malfunctions without panicking.
⏺ Act soon for $50 or $75 rebate on high-quality revolvers
Smith & Wesson Wheelgun Wonderland Rebate, Save $50 or $75
Want a great revolver? We think everyone should have at least one quality Smith & Wesson wheelgun. There’s even a rebate available — but you better act fast — today (April 30, 2024) is the last day you can make a qualifying S&W revolver purchase.
Right now you can get a significant S&W Rebate on both compact carry revolvers and full-size wheelguns. For the smaller J-Frame (with $50 rebate), we like the Model 638 with alloy frame and shielded hammer. You can also get a big $75 rebate on the bigger K-, L-, or N-frame revolvers. In .357 Magnum, we like the modern L-Frame Model 686. NOTE: To get the rebates, purchases must be made before midnight on 4/30/2024 — so don’t delay.
Smith & Wesson’s J-Frame revolvers are great carry guns. We recommend the ultra-lightweight Model 638 and Model 642 Airweight wheelguns, which each weigh under one pound (14.6 oz. empty)! We like the Model 638 because it has a shielded internal hammer, so you can shoot single-action if you wish.
Rebate Applies to Popular Rimfire Revolvers as Well
The rebate is good for a wide variety of revolvers, including popular rimfire revolvers. We have an K-frame Model 617 .22LR revolver that has shot thousands of rounds. It is very accurate, with a superb trigger. Rimfire revolvers are great for training and plinking.
NOTE: There is currently a $75 S&W Rebate available for this Model 648 K-frame revolver. Qualifying purchases must be made between February 1, 2024 and April 30, 2024.
Along with its .22 LR wheelguns, S&W now offers the Model 648 in .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire). This stainless Model 648 brings a more powerful cartridge to S&W rimfire revolver fans. Built on S&W’s medium K-frame, the 8-round Model 648 is designed for small game hunting and target shooting. The .22 WMR is definitely a much more potent varmint cartridge than the .22 LR. You have more downrange energy plus a flatter trajectory.
In 2024, the CMP Pistol Matches at Camp Perry will include Air Pistol Nat’l Championships, Small Arms Firing School, M9 EIC Match, Rimfire Pistol Matches, Centerfire Pistol Matches, Revolver EIC Match, .45 Pistol Matches, National Trophy Matches, GSSF Glock Nat’l Challenge, Military/Police Pistol Match, and 1911 As-Issued Match.
Since the turn of the 20th century*, Camp Perry has hosted major marksmanship events. While the rifle competitions get the most coverage, the National Matches also include bullseye pistol competition. Bullseye pistol shooting can bring nearly a thousand competitors to Camp Perry each summer, as part of the CMP National Championships. For these Camp Perry pistol matches, targets are set at 25 and 50 yards. The shooting position is standing, with most events firing one-handed in slow fire, timed fire, and rapid-fire.
Since their inception over a century ago, the National Matches have become a major shooting sports festival with over 4,500 annual participants. Held at the Camp Perry Nat’l Guard Training Base, the National Matches now include both indoor and outdoor events. Adult and junior athletes are welcome.
Camp Perry Bullseye Pistol Competition
Camp Perry is synonymous with the oldest and most prestigious annual trophy matches in our nation’s history. And in a venue renowned for service rifle matches, the sport of precision pistol is no less important, no less challenging, and no less respected. The National Trophy Pistol Matches is all about traditional handgunning — the stance, the intense concentration, and of course, the one-handed grip. It’s all unmistakable as the game of Bullseye Pistol. Every year there are no fewer than 24 separate match trophies for the top Bullseye Pistol shooters, both military and civilian. And the very best will claim National Match Trophies and receive the President’s 100 Tab.
This video shows .45 ACP centerfire pistol competitors at Camp Perry
Civilians and military shooters competed together at the 2019 NTT Pistol Match.
* The first National Matches at Camp Perry were held in 1907. SEE: A Short History of Perry and the National Championships by Hap Rocketto.
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Do you often carry a concealed handgun? Then you can benefit from Beretta’s FREE 15-page e-book, Ten Essential Tips for CCW Holders. This eBook, in handy PDF format, helps gun owners select an appropriate handgun (and holster), understand legal obligations and responsibilities, and train effectively with the firearm. This short PDF eBook offers many useful tips to consider, in particular for gun owners who are contemplating the pros and cons of everyday carry for themselves.
As the Beretta CCW booklet says, “Carrying a concealed handgun requires a certain amount of confidence. You need to be confident in your knowledge of laws and regulations. You have to have confidence in your accuracy, and you need to trust that you can carry a gun effectively, securely and comfortably. If a gun is a burden for you to carry, you probably won’t.”
Surprising Facts About Actual Defensive Handgun Use
You may be surprised to learn when and how handguns are actually used for self-defense. Most defensive uses are at very short range and the incident only lasts a matter of seconds. You need to be prepared, and train to be proficient drawing and aiming your weapon. And remember, shooting is a last resort, when a safe retreat is not available.
55% of gunfights take place in 0-5 feet.
20% of gunfights take place in 5-10 feet.
20% of gunfights take place in 10-21 feet.
95% of gunfights take place in 0-21 feet. (Source: FBI)
The average man can cover 21 feet of ground in 1.5 seconds.
The average gunfight is over in 3-5 seconds.
3 to 4 shots are usually fired.
Most gunfights take place in low-light conditions.
On average, one shot in four strikes someone.
Here are two (2) sample pages from Beretta’s CCW eBook.
This Billiards Table Target offers 15 brightly-colored numbered balls with the cue ball at the bottom. Aim for the numbers, shooting 1-15 in sequence, or alternate between stripes and solids. You can also draw an “X” on the white cue ball (or attach a paster), and use that to set your zero. This target is fun for shooting outdoors with rifles at 50 or 100 yards or indoors with pistols.
The CMP has opened 
