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Pin shooting

pin shoots

Bay State Arms:AKA Bob`s Tactical, is holding pin shoots every other Thur. @ 6:30 PM. Call Jack @ 978-465-5561 for particulars. Next event will be 2/22. No restriction on ammo.
 
March is Almost Here!

drgrant said:
As Matt mentioned, Winchendon R+G does it. basically theres a series
of clubs in central MA that runs them. When I get the schedules I
will post the dates on here.

Westminster R+G, North Leominster, Winchendon all rotate in a
cycle from like march thru october. The schedules get printed in the
spring sometime. The first 2007 shoot in the area will most likely be at
Winchendon. This year's was VERY cold.

North Leominster this year didn't start till about halfway through the
season and was plagued by heavy rain at least two sundays in a
row. (Generally speaking light rain isnt an issue, but usually a
torrential downpour will scare most of the shooters away, and then they
call it off. )

Lunenburg sportsmens also does them on occasion, but it's a less
competitive, cheaper format. I don't mind it though, it's still
fun! (Format is "fun shoot" $5 shoot all day type deal).

All the shoots typically start at 10 AM and end at/around 2 pm. There
are plenty of people though that show up, shoot a few relays and
then leave, though.

The format is usually the following- 8 man relays at a cost of
$3 per relay, winner of relay gets $5 and a penalty pin on the next
relay. 2nd place winner usually gets a freebie. (FWIW, Winchendon
and North Leominster typically stop at 6 pins max, Westminster will
go up to EIGHT if you're really good!) All shooters load 6 rnds per
magazine, to keep parity with the wheelguns. At westminster if
you're badass enough to get 7 pins they'll usually let you load 7
rounds if you're using an auto. (I only know two shooters who can
do this with any amount of frequency, though). Shooters are usually
paired off according to ability, and sometimes in a simply
random manner. If you're a newbie make sure to tell the match
director/range officer and they'll help you out and place you against
other newbies, if possible.

Some places also run steel pin plate racks, but this only happened at
Lunenburg this year. Otherwise it's wood pins on plywood tables at
a 25 feet centerline. Leave the 9mms and .38s at home. Anything
less than a stout .40 S+W or a .357 mag running 158gr bullets is
essentially worthless. The perennial favorites are .45 ACP and
.44 SPL/Magnum. (Probably 90% of the shooters run either one or
both of these calibers). Even a powder-puff .45 ACP SWC
load is a better deal than anything that doesn't begin with a "4".

Also note- there are no limits to what kind of gun you can use, as
long as it's a handgun. Optics, compensators, all those goodies
are welcome. I witnessed a pin match between two guys with TC
Contenders once! (made it interesting, one shot at a time!)

FWIW, Winchendon's shoot typically draws the most people, for
whatever reason. This has its ups and downs. If it's loaded
up, and you're losing, it takes FOREVER and a day between when you
get to shoot again.

Some other notes: most of the clubs are spotty about serving
food. Westminster always has hotdogs and sodas
availiable, and free coffee. The others are on/off. Sometimes
North Leominster will have it's kitchen open for lunch and the like, and
Winchendon will have a guy bring down a grill and cook burgers. Problem
is none of this is done with any regularity, so if being hungry drives you
nuts, I would have breakfast beforehand or bring your own
lunch.

Another note- during most of the season it is a wise idea to
bring bug spray, especially to Westminster and Winchendon.

-Mike
Click to expand...



Any updates, svp?
 
... late reply ... DF&G = Danvers Fish & Game. Steel plates : 6 six inch plates at 40 feet , reset with pull cord. 2 stations. Sat & Sun A.M. ... casual , fun shoot.

I am told Mass Rifle is doing AR15 pin shoots on occasion.

Hamilton Wenham Rod & Gun has pins just waiting for anyone who wants to "play" with them.

.... and I intend to build my own in Southern Maine as soon as the snow melts.
 
fubar said:
... late reply ... DF&G = Danvers Fish & Game. Steel plates : 6 six inch plates at 40 feet , reset with pull cord. 2 stations. Sat & Sun A.M. ... casual , fun shoot.
Click to expand...
Hey, Fubar, is that every weekend? Or just this weekend?

I have a friend who's a member; I may try and talk him into going some day.
 
Westminster MA R+G pin shoot schedule - 2007

I finally got the schedule... I was up at the club shooting the other day
and it was posted on the door.

Dates:
March 25th, April 8th, April 29th
May 13th, June 10th, July 8th, July 29th
August 12th, September 9th, September 30th
October 14th . These dates should all be Sundays.

Time: 10 AM to 2 PM, if you're early a bit thats okay, usually
the gate is open by 9:30 or even earlier. Things are very informal so
if you are late it's not a big deal, aside from possibly bizarre placement
in one of the relays.

Directions:
Rt 2 westbound/eastbound, dump off at rt 140 westminster exit (the one
you would take to go to mt wachusett) take RIGHT (this may be a nullity (eg
drive through the light) if you dumped off from the eastbound side) another right
before light. (curve) drive down into westminster, take LEFT on Knower Rd.
(you will see Exxon station on right, and cumbys diagonally to the right at the intersection... )
Follow knower rd down on LEFT (you will see a cemetery at the fork, stay LEFT
at this fork) keep going down the road (past chicken farm) you'll eventually
reach a 4 way with a stop sign- stop and go straight through. The club is on
the right side of the road past the first house on the right. You will see a red
farm gate, pull in. (for those mapquesting, this is still on knower rd, don't know
the street #, though... basically drive down knower rd)

Weather Issues: I don't know what the policy is WRT weather.. the
impression I get is that people don't show up for these things whenever
there is a lot of rain. I have been to shoots where we had drizzle or
intermittent showers, though. The cancellation policy is probably
informal at best... if its anything like the other shoots, if there is a
downpour, don't bother coming.

Food: Usually the club serves free coffee, and there is soda and hotdogs
for sale... not normally much more than that foodwise... IMO if you want
something to eat you're better off eating beforehand or pack a lunch or
something. There is a restauraunt (Josephs?) on the main drag in town
but it sucks ass and is usually overcrowded for breakfast.

Seating: Sometimes if there is a lot of people the picnic tables under
the pavillion run out of space. You might want to bring a lawn
chair. Usually "lot of people" is every time.

Bugs: Once the bugs get going, bug spray is pretty much a
requirement.

Cost: Last year it was $3 a relay and you win $5 for first place and $3 for
2nd place.

Equipment: Anything thats a handgun, no restrictions other than 6 shots
mag/speedloader/cylinder. You can bring as much ammo as you want
to the table, as long as whatever feeding devices you have don't have more
than 6 rounds in them. There are occasional specific exceptions to that
rule but not normally. Ear and Eye Protection required.

Format: 4 pins per table starting, pins are in middle of table of which the
centerline is at 25 ft. Tables are made out of 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or
somesuch. Pins must clear table to "count". "Ties" generally are
re-shot at the competitors/RO discretion, unless it was clear that one
persons last pin(s) hit the ground before the others did. Anyone who
wins an entire relay gets a penalty pin. I think westminster will go up to
7 or 8 pins total.

Miscellaneous: They try to group the shooters according to skill
level... so if you are a "newb" please tell the match director. (Usually
this is the club president, John.) If you have shot pins before or
are really good at it, let him know and you will (generally) be paired
off accordingly. The people that show up vary from being newbs
to competent action shooters.

The shoots at WRG are generally pretty informal, however John does
keep stats, and has been awarding trophies/awards at the end of the
year. (I'm guessing he's going to continue doing it.... ) theres the usual 1st 2nd 3rd
place etc, but there is also a bunch of wacky awards as well. (Like the sandbagger
trophy) etc.


-Mike
 
Last edited:
Up to 7 or 8 pins?

drgrant said:
I finally got the schedule... I was up at the club shooting the other day
and it was posted on the door.

Dates:
March 25th, April 8th, April 29th
May 13th, June 10th, July 8th, July 29th
August 12th, September 9th, September 30th
October 14th . These dates should all be Sundays.

Time: 10 AM to 2 PM, if you're early a bit thats okay, usually
the gate is open by 9:30 or even earlier. Things are very informal so
if you are late it's not a big deal, aside from possibly bizarre placement
in one of the relays.

Directions:
Rt 2 westbound/eastbound, dump off at rt 140 westminster exit (the one
you would take to go to mt wachusett) take RIGHT (this may be a nullity (eg
drive through the light) if you dumped off from the eastbound side) another right
before light. (curve) drive down into westminster, take LEFT on Knower Rd.
(you will see Exxon station on right, and cumbys diagonally to the right at the intersection... )
Follow knower rd down on LEFT (you will see a cemetery at the fork, stay LEFT
at this fork) keep going down the road (past chicken farm) you'll eventually
reach a 4 way with a stop sign- stop and go straight through. The club is on
the right side of the road past the first house on the right. You will see a red
farm gate, pull in. (for those mapquesting, this is still on knower rd, don't know
the street #, though... basically drive down knower rd)

Weather Issues: I don't know what the policy is WRT weather.. the
impression I get is that people don't show up for these things whenever
there is a lot of rain. I have been to shoots where we had drizzle or
intermittent showers, though. The cancellation policy is probably
informal at best... if its anything like the other shoots, if there is a
downpour, don't bother coming.

Food: Usually the club serves free coffee, and there is soda and hotdogs
for sale... not normally much more than that foodwise... IMO if you want
something to eat you're better off eating beforehand or pack a lunch or
something. There is a restauraunt (Josephs?) on the main drag in town
but it sucks ass and is usually overcrowded for breakfast.

Seating: Sometimes if there is a lot of people the picnic tables under
the pavillion run out of space. You might want to bring a lawn
chair. Usually "lot of people" is every time.

Bugs: Once the bugs get going, bug spray is pretty much a
requirement.

Cost: Last year it was $3 a relay and you win $5 for first place and $3 for
2nd place.

Equipment: Anything thats a handgun, no restrictions other than 6 shots
mag/speedloader/cylinder. You can bring as much ammo as you want
to the table, as long as whatever feeding devices you have don't have more
than 6 rounds in them. There are occasional specific exceptions to that
rule but not normally. Ear and Eye Protection required.

Format: 4 pins per table starting, pins are in middle of table of which the
centerline is at 25 ft. Tables are made out of 4 x 8 sheets of plywood or
somesuch. Pins must clear table to "count". "Ties" generally are
re-shot at the competitors/RO discretion, unless it was clear that one
persons last pin(s) hit the ground before the others did. Anyone who
wins an entire relay gets a penalty pin. I think westminster will go up to
7 or 8 pins total.

Miscellaneous: They try to group the shooters according to skill
level... so if you are a "newb" please tell the match director. (Usually
this is the club president, John.) If you have shot pins before or
are really good at it, let him know and you will (generally) be paired
off accordingly. The people that show up vary from being newbs
to competent action shooters.

The shoots at WRG are generally pretty informal, however John does
keep stats, and has been awarding trophies/awards at the end of the
year. (I'm guessing he's going to continue doing it.... ) theres the usual 1st 2nd 3rd
place etc, but there is also a bunch of wacky awards as well. (Like the sandbagger
trophy) etc.


-Mike
Click to expand...



If they give a shooter 7 or p 8 pins to shoot at, do they allow the shooter to load with 7 or 8 cartridges?
 
otasan said:
If they give a shooter 7 or p 8 pins to shoot at, do they allow the shooter to load with 7 or 8 cartridges?
Click to expand...

Yeah, usually... but more often than not nobody gets that
high. Some other clubs don't even go higher than 6 pins, but
I've seen the guys at westminster put out 7 and 8 pins for the guys
blowing out the relays.


-Mike
 
drgrant said:
Yeah, usually... but more often than not nobody gets that
high. Some other clubs don't even go higher than 6 pins, but
I've seen the guys at westminster put out 7 and 8 pins for the guys
blowing out the relays.


-Mike
Click to expand...

As long as one can load enough ammunition for the number of pins, no problem!

BTW, does Westminster allow optics?
 
otasan said:
As long as one can load enough ammunition for the number of pins, no problem!

BTW, does Westminster allow optics?
Click to expand...

Anything goes, optics, comps, etc. The only real limit is that its a
handgun. I usually bring something plain and something a bit
fancier.

-Mike
 
Well

I have lived in Lebanon, NH since August 1995.

Tomorrow will be a landmark day for me.

I shall be attending my first outdoor pin match since May of 2005.

The State of MA had my guns seized for 18 months on the basis of a totally bogus MGL209a restraining order, from a young lady (my ex-daughter) who I had not laid eyes on for 17 years before the June 2005 court hearing, and I had not had a telephone conversation with for almost ten years. Just two friendly emails in May 2005. No threats, past or present. Just a tearful young woman in front of an anti-gun judge in Salem, MA.

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=453

I hope that one day the people of Massachussetts will one day throw off the unconstitutional MGL209A.
 
otasan said:
Well, I've tried Westminster. When does Winchendon start pin shooting?
Click to expand...

I don't have a schedule for them yet... they might even be starting this
sunday. I will try to find out tomorrow.

FWIW, usually the westminster shoots have about twice the amount of
people... I think the weather earlier that day scared a few away. I do
have to say you handed us our asses on a silver platter. [laugh] It was fun,
though. It's great when we get new/different people coming.


-Mike
 
Chris said:
I've squirreled away about 8 cases of pins, just need someone to make the table and lead the event.

I think that is one of the biggest problems with most shooting sports - Finding the bodies to run it.
Click to expand...

I've got Mitch's book... the tables don't look that hard to make. Just need the materials and a way to transport them - a Subaru will NOT be able to hold an 8' table!
 
drgrant said:
I don't have a schedule for them yet... they might even be starting this
sunday. I will try to find out tomorrow.

FWIW, usually the westminster shoots have about twice the amount of
people... I think the weather earlier that day scared a few away. I do
have to say you handed us our asses on a silver platter. [laugh] It was fun,
though. It's great when we get new/different people coming.


-Mike
Click to expand...

The pins that day looked like they were 10 feet away, so bright was the snow-reflected sun.

I had a nice day with the folks at Westminster.
 
drgrant said:
1st Winchendon Shoot is easter sunday. I'll try to post the complete
schedule later.

The format is generally the same but it maxes out at 6 pins usually... and
there often is more 44 action as the pins get reused until they cannot stand
on the table anymore.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I sure wish that the pin matches were on Saturdays vice Sundays. Sunday is the Lord's day, and I try to observe this.
 
otasan said:
Thank you!

I sure wish that the pin matches were on Saturdays vice Sundays. Sunday is the Lord's day, and I try to observe this.
Click to expand...

Yeah, skipping church for pin shoots is not going to happen. If they would just wait until after church, that would be mch better.
 
matt said:
Yeah, skipping church for pin shoots is not going to happen. If they would just wait until after church, that would be mch better.
Click to expand...

I'm not really a practicing catholic anymore, but I know I could hit
8'oclock mass on a sunday if I wanted and still make it to a pin shoot. [smile]
Of course I know in this case that Easter is special to many, and
a lot of people end up having the whole day planned doing various
things.


-Mike
 
Actually, I goofed.... There's another Westminster shoot on easter
sunday.... (april 8th.) I'll get the Winchentucky schedule when I
find it.

-Mike
 
drgrant said:
Actually, I goofed.... There's another Westminster shoot on easter
sunday.... (april 8th.) I'll get the Winchentucky schedule when I
find it.

-Mike
Click to expand...

I have to say that having a pin match on Easter Sunday morning is a real downer. The pin matches in NH, all two of them (Chester and Country Pond), are held on Saturday mornings. The pin shoots at Mass Rifle are held on Sunday afternoons. The IDPA matches at Pioneer in Dunbarton, NH are held on Saturdays.

I wish that all shooting matches would be more accomodating to shooters who wish to worship the Lord. God has made all things on this planet, and most worship services for Him are on Sunday mornings.

I believe that Westminster & Winchendon would have better attendence at their events if they held them on Saturdays.
 
otasan, some of us worship the Lord on Saturday. A mix of Saturdays and Sundays would be fairer to all.

Mike, I would appreciate if you didn't refer to Winchendon as "Winchentuckey". Some of live here and like it.

Thanks.
 
kevin9 said:
otasan, some of us worship the Lord on Saturday. A mix of Saturdays and Sundays would be fairer to all.
Click to expand...
I was going to say something about that.... if someone is Jewish or is an
Adventist, then Saturday is "the day." The other problem is some people
work on saturdays. Any way you slice it (religious or otherwise) someone
is going to be left out. I don't know how they come up with the
schedules.

Mike, I would appreciate if you didn't refer to Winchendon as "Winchentuckey". Some of live here and like it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Sorry about that. No offense intended. Hell, I knew someone that
lived there that used to call it that. I will refrain from referring to it as
that in the future.

-Mike
 

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