We visited the Sharjah Golf and Shooting club to check out the state of the art facilities and equipment the club proudly boasts.
The instructors are knowledgeable and professional, they stress safety as the number one priority for the guests of the shooting range – meaning beginners feel comfortable, while the more experienced shooters have much to gain from sessions with the well-rounded coaches.
Target shooting is a form of sport that has been exercised throughout the decades, with roots in the Summer Olympics and national competitions. The Olympic Games showcase the best marksmen from around the world in different shooting categories, from rifle shooting to air pistols as well as skeet and trap.
The Sharjah Shooting club hosts up to four pistol shooting competitions a year that are monitored by judges from the police academy.
Aside from being a competitive sport, pistol shooting can be a weekly activity for people seeking to relieve some stress and get away from the monotonous routine of the weekend.
Your physical ability is a factor, but not in the sense of fitness or endurance. You will need to have a solid posture and arm strength to handle the firearm, but the mental aspect of the activity far outweighs the physical.
The process of focusing and zoning in on a target, then shooting and actually hitting the bullseye is an exhilarating experience, to say the least.
The fundamentals will also help you be a more accurate shooter, in terms of trigger control and how to grip the firearm. All these techniques will be illustrated by the coaching staff.
The most important element to remember is safety. The basic rules of safety must be exercised every time you are ready to handle a firearm. The instructors will guide you through the safety steps and will stress you keep them in mind throughout the shooting rounds.
GIVING IT A GO
You will have three components at your fingertips, the bullets, a magazine (clip) and the firearm. The first step is to load your clip with the rounds, insert the magazine and pull the hammer.
When you are ready to engage, raise the firearm forward and aim at the given target, always keep the firearm aligned with the dominant eye and after your aim is secure, apply your finger on the trigger and pull.
Beginners will have a hard time controlling the recoil of the firearm, however, as you continue to shoot, you will adapt to the power of the weapon. The second challenge will be trigger control, this contributes to the accuracy of the shot. The pull must be a balance of swiftness and patience, it sounds easy but it takes some time to perfect that balance.
Give yourself a couple of rounds to test your aim and grip on the firearm, the perfect grip keeps recoil to a minimum while giving you the best chance of hitting your target. The objective is to get down the fundamentals until they become routine, once that is in check, your accuracy will build with time.
My rounds were solid despite the one miss, but the shots could still be tighter and more concentrated. Accuracy will vary depending on the firearm, the more tactical and professional the weapon, the harder it becomes to remain accurate.
The key to becoming more accurate across all weapon platforms is repetition and solid fundamentals. If you are interested in becoming a better shooter, the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club offer coaching programs that will definitely improve your skills.
We used a Glock 17 during these rounds, a weapon the instructor Bibin Joseph claimed to be his favourite. A wide variety of firearms are available at the club for guests to enjoy; from Walther M16’s, to GSG MP5’s along with Berretta’s, Glock’s and Sig Sauer’s.
If you are planning on doing something different this weekend, head down to the club and start shooting your way through the stress and pressure of the working week. It could prove to be an exciting alternative to the regular day at the gym or lunch with friends.
A few quick tips to remember: Always keep your eyeglasses and ear guards on while inside the range and have a valid Emirates ID or passport to present to the front desk.
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