Shooting Terms contributed by Bret Mercer

1.   BORE – Reading another Weaver vs. Isosceles article

2.   BUTT – What gets shot off if you fail to train

3.   FRONT SIGHT – Annoying part that obscures your view of the target

4.   REAR SIGHT – Part used to remove calluses from hands during malfunction clearance drills

5.   PISTOL – Device often used as a substitute for a real weapon

6.   SOCIAL SECURITY – Repeating 12 gauge shotgun

7.   BUCKSHOT – Pills used to cure social diseases

8.   1911

a.  pivotal date in firearms history

b.  number of gizmos in range bag

c.  rounds fired monthly by really good shots

9.   COMBAT FLASHLIGHT – Device used to pinpoint your location for the enemy under poor lighting conditions

10.  EXTENDED MAGAZINE RELEASE – Device used to prevent magazines from staying in the weapon

11.  EXTENDED SLIDE RELEASE – Device used to keep the slide from locking open

12.  DROP-IN PARTS – accessories that demand meticulous hand fitting by an experienced gunsmith

13.  LASER – Amusement device for pet cats

14.  SPARE MAGAZINE – weighted device used to counter-balance the pistol on the belt

15.  BUG – Back-Up Gun, carried strictly to keep parts from breaking on the big pistol

16.  BULLET – Remote control drill, used to create apertures into the subcutaneous environment

17.  POINT OF IMPACT

a.  if it goes right = a jerk

b.  if it goes left = a push

c.  if it goes straight = a miracle

18.  BEGINNER – Someone working on accumulating bad habits

19.  MASTER – Someone who has finally grasped the basics of bad habits

20.  GUN SHOP COMMANDO – non-shooter who has firmly held beliefs not supported by training, education, or experience

21.  GUN WRITER – Gun Shop Commando with a word processor

22.  SEAL – extremely common aquatic animal; there are thousands and thousands of them

23.  Ex-SEAL – almost anyone behind a typical gun shop counter

24.  MATCH – a ritual activity used to induce stress, frustration, and anxiety in Beginners and Masters

25.  COURSE OF FIRE – elaborate dance used in these rituals

26.  MATCH DIRECTOR – witch doctor who oversees rituals

27.  RANGE OFFICER (competition) – less senior than witch doctor.  Due to ingestion of mind altering drugs, his perception of the ritual is nothing like that of the Beginners and Masters

28.  RANGE OFFICER (police) – a person tasked with range maintenance, landscaping, supply, and administration.  Only rarely involved in relevant training activity.

29.  MARTIAL ARTIST – A shooter who cannot get through his head that a match is not a gunfight.

30.  GAMESMAN – A shooter who views his pistol the same as his fly rod, tennis racket, and Nintendo.

31.  INSTRUCTOR – Mythical, god-like being who imparts wisdom to Beginners, transforming them into Masters.  Also keeps beginners from getting into trouble through the accumulation of excess money.