Here are two compelling reasons why owning the perfect shotgun is crucial, and it's essential not to confuse these motivations.

Personally, I take pride in my exceptional gear, particularly my meticulously assembled shotgun, a testament to quality craftsmanship by S&S in Polson, Montana. The custom stock, courtesy of Mike Lupold, reflects unparalleled dedication, resulting in a firearm that has justified every investment. My commitment to excellence stems from a priority on achieving high scores, underscoring the irreplaceable role confidence in our equipment plays in success.

Transitioning to a broader discussion about gear and expectations, analogous to the world of golf, one often encounters products promising improved performance. While these products may deliver, they hinge entirely on the user's correct application. The unspoken truth is that equipment alone cannot guarantee elevated scores; it requires the shooter's dedication and skill.

Equally significant is another rationale for allocating our hard-earned dollars. A recent encounter at the Club illuminated this point. Engrossed in my sandwich, a gentleman sought my opinion on whether to invest in the shotgun of his dreams. Delving deeper, I questioned if his purchase was aimed at enhancing scores or merely pride of ownership. The unexpected response, "pride of ownership," prompted a candid recommendation. I advised him not to settle for one but to acquire two shotguns to meet his purpose, a 12 gauge and a 20 or 28 gauge. Life is short. Be Happy.

Listing various elements such as shotguns, gun fit, chokes, ammunition, and accessories, I emphasize their potential to enhance a shooter's consistency and score. However, I caution against the misconception that top-tier, expensive gear can compensate for inadequate practice and skill development. The analogy of elite fitness equipment only used once serves as a stark reminder that equipment, no matter how premium, cannot replace the need for deliberate practice.

Counting on our equipment to raise our score… this is when reality shows up, a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

Conclusively, the pursuit of pride in ownership is commendable, but it should coexist with a realistic understanding that equipment alone cannot rectify skill deficiencies. The next article will delve into how quality equipment can complement a shooter's journey toward consistency and improved performance.

As we explore breaking more targets and shooting consistently, Dan Schindler's trilogy—Take Your Best Shot, To The Target and Beyond The Target—offers invaluable insights, serving as a roadmap for shooters of all levels. Available on the Paragon School of Sporting website, along with a wealth of blog posts, these resources demystify the intricacies of shooting, providing a foundation for consistently higher scores.

In the wise words of W. Somerset Maugham, "The fact that a great many people believe something is no guarantee of its truth," underscoring the importance of critical thinking in the pursuit of excellence.

Thanks for joining us here. Be safe and I hope our paths cross out on the course. 

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About Dan Schindler

Tired of being frustrated over missing targets or birds?

Ready to move your shooting forward and shoot consistently higher scores?

Shoot better than you ever imagined.

Schedule a lesson with the esteemed Dan Schindler. As one of the exclusive 44 worldwide members of the Guild of Shooting Instructors (UK), Dan stands as a beacon of expertise in Sporting Clays Skeet, Trap and Wingshooting Instruction in the US.

Embark on a transformative journey with Dan, an NSCA Level III Instructor since 1995 and the visionary founder of the Paragon School of Sporting. His singular goal is to provide ultra simple, step-by-step, Premier  Instruction, Coaching, and Mental Training for enthusiasts of Sporting Clays, Skeet, Trap, and Wingshooting of all skill levels.

Dan Schindler is a maestro at alleviating the frustrations that haunt shooters. By unraveling the mysteries of breaking targets, enabling self-awareness in calling misses, and empowering individuals to make their corrections, Dan ensures that lessons are not only enlightening but also immensely enjoyable. Clients at Paragon School of Sporting witness significant improvements in their shooting skills within minutes.

Bid farewell to the vexation of missed targets and soar towards consistent excellence in shooting. Whether you're an advanced competitor or an entry-level enthusiast, Dan Schindler's wealth of experience spanning over three decades has empowered thousands of shooters to propel their game forward.

Having certified over 274 instructors, authored three exceptional books, and contributed to numerous articles and blog posts, Dan Schindler is a luminary in the field. In your very FIRST lesson with Dan, you will unlock the secrets of the Paragon System, ensuring that you break targets consistently, confidently call your misses, and adeptly make corrections, setting the stage for a remarkable journey of shooting mastery. Contact Dan Schindler now and witness the transformative power of his expertise in action.

In your very FIRST lesson with Dan Schindler, you'll learn the Paragon System so YOU can break targets consistently, call your misses & make corrections so your next target breaks!

"Folks fly from around the world to take lessons with Schindler at River Bend Sportsman’s Resort, his home course in Inman, South Carolina. Clients have included Bush staffers to NASCAR drivers to the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. The approachable teacher has spent 25 years on “gentleman’s coaching” (with social and corporate shooters) and formal instruction (with individuals, groups, and competitors). Schindler has even certified more than 230 instructors using his handcrafted curriculum—a system that signaled his qualification as the first American admitted to the British Guild of Shooting Instructors... “Shooting, like golf, or anything like that, is a mental sport, and he has the mental game down so well.” To find out how he calibrated mind with metal, we head to Japan."

Dan Schindler's Books

"Recommended for shooters of all skill levels, Coaches, Instructors

and parents of youth shooters."

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition is THE Gold Standard Primer It's all about the fundamentals, a requirement for good shooting. This book is used by high school and college shooting teams, recreational and competitive shooters from around the world. Solid, valuable, concise information that has helped thousands of shooters shoot more consistently with higher scores.

To The Target (Book II) Builds on the steps outlined in Book I. Emphasises Gun Management skills when the trap fires, creating a consistent, reliable, trustworthy swing.

Beyond the Target (Book III) is for shooters of all levels, filled with valuable information, clay target truths. Entertaining and a culmination of 3 decades of Dan's life's work as a teacher, competitor, published writer, and much more.

Here's what Shooters, Coaches and Clay Shooting USA saying...

Take Your Best Shot (Book I), 3rd Edition

THE TRUSTED PRIMER

To The Target (Book II)

Beyond The Target (Book III)