Rifle

First, you will need a rifle; Lakeshore uses Fienwerkbau single-shot air rifles.  These rifles use compressed air and shoot the standard .177 caliber pellet, the same caliber used in air rifle competitions.  The advantage of using a compressed air rifle (or CO2) is that it is relatively simple to load, cock, and shoot.  The main disadvantage is that the user must have access to a source of compressed air.  Alternatives to compressed air rifles are spring loaded rifles or pump air rifles.  Spring loaded rifles and pump rifles perform well, but are much more difficult to cock or prepare to shoot. 

Rifle Sight

There are several rifle sights that can be used to accommodate a wide range of disabilities and limitations.  The standard front and rear sight works well for individuals without visual impairment, and has been found to be the most accurate for these users.  Individuals that have mild vision impairments may want to investigate using a red-dot sight.  The reticule in a red-dot sight that the user looks through is larger than the standard front and rear sights, allowing easier viewing.  Using a red-dot sight is also easier when learning how to shoot, but again it is not as easy to be consistent with compared to the front and rear sight system.   The final type of sight that can be used is a projection laser sight.  This type of sight projects a red dot down the range and onto the target.  It allows third parties, along with the rifle operator, to see where the rifle is being aimed.  The projection laser sight can be used to allow someone with a more severe visual impairment or blindness to shoot.  Using this setup, the individual with visual impairment operating the rifle is paired with a sighted “spotter” who can call out commands to the shooter.

Sandbags

Sandbags are perhaps the most useful equipment used to adapt target shooting.  Sandbags can greatly assist a shooter in both holding a rifle and aiming.  Shooting rifles are heavy and can often be difficult and even unsafe for some individuals to hold.  In this case, sandbags can be stacked on top of the shooting table to the desired height, and the rifle can be placed on top of the sandbags for added support.  This setup not only takes all of the weight of the rifle off of the operator, but also eliminates a majority of shaking movement while aiming at a target.  Participants that have low arm strength or have difficulty in holding the rifle steady should consider using sandbags while target shooting. 

Power Triggers

It was mentioned before that if you can breathe, you can shoot.  Individuals that have severe limited movement in their extremities can use a sip-and-puff trigger.  The sip-and-puff trigger allows individuals to shoot using only their breath.  This device is designed to fit on most rifles.  A straw extends from the sip-and-puff trigger to the shooter’s mouth.  The shooter can engage the trigger by either blowing into or sucking on the straw.