Returning to the set of Top Shot for the second time, it was immediately apparent that there was a different group dynamic in the house than in either seasons 1 or 2. It’s interesting from a sociological perspective just how these things play out, as the interaction of the various characters is never a constant and changes with the new mix and with their reactions to the situation within the house.

In this week’s show, Chris Reed and I had the chance to see the Season 3 guys in action and offer a little third party perspective to the trials and tribulations facing the two teams. Bear in mind that at this point, the contestants had been in lockdown for about 3 weeks, so to say they were going a little stir-crazy might be an understatement. Between practice sessions, we had the chance to sit down with our respective teams and let them know what was going on in the outside world and how the experience had changed our lives. Speaking with Mike Hughes at a shooting event after the show, he mentioned that the reality check was appreciated and that the mood in the house changed a little for the better. Good enough, I guess. My work here is done…

The team challenge was a perfect illustration of why so often victory goes not to those who demonstrate occasional brilliance, but those who make the fewest mistakes. Blue team dropped a few seconds here, fumbled a load or took an extra shot there, which in the end was enough to give the red team a pretty sizeable margin over them. Then the fun began.

The Cornershot was designed for use inside buildings where low-light levels make the video screen more visible. Shooting outside in the California sun proved a more difficult environment. You can get an idea of the problem if you’ve ever used your smartphone at noon.

Finally, in case anyone was wondering why the armorers chose to use a Glock 18 on semi-auto, instead of the much more commonly available G17, your answer can be found in the wording of the National Firearms Act. The G17 becomes a short barreled rifle if placed into the Cornershot stock, subject to a $200 tax and other restrictions regarding transfer. If you use a registered machine gun, no such complications ensue.