Shooter Spotlight: Dennis Lindenbaum

The purpose of the “Shooter Spotlight” is to help shooters get to know their fellow competitors a little bit better. We cover a wide range of shooters from “Marksman to Master.” This is the 51st interview in the series.

Dennis Lindenbaum

Where do you call home?
Marietta, Ga for those that live here. If not, just call it Metro Atlanta.

How long have you been shooting?
This is my third season with smallbore rifle; I shot pistol for a few years prior to this. I have also taken one shot at a clay target on our club’s trap range (I actually nicked it and then decided not to ruin my record with any further shots) and one shot with a muzzleloader at a picture of a pig (loaded it myself). Hit the pig in the butt. Might have been a boar.

How did you get involved in shooting competitively?
Talking to one of the docs at the hospital cafeteria one day, I mentioned that I had never used a firearm and I wanted to try it at least once in my lifetime. I had heard that he knew something about guns. He was shocked that I had never fired a gun and invited me that weekend with some of his friends to try shooting a number of different firearms that they owned. On that day I shot a full automatic UZI, an M16, and a .44 Magnum revolver. That was all it took. The following weekend I visited a Conventional Bullseye pistol match and said let’s do that. Entered the next match and every match thereafter for a couple years until a disagreement with a match director resulted in my being banned for the rest of the year. Heartbroken, I discovered International Air and 50 Meter pistol and enjoyed that until my back problems prevented me from standing still for more than 15-20 minutes. Heartbroken again, Tommy Steadman and Tom Suswal encouraged me to try smallbore prone. My back liked the prone part. Tried a practice session with their help; went home and ordered a 1913 (and just a few other things needed for this sport); and shot my first match three weeks later. That was 2½ years ago and I haven’t missed a match since.

What is a little known fact about yourself that your fellow competitors might not know?
I was pretty immersed in cycling for 20+ years and rode fairly competitively until symptoms of back deterioration got me off the bike. I took up the violin after that and joined a community symphony (a good excuse to purchase and wear my first tuxedo). It turns out that back problems also impact the violin and then there was shooting. Before all of that, I was a hippie. Peace and love. The rest is secret.

What do you consider your finest shooting achievement?
Before last month, it was nothing. Camp Perry changed all of that. Making the Dewar Team and winning the Team Metallic Sight Championship are the biggest thrills I’ve ever experienced. Staying calm enough to get through the match was a primary challenge and I was able to shoot clean for both the iron and scope matches in the two team events.

What is your favorite pre-match meal?
It’s always the same. Coffee (3 parts dark roast and 1 part espresso) and an English muffin with cream cheese and blueberry preserves. You just can’t get too many anti-oxidants.

What is your favorite post match drink?
Mountain Dew or Root Beer (during and after the match). You just can’t get too many anti-oxidants.

Do you have a favorite shooting range?
My home range is River Bend Gun Club and is one of the finest facilities anywhere. Come check it out. I really enjoy the Asheville range for the BlackHawk Open and I didn’t want to leave Camp Perry when it was over.

Do you have any short term and/or long term goals?
This may sound petty, but the AMU sends shooters to most of our bigger matches. I would like to beat one of those guys. In general, I want that same feeling I had at this year’s national matches to occur again.

What shooting skill are you currently focusing your energy on?
I work on the SCATT daily. I just want to get a repeatable and constant position. I hope that’s not asking too much. In competition, I want to develop the ability to maintain confidence when I am shooting well and to have it last through the completion of the match. Did I mention that I want to beat one of those AMU guys?

Thanks Dennis for sharing a little bit about yourself with the pronematch.com community!