Top Shot vs. 3 Gun Nation
After watching all of Top Shot and the first several episodes of 3 Gun Nation, I have a couple of observations.
I didn't like much of the Top Shot drama at first, and I loves the emphasis on the shooting of 3 Gun Nation.
However, I watched both shows with my wife and in-laws. My wife is a new-to-the-game shooting enthusiast, my f-i-l was an occasional pheasant hunter, and my m-i-l has fired a gun exactly once - a 20 gauge that put her on her butt, courtesy of my f-i-l when they were first married (he did what we always warn against - gave her too much gun for the first outing).
My m-i-l didn't even stick around to watch 3 Gun Nation, my wife fell asleep, and my f-i-l kept asking to change the channel. They were all glued to the TV for Top Shot.
There was agreement that there was too much drama in the early shows, but they got hooked, and I got to explain a lot of the history and usage of the firearms they used (and why the Mosin is NOT called a "NaganT"). There was universal "we don't get to know the shooters" talk about 3 Gun. Sure - they have 20 second 'interviews', but that doesn't cut it.
After watching most of Top Shot, I even got a non-commital answer from my m-i-l about going to the range. That had been an uncontested and firm "No!" up until this show aired.
So, 3 Gun Nation is out there for those of us that like to watch straight up shooting, and Top Shot is out there to introduce people into the "language" and the fun of firearms enthusiasts. They both have their place, but Top Shot is the clear winner when it comes to drawing new people into the shooting world. At least, in my experience.
Maybe that'll bleed over into other shows eventually, too. I don't know.