Reality television highlights excitement, drama, and big moments. What it rarely shows is the long wait between stages, the psychological screening, and the pressure that quietly exposes weaknesses in even skilled shooters.

In this episode of Making Shooters Better, Terry Vaughan is joined by fellow Top Shot competitor Colin Gallagher. Together, they break down what really happens behind the scenes of a televised shooting competition and why those experiences translate directly into better real-world training.


From Early Shooting to National Television

Colin Gallagher’s shooting background started early, influenced by a father who served both as a Marine and a police officer. That foundation shaped Colin’s approach to firearms as a discipline built on consistency, safety, and repetition.

Both Colin and Terry entered Top Shot for different reasons, but quickly learned that competition shooting on television adds layers of pressure rarely experienced on a normal range day.

The Reality of Getting Selected

Getting onto a shooting competition is far more involved than submitting a highlight reel. The selection process includes multiple interviews and extensive psychological evaluations designed to assess how competitors respond to stress and interpersonal conflict.

  • Demonstrating repeatable skills matters more than flashy tricks
  • Producers evaluate personality and pressure tolerance
  • Strong personalities are often selected intentionally

Pressure Changes Everything

Once filming begins, even simple shooting challenges become more complex. Equipment changes, altered sights, production delays, and environmental stressors all impact performance.

Colin and Terry discuss how waiting long periods between attempts and shooting under constant observation can push shooters closer to their breaking point.

Understanding Your Breaking Point

Every shooter has a threshold where accuracy starts to fall apart. Most people never find it because they practice only what feels comfortable.

  • Stress reveals gaps in training
  • Pressure accelerates mistakes in fundamentals
  • Knowing your limits helps you train past them

Training Lessons That Actually Transfer

The biggest takeaway from Top Shot is not entertainment value, but how pressure exposes habits. Colin emphasizes that consistent, focused practice builds confidence when it matters.

Practical Training Habits

  • Dry fire regularly to improve first-shot accuracy
  • Train from realistic positions and clothing setups
  • Practice at distances and speeds that challenge you
  • Introduce stress intentionally during training

These habits apply equally to competition shooters, civilians, and law enforcement professionals looking to improve performance responsibly.

Law Enforcement and Real-World Application

Many qualification standards fail to reflect real-world conditions. Colin and Terry highlight the value of movement, decision-making, and repetition under mild stress to build usable skills.

Dry fire and laser-based tools allow shooters to train more often without relying solely on live fire, making skill development more accessible and sustainable.

Watch the Full Conversation

This episode goes deeper into the behind-the-scenes reality of Top Shot and the training lessons that carry over into everyday shooting. From managing pressure to identifying weak points, the full conversation offers practical insight for shooters at every level.

Watch the full episode to hear Colin’s firsthand stories, training advice, and reflections on how competition can make you a more thoughtful, capable shooter.

Connect With the Guest

Colin Gallagher continues to work in firearms training and education, focusing on consistency, safety, and skill development. Following his work offers valuable perspective for shooters looking to train smarter and more intentionally.

Colin on LinkedIn

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