National Rifle Association's Women's Programs

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- The National Rifle Association’s Women’s Programs Department is pleased to announce the launch of the Women’s Outdoor Adventure, an exciting new event developed by women, for women.

Scheduled for April 30-May 7, 2012 at the Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park City, Kentucky, the inaugural Women’s Outdoor Adventure is an eight-day shooting and outdoor event.

Aimed at introducing women to a variety of firearms, the Women’s Outdoor Adventure also features exciting outdoor activities as well as fun and relaxing social events.

“The Women’s Outdoor Adventure is an opportunity for ladies to foster their interest in shooting and the outdoors, all while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded women,” said Bill Poole, Director of NRA’s Education & Training Division. “We want the attendees to leave with a well-rounded knowledge of firearms and the desire to continue participating in the shooting sports.”

Attendees will enjoy the thrill of learning to shoot on the world-class ranges of the Rockcastle Shooting Center while receiving instruction from the country’s top female shooters and firearms instructors. From trying their hand at shooting rifles, pistols, and shotguns during exciting multi-gun competition, to the fun of sporting clays, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of shooting disciplines in a supportive, encouraging setting.

Cowboy Action Shooting is also on the agenda for the Women’s Outdoor Adventure, with attendees being transported back in time to the Old West on Rockcastle’s western town shooting range. Finally, attendees will take the NRA Personal Protection Inside The Home Course, designed to help women incorporate a firearm into their home defense plan.

In addition to time on the range, ladies will enjoy riding a zip line, canoeing, horseback riding, and playing a round of golf at the Cave Valley Golf Club. Other activities include touring natural caves in the area, a wine and cheese social at the Cave Valley Winery, a ladies hunting apparel fashion show, a cowboy-style cookout, and performances from local musicians.

Reservations for the Women’s Outdoor Adventure are made on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited to just 40 women. The deadline to register is March 15, 2012.

For more information on the Women’s Outdoor Adventure or to download the event application, please visit http://www.nrahq.org/women/woa.asp or contact Ann Marie Foster at 703-267-1413 or afoster@nrahq.org. You can also visit Ann Marie Foster at SHOT Show in the NRA Booth #14540.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Staff Sargent Daniel Horner of the US Army’s Marksmanship Unit

Advanced Armament Corporation

Las Vegas, Nevada --(Ammoland.com)- Staff Sargent Daniel Horner of the US Army’s Marksmanship Unit used the new 300 AAC Blackout cartridge to win 1st overall in the Tactical Optics division of the 2011 USPSA Multigun National Championship, held outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.

300 AAC Blackout was launched by Advanced Armament Corp. and Remington primarily for the military as a way to shoot 30 caliber bullets from the M4/AR15 platform while using standard magazines, but is expected to see a lot of use for hunting, plinking, and home defense as well.

The concept of putting a 30-caliber bullet in a shortened 223 case has been done before, but not as an industry-wide standard that anyone can make products for, royalty-free.

SAAMI, the industry standards organization, adopted 300 BLK earlier this year, and it now has broad industry support– with over 60 companies making products for it. Remington is leading the pack with the most types and highest volume of ammo available – 125 grain open-tip match with a custom Sierra bullet, 220 grain subsonic, and 125 grain AccuTip for hunting, law enforcement, and self-defense.

300 AAC Blackout cartridge

While this is one of the lowest-cost cartridges to reload for – Remington and AAC recognized that most people are not reloaders – so UMC ammo is planned to be out soon with a price of just $12.99 MSRP per box – substantially less than other cartridges that are a power upgrade from 223.

And the use of the cartridge to win the Nationals while qualifying for “Major Power Factor” leaves no doubt about the potential for accuracy and the capability of some major punch.

Robert Silvers, AAC’s Director of Research and Development – and project lead for the platform, explained “People want to hunt with their AR, and 223 may not be legal in their state or they just may not like varmint-sized bullets – now there is a way to shoot 30 caliber from your AR while still using normal magazines with full capacity. Even the bolt stays the same, and all that changes is the barrel.”

Expect to hear a lot more about this cartridge as many more companies announce products at the 2012 Shot Show and throughout next year.

For more information visit www.300aacblackout.com.

AR15.com

Honeoye Falls, NY -(Ammoland.com)- Whether it is practicing failure drills at the range, or convincing our gun buddy with the most land to set up barricades so we can practice firing from cover, as AR15.com members, many of us spend a considerable amount of time honing our self-defense shooting skills.

But how many of us have yet to take that next step to get involved in practical shooting competitions?

The increasing popularity of sports like IPSC and 3-Gun, and the advent of events like NRA’s National Defense Match, have made opportunities to compete more prevalent than ever. And participation isn’t just personally rewarding; taking part in these events also helps protect the right to keep and bear arms.

Among the fastest growing shooting sports is 3-Gun. In 3-Gun competitions, a competitor tests his or her skills with a handgun, rifle and shotgun in a dynamic course. Courses are mentally and physically rigorous. And there is no chance for boredom here, since no two 3-Gun match courses are ever set up the same way.

Practical & Tactical Shooting Sports

Showing the sport’s strength, in August, NRA sponsored the AR15.com/Rockcastle Pro-Am 3-Gun Championships presented by Brownells, Sinclair, the PoliceStore.com and Hornady. The event was the largest 3-Gun match in the country with 500 competitors, and raised thousands for Lone Survivor and Task Force Dagger, two charities supporting our servicemen and women.

With its debut at the NRA National Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championships at Camp Perry last summer, NRA’s National Defense Match is another new option for practical shooters. Focusing on proficiency with the rifle platforms commonly used for national and self-defense, the National Defense Match course of fire seeks to test the skills necessary to be effective for those missions. Initial reactions to the new match were overwhelmingly positive, so stay on the lookout for this type of match coming to a range near you.

Members of law enforcement have even more competitive options, including matches set up by the NRA Tactical Police Competitions program.

Similar to 3-gun, NRA Tactical Police Competitions test the competitors’ skills with a duty pistol, a duty shotgun and a patrol rifle. The courses are broken down into the categories of skills-based, where set conditions test an officer’s proficiency with a firearm, or scenario-based, where an officer must think and react to a set of tactical situations. Stressing competition as a way of improving real-world skills, the program shares the same philosophy as NRA’s Law Enforcement Instructor Development Schools, and officers are encouraged to compete with the firearms that they use on the job.

So the options for engaging in practical shooting competition are plentiful, but practical competitions aren’t just a way to test and improve your skills. They are also a way of defending the right to bear arms. How? Because the rifles, pistols and shotguns commonly used in practical shooting events are among the most targeted by anti-gun activists and are of the type most affected by the BATFE’s interpretation of the “sporting purposes” test.

Since the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Attorney General has been required to approve for importation any firearm “generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.” This means that the Executive Branch can ban from importation any firearms it deems unable to meet this requirement.

In 1989 and 1998 the BATFE used the “sporting purpose” test to ban many popular models of semi-automatic rifles, with the Clinton administration admitting in 1998 that it was “taking the law and bending it as far as we can to capture a whole new class of guns.”

More recently, in early 2011, the BATFE released its “Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns.” The study seeks to justify an import ban on certain shotguns based on their suitability for “sporting purposes.” In developing a feature test for shotguns to be banned, the BATFE ensnared many of the shotguns popular in practical shooting sports.

Obviously, the types of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns the BATFE has banned, or has sought to ban, from importation are suitable for “sporting purposes,” and are used in such a manner on a daily basis in the practical shooting sports. So, in order to justify the bans, the BATFE created a definition of “sporting purposes” that specifically excluded “combat-type competitions.”

With the enormous growth of practical shooting competitions, this definition would laughable if it didn’t impede the exercise of a fundamental right. And every time a shooter joins the ranks of the athletes competing in practical shooting, the definition becomes more implausible. Competing formally is one way to show the BATFE that these guns are suitable for sporting and should be recognized as such.

Similarly, the increasingly common use of these types of firearms, in large part driven by the practical shooting sports, has already made progress for gun rights in the courts. The Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Heller that firearms “in common use” are protected by the Second Amendment. More recently, in an October 4 opinion in the follow-up case of Heller v. District of Columbia (also known as “Heller II”) the U.S. Appeals Court for D.C. noted, “We think it clear enough in the record that semi-automatic rifles and magazines holding more than ten rounds are indeed in ‘common use,’ as the plaintiffs contend. Approximately 1.6 million AR-15s alone have been manufactured since 1986.” (Unfortunately, the court still upheld the District’s California-style “assault weapons” ban, over a strong dissent by Judge Brett Kavanaugh.)

The practical shooting sports offer fun opportunities to improve technique and to defend a fundamental right. So get out there and compete! For help getting started, head over to the website for the NRA Competitive Shooting Division at www.nrahq.org/compete.

About:
AR15.Com originated in 1996 as a mailing list for firearm enthusiasts. As the years passed and interest grew, a website came into existence to present those same enthusiasts with a means to collect, share, and explore information. Shortly afterwards, a bulletin board was added to create a more interactive experience for the growing list of users. The site was still in it’s infancy, but was growing in popularity. Visit: www.ar15.com

DPMS Named Title Sponsor of USPSA MultiGun National Championships

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

BURLINGTON, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), the national governing body for the sport of practical shooting, announced that DPMS Firearms, one of the largest and best known manufacturers of AR-15 rifles for the military, law enforcement and civilian markets, will be the title sponsor of the organization’s annual multigun championships.

The DPMS USPSA MultiGun National Championships take place this weekend, October 20-23, at the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club in Las Vegas, Nev. More than 150 of the nation’s top multigun shooters are expected to compete for titles in USPSA’s Open, Limited, Tactical and Heavy Metal divisions utilizing three types of firearms, a pistol, a shotgun and a rifle.

“We’re extremely pleased to have DPMS Firearms as the title sponsor for the 2011 USPSA MultiGun National Championships. DPMS has been a strong supporter of the shooting sports, and top level practical shooting competition in particular,” said Dave Thomas, executive director of USPSA.

“DPMS is pleased to support the USPSA as the title sponsor for the MultiGun National Championships. DPMS has always promoted the shooting sports, our community of industry friends, and our American heritage. We look forward to this and many more years of exciting and engaging competition.,” said Adam Ballard, product manager for DPMS Firearms.

The DPMS USPSA MultiGun National Championships are the highlight of practical shooting’s multigun season.

To learn more about multigun competition and practical shooting, or join the 20,000 members of USPSA in the most dynamic and fast-paced shooting sport around, visit www.USPSA.org, follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter, like USPSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USPracticalShootingAssn or read the Practical Shooting blog (www.practicalshooting.posterous.com/).

Horner took home $5,000 courtesy of Safariland. Shown is Daniel Horner, middle, along with Safarilands' Mike Voigt, left, and Maggie Reese, right.

3-Gun Nation

RATON, N.M. –-(Ammoland.com)- Daniel Horner outlasted a furious late pistol charge by Rob Romero to win his record third 3-Gun Nation Shoot-Off following the JP Enterprises Rocky Mountain 3-Gun here recently, taking home a $5,000 check from Safariland.

The sixth event on the 2011 FNH USA 3-Gun Nation Tour, Presented by SureFire, provided the third straight 3GN Shoot-Off appearance for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Horner, who had been knocked out of the last two competitions. Horner, competing in his sixth 3GN Shoot-Off overall, won the event for the third time, his first since last September’s Ozark 3-Gun Championships. The win ran Horner’s career 3GN winnings to $36,500.

Romero, who won Heavy Metal, looked extremely strong throughout the early rounds, first knocking off Horner’s teammate, Tyler Payne, in a rematch of their 2010 3GN Championship first-round bout. The Team Noveske shooter then cruised to a win over Mike Voigt in the semi-finals, setting up the showdown with Horner. Romero and Horner had squared off previously in the finals following Ozark last year.

Horner’s run began with a first round defeat of Eric Miller, followed up by a semi-final match-up with the up-and-coming Greg Jordan (2nd, Tactical Optics), who previously competed well during the 3GN Shoot-Off at Fort Benning.

Jordan again looked dialed in, with a first round upset of Kurt Miller before taking a lead over Horner coming out of the second rifle position, which was a twist in this 3GN Shoot-Off. Competitors first ran to a Barrett MRAD bolt-action rifle chambered in .338 Lapua, firing two shots on MGM steel at 260 yards before moving to the traditional rifle position.

It was here where Jordan took a slight lead, being first out of the prone position, maintaining that lead coming off the Stag Arms AR-15 prototype 3-gun rifle, before transitioning to FNH SLP. During the shotgun run, Jordan caught a tough break as the flippers, while flying high, presented over his head. Horner capitalized, setting up his finals showdown with Romero.

Horner runs the Stag 3-Gun prototype during his run versus Romero. The rifle was provided with a Leupold HAMR scope and American Eagle 55 Grain .223 Ammo.

And in that final match-up, Horner opened up a seemingly comfortable lead by the second rifle position, this time an FNH SCAR for the final run. But during the pistol arrays, Romero accelerated with the FN FNS pistol, closing ground on Horner. Ultimately, the lead was too great, and Horner stayed steady, got his hits, and cashed a $5,000 check from Safariland.

In the final match-up of the first round, Voigt knocked off Heavy Metal Optics winner Adam Popplewell, sending him into the semi-finals, setting up the pairing with Romero. Popplewell, K. Miller, E. Miller and Payne each received $100 for qualifying for the 3GN Shoot-Off. Jordan and Voigt earned $500 each for reaching the semi-finals, while Romero took home $1,000 for his finals run. Safariland also kicked in $200 gift certificates for each Shoot-Off competitor, running the total Shoot-Off payout to more than $10,000.

In the 3-Gun Nation Team Event, presented by Brownells, Team Maggie Reese, with Walt Flynn and Firebird’s Dan Sierpina, defeated Team Cody Leeper, with Vicki Carlton and Darren Leskiw, taking home $500 each. Each member of Team Cody received a Brownells 3-Gun bag. During the run, Sierpina established a nice lead with the rifle, which Flynn maintained, while Reese held on with the pistol and the win.

The next stop on the FNH USA 3-Gun Nation Tour, Presented by SureFire, is during the AR15.com/Rockcastle Pro-Am 3-Gun Championship, Aug. 26-28, at the Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park City, Kentucky. The match will be the seventh 3GN Points match of the 2011 3GN Tour.

“3-Gun Nation” airs Mondays at 9:30 EST, Fridays at 10:30 AM EST and Sundays at 7:30 AM EST. Only on Versus. Also, be sure to check out the 3GN Forum, powered by AR15.com, and follow threads posted by 3GN, Stag Arms’ Jesse Tischauser, Noveske’s Jansen Jones and more: http://3gn.ar15.com/forums/b/13_.html.

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The fourth annual U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Action Shooting Junior Clinic will be held Oct. 28-30 at Krilling Range here on Fort Benning.

Champions from the USAMU’s Action Shooting Team, including three-time multi-gun national champion Staff Sgt. Daniel Horner and Pfc. Shane Coley, a former camp attendee and U.S. International Practical Shooting Confederation World Shoot team member, will be the primary instructors.

Juniors attending the clinic will learn advanced skills in drawing, accuracy, movement techniques, transitions and reloads. The first two days will consist of hands-on training with a match on Sunday to conclude the clinic.

There is no entry fee associated with the clinic. A government-issued identification card is all that you need now to get on to Fort Benning-visitor’s passes are no longer required. Attendees must bring all equipment, ammunition, and provide their own transportation to and from the range, as well as all meals.

This is not a clinic for novice shooters–those wishing to attend must be USPSA classified. USAMU Soldiers relish the chance to pass on their expertise to junior shooters who have the desire to learn and enhance their skills while having fun. Groups will be broken down to ensure the instructor-to-student ratio is the best you will find anywhere.

“If it has ever crossed your mind to attend the junior camp, do it,” said an attendee from last year’s clinic. “Raise money, have a raffle, have a lemonade stand-just do whatever it takes to get there. The camaraderie between shooters and instructors was unmatched by anything else I have ever been involved in.”

Space is limited. Registration is now open and will end on Aug. 12. To learn more about the clinic and register, please go to www.usamu.com.

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

Smith & Wesson’s Jerry Miculek Wins 2010 USPSA Multi-Gun National Championship

Smith & Wesson

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(Ammoland.com)- Smith & Wesson Corp., announced that Team Smith & Wesson member and professional shooter Jerry Miculek has added yet another title to his illustrious career.

By winning the Open Division at the 2010 United States Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) Multi-Gun National Championship. Miculek, who placed second during last year’s event, has now won the Open Multi-Gun championship four times, taking home titles in 2008, 2007 and 2005. With his most recent victory, Miculek has once again proved his competency competing with any firearm, making him one of the most diverse shooter’s of this era.

As the popularity of three-gun events continue to grow across the nation, professional and novice shooters alike have looked to expand their proficiency with the three unique platforms used – semi-automatic pistol, shotgun and AR-15 style rifle. While most competitors’ skill sets are slanted toward a particular firearm, Miculek’s familiarity and confidence with each firearm has given him a distinct advantage over other shooters. Despite his confidence and abilities, Miculek stresses that multi-gun events are anything but simple.

“One thing is for sure, you will never get bored with a three-gun match,” stated world-record holder Jerry Miculek. “These events add another level of stress and skill while at the same time testing your patience and perseverance along the way.”

When asked about which firearm he likes best when competing in multi-gun events Miculek said, “I enjoy shooting all the platforms but I really like the opportunity to run the M&P15. I’ve seen firsthand what this rifle can do in training and demonstrations. In multi-gun competition, the M&P15 continues to impress me.”

During this year’s match, Miculek’s skills were certainly tested as he went head-to-head against five of the nation’s top shooters, exchanging shares of the lead as the match progressed. As the race for the title tightened and pressure grew, Miculek remained focused on the task at hand.

“The last thing I want to do is lose the match on the first day,” said Miculek. “There were some really great competitors in this division and after having a malfunction during one of the first shotgun stages, I knew it was going to be a close race. Every match has its own pace and this one stayed hot the entire time. It certainly kept me on my toes.”

Throughout the match, Miculek’s main focus centered on consistency and maintaining his equipment in between stages. While he mentally tried to keep a running tally on each competitor’s scores and the tactics they used during each stage, Miculek knew the outcome would come down to keeping things as simple as possible.

“In any match, consistency is the key. But, it is even more important during three-gun matches,” said Miculek. “Whether the stage involves the use of a shotgun or pistol, I have to go back to the basics and look at things like wrist angle, sight picture and trigger control. It is in those areas where your consistency will make the difference.”

Over the final two stages, Miculek was able to hold off last year’s defending champion, Michael Voigt, finishing the match with a final score of 1977.257 to claim the title. Next on the schedule for Jerry is the upcoming 2010 World Action Pistol Championships in Australia.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

AMU’s Horner Wins 2nd Consecutive 3GN Shoot-Off

FNH 3 Gun Nation TV

OSAGE, Missouri --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Daniel Horner defeated Noveske’s Rob Romero in the finals of the FNH USA 3-Gun Nation Shoot-Off, Presented by SureFire, winning $5,000 courtesy of Adams Arms and Samson Manufacturing following the Adams Arms Ozark 3-Gun Championship here Sept. 26.

The event capped an incredible two weeks for Horner that began with a victory at USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals, earning him a Wild Card spot in the 3-Gun Nation Championship. From there, Horner earned the top seed in the 3GN Championship Shoot-Off before running the table against Kerry Dematos, Tony Holmes, Dave Neth and Bruce Piatt. Along with claiming the inaugural 3GN Championship, the win netted Horner $25,000 from Leupold. Added to the most recent victory, Horner’s total 3GN winnings now stand at $30,000.

Horner’s path to the Shoot-Off included a win over a loaded field in the Tactical Optics division. Not only that, the course of fire presented its own gauntlet of challenges, with innovative stage design weaved into the rolling topography of the famous Missouri Ozarks.

“The Ozark 3-Gun Championship is a natural terrain match shot in the hills of the Ozarks in southern Missouri,” said Kirk Broyles, match director, O3GC. “It features fun and challenging stages for all levels of competitors. This year also will debut a new location with over one thousand acres at our disposal. There are some great stages.”

During the 3GN Shoot-Off, Horner looked unbeatable early on, successively knocking out past 3GN winner Taran Butler and Bryan Ray, an unsponsored competitor who qualified by winning the Heavy Metal division. However, in the finals, Horner had what was likely his slowest run since a first-round loss to Remington’s Robby Johnson at JP Enterprises Rocky Mountain 3-Gun in August.

But Romero had equal problems on the rifle barricade, unable to capitalize as Horner struggled to settle his sights before finally finding his rhythm. Ultimately, Horner recovered first, left the rifle position with a comfortable lead and held on for the victory.

Romero, who won the 3GN Shoot-Off following the FNH USA Midwest 3-Gun, outlasted up-and-coming Open shooter Clint Upchurch in a thrilling first-round race to the stop plate. In the semi-finals, Romero defeated Chris Sechiatano, setting up the showdown with Horner.

Other first round action included Sechiatano defeating Barry Dueck, who qualified by winning the Heavy Metal Optics division, a division Dueck has dominated throughout 2010. Also in the first round, Ray laid down the most impressive run of the event in a first-round upset of veteran Kurt Miller, with Ray quickly going six-for-six on the rifle plate before cruising to victory.

The 3GN Shoot-Off capped off three days of competition where shooters battled each other, tough terrain and wet conditions. In only its second year, the crew from Ozark held a surprisingly impressive match, setting it up as yet another must-attend major on the 3-gun circuit.

“I’m very excited to be a part of 3-Gun Nation; 3GN’s doing great things to promote the sport,” Broyles said. “As the newest match of this size, I am extremely honored to host the first 3GN Shoot-Off of the 2011 season. And I look forward to a long, successful relationship.”

The Ozark match will be counted for series points for those attempting to qualify for the 2011 3GN Championship. The match can also be used to satisfy the 3-match-minimum requirement. However, this match will not count for the forthcoming 2011 3GN National Championship Points Series, an additional points race with awards recognizing sustained performance over the course of the 2011 3-gun season. Complete information on the breakdown of the new 3GN NCPS will be released soon.

“3-Gun Nation” airs weekly on Versus Mondays at 7:30 AM EST and Thrusdays at 3 PM EST. Additionally, past episodes of “3-Gun Nation” can be viewed anytime online at www.3gunnation.com/tv.

The 3-Gun Nation shoot-off is a format like no other, where competitors take on steel rifle, shotgun and pistol racks in a race to the stop plate. To level the playing field, contestants fire an FNH USA SCAR 16 equipped with a SureFire muzzle brake and Fast Attach suppressor, chambered in .223 Rem., a new competition variant of the 12-gauge SLP semi-automatic shotgun, and the new FNX-9 semi-automatic pistol in 9 mm. Each gun runs ammunition provided by Federal Premium, and the rifles are topped with Weaver or Leupold optics. Add in eight of the world’s fiercest 3-gunners, and the competition heats up.

Multi-gun, or 3-gun, is a unique sport within the discipline known as practical shooting. Considered the fastest growing segment within the shooting sports, 3-gun challenges competitors with rifle, pistol and shotgun, maneuvering through unique stages of fire as fast as their skill will allow.

The National 3-Gun Association, through media properties “3-Gun Nation Television” and 3GunNation.com, was formed with one mission: to promote practical shooting by shining a light on amateur and professional shooters alike, as well as the guns, gear and lifestyle that define the high-octane sport of 3-gun competition. Bringing never-before-seen cash payouts to the table, 3-Gun Nation is quite simply changing the game. 3 Guns. One Champion.

For more information, visit www.3gunnation.com.

AMU’s Horner Wins 3GN Championship, $25,000

FNH 3 Gun Nation TV

LAS VEGAS, NV --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Daniel Horner defeated Bruce Piatt in the finals of the FNH USA 3-Gun Nation Championship Shoot-Off, Presented by SureFire, winning an unprecedented $25,000, courtesy of Leupold , here Sept. 13.

The final event of the ground-breaking 2010 3-Gun Nation Tour, the 3GN Championship Shoot-Off pitted 16 of the top 3-gunners in the world in a single-elimination, man-on-man drag race through a course of MGM steel targets. But to get there, competitors had to post one of 16 top scores out of field of more than 50 top practical shooters. And in Horner’s case, he had to do a little more.

Horner’s incredible run actually began three days earlier when he set out to defend his USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals title, and with a top performance there earn a Wild Card berth into the 3GN Championship. Unlike many top pros who had already qualified for the match based on series points, Horner spent much of 2010 deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in support of combat operations.

The Army staff sergeant did that and more, picking up another Nationals victory en route to a Wild Card slot, before posting the top score after four stages of fire during the 3GN Championship match, thereby earning the top seed going into the Shoot-Off. Horner then proceeded to switch gears, and looked solid with comfortable wins over Kerry Dematos and Tony Holmes, setting up a semi-finals match-up with FNH USA’s Dave Neth, who owns a Shoot-Off victory following MGM Ironman.

Meanwhile, Neth was equally impressive in his first two runs, knocking out Ty Gentry and SureFire’s Barry Dueck, seemingly recapturing the same rhythm and pace he set in Parma to win $5,000 in June.

As the two competitors stepped to the line, one could feel a shift in the atmosphere, as the crowd seemed to sense what was coming. Two confident, athletic shooters who were both clearly in the “zone” were about to square off. However, no one could predict they were about to see arguably the most exciting run of the 2010 3GN Tour.

At the horn, each man exploded out of the start box, reaching the rifle barricade in step, and each dropping into a reverse-kneeling position. Horner’s trigger broke first, instantly followed by Neth’s, a literal “pop-pop” cadence that continued throughout the rifle plates as each fired their SCARs to knock down the 100-yard targets in turn.

“I got into the rifle position and shot the best I’ve shot so far and thought I was ahead, and I looked up and he was already finished and I thought I better go faster,” Horner said. “It’s a blast out here competing with people. Guys like Dave, you can’t ask for better … this is a blast.”

Horner’s half-count of a lead evaporated at the shotgun position as they simultaneously grabbed their SLP shotguns and ripped through the five poppers and two clays before grounding the shotgun and sprinting to the pistol rack.

Here again, as each competitor hammered away with an FNX 9, they went shot-for-shot through the pistol rack, as the crowd rose to its feet just as Horner accelerated through the cross-over stop plate, sending it down an instant before Neth’s fell in turn. It was quite simply an amazing run by both competitors.

“My run was good—even perfect—I wouldn’t take it back,” Neth said. “I can’t feel bad losing to Daniel Horner.”

The other semi-final matchup featured two 3-gun veterans and shoot-off specialists in Jerry Miculek and Bruce Piatt. Miculek advanced to the semis with a first-round win over Kalani Laker before knocking out the AMU’s young Tyler Payne, who is poised to be one of the next stars of the sport.

Conversely, Piatt was forced to work his way through a figurative “Murderer’s Row” of heavy hitters. After taking out veteran 3-gunner Kurt Miller in the first round, Piatt next faced Taran Butler, currently one of the best in the world, and coming off a monster season. But Piatt stayed measured during the rifle position, got his hits, and held on as Butler got fast on the trigger and tried to run him down.

“I knew I was leaving the rifle ahead of him; I heard him still shooting,” Piatt said. “I went faster than I wanted to on the shotgun, and I kept missing a plate on the pistol, which put me in panic mode. I had to settle back down and was able to pull through.”

After losing their semi-finals matchups, Miculek and Neth regrouped and toed the line to square off once more in the consolation round, with $5,000 on the line from Timney Triggers. Neth maintained much of the speed he showcased against Horner, cruising to the win and marking Neth as the first repeat winner on the 3GN Tour.

“I got what I earned,” Miculek said, congratulating Neth. “Dave shot a good one.”

“We at Timney Triggers are honored to be a part of such a great shooting competition,” said Timney’s Chris Ellis during the check presentation. “We just want to congratulate Dave on an outstanding performance.”

Piatt’s run through the 3GN Championship Shoot-Off marked one of consistency, as the veteran shoot-off competitor was deliberate on the rifle, fast on the shotgun and smooth on the pistol. With consecutive wins over Miller, Butler and Miculek, Piatt proved to be a giant killer. But on this day, Horner, regarded as America’s best 3-gunner, was too much. For his second place finish, Piatt earned a $10,000 check from US P.A.L.M.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Horner. Upon defeating Piatt, the often reserved, cool competitor thrust his fists skyward, followed by a smile that lit up the Nevada desert.

“Sixteen shooters for $25,000, if that doesn’t get you fired up, I don’t know what will,” said Kevin Trepa, Vice President Tactical Sales & Marketing, Leupold Tactical, during the check presentation. “We are real proud to be a part of this, and we hope that this becomes something that is an annual fixture.”

“I’d like to thank all the sponsors and staff that made this event happen, and to the Army for letting me be here,” said Horner.

While Horner, Piatt and Neth took home the big prizes, every competitor walked away happy with a prize bag that included a SureFire Muzzle Brake for every participant, while stage sponsors Safariland and Warne Scope Mounts each contributed 25 $100 gift certificates. Brownells provided $2,500 worth of gear as well, with every competitor receiving Brownells AR magazines and more. FMG Publications, with sponsored shooter Scott McGregor in the field of 50, also sponsored a stage, and Bushnell provided a catered lunch for everyone onsite during the 3GN Championship.

The next stop on the FNH USA 3-Gun Nation Tour, Presented by SureFire, is at the 2010 Adams Arms Ozark 3-Gun Championship, Sept. 24-26, at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. While Ozark is not an official series match, the event will be filmed for Versus and will culminate with the 3GN Shoot-Off and a $5,000 check from Adams Arms and Samson Manufacturing.

Multi-gun, or 3-gun, is a unique sport within the discipline known as practical shooting. Considered the fastest growing segment within the shooting sports, 3-gun challenges competitors with rifle, pistol and shotgun, maneuvering through unique stages of fire as fast as their skill will allow.

FNH USA 3-Gun Nation Championship Shoot-Off Winners

The National 3-Gun Association, through media properties “3-Gun Nation Television” and 3GunNation.com, was formed with one mission: to promote practical shooting by shining a light on amateur and professional shooters alike, as well as the guns, gear and lifestyle that define the high-octane sport of 3-gun competition. Bringing never-before-seen cash payouts to the table, 3-Gun Nation is quite simply changing the game. 3 Guns. One Champion.

For more information, visit www.3GunNation.com.

Team Safariland Shooters Maggie Reese & Tasha Hanish Win USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals with Safariland ELS Belt System

Safariland.com

Jacksonville, FL –-(Ammoland.com)- Safariland, a BAE Systems line of business, congratulates Team Safariland shooters Maggie Reese and Tasha Hanish for winning the USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals September 9-12 in Las Vegas, NV. Both shooters repeat last year’s victories during the four-day match, which included all the top shooters from around the country.

Competitors shot approximately 400 rounds with handgun, shotgun and rifle to complete the 12 stages of fire. Reese took top honors in the Open Ladies Class, while Hanish won the Tactical Ladies Class, both using the new Safariland ELS Belt and Accessory System.

“Moving from stage to stage, each shooter must reconfigure their rig or belt system to accommodate the requirements of the stage. The ELS and Accessory system makes it a lot easier to set up the rig, giving us more time to study the course of fire,” explained Reese.

The entire Team Safariland was using the new ELS (Equipment Locking System), fork and receiver plates, which made it very swift and easy to configure their belt for each course of fire. The ELS components offer a small footprint and a stable platform to allow several to be placed at different angles and locations on the 032 ELS Competition belt. Pouches attach to the fork and they slide easily into the receiver plates mounted to the belt.

“Competing at this high level of competition, you can imagine the pressure each competitor endures. The ELS system helps take some of that pressure off,” stated Scott Carnahan, Vice President, Category Marketing for Safariland.

“We are very proud of Maggie and Tasha’s accomplishments. Equally important is that they have been instrumental with the development of our gear, especially gear for female shooters.”

For more information about the ELS Competition Belt System and Team Safariland, visit www.safariland.com/dutygear. For more information on this event, check out www.uspsa.org.

About Safariland
Safariland, LLC is a premier provider of law enforcement and security products and services, delivering a full-range of customer-specific solutions. Offering many of the world’s most recognizable branded products in the public safety market, Safariland is committed to saving lives. For more information about Safariland and its body armor products, as well as information on the new NIJ-06 standard, please visit www.safariland.com.

About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

Team SureFire at USPSA Multi-gun Nationals

SureFire Tactical Lights

Fountain Valley, CA --(Ammoland.com)- SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of high-end illumination tools and tactical products, is proud to announce Team SureFire’s incredibly successful weekend at the USPSA Multi-gun Nationals.

Women’s shooting captain, Maggie Reese, was crowned the female Open Division National Champion for the second time in a row, and every member of the team placed third place or above in their divisions.

“Last year’s championship was so incredible that it was hard to wrap my head around because it was my first win and just my second competition,” said Reese. “This year is just as exciting, but it’s also more satisfying because now I have a whole team to share it with.”

Reese, a Southern California native, just started shooting competitively three years ago. Now she’s a back-to-back national champion in her only two attempts. Reese signed on as SureFire’s female shooting captain only two months ago and now has won another national championship for one of the most dominant teams in the sport.

Team SureFire, also features 10-time multi-gun national champion, Michael Voigt, and the 3-Gun Nation tour points leader and team captain, Barry Dueck, who two of the major events earlier this year. Dueck and Voigt were also teammates on USA’s 2008 IPSC World Shoot team where they took top honors in the Modified Division.

SureFire also sponsors other shooters around the country like world record pistol shooter, Max Michel. Other 3-gun shooters who proudly wear the SureFire logos on their jersey are: Tasha Hanish (2-time Women’s National Champion), Mark Hanish, Taran Butler (5-time National Champion), and Keith Garcia (first ever 3 Gun Nation event winner).

The team had a great showing overall, with Dueck placing an extremely close second place in the heavy optics division, followed by Mark Hanish in third. Voigt took second in the Open Division, just shy of his eleventh title, and Keith Garcia took second in Tactical Optics. Tasha Hanish repeated as women’s Tactical Optics National Champion. All of these shooters utilized SureFire’s championship winning muzzle brake to gain a distinct advantage in the rifle stages.

To learn more about multi-gun or 3-gun as it’s most referred to, please visit www.3GunNation.com, or stay tuned to the Versus (VS) channel Mondays 7:30am EST and Wednesdays 3:00pm EST for 3 Gun Nation, presented by SureFire.

About SureFire
Located in Fountain Valley, California, SureFire is a leading manufacturer of high-performance flashlights, weapon-mounted lights, and other tactical equipment for those who go in harm’s way, or anyone who demands the ultimate in quality, innovation, and performance. SureFire illumination tools are used by more SWAT teams and elite special operations groups than any other brand. SureFire is an ISO 9001:2000-certified company.

Horner Wins Tactical MultiGun Nationals Shooting Competition, Again

USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- Daniel Horner of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit made it two in a row as he successfully defended his Tactical division title this past weekend in Las Vegas at the U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) 2010 DPMS MultiGun National Championships.

The Army shooter stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. won five of the 12 stages in the match, taking top honors on the second, third, fifth, tenth and twelfth stages.  Horner claimed the lead after the second stage and held it through the remaining stages to finish with a final score of 2075.0824 – a margin of more than 218 points over his nearest competitor.

This is the third time in his shooting career that Horner has won the title.

“Daniel is hands down one of the strongest shooters in MultiGun’s Tactical division. He’s won the title three times now and I’d be hard pressed to bet against him winning a few more time in the future,” said Michael Voigt, USPSA president.

Winning four stages – including the first which made him the only other shooter to lead the match – was Keith Garcia of San Ramon, Calif. who finished second with a final score of 1856.9040. Third place went to Chris Sechiatano of Pleasant Hill, Calif. with 1847.2757.

Finishing fourth and fifth were Rob Romero of Hoschton, Ga. with 1845.9131 and Ted Puente of Milwaukee, Wis. with 1802.8130.

Tasha Hanish, a Team FNH USA shooter from Cave Creek, Ariz., won the Women’s Tactical division title for the second year in a row her final score of 1252.3448.

Among the senior shooters, Kerry DeMatos of Oxnard, Calif. finished 16th overall and claimed the Senior Tactical division title with a score of 1557.8230 while Randy Askins of Ione, Calif. won the Super Senior title with a score of 858.3089.

More than 150 top shooters from 26 states, as well as Canada, competed in the 2010 DPMS MultiGun Nationals putting more than 19,000 rounds downrange during the competition. The format of the MutiGun Nationals tests a shooter’s skill with three types of firearms – the rifle, the shotgun and the pistol.

The next major competition on the USPSA calendar is the 2010 USPSA Handgun National Championships scheduled for October 8 through 16 in Las Vegas, Nev. For more information, visit www.USPSA.org or follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter.

Horner Wins Tactical MultiGun Nationals Shooting Competition

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

Maggie Reese Repeats As Lady’s MultiGun Open Champion

USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- For the second year in a row Maggie Reese of South Pasadena, Calif. has claimed the Women’s Open division title at the U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) 2010 DPMS MultiGun National Championships.

Reese won six of the 12 stages to lead the field for most of the match which took place this past weekend at the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“MultiGun competition is challenging because it requires you to shoot at your best with three different firearms. That’s exactly what Maggie did.

As the defending champion, she attacked the course and shot well across all three platforms to once again claim the title,” said Michael Voigt, USPSA president.

Reese started strong by winning the first two stages of the match then gave up the lead as last year’s runner-up, Vinky Castillo of Cerritos, Calif., won the next three stages.

Maggie Reese Repeats As Lady’s MultiGun Open Champion

Reese battled back by winning the sixth stage and regained the lead with her win on the seventh. She went on to win two more stages, stages 10 and 11, and expanded her lead over Castillo.

Reese finished the match with a final score of 1272.8205 which put her more than 155 points ahead of the second place Castillo’s score of 1117.8194.

Third place in the women’s competition went to Annette Williamson of Yuma, Ariz. with 1069.0940.

Rounding out the top five were Debora Cheek of Danville, Ind. in fourth with one stage win and a score of 1047.7695, and Lydia Cuyong of the Philippines in fifth with two stage wins and a final score of 862.0144.

More than 150 top shooters from 26 states, as well as Canada, competed in the 2010 DPMS MultiGun Nationals putting more than 19,000 rounds downrange during the competition.

The format of the MutiGun Nationals tests a shooter’s skill with three types of firearms – the rifle, the shotgun and the pistol.

The next major competition on the USPSA calendar is the 2010 USPSA Handgun National Championships scheduled for October 8 through 16 in Las Vegas, Nev. For more information, visit www.USPSA.org or follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter.

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

Maggie Reese Repeats As Lady’s MultiGun Open Champion

Smith & Wesson’s Miculek Wins MultiGun Open Nationals

USPSA Multi-Gun Nationals

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(Ammoland.com)- Team Smith & Wesson’s Jerry Miculek of Princeton, La. came from behind late in the match to win the Open division at the U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) 2010 DPMS MultiGun National Championships this past weekend at the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Miculek, who finished second in 2009, has won the title previously in 2008, 2007 and 2005. His first place finish also earned Miculek the Senior Open division title.

“Jerry is one of our sport’s most respected competitors. There is no match that he enters that he is not among those favored to win and that’s certainly true when it comes to MultiGun competition,” said Michael Voigt, USPSA president and the defending MultiGun champion who finished second this year behind Miculek.

The Open division contest saw each of the top five shooters taking a turn in the lead with Clint Upchurch of Inman, S.C. winning the first stage of the match.

Smith & Wesson’s Miculek Wins MultiGun Open Nationals

Taran Butler of Simi Valley topped the field on the second stage to take the lead from Upchurch.

On the third stage of the match Chris Tilley of Raleigh, N.C. moved ahead but immediately fell to third place after the fourth stage when Voigt claimed the lead.

The Chino, Calif. resident held the lead through the next five stages controlling the match with wins on the sixth and ninth stages. Then on the tenth stage of the match Miculek overtook the defending champion.

Miculek had already won the fifth and eighth stages and with his win on the tenth claimed the lead and a 51+ point margin over Voigt. Through the final two stages Miculek held off Voigt who closed the gap to within 34 points with his win on the last stage. Miculek finished the match with a final score of 1997.2577 to claim the title.

Voigt’s final score of 1963.7636 placed him second in the match while Butler finished third with 1927.1224.

Upchurch took fourth, finishing a little over 130 out of first with 1867.2274. Tilley rounded out the top five with a final score of 1847.8161.

In the Women’s Open division contest Maggie Reese of South Pasadena, Calif. took top honors, winning six of the 12 stages and posting a final score of 1272.8205.

More than 150 top shooters from 26 states, as well as Canada, competed in the 2010 DPMS MultiGun Nationals putting more than 19,000 rounds downrange during the competition. The format of the MutiGun Nationals tests a shooter’s skill with three types of firearms – the rifle, the shotgun and the pistol.

The next major competition on the USPSA calendar is the 2010 USPSA Handgun National Championships scheduled for October 8 through 16 in Las Vegas, Nev. For more information, visit www.USPSA.org or follow @USPSA_Shooting on Twitter.

Team Safariland Member Mike Voigt

Team Safariland Member Mike Voigt

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

2010 DPMS USPSA MultiGun National Championships

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

Las Vegas, NV --(Ammoland.com)- WHO: Over 150 of the nation’s best rifle, shotgun and pistol shooters will descend on Las Vegas to compete for national titles in the U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s 2010 MultiGun National Championships sponsored by DPMS Firearms.

WHAT:
The 2010 DPMS USPSA MultiGun National Championships will feature 12 challenging stages, or courses of fire, that test a shooter’s skill with not just one type of firearm but three – the rifle, the shotgun and the pistol. USPSA is the national governing body for the sport of practical shooting in the U.S. and has more than 19,000 members competing in weekly matches throughout the country, as well as regional and national championships.

Shooters will compete for the national title in USPSA’s Open, Limited, Tactical, Heavy Metal Limited and Heavy Metal Tactical divisions. Additionally, honors will be awarded in the categories of High Lady, Senior, Super Senior, Junior, Military and Law Enforcement shooter.

2010 DPMS USPSA MultiGun National Championships draws competitors from throughout the United States. Along with competitors from Nevada, shooters from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as Canada, are also expected to compete.

WHERE:
Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club (http://www.dsrpc.net/)
12201 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89135
Map to Range: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/4-rox_

WHEN:
Friday through Sunday, September 10-12, 2010

Competition begins at 8:00am each day

CONTACTS:
Dave Thomas
dave@uspsa.org
(360) 855-2245
(360) 708-6828 during the match

About:
USPSA is a non-profit membership association. Most of the more than 15,000 individual members belong to and regularly compete at one of the nearly 400 affiliated clubs and sections (groups of clubs banded together for mutual benefit) located across the United States. USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (I.P.S.C.), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations. USPSA is the American region of IPSC. Visit: www.uspsa.org

Leupold Tactical Optics Shooting Team for 2010

Leupold Scopes

BEAVERTON, Ore. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Leupold’s Tactical Optics Shooting Team for 2010 features 10 accomplished shooters including Tasha Hanish, one of the dominant female competitors in 2009 multi-gun matches.

The team’s newest member, Hanish was the top woman in the tactical optics class in three major 2009 competitions: United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Multi-Gun National Championships, DPMS Tri-Gun Challenge and Rocky Mountain 3-Gun. An avid hunter, she is married to fellow team member Mark Hanish. They reside in Arizona.

Robby Johnson and Adam Popplewell join Tasha and Mark Hanish as new members of the Leupold Tactical Optics Shooting Team. Returning members are team captain Dave Neth; Bennie W. Cooley, Jr.; Cameron Grantham; Tony Holmes; Charles “Tate” Moots and Kelly Neal.

“We have expanded our team and look forward to another successful year,” said Kevin Trepa, Leupold’s vice president of tactical sales and marketing. “It is an honor to have these world-class competitive shooters representing Leupold in big matches around the country.”

A national champion competitive shooter, Dave Neth is proficient in a wide range of disciplines including 3-Gun, USPSA / International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), manual rifle / sniper matches and tactical shotgun. He has achieved top ranking in each of these disciplines. Neth is a USPSA 3-Gun Master Class national champion, and has won championships in many other major 3-Gun matches. He is an Idaho State Trooper and state-certified firearms instructor.

Bennie Cooley is a multiple winner in numerous shooting competitions, including the USPSA Multi-Gun National Championships, the 3-Gun World Championships and the International Tactical Long-Range Rifle Championships. He has more than 25 years experience in counter-terrorism and SWAT training, and is widely recognized for his outstanding ability to instruct and develop individuals in CQB shooting, sniper training and hostage rescue operations. Cooley, who lives in Idaho, has received the Excellence Award from the Mountain States Tactical Officers Association in recognition for winning back-to-back National SWAT Team Championships.

Cameron Grantham has competed in major matches around the country in a wide range of shooting disciplines: 3-Gun, sniper, manually operated rifle, USPSA and IPSC. A former Leupold employee in the Tactical Optics Division, he has an extensive background in law enforcement and training. Grantham resides in Oregon.

Mark Hanish holds the rank of USPSA Grandmaster, the highest possible classification. A competitive shooting champion at the world, regional and state levels, he is one of the founders of the Scottsdale Gun Club, the world’s largest public indoor shooting facility. Hanish’s titles include American Handgunner World Champion, stock class; and Winchester World Challenge winner, limited class.

A seasoned veteran, Tony Holmes competes in a wide variety of disciplines. He cites 2006 as a banner year in his competitive shooting career. At the 2006 NRA Action Pistol World Shoot in Australia, Holmes was a member of the United States Gold Team, which took second place overall. He placed second overall in the tactical optics class at the 2006 Ft. Benning 3-Gun Championship, and at the 2006 World Action Pistol Championship, won the falling plate event, setting a new record. Holmes lives in Indiana.

A Georgia resident, Robby Johnson shoots competitively in sniper, high power and 3-gun competitions. He was a member of the top team at the U.S. Army International Sniper Competition in 2007 and 2008, and in recent years has won the tactical irons division in several 3-Gun competitions. Johnson has served 13 years of active military duty – eight years in 3rd Ranger Battalion and five years with the Army Marksmanship unit.

A sponsored shooter since 2004, “Tate” Moots competes in “as many matches as I can get to” annually. He has participated in IPSC matches as well as the USPSA 3-Gun National Championships, among others. Moots has served as a sheriff’s deputy, a firearms instructor for SWAT dignitary protection duty, and a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. He resides in New Mexico.

Kelly Neal’s competitive shooting accomplishments include wins in the following matches: Ft. Benning 3-Gun, Tactical Optics Division; LaRue Tactical 3-Gun, Heavy Tactical Division; DPMS Tri-Gun Challenge, Heavy Tactical Division; USPSA Multi-Gun National Championships, Limited Division; and USPSA Open Rifle Championship. He has won matches at the state level in his home state of Arizona as well. Neal works in law enforcement, specializing in narcotics/methamphetamine interdiction and street gang drug prosecution.

Adam Popplewell competes in several different disciplines and has won many regional and national USPSA titles. He has placed in the top five or higher in matches that include the USAMU Ft. Benning 3-Gun, DPMS Tri-Gun Challenge, Rocky Mountain 3-Gun, Blue Ridge Mountain 3-Gun, and LaRue Tactical 3-Gun. In addition, Popplewell has many top finishes at sniper competitions. His home state is Nebraska.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the most prominent American-owned and -operated optics company, employs more than 600 people in its state-of-the-art facility near Beaverton, Ore., where rugged, dependable, high-performance Golden Ring® and Mark 4® optics are designed, machined and assembled. Leupold is a fifth-generation, family-owned company whose products are sold worldwide to American warfighters, law enforcement officers, hunters, wildlife observers and competitive shooters. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; flashlights; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a Charter Supporter of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation.

SureFire Tactical Lights

Fountain Valley, CA --(AmmoLand.com)- SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of high-end illumination tools and tactical products, is proud to announce its Suppressor Division director, Barry Dueck, placed third out of a field of over 80 Tactical Division competitors at the 2009 U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s (USPSA) Multi-Gun National Championships. Team SureFire was well-represented by Dueck who shot a final score of 1877.0010, less than 50 match points behind second place.

“I felt pretty good, shooting overall, and I know where I made some obvious mistakes,” said Dueck of his performance. “I thought I was in good shape, but I definitely didn’t think about a top-three finish. The match was tough, so I’m very pleased with the result.”

As director of SureFire’s Suppressor Division, Dueck spends a lot of time with firearms, including testing the SureFire muzzle brakes that champions such as Michael Voigt and Taran Butler have used to win many past competitions. It’s also the brake Voigt and Dueck used to help Team USA win the Modified Division at the IPSC World Shoot XV in 2008.

“All SureFire products have to be the best, or they don’t leave our facility,” Dueck elaborated on the muzzle brake that helped him earn his third-place finish. “I spend hundreds of hours, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, doing R&D for each new product. To keep that from getting monotonous, I started setting up IPSC courses. That work ultimately led to our MB556K muzzle brake, which Michael Voigt and I both use.”

The Multi-Gun National Championships were held October 22-25, at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, in Boulder City, Nevada. The event drew 135 top shooters from around the country to test their skills in a multi-gun format that requires competitors to use a rifle, shotgun, and pistol.

About SureFire
Located in Fountain Valley, California, SureFire is a leading manufacturer of high-performance flashlights, weapon-mounted lights, and other tactical equipment for those who go in harm’s way, or anyone who demands the ultimate in quality, innovation, and performance. SureFire illumination tools are used by more SWAT teams and elite special operations groups than any other brand. SureFire is an ISO 9001:2000-certified company.

FNH USA

McLean, Va. --(AmmoLand.com)- Tasha Hanish from the FNH USA Shooting Team took home a National Title in the heavily contested Tactical Optics Division at the USPSA Multi Gun Nationals, held in Las Vegas October 22-25, 2009. Tasha is the only woman shooter on FNH USA shooting team, and one of the few women shooting the demanding 3-Gun series. Tasha — a member of the team since mid-2009 — was ecstatic.

FNH Shooting Team's Tasha Hanish

Hanish said, “This is my first national title, and I am stoked to have it a tactical multi gun win. With the support of FNH USA, Leupold, Surefire, STI, Safariland and other sponsors, I was able to put most of my attention into the multigun events this year.

My favorite stages were stages one and two – long range rifle. In stage two, I had to rely on my ability to reload a rifle while running and changing my zero on my scope to make target acquisition faster. Honestly, both stages boosted my confidence immensely, and I now know what I need to work on to improve.”

Hanish plans to participate in 10-15 matches over the next year or so, “My goal is to repeat my titles and national win and to continue improving my performance with the guns I am regularly shooting,” she adds. The FN guns Tasha shoots with are the FN SCAR 16S rifle and the FN SLP shotgun.

Ken Pfau, vice president of sales for FNH USA and fellow team member, said, “It was huge fun to watch Tasha smoke most of the guy’s scores in these events. Tasha has played a central role in the team’s development this past year, and she brings her “A” game to each event. I hope she serves as a role model for more women to join the Multi Gun fun, she certainly brings out the best in our products”.

FNH USA is the sales and marketing arm of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium. Its corporate mission is to expand its global leadership in defense, law enforcement and commercial markets by delivering superior products and the finest in training and logistical support. Visit www.fnhusa.com to view the entire line of FNH USA products and services. FNH USA, P.O. Box 697, McLean, VA, 22101, U.S.A.

FAIRFAX, Va. – -(AmmoLand.com)-  NRA Competitive Shooting Division is proud to announce its entrance into tactical multi-gun or three-gun competitions. The first NRA-sanctioned multi-gun match will be held in Waco, Texas March 28-29, 2009.

Kayne Robinson, Executive Director of NRA’s General Operations is pleased to further welcome three-gun shooters into the NRA family by way of sanctioning the LaRue Tactical Three-Gun Competition. “Three-gun competitors are a welcome addition to an already outstanding group of competitive shooters,” said Robinson.

“The Special Committee on Multi-Gun Competitions will assist the NRA in developing rules for the competition, developing the stages of fire necessary to run an NRA-sanctioned competition, and training NRA staff to better serve three-gun competitors,” offered Mike Krei, Director of the NRA’s Competitive Shooting Division.

Three additional Multi-Gun matches have received NRA’s sanctioning:

• Sabre Defense Blue Ridge Mountain Three-Gun Match, April 24-26, 2009
• Johnson Three-Gun Match, June 27-28, 2009
• Rocky Mountain Three-Gun Match held at the NRA Wittington Center in Raton, New Mexico August 6-8, 2009.

For more than 100 years, NRA competitive shooting has offered a wide range of activities in all types of shooting disciplines. Thousands of competitive shooters have participated in NRA-sanctioned events. “The NRA is pleased to expand its Competitions Division to include three-gun matches and, in doing so, further build its competitive legacy,” said Krei.

For more information on the LaRue Tactical Three-Gun Competition, or future three-gun competitions, please contact Janet Raab in the NRA Competitive Shooting Division by email, jraab@nrahq.org or by phone at (703) 267-1479. Further information on NRA’s Competitive Shooting Division or sponsorship of three-gun matches can be found at www.nrahq.org/compete.