Smith & Wesson’s B.J. Norris Earns Coveted Steel Master Title at 2009 U.S. Steel Nationals
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Smith & Wesson Corp., announced that team member B.J. Norris was awarded the prestigious Steel Master title at the 2009 Smith & Wesson U.S. Steel Nationals held March 26-28 in Titusville, Florida. After winning the Limited Division and placing second in the Rimfire and Open Pistol Divisions, Norris’ combined time in all three events was enough to earn him a second consecutive Steel Master title. In addition to Norris’ back-to-back title wins, Team Smith & Wesson members accounted for three national titles and 13 top five finishes in the Open, Limited, Production, Rimfire, Revolver, Steel Master and Women’s Divisions.
During the three days of competition, more than 122 competitors from across the United States and Canada tested their skills in eight stages of fire made up of all steel targets. Using an electronic timer that recorded times to 0.1 of a second, competitors completed five runs on each stage of fire. Each competitor’s four best runs on each of the stages were used to tally scores for individual stage results and a combined score of all eight stages was used to determine a final match score.
Throughout this year’s Steel Nationals, Norris used a variety of Smith & Wesson firearms en route to his second consecutive Steel Master title. On the first day of the competition, Norris competed in the Rimfire Optics Division using a Smith & Wesson 1911 TRS pistol retrofitted with a Tactical Solutions 22LR Upper. With a total time of 65.79 seconds, Norris finished in 2nd place, only 0.07 seconds behind division winner Dave Sevigny. Competing in the Limited Division during the second day of the match, Norris once again squared off against Sevigny, using a Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro Series pistol.
With a total time of 93.41 seconds, Norris captured the Limited Division with a definitive lead of 3.35 seconds. On the last day of the competition, Norris competed in the Open Division using a Smith & Wesson 1911 TRS pistol that had been converted to 9mm. His total time of 81.87 seconds earned him 2nd place in the division, just narrowly missing the Open title by 0.08 seconds behind defending National Champion Max Michel of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.
“B.J.’s ability to ascend the ranks in competitive shooting in such a short time is truly an impressive feat,” said Dave Thomas, Executive Director of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association. “His ability to win consecutive Steel Master titles along with holding multiple speed shooting records at only 19 years old, speaks volumes about B.J.’s skill, confidence under pressure and preparation before each match. The entire Smith & Wesson team performed exceptionally well during this year’s match despite the challenging course format and intense competition. I would expect nothing less from Smith & Wesson, as the company has always been very proficient in establishing a talented group of shooters across several divisions.”
Team Smith & Wesson Champion Jerry Miculek also added another national level win to his illustrious career by earning the Open Revolver National Title. Undefeated in Open Revolver, this marks the third time Jerry has won the national title at the Smith & Wesson U.S. Steel Nationals. Also competing in this year’s match on behalf of Team Smith & Wesson were Kay Miculek, Doug Koenig, Dave Olhasso, Gilbert Perez and Gordon Carrell. Team members earned 13 top five finishes in the Open, Limited, Production, Rimfire, Revolver, Steel Master and Women’s Divisions.
About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a global leader in safety, security, protection and sport, is parent company to Smith & Wesson Corp., one of the world’s largest manufacturers of quality firearms and firearm safety/security products and parent company to Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting rifles, black powder rifles, interchangeable firearms systems and accessories under the Thompson/Center brand. Smith & Wesson licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield, Houlton, Maine, and Rochester, New Hampshire. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America’s longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to www.tcarms.com.