NRA High Power Competition - What Is Its Future? - Part 2 of 2 Series

National Defense Match.

For the last two years Trey Tuggle has been Tactical Rifle Coordinator for the NRA, to research and find a way to bring shooting competition to the masses. I had the pleasure of speaking to him the other day about all of his hard work getting a new form of competition off the ground.  By masses, I mean all of the people that bought guns for self-defense and have had really no clue what to do with them besides plinking at the range once or twice a year. People who are curious about competing but don't want to spend as much time and money as serious High Power or other. There are tons of these people out there. So it has been Trey's mission to get these people out of their homes and to their local shooting range and compete. For now he is concentrating on the rifle category. Pistol and shotgun ideas to be determined. My question to Trey was how do you get this organized at grass roots level? What is the format of competition? Is there another NRA rule book out there for this?

As a trial run, Trey organized a match at Camp Perry last summer during Nationals. I was shooting the long range nationals on the range next door. Called National Defense Match, he invited a group of well known 3 Gun shooters to participate and give feedback along the way. Targets were set as close as 7 yards out to 100 yards. If your shooting range is larger you can put targets as far out as you want. The closer targets have 5 multi-colored tombstones, the NRA NDM 5-120, as seen in photo above. This was designed exclusively for NDM. These are placed at 7, 15 and 30 yards. Anything further out say past 60 yards uses a khaki colored tombstone called the NRA D-1 which is actually an NRA Action Pistol target.  The shooter is timed to hit each target with designated round count in various positions. Here is link to the NDM "Guide" book to explain all of the details. And really there are not a lot of details. That is the beauty of this thing.

Trey did not want another official rule book. Once the NRA sets a rule book it is nearly impossible to change it. (Although a couple of years ago the NRA changed a traditional shooting position in RMC that more than ruffled a few feathers. But that is a whole other article) The NDM book is a "guide" book. How this starts if you don't have a super organized or funded club is that a few people can set up their own match for fun (with range approval of course) and hopefully the word gets out and eventually an organized regular competition can be arranged.  All you need to do is have the targets which can be purchased on line and your rifle. Any modern defensive rifle that is safe will do. Trey's thinking is you can set it up so that you don't have to stay all day for a match. You can show up, shoot your string and then go on about your day. He patterned it off of normal busy people with families, etc. They even have a course of fire for kids using .22s. He wants this to be accessible to even the smallest of ranges. Will this ever become as structured as High Power? Most likely not. Which is the point. As far as the match held at Camp Perry last year may have been a one off. Trey was not looking to add another match at Nationals. It was to be a test as to how well this could work.

This is a great way to compete without having to invest in any fancy equipment or gear. Bring what you have is the motto. This can only be good for the industry in general. More interest in shooting and more interest in buying guns. A win win. Now for the rest of us we need to help spread the word.

30calgal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can.........."

NRA High Power Competition - What Is Its Future? - Part 1 of 2 Series

I liken High Power to Rowing. I used to row crew for the U. Of Washington. The U. of W. had and still has one of the best rowing teams in the world. But, have you ever been to a regatta? Do you know any famous rowing names? Seen it on tv or used in a beer commercial? No, I didn't think so. But in the rowing community we know what a glorious and rewarding sport it is. It has been around for generations. It is a precision sport. It is a tradition. But it does not attract spectators. It is difficult to attract new participants.  High Power is like Rowing. High Power has also been around for generations. It is a precision sport. In the High Power community it is a glorious and rewarding sport. It is a tradition. But to new and younger shooters it is slow and boring. The number of competitors is dwindling. Nationals at Camp Perry see a decline in registration year after year. My local club championships used to sell out. Not any more. But how can this be? AR 15s and every type of military style rifle is flying off the shelves of every gun store. The sport of NRA High Power is shooting military rifles in competition! What is going on here? What is the NRA doing to make this sport popular again and to attract new shooters?

Other sports like football, basketball, baseball and soccer fill stadiums. They have beer commercials and cable channels dedicated to them. Advertisers, leagues and the networks are continually changing with the times and know how to attract new people to the sports. The huge and popular and "cool" growth in shooting sports is USPSA and tactical rifle.  USPSA and 3 Gun Nation are getting new shooters in droves. It is being televised and sponsored. It is fast and exciting. There are famous names coming out that even non-shooters are recognizing. Once again, what is the future of NRA high power and shooting sports in general? Optics.

Optics? I met Mike Krei the NRA Competition Director at Shot Show and picked his brain on the subject. Tactical rifles and optics. To me a tactical rifle is a current military style weapon with hand guards and rails and muzzle breaks and lots of cool "stuff". AND OPTICS. In High Power across the course competition there are categories.  There is the service rifle category, which if you read the rule book says it must look like an issued "service rifle" with iron sights that the military uses. (plus or minus a million details). First that was an M1 Garand, then an M14 and now most use an AR 15. These were upgrades made to weapons over time. They can have custom barrel, action and  trigger but the exterior must look like it came off of the rack. There has been a match rifle category where almost anything goes but it still must be iron sights.  Lately the true definition of service rifle has become vague. The military is now using all types of tactical rifles and of course with optics. But their choice weapon of the day changes so fast. How can the NRA rule book keep up? Make a new category. Again, optics.

Now this would make every high power shooter out there roll over in their future grave. Scopes? Are you kidding? You are messing with tradition. But the NRA sees the writing on the wall. There is a category 3.2 Any Rifle. It has always been there but no one uses it in Across The Course. I hate to say it but it may just help the sport. Tactical rifles with all of the bells and whistles are attractive to shooters. And guess what? The NRA is willing to take a gamble on this. Unofficially officially, this year at Nationals David Tubbs is donating a Tubbs 2000 rifle with a NightForce scope on it to the winner of the Any Rifle category during NRA week. That set up is worth a few thousand dollars. That might even change the mind of some "Old School" shooters! Chance of winning should be high if there are only a few takers. I think this will be great! As for the future of Long Range High Power that I shoot? Optics. Am I repeating myself here?

I shoot sling support and iron sights. The last few years another category of shooter has crept in and now almost out number the iron sight "slingers". FTR Class. Long range bolt action rifles with bi-Pod and a scope. To me as an iron sight gal I used to think this was sacrilege. But I get it now. It is way cool.** And hey, their numbers are growing. The US FTR team won a gold medal at Worlds in Ireland last year. They have sponsorship from Nightforce and Berger and others. My friend Darrell Buell is the FTR Team captain. He was beaming when I ran in to him at Shot Show last week. He was there to present Berger and Nightforce with Gold Medals thanking them for their support and faith in the team.

Change can be difficult to accept. Like the saying, "kids these days!" "How dare they change what has been tradition for so many years. It has been this way forever." Well, sometimes we may not like it. But if it keeps any discipline of shooting sports alive and well? I am all for it. Come on. Say it. "Optics."

30calgal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can..........."

**Note! I am still a huge fan of the traditional High Power and I will still shoot it. I do like the tradition. But I have no problem with trying out the new categories. Besides, I would love that Tubb 2000!

Practice Tactical Rifle Match - Renton Fish and Game

Not only was it a first tactical match for me but it was for the Renton Fish and Game Club and our new Stag Arms 3G rifle. Normally the tactical matches are held up north of Seattle about 2 hours a way. A trial practice match was approved by the board of Renton (which was what we shot yesterday) and it looks like they will be hosting this once a month now, last Saturday of each month. This will be so great to be able to practice tactical rifle so close to home. Not many people get this opportunity. I will be a regular!

Since it will be several weeks until my JP rifle is done, Charles is kind enough to let me share his Stag Arms he just bought. We just sighted it in a day prior and put it through its paces at the match. Both of us shooting it put about 400 rounds through it. Make that about 500. Our friend Brian's rifle was accidentally tipped over and the red dot sight shattered. We loaned him the Stag and he was quite happy. The trigger is a Geissele and awesome. He loved it. That rifle really is sweet. But with a new gun comes bugs to work out.

We both had issues with mis-feeds and mag releases. We learned the hard way not fill magazines to full capacity. The other issue was that some of the magazines dropped right out when released but others stuck and had to be pulled out. Not good when you are timed. You can see this in the video above toward end of string. (**Sorry about the intro to the video. I have to start making videos of products and matches and need an intro. You may get sick of it) This was a string with mandatory mag change. The farther targets were about 25 yards away and were head shots. Clean run. Yea! A bonus for us is that we had Tom Kettel on our squad who was very helpful in getting Charles and I with the program. He can coach me any day.

I am pretty happy with my performance. The first two stages I cleaned and kept a decent cadence. The unfortunate part was I did not step in to the box all the way on one target and was penalized 7 seconds. Ouch! The worst was stage 4 where the magazine being too full would not stay in. Not knowing the problem on the  first mag I threw it to the ground and grabbed my second one with the same issue. Then I struggled pulling a round out to get it to lock in finally. Shooting that stage went great after that. In fact I had to shoot left handed around a wall and did so clean. But the time I lost was painful. Alas that is why I am excited to have these matches so close and once a month now. This will be beneficial for 3 Gun.

30calgal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can....."

Twas The Night After Shot Show 2012....................

Twas the night after Shot Show and all through The Sands
Not an exhibitor or attendee with a gun in their hands.
All 60,000 people home and tucked in their beds
with overloads of thoughts of cool toys in their heads.
Bloggers like me don't know where to begin
to promote all the vendors we cherish from within.
My fellow GunUp.com network walking miles and miles
to interview and promote new products with smiles.
On Blade-Tech, On Browning, On Sig Sauer and Smith & Wesson,
On Glock and Kahr Arms and HK and Crimson (Trace)
Kudos to Kimber and Ruger, CZ and Colt
We owe you shout outs on The Net for a promotional jolt.
From Flash Bangs to designer concealment purses for ladies with guns
there are cool new carry pistols to make concealment very fun.
The Kimber Micro CDP and the beautiful Ultra II Saphhire
The revived Colt Mustang and CZ ProTek
and the Sig P938 gives us all much to desire.
Now for my own personal bragging I have much to be proud
of the awesome sponsors I received that will surely draw a crowd.
My ESS Suppressor Eyeshields will protect me from blindness
Bullets from Nosler will win me long range matches. What kindness!
Thank you to PNW Arms for having faith in my skills
your ammo will surge me ahead in pistol and 3 Gun thrills.
I mostly wait impatiently for my new rifle to be built
This could only be done by the great JP Enterprises
And asking for the best I have no guilt.
To all of the other vendors and people I met for the first time
I hardly have enough space to add you to my rhyme.
It does not mean I don't love you or think you are not worthy
that would be absurdly. (I know, pushing it there)
I thank NSSF for a Shot Show to be remembered
Until next year to you all, may success be tendered.

30calgal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can..........."

600 Yards - .308 Rifle Barrel and Action Test

I was thinking that I could also title this entry "Excuses, Excuses". Quickly to recap, I switched to a new Palma rifle about a year ago from the Hall action I had to a Quad Lock action. I bought the QL used from a friend competitor. They don't make these actions anymore which is too bad because they are amazing. The first 6 months I fired it I had the time of my life. I got my national 300 yard records and the BC Championship and other awards with this rifle. I went to Camp Perry right after BC and just could not perform well. Same at 29 Palms in November and some local matches. I had serious elevation issues. So of course you (and I) are thinking that it is just pilot error. But I don't normally have wacky elevation shots. And my performances early in the year were great. So what was going on? Isn't it possible I was just not meant to do well in every match? One never really knows these things. It just takes trial and errors to maybe find a solution. So here come the "excuses".

My thought was possibly a bad barrel. But we put the same barrels on both guns at the same time. The Hall is shooting perfectly. There are only about 2000 rounds through my QL barrel. But maybe it is just a bad one? Then came ammo. I have been testing that also and we have used the same loads as before. So yesterday I went to a 600 yard practice to ease my
conscience a bit and shoot both rifles back to back with the same load of ammo. As usual the conditions at Cascade were pretty calm so I knew I did not have to fight that. I have included photos here of my plot sheets for both rifles. Some of you may think there is not much difference between the two but I think there is. The top photo is of the Hall action. We were shooting late in day and it was actually very low light during this string of 2 sighters and 20 for record. You will notice that all shots are in a nice tight group in and just on edge of X ring. I had one flyer 9 that I called. Not only was it dark but I had not fired this rifle in a long time and had to figure out sling position, cheek and shoulder piece, etc to get at least a bit comfortable. And it still shot great! The lower photo is of the Quad Lock.

Now, most would not complain that all shots except for one wind at 3:00 are still in X and 10 rings. But the shots in the 10 ring are considerably out there compared to the Hall. This is a much wider group than the other! At the further distances of 1000 yards at Perry and 29 Palms the elevation shots were much wider and in the 9 ring. Not good. I was shooting with Gary yesterday and he suggested something. He asked when was the last time the pin springs had been replaced. I looked at him blankly. I can shoot well. Just don't ask me too many technical questions. Apparently this can cause elevation issues. Many shooters replace them once a year as just maintenance. The problem though with the Quad Lock is that this pin spring is really contoured washers in funny positions rather than a coil spring. There are really only a couple of gunsmiths I know that could figure out this thing. I think it is worth a try to see if it will make a difference. This sport is full of "excuses". Can we blame ourselves ever? Well yes. But in seeing the two plot sheets next to each other I feel there is something going on besides just me. This game is about X counts. I can't afford wide groups.

Other than stealing back the Hall action rifle from Charles..... hee-hee, I need to find out if the QL can make a come back. I'll take the rifle to my gunsmith when I return from ShotShow next week. In my head I feel better that I did have a great group with one rifle and I am still shooting well. I'll be posting updates from Shot. Stay tuned for my journey to get started in USPSA and Multi-Gun!

30calgal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can........."

AR 15 Bolt Face Necklace - Gun Jewelry!

I have to say I am very excited about this. If you did not know already, I also make jewelry as a hobby and side business. I have been trying to come up with an idea of something pretty yet related to guns as jewelry. Well, I think I did it this time. I use a product called PMC - Precious Metal Clay. Cool stuff. It comes as a clay. You make what you want, fire it in a kiln and it turns into a metal. 99.9% Fine Silver. A little softer than Sterling. PMC comes in gold, bronze and copper as well. Not going to test the gold with prices as they are. Mitsubishi invented this product years ago for engine repairs.

I made a mold of the bolt face on my AR 15. I create the shape with the clay, let it dry then file and sharpen, add findings and a tiny cubic zirconia where the firing pin hole is. Fire it in a kiln, polish it up to a beautiful shine and voila! Gun jewelry! I have other colors of cz's I can use also. Each piece will be slightly different and meant to be a little rough since it comes right off bolt face. A thick chunk of silver pendant and it is on an 18" sterling silver chain. Edgy yet elegant noh?

Let me know what you think. I already have two orders placed. Exciting! Now, to find the time to make them. If you are interested they can be found on my Etsy.com site at this link - AR 15.

30calgal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can......"

Hot Chicks With Guns

Did I get your attention? Thought so. Hot Chicks with guns is one of the most popular search terms for women and guns in the Google world. Here are more that I found; "Hot girls with guns, Hot babes with guns, Women and guns, Girls with guns, Beautiful girls with guns, Tactical girls, Babes with machine guns." Nice. And of course the photo above of the four hot gun babes of West Coast Armory (where I work) had to be included.

Women are screaming into the gun industry. Not so much news to me since I am in it already. I see how many gals are shooting now and buying guns. But to the non-shooting world I think they are amazed to see the stats. Here are two stats I found. There are 15 - 20 million women in this country that own guns and women account for 1 in 6 Concealed Pistol Licenses. Wow. There are books, movies, reality tv shows, websites, magazines, Facebook pages all dedicated to women and guns. In fact, a few of those search terms mentioned above are actual websites that are worthy. "Chicks With Guns" is a new fabulous book by photographer Lindsay McCrum with stories and beautiful photographs of real women in all walks of life with guns. Check it out. There is a documentary called "A Girl And A Gun Film". I have only seen the trailer but it looks interesting. Unfortunately I don't think it was finished since they have been looking for donations. I hope they do. There is a new movie coming out in 2012 called Haywire starring the MMA fighter Gina Carano. This movie looks like a lot of fun and she is doing all of her own fight scenes. Her gun skills looked fairly accurate as well. Can't wait. "Women and Guns Magazine" has a web publication called WomenShooters.com.

Although not a big fan, there is a Reality Show called Sons of Guns featuring a family owned business. They have a gun store and build custom firearms for people. An overnight sensation is the daughter Stephanie Hayden who "mans" the store. I will say that she alone has peaked the curiosity of thousands of women. She convinced her dad to make a Ladies Saiga Rifle for women in a variety of colors. Pink is one of them of course. They can't keep them in stock. Her Facebook fan page has over 95,000 fans.

Just a few of the FaceBook Fan pages I follow are; Girls Guides To Guns, Women Outdoor News, Women of the USPSA, Shelley Rae, Stephanie Hayden - Sons of Guns, Women's Tactical Association, Julie Goloski Golob, Top Gun Tori, and of course my own, Anette Wachter- 30CalGal and many, many more.

This is only the beginning of a rapidly growing trend. Women who want guns for self-defense, competition and hobbies. I am going to ShotShow in Vegas in a couple of weeks. The largest Gun Industry trade show in the world. It is 4 days of miles and miles of guns and gun related stuff. There are many nationally ranked competative female shooters that will be there and many women in gun related businesses. Shelley Sargent aka Shelley Rae had the idea to have a Happy Hour event for "Women in the Industry" one night. We hope to get as many ladies as possible to join us. We hope to make it a tradition and possibly something that will be sponsored in the future. Cheers to the ladies! May we one day be the largest population of gun owners.

30CalGal
"Shoot Like A Girl! If You Can...."