The National Rifle Association (NRA) recently announced the reopening of the NRA Public Range Fund. Established in 2009, the NRA Public Range Fund is a grant-matching program that encourages city and county governments, along with state or federal agencies, to work with NRA to build and improve public ranges across the United States.
This matching grant program encourages federal, state, and local governments to work with NRA to construct, maintain, and augment public shooting facilities. At the NRA’s sole discretion, grants are awarded to assist with the acquisition, development, and improvement of public shooting facilities.
Make Range Improvements and Resolve Environmental Issues
In addition to physical improvements, NRA’s Public Range Fund allows qualifying agencies or local governments to improve community relations and address environmental issues related to range operations. With grants awarded on a 50/50 matching basis, 50% of project cost are provided by the applicant and the remaining 50% are provided by the Fund. In-kind services such as labor, materials, and equipment may be considered to provide the applicant’s 50% contribution.
“Our grants provide … recreational facilities for entire communities. Public ranges allow hundreds of thousands of hunters, competitive shooters, and target shooters to work on their marksmanship under safe and responsible conditions. More than 90 public ranges have been awarded funds to date and we look forward to assisting the next 90.” — Liz Bush, managing director of NRA Community Engagement
More than $2 million in NRA Public Range Fund grants have been awarded since the program began. To learn about this program and other available grants, visit the NRA Grant Program Webpage.
Range Improvement Grants
Helping clubs improve shooting range facilities is one of the main missions of the NRA Grant Program. Such programs might include: Berm improvements (example below), Clubhouse improvements, Target pits, Covered firing lines, Road improvements, Trap Machines, Storage buildings and other permanent improvements to club properties and/or facilities.
If you want to stay current with trends in the firearms industry, and see important new product releases before they hit dealers’ shelves, you should check out Shooting Industry magazine. While tailored for firearms/outdoor gear retailers and industry professionals, this monthly journal also provides valuable information for all gun owners. We read Shooting Industry to learn about sales trends, new products, and current gun laws issues.
READ for FREE — Shooting Industry is now available in a digital format for FREE. There are free archives going back 14 years to December 2007.
Get FREE Digital Shooting Industry Magazines for the Past 13 Years
You can access, for free, 14 years of Shooting Industry back issues, plus all the recent 2021 issues. CLICK HERE for the current issue along with all issues for the previous three years: 2018, 2019, 2020. IMPORTANT — To access older issues, you much first launch a recent digital edition. That will give you access to the full 14-year archive, as explained below.
Here are links for the most recent three issues — July 2021, June 2021, and May 2021. Simply click each cover to read full issue for FREE:
July 2021
Top Stories:
Trends Of First-Time Buyers
COVID-19’s Effect On Hunting
June 2021
Top Stories:
Where’s All the Ammo?
Industry’s Public Companies
May 2021
Top Stories:
The Art of Instruction
New Gun Owners in America
How to Access Magazine Archives Back to December 2007
Once you have launched the digital version of a recent issue, you can access the past 14 years of Shooting Industry back issues by using the ARCHIVE Button. First click on the MENU icon (three horizontal lines). Then click on the link for ARCHIVE. When you click on “Archive”, a list appears on the right. Scroll down to select any issue from July 2021 back to December 2007. Note: The index is divided, so some of the more recent Shooting Illustrated issues are found at the BOTTOM of the Archive, while others are at the top, or the middle. Be patient and look for “SIxxxx”
BONUS! FREE Back Issues of GUNS Magazine and American Handgunner
In the Shooting Industry Archives, you will also find free digital editions of GUNS Magazine and American Handgunner. These will be found in the archive tables on the right. Just look for GUNSxxxx in the list entry for GUNS Magazine back issues, or AHxxxx for American Handgunner back issues.
During this 4th of July Holiday Weekend there are a number of sales running at major vendors. Grayboe Stocks has knocked 20% off the price of all stocks, chassis systems and accessories. Creedmoor Sports is offering Free Shipping, Brownells is discounting guns and ammo, Midsouth has some big sales on reloading kits and bullets, while EuroOptic has huge discounts on Special Edition Independence Day AR15 and Remington 700 triggers from TriggerTech. In addition, MidwayUSA is knocking 10% off the price of “qualifying optics”– more than 1600 scopes, red dots, laser rangefinders, spotters, binoculars and ring sets are 10% Off now with Promo Code OPTICS621.
MidwayUSA Optics Sale — 10% Off with Promo Code OPTICS621
MidwayUSA is knocking 10% off the price of “Qualifying Optics” — Over 1600 items. Here is just a small sample of the 1600+ discounted scopes, LRFs, spotting scopes, binoculars, Red Dots, and ring sets. Use Promo Code OPTICS621 during checkout to save 10%:
To SAVE 10% on these and 1600+ more optics products, use Promo Code OPTICS621 during check-out.
Brownells Made-in-America Independence Day Promo
With the Made-in-America Sales Event now through 7/5/21 at Brownells, you can save on Black Rifle components, optics, triggers, and more.
EuroOptic TriggerTech Trigger Sale
Great deals on Special Edition TriggerTech triggers. Don’t delay, we expect these to sell out.
Grayboe Stocks — 20% Off ALL Products
Here’s a great opportunity for anyone who needs a new stock or chassis. Grayboe Stocks has knocked 20% off the price of all stocks, chassis systems, and accessories.
Palmetto State Armory July 4th Sale — ARs, Pistols, Optics
Looking for a Black Rifle, AR upper, or AR lower? Plenty of AR hardware is on sale now, along with pistols, optics and more. SALE OPTICS HERE.
Creedmoor Sports — Free Shipping with Code FREEDOM
For the 4th of July Weekend, Creedmoor Sports is offering FREE Shipping with orders over $50.00.
How would you like to get rifle and pistol training from some of the best marksmen in the country for a modest charge and ammo included! This summer, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) will offer Small Arms Firing Schools (SAFS) at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Facility. Choose from pistol, smallbore rifle, rimfire sporter, or service rifle courses. No prior competition experience is required, and the CMP even supplies the guns. For more details on the Small Arms Firing SchoolsCLICK THIS LINK.
2021 Camp Perry Small Arms Firing School Dates:
Pistol: July 13
Smallbore (.22 LR) Rifle: July 20
Rimfire Sporter Rifle: July 24
Service Rifle: July 31 – August 1
REGISTRATION
Registration is now Open. You can register on-line on the CMP web site and make payment via credit card.
The SAFS courses have been a staple at the annual Camp Perry National Matches since 1918, educating over 1,000 pistol and rifle participants each year. Formulated specially to ease in those of who are new to marksmanship, the school is led by members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit along with qualified civilian and military professionals. The minimum age for Pistol SAFS students is 14 while the minimum age for Rifle SAFS students is 12.
Currently, the CMP offers SAFS courses in smallbore rifle (.22 caliber), rimfire sporter rifle (.22 caliber), centerfire service rifle (M16), and centerfire pistol (M9). Since the schools are intended for beginners, no past firearm experience or gun ownership is required to participate. All ammo will be provided by the CMP along with the M9 pistols and M16 rifles. NOTE: Smallbore students can request to borrow a Walther KK300 for the class — send request to bdonoho@thecmp.org.
SAFS utilizes both classroom and live-fire training that covers basic instruction and firing practices as well as a scope of competition skills. Students in the Pistol (M9) and Rifle (M16) courses will also be entered into a true Excellence-In-Competition (EIC) Match. Though firing in the match is not required, it allows participants the chance to earn four EIC leg points toward a Distinguished Badge.
Small Arms Firing School COSTS
Pistol and Rifle: $50.00 for adults, $35.00 for juniors
Advanced Pistol School: $20.00 for adults ($15.00 for juniors)
Smallbore School: $35.00 for juniors
Rimfire School: $35 for adults, $25 for juniors
WHAT YOU GET
For the entry fee(s), students receive:
All instruction
All needed ammunition for the school
Use of an M9 9mm service pistol or an M-16 service rifle (with Walther KK300 for smallbore on request).
USAMU Guidebook for the particular program
SAFS T-shirt
SAFS certificate
NOTE: All Pistol and Rifle SAFS students also receive automatic entry in the M9 Pistol EIC or M16 Rifle EIC Matches at no additional cost, a special EIC match pin and an opportunity to win four EIC credit points.
National Matches 2021 Full Schedule
To view the full schedule of the 2021 National Matches at CLICK this SCHEDULE LINK.
This past weekend, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) Service Rifle Team won the 2021 Interservice Rifle Team Championship Match held in Quantico, Virginia. The USAMU squad finished with an impressive score of 4918-185X! This competition features 10-person teams. All the shooters have to perform well to secure the team victory.
This is a tough match, shot with multiple positions at 200, 300, and 600 yards. In this course of fire, all members of a 10-person team complete the following stages:
Stage 1 at 200 yards — 10 standing, slow fire shots with a total time of 66 minutes.
Stage 2 at 200 yards — 10 sitting from standing, rapid fire shots within 60 seconds per shooter.
Stage 3 at 300 yards — 10 prone from standing, rapid fire shots within 70 seconds per shooter.
Stage 4 at 600 yards — 20 prone, slow fire shots with a total time of 126 minutes.
Team members were: Sgt. 1st Class Walter Craig (coach), Lt. Col. Erik Andreasen (captain), Staff Sgt. Erin McNeil (497-21X), Sgt. Brandon Muske (495-22X), Sgt. Jarrod McGaffic (495-18X), Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Green (494-20X), Sgt. Jared Desrosiers (494-15x), Staff Sgt. David Bahten (492-19X), Spc. Kade Jackovich (492-17X), Spc. Luke Rettmer (489-16X) Staff Sgt. Verne Conant (487-13X) and Sgt. Lane Ichord (483-24x).
By earning the top score in this match, SSG Erin McNeil (shown above) also earned the Lt. Col. Reynolds Trophy. SGT Muske placed second in this category. The 2021 Interservice Match at Quantico concludes today with the well-known Infantry Trophy Team Match. See more Interservice match photos at: USAMU Flickr Archive (742 images).
The U.S. Armed Services’ new champion is a young lady. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) Erin McNeil claimed the 2021 Interservice Individual Rifle Champion title with an impressive score of 996-52X, beating out 86 other service members. That score also earned Erin the title of High Woman. The 2021 Interservice Rifle Championships (IRC) continued with other events, including the 1000-yard match. Shown below is SSG McNeil competing in the IRC 1K Match.
Staff Sgt. Erin McNeil hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has a B.S. in Mathematics from Texas Christian University (TCU), and holds the military occupational specialty of battle management system operator. With the USAMU, SSG McNeil has served on the International Shooting Team and the Service Rifle Team. As a USAMU team member, SSG McNeil has earned the President’s 100 Tab, Rifleman’s EIC Badge, and Bronze Medal at the 2014 World Championship in 3-Position/50m Smallbore Rifle.
McNeil started shooting through a 4-H program while in the 8th grade and then shot in college with the TCU Rifle Team. Now, she serves as a shooter/instructor on the USAMU International Rifle Team. In the video below, SSG McNeil talks about her career in competitive shooting, and what she enjoys most about rifle competition — both smallbore and High Power. She notes she gets enjoys instructing young high school and collegiate shooters.
Erin enjoys shooting competition because “It’s really between you and the gun. It’s a very mental game. I think shooting is a great sport… as long as you are able to compete within yourself.”
Like Father, Like Daughter — Both Great Shooters
Erin noted: “My father was very influential in my shooting career. As a child, I looked up to him. I knew that he had been a world-class shooter in his youth. He asked me a few times if I would be interested in starting the 4H Rifle program He was excited when I started showing interest in the program. Although he never coached me for fear of crossing the father/daughter relationship with the athlete/coach relationship, but he was always my biggest supporter and even gave assistance when I asked for it. I had a natural talent for shooting and ended up joining my high school’s Army JROTC. I was given a NCAA scholarship; to TCU during my senior year. After completing college, I was accepted into the USAMU. My dad [was] the quiet, proud encourager of my shooting career[.]”
Words of Praise for SSG Erin McNeil from Facebook
“The nice thing about shooting sports is men and women can compete against each other and be on equal footing. Congratulations on the win!” — Doug Fraser
“Congrats Sergeant McNeil from an old shooter from the 1964 ARADCOM Interservice Rattle Battle matches at Fort Carson Colorado, Ft. Campbell, Ft Sheridan, et cetera. You make me proud of all you folks who carry on the tradition.” — Walter Colbert
“I’ve watched Erin shoot while I was calling the matches from the Tower at the Camp Perry smallbore championships. [She was] never bothered and never ruffled. Just keeps shooting those Xs.” — Ken Kelley
With gun sales in the USA approaching 40 million guns sold in 2020, the demand for ammo has dramatically gone up, depleting stockpiles and straining ammo manufacturers to keep up with that demand. This has led to extreme price gouging by some online vendors as well as sellers on Gunbroker.
There is a NEW ammunition seller that claims to be committed to providing rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition at reasonable prices. This new venture, AmmoSale.com offers a modern website and regular specials. AccurateShooter.com has no direct experience with this enterprise, but it is good to see another option for folks looking for hard-to-find factory ammo.
AmmoSale.com was launched in 2021 out of necessity, offering in-stock ammo at competitive prices while simultaneously keeping the price-gouging ammo sites in check. Located just outside of Columbia, Missouri, AmmoSale.com is smack dab in the middle of the America, enabling high-speed shipping times to all gun buyers across the US.
“AmmoSale.com was launched to focus on the needs of the consumer, getting them the ammo they need to shoot, compete and defend, at a reasonable price,” said Loren Hrabovsky, General Manager of Ammosale.com. “Launching our website and offering great pricing on popular calibers will hopefully start a trend to lower overall pricing in the seller industry. We currently offer some of the cheapest 9mm ammo in America[.]”
AmmoSale.com demands no paid membership or subscription. Buyers can sign up for the newsletter and receive notifications when specific ammo is in stock. AmmoSale.com states it “will always be honest and upfront with what is ‘in stock’ and ready to ship.” [Editor: Hopefully that proves to be the case.]
If you purchased Winchester or Browning 9mm Luger (9x19mm Parabellum) ammunition this year, you should check your lot numbers. Olin Winchester is recalling numerous lots of 9mm Luger 115 grain Full Metal Jacket and 115 grain Jacketed Hollow Point pistol ammunition. The problem is the ammo may yield “squib” loads that could leave a bullet in the barrel. With a subsequent shot, this could be very dangerous. The affected 9mm ammo products have symbols: Q4172, RED9, USA9JHP, USA9MMVP, USA9W, WW9B.
NOTE: The ammunition Lot Number is stamped on the cartons as shown below:
NOTE: Winchester states “If ammunition of the above Symbols was purchased BEFORE March 25, 2021, it is NOT subject to the recall.” This recall notice applies only to the above 9mm Luger 115 FMJ and JHP Symbols with the above Lot Numbers.
Safety Issue Leading to Recall: Winchester has determined the above lots of 9mm Luger 115 FMJ/JHP ammunition may contain propellant that does not properly ignite and burn when the cartridge is fired. Ammunition containing propellant that does not properly ignite and burn may result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e. a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into the bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury.
How to Check Your Ammo: To determine if your ammunition is subject to this recall, review the Symbol and Lot Number. If it is any of the above Symbols and Lot Numbers, immediately discontinue use and contact Winchester toll-free at 844-653-8358 for free UPS pick-up of the recalled ammunition. Upon receipt of your recalled ammunition, Winchester will ship replacement ammunition directly to you or issue you a reimbursement check.
If you have any questions concerning this 9mm Luger 115 FMJ / JHP pistol ammunition recall please call toll-free 844-653-8358, write to Winchester (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: 9mm Luger Recall), or visit our website at Winchester.com.
BROWNING 9mm Luger Ammo Recall NOTICE
Along with the Winchester ammo recalled, Browning Ammunition is recalling the following lots of Browning 9mm Luger 115 grain Full Metal Jacket pistol ammunition: Symbol B191800092 with Lot Numbers SC13LD20, or SD10LD20.
The reason for the Browning Recall is the same as for the Winchester 9mm Luger ammunition — possible “squib” loads that could leave a bullet in the barrel of the gun.
DO NOT USE BROWNING 9mm Luger 115 FMJ SYMBOL B191800092 THAT HAS LOT NUMBER SC13LD20 or SD10LD20. The ammunition Lot Number is stamped on the 50-round carton as indicated here:
Browning Ammunition has determined the above lots of 9mm Luger 115 FMJ ammunition may contain propellant that does not properly ignite and burn when the cartridge is fired. Ammunition containing propellant that does not properly ignite and burn may result in a bullet remaining in the barrel (i.e., a bullet-in-bore obstruction). Firing a subsequent bullet into the bore obstruction could cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable and subjecting the shooter and bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury.
This notice applies only to Symbol B191800092 with Lot Number SC13LD20 or SD10LD20. Other Symbols or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall. Note: If ammunition was purchased before March 25, 2021, it is NOT subject to the recall.
If you have any questions concerning this 9mm Luger 115 FMJ pistol ammunition recall please call toll-free 844-653-8358, write to Browning Ammunition (600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024 Attn: 9mm Luger Recall), or visit our website at Browningammo.com.
The 2021 NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships will be held July 6 through August 28, 2021 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Registration for the 2021 NRA National Championships for Smallbore Rifle, High Power Rifle, F-Class, and Precision Pistol is now open. Competitors can REGISTER ONLINE for the 2021 NRA National Championships via the NRA Competitive Shooting Web Portal.
The following 2021 NRA Rifle and Pistol Championships will be held at Camp Atterbury this summer, starting with Smallbore Rifle. Camp Atterbury has hosted the High Power Rifle Nationals since 2017. Here is the schedule for the Major events. NOTE: There is NO ELR event this year:
Smallbore Rifle Championship: 6-18 July, 2021
Precision Pistol Championship: 20-25 July, 2021
F-Class Mid-Range Championship: 22-26 July, 2021
F-Class Long Range Championship: 27-30 July, 2021
Fullbore Championship: 1-7 August, 2021
High Power Mid-Range Championship: 9-13 August, 2021
High Power Long Range Championship: 14-19 August, 2021
Over-the-Course (OTC) Competition: 22-28 August, 2021
View Latest Match Calendar (6/18/21) — CLICK TO ZOOM!
Note, this year the Smallbore Nationals will include Rimfire F-Class, starting on July 11th. Among notable specific rifle matches include: Fullbore America Match (August 7); Palma Team Match (August 15); Wimbleton Cup Match (August 18). For 2021, the NRA will NOT host an Extreme Long-Range Championship. Specific start dates are listed at end of article.
In addition to the main NRA matches, there are Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association (ISRPA) events including: Junior Intermediate Smallbore Clinic, Ladies’ Day on the Range, Family Day on the Range, Basic Safety Class, Introduction to Shooting Sports Class, Laser Range.
Lodging Options at Camp Atterbury — Summer 2021
Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA) recently released information on the NRA Championships at Camp Atterbru. The SSUSA article states: “As for lodging, there are several options. The most convenient are on-base, with Camp Atterbury offering hotel-style buildings with suites, along with standard rooms, and ‘open military squad bay’-style quarters available by reservation. Camp Atterbury also offers a limited number of RV spots, plus the MWR campground and cabins. NOTE: Lodging is controlled by the Camp Atterbury Lodging Office, not the NRA.
Click Photo for Large Map of Camp Atterbury, Indiana
Key NRA Championship Start Dates by Discipline
6 July — Smallbore Nationals 3-Position
11 July — Smallbore Nationals Prone and Rimfire F-Class
17 July — Metric Smallbore Prone and Rimfire F-Class
20 July — Precision Pistol (including Revolver)
22 July — F-Class Mid-Range Individual
26 July — F-Class Mid-Range Team Match
27 July — F-Class Long-Range Individual
29 July — F-Class Long-Range Team Match
1 August — Fullbore Match
7 August — Fullbore America Match
9 August — Midrange Cycle
14 August — Long Range Cycle
15 August — Palma Team Match
16 August — Palma Individual Match
18 August — Wimbleton Cup Match
22 August — OTC (Over the Course) Week
The NRA Convention will be in the Lone Star State this year — in September. Originally slated for May 2021, the National Rifle Association’s 2021 Annual Meetings & Exhibits are now scheduled for September 3-5, 2021 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The 2021 NRA Annual Meetings will celebrate NRA’s 150th anniversary as the oldest civil-rights organization in the country. The Exhibits Hall will be full of product and outfitter displays. More than 850 exhibitors will provide show-goers with a look at the latest firearms, ammunition, and accessories.
The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits is free for all NRA members, while some special events do require tickets. The organization plans to have a powerhouse lineup of political speakers, as well as an event exclusively for women exploring their right to keep and bear arms. Country music artists, seminars, workshops and more are available for the celebration of a lifetime.
Get the latest information on the 150th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits at NRAAM.org.
