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July 29th, 2013
 3-Gun Nation (3GN) has redesigned the 3GunNation.com website, adding many key enhancements. The most important new feature is a Google-based, interactive mapping system that shows 3GN clubs around the country. Each 3GN range location is “pinned” on an interactive map. Just click on the pin to find more information. Zoom the map with your mouse scroll wheel to find three-gun friendly ranges in your area.
In addition, 3GunNation.com now features all past issues of the 3-Gun Nation E-Magazine. Simply click on the magazine tab to access hundreds of pages of 3-Gun eZine content. The home page now also features the 3GN leader boards, updated automatically after each match.
“With new competitors joining the 3GN ranks on a daily basis, the need to post and track scores is paramount” said Chad Adams, 3-Gun Nation Vice President. “3GN has reached a point in which our members demand their scores and rankings quickly, easily and in real-time. Thanks to our partners at Rangelog, we are now able to do just that.”
July 27th, 2013
 Americans are buying more guns than ever. FBI NICS Gun Purchase Background Check data (as adjusted by the NSSF), shows that June 2013 gun sales are up 3.0% over the same period Last Year (See Chart 1). This marks the 37th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year. (This year’s January increase was even more dramatic — see Chart 2). What’s even more interesting, in June 2013, Americans purchased more than twice as many guns as they did a decade ago in June 2003 — roughly 870,000 vs. roughly 405,000. That’s a big difference.
CHART 1 — Adjusted NICS Checks in Month of June
CHART 2 — Adjusted NICS Checks in Month of January
Understanding the Numbers
The June 2013 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 872,025 is an increase of 3.0 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 846,437 in June 2012. The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Connecticut, Illinois, and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide a more accurate picture of current market conditions. For additional information on NICS or to view a complete set of the current monthly reports, please visit the NICS website.
July 26th, 2013
 A $10 million-dollar CDC report ordered by President Obama determined that victims of crime who were armed with a firearm suffered fewer injuries than crime victims who were un-armed.
Well, at least the CDC came up with the right answer, but we’re flabbergasted at the cost of this study. Dustin Ellermann, past Top Shot Champion, comments: “$10,000,000 to discover the obvious… [at least] maybe now the anti-gunners will stop yelling ‘If you have a gun it will most likely be used against you!'”
According to Texas Fish & Game Blog, the CDC Report, entitled Priorities For Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence, reveals that “studies that directly assessed the effect of actual defensive uses of guns (i.e., incidents in which a gun was ‘used’ by the crime victim in the sense of attacking or threatening an offender) have found consistently lower injury rates among gun-using crime victims compared with victims who used other self-protective strategies.”
Here are some comments on a related NewsMax.com story about the CDC report:
I am glad that an official Obama research project shows the same thing that Professor Gary Kleck found in his research about 20 years ago. Professor Kleck found that an honest citizen that had a gun saved himself from death more than 1 million times a year and often did not have to fire a shot. Usually when the crook saw that the citizen was armed that was the end of it.
Why does our government have to spend millions of dollars to do a study to find out what everyone else on earth in the history of man has already known?
July 25th, 2013
Story based on report by Lars Dalseide for NRABlog.
This week prone shooters are competing at the NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships at Camp Perry. First on the agenda was the Metallic Sights Match. Shot at distances of up to 100 yards, the Metallic Championship is the aggregate of six separate matches fired over a two-day period. Courses of fire include a Dewar course (20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100 yards), 40 shots at 50 meters, and 400 shots at 100 yards.
NRABlog Archive Photo of Reya Kempley in an “Any Sights” Prone Match at Camp Perry.
Coming out on top, with a score of 2400-202X (‘X’ stands for bullseyes) was New York’s Reya Kempley. This talented young lady beat all the men, including top marksmen from the USAMU. Congrats to Reya for an outstanding performance. Here are the top five smallbore metallic sights competitors:
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NRA Smallbore Prone Rifle
Metallic Sights
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| Place |
Name |
Score |
| 1 |
Reya Kempley |
2400-202x |
| 2 |
Eric Uptagrafft |
2399-194x |
| 3 |
Michael Seery |
2399-187x |
| 4 |
Michael Mcphail |
2399-186x |
| 5 |
Joseph Hein |
2398-193x |
Smallbore 3P Photo Gallery
Earlier this week the Smallbore Three-Position Matches were held at Camp Perry. Here are 3P “any sights” and metallic sights event photos from the GOnraMedia Archive:
July 24th, 2013
Story based on report by Lars Dalseide for NRABlog
Fifteen members of the Great Britain Rifle Team descended upon the Viale Range at Camp Perry this week in preparation for the John J. Pershing Trophy Match. Sporting red team shirts and a touch of British swagger, they’re lead by by a man known as Jon Leech. A veteran of the sport, Leech is there to share his decades of experience to this new group of hopefuls. “They’re not juniors, though some have taken a while to mature,” he said with a laugh. “But they’re bringing with them a lot of experience.”
History of Pershing Trophy Match
The Pershing Trophy Match takes place every four years. Every time it is shot, the location alternates from the United States to Great Britain. When shot in Great Britain, it is known as the Field Marshal Earl Roberts Trophy Match. With ten shooters per team, competitors take to the line and fire 20 shots at 50 yards and 20 shots at 100. The first match, shot in 1931, was won by the Brits. Since then the Americans have dominated the event, winning 13 times overall compared to four times for the British.
Led by Leech, along with captain Neil Gibbons, the Brits have assembled a strong team this year. “This team was put together specifically for this match,” explained Leech. “This is my fourth time at Camp Perry. First in 1979 to shoot smallbore. I’ve come here just to coach this year. Pass on some knowledge to the folk who came over. We have 15 people in total — 3 officials and 12 shooters – that we’ll get that down to 10 shooters so we can beat America.”
Marksmanship Training in the Basement of Lloyds of London
A broker at the famed insurance house Lloyds of London, Leech brings a colorful background to the smallbore shooting world. A fencer at first, it was a fluky bit of chance — and a little of the Lloyd’s magic — that introduced him to the world of rifles.
“I was at Lloyds and noticed a guy sitting next to me with a collection of targets. I asked ‘Where did you do that?’ to which he replied ‘In the range underneath our building’. I didn’t even know there was such a range. I started shooting there in 1972 and kept at it.”
Spending his youth shooting in tournaments throughout Europe, he now finds himself behind the shooter rather than behind the trigger … at least when it comes to international competitions. And, as an official with the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), his passport includes stamps from Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Copenhagen, and Croatia. “We really do enjoy our shooting together,” commented Leech. “Traveling as a shooter, I’ve met some fabulous people which is a lot of what shooting is all about. This is Band of Brothers stuff.”
July 21st, 2013
 In 2003, the venerable Colt business enterprise, was divided into different entities, Colt Defense LLC and Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC. Now those two business are being combined back into one company again. Colt Defense LLC has acquired New Colt Holding Corp., the parent company of Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, which makes firearms for the civilian and sporting markets. Now, for the first time since the separation a decade ago, a single Colt company will develop, manufacture and sell firearms under the Colt name for all markets.
About Colt: Colt is one of the world’s leading designers, developers and manufacturers of firearms. The company has supplied military, law enforcement and individual customers in the United States and throughout the world for more than 175 years. Colt’s subsidiary, Colt Canada Corporation, is the Canadian government’s source for small arms and is the Canadian military’s sole supplier of the C7 rifle and C8 carbine. Colt operates its manufacturing facilities in West Hartford, Connecticut and Kitchener, Ontario. For more information on Colt and its subsidiaries, please visit www.colt.com, www.coltsmfg.com, and www.coltcanada.com.
Story Tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader Submissions.
July 20th, 2013
 Would you like to help lead the fight for gun rights in the Golden State? Then read on. The California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) is now seeking a full-time Field Rep with a salary of $45,000 per year. With 42,000 members statewide, the CRPA is the largest and oldest pro-Second Amendment/Pro-Hunting organization headquartered in California.
The Field Representative job is an exciting, challenging position that takes you out of the office. You’ll get paid to travel all around California spreading the “good news” about the CRPA at shooting competitions, gun shows, sporting goods stores, and ranges. The Field Rep holds a key position. You will be the primary “point man” for the CRPA at many events statewide.
CRPA Protects and Defends Second Amendment and Hunting Rights in California. Since its founding in 1875, the CRPA has been the guiding force in the development and coordination of statewide shooting championships. In addition, the CRPA serves as the official state affiliate of the National Rifle Association. The CRPA coordinates an aggressive legislative advocacy and effective litigation programs.
Position Title: Field Representative
Location: CALIFORNIA (Extensive ongoing travel, throughout the state)
Salary: $45,000 Annually, plus company vehicle, benefits, expense reimbursement, lap top computer, and cell phone.
Education – An A.A., A.S., or higher degree in public relations, communications, political science, business or public administration, criminal justice or a related field is desirable.
Position Key Characteristics: Under the general direction of the Executive Director, incumbent serves as the sole Field Rep. for the CRPA. Incumbent’s primary focus is membership development and making the CRPA name, goals, and objectives widely known by the public. Incumbent must possess a strong knowledge of shooting sports, firearms, and hunting activities. This position requires frequent ongoing travel and working days, unusual hours, evenings, and most weekends. This position will write a monthly column in our publication and provide staff support to the CRPA Volunteer Development Committee and the CRPA Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee. Incumbent must be mature, professional, and possess excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing.
To Apply: Call CRPA at 1-800-305-2772 or email contact@crpa.org and ask for the CRPA application packet, including supplemental questions, emailed to you. Recruitment Closing Date: THE COMPLETED CRPA APPLICATION PACKET MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, August 13, 2013 – 4:00 PM (No postmarks).
NOTE: This is an “at will” position and only one year of funding for this position has been secured at this time. Future funding will be based on the contribution this position makes to the CRPA.
July 19th, 2013
Breaking News: SPC Hall Wins Camp Perry 3-P Championship
Port Clinton, Ohio – With a final score of 2383-171x, Specialist Joseph Hall of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit captured the 2013 NRA Smallbore 3-Position Rifle title in Camp Perry, Ohio. Besting fellow U.S. Army Marksmanship teammate Jason Parker by a total of three points, this is Hall’s first overall title at the National Championships.
The Smallbore 3-Position Championships consists of two separate phases — Metallic Sights and Any Sights. During each phase, shooters fire their smallbore rifles from the standing, kneeling, and prone positions. Out of a possible 2,400 points, Hall dropped a mere 17 points.
Story based on report by Lars Dalseide for NRABlog
The first match this Friday (19 July) at the NRA National Smallbore 3-Position Championships in Camp Perry was one for the history books. The first match, shot prone with “any sights”, ended in three-way perfection. For not only were three shooters tied for first, they were tied with a perfect score of 400-40X (“X” is a bullseye).
“Not something you see every year,” said Match Director H.Q. Moody. “Not something you see for a lot of years.” Perfect scores meant there was a chance to chase the National Record. All you have to do is keep hitting bulls until you miss. Nothing like carving your name into a little bit of NRA history, aye? For one of these three shooters — Reya Kempley, Joseph Hall (of the USAMU), and Michael McPhail — immortality was in reach.
 But the weather gods intervened. As Kempley, Hall and McPhail got ready for the the shoot-off — lightning struck, quite literally. As lightning flashed and thunder roared, the shoot-off was delayed. With officials calling for a fifteen minute break, rangemasters, spectators and staff scattered for shelter. When the match resumed (Kempley barely made it to the line in time), the three competitors went at it. All three had early misses (nines instead of tens), so there would be no new record. Kemply was off her game, finishing third, but the two men finished with identical 199-19X scores — just one shot off perfect.
Hall was awarded the match by application of an NRA tie-breaker rule — on the basis that Hall’s one “miss” (i.e. not scoring a bullseye 10X) occurred earlier in the shoot-off’s record string than did the single “miss” by McPhail. The thinking behind this rule is that it is more difficult to shoot consecutive 10Xs later in the match.
July 19th, 2013
At its scenic Bloomfield, New York facility, Crosman hosted the largest regional competition sanctioned by the American Field Target Association (AFTA) and the 2013 edition of the Northeast Regional Field Target Championship (NRFTC). Over one hundred competitors (and three international teams) participated in the two-day rifle match, single day pistol match, and Quigley Bucket Challenge.
The big draw was Team USA as they prepare to attend the World Field Target Federation Championship in Germany in August. Nine members of the 15-member team were on hand including past NRFTC champions Hector Medina, Greg Sauve and Harold Rushton. They were joined by five shooters of Team Venezuela and when a few Canadian participants formed Team Canada, the international side match was on. Scores were based on the team aggregate and after Day 1 it was Team USA (41.33) leading Team Canada (38.83) and Team Venezuela (36.80). Anchored by Rushton, Sauve, and Ray Apelles, Team USA took the weekend with an aggregate score of 88.66. Team Canada finished with 78.66, and Team Venezuela posted a 72.60.
CLICK HERE for complete Team and Individual Match Results.
Quigley Bucket Challenge
Always a favorite pre-event competition, the Quigley Bucket Challenge is a re-creation of the dramatic scene in the film Quigley Down Under in which Tom Selleck’s character must shoot a bucket at 700 yards. Scaled for airguns, this equates to a 1.75″ target placed at 55 yards. Shooters must use a 6.5 ft-lb. rifle using only open / iron / non-magnified sights. The Quigley had 45 shooters try five shots apiece. Just eight hit the bucket and after two over-times, Greg Sauve was the only shooter to repeat the feat, thereby winning the Challenge.
Tech Talk: Why the Big Side-Wheels on the Scopes?
Field Target rifles shoot pellets propelled by compressed air. These light-weight, low-BC projectiles drop very quickly, with a looping trajectory. In order to hit targets at distances out to 50 yards or so, you have to adjust your scope to compensate for pellet drop. But you can’t set the scope correctly without knowing the precise range to the target. This is the function of the big wheels on the side of the scope. Field Target Competitors use the parallax adjustment on high-magnification scopes to determine target range. The big wheel allows quick, yet precise parallax adjustment. Markings on the wheel show the shooter the scope settings required for the distance “dialed-in” via the over-size parallax wheel.
See More Photos at Crosman Flickr.com Photo Archive
Photos courtesy Crosman Corp., All Rights Reserved
July 17th, 2013
Report based on story by Kyle Jillson for NRABlog
This past weekend, as the NRA National Pistol Championship were wrapping up and Camp Perry was preparing for the NRA National Smallbore 3-Position Championships, some smallbore shooters got an early taste of the summer championship season with the NRA Metric Championship.
Kemply Wins 3-Position Event While Bridges Wins Prone Title
In the Metric Position Championship, Tarl Kempley, 2013’s NRA National Smallbore 3-Position champion, took first with a 2296-101X out of a potential 2400. Katie Bridges placed second, shooting a 2250-79X and Mark Matheny took third with a 2237-61X. Katie Bridges captured the Metric Prone Championship with a 2357-130X, followed by Michelle Bohren’s 2356-125X and Mike O’Connor’s 2352-121X.
About the NRA Metric Championship
Begun in 2010, the Metric Championship is held at the Wa-Ke-‘Da Rifle Range in Bristol, Indiana and is seen by many as a fun ramp up to the national championships. Only three hours away from the Remington/NRA National Rifle & Pistol Championships in Camp Perry, Ohio, many metric shooters pack up on the last day and head straight to Lake Erie for another week and a half of matches.
“The NRA National Metric Championship is one of the most enjoyable NRA Tournaments I work with,” said H.Q. Moody, NRA’s Rifle Manager and the match’s director. “The facility’s high quality is matched only by the level of competition.”
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