Remember “Spring Forward, Fall Back?” Well it’s time to set your clocks (and watches) back to standard time. Daylight Saving Time officially ended at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 4, 2012. That gives us back the extra hour we lost in the spring of this year.
If you knew about the time change in advance, perhaps you slept in for an extra hour today. If not… enjoy reading the new Bulletin items for today, and definitely check out our CMP Western Games Slide show from yesterday if you haven’t seen that yet.
Report based on story by Lars Dalseide forNRAblog
Colt Manufacturing’s 175th Anniversary Single Action Army revolver is now on loan at the NRA National Firearms Museum. The one-of-a-kind gun (serial number 175) was crafted by the Colt’s Custom Shop and engraved by Master Engravers Steve Kamyk and George Spring. It was created “to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Colt Firearms”, notes Timothy Looney, Custom Shop Manager.
The firearm is based on the Colt Single Action Army with a black powder-style frame finished in color case hardening. The barrel, cylinder, trigger guard, and backstrap are finished in Carbonia Blue and the balance of small parts are fire-blued. The firearm has been scroll-engraved with C+ coverage and is accented by full gold frame borders including raised running leaf on both sides of the recoil shield. The left recoil shield exhibits “175” in high-relief gold over raised-relief scroll.
CLICK image squares to see larger photos.
The non-fluted cylinder is highlighted by the Colt dome comprised of gold and silver raised relief and the the opposing side displays the serpentine Colt in raised gold. Hand inlaid gold bands accent the barrel and the cylinder. The backstrap has been engraved and gold inlaid with Sam Colt’s signature. The elephant ivory grips are scrimshawed with a portrait of Sam Colt on the left side and the Rampant Colt on the right side.
“The 150th Anniversary pistol was auctioned off and sold for $150,000,” explained Looney. “This one is valued at $175,000. We wanted it … where people could see it because we’re very proud of our master engravers and we like their work to be shown.” The Single Action Army Revolver will be on display at the NRA National Firearms Museum through October of 2013.
SGT Sherri Jo Gallagher, 2010 National High Power Champion, is trading her USAMU shooting coat for a Parachute. She is now a new member of the Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team. Today, Sherri posted the news on her Facebook Page: “It’s official. After 2 months and 200 jumps, eight of us were promoted from ‘try-out’ to proud members of the Golden Knights. I will always be thankful for everything the Army Marksmanship Unit has done for me and for my amazing teammates that I served with for the past 5 years. I look forward to what is to come and am humbled by the opportunity to work with another awesome team in the Golden Knights. Wooohoooo!”
Will Sherri’s aerial assignment with the Golden Knights limit Sherri’s participation in competitive shooting matches, such as the National High Power Championship at Camp Perry? We’re waiting for an answer to that question from Sherri herself. We do know that Sherri is far too talented to leave the shooting sports behind, but, in the months ahead she may be spending more time under a golden canopy than on the firing line. We congratulate Sherri on her selection as a Golden Knight. We wish her safe flights and success in her new endeavor.
Here’s a good reason to visit your local shooting range over Veteran’s Day weekend (Nov. 8-11, 2012). During that weekend, shooting facilities nationwide will participate in Patriot Range Day, a program that provides scholarships for the families of soldiers killed or disabled in combat. Participating public and private shooting ranges will request a minimum of $1 for each shooter for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has raised more than $21 million and awarded more than 3,600 educational scholarships. Patriot Range Day is being led by NRA Country and the NSSF with support from commercial sponsors, including Bushnell. To learn more, visit PatriotRangeDay.com.
About Folds of Honor Foundation
The Folds of Honor Foundation was founded in May 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 Fighter Pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, PGA Professional, and USGA member. A decorated military pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Major Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. It was after his second tour, while a passenger on a commercial flight, that Major Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin. And his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Corporal Bucklin’s family receives him in his final homecoming.” Major Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Major Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation.
The European F-Class Championship (and British Championship) kick off this weekend (November 2-4) at the legendary Bisley Range in the UK. With 185 entrants, this event should be the largest F-Class competition of the year outside of North America. The Championship matches commence tomorrow, but competitors have already arrived at Bisley and they are getting their F-Class rifles warmed up during practice sessions. Here are some photos from the F-TR Ireland Facebook Page.
F-TR Ireland reports: “Here are photos taken during today’s Practice Day at Bisley on Stickledown Range at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. [We had] a great day’s shooting and excellent camaraderie amongst the team-mates.” The bottom photo shows the 900-yard Firing Line during Practice Day.
Two new mixed team events will be part of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games Program, while the total number of quotas will remain unchanged.
The International Olympic Committed (IOC) has approved the Shooting program for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. The program includes the previously approved individual events, 10m Air Rifle Men, 10m Air Rifle Women, 10m Air Pistol Men and 10m Air Pistol Women plus two new events, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Teams and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Teams.
The number of participation quotas for the individual events remains the same (20 quotas per 4 events, for a total of 80 quotas). Athletes who compete in the individual events will also form two-person mixed teams (one male, one female) according to their place finishes in the individual events. No additional athlete quotas were allocated for those events.
All teams will be composed of one male and one female athlete based on their final rankings in the individual Air Rifle and Air Pistol Men and Women events.
Mixed Team events will take place over 2 days, following the 4 days of individual competitions. In the team duels, the two members of each team will fire one shot on command. The scores of the two team-members will be combined and compared with the combined score of the other team. The team with the higher total will score one point. The paired teams will continue to fire single shots on command until one team scores ten points to win that round of competition. Detailed technical rules for the YOG Mixed Team events will be provided after the ISSF Administrative Council meeting in November 2012.
In preparation for Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) urges federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and federal explosives licensees and permittees (FEL/Ps) to be prepared, and stand ready to protect their merchandise and facilities. ATF has prepared guidance (available online) regarding how to plan ahead before disasters strike. First, FEL/Ps should review the PDF brochure, Voluntary Steps to Prepare for a Pending Natural Disaster, (ATF Publication 5400.16, March 2011).
Additionally, a hurricane preparedness brochure and a video are available on ATF’s website. The brochure, Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees (ATF publication 3317.7) provides information regarding businesses that are affected by flooding or other natural disasters. The video, “Disaster Preparedness,” can be accessed on the ATF Online Education Seminars Page.
FEL/Ps that have additional questions concerning preparedness are urged to contact their local ATF field office or the Explosives Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7120.
FFLs with additional questions, should contact their local ATF field office or the ATF Firearms Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7190. For other useful information on planning for a natural disaster, please visit www.ready.gov. Further information about ATF is available at www.atf.gov.
Four-time USA Olympian SFC Jason Parker won the ISSF World Cup Final, finishing ahead of Han Jinseop of South Korea and Olympic finalist Ole Krsitian Bryhn of Norway. Parker, a soldier serving with the USAMU, claimed the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final trophy in the Men’s Three-Position Rifle event Thursday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ranked ninth in the world, Parker earned his invitation to Bangkok after winning the Milan World Cup earlier this season. The 38-year-old Parker, no stranger to the World Cup Finals after six previous visits, made it to the final round with a head-start of four points after shooting an 1,171. Scoring 95.5 points during the final stage, Parker won gold with an overall score of 1266.5 points. Parker added. “”I have been competing in World Cup Finals since 1998, and dreaming of a gold medal since then. It’s finally around my neck, and it feels great!”
Three points behind him, Korea’s Han Jinseop pocketed the silver medal with an overall score of 1263.5 points. Making it to the final with 1166, Han overtook Norway’s Ole Kristian Bryhn to finish on the second step of the podium with a final score of 97.5 points. Bryhn landed in third, securing the Bronze medal with a total score of 1263.0 (1167+96.0) points.
Parker’s Olympic and USAMU teammate SFC Eric Uptagrafft took fourth in the World Cup Final Wednesday in the Men’s Prone Rifle event. (He finished .6 points away from second place). In other ISSF World Cup events in Bangkok, USAMU shotgunners did well. Josh Richmond earned the gold medal in Men’s Double Trap while Vincent Hancock shot his way to a silver medal in Men’s Skeet.
Elite Field for ISSF World Cup
Starting with the London World Cup in April and then passing through Milan and Munich, the 2012 ISSF World Cup Series finished in Bangkok. Only the sport’s top performers were invited to compete in the World Cup Finals. Ninety (90) shooters from 34 countries, including Olympic medalists and past World Cup title holders, competed at the Thailand ISSF World Cup Match this year. (Shown at right is SFC Parker competing at the Milan World Cup.)
The 35th Anniversary SHOT Show is less than three months away, and there’s no time like the present to start planning your show. Watch this video news update for details on what you need to know about the 2013 SHOT Show. SHOT Show will run January 15-18, 2013 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas. Note: SHOW Show is not open to the general public. However, persons in the shooting industry and working journalists can obtain credentials to attend. Learn more about the 2013 SHOT Show at www.ShotShow.org. Late breaking news and special promotions can be found on the SHOT Show Facebook Page. CLICK LINKs to Register for 2013 Shot Show: Attendees | Media
Exhibitor Registration and Personnel Credentials
SHOT Show exhibitors may now order show credentials for booth personnel on the Exhibitor Dashboard. All exhibit staff must wear credentials at all times in order to gain access to the show floor. Order your credentials today and avoid on-site lines and fees. Get more details at the SHOT Show blog.
Looking for a shooting facility close to home? Need a place to zero your hunting rifle? Or perhaps you’re planning a trip this fall and want to find a gun range near your vacation destination. Then check out WhereToShoot.org. This NSSF-sponsored website provides the most comprehensive online directory of shooting ranges in North America. Listings are updated frequently with range information for all U.S. States and Canadian Provinces. You can search by state, by zip code, or by keyword. You can also limit your search to specific types of facilities (such as indoor pistol ranges).
Where2Shoot App for iPhones
Folks with smart phones can access the WhereToShoot range database via the FREE Where2Shoot iPhone App. This handy App also provides shooting sports news and safety tips.
UPDATE Oct. 25: NSSF.org and WhereToShoot.org websites are having technical problems.
WhereToShoot.org allows anyone to search for a place to shoot in their area. Site users can simply enter their state or zip code and a list of shooting ranges is created. Searches can be further narrowed by selecting which shooting discipline you are interested in. NOTE: If you own a shooting range or if you’ve recently changed locations, NSSF encourages you to enter or update your range information.
Bonus Features on WhereToShoot.org
In addition to its range-locating capability, the site now offers a number of other Resources for Shooters, including links to video tips, free printable targets, news about local shooting events and opportunities, safety information and more. Below are three of the NSSF’s nine free PDF targets: