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January 7th, 2024

Shocking Video — Pistol Competitor Almost Kills Range Worker

RSO Range Safety violation

Here is a video every shooter should watch. It reminds us that our sport demands 100% attention. Lose track of individuals down-range and the results could be tragic. This video will give you chills (starting at about the 0:25 mark). We need to remember to follow all the firearms safety rules, and apply them all the time. At the range, all it takes is one brief moment of inattention to create a life-threatening situation. Never assume the downrange area is safe. Use your own eyes and ears.

This video shows a competitor shooting a stage at an action pistol match. He starts when instructed by the Range Safety Officer (RSO). But unbeknownst to both RS0 and competitor, a volunteer is downrange working on targets. Watch carefully. At 0:27 the shooter sweeps left to right, engaging a paper silhouette target to his right. Then, at 0:30, as he begins a mag change, his head turns downrange. A few yards away is a white-shirted range worker! The shooter yells “Hey what’s going on?!”

What’s going on indeed… The RSO should have ensured that nobody was downrange before the shooter even stepped up to the firing line. If other competitors standing to the side had been alert, they might have seen the worker changing targets and called for a halt. And the target-worker himself — even if he was wearing earmuffs, he should have noticed that live fire had commenced just yards away…

We also have to wonder about the stage design. This set-up made it very difficult to see downrange. The white panels (see 0:10-0:20) definitely hid the target worker from view. In hindsight, given the way the stage was laid out, this was truly an “accident waiting to happen”. It’s fortunate that no one got injured in this incident. But this chilling video provides a lesson to all shooters — “Safety First”.

How could this “near-fatality” have been averted? Post your comments below.

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November 27th, 2023

CMP Adds Rimfire and Provisional Divisions for Bianchi Cup

cmp 2024 bianchi cup pistol competition rimfire provisional optics

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has approved new divisions for adults and juniors that will be implemented at the 2024 CMP Bianchi Cup and added to the CMP’s Action Pistol Program. The major development is the approval of a new Rimfire Division. That’s a very big deal that makes the Cup competition much more affordable. We applaud this move by the CMP.

Along with the new Rimfire Division, the CMP will add new “Provisional Divisions” for Production and Production Optics. CLICK HERE to learn more about the new Bianchi Cup Rimfire and Provisional Divisions.

2024 Bianchi Cup Full Program | 2024 Bianchi Cup Registration

The 2024 CMP Bianchi Cup is set for May 21-24, 2024 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. This prestigious 40-year-old action pistol match includes four featured events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target. Hundreds of competitors from around the world compete in the event each year.

New Competition Classes: Rimfire, Provisional Production and Production Optics
In 2024, Bianchi Cup participation should increase significantly as the CMP is introducing new competition classes. Awards will be presented for all three new divisions: Rimfire, Production, Production Optics. The biggest change is the inclusion of a Rimfire Division. This division will encompass the same basic rules for each of the current setups — Open, Production/Production Optics, Metallic and Revolver.

The Rimfire Division is designed to encourage participation from juniors not shooting centerfire pistols as well as adults who want to warm up for the Bianchi Cup in a less expensive manner.

Provisional Divisions for Production and Production Optics will also be added to action pistol (with current Production and Production Optics divisions remaining unchanged). The rules for the new Provisional Divisions will be derived form USPSA rules.

Competitors will be divided into their divisions — Metallic, Production, Open, Production Optic, Provisional Production, Provisional Production Optic, or .22 Rimfire — per current CMP Action Pistol Rules.

Handguns for Bianchi Cup’s New Rimfire Division


cmp 2024 bianchi cup pistol competition rimfire provisional optics

If you’re looking for a reasonably-priced semi-auto .22 LR pistol for the new Rimfire Division, we recommend the Browning Buck Mark series. Buck Marks are accurate and very reliable. This rimfire pistol is available in a variety of models starting at under $370.00. A good Buck Mark will serve you for a lifetime.

cmp 2024 bianchi cup pistol competition rimfire provisional optics
CLICK HERE for a detailed review of the S&W Model 617 in the RevolversOnly.com site.

For Rimfire Revolver competition we recommend the 10-shot Smith & Wesson 617 and the relatively new 10-shot Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR, both with available 6-inch barrel lengths. CLICK HERE for a good, side-by-side video review of these two rimfire revolvers by popular YouTube host Hickok45.


These German-language video (with English subtitles), showcases Bianchi Cup Revolver Class guns, and explains how to clean and maintain these high-tech wheelguns.

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August 4th, 2023

Handgun Competition Shooting Skills — Tips from Doug Koenig

Doug Koenig Pistol shooting training video
Photo courtesy DougKoenig.com and Leupold.

While this site is primarily about accurate rifles, we know many of our readers enjoy handgun shooting also. Here are four videos that can help readers improve the speed and accuracy of their pistol shooting. You may never win a Bianchi Cup title, but these tips can help in a club IDPA match, or the pistol stages of your next 3-Gun match. The star of these videos is Doug Koenig, 19-time Bianchi Cup champion. Koenig, who has won numerous National and World pistol titles, is considered by many to be the best action pistol shooter on the planet. His speed, consistency, and accuracy are without peer.

Keep Both Eyes Open

When shooting a pistol two-handed, “on the clock”, it’s almost always better to shoot with both eyes open. And during a “move and shoot” action pistol match, you surely want to have both eyes open. Keeping both eyes open improves depth perception and helps with target transitions.

“To me it’s very simple — I wouldn’t drive my car with one eye closed. I wouldn’t walk around the house with one eye closed. To me, it’s all about your vision, your depth perception.” — Doug Koenig

With both eyes open you’ll have better depth perception and peripheral vision, Koenig says. Moreover, you will also be able to transition from target to target more quickly. In a timed, multi-target stage, you’ll want to move your head/eyes to the next target right after you break a shot. You’ll find that you will then reflexively move the handgun on to the new target when you swing your vision on to it. Don’t linger on the target you just shot — move to the next.

Doug Koenig SIG Sauer pistol shooting instruction video tips

Acquire First Target

In this video, 18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig explains how to acquire your first target quickly, and make sure your first shot is a hit. Doug notes that a perfect first shot will positively affect the many shots that follow in a competition:

Make Fast Follow-Up Shots

In this next NSSF Video Koenig demonstrates how to make Fast Follow-Up Shots and how to transition from target to target quickly. Grip, stance, consistency are all important Doug explains.

Trigger Press and Trigger Control

In this fourth video, Koenig talks about key techniques that apply to all pistol marksmanship — not just speed shooting “on the clock”. With any handgun, Doug explains, you should focus on consistent trigger control. You want to avoid yanking the trigger or anticipating recoil.

Doug Koenig’s List of Championships:
10-time World Champion
19-time Bianchi Cup winner
2016 NRA World Shooting Champion
More than 70 National Championships
6-time World Action Pistol Championship Winner
3-time World Speed Shooting Champion/Steel Challenge

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May 19th, 2023

2023 Bianchi Cup Competition Runs May 23-26 in Missouri

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff
Photo from DougKoenig.com.

2023 cmp bianchi cup pistol match missouriStarted in 1979 by former police officer John Bianchi, the Bianchi Cup is a prestigious and challenging action pistol tournament. The event, the second longest-running action pistol championship, attracts top pistol shooters from around the world. Shooters compete in multiple events including the Barricade, Falling Plate, Practical, and Moving Target.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) now oversees the Bianchi Cup. Christie Sewell, CMP Programs Chief, stated: “The Civilian Marksmanship Program is honored and excited to be the governing organization for the historic and treasured Bianchi Cup International Pistol Competition.”

This year’s competition will be held May 23-26 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. Spectators are invited to attend the championship each day. For more information, visit the CMP 2023 Bianchi Cup Web Page.

Bianchi Cup — the Richest Handgun Match on the Planet

Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.

19-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig
NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Women of the Bianchi Cup

About the CMP Bianchi Cup
The Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament was first held in 1979, making it the second longest running action pistol championship in the world. This year, it will be hosted by the CMP for the first time, May 23-26, 2023, at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Missouri. The Bianchi Cup has been called the world’s most prestigious pistol tournament. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet.

The Bianchi Cup is Comprised of Four Events:

Practical Event: Competitors fire at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits from the shooting line.

Barricade Event: Competitors fire at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits from within shooting boxes and behind barricades.

Falling Plate Event: Competitors fire at eight-inch round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits.

Moving Target Event: Competitors fire from within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards at a target moving from left to right, with the target exposed for six seconds.

Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review

Position Shooting with Pistols at Bianchi Cup
Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. There are no make-up shots in the Bianchi Cup, adding to the difficulty.

2023 cmp bianchi cup raffle prize

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March 22nd, 2023

2022 Bianchi Cup on Shooting USA TV Today

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff
Photo from DougKoenig.com.

This week Shooting USA TV features the 2022 Bianchi Cup, hosted May 25-27, 2022 at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri (near Columbia). For 2022 the Bianchi Cup featured 117 of the world’s top action pistol shooters. This year Benito Martinez claimed his first Bianchi overall title, helped by his perfect 480-48X Falling Plate stage score. Martinez finished with 1920-165X, 12 Xs ahead of the runner-up, Joey DeLeon (1520-153X). Sally Talbot was high lady with 1913-155X

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

This episode of Shooting USA airs Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. Shooting USA is also available On Demand via Vimeo.com.

Officially, the annual competition is known as the National Championship of NRA Action Pistol. But its is generally called the Bianchi Cup — from the trophy named for one of the founders, John Bianchi. In the past 30 years the match has become the richest handgun tournament in the world.

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Bianchi Cup — the Richest Handgun Match on the Planet

Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.

Bianchi Cup Open Class Pistol — Features in Review

The Bianchi Cup has been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in the world. Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. In 2021 the NRA turned the organization and management of the match over to a new group from the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club.

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November 22nd, 2021

Bargain Finder 322: Accurate Shooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

1. Midsouth — RCBS ChargeMaster Lite Scale/Dispenser, $234.49

chargemaster lite sale
Save $30 or more on this very popular Scale/Dispenser

Dispensing very accurate powder charges is critical for precision reloading. One of the most popular electronic powder scale/dispensers is the ChargeMaster Lite. Featuring an easy-to-use digital keypad, large powder hopper, accuracy to +/- one-tenth of a grain, the ChargeMaster Lite will help you load more accurate charges AND save time.

2. Sportsman’s WHSE — Savage 110 Switchback Rifle, $499.99

savage rifle sale
Excellent choice for hunting rifle, with nice, adjustable stock

Savage produces good, accurate rifles at attractive prices. If you are looking for a new hunting rig, consider the Savage 110 Switchback bolt action rifle. Available in many of the most popular hunting chamberings, the Savage Switchback features an ergonomic stock with adjustable length of pull, a one-piece +20 MOA rail, and a flush-fit muzzle brake. These are featured-packed hunting rifles at a good price.

3. Midway — 10% OFF Qualifying Optics (Many Brands)

optics scope sale
Large selection of big name optics on sale with Bonus 10% Discount

Right now Midway has a wide variety of quality scopes on sale, with big discounts shown with RED Sale Prices. Plus if you use Code optics111721 during checkout, you will get an additional 10% Off ALL qualifying optics. Choose from many top optics brands including Vortex, Leupold, Sightron, Holosun, and more. You’ll find everything from simple red-dots up to high-magnification competition scopes. In addition, binoculars and rangefinders are on sale as well. To get 10% Off use Code optics111721.

4. Lock & Loaded — EAA Girsan MC9 Pistol with Red Dot, $491.85

girsan pistol sale
Impressive 9mm for Action Pistol matches, with Red Dot

We love finding deals on high-quality pistols that can be used for competition and defense. A great example is the EAA Girsan MC9 9mm pistol. With its 17rd high-capacity magazine, interchangeable backstraps, ported slide, and included Red Dot sight the EAA MC9 is match ready. Priced at under $500, this is a great deal on a sophisticated 9mm handgun that can win matches.

5. Cabela’s — SIG Kilo 2200 BDX Laser Rangefinder, $279.97

sig sauer sale
Quality laser rangefinder that communicates with BDX scopes

Knowing the distance to your target or game is critical for safe and effective shots. The SIG Sauer KILO 2200 BDX Rangefinder is a very good LRF for the price. With the industry’s fastest digital signal processor, this Kilo 2200 BDX rangefinder delivers near-instantaneous rangings. This “smart” rangefinder also communicates with BDX-enabled scopes, showing range and holdover points in your BDX scope’s reticle. SIG Sauer states that the KILO 2200 BDX can reliably range deer out to 1000 yards, trees to 1400 yards, and reflective targets way out to 2,200 yards.

6. Creedmoor Sports — MTM Wind Flag, $19.95

shooting flag sale
Effective wind reading tool at a fraction of the price of other wind flags

Serious benchrest competitors always employ wind flags. And even when you are doing load development or practicing, it makes sense to have your own flags. Wind flags provide a constant “read” of current wind angles. This will help you stay on target. And watching the flag will quickly improve your understanding of wind patterns. If you are looking for a simple, affordable wind flag, the MTM Wind Reader Shooting Range Flag is a bargain at just $19.99, including stake-type support and tail ribbon. This MTM wind flag is easy to set up and it stores flat for transport.

7. Amazon — Magpul Rifle Bipod, $99.80 – $115.02

magpul bipod sale
Strong, versatile bipod with M-LOK and Picatinny options

The Magpul Bipod is an excellent, mid-priced general purpose bipod which can be used on anything from PRS rigs to hunting rifles. This sturdy bipod features spring-tension legs that stow neatly forward and lock into place. The leg extensions slide and lock securely with the push of a button on seven half-inch spaced locking detents. Amazon’s Magpul Bipod prices start at $99.80, varying with color and attachment options (M-LOK, 1913 Picatinny, A.R.M.S. 17S, Sling Stud QD).

8. Amazon — Caldwell Handgun Shooting Rest, $45.89

caldwell rifle rest sale
Well-designed, stable pistol rest, at a great price

When you’re testing the accuracy of any kind of handgun, it’s important to have a stable support. Consider the Caldwell Matrix Adjustable Shooting Rest. This ambidextrous rest is designed with a wobble-free front cradle plus padded support for the bottom of the pistol grip. It is easily adjusted With a spring-loaded tension mechanism and height adjustment knob. NOTE: This versatile rest features a removable rear section with V-cradle for a rifle buttstock. This allows the rest to be used with a rifle. However it is primarily designed for handgun use.

9. ShootSteel.com — 35% Off Steel Targets with Code

caldwell rifle rest sale
Use Code IMPACT to save 35% on steel targets

Shooting reactive steel targets is fun. And now you get get a whopping 35% off quality targets from SteelTargets.com. With this early Black Friday Deal, with Code IMPACT you can save 35% on a wide variety of tough AR500/550 steel targets including poppers, dueling trees, silhouettes, Texas Stars, speed racks, rimfire racks, and more. For the larger complex targets, this promo can save you over $300! In addition, surplus 1/2″ AR500 steel is 40% off with no code required. All orders over $350 ship FREE.

10. KYGunco — Anderson AM-15 Lower, $38.99

ar-15 lower sale
Super low price on a good AR-15 lower receiver

With Federal politicians threatening new gun regulations, you may want to get your “black rifle” while you still can. If you don’t want to purchase a complete AR-platform rifle at this time, consider just getting the lower receiver — the key serialized part purchased through an FFL. One of the best current deals is the Anderson AM-15 No Logo Lower Receiver currently selling for just $38.99. This anodized aluminum lower receiver can be finished with the fire-control group, grip, and stock of your choice, all sold separately.

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November 8th, 2021

INSANE Handgun Speed — 18 Shots on Target in 4.79 Seconds

Max Michel World Speed shooting championships Florida

Be prepared to have your mind blown by Max Michel. This guy is FAST. In this video he puts 18 shots on three targets with two (2) reloads, in a total of 4.79 seconds. That’s right, drawing from holster, he sends 18 rounds in under five seconds, with two mag changes in the process. That works out to a rate of fire of 225 rounds per minute. Consider this — Max shoots faster than a 19th-century Gatling Gun (which had a rate of fire of roughly 200 rounds per minute). And Max is accurate as well as speedy — 16 of Max’s 18 shots were in the targets’ A-Zones, with the other two just barely outside.


Click Speaker Icon to hear sound (audio) — it’s even more impressive with sound!

At age 39, Max Michel is a legend within the world of competitive shooting. A four-time World Speed Shooting Champion, six-time USPSA National Champion, and three-time US National Steel Champion, Max is a dominant force in pistol shooting sports. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Max began shooting when he was just five years old. In 1999 Max joined the USAMU’s Action Pistol Team and served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as an Army shooter and trainer. Today, Max is recognized worldwide as a top-tier athlete and instructor.

Follow Max Michel, Jr., on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/maxmichel.us.

To see Max Michel and other top shooters, watch Sportsman Channel programs on your cable network.

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April 28th, 2021

Bianchi Cup is Back! Prestigious Pistol Event Returns in May 2021

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff
Photo from DougKoenig.com.

The Bianchi Cup is back! After the 2020 Cup event was cancelled due to COVID, the prestigious Bianchi Cup returns next month. Also known as the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, this year’s Bianchi Cup runs May 24-28, 2021 in Hallsville, Missouri at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club. Competitor Registrations begin Monday May 24, with a Multi-Gun Aggregate on Tuesday the 25th. Then two days of Championship competition take place on Wednesday 5/26 and Thursday 5/27, with awards on Friday.

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff


2021 Bianchi Cup Registration | Bianchi Cup Guns & Gear

Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. To finish on top, you have to be near-perfect. Ace shooter Carl Bernosky explains: “To Win a Bianchi Cup you’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to shoot good ALL the time… you can’t make any mistakes.”

Bianchi cup ladies

Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.

Bianchi Cup — Classic Course of Fire
The MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup is a combination of Speed and Accuracy. Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and are also required to shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages. Stages may combine stationary and moving targets. As conceived by former police officer and holster-maker John Bianchi, the Bianchi Cup originated in 1979 as a Law Enforcement Training match. The Course of Fire consists of four separate matches:

Event I: Practical
Rounds: 48
Target: NRA AP-1
Distances: 10, 15, 25 and 50 yards

Event II: Clive Whelan Barricade
Rounds: 48
Target: NRA AP-1
Distances: 10, 15, 25 and 35 yards

Event III: Moving Target (Modified)
Rounds: 48
Target: NRA AP-1
Distances: 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards

Event IV: Olin “Oli” C. Barjenbruch Falling Plates
Rounds: 48
Target: 8-inch round plate
Distances: 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards

The Bianchi Cup is scored on the Aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, and Moving Target, and Falling Plates. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.

Bianchi Cup pistol target tombstone silhouette doug koenig

Three decades ago Doug Koenig, who has won the Bianchi Cup 18 times, set the standard with a 1920 score. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker. In 2019, Bruce Piatt won the Bianchi Cup for the sixth time with a score of 1920-179X.

18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig
NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Women of the Bianchi Cup

Bianchi Cup Revolver

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April 24th, 2021

Need for Speed? Train with Max Michel, World’s Fastest Pistolero

Max Michel World Speed shooting championships Florida

Do you enjoy action pistol shooting? How would you like to practice your skills with one of the greatest handgun aces on the planet — Max Michel. This guy has won world championships, and, as the multi-time winner of the world Speed-Shooting Championship, Max can rightfully claim to be the fastest semi-auto pistol shooter on the planet.

Speed Shooting Class with Max Michel
SIG Sauer Academy in New Hampshire recently announced that a Speed Shooting with Max Michel class has been added to the 2021 course schedule. Tom Taylor, SIG Sauer’s Chief Marketing Officer posted: “This summer, we are excited to announce that Max is coming to SIG SAUER Academy for an exclusive speed shooting course. [That course] will cover everything from recoil management to the dynamic drills that Max utilizes in his own training routines.”

Watch Max Michel Demo Drill (This Guy is Blazing Fast!)

In this video, Max drills 18 rounds (6×3) in just over five seconds with two mag changes. We timed that unofficially at 5.21 seconds.

The two-day Speed Shooting with Max Michel training classes will cover: recoil management, power stance, grip, sight picture, draw, reloads, transitions, movements, and more. Two June 2021 session dates are now available at the SIG Sauer Academy in Epping, New Hampshire. To register and/or review the course outline (or to see other Academy training classes) visit SigSauerAcademy.com. 2021 Dates for the Max Michel Speed Shooting classes are:

Session 1: June 9-10
Session 2: June 14-15

Here is another amazing speed run by Max Michel. Max draws from holster and drills 18 hits on three targets (with two mag changes). This was officially timed in just 4.79 seconds!

At age 39, Max Michel is a legend within the world of competitive shooting. A seven-time Steel Challenge World Speed Shooting Champion, eight-time USPSA National Champion, and four-time U.S. Steel National Champion, Max is a dominant force in pistol shooting sports. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Max began shooting when he was just 5 years old. In 1999 Max joined the USAMU’s Action Pistol Team and served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as an Army shooter and trainer. Today, Max is recognized worldwide as a top-tier athlete and instructor.

Follow Max Michel, Jr., on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/maxmichel.us.

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February 6th, 2021

Better Pistol Shooting — Keep Both Eyes Open

Doug Koenig Pistol shooting training video
Photo courtesy DougKoenig.com and Leupold.

One eye or two? That’s the question that confounds some pistol shooters, particularly during slow fire. When shooting one-handed, some bullseye pistol shooters use a piece of tape or paper on one lens of their shooting glasses to obscure their non-dominant eye. That way they can get a more precise sight picture. However, when shooting two-handed, it’s almost always better to shoot with both eyes open. And if you are doing a “move and shoot” session/match, you’ll surely want to have both eyes open.

Champion pistol shooter Doug Koenig says he always shoots handguns with both eyes open: “To me it’s very simple — I wouldn’t drive my car with one eye closed. I wouldn’t walk around the house with one eye closed. To me, it’s all about your vision, your depth perception.” Doug adds that you definitely need both eyes open to transition quickly from target to target.

With both eyes open you’ll have better depth perception and peripheral vision. You will also be able to transition from target to target more quickly. In a timed, multi-target stage, you’ll want to move your head/eyes to the next target right after you break a shot. You’ll find that you will then reflexively move the handgun on to the new target when you swing your vision on to it. Don’t linger on the target you just shot — move to the next.

Doug Koenig Pistol shooting training video

Here are two other helpful videos from Doug Koenig and the NSSF:

Sight Alignment and Sight Picture

Trigger Press and Trigger Control

Doug Koenig’s List of Championships:
10-time World Champion
18-time Bianchi Cup winner
2016 NRA World Shooting Champion
More than 70 National Championships
6-time World Action Pistol Championship Winner
3-time World Speed Shooting Champion/Steel Challenge

Watch Doug Koenig’s Championship Season TV show on the Pursuit Channel: Wednesday 5:30 pm (Eastern); Friday 9:00 pm (Eastern); Saturday 1:30 am (Eastern) West Coast prime-time.

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May 18th, 2019

World’s Best Handgunners Compete at Bianchi Cup Next Week

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff
Jessie Harrison is a multi-time Bianchi Cup Ladies’ Division Champion.

The world’s top pistoleros head to Missouri next week to compete in the 2019 NRA Bianchi Cup, the USA’s most prestigious action pistol match. Also known as the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, this year’s Bianchi Cup event runs May 22-24, 2019 in Hallsville, Missouri at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club. There will be Competitor Registrations Tuesday and Wednesday May 21-22, along with a Multi-Gun Aggregate on Wednesday. Then Championship competition begins at 8:00 am on Thursday, May 23rd.

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

READ Full 2019 Bianchi Cup Program HERE »

Due to the high accuracy required in each stage of the Bianchi Cup, the tournament is widely considered one of the most difficult handgun championships on the planet. To finish on top, you have to be near-perfect. Ace shooter Carl Benosky explains: “To Win a Bianchi Cup you’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to shoot good ALL the time… you can’t make any mistakes.”

Over the past 30+ years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire for both revolver and semi-auto pistol divisions.

At the Bianchi Cup, each round is the aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target Events. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.

Bianchi Cup pistol target tombstone silhouette doug koenig

27 Years ago Doug Koening, who has won the Bianchi Cup 18 times, set the standard with a 1920 score. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker.

18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig
NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Women of the Bianchi Cup

NRA Bianchi Cup Missouri Hallsville Green Valley Dough Koenig Jesse Harrison Duff

Bianchi Cup Family Affair — Chris Cerino Family in 2015

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May 21st, 2018

Hornady Zombies in the Heartland Pandemic Match, June 1-3

Pandemic 3-Gun Match Zombies in the Heartland Nebraska Hornady

Pandemic 3-Gun Match Zombies in the Heartland Nebraska HornadyPandemic: Zombies in the Heartland
Every year Hornady hosts the very popular Zombies in the Heartland event. This “Pandemic” 3-Gun fun match, one of the biggest three-gun shoots in the nation, is just 11 days away. This event will take place June 1-3, 2018 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. The Pandemic traditionally has a rich prize table worth over $150,000. Prizes include pistols, rifles, shotguns, scopes, AR uppers, gun parts, and gear of all kinds.

The Pandemic is a veritable theme park for shootists, with many fun stages and innovative targets. Many unique, reactive zombie targets have been developed specifically for this match. The use of paper targets has been minimized — so it’s mostly “bang and clang”.

There will be ten multi-gun stages this year. Rifles, pistols and shotguns are used on most stages. There are also fun side-matches. We highly recommend you watch the video below to see highlights from last year’s Pandemic.

2017 Zombies in the Heartland Highlights Video. Guys, this well-made video is WORTH WATCHING! This video offers Shooter’s POV views of many stages including full auto:

Zombie Hornady Heartland Pandemic

Zombie Hornady Heartland Pandemic

Zombie Hornady Heartland Pandemic

This year there will be ten (10) stages, each with a different shooting challenge. Shotguns, rifles and handguns will be used on most stages, which feature handgun targets from 1-15 yards, shotgun targets from 10-20 yards, and rifle targets from 1-200 yards, so be prepared for a variety of target presentations and engagements. There will also be side matches with full-auto demo firearms, exploding targets, specialty targets. View the Zombie Guide Page for more info.

2018 Pandemic General Guide | 2018 Pandemic Rules and Registration

Zombie Hornady Heartland Pandemic

Zombie Hornady Heartland Pandemic

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