The NRA Blog has complete coverage of the 2010 Bianchi Cup, held this week at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Columbia, MO. The Bianchi Cup is one of the most prestigious handgun competitions on the planet. This year, the 32nd Annual MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup features over 200 of the best pistol and revolver shooters in the world, from the USA and six other countries.
The match continues through Saturday, May 29th, but results from the first two days of competition are available on the NRA Blog. NRA Media Relations has also posted a collection of 2010 Bianchi Cup photos online. CLICK HERE to view Bianchi Cup Photo Gallery.
Want to become a pro shooter? Here’s your chance. Smith & Wesson is now soliciting new shooters interested in joining Team Smith & Wesson for the 2010-2011 competitive season. Applications, which will be accepted until April 30, 2010, are available online at Champions.smith-wesson.com. The selection process is open to all shooters interested in becoming a part of a winning team. You must have the “right stuff” of course.
To evaluate each applicant, Smith & Wesson has developed a cumulative point system to award sponsorships to prospective S&W Team members. Selection criteria includes, but is not limited to, match level, performance, experience and exposure. Over the course of last year’s season, the 20 members of Team Smith & Wesson won a total of 28 state, 31 regional, 9 national, 5 international and 18 world championship titles.
Julie Goloski — Captain of Team Smith & Wesson Womens’ Team.
Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson states: “By becoming a member of Team Smith & Wesson, you will have the opportunity to showcase your skills in matches across the country while serving as a representative to one of the largest and most prestigious firearms manufacturers in America.” For more information regarding Team Smith & Wesson, including team member bios, match recaps and to access an application, visit www.smith-wesson.com and click on the Champions Icon on the left side of the homepage.
The International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) announced that Smith & Wesson will sponsor the organization’s annual International Revolver Championships and six ICORE regionals across America.
The 19th Annual Smith & Wesson International Revolver Championships will take place June 4-6 at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in San Luis Obispo, Calif. This match is the highlight of the revolver shooting season. More than 250 top revolver shooters, from the USA as well as foreign countries, are expected to compete.
ICORE Regionals Start March 20 in Louisiana
The ICORE revolver competition season commences March 20 and 21 when the Southern Shooting Center (Thibodaux, Louisiana) hosts the Southern Regional Revolver Championship. The remaining regional matches are as follows
April 10 — 13th Annual Southwest Regional (San Luis Obispo, CA).
May 1-2 — Rocky Mountain Regional (WCFW High Plains Range, Galeton, CO).
May 2 — New England Regional (Hartford Gun Club, East Granby, CT).
July 18 — Central States Regional (Bend of the River CC, Buchanan, MI).
Sept. 26 — East Coast Regional (Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club, New Tripoli, PA).
To learn more about on ICORE’s National and Regional Championships, visit www.icore.org.
Michael Bane, producer and host of the popular DownRange TV show on the Outdoor Channel, also creates a short video “podcast” each week. Michael’s weekly podcasts cover a variety of topics — product intros, major competitions, shooting tips, and gun industry news. This week (8 min, 30 sec into the video), Michael comments on the upcoming Supreme Court hearing in McDonald v. Chicago. That case will determine whether the landmark Second Amendment ruling in D.C. v. Heller shall be extended to state and local government actions. Bane also spotlights the FBI’s new 40sw AR15 carbines (from Rock River Arms) and the re-introduction of the classic Merwin-Hulbert revolver, now marketed as a compact CCW weapon. Notable Merwin-Hulbert design features included interchangeable barrels and auto-ejection of spent cartridges (when bbl assembly was unlocked).
The U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) has announced the dates of its 2010 National Championships. Divided into four events, the Nationals are expected to draw more than 1,000 top shooters competing in a variety of divisions. Featured in the video below are “Women of USPSA” (including Team Glock’s Jessie Abbate) shooting at the 2009 USPSA Nationals. Be sure to watch this great video. Some very talented ladies demonstrate amazing shooting skills.
The first event on the calendar, the USPSA Single Stack Nationals, will take place April 28 through May 1 at the PASA Park ranges in Barry, Ill. In 2009 this event drew 270-plus devotees of the venerable 1911 pistol. Next on the schedule is USPSA’s MultiGun Nationals which will take place in Las Vegas, Nev. at the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club ranges September 9 through 12. The MultiGun championship draws close to 150 shooters using pistol, rifle and shotgun in the Open, Tactical, Limited and Heavy Metal divisions.
The USPSA championship season will wrap up with back-to-back handgun championships also held in Las Vegas from October 8 through 16, 2010. With over 600 shooters participating, the USPSA back-to-back handgun championships represent the largest gathering of Practical Shooting competitors in the USA. In addition to America’s top guns, the match will also draw some of the best shooters from South America, Europe and the Pacific Rim.
USPSA National Championship dates
April 28 – May 1: Single Stack Nationals (PASA Park, Barry, IL)
Sept. 9 – 12: Multi-Gun Nat’ls (Desert Sportsman’s Range, Las Vegas, NV)
Oct. 8 – 12: Open & Limited-10 Nat’ls (Desert Sportsman’s Range, Las Vegas, NV)
Oct. 13 – 16 Limited, Production & Revolver Nat’ls (Desert Sportsman’s Range, Las Vegas, NV)
To learn more about the USPSA National Championships and other major matches on the 2010 schedule, visit www.uspsa.org or call (360) 855-2245.
This week’s episode of Michael Bane’s Shooting Gallery features the Bianchi Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious (and lucrative) pistol competitions. The show will be broadcast on the Outdoor Channel at 3:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., or 11:30 p.m. EST. (Check your local listings.)
The Bianchi Cup is the brainchild of former police officer (turned holster-maker) John Bianchi and the late Ray Chapman – one of the original IPSC “Combat Masters”. The Cup originated as a law enforcement training match. Since its inception in 1979, the NRA Bianchi Cup has retained its original course of fire, consisting of four matches: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plates. Competitors need to be both FAST and ACCURATE. This event now draws shooters from all over the world. In 2009, competitors came from Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Competitors shoot from both standing and prone positions and must shoot with both strong and weak hands at various stages.
Bianchi Cup Course of Fire The Practical Event – From the appropriate shooting line, the shooter fires at distances from 10 yards to 50 yards under varying time limits. The Barricade Event — From within shooting boxes and behind barricades, a shooter fires at targets on either side of the barricade at different distances and under varying time limits. The Falling Plate Event — From the shooting lines, the shooter fires at 8″-round steel plates arranged in banks of six at distances from 10 to 25 yards under varying time limits. The Moving Target Event — From within shooting boxes at distances ranging from 10 to 25 yards, the shooter fires at a target moving from left to right with the target being exposed for only 6 seconds.
Two S&W Performance Center revolvers have been recalled by Smith & Wesson due to potentially dangerous manufacturing defects. The model 460PC is being recalled due to potential barrel failure, while the Model 329PC has been recalled due to possible frame damage during manufacturing.
Performance Center Model 460 Revolver Recall
Smith & Wesson has received four (4) reports of barrel failures involving its Performance Center Model 460 revolvers. These barrels were manufactured by an outside supplier. S&W found that the quality of steel in some of these barrels was sub-standard and may have contributed to failure of the barrel. Model 460PC owners should stop using the revolvers and return them immediately to Smith & Wesson.
This recall applies to Performance Center Model 460 revolvers shipped by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center prior to September 18, 2006. This recall does NOT apply to Smith & Wesson standard production Model 460 revolvers. The affected revolvers can be identified by the following Serial Number Range: EBD0001 – EBD0524, EBF0002 – EBF0251, LHZ0000 – LHZ0511, LLL0000 – LLL0702, LRR0001 – LRR0552, MMM0001 – MMM1809, XMC0001 – XMC0109
Performance Center Model 329 Revolver Recall
Smith & Wesson has issued a recall for the limited edition model 329 revolver. This safety recall notice applies to 270 revolvers manufactured at the Performance Center bearing serial numbers ranging from BVA0004 to BVA0210 and DEW0001 to DEW0099.
S&W states: “It has been determined that damage to the frame may have occurred during assembly of the single-piece barrel. As a result, there exists the possibility that the revolver may rupture during firing, causing a failure of the firearm and creating a risk of personal injury.” NOTE: This safety recall notice does not apply to the model 329 PD. The model 329 PD is designed with a two-piece barrel.
The 2009 IDPA Nationals were held in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 23rd through 26th. More than 350 competitors participated in the 4-day defensive pistol shooting event. Among the many action pistol disciplines, IDPA competition is probably the most “realistic” — the closest to actual defensive handgun use. Competitors use off-the-shelf pistols, suitable for carry. No exotic race-guns are allowed. Match stages simulate self-defense scenarios and real life encounters. An IDPA match is more than just a trigger-pulling contest. Shooters must use cover when available, and employ the same defensive strategies they would use in a real gunfight.
The IDPA’s founders developed the sport so that practical gear and practical guns may be used competitively. Shooters can spend a minimal amount on equipment and still be competitive. The main goal is to test the skill and ability of the individual, not equipment or gamesmanship.
In IDPA competition, firearms are grouped into five (5) divisions: 1) Custom Defensive Pistol (.45ACP semi-automatics only); 2) Enhanced Service Pistol (9mm or larger caliber semi-automatics); 3) Stock Service Pistol (9mm or larger caliber double action, double action only, or safe action semi-automatics); 4) Enhanced Service Revolver (.38 caliber or larger double action revolvers); and 5) Stock Service Revolver (.38 caliber or larger double action revolvers).
2009 IDPA Nationals Results
The 2009 IDPA Nationals were hosted at the United States Shooting Academy (USSA) in Tulsa last week. Participants fired a minimum of 241 rounds through 17 courses of fire which featured moving targets, a shoot house, low-light scenarios requiring use of a hand held flashlight, shooting from cover and prone positions including from in and around motor vehicles, with target distances ranging from three to ninety feet.
Team GLOCK Captain Dave Sevigny won his 8th IDPA National Championship in the Stock Service Pistol (SSP) division while teammate Randi Rogers won her 3rd title in the High Lady category. Bob Vogel of Team Eotec won the Enhanced Service Pistol Division as well as the High Law Enforcement Champion title and Backup Gun Champion. Tom Yost won Senior Champion and placed 4th in Stock Service Pistol Division.
IDPA Membership Continues to Grow
The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is the governing body of a shooting sport that simulates self-defense scenarios and real life encounters. It was founded in 1996 as a response to the desires of shooters worldwide. The organization now boasts membership of more than 13,500, including members in 36 foreign countries.
Copying the promotion that has boosted sales of new automobiles, SIG SAUER is now offering $200.00 if you trade in an old handgun and purchase a new Sig pistol or SIG556 rifle. As SIG SAUER still makes some of the best pistols on the market, this is an attractive offer for those who need a quality handgun such as a P226 or P220.
Details of Offer
Purchase a new SIG SAUER® P220, P226, P229, 1911, SIG556 pistol, or SIG556 rifle from September 7th through November 30th, 2009, and SIG SAUER will give you $200.00 for your old KLUNKER pistol or revolver. To receive your $200.00 payment, send your old handgun with a copy of Form 4473 and proof of purchase of your new SIG pistol (or SIG556 rifle) to: SIG SAUER, Inc., 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 03833, ATTN: CK-1 .
What Qualifies for the $200.00 Rebate
A qualifying “KLUNKER” can be from any manufacturer, but semi-autos must be at least 9mm caliber, while revolvers must be at least .38 caliber. The gun must be operational and free from cracks in frame or other key components. NOTE: Sig Sauer reserves the right to reject any firearm submitted as a KLUNKER that does not meet Sig’s criteria. To get the $200.00, you MUST submit your old gun on or before 12/4/2009. This is an absolute deadline — NO EXCEPTIONS.
Jerry Miculek once again stood atop the leader board, capturing both the Overall and Open Division titles at the International Revolver Championship (IRC) at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in Morro Bay, California. With his recent win, Jerry has accomplished an unprecedented feat by capturing his 17th IRC championship title while extending his record winning streak of back-to-back title victories since competing in the 1993 IRC match. Using an 8-shot S&W Performance Center Model 627 V-Comp, Miculek was able to post top scores in 10 out of the 12 stages of fire, allowing him to easily capture the championship title by over 26 seconds.
Miculek competing earlier this year at the Steel Challenge. Photo Courtesy SteelChallenge.com.
Team Smith & Wesson members earned six division titles. The IRC match was highlighted by wins from Jerry Miculek, new team member John Bagakis, Craig Buckland, Annette Aysen, Elliot Aysen and Team Captain, Julie Golob. In the Limited Division, Team Smith & Wesson members swept the top two spots with John Bagakis edging out teammate Elliot Aysen for the division title. Aysen went on to win the High Senior title. In the Women’s Limited Division, Annette Aysen decisively defended her Ladies Limited title by over 11 seconds. Each of the winners in the Limited Division used an 8-shot Performance Center Model 627.
Junior Division Video Highlights
In addition to adult competitors, junior wheel-gunners participated at the IRC in Moro Bay. In the video below, posted by S&W Team Captain Julie Golob, check out the future of the sport as these young shooters pair off against one another in the Junior Shoot-Off event of the IRC (guest appearance by the Jerry Miculek). (EDITOR: Very cool video, definitely check it out!)
The NRA Blog has complete coverage of the 2010 Bianchi Cup, held this week at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Columbia, MO. The Bianchi Cup is one of the most prestigious handgun competitions on the planet. This year, the 32nd Annual MidwayUSA/NRA Bianchi Cup features over 200 of the best pistol and revolver shooters in the world, from the USA and six other countries.
The International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) announced that Smith & Wesson will sponsor the organization’s annual International Revolver Championships and six ICORE regionals across America.
The first event on the calendar, the USPSA Single Stack Nationals, will take place April 28 through May 1 at the PASA Park ranges in Barry, Ill. In 2009 this event drew 270-plus devotees of the venerable 1911 pistol. Next on the schedule is USPSA’s MultiGun Nationals which will take place in Las Vegas, Nev. at the Desert Sportsman’s Rifle & Pistol Club ranges September 9 through 12. The MultiGun championship draws close to 150 shooters using pistol, rifle and shotgun in the Open, Tactical, Limited and Heavy Metal divisions.
This week’s episode of Michael Bane’s 
The 2009 IDPA Nationals were held in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 23rd through 26th. More than 350 competitors participated in the 4-day defensive pistol shooting event. Among the many action pistol disciplines, IDPA competition is probably the most “realistic” — the closest to actual defensive handgun use. Competitors use off-the-shelf pistols, suitable for carry. No exotic race-guns are allowed. Match stages simulate self-defense scenarios and real life encounters. An IDPA match is more than just a trigger-pulling contest. Shooters must use cover when available, and employ the same defensive strategies they would use in a real gunfight.
2009 IDPA Nationals Results
Copying the promotion that has boosted sales of new automobiles, 
