Inaugural December Cover Contest

VOL. 26 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2013

SPORTS

NRAS COMPETITIVE SHOOTING JOURNAL

NRA Board Resolution Iron Sights in Sunlight CMP Gun Shortage?

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President John F. Kennedy

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Where were you on November 22, 1963?

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COMPETITOR'S CORNER

NRA InSights Expands into NRA Family InSights

While Dennis Willing, Director, Competitive Shooting Division, tends to the changes coming to Camp Perry next summer, here is an update on NRAs youth shooting magazineNRA InSights. From our Publications Executive Director, Joe Graham: There are some changes coming to NRA InSights, beginning with the January 2014 issue. The rst is a new name, NRA Family InSights. The second is expanded content. In addition to the fun and informative content designed just for Junior members, NRA Family InSights will include articles, photos, reviews and news for everyone in the family juniors, parents, grandparents and other family members. The priority is basic instructionhow to handle rearms safely and acquire the necessary skills to enjoy all kinds of shooting sports. Well also show the best ways to keep a family safe, from proper gun storage, to home security measures, to handson training ideas for the entire family. Well review guns and gear that will enhance the familys outdoor experiences. Well prole vacation and recreational destinations for families who love to hunt and shoot together, as well as for families new to guns and the outdoors. Whether on the range, in the eld or at home, NRA Family InSights will help families make the most of their time together. There will be two ways to access the content of NRA Family InSights. The rst will be via the brand-new website, www.nrafamilyinsights.org, which will launch in January 2014. The second will be the NRA Family InSights digital magazine, which we will deliver to subscribers in the same manner NRA InSights digital is done now with an e-mailed link. By April 2014, we will update the format of the digital magazine so that it will work on any device to access the Web: desktop computers, smart phones and tablets. Current NRA InSights readers dont need to do anything. Those interested in subscribing to NRA Family InSights can sign up by contacting the Membership Division at (800) 672-3888 or by e-mail at membership@nrahq.org.

BY CHIP LOHMAN Managing Editor

Competitive Shooting:

Exercising Our Second Amendment Rights

4 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

THIS IS

MY RIFL

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THIS IS MY RIFLE. There are others like it, but this one is mine.
Standing atop a world championship podium takes far more than those last three steps it takes to get up there. The medals they hang around my neck run about the same size as the groups I shoot at 1,000 yards. Nothing puts them there with more consistency than my Savage.

MODEL 12 PALMA

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CONTENTS // FEATURES

24

NRA Board Resolution

During the September NRA Board of Directors Meeting in Arlington, VA, Board members reafrmed the Associations commitment to the shooting sports.
By NRA Staff

28

CMP Gun Shortage?

Art shares feedback from CMP on false rumors concerning the inventory and availability of vintage military ries for sale.
By Art Merrill

30

Inaugural Cover Photo Contest

Twenty-three coaches, shooters, parents and public relations staff members contributed to the magazines rst cover photo contest. Looks like the birth of a new tradition, so start saving your favorite photos for the 2014 contest.
By Chip Lohman

ON THE COVER
Our rst annual cover contest netted two submissions from the National Matches Junior Smallbore Camp at Camp Perry. On the cover, 14-year-old twins Dana and Abby Buesseler pose with their standing position practice targets. See page 30 for the complete story.
Cover Photo: Russ Evans

A Publication of the National Rie Association of America Wayne R. LaPierre Executive Vice President
The NRA, the foremost guardian of the traditional American right to keep and bear arms, believes every law-abiding citizen is entitled to the ownership and legal use of rearms, and that every reputable gun owner should be an NRA member.

6 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

CONTENTS // FEATURES

32

SPORTS
VOL. 26, NO. 12 DECEMBER 2013
PUBLICATIONS DIVISION Executive Director: Joe H. Graham Deputy Executive Director: Lourdes F. Kite Publications Services Manager: Evelyn Q. Kessler Executive Assistant: Terri A. Wolfe

Iron in the Sun

An abbreviated article from the popular collection of tutorials by Dr. Wong. This review shares the experiences of 17 national bullseye pistol champions on how they deal

with bright sunlight when shooting iron sight pistols.

By Norman H. Wong O.D.

Editorial Director: John Zent Managing Editor: Chip Lohman Editorial Assistant: Ann Rezelman E-Media Editor In Chief: Ann Y. Smith Creative Director: Harry L. Jaecks Art Director: Susan K. Kilday Senior Graphic Designer: Jessica Kim Photography Director: Lloyd Hill Photographer: Peter Fountain Associate Photographer: Forrest MacCormack Production and Advertising Operations Director: Michael J. Sanford Manager: Michelle Kuntz Marketing Manager: James C. Handlon Senior Production Coordinator: Debra Oliveri Production Coordinator: Andrea Myers Senior Coord. Ad Services: Samantha Brown Coord. Ad Services: Tiffany Ngu ADVERTISING REPRESENTATION Ross Media Group Corporate Ofce 3902 Sandshell Drive Fort Worth, TX 76137 (817) 232-5556 Ross Riley, President Gayle Uzobuife, Chief Operating Ofcer Gerry Cliff, Sr. Vice President Northeast Tony Morrison (860) 767-9801 Southeast, South Central Stan Yates (850) 619-8148 Midwest Gerry Cliff (817) 232-5556 West Mike Nelson (503) 968-2304 Direct Advertising Sales Debbie OConnell (805) 582-9856 Lillian Cliff (817) 741-0320 Detroit Metro Dave Irvine (248) 231-2347
Ofcial NRA positions are expressed only in statements bylined by NRA ofcers or in articles identied as such. Shooting Sports USA (ISSN 1069-6822) is published monthly by the National Rie Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400; (703) 267-1000. Copyright 2013, the National Rie Association of America. To update your email address for the digital subscrition, simply re-register at www.shootingsportsusa.com. No advertised item is intended for sale in those states, or in those areas where local restrictions may limit or prohibit the purchase, carrying or use of certain items. Check local laws before purchasing. Mention of a product or service in advertisements or text does not necessarily mean that it has been tested or approved by the NRA. All rights reserved except where expressly waived. The editors are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. WARNING: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reect the limited experience of individuals using specic tools, products, equipment and components under specic conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which the National Rie Association (NRA) has no control. The data has not otherwise been tested or veried by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, ofcers and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages.

CONTENTS // DEPARTMENTS

12

14

38

39

4 Competitors Corner

Updates from the desk of Dennis Willing, Director, Competitive Shooting Division.

14 Product Focus

We spent several months testing a new lens insert for iron sight service ries and share what we learned.

10 Shooters News

Highlights from the world of competitive shooting sports.

38 A Page From History

12 Bag Check

Reprints from American Rieman magazine on competitive shooting in the early years.

A mini-series by Barbara Baird, Womens Outdoor News, on tips from the pros on what they take to the ring line in their range bags.

39 Coming Events

Coming Events lists national matches and provides a download link to the monthly list of 15,000 local matches each year.

39 Member Info

SUGGESTION BOX:
E-MAIL US AT SHOOTINGSPORTSUSA@NRAHQ.ORG
8 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

MEMBERSHIP ACCT. INFORMATION: (877) 672-2000 MEMBER PROGRAMS: (800) 672-3888

Complete Legal Protection for Armed Self Defense

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You have the right to defend yourself and your loved ones. But the moment you pull the trigger, youre at risk for devastating legal and nancial consequences. You can be arrested, jailed, sued, red, and bankrupted, even when you have legally and justiably used a gun in self defense. Why take that risk? As a Second Call Defense member, youll enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have immediate and comprehensive legal and nancial protection at your ngertips the very moment you pull the trigger. If you use a rearm in self defense, your rst call should be to 911 to request an ambulance and law enforcement. Your second call should be to Second Call Defense. Weve got your back!

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SHOOTERS NEWS

Where are the Shotgun Match

RUGER GETS AM Listings? GUN CL BENCHE NRA does not host trap, skeet or sporting clays PROM shooting activities, which are conducted by our ERAL B friends at the Amateur Trap Association (ATA), POLICE National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) and CAMP the National Scholastic Clay Association (NSCA). GLOCK Due to the large number of events held TECHNOL weekly by each organization, and the fact CLOTH that they each publish their own, dedicated FLASH magazine, it is not feasible for NRA to CASE CL

re-print their events. Here are the websites BRAKE H for those organizations: From reader Rich Courtney: I receive the monthly digital Shooting Sports USA magazine. I dont see any listings for shotgun events, (Skeet, Trap or Sporting Clays). Do you have these in another magazine or are they not listed anywhere? ATA: NSSA: NSCA: www.shootata.com www.mynssa.com www.mynsca.com

ING GEAR

Great American Outdoor Show

Tickets are now available online at GreatAmericanOutdoorShow.org. Held February 1-9, 2014, this is the largest sports and outdoor show in the country. The 650,000 square foot Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex will feature nearly 1,100 exhibitors, including shooting manufacturers, outtters, boats, RVs, hunting and shing retailers, and more. Reduced NRA ticket prices are as follows: Adult: $12.00 Child (6-12): $6.00 Senior (65 or older): $10.00 2-Day Pass: $20.00 Group Pass (10 or more people): $10.00

CAN TA ING GR Good luck and thanks for being an NRA member. TAPCO RANGE PACKS Summer Poll: MRES How many new shooters did we recruit this year? DV AKS ACCE 1911 ACE BOOK MILITAR STOCKS ERS FIR ZINES ING PRO REMINGT ACESSO GEAR U TACTICA GRIPS

Correction:
From our October, 2013, issue on the World F-Class matches: Bryan Litz was erroneously listed as a team member of BNX Rie Team. Here is the correct spelling of BNX team members: Luis Eljaiek and Paul Bruton. Thanks to BNX Team Captain Nikolas Taylor for the feedback.
10 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

V BACK AME REMIN PURIF ACESS OGY BELTS GRIPS BENCHE PEPPE

AKE HEARING PROTECTECTION AMERIGLO POLICE GEAR MRES DVDS LAKE CITY NG GEAR REMINGTON AR-15 ACCESSORIES CAMPING GEAR AKS ACCESSORIES W ATION SKS ACESSORIES SURVIVAL GEAR GLOCK ACCESSORIES 1911 ACESSORIES R SNIPER GEAR UTG RIFLE CASES ATI TECHNOLOGY MODGEAR BOOKS DPMS MMO CAN TACTICAL GEAR BELTS KNIVES CLOTHING GIFTS MILITARY SURPLUS LEANING GRIPS KNS SPEED LOADERS FLASHLIGHTS GUN STOCKS BIPODS SHO ES TAPCO HANDGUARD ROPE ACE CASE CLAY THROWERS FIRST AID PEPPER S MAG RANGE BAGS VESTS SCOPES AMMUNITION MAGAZINES WOLF HOLSTERS BACKPACKS LASERS HORNADY MUZZLE BRAKE HEARING PROTECTECTION AMER GEAR MRES DVDS LAKE CITY GUNSMITHING GEAR REMINGTON AR-15 ACCESS PING GEAR AKS ACCESSORIES WATER PURIFCATION SKS ACESSORIES SURVIVAL G ACCESSORIES 1911 ACESSORIES GG&G RUGER SNIPER GEAR UTG RIFLE CASES LOGY MODGEAR BOOKS DPMS TARGETS AMMO CAN TACTICAL GEAR BELTS HING GIFTS MILITARY SURPLUS MAKO GUN CLEANING GRIPS KNS SPEED LOA HLIGHTS GUN STOCKS BIPODS SHOOTING BENCHES TAPCO HANDGUARD ROPE LAY THROWERS FIRST AID PEPPER SPRAY PROMAG RANGE BAGS VESTS SCOPE ON MAGAZINES WOLF HOLSTERS FEDERAL BACKPACKS LASERS HORNADY M HEARING PROTECTECTION AMERIGLO POLICE GEAR MRES DVDS LAKE CITY GUN R REMINGTON AR-15 ACCESSORIES CAMPING GEAR AKS ACCESSORIES WATER PU KS ACESSORIES SURVIVAL GEAR GLOCK ACCESSORIES 1911 ACESSORIES GG&G R GEAR UTG RIFLE CASES ATI TECHNOLOGY MODGEAR BOOKS DPMS TARGETS ACTICAL GEAR BELTS KNIVES CLOTHING GIFTS MILITARY SURPLUS MAKO GUN RIPS KNS SPEED LOADERS FLASHLIGHTS GUN STOCKS BIPODS SHOOTING BENC HANDGUARD ROPE ACE CASE CLAY THROWERS FIRST AID PEPPER SPRAY PRO BAGS VESTS SCOPES AMMUNITION MAGAZINES WOLF HOLSTERS FEDERAL LASERS HORNADY MUZZLE BRAKE HEARING PROTECTECTION AMERIGLO POLICE VDS LAKE CITY GUNSMITHING GEAR REMINGTON AR-15 ACCESSORIES CAMPING ESSORIES WATER PURIFCATION SKS ACESSORIES SURVIVAL GEAR GLOCK ACCESS ESSORIES GG&G RUGER SNIPER GEAR UTG RIFLE CASES ATI TECHNOLOGY MO KS DPMS TARGETS AMMO CAN TACTICAL GEAR BELTS KNIVES CLOTHING GI RY SURPLUS MAKO GUN CLEANING GRIPS KNS SPEED LOADERS FLASHLIGHTS S BIPODS SHOOTING BENCHES TAPCO HANDGUARD ROPE ACE CASE CLAY TH RST AID PEPPER SPRAY PROMAG RANGE BAGS VESTS SCOPES AMMUNITION WOLF HOLSTERS FEDERAL BACKPACKS LASERS HORNADY MUZZLE BRAKE H OTECTECTION AMERIGLO POLICE GEAR MRES DVDS LAKE CITY GUNSMITHING G TON AR-15 ACCESSORIES CAMPING GEAR AKS ACCESSORIES WATER PURIFCATION ORIES SURVIVAL GEAR GLOCK ACCESSORIES 1911 ACESSORIES GG&G RUGER S UTG RIFLE CASES ATI TECHNOLOGY MODGEAR BOOKS DPMS TARGETS AMMO AL GEAR BELTS KNIVES CLOTHING GIFTS MILITARY SURPLUS MAKO GUN CLEA KNS SPEED LOADERS FLASHLIGHTS GUN STOCKS BIPODS SHOOTING BENCHES

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SHOOTERS NEWS

Whats in Your Range Bag? Nancy Tompkins

By Barbara Baird, www.womensoutdoornews.com

World and National Champion Nancy Tompkins likes to reach out and touch targets at 1,000 yards with an iron-sighted rie. Shes been competing in Palma (.308 caliber at 800 yards, 900 yards and 1000 yards), Long Range (1000 yards) and Smallbore prone for 41 years. Thanks to her father, she began competing in the 7th grade and now shares the love of shooting with her daughters Michelle and Sherri Gallagher; husband, Mid; and her goddaughter, Danielle Makucevich. She has competed on numerous international Palma teams, traveling from her home base in Prescott, AZ. There is nothing better than traveling, making new friends and competing with the best shooters in the world, said Nancy. And she only shoots with the best equipment. Her Palma rie is built on a McGee stock, Stolle Panda action, Krieger barrel, Anschtz trigger, Warner rear sight and a Right Sight (front sight). Her .22 Smallbore rie is an Anschtz action and trigger with a Hart barrel, McGee stock, Right Sight (front sight) and Warner rear sight. Whats in your range bag, Nancy Tompkins? Actually, Nancy stores stuff in her Creedmoor shooting stool for High Power matches and

After winning the Top Woman spot in the 2013 Nationals the week prior, Nancy Tompkins (left) visits at the World F-Class Championships with one of her follow champions on the U.S. Team, Trudie Fay.

in a large plastic box from Home Depot for her Smallbore matches. So, what do you keep in your shooting stool and plastic container? Sinclair timer Allen wrenches, small screwdriver and grease SPF-15 lip balm Magnifying glass 2 slings Creedmoor shooting glove Decot shooting glasses TLC Gunworks elbow pad Champions Choice shooting visor CeCes custom ear plugs Her cat, Sierra, placed a toy mouse in one of her shooting

stools a few years ago. She considers it her lucky charm. Learn tips for better rie shooting in Nancys newest book, Prone & Long Range Rie Shooting.

12 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

Chip Lohman

Kimber CDP Pistols . Unequaled Quality. Unmatched Performance.

Easy to carry and conceal, the Ultra CDP II .45 ACP has a 3-inch barrel and weighs 25 ounces. It is also offered in 9mm and with Crimson Trace Lasergrips.

CDP pistols have custom features like low-profile night sights and a Carry Bevel treatment for smooth, rounded edges that will not snag clothing or holsters.

An ambidextrous thumb safety promotes fast operation and 30 lines-per-inch checkering on the front strap and under the trigger guard ensures a positive grip.

The Custom CDP II .45 ACP has a 5-inch barrel and full-length grip, yet weighs just 31 ounces. CDP models take concealed-carry performance to the extreme.

Built in the Kimber Custom Shop, CDP (Custom Defense Package) pistols combine .45 ACP power and the most important concealed carry features into a light weight, high-performance package that gives them their name. The stainless steel slide plus a match grade barrel and trigger ensure durability and accuracy. Aluminum frames wear the premium KimPro II finish that is self-lubricating and extremely resistant to moisture and salt. Quality and performance are the true measures of value and Kimber pistols set the industry standard. Nowhere is this more evident than in a CDP. Visit the nearest Kimber Master Dealer and see for yourself.

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Kimber offers nearly 200 purpose-built pistols and rifles to meet any need.
2012, Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Information and specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice.

PRODUCT FOCUS

BY CHIP LOHMAN, MANAGING EDITOR // PHOTOS BY PETER FOUNTAIN

The MISO Lens Part I

PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF IN OUR NOVEMBER, 2011 REVIEW OF IRON SIGHT LENS INSERTS, HERE IS THE LATEST SOLUTION TO HELP KEEP YOU IN THE GAME.

THE RULES: Service rie rules governing rear sight inserts begin with NRA rule 3.1, which allows a hooded rear sight. Rule 3.7 allows that metallic sights may include a corrective lens placed inside the rear sight hood. The rule concludes that any rie not covered by NRA Rule 3.1, but permitted by CMP Rules, is considered an authorized service rie in NRA sanctioned

competition. The MISO (Miniature Iron Sight Optics) sight meets these rules and, more importantly, works as advertised. THE SCIENCE: The MISO lens is produced by Kevin Sanford, an M1A rie shooter and contact lens manufacturer south of the

Mason-Dixon Line in Norfolk, VA. Unlike designs that integrate two zones (near and far), the MISO lens is a single, aspheric lens with a range of focal powers for near, intermediate and distance vision. With the MISO, youre not focusing on two points at one time. Rather, all points are available for the eye to focus on simultaneously. Like any good set of glasses, centering the MISO lens on the pupil is important. But, as explained on Creedmoors website (the exclusive dealer for the MISO), the fact that image clarity through the lens is not affected by slight changes of angle allows the MISO lens to be adapted to the M1A rear sight.

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PRODUCT FOCUS because of my particular distance prescription. So I now see a crystal clear post and a chalky bull. But, without the MISO, I could not compete. Period. Add to the MISO aspheric design their high-denition optics with AR (anti-reective) coating, and you get a sharp sight picture that tolerates less than perfect alignment. KITS: Creedmoor sells conversion kits, hood kits and optional apertures for both the AR-15 and M1A. AR-15 Full Conversion Kit: $179.95. Includes the hood with hex lens cap, ip sight, MOA windage screw, at spring, two O-rings, MISO lens and a .038 aperture tapped for the ip sight at 1/4-28 TPI (threads per inch). AR-15 Hood Kit: $139.95. Includes the hood with hex lens cap, two O-rings, MISO lens and a .038 aperture in either 1/4-28 or -32 TPI. M1A Lens Kit: $89.95. As above, but for the M1A. M1A Aperture: $29.95. M1A NM Hooded Rear Sight Aperture AR-15 Aperture: $8.95. Either .042 or .045 For a video, more information or to purchase, logon to: http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Sight_ Accessories/?page=2

From Sanford: Single vision lenses correct for only one distance. If youre wearing shooting glasses for distance vision, the crystalline lens inside the eye will need to accommodate to see clearly up close. Accommodation is the ability of the crystalline lens to change shape (optical power) to maintain a clear image as distances vary. At forty-something, this accommodation ability has started to decline and it seems that our arms are getting too short for reading small print. This is called presbyopia, or the loss of near vision. What weve done with the MISO lens is select a compromise range of correction that offers clear near vision (front post) while preserving your distance vision (bull). And because it is a clear lens with no zone boundaries, the sight picture is brighter and is tolerant of less than perfect alignment. IN THE FIELD: Like any small aperture sight, the MISO lens and .038 aperture provide improved depth of
16 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

eld with minor dimming in low light. (Creedmoor offers .042 and .045 apertures that will be tested in Part II of this article.) Sanford has designed the MISO lens for an optimum compromise or range of near and far correction for distances of up to 1,000 yards. (Watch for Part II where we test the MISO lens at greater distances.) I can see the AR-15 front post clearly without prescription glasses, but my view of the bullseye is blurred. With prescription distance glasses, the situation is reversed. The MISO lens solves this problem. While some shooters claim perfect focus of both the post and the bull with the MISO, I have not experienced this, perhaps

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SCORE SHEETS

Vermont State Outdoor Conventional Pistol Match

Vermont State Rie and Pistol Association Jericho, VT May 25-26 Submitted by Cara Krauss 23 competitors
Folks who attended this years match proved to be some of the toughest pistol shooters around. With temperatures plummeting into the mid-30s on Saturday, accompanied by heavy rain and wind, its no wonder people could even muster up enough strength to be outside at all. In spite of the horric weather, many shooters informed range personnel that they shot personal bests. David Lange, in his rst appearance at this match, took home top honors shooting a 2644-125X. Larry Grace became Vermonts new Outdoor Pistol Champion with a score of 2565-92X. Wed like to thank everyone who participated this year. All of you proved that a bad day on the range is still better than a good day in the ofce. Winner 2nd 3rd 1st EX 1st MM High Woman High Senior Dave Lange Glen Rock, NJ Edwin Hall Tupper Lake, NY Daniel Kupar Whitehall, PA Lawrence Grace New Haven, VT Sean Myers Westford, VT Cara Krauss Bristol, VT William Tierney Cornish, NH 2644-125X 2607-110X 2587-104X 2565-92X 2429-42X 2538-70X 2575-95X

New Jersey Match Rie Championship

Cumberland Rieman Club Millville, NJ Jul. 7 Submitted by Joe Burkel 16 competitors
Our 16 competitors represented a low turnout that can be directly attributed to the oppressive heat the region was under all week long. At the end of a long, hot day, Brian Fradl was the match winner with a 770-20X. Because Brian is from New York, the New Jersey title went to Mike Schallow, who also won in 2012. The associated EIC match was red the following weekend and was won by Robert Modica. The only leg points went to George Kline. Congratulations to all the winners for their ne shooting. Winner 2nd 3rd 1st HM 1st M 1st EX 1st SS 1st MM Brian Fradl Selden, NY Mike Schallow Hammonton, NJ Joe Burkel Erial, NJ Brian Fradl Selden, NY Joe Burkel Erial, NJ Kevin McCarthy Oak Ridge, NJ Kevin Turney Mays Landing, NJ Christopher Garcia Jackson, NJ 770-20X 766-18X 759-14X 770-20X 759-14X 749-13X 731-7X 659-3X

18 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

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SCORE SHEETS

Missouri Outdoor Conventional Pistol Championship

Pioneer Gun Club Holden, MO Sep. 8, 2013 Submitted by Eric Pearson 19 competitors
Shooters turned out to brave a Missouri heat wave Sunday for the 9th annual Pioneer Gun Club Bullseye picnic, State Championship and EIC Match. The day started out at about 75 degrees and reached 100 by noon. Jeannies chocolate chip cookies and Oklahoma Joes BBQ will cause normally rational men to brave the elements despite the risk to their own personal well-being. Despite the heat, there was great shooting all the way around. Frank Harles from Blue Springs, MO won the EIC match with a 264-4X, for 6 leg points. Winner 2nd 3rd 1st HM 1st M 1st EX 1st SS 1st MM Paul Jones Florissant, MO John Dean Warner St. Louis, MO John ODonnell St. Louis, MO Paul Porter Lisbon, IA Scott Beyer Lebanon, IL John ODonnell St. Louis, MO Larry McAlpin Washington, MO Richard Miller Warrensburg, MO 2585-85X 2561-79X 2535-67X 2889-81X 2567-82X 2535-67X 2255-22X 2187-18X

West Virginia Outdoor Pistol Championships

Brassmasters, Inc. Peeltree, WV Sep. 21-22, 2013 Submitted by John Hash 41 competitors

On the rst day, despite some rain, shooters from Canada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia stepped up to their ring points. Sunday morning dawned clearer, but somewhat cooler. The rst matches of the day were the Distinguished Revolver and the EIC Service Pistol Matches. Legendary WV Shooter Ed Williams, the 1985 Service Pistol National Trophy Individual (NTI) Match winner and former Mayleigh Cup Team Member, checked triggers and ammunition. The Gold Medal among distinguished shooters was won by Dave Lange, with a 279-6X. The Silver Medal went to Sgt. Sally Talbott with 274-4X. Leg points among the nondistinguished competitors were earned by Randy Pollack of PA with a 258-2X and Adam Kopstein of NJ, with a 256-2X. The Distinguished Revolver match was won by distinguished shooter David Lange with 283-6X. Adam Kopstein of NJ was second with 269-2X which also earned him ten DR points. Next was John Hash of Huntington, WV, with 268-7X, for eight points, and the six point leg was won by Tom Allen of Canvas, WV, with a 262-7X. The West Virginia State Outdoor Pistol Champion for 2013, who must be a resident of the state, was Tom Allen, of Canvas, WV, posting a 2524-71X. The team matches were paper team matches, won by the

20 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

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West Virginia Outdoor Pistol Championships, continued...

Pennsylvania team of Brian Dean, Jeffrey Lloyd, Eric Dreikorn and Adam Kopstein, with a total score of 3318-83X. The Ed Williams Award, which annually goes to the highest scoring West Virginian at the State Championship in the EIC Service Pistol Match, this year, went to Sgt. Sally Talbott, posting an excellent, 274-4X. Winner 1st HM Dave Lange Glen Rock, NJ Wes Fleming Elizabeth City, NC 1st M 1st EX 1st SS 1st MK High Woman Brian Dean Butler, PA Adam Kopstein Riverdale, NJ Michael Schlabach Clarence, NY Don McKenzie Summersville, WV Kimberly Hobart New Philadelphia, OH 2563-78X 2525-68X 2369-42X 2164-22X 2558-78X

2633-124X 2628-106X

Midwest Fall Regional Silhouette Match

Monroe County Gun Club Parris, MO Oct. 6 Submitted by Doug Mallory 26 competitors
This was our third year for our regional smallbore match. Twenty-six individuals registered 41 guns, with several entering both the smallbore and hunter rie matches. The weather was a cool 48 degrees with rain and wind. A meal was served to the competitors between the two matches. Door prizes were awarded after the shoot off for medals, while other ties were broken by animal count. Hunter Rie Winner 2nd 3rd Chris Bixler Auxvasse, MO Clint Munzlinger Napolean, MO Mike Opeka Ava, MO 61 (shoot off) 61 51

1st AA 1st A 1st B

Adam Bell Bluesprings, MO Joe Meyer St. Louis, MO Tony Francik Arnold, MO Smallbore Rie

40 36 38

Winner 2nd 3rd 1st M 1st AA 1st A 1st B

Clint Munzlinger Napolean, MO Terry Shroud Aurora, MO Mike Opeka Ava, MO Chris Bixler Auxvasse, MO Dennis Wisdom Battleeld, MO Tony Francik Arnold, MO Meagen Mallory Perry, MO

59 58 (shoot off) 58 55 45 48 18

22 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

FEATURE // NRA MEETING RESOLUTION

BY NRA STAFF // PHOTO BY LLOYD HILL

BOARD REAFFIRMS NRAS SUPPORT OF COMPETITIVE SHOOTING

Re-af-rm (r -frm ):
to restate or express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support.

Generic le photo.

uring their September 2013 meeting in Arlington, VA, NRA Board members reafrmed the Associations commitment to the shooting sports by unanimously passing the following resolution. The signicance of such action is to formally remind leadership and NRA members of the historic and continued importance of one of the ve objectives of the Association, to wit: To foster and promote the shooting sports

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

WHEREAS, The National Rie Association of America (NRA) was originally founded in 1871 for the purpose of serving as Americas national organization dedicated to the patriotic endeavor of training civilians in the use of military arms so as to enable patriotic citizens to be fully prepared to come to the defense of their country in times of war and national crisis; and WHEREAS, The founders of this great Association recognized early on that the best method for encouraging marksmanship practice among patriotic Americans was to harness the American competitive spirit, thus giving birth to the NRAs competitive shooting programs and the National Matches; and WHEREAS, Article II of the Bylaws of the National Rie Association sets forth the Corporate Purposes and Objectives of our Association, Number 4 of which reads as follows: To foster and promote the shooting sports, including the advancement of amateur competitions in marksmanship at the local, state, regional, national and international levels; and WHEREAS, Since our founding, competitive shooting has been and remains a fundamental business of the National Rie Association of America as a core service to our members, serving not only as the basis for all safety and marksmanship training, but further serving to provide Americans with an opportunity to responsibly and safely exercise their Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and giving to individuals, clubs and teams an incentive to protect and defend those rights and to encourage others to do likewise; and WHEREAS, During the years immediately following the end of World War II and the Korean Conict, the NRA enjoyed a tremendous growth in the formation of NRA afliated clubs as the result of those returning veterans seeking an opportunity to enjoy and exercise the shooting skills they had learned while in service to our country in a recreational and social environment founded upon a competitive shooting format; and
SHOOTINGSPORTSUSA.COM 25

FEATURE // NRA MEETING RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Much of this Associations political success in protecting and defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes is directly attributable to the efforts of the clubs and associations that make up NRAs network of clubs and associations, many of which began as and to this day remain competitive shooting clubs; and WHEREAS, When modern Americans think in terms of competitive shooting disciplines and events, they immediately and automatically think of the NRA; and WHEREAS, The NRAs competitive shooting programs and events are well respected and well received throughout modern American culture, providing goodwill and positive publicity for the NRA throughout America, as well as internationally; and WHEREAS, The NRA is fully recognized and respected throughout the free world as Americas ofcial representative to the International Shooting Community; FURTHER RESOLVED, That the contents of this Resolution be spread upon the minutes of this meeting and that a copy be published electronically in Shooting Sport USA and in such other electronic publications of this Association as the Executive Vice President may deem to be appropriate; posted on NRAs Competitive Shooting Divisions web page; transmitted electronically to each NRA State Association and NRA competitive shooting club; and sent via e-mail to each registered competitor and volunteer participating in each of NRAs National Championship events conducted during the 2013 competitive shooting season.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, That the Board of Directors of the National Rie Association of America does hereby re-state, re-acknowledge and reafrm its support for and commitment to NRA Competitive Shooting, Americas competitive shooting community, and to NRAs competitive shooting members; and be it

26 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

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FEATURE // CMP GUN SHORTAGE

CMP IS OUT OF GUNS?

NO, NOT EXACTLY
BY ART MERRILL
PHOTO COURTESY CMP

n September, Civilian Marksmanship Program sent an unusual notice to competitors: Recent news articles and references to the demise of the Civilian Marksmanship Program are erroneous. Business and programs continue as usual. The erroneous reports followed CMPs announcements of a reduction in store hours and a temporary sold out situation regarding several grades of their M1 Garand ries. The key word here is temporary, according to CMP Marketing Manager Steve Cooper. Said Cooper in an e-mail exchange: Its an important distinction to make that we are currently sold out of most popular ries because we have not had time to work through our inventory due to the recent high demand to meet existing orders. Hopefully well catch up soon and begin making more ries available for sale. With ries temporarily not available, of course its a smart businessmove to cut back on store hours. We have reduced

store hours until this backlog can be resolved, Cooper said. It just doesnt make sense to staff our stores with empty shelves. According to CMP Chief Operating Ofcer Orest Michaels, that backlog in M1 Garand orders numbers more than 2,000 ries. Part of the problem is that when CMP received a large number of surplus Garand ries from the U.S. Army a few years ago, well, the Armys denition of rie included stripped receivers, barreled receivers, welded-up guns and, according to Michaels, even a lump of metal with a tag on it saying that this was serial number xxxxx destroyed in a re. Staffers have to sift through it all and inspect intact ries for safety and proper operation before they can sell them, and it takes time. The other part of the problem is the Second Quadrennial President Obama Panic that shooters have created, an encore of the rst one that occurred a month before the 2008 presidential election. Fearing impending

bans on guns and ammunition, shooters have rushed to buy so much of both that they cause shortages, which results in escalated prices. The panic buying, along with the increased popularity of the M1 Garand, has impacted signicantly on the CMP, Michaels said in a CMP newsletter. Our store racks are bare and our M1 Garand ready-to-ship inventory of several grades and manufacturers has been wiped out A perusal of CMPs online store pages shows there are, indeed, some M1 Garands still available but, for now, CMP isnt accepting any orders on their Rack and Field grade ries. OK, the situation is temporarily temporary, meaning there are only so many U.S. Government surplus ries at all, and over the years, CMP has completely and permanently sold out of existing inventories of M1 Carbines and older ries. What happens after the last military surplus Garand passes out their doors? That, my friend, is a story for the (near) future.

28 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

FEATURE // COVER CONTEST

INAUGURAL COVER CONTEST

Here are the top ve selections for our rst annual cover contest. Start saving your favorite photos for 2014!

30 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

hanks to all who submitted photos for the inaugural December cover contest. Without knowing the photographer or the background information, senior staff members from our Executive, Photo, Art and Editorial Departments within the NRA Publications Division nominated their favorites from a pool of 23 submissions. Their top choice received 4 points, their second received 3 points, and so on. With a tie for third, we felt the top two nominations were clear favorites and made the nal selection accordingly. The nominations from parents, coaches, shooters and public relations staff reect the heart and soul of the shooting sports people who devote and share their time for the overall benet of the sport. Thank you from everyone here at the NRA Publications Division. The ve nalists will receive a cover photo mock-up for their trophy wall.

as you deem necessary. Here in Publications, we typically notice this while previewing the photo in the camera display like a towel in the foreground or a tree that appears to be growing out of the top of someones head. Resolution: For the larger cover photo, we need a lot of pixels to avoid a grainy appearance. Please adjust your camera to its highest resolution and answer no if your e-mail program attempts to reduce the size when sending it to us. Alternately, send us the original printed photo for us to scan.

Assistant Head Coach Art Phillips assists Sydney Goldschlag, 19, Merrick, NY, with her standing position during practice at the National Matches Junior Smallbore Camp, Petrarca Range, Camp Perry, OH. This was Coach Phillipss 17th year as a volunteer coach at Smallbore Camp. Photo by Russ Evans.

Runner-up:

SOME LESSONS LEARNED:

Orientation: Some submissions were horizontally oriented (landscape mode). This means much of the photo must be cropped (cut off) to t the vertical (portrait) cover format. Please tip your camera on its side when taking cover photo candidates. Composition: Please note any clutter in the photo and retake photos

Submitted by Head Coach Russ Evans, National Matches Junior Smallbore Camp. The winning photo captures twins Dana and Abby Buesseler, 14, from Stacy, MN, showing off their standing position practice targets at the National Matches Junior Smallbore Camp, Petrarca Range, Camp Perry, OH. The Junior Smallbore Camp is held at Camp Perry in July during the National Matches. Ages 12-20, Junior Shooters attend the weeklong camp to improve their shooting skills. (Despite the move of the Smallbore National Matches to Bristol, IN, in 2014, the Junior Smallbore Camp will remain at Camp Perry and will be conducted during the pistol phase in July.) Photo by Russ Evans.

Winning Photo:

(top) U.S. National Rie Team member Anette Wachter sets up on the 700-yard line to shoot exploding targets at the Boomershoot Match near Orono, ID. Anette is a frequent contributor to Shooting Sports USA. Photo courtesy ESS Eyepro. (bottom) From the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA), beginner Rachel Baker of Georgia runs her course. CMSA will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. Mounted contestants compete in this fastaction, timed event using two .45 caliber single-action revolvers, each loaded with ve rounds of specially-prepared blank ammunition. Photo courtesy CMSA.

Tied for Third:

Scott York and his son Alex of Somerville, TX, practice air rie eld target in their backyard. Photo courtesy Raschel York. To learn more about the eld targets used in the photo, logon to: http://yeguatargetcompany.com/ ytc%20web_006.htm.
SHOOTINGSPORTSUSA.COM 31

Honorable Mention:

FEATURE // IRON IN THE SUN

IRON IN THE SUN

Lights up, Sights up. Dr. Norman Wong collects and shares insights about the suns impact on an iron sight picture. As we discover, not all shooters share the same experience.

By Norman H. Wong. O.D.

Editors Note. This information was originally posted on www.starreloaders.com/edhall/ during February, 2009. This abbreviated version was edited in 2013 by the author, Norman Wong, former Navy pistol team member, master bullseye shooter and optometrist. Two shooters from Group 2 have since become National Conventional Pistol Champions; Philip Hemphill, National Champion in 2011 and John Zurek, National Civilian Champion in 2013.

ight and shadow can cause optical illusions that may move the apparent aiming point. While most ranges have covered ring points that provide shade for competitors, Camp Perry and the warm-up regionals at Canton, OH, do not. If youre confused about your visual perception of iron sights under the open sun, this article addresses those concerns and shares lessons learned from

some of the nest bullseye pistol shooters in the country. Our distinguished panel included national champions, national record holders, Olympic-caliber shooters and shooters who are on top of their game. All are high masters (except for two masters) and are Distinguished. Question: Do your shot groupings change when shooting under the open sun?

Don Nygord was a member of the U.S. shooting team for over 20 years and wrote extensively during 1998-2003. Many of his articles can be found at www.australiancynic.com/ NYGORD.htm. Nygords notes indicate that if the sun is shining from the right, then the front sight blade will be blurred on the right side. This will cause the right side to appear thinner, and the apparent gap between the rear sight notch and front

32 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

blade will be wider. When the sights are realigned, errant shots will go to the right.

RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Surprisingly, two distinct schools of thought emerged from the survey. There were a total of seventeen responders. Eight responders reported never needing to change their sights for windage due to sunlight. Well call them group 1. Eight others (group 2) reported that they did routinely change sights for windage as a result of bright sunlight. The 17th shooter was not sure. Those in group 2 who adjusted their sights to the prevailing light conditions typically moved their rear sight windage by 1 to 3 clicks. Four of this group used up to ve clicks under more extreme conditions. Nobody from group 1 saw the blurred front sight edge mentioned in Nygords notes. One from this group commented: I know that the sunlight directionality can affect the perceived appearance of the BULL and thus cause one to compensate with the iron sights in just the OPPOSITE way of your example...light on the right will cause you to shoot left. From group 2, only two responders noted a blurred front edge on the same side as the sun, while another from this group saw a blurred front sight, but on the opposite side of the sun.

Only a few of those surveyed shoot with an aperture, intended to improve depth of eld.

APERTURES AT CAMP PERRY

None in group 1 used an aperture. Of the eight in group 2, four used an aperture, while three did not. One used it sometimes.

SIGHT BLACK
The carbide type was most prevalently used by both groups. Shooters from group 1 used either carbide or aerosol sight black. Six from group 2 used carbide, while one used aerosol, and another sometimes used either type. Brian Zins wrote, A cigar lighter is great. Here are some responses from group 1 (no change in windage due to shifting sun): Jim Lenardson: (Last shooter to win the National matches with iron sights.) I shot iron

sights for 30 years as a high master. I shot 2670 several times with them and never had the sights change with the sun. I am well aware of folks talking about that, but I never had a problem with it. It always came up at Perry because of facing the North and no over-head cover. Some were adamant about it and others thought it made no difference. Brian Zins: The biggest thing I notice when shooting irons outdoors is the sunlights effect on elevation more than anything. I feel it is due to the sun on the target more than on the sights. The rie shooting phrase lights up, sights up is kind of the same effect that Don Nygord talks about concerning the front sight.
SHOOTINGSPORTSUSA.COM 33

FEATURE // IRON IN THE SUN Steve Reitter: This is strictly my opinion from shooting a lot of years with iron sights. I disagree with Nygord. The suns effect is really more apparent in rie shooting. With the rie, it has nothing to do with the sights, because you blacken the sights to prevent that. What the light does affect is the black circle you are putting your sights against. By this I mean it will make the black appear bigger or smaller, which does affect sight picture and bullet impact. Left or right impact is probably going to be the left or right side of the 10 ring, depending on the range you are shooting and the angle of the sun. Dave Lange: I very rarely have to make sight corrections. I have heard the comments at Perry about how the sun changed between the Presidents 100 match and the NTI and NTT matches. I have never noticed this in my sights. John Bickar: (As a multinational junior champion, Bickar shoots iron sights exclusively.) Ive heard the lights right, sights right adage but have not found it denitively to be the case. Chris Johnson: I have not noticed shot groupings move with light conditions. Specically, shooting ball at Camp Perry at 7:00 am then again at 11:00 am does not move my groupings.
34 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013

but I will always adjust my sights to correct an errant group, even if I dont know why the group is errant.
~ Steve Locatelli

Here are some responses from group 2 (windage changed due to shifting sun): Philip Hemphill: (10-time National Police Shooting Champion and 2011 National Bullseye Champion) My eye doctor here in Mississippi gets a little uneasy when I bring my guns into his ofce for sight picture correction, but I have found that is the only way I can get a correct adjustment for vision. I have been shooting iron sights in police matches for about 25 years and have found that the glare on the front sight has more bearing on shot placement than the effect of the sun. Our range faces north, while the range at Jackson Police Department (PD) faces south. I have to move 2 clicks left and 1 click down when I shoot at the Jackson PD. The sun was on my left side over there. The sun has a tendency to push me away from the target.

John Zurek: I often shoot iron sights while training with the Free Pistol. Here in Phoenix, our club is situated so that I am shooting south. When I start a training session, normally I have rounds going down range by 8:00 a.m., when the sun is coming up on my left. In that light, my grouping is to the left. As the sun centers overhead, my grouping is centered. When I train in the afternoon, my group moves to the right. (Im shooting for groups in these sessions, rather than adjusting the sights.) My theory has been that the sun shines on that part of the front sight (left or right) causing a graying effect, which makes the mind move the sights in that direction to make up for the apparent gap. I also note that bright light shining on the target gives the appearance of an elongated

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FEATURE // IRON IN THE SUN bullseye, opposite from the sun (suns up, sights up). When one is focused on the sights, the black thing downrange is blurred to the left or right, due to the suns position. Steve Locatelli (SLO CAT): The only places I shoot service pistol in direct sunlight are at the Canton Regional, the NRA Whittington Center and at Camp Perry. I do notice that the groups tend to move towards the direction of the sunlight. It is more noticeable to me at 50 yards than at 25 yards. My take on the reason this happens is that my eye is trying to center the front sight in the rear sight notch and, in doing this, I unconsciously move the front sight toward the bright side to even out the perceived light on both sides of the sight blade. I have not noticed an elevation change when the sun is directly overhead, but I will always adjust my sights to correct an errant group, even if I dont know why the group is errant. I do not notice that the bright side of the front sight is blurred. At Camp Perry, the Presidents 100 match usually starts at 0700 hours with the sun low on our right side. I adjust two clicks left. During the NTI later in the morning, I take out these two clicks. In the afternoon team matches, I adjust two clicks to the right, as long as there is still direct sunlight. Overcast conditions usually are the same for me as shooting from a covered ring line.
36 SSUSA DECEMBER 2013
Half of those surveyed shoot with a center-of-mass sight picture. The rest shoot with a 6 oclock aiming point.

Col Joe Chang: My iron sights always have been different than other shooters. When I pick up someone elses ball gun, I wind up shooting high into the 8 ring. I use a serrated front sight and sometimes I do see the front sight being more gray than black. This may be due to reections from the front sight which might distort the way I see it. Rather than over-analyze it, I adjust my sights to center my group.

SUMMARY
I wish to thank everyone for their replies and sharing their expertise. With no disrespect to others who have different viewpoints, this was how our shooters saw their sight picture. Of interest, the six national champions all belong to group

1 and saw their front sights with no edge blur; no report of edge glare; all used either a black or white occluder (one shuts the eye), and none used an aperture. As an optometrist reviewing these responses, there were no conclusions I could offer from the use of plus add power lenses, tints, anti-reection coatings or apertures. Peoples perceptions vary. In general, my recommendation has always been to obtain the best focus for the front sight, followed by the rear sight and then the bull. How blurred is considered acceptable can be shown by your eye care professional.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE.

A PAGE FROM HISTORY: AMERICAN RIFLEMAN, NOV 1956

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COLUMBIA, MO
May 21-24, 2014

The MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup is the most prestigious handgun tournament in the World. Competitors from all over come to Columbia, MO, to compete in this annual event. If you are interested in attending or competing, please call (877) 672-6282 ext. 5; bianchicup@nrahq.org; or write to: NRA Competitive Shooting Division, Attn: NRA Bianchi Cup, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. Please include your full mailing address. Online registration will be available on January 1, 2014 at http://bianchicup.nra.org/. Also, check us out on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter keyword: nrabianchicup.

2014 NATIONAL RIFLE & PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

CAMP PERRY, OH
(DRAFT) Jul. 8-3 Jul. 14-23 Jul. 24-29 Jul. 30-Aug. 3 Aug. 5-0 Pistol Matches CMP High Power Rie and Games Events NRA High Power Rie and Mid-Range Championship NRA Long Range High Power Rie Championship NRA Fullbore Championship

Online Registration for the National Championships will be available in May at: www.nmentry.com (select the 2014 Camp Perry Online Entry link). Entry forms and programs are available on the NRA Competitive Shooting website or will be mailed to competitors. To request an entry form and program either: (A) Call (877) 672-6282 and press 1; (B) E-mail a request indicating your desired phase (pistol, smallbore or high power rie) to compadmin@nrahq.org; or (C) Mail a request indicating your desired phase to: NRA Competitive Shooting Division, Attn: National Matches Request, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030.

Click here for the entire Coming Events list.

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