Competitors’ Corner: January 2019

To kick off 2019, the January issue of Shooting Sports USA showcases the Browning Citori CXS crossover shotgun, both on the cover and in Product Focus. After spending some quality time with this scattergun last October on a prairie chicken hunt I was truly impressed. Even more impressive is the fact that big-name companies like Browning are stepping up to the plate to produce affordable, versatile firearms ideal for youth shooters in the rapidly expanding high school and collegiate competitive shotgun shooting sports. Now, there are more youth shotgunners than ever before, and crossover guns like the Citori CXS will certainly help to increase their ranks, especially for budget-minded shooters looking for a gun they can use for both hunting and competitive shooting. Click here to read our Browning Citori CXS review.

While searching for an action pistol back-up gun, former Shooting Sports USA Managing Editor Chip Lohman instead decided to upgrade his 9mm SIG TACOPS to match-grade status with a Bar-Sto barrel installation and a Grayguns trigger kit. Lohman found the ergonomic engineering of this particular SIG pistol to be ideal for his hands, and with the addition of the fitted match barrel and new trigger, he tightened up his average group by nearly an inch. Read his article, “How to Upgrade the SIG TACOPS for Competition.”

Tim Yackley is no stranger to regular SSUSA readers, since he’s an avid competitor that’s not only the current NRA World Shooting Champion—but also an avid Bianchi Cup shooter. A competitor with focus and finesse, author Jacki Billings sat down to interview Yackley to find out what makes this young shooter tick. Read her article, “Tim Yackley: Powerhouse Competitor” and learn what she found out about the multi-talented competitive shooter.

Elizabeth “Plinky” Topperwein became the first woman ever to officially compete at an NRA match in 1906 at Sea Girt, opening the path of competition for many more women to participate in shooting sports. Plinky and her husband Adolf toured the country for many years as exhibition shooters for Winchester, billing themselves as “The Fabulous Topperweins.” Learn more about their trick-shooting exploits by reading “History Lesson: 1906 Plinky Topperwein.”

Additionally, be sure to check out Shooters’ News in the January issue. The first Range Bag of the year features a profile of 3-gun shooter Katie Francis, as well as our monthly photo caption contest. Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book Bullseye Mind by Dr. Raymond Prior.

—John Parker
Managing Editor, Shooting Sports USA