For the majority of competitive shooters, the main reason they got started is to have fun. Since some disciplines have a high learning curve, for a new shooter it can be advantageous to know what you are getting in to prior to competing at your first match. In his first article for Shooting Sports USA, author P.E. Fitch shares his tips on how to have a good time at your first action-shooting match, covering safety, how to be a good squadmate, gear preparation, getting into the right mindset and more.
In Product Focus this month, I review the new Springfield Armory Garrison 1911 4.25 chambered in 9 mm Luger, which shares much of the same DNA as the full-sized Garrison 1911 models released a few years back, but with a shorter slide and barrel. Geared towards the concealed carry crowd, the feature-rich Garrison 1911 4.25 is available in blued carbon steel and stainless steel versions. If you are a 1911 fan this a gun you don’t want to miss. Read my review to learn all about it.
Leupold released its Mark 4HD riflescope lineup earlier this year to much fanfare, and one of the new models is for the High Power Service Rifle crowd. Field Editor Art Merrill reviews Leupold’s new Mark 4HD 1-4.5X 24 mm M1C3 SFP HPR-1 optic in his article this month, which he said, “offers high quality and excellent features in a mid- to higher-price scope dedicated to High Power competition.”
The return of the NRA World Shooting Championship at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, this past April was a unique experience for all competitors, especially those who were attending for the first time. At this 12-stage tournament, all guns, ammo and gear are provided and the stages feature a wide mix of shooting disciplines, ranging from Sporting Clays and Precision Air Rifle to Three-Gun, Cowboy Action and USPSA. Author Serena Juchnowski shares what she learned as a new shooter at the match in her article this month, as well as the thoughts of this year’s World Shooting Champion, Brian Shanholtz.
Field Editor Chris Christian argues that revolver shooters shouldn’t overlook the advantages of the historic .38 Long Colt as a competition cartridge. With a shorter length than .38 Spl., the .38 Long Colt allows an ejector rod stroke to completely eject cartridges from the chamber, while the more popular .38 Spl. will often hang up and ruin a quick reload. Read his article in this month’s Shooting Sports USA digital magazine to learn more about why the .38 Long Colt cartridge is a solid choice for revolver competition, along with handloading tips.
John Parker
Editor-in-Chief, Shooting Sports USA
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