Max Michel Sets New Guinness World Record

by
posted on January 10, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
max1.jpg

Team SIG Captain Max Michel has written himself into the history books by establishing a new Guinness World Record for action pistol shooting. The ultimate authority in record-breaking achievements, Guinness World Records recognizes Michel with the fastest speed for hitting six target plates with a 9mm handgunwhich he did in 2.05 seconds.

"Since he began shooting at 5 years old, Max has won numerous world, national and regional titles in a variety of shooting sports disciplines," said Tom Taylor, chief marketing officer and executive vice president, Commercial Sales. "While Max's skill and proficiency with a pistol is well known in the shooting sports world, his latest performance transcends the competitive arena and places it squarely in the public domain. There are many great shooters out there, but a Guinness World Record title adds documented validity and notoriety, elevating Max's credentials to an even higher level of distinction."

To establish the new Guinness World Record, Michel used his personal full-size SIG Sauer P320 in 9mm topped with a ROMEO3 mini reflex sight and fueled by SIG Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition. In a feat never before accomplished, Michel successfully engaged an official Action Target plate rack consisting of six adjacent shooting plates measuring 8-inches in diameter at a distance of 7 meters. Under the guidelines of Guinness World Records, Michel was given three attempts in which to set the world record. Witnessed by an approved Guinness World Records judge and verified by two experienced timekeepers, Michel's attempt was also photographed and recorded on video (To watch Michel's world record performance, please visit RecoilTV). Michel completed the course of fire while shooting at the state-of-the-art SIG Sauer Academy in Epping, NH.

"Growing up, I remember seeing the Guinness Book of World Records and wanting to be a part of it," said Michel. "To receive its stamp of approval and to be recognized by your peers is one of the biggest honors I could imagine. Now, after finally having the chance to achieve a world record, I consider it to be one of the major highlights in my 25 years of competitive shooting."

Michel continued, "Perhaps one of the biggest joys I've experienced since setting the Guinness World Record has been the feedback I've received from my kids. For years I've been telling them about certain matches, how I performed and what it meant to me, but to see their reaction when I showed them the certificate from Guinness was truly unbelievable. I'm extremely blessed to have this opportunity and I look forward to seeing how my fellow competitors and recreational shooters respond to this new challenge. I hope it encourages them to set their own records as I will certainly be ready to match their performance whenever the time comes."

Latest

Masters Parabiathlon2026 1
Masters Parabiathlon2026 1

Milan Cortina 2026: Team USA’s Masters Defends Paralympic Biathlon Title With Perfect Shooting

Oksana Masters defended her Paralympic biathlon sprint title with flawless shooting at Milan Cortina 2026, with teammate Kendall Gretsch taking silver.

MidwayUSA Foundation Sends $7.5 Million to 995 Youth Shooting Teams Across 46 States

MidwayUSA Foundation concludes its February grant cycle with more than $7.5 million paid to youth shooting teams nationwide, funded by endowments that allow teams to draw 5% annually in perpetuity.

2026 NSCA Championship Tour Opens in March With Eight Stops and Expanded Winchester Ladies Cup

The NSCA Championship Tour, Powered by Winchester returns for 2026 with eight stops, $40,000 in added Ladies Cup payouts and 120 cases of ammunition for women competitors.

Westin Anderson Wins Junior HOA Title at 50th Spring Grand American

Westin Anderson wins Junior HOA and Singles champion titles while Ziggy Tkaczenko sweeps the wheelchair division at 50th Spring Grand American in Tucson.

Revolver Trailblazer: Beth Willoughby’s Journey from Bullseye to Steel Challenge Grand Master

Beth Willoughby, the first woman to make Grand Master in Steel Challenge OSR, shares her path from bullseye shooting to breaking women’s revolver world records.

ATA Great Lakes Satellite Grand Returns to Michigan in May

The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s 38th Annual Great Lakes Satellite Grand American runs six days at the MTA home grounds in Mason, Michigan, with 16 events across singles, handicap and doubles.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.