Christian Sailer is the first competitor in USPSA history to win all eight Regional Championships, along with the Nationals, in the same year. After winning three consecutive USPSA Open division titles (2019-2021), Sailer also qualified to be one of four Open competitors to represent the U.S. this November at the 2022 IPSC Handgun World Shoot in Pattaya, Thailand. Find out what he keeps in his range bag.
Tell us how you began in competitive shooting?
I used to watch videos and observe competitors at local matches. It looked like a blast (no pun intended), so I wanted to try it. I also thought it was a great way to test my skills. By 2013, I had shot my first match.
What firearms and other gear do you use for competition?
Primarily, I compete in the USPSA Open division. My .38 Super Comp is a 2011-style pistol built by Eddie Garcia of EMG Customs. I use a three-MOA SIG Sauer Electro Optics Romeo 3XL optic, which is a big upgrade from pistol optics of the past and has helped me achieve great results.
All of my equipment, including holster, belt and magazine pouches, are from Double Alpha Academy. I load my ammunition on a Dillion Precision 1100 using the highest quality components: Everglades 124-grain JHP, Starline Brass 38SC cartridge cases and Vihtavuori 3N38 powder.
Tell us about your range bag and what you carry in it besides your firearms?
The range bag I use is the CED/DAA RangePack from Double Alpha Academy. Since it’s a backpack, it’s easy to carry around the range throughout a match, but also has enough capacity to carry everything that I need for practice. This bag is also perfect for travel with a specific space for anything that a shooter may need. All of my gear inside my range bag is conveniently placed, easily accessible and safely protected.
As I mentioned, it’s really easy to keep everything organized with my bag. On the outside, I keep my belt clipped with two tethers. My gun and magazines are kept in protective sleeves at the bottom. The main large compartment holds multiple sets of glasses, inner ear protection (Soundgear Phantom), spare batteries (for optics and ear protection), hat camera clip, timer, magazine loader, magazine brush, microfiber cloths, liquid white gold chalk, range journal and log, ping pong ball (for covering a red dot in holster when it’s raining), Techwear USA gun cover, pens and markers. On the outside pouches, I keep CED plastic cases that have anti-fog clothes, defog cloths, lens wipes, lip balm, antacid, liquid band-aid and other medical basics, tourniquets, squib rod, lighter (for burning in fiber optics), tool kit (includes all necessary screwdrivers, Loctite punches, files, etc.), spare parts (depending on the situation), athletic tape, gun oil and a Tile tracker.
What do you do in your free time?
Outside of my professional career of shooting matches and training, I like to hang out with family and friends. I also enjoy spending time in the outdoors on hikes, lake trips, going on runs and competing on a softball team.
What would you tell someone interested in finding out more about your sport?
Visit uspsa.org for more information about the sport, rules and how to compete. There is also plenty of solid YouTube content only a few clicks away.
For new shooters—the number-one rule in the shooting sports is to be safe. Know and practice abiding by all the firearm safety rules. Outside of safety, if you want to improve, begin by reading books, watching videos and attending training classes.
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