Target Shooting in the Arizona Sun

We've all seen them. Those big-name guys in the shooting sports - the Rob Leathams, Doug Koenigs, Jerry and Kay Miculeks of the world. This isn't an article about them. This is about the Pennys, Joes, Karens, Trishas, Steves, Jeffs and Donnies of the sport. Guys and gals just like you and me. In fact, it's about my first match.

I'd never participated in an IPSC-type match before. In my head were images of folks with multi-thousands of dollars worth of equipment strapped to their hips and dead-on eagle-eye never-erring accuracy. So when Debbie Ferns, author of Babes with Bullets, invited me to come to the Dust Devil Classic in Tucson, Arizona, I was a little nervous.

I shouldn't have been. I didn't have a lot of money tied up in equipment. In fact, counting my gun and ammo, the retail value of what I had on my person was right around $1,000. I am a decent shot, but not great - especially with a semiauto. And I certainly had no experience at the "practical pistol" stuff. But I had nothing to fear.

On a beautiful, sunny, Saturday in Arizona, I met my squad mates. A couple of ladies made sure to help me out, they took the time to explain to each Range Officer I was a new shooter and walked me through all the safety issues I needed to know. The ROs did their part, every one of them was patient, pleasant and helpful - guiding me through each stage, correcting any mistakes gently and always encouraging me. And the rest of the squad? I had 15 people ready to help me out. If I had a question, I just had to ask. The other shooters took time to walk me through each stage, giving me helpful tips on how to shoot it better, faster, more accurately. How did I do? Ask my squad mates. They'll tell you I did pretty darn good. Did I place? Heck no. But I didn't expect to. I did improve over the course of the match.

But how I shot isn't what really counts. What counts is this - I spent some time with a group of great people, being social, sending a lot of lead downrange and having a marvelous time, and that's what the shooting sports are all about, really.

Now, don't go thinking they treated me this way because I'm "somebody." Most of these folks didn't know who I was. They had never met me before, and on that first day, only a handful of people knew I was with the magazine. Who I was made no difference to them. I was a new shooter, trying the sport out for the first time and looking for some help. They were going to make sure I had a good time and felt welcomed. I may live in California, but I've got my adopted shooting family in Arizona.

So, what's stopping you from involvement in the shooting sports? Money? A small investment in some basic equipment, some of which you probably already have, will get you in. Time? Yeah, it takes time to practice, but less than you'd think. And most clubs have regular club- and local-level matches. Lack of knowledge? Check out your local ranges for clubs in your area. Go to some Web sites. The information is out there. Fear? Yeah, that one. Throw that one right out the window as an excuse. Just walk away from it. Involvement in the shooting sports is probably one of the best ways to support the shooting world.
I may marvel at articles about the "big guys" and in time, with practice, I'm sure I'll get better. But I will forever remember a certain weekend - the sun shining, breeze blowing, standing around with a bunch of new friends as we waited for our turn to the next stage - the laughter, the camaraderie, the fun ... oh, yeah, the smell of gunpowder on the air - Yum!

So here's my little token of thanks to Debbie Ferns, the Dust Devil Classic, the Pima Pistol Club and all the guys and gals on Squad Two.

Now get out there and get involved!