FORT SILL, Okla. (July 20, 2017) -- Volunteers were busy setting up and testing shooting stage designs July 14, at the Pvt. George Wanton Field Firing Range 1 in preparation for the inaugural Fort Sill Multi-Gun Championship.
It is one of five small arms ranges on post that will be used during the competition, said Hew Moon, Directorate of Emergency Services Police Intelligence and Investigations supervisor, and the match director.
A 3-gun competition requires shooters to transition between their pistol, rifle and shotgun during a single stage as they shoot at various types of targets on a timed tactical range, which requires them to move, Moon explained.
The pistol is usually a 9 mm; the rifle a .223- or .556-caliber; and a 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun.
"It's going to be a great event -- a lot of sound, a lot of excitement, a lot of adrenaline," Moon said. "The 3-gun is the fastest growing shooting sport in the United States."
DIVISIONS
There will be three divisions: open, practical, and factory. Open means a shooter can have any capacity magazine, scopes and any type of gun sight, Moon said. For practical, the pistol and shotgun can only have iron sights, but the rifle may have a scope. Factory requires all three weapons only have iron sights, just like it came out of the manufacturer's box.
Within each division there will be categories for men, women, and veterans/emergency responders. Moon described the shooting stages as firm but fair, that there are no tricks, and even beginners have a chance at doing well.
The registration fee is $125 per shooter compared to about $300 for a similar off-post match, Moon said. Because we're on a military post we don't have to pay for range usage or set up, he said. Registration for the match continues through Sept. 9.
A match shirt designed by Grunt Style clothing will be available for $25. "They've got some great designs, and they're also one of our sponsors," Moon said.
The competition will be great for spectators, too, Moon said. Each range has covered bleachers and restrooms. He suggested spectators bring hearing protection, and eye protection for blowing dust.
Late last year, Col. Samuel Curtis, Fort Sill Garrison commander, and his deputy thought that a multi-gun championship would be a nice event for the community because there are a lot of competitive shooters here, Moon said. Fort Sill's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation jumped on the opportunity to host the event with support from numerous offices, including Range Operations and Public Works. He noted that Fort Benning, Ga., offers a similar event.
There will be a lot of ceremony associated with the championship, the match director said. The 77th Army Band and the Fort Sill Artillery Half-Section will be at the opening, and Curtis will hand out awards afterward at the Jack Daniels Lounge here.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category of each division. There will also be prizes from sponsors including custom-made hearing protection and scopes, Moon said.
There are not many 3-gun competitions in the state, Moon said. "In Oklahoma, there are only two ranges that shoot 3-gun, and they don't do major championships."
Spc. William Bacon, E Battery, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, unit armorer, was one of the nine volunteers helping set up the range. He's never participated in a 3-gun match, but said he will enter if he's not TDY.
"I've done Army advanced rifle marksmanship and basic rifle marksmanship, but this is a challenge and something that's completely outside of my wheelhouse," Bacon said, " and that right there is enough to make me want to try."
Retired Maj. Ray Segarra, Fires Test Directorate field artillery weapons systems supervisor, also assisted with the setup and testing of the shooting course. He said he plans to enter the match, and that spectators will be enthralled by the competition.
"They'll see shooting that they probably haven't seen before, ranging from amateurs to professionals running through a course, shooting at high speeds," Segarra said. "I'm glad they're bringing this sport to the Lawton-Fort Sill community."
The first Fort Sill Multi-Gun Championship will be Sept. 16. The 3-gun style competition is open to the public and all skill levels. To register, visit www.sill.armymwr.com/us/sill/multi-gun.
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