AR15.com/Rockcastle ProAm

With another successful 3-Gun ProAm in the books, we'd like to make sure we thank all of the staff and volunteers of the Rockcastle Shooting Center, ROs, sponsors, and everyone else that makes the match happen.

Despite a record number of shooters, weather that shut all the ranges down for hours, and everything else that was thrown at it, this year's event ran like clockwork.

A large number of spectators that we spoke to said they are definitely coming back next year and signing up to shoot! For us there's no better result; the ProAm was created to get new shooters involved in the sport.

Squad that included several ARFCOM staff and 24/365 Shooting Team

Smith Enterprise, Inc. Awarded Contract for 400 Vortexes for the Navy Seals

Smith Enterprise received a purchase order from the Navy Seals for 400 each of their premium Vortex Flash Hiders for the MK48 Machine Gun. The MK48 Vortex is Sound Suppressor capable and blocks over 95% of the flash. The version of the Vortex purchased by the Navy Seals is the G6A3 flash hider that includes the new external ten-pitch radial bottom helical grooves, which aid in the easy removal of the Wind Talker Sound Suppressor.

The contract (H92240-13-P-0250) awarded was the first contract award after many years of rigorous testing of the MK48 Vortex Flash Hider by Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center. Crane was so impressed with the MK48, it awarded Smith Enterprise a National Stock Number (1005-01-600-8577) and also safety certified the device. Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center is the contracting division for the Navy Seals.

Crane’s original intent was to approve the best flash hider that will later be used as a mounting platform for Smith Enterprise MK48 Wind Talker Sound Suppressor. Smith Enterprise previously bid on a Sound Suppressor solicitation for the MK48 in 2010 and was beat by FN, who has no Sound Suppressor experience. FN has yet to produce its first Sound Suppressor for the Navy and is still attempting to make an integral barrel Sound Suppressor – something that the military has tried to make for decades without success. Smith Enterprise is hopeful that the Navy Seals see the value in Smith’s products and will follow up with a Sound Suppressor purchase order. The Smith Enterprise Sound Suppressor for the MK48 is complete with testing and is ready for delivery.

Smith Enterprise also makes a Blank Firing Adapter for the MK48 Machine Gun, which is a unique advantage for the Navy Seals should they want to train with blanks.

The Flash Hiders, Sound Suppressors, and BFAs can all be purchased on GSA Schedule GS-07F-0144X.

Smith Enterprise is also available on the Smith Enterprise, Inc. Facebook, Smith Enterprise, Inc. Twitter, Smith Enterprise, Inc. Youtube, Smith Enterprise, Inc. Google Plus, and Smith Enterprise, Inc. Blog.

50 Times Dry

This month, we are addressing the complexities of presentation in the vehicle, but in particular when we have a passenger.

www.PFCtraining.com

Garcia Wins Final 3GN Pro Event, $5K From SureFire

By: Chad Adams

3GN Champion Keith Garcia led wire-to-wire en route to winning his second 3GN Pro Series match.

Reigning 3-Gun Nation Champion Keith Garcia led the final 3GN Pro Series match of the season wire-to-wire, holding off a solid challenge by Greg Jordan and Taran Butler, to win his second 3GN Pro Series match in two years, taking home $5,000 from SureFire. Garcia won three of the match’s six stages, including the finale, to outpace Jordan by approximately three and a half seconds.

Jordan, only weeks after defending his crown at the AR15.COM-Rockcastle Pro Am, again shot strong, posting his highest finish of the season in Tulsa, winning $3,000 from SureFire. Meanwhile, Butler won two stages and finished third for the third time this season, earning a $2,000 payday from SureFire.

Adam Popplewell continued his strong 2013 3GN Pro Series campaign to finish fourth, while Joel Turner, in only his first season the Pro Series, picked up a stage win and cracked the top five for the first time. Fellow newcomer BJ Norris finished sixth, followed by another Pro Series rookie in Ravin Perry, 2012 3GN Champion Tommy Thacker, Colt’s Clint Upchurch and Stag Arms Kalani Laker rounded out the top 10.

Greg Jordan remained on fire, posting his best 3GN finish since a Shoot-Off win last year.

On the final event of the inaugural 3GN Lady Pro Series Tour, presented by Samson Manufacturing, Lena Miculek continued her dominance with her fourth consecutive pro win of the season. Lena won three of five stages to top her mother, Kay, by approximately 13 seconds. FNH USA’s Dianna Liedorff finished third, while veteran pistol shooter Randi Rogers picked up a stage win on her way to a fourth place finish. Rogers’ score catapulted her up the 3GN rankings enough to overtake SureFire’s Maggie Reese for the fourth and final slot to the 3GN Lady Pro Series Shoot-Off in Las Vegas.

January’s Rumble on the Range will feature Rogers, the fourth seed, versus defending champion and number one overall seed Lena Miculek. The opposing bracket will feature third-seeded Liedorff versus Kay Miculek, the two seed. This will be the third consecutive meeting in the 3GN Lady Shoot-Off for K. Miculek and Liedorff, with the elder Micuelk taking both of the previous meetings.

Lena Miculek again was dominant, winning her fourth consecutive 3GN Lady Pro Series match.

The final match saw Reese finish fifth, followed by Megan Snyder, Sharon Griffin and Karla Herdzik. Griffin’s score was enough to keep her in the coveted six slot in the final 3GN standings, behind Reese. The remaining field will now be required to come back to Tulsa for the 3GN Pro Series Qualifier if they wish to retain their 3GN Lady Pro Series Tour card for 2014.

For more information, or to find a 3-Gun Nation Club near you, go to www.3GunNation.com.

Staying Organized

By: Chris Andersen, 3-Gun Nation Pro Shooter

3-Gun is complicated. Different stages, three different guns, multiple types of ammunition, belt setups, holsters, shell caddies… the list can be endless. It can also be confusing and even a little intimidating to a new shooter.

I rarely see someone shooting their first 3-gun match that doesn’t misplace a magazine, or other piece of equipment because they are overwhelmed by all of the gear needed to play. Keeping that gear simple and as organized as possible is very important. Misplaced equipment can be very stressful, especially when it is getting close to time to shoot. And that can keep you from performing at your best.

Staying prepared and well organized will make you a better shooter. If you are 100% certain in your preparation, your execution will be better as well.

Keep it simple
When you start shooting matches, do your best to resist the urge to stock up on equipment and use what you already have. A lot of new shooters make the mistake of spending lots of money on gear right up front only to find that it does nothing but take up space in their bag after they end up not liking it, or realizing they didn’t need it in the first place. Starting with a minimalist approach makes organization easier. It also keeps you in tune with the things you really need to compete. Only start adding gear to your 3-Gun kit when a need for it shows itself.

Take an inventory and find a place for everything
Once you are tune with the equipment you need, start organizing. A good inventory of your gear will allow you to allot a place for each piece of gear in your range bag. Once you have your gear set, and a place for each item make sure to stick with that arrangement. It makes it easer to do everything from packing for a trip, to get ready to shoot your next stage, or even unpack your bags when you get home. Putting everything back the same way each time also insures that your stuff doesn’t get misplaced.

Develop a routine and follow it religiously
Before leaving for a match I lay everything out as it goes in my bag, vehicle, or flight case to make sure that I have everything I need. An empty pocket in my gun bag means that I need to verify that the item is that is missing is back in place before traveling to the match. I take that ritual all the way up to when it is time to shoot.

Do a pre-flight check
Not unlike a pilot preparing for take-off, develop a routine for getting ready when it is your turn to shoot. Once you know which gear and ammunition that you need to shoot a particular stage. Retrieve it early, in plenty of time to be ready when it is your turn to shoot, and set everything up in the same way each time. Your magazines are loaded and sitting in the same place in your bag, your shotgun is preloaded and staged in the same way etc. When you are the on-deck shooter, check your belt, make sure everything is in its place and secure as you visualize your stage plan. That way when it is time to shoot, you can begin stress free, without worrying about where you left something or if you have everything you need When you know everything is in place all you have to do is execute your plan.

3- Gun is full of unknowns and unique challenges at every turn. That is part of what makes it great. Staying organized means keeping the unknowns to a minimum and allows you go out, totally prepared, and perform at your best. And getting the car unpacked a lot easier when you return home is just a bonus!