Options available for those interested in shooting sports
Jim Baldree of Sagle, pictured above, is a match director for Wednesday Night Steel events at Spokane Valley Rifle and Pistol Club in Mica, Washington.
(Courtesy photo)
Action shooting sports continue to thrive and grow in North Idaho, with athletes developing safe gun handling and high speed marksmanship skills.
There is something for everyone every weekend now through the fall with two premier clubs hosting events in the area. The Spokane Valley Rifle and Pistol Club (SVRPC) in Mica, Washington, hosts a 3-gun match the first Sunday of every month and a United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) pistol match the fourth Sunday of every month.
Fernan Rod and Gun Club in Coeur d’Alene hosts a USPSA pistol match every second Saturday and a 3-gun match every third Saturday of the month. Additionally, SVRPC hosts a steel match open to pistols and pistol caliber carbines every other Wednesday afternoon throughout July and August.
USPSA is the U.S. version of IPSC, or practical shooting. A typical match consists of four stages, or courses of fire. Targets are spread out amongst vision barriers and mini mazes. Athletes search out and engage targets on the clock, with their score equaling the points they score divided by the time it takes to run the course.
3-gun is similar, except it is played with a rifle, pistol, shotgun, and/or pistol caliber carbine, or a combination of these platforms. Rifle distances range from contact to 400 yards. Shotgun targets include knock over steel plates to 25 yards, and slug targets to 75 yards. Even if you only own a modern sporting rifle and a handgun, there is a division available to play in.
The SVRPC Wednesday Night Steel (WNS) match is scored on pure speed — how fast can an athlete hit the presented steel plates. This is a low pressure match that is ideal for athletes new to action shooting sports. Remaining dates for the year are next July 8 and 22, and August 5 and 19. To shoot in a WNS match, just show up anytime between 4-6 p.m. Go at your own pace, and shoot as much or as little as you like.
The only thing necessary to compete in any shooting sport is the ability to safely handle firearms. All ages and genders are welcome. For match dates and times, check out the calendar pages at www.svrpc.com and www.frgc.org. For detailed information requests or to learn more about action shooting sports, email sharppracticalsteel@gmail.com.
Jim Baldree of Sagle is a Master class ranked USPSA shooter, 3-Gunner and Match Director for Wednesday Night Steel.