The 6th Annual Independence Day Action Rifle Match was hosted by Pima Pistol Club’s ACTS division on July 4th.  Since I first organized this event in 2006 it has grown in popularity and rapidly fills up every year.  This year was no exception, we were actually over our cap of 60 shooters with match staff included in that number.

All proceeds from the match go to benefit the Arizona Citizen’s Defense League.   AZCDL has been instrumental in defending and reclaiming gun rights in Arizona.  All competitors received an AZCDL annual membership and lunch was provided by AZCDL while scores were calculated.

The match is run under modified International Multi-Gun rules.  One major difference is Battle Rifle cartridges (like .308, .30-06) only need one C zone or better to neutralize paper targets, vs one A zone with intermediate rifle cartridges.  Two hits anywhere neutralize with both.  Sometimes Battle Rifle cartridges require half as many hits on steel.  This scoring system help keeps Battle Rifles competitive.

We have also been able to test equipment divisions not found at other competition venues.  This was the first year we included a modified form of Trooper division.  The rules were much more simple compared to Trooper at major 3 Gun matches:

Trooper: No limitations on accessories.
• Troopers must carry all ammunition they will use for the entire match on every stage.
• Troopers are required to participate in all physical challenges
• Troopers must use the same rifle for the duration of the match, or have tools/cleaning equipment/parts with them to fix it if it stops working.
Failure to comply with any of these rules will drop the shooter out of Trooper into whatever division their rifle would put them in.

One of my concerns with having Trooper as a division for one day events is that the round count is usually too low and the distance between stages too short to offer any significant challenge.  I believe adding mandatory physical challenges and requiring all the ammo/cleaning gear for the whole match be carried on their person during each stage added enough challenge to make it worthwhile for lower round count one day matches.  Trooper was by far the most popular division at the match with 20 shooters.  Clearly the shooters that want to come and shoot in the heat of Arizona summer are gluttons for punishment.

My video:

I was First Place Trooper and 4th Over All.

Kelly Neal First Place Scoped and Overall.
Mike Panone First Place Reflex and second overall.
Grant M First Place Iron
Ron A First Place Open

Complete Match Results Here

Sponsors this year included:
Cavalry Manufacturing
Desert Patches
Falcon Industries
Hogan Guns
Practical Tactical
Quentin Defense
Shooter’s World
Spec Ops Brand

Cavalry Manufacturing Shooting Team members Russell (left), Brad (right), Matt (front center)