Shooting Industry MastersThe Shooting Industry Masters is one of the premier events on our annual calendar. Yes, the FMG Publications produced party serious business is plenty of fun, but the real value is the event’s impact on the future growth of the shooting sports.

Now in its 13th year, the Shooting Industry Masters is a competition without all the stress. It brings together an unprecedented mix of all types from within the shooting industry. In FMG’s words, “It’s about family. It’s about CEOs, shipping clerks, presidents, engineers, sales reps, dealers, machinists and those who work in the mailroom stepping away from their daily demands to enjoy shooting and, perhaps, even gain an appreciation for different segments of the industry.”

Competition? Well, sort of. While there are rumors of official scoring, the event is really about time with friends and family. A hundred or so teams of four will “compete” in a series of rifle, handgun, and shotgun events over two full days at the Claythorne Lodge in Columbus, Kansas. While the competitive events are fun, the really cool stages are presented in the form of side matches put on by event sponsors. Want to shoot an M249? The FN America side match can make that happen. How about a Thompson? Our friends at Auto-Ordnance can handle that desire. Side matches are pure fun and cost five bucks each, all of which goes into the First Shots pot.

Since 2008, Shooting Industry Masters events have raised over $300,000 for the NSSF First Shots program and nearly $70,000 for USA Shooting. The 2015 event seeks to contribute over $100,000 to these fine organizations.

The Rough RitersThis will be our third Shooting Industry Masters event, but this year, we’re doing it with style. We’ve entered the first all-writer team for the event, the Rough ‘Riters. We’ve teamed up with those crazy chicks over at Women’s Outdoor News and seven exceedingly generous sponsors who actually seem to think we can represent them without embarrassment. We’ll certainly try, but no guarantees!

Not only has Volquartsen Custom stepped up to be the lead sponsor of The Rough ‘Riters, they’ve donated a very sweet .22LR target pistol to be auctioned, with all proceeds going straight to First Shots. Check out the online auction here, and bid generously!

You can own this Volquartsen Custom Scorpion Target Pistol.

You can own this Volquartsen Custom Scorpion Target Pistol.

We’d like to thank our other sponsors, who are supporting our fundraising efforts: Remington, CrossBreed Holsters, A Girl and a Gun, The Well Armed Woman, Gun Goddess, and Diva WOW.

We’ll be providing lots of photos and updates on our social media accounts, so be sure to follow the events at the Shooting Industry Masters Friday and Saturday, July 24th and 25th. Keep up with us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, and Periscope.

We’ll have more later, so stay tuned!

IMPROVE YOUR SHOOTING!

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