Competitive Action shooting is bigger than ever here at the Academy Ranges in Piru CA. and new shooters by the dozens are coming out to join in the fun and excitement of action shooting.

CTA has asked me to speak to those of you interested in the shooting sports known as “Steel Shooting” , “Steel Challenge Speed Shooting”, and Rimfire Challenge Series !

It seems that once you all have experienced the trill of speed shooting, you just can’t wait to run out and buy your own gun to compete with.

However, What gun should you buy? Should it be a pistol or a rifle, or a carbine ?

Should I buy a cheap gun to get started, or spend thousands on a custom built race gun?

Well, lock up your wallet, and settle in for a few minutes and I’ll try and provide some insight on this subject for you.

First of all, the type of action shooting in which you are interested will have a great impact on the type of gun you choose.

For Younger shooters, 8 to 14 or so, the size , weight , and caliber you choose can be the difference between a enjoyable shooting experience lasting for years or a passing fancy.

There are basically two schools of thought when it comes to equipment.

The first, is the start slow and cheap, you don’t need to spend a lot of money until you know what you like and need shoot.

It is hard to disagree with this thinking, but spending money even small amounts, is a waste if you later decide you need to up-grade your equipment, because your skill level has out grown the performance level of you gun. Often, people find that the entry level gun they purchased is not the one to invest more money into. So they are back to the second school of thought, but with many hundreds of dollars spent in the wrong direction.

That Second school of thought is to buy the top of line equipment available, and only spend the money once. This isn’t a bad approach if you have the funds , but a top of the line gun can cost upwards of $ 3,000!!

Fortunately, there is a middle ground that I like to present to my new students of speed shooting.

That is simply to start with a gun that fits your entry level interests, and will always be fun to own and shoot even if you skills evolve to demand an upgrade.

For example, Young Nick here could start out with a stock Smith & Wesson AR-22 rifle in .22 Lr. This is a very inexpensive light weight gun that is easy to find, cheap to feed , (ammo costs) and is up-scalable to a World Class Competition tool. It is perfect for small framed individuals to start out with, and the shooter will progress rapidly along the learning curve.

Starting costs with magazines and gear to attend your matches is around $ 550.00. Water that with a Thousand dollars more and it will grow into the ultimate speed shooting rifle. Or, if later on, your taste for thrills takes you to pistols, You will still have a great little 22 rifle that you will never want to sell or stop shooting. So , no wasted funds.

When it comes to pistols in .22 Lr caliber, there is the Browning Buckmark, or the Ruger 22-45 lite. Both have almost the same entry level costs and both can be made competitive for around the same $ 1000 added upgrades.

But there is another Pistol option for those who either attend the second school of spend more but only once, or already own a 1911 pistol in any caliber.

This option is to purchase a high quality .22 Lr conversion unit for that old 1911 you already own, or to build one from scratch to fit you and take you from beginner to Pro without ever needing to up-grade again.

There are 22 conversions made by Marvel Precision, CW accessories, and Nelson Custom that will shoot amazingly well and range in cost from $2000 to $4000 depending on your style and needs.

Now then, If the more adventurous among you need a bigger adrenalin rush from your shooting sports, I would recommend either 9mm pistol or 9mm carbine options.

Shooting centerfire pistols in speed shooting requires drawing the gun from a holster and engaging the five or more targets. The carbine is shot just like the .22 rifle (from the low ready position) but there is a lot more noise, much more recoil and concussion, and usually more excitement for you thrill seekers out there.

When it comes to which is best for you, the answer is simply only you will know. But, not until you have some experience with steel shooting.

So, come on out to the California Tactical Academy and join in on the Steel Challenge Shooting Competition, or the Rimfire Challenge Competition. Find out what you like and don’t like. Then buy your dream gun and learn to race to the finish like a Pro.

Loaner guns, ammo and instruction is available most weekend days. Or, sign up for our Steel Challenge Seminar, held on the third Saturday of each even numbered month. Feb, April, June, August, Oct., and December.

I’ll be there to help you enjoy the shooting sports and try guide you into the most “BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS”

MICHAEL SETTING

PACE SETTING DESIGN Owner
UNITED STATES JUNIOR SHOOTERS ACADEMY Director

Grand master action shooter and Steel Challenge Speed Shooting Instructor at the California Tactical Academy

Shooting history;
Started shooting at age 7 as a Cub Scout and Junior NRA small bore rifle competitor.
Achieved rank of Distinguished Expert in NRA small bore rifle at age 11.
Started competitive pistol shooting in the USPSA at age 32.
Achieved Grand Master in the USPSA at 34.
NRA certified pistol instructor in 1995.
NORI certified range officer in 1988.
Certified weapons instructor for Bank robbery suppression teams, APS Inc. in 1996
Sponsored team member for Lapua ammunition, Vihitavouri powder, Star-line Brass, Safariland, and numerous other shooting sport industry manufactures from 1993 to date.
Team Captain of Smoking Hole Competitive Shooting team from 1995 through 2001.
Undefeated California State Speed Shooting Champion from 2004 to present.
2017 World Speed Shooting Champion (Senior division).
Founder and Director of USJSA (formerly Norco Junior Marksmanship Academy) 2008.
Blessed with a wonderful Father, Grandfather, Scout-masters, Coaches, Teammates, Industry Fellows, and most of all a loving and supportive wife Sharon and Daughters Mica and Ally who shares my love of the shooting sports and desire to mentor our youth.