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Shooting USA – STI Limited Nationals
It’s high capacity guns with iron sights in the STI Limited National Championship. It’s high action at the Universal Shooting Academy in Florida where John Scoutten has our coverage, with analyst Tony Pignato. Plus, the British rifle imported by the Confederacy that introduced long range sniping to the battlefield. The Whitworth is now one of History’s Guns. And the best in the sport compete in Tennessee Bullseye.
USPSA Limited National Championship
 In the beginning, practical pistol competition was dominated by single stack 1911 design pistols, but then came the extra capacity. STI introduced the 2011 guns, with double stack magazines. They are high capacity guns that are actually carried by police, military units, and civilians, and by the professionals who compete for the national title at the USPSA Limited Championship in Florida.
 “This is about as fast as we can go without putting a dot or a compensator on the gun,” says USPSA President Mike Foley. “When we release the results from the competitor's survey for this match, you’ll find that STI-framed guns are the number one gun used in this competition.”
 The STI Limited Nationals is a three-day event, shot in a half-day format, which gives competitors a chance to recover each day. There are many challenges throughout the match including the long, high value field courses and fast technical stand-and-shoot stages. It is a race for every point to determine the STI Limited National Champion.
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History’s Guns: Whitworth Rifle
 Infantry muzzleloaders are known to be highly inaccurate at long range, but that cannot be said about a British percussion firearm. The Whitworth Rifle, with its hexagonal bore and mechanically fitted bullet, was so accurate at long distances; it was as effective as artillery when employed by the Confederates in the War Between the States.
“In Britain, this gun became extremely popular as a long-range target rifle,” says Firearms Historian Garry James. “Theoretically, some shooters were able to hit targets out to 2,000 yards.”
Tennessee State Bullseye Championship
 NRA Conventional Pistol is strong-hand only, traditional competition, much like Olympic competition, but with multiple calibers. It’s strictly a match of accuracy at 25 and 50 yards. At 50 yards the 10-ring is 3.3 inches in diameter, and inside of that is a 1.7-inch X-ring used to break ties. Some of the best in the country enjoy that challenge at the annual Tennessee State Championship.
“This is the hardest thing that I have ever done as far as shooting goes and I’ve shot PPC, I’ve shot action pistol and this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” says Phillip Hemphill, multi-time National Champion.
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Pistol Caliber Carbine Options for USPSA
JP Rifles GMR-13 in 9mm
 The newest division in the United States Practical Shooting Association and the Steel Challenge is Pistol Caliber Carbine. There are many offerings from many manufacturers, but we have two that are very different in both modifications and price. First, the GMR-13 in 9mm from JP Rifles, and this carbine is race-ready. It’s designed to accept the Glock 17 pattern magazines. The 15-inch super match barrel has a pinned and welded comp, so it's exactly 16 inches and therefore, not an SBR. The MK3 forend is lightweight and reveals the JP thermal dissipater that will help keep the barrel cool when the volume of fire goes through the roof. The upgraded upper receiver has the JP left-side charge handle. The AR charge handle is present also. The fire controls are the JP enhanced reliability system and the trigger is the JP - Armageddon Gear roller face trigger. The JP GMR-13 starts at about $1,500, optioned out like this you’re looking at about $2,200.
Link: JP Rifles GMR-13
JRC M&P Model
 The JRC M&P model in .40-caliber means that it will accept the Smith & Wesson M&P magazines, so it will work with the magazines for the M&P Pro Five-inch. The JRC has a 17-inch barrel with thread-protector, quad-rail, free-floating forend and six-position M4 style stock. This gun is fully ambidextrous. This ejector-plate and bolt-handle are easily swapped to the other side to make this gun left-hander friendly. The fire controls are all AR style and can easily be upgraded with other AR compatible parts. The JRC M&P is priced at $750.
Link: JRC M&P
Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm
 The Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm can be swapped on both guns for extra magnification. In the one-power configuration, this is essentially a rugged red-dot optic. Plus, both pistol caliber carbines will compete on the same courses of fire as the open guns and the carry optics guns in USPSA. The chances of seeing a target outside of 50 yards is pretty unlikely, but if that happens the extra magnification will help for about $150.
Link: Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm
Pro Tip: Julie Golob - Off-Body Concealed Carry
 There are pros and cons to every concealed carry method, but if you cannot carry on your person, a bag is your next best option. Smith & Wesson Team Captain Julie Golob shows us her tips for concealing a carry gun in a purse. Ladies, this one’s for you!
SEE THE PRO TIP
GET THE DVD!
 NRA Membership Offer: Jim Pays $10 when you join the NRA through the Shooting USA website.
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