The 2021 Bianchi Cup

The 2021 Bianchi Cup

The Bianchi Cup is back again at the Green Valley Range outside Columbia, Missouri. Last year the virus eliminated the championship of NRA Action Pistol competition. This year the four stages of fire are back, but without the international competitors who traditionally come to contend for the cup. Plus, competition with collectable rifles at the CMP Historic Service Rifle match. The firing line is a line-up of the most prominent firearms of the 20th Century. James Jean has another Impossible Shot with his bow. And a Pro Tip from Colt on moving and shooting with your carry gun.

The 2021 Bianchi Cup

It's been called the most prestigious pistol tournament in all the shooting sports. Year after year the prospect of bringing home the cup and the purse that goes with it have attracted the best shooters from around the world. It will always be a monumental achievement to finish at the top of this game. After the cancellation of the 2020 Bianchi Cup due to COVID-19 restrictions, bringing the match back for 2021 has a whole new list of challenges.

This year the NRA has turned the organization and management of the match over to a new group from the Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club outside Columbia, MO. And the International Competitors, who have previously made up much of field of competitors, are not able to shoot with the continuing travel restrictions for Covid 19.

There are three well established divisions at the Bianchi cup. The Open Division includes the guns specifically built for this competition with every enhancement possible to improve accuracy. The Metallic Division includes the purpose-built guns but without red dot optics, compensators and barrel shrouds to stabilize shooting from the Barricades. Then there is the Production Division, which is minimally enhanced factory guns, typically now with polymer frames. 

New for the 2021 cup is the Production Optics Division. These are minimally enhanced factory production guns, but with a slide mounted red dot optic. It'll be interesting to see how the top competitors stack up in this new division.

The Bianchi Cup

Impossible Shots: James Jean - Ball Launchers

James Jean is our Exhibition archer who is quickly becoming known for hitting hand thrown targets. But for this Impossible Shot, instead of hand throwing his own target, he’s using some childhood toys to launch his targets that keep getting smaller.

It’s an important part of the mission of the Civilian Marksmanship Program - selling surplus U.S. service rifles to qualified U.S. citizens and promoting marksmanship with those rifles, plus rimfire and air guns. It’s the collectible service rifles that are the historic experience provided by the CMP. But make no mistake, these rifles are shooters - as folks who own them are happy to prove - at a vintage service rifle match at CMP’s range in Alabama.

The firing line at Talladega is a lineup of History’s Guns, The “old girls” from a century ago still seeing action, being exercised in competition and valued by the collectors who remember their history.

More Information from The CMP Website

S&W M&P 15T II

The M&P 15T II is built on the tried-and-true M&P 15 receiver set. Shooting the M&P 15T II is a straight-forward affair. There’s plenty of accuracy from the factory barrel, balance is good, and fit and function are superb.

Features:

• 13” M&P, Slim, Modular Free-Float Rail System with Magpul® M-LOK® Capability
• 2” M-LOK® Picatinny-Style Rail Panel Include
• Magpul® MBUS® Sights
• Patented S&W Flash Suppressor
• Lightweight, Contoured Barrel
• Forged, Integral Trigger Guard
• Armornite® Finish on Barrel - Interior and Exterior

Suggested Retail:  $1,209

More Information from Smith and Wesson

The low-profile mounting system allows you to put the light exactly where you want it, mounting to m-lok or picatinny rail. The high intensity LED illuminator creates 500 lumens and has an effective range of 175 meters. It's powered by a single 123A battery and run time is one hour. 

More Information from SureFire

Pro Tip from Colt: The Movement Wizard

Moving and shooting is important for both competition and defensive shooting. Colt Pro Shooter Mark Redl has a pro tip for use with his carry gun that will help determine what speed is appropriate, so you don’t sacrifice accuracy when adding speed.

SEE PRO TIP
 

WEEKLY EPISODES POSTED ON THURSDAYS.