Sponsored and produced by FMG Publications, the three-gun competition drew teams from throughout the industry.

“Congratulations to all the companies that took part in this year’s masters. They don’t just talk about supporting the industry, they do it. The event was a lot of fun and we’re proud to hold it as a way of helping build the future of our industry,” said Randy Moldé, event chairman, who also shot on Team FMG.

Most of the teams competing in the masters included industry executives, many of them company presidents.

“What a great event! It’s fun and it supports the industry,” said Randy Luth, DPMS president, who captained his team to a third straight victory in the Open Class for professional shooters. “It was a bonus to win, but we really come to show our support for the industry.”

Team Ruger, lead by company president Steve Sanetti, took top honors in the all-employee Industry Class.

“We actually practiced long and hard this year and taking first place is an important way to show the shooters of America that we love and appreciate the shooting sports. The Step Outside program encourages people to come shooting. It’s not just for people outside the industry, it’s for people in the industry, too,” Sanetti said.

“We go into the match trying to do our best. We’re not professional competitors but we all hunt and shoot and we were very pleased to have won the Industry Class,” said Robert Stutler, Ruger’s Prescott, Ariz. general manager and director of operations.
The top shooter in the Industry Class was Tony Miele, Smith & Wesson’s business manager of custom engraving and commemorative firearms.

“I had a great time. It was the first time I participated in the masters and it was a great way for the industry to get together. It gives everyone an opportunity to talk and mingle and create friends. At trade shows, we’re in the booth working, so you really don’t get to associate with people in the industry. But at the masters, you have the reception, a day of shooting and the dinner to get to know people in the industry. It’s very valuable. I look forward to shooting again next year,” Miele said.

Benchmade Knife Co. returned to the masters this year with two teams.

“Why did we field two teams? We feel we’re firmly in the middle of the shooting sports industry and we’re all shooting enthusiasts. The teams we fielded had young, energetic people who were fired-up about competing. I think it’s a huge opportunity for companies to use as a team-building event, while helping build the shooting sports. There’s no pressure. We were out there for the pure enjoyment, which is truly in line with Step Outside. We had a great time,” said Les de Asis, Benchmade president.

In addition to increasing awareness of Step Outside, the masters also raises money to support Step Outside. At the masters’ awards banquet, industry shooters took part in a raffle and live auction, which raised nearly $6,000 for Step Outside. Numerous companies in the industry donated raffle prizes.

“We thank all the manufacturers who donated prizes for the raffle. In fact, we all owe them a thank-you for their generosity in helping raise money for Step Outside,” said Moldé. “We also thank NSSF for sponsoring our reception.”

FMG Publications was praised for its commitment to conducting the masters’ event.

“The folks at FMG Publications have done a great job for us to help raise awareness within the industry of the Step Outside program and the effectiveness of it in helping to create new customers. We’re raising money for a good cause to help build a better future for our industry,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president.

“Thank you (FMG) for stepping up to help Step Outside. This is an important event and that’s why we’ve competed in each one you’ve held,” said Sanetti.

“No one else in the industry is doing this type of event and I give you guys (FMG) a lot of credit. Congratulations for what you do for the industry,” said Luth.

“Thanks to FMG Publications and the great support the event received from many other sponsors and donors, our industry was given an opportunity to pull together and experience the fun, thrill and excitement of rifle, pistol and shotgun competition and, at the same time, raise money for Step Outside,” said Melissa Schilling, Step Outside national coordinator.

“It is a very good event for the industry. It’s important that all of us become very big ambassadors for our own industry. The Shooting Industry Masters is an important way of getting people involved by supporting the Step Outside program. Plus, it was a lot of fun and a great chance to spend time and break bread with folks in the industry. You can count on us being there next year,” said Mike Golden, Smith & Wesson president and CEO.
“It was an outstanding event. It was a tremendous amount of fun, well run, well organized and what I liked most was the opportunity to shoot all disciplines. It supports Step Outside, one of the most progressive programs for introducing new people to the shooting sports,” said Shari LeGate of Shoot The Moon.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet some of the people in the industry and it’s a great cause,” said Illing New of Team Gunsite.

“We found the event to be a great place to learn about what’s going on in the industry. We were able to discuss trends with other company’s executives, something we just don’t have the opportunity to do at trade shows. That part was great, but we also had a great time. It was wonderful for our team to shoot together to support the industry and Step Outside,” said Lew Danielson, Crimson Trace president.

“FMG is to be congratulated on a fantastic job! We thoroughly enjoyed the fun day of shooting and having the opportunity to socialize with the industry folks. Sending a team from USA Shooting was a way for us to give back to the industry,” said Buddy DuVall, USA director of marketing. Collyn Loper of Team USA Shooting was the top shotgun shooter at the masters, breaking 84 of 100 targets.

At the event’s awards banquet, the Shooting Industry Masters Open Class trophy was presented to the DPMS team of Randy Luth, Bruce Piatt, Jim Clark and Al Greco. This is the third straight year DPMS has won the Open Class.

Team Fiocchi Ammunition took second place in the Open Class followed by Team Para-Ordnance.

The top three individual shooters in the Open Class were Bruce Piatt (lst) of Team DPMS, Angus Hobdell (2nd) of Team Fiocchi Ammunition and Jim Clark (3rd) of Team DPMS.

In the Industry Class, the first place trophy was presented to the Ruger Team of Steve Sanetti, Robert Stutler, Ken Jorgensen and Kevin Reid.

Team Smith & Wesson #2 placed second in the Industry Class with Team FMG #1 placing third.

The top three individual shooters in the Industry Class were Tony Miele (lst) of Team S&W #2, Steve Sanetti (2nd) of Team Ruger and Robert Stutler (3rd) of Team Ruger.

Every shooter at the Shooting Industry Masters was rewarded with an Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement Car Seat Organizer, packed with other products, courtesy of FMG Publications. In addition, FMG provided all the ammunition for the event, with Fiocchi Ammunition sponsoring the shotgun ammunition.

Many shooters at this year’s Shooting Industry Master said all companies should be represented at next year’s competition.

“Anybody who is in the gun business should be shooting in the Shooting Industry Masters. It a way of getting involved in the sport that they make their money from, plus it supports the future of our industry through Step Outside,” Luth said.

“Companies who were not represented this year need to field a team and be here next year. Get away form the office for a few days and do something fun. Just come out and have a ball. It’s okay if you don’t get a high score. This is about good fellowship and pulling together to support the industry we all love,” Sanetti said.

“If every team that participated this year would invite another team, we’d have a full field next year. That’s a great goal that supports all of our businesses,” said Dolnack.

“The Shooting Industry Masters and Step Outside are good movements that are healthy for our industry. I very much encourage other executives to staff a team like we did. It’s a good message to the industry that Smith & Wesson is committed to supporting the future of our industry. So companies should be there next year to join in all the fun,” Golden said.

“Anyone in the industry who is not there is missing a huge opportunity. After taking part in two masters events, we’re better for it. Our team dynamics are improved, our relationships are better and, again, it is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our friendships in the industry. Next year, we want to take three teams to the masters,” de Asis said.

“We’re already talking about the team we want to send to the masters next year. Every company should be there to enjoy a day of shooting and to support the industry,” Danielson said.

“If you weren’t there this year, find the time. You need to come to this, not only to support the industry and Step Outside, but also to remember what it’s like to be out in the shooting sports. People in the industry get too busy running the industry and forget to participate. The Shooting Industry Masters provides that opportunity. You’ll have fun,” LeGate said.

Plans are already underway for the 2006 Shooting Industry Masters, with FMG organizers considering changes to enhance the event.

“We really appreciate everyone’s compliments,” said Moldé, event chairman. “Now, we want to make it even better. We’re open to additional ideas on where and when to hold the event, how we can make it more attractive, more fun and ways to raise more money for Step Outside. If you have an idea, we’d like to hear about it.”

Moldé can be reached by e-mail at: randy@shootingindustry.com.

“It’s important to remember that this is an industry event for the industry. We believe in the Step Outside program,” said Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry magazine editor, who shot on Team FMG. “Just as important, we’ve been part of this industry for more than 50 years. This is not a hobby for those of us at FMG Publications; it’s our profession, and we have a strong incentive to do all we can to help ensure the future of the industry.”

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