Sponsored and produced by FMG Publications, the three-gun competition raised $11,735 for the Step Outside program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

“We salute all the companies that competed in this year’s event. They braved rain and chilly temperatures with smiles on their faces to support the industry,” said Randy Moldé, FMG Publications promotions director and master’s match chairman. “The event was a lot of fun, with plenty of ‘trash talk’ about who was the best shooter. We thank all those who took part.”

Hosted by DPMS/Panther Arms at the Del Tone/Luth Gun Club, the event drew a record number of teams.

“We know it’s a big commitment to pull away from the demands of running your businesses in order to take part in the masters and to support the Step Outside program,” said Tom von Rosen, FMG Publications publisher. “We appreciate all the companies that were represented at this year’s event.”

The master’s competition also included a prize-packed raffle at the awards banquet. The money raised will help Step Outside reach more customers, according to Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president, who competed in the masters as a member of Team NSSF.

“Thanks to FMG, we raised over $11,000 that will increase the reach of Step Outside. By the end of this year, Step Outside will have helped introduce 500,000 new shooters and hunters to our sporting traditions. That’s 500,000 potential new customers and, according to follow-up surveys with past Step Outside participants, that translates into over $234 million in sales for our industry,” said Dolnack.

The match’s sponsors played a key role in the success of the event, according to Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry magazine editor and match director.

“We’re impressed with the support we received from our sponsors. They aren’t just talking about supporting the future of the industry, they stepped up, or better yet, Stepped Out, to make a difference for all of us,” Thurman said.

The match sponsors were Action Target, Aimpoint, Benchmade, Black Hills Ammunition, Brownells, Champion Traps & Targets, FMG Publications, Howard Leight, Smith & Wesson, Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Winchester Ammunition.

“We also thank all the companies that donated prizes for the raffle,” Thurman said. “We, again, are impressed. We called, you said ‘yes’ and sent your products for the raffle, which helped us raise nearly $12,000 for Step Outside.”

The event’s goal of raising awareness and money for Step Outside received a boost from USA Shooting during the awards banquet.

“A month ago, we were about to send in our entry money for two teams when we received a call from FMG Publications, saying they were covering the fee as part of their sponsorship of USA Shooting,” said Buddy DuVall, the organization’s director of marketing, who also shot in the event. “As always, FMG Publications does more than expected to help us. In recognition of their sponsorship and to show our support of the industry, we’re donating $2,000 to help FMG’s efforts toward Step Outside.”

DuVall also presented von Rosen with a plaque, recognizing FMG Publications’ ongoing sponsorship of USA Shooting.

“Sponsoring USA Shooting is the right thing to do. They’re great representatives of our country and our industry. We will continue to find ways to support their efforts,” von Rosen said.

While the main theme of the masters is to have fun in support of Step Outside, there’s still plenty of competition among teams, many of them led by company executives. Team Ruger, captained by company President Steve Sanetti, won the Industry Class for the second year in a row.

“It was great. Team Ruger braved the elements and fearsome competition from other worthy industry competitors bent upon wresting away our title,” Sanetti said. “When you can sort of jab someone in the ribs and chide them to Step Outside and go shooting together, and find out who the real top gun is, it’s fun.”

In the Industry Class, Team Brownells placed second, followed by Team Action Target. The top three individual shooters in the Industry Class were: James Coveland (1st) of Team Brownells, Bob Stutler (2nd) of Team Ruger and Steve Sanetti (3rd) of Team Ruger.

Team DPMS successfully defended its Open Class championship for the fourth year.

“It was a great weekend and a great event for the industry,” said Randy Luth, DPMS/Panther Arms president and team captain. “We know we had some tough competition and we always feel the heat, because we never know for sure who’s going to show up and try to dethrone us.”

In the Open Class, Team Cor-Bon placed second, with Team FMG-1 takingthird. The top three Open Class shooters were: Jim Clark (1st), Bruce Piatt (2nd) and Al Greco (3rd), all of Team DPMS.

Great Weekend

The rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirit or diminish the enjoyment of the event.

“We had a great time. The event keeps getting bigger and better. There were more folks from the industry and a lot of new teams. The amount of money raised far eclipsed our expectations. It was a tremendous outpouring by the industry and a clear result of the commitment and hard work from the FMG staff,” said Dolnack.

“The weather notwithstanding, it went very, very smoothly. It was very professionally done and everybody was friendly and helpful. We were very pleased with the event and had a great time,” said Sanetti.

“We were honored to participate in the Shooting Industry Masters. Our two teams had a great time competing — in good fun — while catching up with our partners and competitors. It was particularly fun to compete with our own M&P pistols and rifles,” said Tom Taylor, Smith & Wesson marketing vice president.

While there is plenty of competition at the event, novices and even those who have never fired a firearm are welcome.

“I had an absolute blast,” said Matthew Smedley, the new PR/marketing coordinator for Benchmade Knives, a company that sent two teams to the event. “I’ve never been shooting before, but I enjoyed myself immensely and look forward to spending time learning even more.”

During lunch on the day of the competition, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau visited with shooters at the Del Tone/Luth Gun Club.

“It’s wonderful to have so many executives from gun companies and other companies from your industry here. It may be rainy, but it’s always great to get outside and enjoy a day shooting. You’re always welcome in Minnesota,” Molnau said.

FMG Publications has not announced the location or dates for the 2007 Shooting Industry Masters, but plans are well underway.

“We are considering several locations to hold the match,” said Moldé. “Several companies have offered to host the event and we also are considering the comments from a survey we sent to this year’s team captains. We’re always looking for ways to improve the event, make it even more fun and to attract more teams from throughout the industry, all with the primary objective of supporting Step Outside.”

Getting more companies involved was a major topic discussed by executives at this year’s match.

“Here’s a challenge to the industry: This is something companies should support,” Sanetti said, who is the top industry executive to participate in all four master’s events. “We need to be visible and show the shooters of America that shooters populate gun companies. That benefits all the companies in the industry. It’s something I believe very strongly in, both in supporting FMG and as a member of the board at NSSF. You don’t have to win, you just have to come out and enjoy shooting at this great event. We’ll be there next year, guaranteed.”

Participation of top executives at the masters sends an important message, according to Dolnack.

“At the Shooting Industry Masters, you see presidents, CEOs and COOs of major companies turning out to support it, and that’s important. It sends a real message to shooters at the event and the industry, that they believe the Step Outside program is important to the future of the industry. I encourage other industry executives to be part of a team next year,” Dolnack said.

“Smith & Wesson is very committed to growing the shooting sports on many fronts. The fact that we can have so much fun at the masters and help FMG support the NSSF’s Step Outside program just makes it an all-around unbelievable event. FMG runs a first-class event. We are honored to be a major supporter and we’ll be there next year,” said Taylor.

It’s important to remember this is an industry event, according to Thurman.

“Yes, we at FMG Publications are the sponsors and producers of the match, but this is about an industry we’re committed to,” Thurman said. “That’s why we sent 12 people to the event to run it and compete. This is our profession; we’re serious about it and we’ll do all we can to help ensure the future of the industry. So, join us next year on the firing line.”

You can e-mail Thurman at russ@shootingindustry.com.