2007 Shooting Industry Masters

Shooting Industry Masters Raises $15,000 For Step Outside

Fifth Annual
Three-Gun Match Draws 32 Teams For Day At The Range

** 2007 Match Video Highlights -- Click Here **

Two-time Olympian Glenn Eller proved he’s as comfortable
with a rifle and handgun as he is with a shotgun on his way
to winning the 2007 Shooting Industry Masters open
division championship.

Ringing steel, blasted clays and bragging rights were all part of the action at the 2007 Shooting Industry Masters as shooters from throughout the industry stepped up to the firing line in support of NSSF’s Step Outside program.

More than 140 shooters from company CEOs to factory workers competed in the three-gun competition at the Raahauges Shooting Complex in Corona, Calif., July 28. Produced by FMG Publications, the event’s raffle raised $15,000 for the Step Outside program, which introduces newcomers to shooting.

“We’re overwhelmed with the enthusiasm industry shooters had during the shooting competition and at our awards dinner and raffle. While there was a lot of bragging about who was the best shooter, the main focus was on having fun. We thank all those who took part, we especially appreciate their generosity in our efforts to raise money for Step Outside,” said Randy Moldé, FMG promotions director and Masters chairman.

The Step Outside program plays an important role in building the future of the industry, according to Doug Painter, NSSF president, who competed as a member of Team NSSF.

“No two words are more important than Step Outside when it comes to the future of hunting and the shooting sports. The program introduces newcomers to our sporting traditions,” Painter said, while praising the Masters and FMG. “What an event! There was just enough challenges to make it interesting, with the real emphasis on having fun. FMG is to be complimented for running a great match. They’ve hit a home run with the Shooting Industry Masters and we thank them for their support of Step Outside.”

This year’s match sponsors were Action Target, Aimpoint, Benchmade, Black Hills Ammunition, Brownells, Cor-Bon, Gunsite, Howard Leight, Lansky Sharpeners, Midland, Maxepedition, PACT, Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Winchester Ammunition.

“We could not hold this event without the strong support of our sponsors. We continue to be impressed with these companies’ commitment to the future of the industry,” said Russ Thurman, Shooting Industry magazine’s editor and match director. “In addition, we thank the many companies that donated products for the raffle.”

During the awards dinner, trophies were presented to the top scoring teams and individual shooters.

In the Industry Class, for everyday shooters, the first place trophy went to Ellett Brothers, with Ruger placing second and Project 2000 Shooting Range taking third place. The top three individual shooters in the Industry Class were:

Individual: (1st) Chris Nyberg, RSR Group, (2nd) Larry Brazil, Ellett Brothers and (3rd) Scott McGregor, Action Target.

In the Open class, for pro shooters, Smith & Wesson Team-1 took first place, with DPMS placing second and USA Shooing Team-1 taking third. Individual trophies were presented to (1st) Glenn Eller, USA Shooting Team-1, (2nd) Jim Clark, DPMS and (3rd) Michael Plaxco, Smith & Wesson Team-1.

Michael Plaxco, Tony Miele, Shane Wheaton and David
McDaniel shot their way to the Open Division championship
by knocking off four-year reigning Shooting Industry
Masters champion DPMS.

The Ellett Brothers team of George Randanovich, Larry
Brazil, Mark Hobbs and Rusty Randanovich, edged reigning
champions Team Ruger, to take top honors in the Industry
division for 2007.