Event Overview

Prerequisites

At this event you may fire from either the “low ready” or draw from a holster. Less experienced shooters are encouraged to fire from the “low ready” while shooters who have had previous training in correctly drawing from a holster may do so if they wish. Drawing from a holster (or even having a holster for your handgun) is not a requirement to participate in this event. However, we expect all participants to abide by the following suggested prerequisites:

• • Firing from “low ready”: familiarity with range safety rules and ability to shoot safely (a previous NRA Basic Pistol, Revere’s Riders Pistol 100 course or similar training from another organization is sufficient).
  • Drawing from a holster: drawing from a holster will be allowed at this event. However, there will be some limitations on the holster:
    • the holster must fit your handgun—this means that your handgun should correctly fit in the holster and that the trigger is completely covered when your handgun is holstered.
    • no “appendix”, “small of the back”, “cross draw” or “shoulder” holsters will be allowed—there are 10 firing positions at the range we will be using and it is nearly impossible to use these types of holsters without “flagging” someone else either on or behind the firing line. The holster you use for the event should position your handgun in the 3 to 4 o’clock position on the strong side of your belt.
    • use an appropriate belt to support your holster and handgun—you should have a belt that is capable of supporting the weight of your holster and firearm. Most general purpose belts aren’t up to this; your waist will thank you for using a belt designed to support your holster and handgun.

Additionally, you should have previous experience in drawing from a holster if you plan to do so at this event. We will not be teaching you how to correctly draw from a holster; if your draw technique is deemed to be unsafe by the event RSOs, you will be asked to discontinue drawing from a holster and to fire from the low ready instead.

Required Equipment

The following equipment will be required:

• • a safe handgun (centerfire is preferred, but rimfire will also work)
  • a minimum of 400 rounds of ammunition in the correct caliber for your handgun (bring more ammunition if you have it; the last thing you want is to run out before the day is over).
  • eye protection
  • ear protection
  • sufficient magazines or “moon clips” for your handgun (4 is a good minimum for this event; if you have a low-capacity handgun, bring more)

Optional Equipment

Optional equipment that will likely increase your enjoyment of this event includes:

• • magazine loading tool (Maglula or similar)—you will be loading a LOT of magazines during this event and having a magazine loading tool will lessen the strain on your thumb.
  • a folding chair and something to provide shade from the sun (the range is out in the open with limited shelter)
  • sunscreen and/or bug spray
  • a hat with a brim to protect from the sun and hot brass
  • plenty of your preferred method of hydration. Both plain water and something to replace the electrolytes you will lose via sweating is ideal.
  • snacks

Minimal Instruction

This will not be an instructional event but rather a special opportunity to shoot on the same range used by Navy Seals, Special Forces, Army Rangers, etc. We will have a safety briefing before any live fire occurs to ensure everyone is aware of the safety rules in place for the event. Once the safety briefing is complete, there will be minimal breaks in order to maximize rounds down range.

Event Details

The range consists of electronically controlled “pop-up” targets that can be programmed to raise/lower in a myriad of sequences and with varying degrees of difficulty for the shooter. This range is normally not accessible to the general public; this is a very unique opportunity to experience the same training environment as some of our nation’s most elite soldiers.

As such, you should be comfortable with your handgun in order to attend this event; this will be an opportunity to apply skills that you have learned in previous handgun training courses. Shooting will be from a fixed position (i.e., no movement while on the firing line). Drawing from a holster will be allowed but you should obviously be proficient and comfortable with doing so; drawing from a holster will not be a required part of this event (i.e., you may complete each course of fire starting from the “low ready” position). Movement will be allowed it will be one step to the right or the left. This is an opportunity to practice your defensive skills.

While there will be no formal instruction at this event, experienced firearms instructors will be present at the event and will provide limited instruction as needed. However, this is not a training event and participants should not expect to receive extensive instruction.

Shooters will be assigned two per lane on the firing line (we are happy to pair you up with a friend if you desire). This will allow one shooter to be on the firing line while the other is reloading magazines as needed.

The course of fire for one session will generally consist of around 5 programmed sequences of the “pop-up” targets. Each sequence will in turn consist of one or multiple targets being presented for a given duration; targets are knocked down by a hit in the “kill” zone (center of mass or head area). Targets remain standing if only struck in the “hit” zone (everything not in the “kill” zone) and disappear at the end of the programmed duration. Each sequence will consist of multiple target presentations. Shooters will rotate at the end of each session.

Even though we are on a military range, participants should feel free to “sit out” a rotation if they wish.

There will be a morning and, if demand is sufficient, an afternoon session. We are selling the morning session first; if and when that session fills, we will open ticket sales for the afternoon session. There will be 20 tickets available for each session for a maximum of 40 participants across both sessions.

Not sure if this is the event for you? Watch the below video from our June 2017 event at the same range to get a better idea of what this event entails:

More photos and videos are available at the Camp Atterbury Pistol Event June 2017 photo and video galleries.

Important Additional Event Information

Pre-registration is Required

All participants must purchase tickets by the DEADLINE of 5:00 PM EDT on September 27th.  Absolutely no registrations will be allowed after this deadline.

The unique venue for this event requires that your personal information (name, address and phone number) be provided to Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center (CAJMTC) and subsequently shared with Military Police and the Range Control office. Your information will not be used in any manner other than to allow your admittance to the installation and to contact you regarding this event. Pre-registration is required so that we can forward your information to CAJMTC in time for the event.

You are also responsible for reading the below additional range information specific to Camp Atterbury. Please keep in mind that we are using a military facility and military rules and discipline are in force. Camp Atterbury is an active military installation and military activities take priority over civilian activities; as such we may have our scheduled access removed at any time, up to and including the day of the event.

Refund Policy

Refunds will only be issued for this event due to cancellation of the event by military authorities. Absolutely no refunds will be given for any other reason.

Lunch

An optional pulled pork lunch along with smoked baked beans and chips will be made available; lunch tickets are per person. If you prefer, you can bring your own sack lunch (don’t plan to leave CAJMTC for lunch as there will not be sufficient time).

Additional Range Information

If you are in the “Morning Session”, please plan to arrive no later than 8:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time at Range Control on the Camp Atterbury grounds (the guards at the entrance gate can direct you to Range Control if you have not previously been to Camp Atterbury).

If you are in the “Afternoon Session”, please plan to arrive no later than 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time at Range Control on the Camp Atterbury grounds (the guards at the entrance gate can direct you to Range Control if you have not previously been to Camp Atterbury). If you purchased lunch and are in the “Afternoon Session”, plan to arrive no later than 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time to allow time to eat lunch before the event begins at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

We are only allowed to proceed as a group to the range itself due to the numerous “hot” ranges that we must pass along the way (making a wrong turn onto a range being actively used by A-10 Warthogs to practice strafing would not be a “good thing”).

Arriving early will allow us to get started promptly at 9:00 AM EDT in the morning and 1:00PM EDT in the afternoon.

Please be aware of the time difference if you are coming from the Central time zone; 8:30 AM EDT is 7:30 AM CDT and 12:30PM EDT is 11:30AM CDT.

Event Sponsor

Alan Alcorn of A&A Optics in Richmond, IN has graciously donated some swag to be given away at this event. In addition, Alan has donated a Grand Prize for the overall top shooter.