SPEED, POWER AND ACCURACY, the three main elements of the practical shooting triangle, were well balanced last Saturday at the Guyana Defence Force’s Timehri Ranges when the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) successfully hosted its Inaugural Practical Pistol Match.

The match was declared open by GSSF president Vidushi Persaud and after some brief remarks from vice-president Michael Blake, things got under way.
Following the Latest Edition of Practical Shooting Handgun Rules, the competitors enjoyed an afternoon with wonderful weather under cool but overcast skies while safely engaging targets in three dynamic stages.
The first stage called ‘Condiments’ required the shooter to hold a bowl and a salt-shaker before the start signal is heard after which he/she had to engage 5 targets, while avoiding no-shoot/penalty targets which if hit would attract penalty of 10 points per hit.
The second stage ‘Gangway’ was the longest of the day and adjudged the ‘most fun’ stage. It consisted of 12 targets and 2 falling plates, some of which were hidden behind screens and behind no-shoot targets.
This stage required shooters to engage targets while on the move and reload their guns in an effort to cut their overall time and the third and final stage aptly named ‘The Coconut’ saw shooters creatively dropping a coconut they were required to hold for the start position.
The mobility of competitors was tested since the second shooting position was a short sprint downrange before they can see the other targets positioned behind hardcover screens and more no-shoots.
Breaching any safety regulations on the range and its surrounding area can see violators being disqualified from the entire match.
Scoring was tallied by the official scoring software used for the sport and done by Stats Director Pravesh Harry who efficiently released the overall results which are as follows:
1st Place with 223.84 points was Ryan McKinnon, David Dharry was second with 217.91 points while Persaud copped third with 182.81 points.
The match was open to all established Practical shooters, with the Guyana National Rifle Association and the Guyana Police Force being invited.
Secretary of the GSSF, Steve Ninvalle, delivered the vote of thanks at the end of the match, which he specifically noted was conducted and duly completed safely. He also expressed thanks to Trophy Stall and its Managing Director Ramesh Sunich for the support and the donation of the attractive trophies.
The GSSF also took the time to present copies of ‘Front Sight’ Magazine, the official journal of the United States Practical Shooting Association, to the top three Stage winners in each stage.