THE Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) last Sunday, 2nd October, 2022, successfully hosted a Practical Pistol match sponsored by Orinduik Development Inc.
Local practical shooters gathered at the Camp Stephenson’s GDF Timehri shooting range to take part in an exciting Practical Pistol match which comprised five challenging but fun stages. The match was conducted by Match Director Mr David Dharry who declared it open.

Shooters participated in 3 divisions, namely Limited, Production and Open. Each division had its unique requirements and restrictions, as prescribed by the USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association). Since each division has its own regulations, the shooters do not directly compete with each other across divisions. As such, prizes were awarded for 1st to 3rd place in each division.

As is customary with a GSSF event, strict adherence to firearm safety was followed.
The afternoon match commenced with Stage 1 called ‘Vex & Goin’ Home’. The course designer, Ryan McKinnon made this a fun and challenging start to the afternoon where shooters were required to stand in the start box, holding a cricket bat in strong hand and a suitcase in weak hand.

Upon start signal, the shooters had to engage the 10 classic, 2 no-shoots and 5 plates from within fault lines. This particular stage challenged shooters’ strategic abilities with multiple possible routes to complete the course of fire in a safe manner. The second stage entitled ‘Watch Steel’ proved to be another fun and challenging one, once again designed by Mr McKinnon which caused shooters to audibly amend the name of the stage as they engaged 2 classics, 8 plates and 10 poppers.

‘No Fancy Thing’ stage, which was designed by Rajiv Latchana, was a fun quick-fire stage which involved the shooters engaging 3 classics, 1 no-shoot and 1 pooper from within close range.
The fourth stage, ‘Paper Poppers’ required shooters to start, standing in box and in a surrender position (wrists above shoulders), handgun loaded and holstered and upon start signal, they either engage array 1 (paper targets) array 2 (steel targets). A mandatory reload was required whenever changing arrays.

The final and fifth stage “Take ‘em down” tested their ability to shoot from behind cover as barrels were set up at two distances and caused shooters to run to two positions and secure a stable position before engaging the targets.

Scores were promptly computed because of the use of electronic scoring methods by way of a special application called Practiscore, under the efficient eye of designated Stats Officer for the day, Dr. Pravesh Harry. Match results were announced as follows:

The GSSF would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to Mr Brian Backer and the Board of Directors of Orinduik Development Inc. for the kind sponsorship and support of the Foundation’s activities and events for the 5th consecutive year.

The Board of Directors wishes to commend the Match Director, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers and the shooters for ensuring an efficient event.
Special thanks also go to the Guyana Defence Force, Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Deputy Commissioner of Operations,. Ravindranauth Budhram, OC Mr Lowenfield, the ranks of TSU and the Guyana Police Force, the Media and GSSF members for their support in promoting practical shooting locally.

Thanks also to Mr Rajiv Latchana and the Management of Aquafina for coming on board as the Water sponsor for the event. Thanks also to Mr Harold Hopkinson for the use of his personal props, steel plates, poppers and targets stands for some of the stages.

Limited Division:
1st Place – Pravesh Harry (336.2081 points)
2nd Place – Ryan McKinnon (336.1181 points)
3rd Place – Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (187.8222 points)
Production Division:
1st Place – Lancelot Khan (360.0525 points)
2nd Place – David Dharry (344.0743 points)
3rd Place – Imam Baksh (306.9399 points)

Open Division:
1st Place – Harold Hopkinson (375.0000 points)
2nd Place Lindsay Baird (113.1263 points).