Army Marksmanship Unit Shooters Dominate JP Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Competition

RATON, NM — Army Marksmanship Unit shooters Specialist Daniel Horner and Sergeant First Class Robby Johnson won the Tactical Scope Class and the Tactical Iron Class championships, respectively, at the 2009 JP Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Competition held August 6-8 at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton.

SFC Horner took first place in the Tactical Scope Class with a total score of 754.3550 match points out of 800. Horner’s colleague SFC Johnson earned a total of 774.7710 match points out of 800 to top that category.

Nearly 200 competitors traveled to northern New Mexico to compete in the 7th annual 3-Gun Match.

Competitors completed eight stages over three days using pistols, shotguns, and tactical rifles to engage paper, steel, and clay targets.

“I really enjoyed this match,” said SPC Horner. “It’s a great training opportunity for the Army Marksmanship Unit, and it helps us pass these skills on to other soldiers.”

“In 3-gun competitions, we take back the lessons we learn during the event to combat soldiers to be used overseas,” said SFC Johnson.

Rounding out the list of top finishers are Charles “Tate” Moots with a score of 771.4664 in the Heavy Scope Class, Patrick Kelley in the Heavy Iron Class with a 761.0331, and Don Bednorz with a score of 764.4363 in the Open Class.

While practices vary for each match, the scoring systems of 3-gun competitions reward shooters for a combination of speed and accuracy, tactics that relevant for both law enforcement officers and those serving in the military.

David Neth, an Idaho state trooper, was named High Law Enforcement Officer in Tactical Scope Class. “As a law enforcement officer and firearms instructor, I know from not only competing, but from training that 3-gun competition is one of the best ways build proficiency with your duty firearms,” Neth said.

JP Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Top Competitors by Class:

Tactical Scope
First Place: Daniel Horner – 754.3550
Second Place: Eric Miller – 680.1435
Third Place: Adam Popplewell – 638.3984
High Military: Daniel Horner – 754.3550
High LEO: David Neth – 620.6840
High Senior: Andy Horner – 505.6188
High Woman: Tasha Hanish – 387.2541
High Junior: Matt Sweeny – 346.5465

Tactical Iron
First Place: Robby Johnson – 774.7710
Second Place: Scott Kurtz – 645.2210
Third Place: Mike Pinto – 546.4631
High Military: Robby Johnson – 774.7710
High LEO: Gordon Chicoine – 495.1502
High Junior: Jon Moody – 257.7439

Heavy Scope
First Place: Charles “Tate” Moots – 771.4664
Second Place: Eddie Rhodes – 612.4813
Third Place: Maurice Griffin – 499.5114
High LEO: Charles “Tate” Moots – 771.4664
High Senior: Eddie Rhodes – 612.4813

Heavy Iron
First Place: Patrick Kelley – 761.0331
Second Place: Kuan Watson – 704.8941
Third Place: Trapr Swanson – 634.2448
High Military: Fred Quarles – 388.3019
High LEO: Kuan Watson – 704.8941
High Senior: Fred Quarles – 388.3019

Open
First Place: Don Bednorz – 764.4363
Second Place: Russell Kruse – 645.2919
Third Place: Dave Mosier – 610.8439
High Military: J.J. Johnson – 596.0556
High LEO: Craig Outzen – 588.6450
High Senior: J.J. Johnson – 596.0556
High Woman: Heide Kaser – 350.9546