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National Action Match Championships & 2008 Smith & Wesson Cup
27-28 September 2008
Blacktown

by Allan Harriman

 Top New South Wales competitive shooter Robyn 
 Ginger, left, made a welcome comeback for the 
 2008 Smith & Wesson Cup.


 Blake Williams receiving last minute tips from his 
 father Peter before taking his place among the more 
 seasoned competitors. An increase in the number 
 of juniors was a pleasing aspect of the 2008 Smith 
 & Wesson Cup.


 Grycol’s Stuart Collibee, left, with 2008 Smith & 
 Wesson Cup winners Darryl ‘Osca’ Carnicelli, Jim 
 Staader and Craig Ginger.The NRA Action Pistol discipline took another leap forward when the NRA-sanctioned 2008 Smith & Wesson Cup brought together 50 of Australia’s best discipline competitors at the Sydney-based Blacktown Pistol Club. As Action Pistol event coordinator, I found the event to be a great weekend of pistol competition. We had the country’s best come in from all states to participate in the Smith & Wesson Cup. With the 2009 NRA Bianchi Cup creeping up on us, the guys and girls were only too happy to participate in some serious competition at a national level.

What was pleasing was the number of junior shooters who came up to the line and gave it their best shot. We have been trying very hard to encourage the older brigade to get the young ones involved through our national magazine and it looks like we are having the desired results.

Support from the NRA is also welcome. Their efforts to encourage international competition by promoting internationally sanctioned matches is a great boost to Australian sporting shooters.

The Smith & Wesson Cup recognises equally the efforts of the best in Production, Metallic and Open Class. With Smith & Wesson supporting the event, in conjunction with its Australian representative Grycol International, the SSAA, NRA and industry combination is making inroads into both the quality of competition and its rewards.

Two Model 686 revolvers and an M&P extended slide 9mm were on offer to those who made the grade on match day.

Also of interest to the crowd was junior Blake Williams, who in his first competition used his Smith & Wesson .22LR target pistol, modified for Action Pistol by gunsmith father and Blacktown Club member Pete Williams.

“I am stoked,” said young Blake. “This is my first event and I was able to get through with no real problems. The guys at school are wanting to get out here and have a look at what I do. Now that this is over, I will be taking the video to school.”

Smith & Wesson Cup winners Darryl ‘Osca’ Carnicelli (Open), Craig Ginger (Metallic) and IPSC shooter Jim Staader (Production) were each pleased to be receiving a Smith & Wesson handgun from Grycol CEO manager Stuart Collibee. “We, with our partners in the USA, are only too happy to sponsor competitive pistol events hosted by the SSAA,” said Stuart at the well-attended presentation awards ceremony. “From all accounts, the 2009 NRA Bianchi Cup will be bigger and better than ever, and Grycol are only too happy to support those SSAA members who seriously go about promoting the shooting sports at a local, state, national and international level.”

Many thanks to the members of the Blacktown Pistol Club for their ongoing support of Action Pistol events in Australia.