Here's the lineup of folks at the Smith & Wesson Invitational, held at Gunsite. About 30 people from the firearms industry got together in October of 2006 to shoot and learn more about the new S&W M&P pistol, in 9mm, and the M&P15 (an AR-15 rifle/carbine). As you can see, this is not a "high speed - low drag" group. The two ladies on the end are Shirley Steffen, from Harris Publications, and Jane Anne (Hulen) Shimizu, the marketing director for Gunsite. |
Frank Brownell, president of Brownells www.brownells.com shoots the S&W M&P15 on the "Scrambler" at Gunsite. This drill has you shooting from rests, flopping on the ground, running down a road, and shooting at steel targets. It's a blast! Good to see that folks from the firearms industry actually shoot! |
Pete Brownell prepares to start the Scrambler at Gunsite. Evil Rangemaster Ed Stock is in the background. Ed just returned from Iraq, where, in addition to his official duties as a Marine, he trained Marines in the Gunsite method. You're really fortunate if Ed is one of your instructors when you get to Gunsite. |
Here's the president of the National Rifle Association, Sandra
Froman, smiling while shooting the 9mm pistol. Sandy is a graduate
of several classes at Gunsite and Thunder Ranch, and she can shoot!
We had a ball. |
Nothing makes a woman smile like an AR-15 with a suppressor ("silencer"). Shirley is one of the top folks at Harris Publications (www.harrisoutdoorgroup.com). Since someone will blow the whistle on me, I'll come clean. Shirley beat me in a shootoff! |
Here I am shooting the new S&W M&P pistol. See the empty brass above the pistol? See how the muzzle has barely risen at all? The design of the M&P pistol greatly reduces muzzle flip and makes the gun really comfortable to shoot. It's also fast to get back on target. This one is a winner. |
This is nothing more than showing that I was shooting with Sandy
Froman, president of the NRA. Sandy is a serious shooter, so we'll
forgive the fact that she's a lawyer! |
This was a great introduction to the AR-15, which I needed. It's a
bit of a challenge to operate the controls left handed, but once I
added an ambidextrous safety (selector switch), it was much better.
Very nice carbine. |
I want one! The Surefire suppressor really quiets the report of the
rifle. It doesn't "silence" it, of course, but it sure makes it a
kinder, gentler rifle. Lots of fun! |
Pete Brownell (left) and his father, Frank, are ready to hit the range at Gunsite. Pete is third generation at the company, and is vice president. Nice guy, but don't tell him I said so! |
