The NRA National Hunter Pistol Championships concluded at the McKean County Rifle Club on Thursday with Texans finishing what they started on day one of the Small Bore Match. The contingent from Texas continued to dominate by sweeping the first three spots in both Scoped and Open Sight competition.
Larry Allen kicked things off by hammering 55 out of 60 targets to match his score from day one and take the NRA scoped gun crown with a 110 aggregate. On his heels was Dave Hassinger with a 107 total. Hassingers score of 53 was one off the previous days score of 54. Preston Gibson earned third overall with a shoot off victory over fellow Texan Mark Sternglanz. Gibson knocked down 53 targets on day one to Sternglanzs 54, but Thursday had the totals reversed with Gibson bettering Sternglanz by one 53 to 52.
On the Open Sight side of the Tournament, Preston Gibson showed that his win in Hunter Pistol was no fluke by also taking the National Small Bore Hunter Pistol Crown. However, it wasnt easy David Hassinger defeated Gibson 53 to 51 for daily honors to tie Gibson for the Aggregate and the National Crown at 102. On day one Gibson had taken the match 51 to 49. Gibson however, won a dramatic shoot off when the new 2005 Champ was finally able to prevail by gaining a one target lead, and holding on for the win. The end came only after both shooters went toe to toe for 20 nerve wracking shots keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats. The third spot went to Doug Randel who hit a 100 aggregate on the strength of a 48 and a 52.
Gibson, also swept the four gun aggregate with an outstanding score of 420.
The 2005 match proved to be an excellent competition with great scores and four days of outstanding weather. The 2006 shoot will be held in Raton, NM.
