Event 5: JP Enterprises Rocky Mountain 3-Gun

An offshoot of what many consider the founding match of 3-gun, JP Enterprises' Rocky Mountain 3-Gun (RM3G) continues a proud legacy, not only as one of the forefathers of the sport, but of a challenging course of fire that utilizes the rugged New Mexico landscape to create an event like no other.

For nearly three decades, Soldier of Fortune magazine sponsored its SOF match, which was later named the World Championship 3 Gun Tactical Match (WC3G). The SOF match held a unique spot as the original competition in the ever-evolving practical shooting discipline we now know as 3-gun. But despite its overwhelming popularity, match support finally waned.

"The SOF magazine then decided that it no longer wanted to be involved with the match, and JP Enterprises, Inc., stepped in as the major named sponsor and engaged the existing match crew to run the newly named JP Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship," said John Paul, president, JP Enterprises. "This match is unique, as it is designed and held in the natural terrain of the Whittington Center as opposed to typical developed square ranges. The added dimension of a natural terrain match cannot be underestimated."

"Since then, each year different people took care of different parts and it is now run by (us)," said match director Denise Johnson, who runs the match with her husband JJ. "The stages have always been very challenging with long-range rifle shots as a staple. It has developed into more multi-gun stages with longer bonus targets and more moving targets for shotgun and has been at the forefront of gun transitions that are safe and speedy."

Set at an elevation exceeding 6,000 feet, Raton, New Mexico's NRA Whittington Center provides a fitting backdrop for a physically demanding match. More importantly, with the tremendous space provided by NRA's signature range development, JP's Rocky Mountain 3-Gun delivers rifle opportunities not common in competitive action shooting.

"The thing that makes it unique is the ability to shoot in natural terrain and use rocks and hills as part of each stage's design," Johnson said. "Although the altitude of 7,000 feet gives people's hearts and lungs a workout, there is no other match where you can have a deer chased by a cougar run by the stage briefing, or have a short shooting stoppage while a bear looks at your targets and lets you know what he thinks of you."

While the setting is panoramic to be sure, it's the diverse stages of fire, long-range rifle requirements and the physically demanding nature of the event that drives competitors to come back year after year. As such, RM3G remains one of the most popular and well-respected 3-gun events in the country.

"JP RM3G is one of the premier events of 3-gun, and, in fact, has often been referred to as a World Championship match," Johnson said. "It tests more than just standing and shooting, but includes physical challenges as well as mental ones. JP RM3G is unique and fun. It's a match that tests the well-roundedness of the shooter in the most unique setting in the world."

Posted on 3/22/2010

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