Shooting Wire

Parma, Idaho - Arguably the world's most challenging 3-Gun match, the MGM Ironman celebrated its 15th annual event with the largest field ever. June 3-9 saw MGM Target's home range at Parma Rod & Gun Club become home to 280 competitors running 11 wicked stages of pistol, rifle and shotgun challenges. Founded and hosted by MGM Targets and supported by numerous industry heavyweights, the event featured the best and best up and coming shooters. Present were elite professional teams, privateer enthusiasts, juniors, ladies, top military and law enforcement teams including shooters from as far away as Denmark. Competitors took on the week-long event under the direction of MGM's Travis Gibson, Mike Gibson, and support from many dedicated volunteers.

The brainchild of Mike Gibson, veteran competitive shooter and founder of MGM Targets, the MGM Ironman demands extreme skill and agility in diverse shooting disciplines from close range tactical pistol and shotgun to long range rifle. Mike determined that after many years of competing, the shooting community needed a truly unique version of 3-Gun. What developed is aptly named the Ironman. Consisting of two, grueling three day segments where squads of shooters will shoot in excess of 900+ rounds per shooter per segment (if they don't miss), and EVERY stage requires the use of all 3 guns.

The MGM Ironman is an intense test of both shooter and equipment, not to mention it is a blast! Participants shoot a variety of classes and various scenarios including shooting from the back of a moving vehicle, or while driving golf cart, and while carrying a dummy. There's even a zip line stage which carries shooters over the course of fire. Every stage has a 10 minute time limit with an average shooting time of about 7 minutes per stage. This year, some of the times were hampered by a day of steady rain and wind, making it all the more challenging. Overall, great efforts and camaraderie made for a great event.

Congratulations to match winners: SCOPED TACTICAL CLASS - Daniel Horner; OPEN CLASS - Michael Voigt; LIMITED CLASS - Warren Becker; HEAVY SCOPED CLASS - Barry Dueck ; TROOPER CLASS - Ben Fortin; JUNIOR TS CLASS - Brian Nelson; SENIOR TS CLASS - Ralph Arredondo; LADY OTLH CLASS - Bethany Harris; MILITARY/LAW TS CLASS - Ben Fortin.

The success of the MGM Ironman is due to the growing popularity of shooting sports and responsible practices of the entire shooting community. Every year, sponsors generously donate products, time, and money into making the match a success. Gracious sponsors include Patriot Ordnance Factory, JP Enterprises, Predator Tactical, Crimson Trace, Surefire, Ergo Grip, Leupold Optics, Eberlestock, Vortex Optics, Hornady, Electronic Shooters Protection, DPMS, Tactical Machining, RBros Rifles. Noveske Rifleworks, Tactical Solutions, PWS, Stag Arms, Magpul, STS Arms, Cavalry Manufacturing, Redding Reloading, Montana Bullet, Glock, Center Of Mass, C&M Targets, Daniel Defense, Schuemann Barrels, Sierra Bullets, Warne, Hogue Grips, Dillon Precision, Seekins Precision, Safariland, PTR 91 and others.