2nd at Single Stack Nats: Taran Butler

Courtesy of the Women of USPSA blog, this is the fourth interview in a series with the top five shooters at this year’s USPSA Single Stack Nationals.

Well, we’re down to the final two … the fast and furious Taran Butler shares some of his single stack thoughts with us.

2nd Place – Taran Butler (2010 Western States Single Stack Classic Champion, 5-Time USPSA Multi Gun National Champion)

WoU – Taran, congratulations on your 2nd place finish at the Single Stack Nationals.  This has been one of the closest races in SSN history!   You shot a great match and were so close to being the one to break Rob’s streak!

Taran – Thank you for your comments., and congratulations again to Rob — to me he will always be the greatest shooter who’s ever lived.

WoU – That’s a kind compliment, but you’re on our list of great shooters, too!  You earned your second consecutive Western States Single Stack Classic Title earlier this year.  What exactly was your thought process for this single stack event?

Taran – My mindset coming into this match was to try and just be as accurate as I could.  I’m still fairly new to using a fiber optic front sight.   I’ve only been shooting it for a year and a half or so and it’s greatly improved my accuracy.  If I just see that dot at all during a stage, it usually turns out pretty well.

WoU – How did it make you feel after winning the Western States Single Stack Classic?   Underdog or Favorite coming into the Nationals?

Taran – As far as the Western States Single Stack Championships is concerned, I’ve obviously had better performances there the last three years.  I personally like the match much better as far as the shooting is concerned, higher round count and more movement, which has always been one of my strongest suits, but you gotta be good at everything and be able to adapt to every style of shooting.

I compare what we do quite often to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) — you can’t just be into fast action hosing, which I compare to standup fighting, or just be good on the ground with ju jitsu – which I compare to more difficult shots, steel, standards, etc.

WoU – Historically at the Single Stack, the GM’s are spread out all over the match in different squads.  This year was no exception. Do you prefer to shoot with a variety of shooters or do you like to be squadded in a Super Squad?

Taran – I think it’s actually kind of cool to disperse two Grand Masters (Super Squad members) throughout the squads to get to shoot with everyone.  It’s always fun at the end to shake everyone’s hand and say how much you enjoyed shooting with someone new.  But it’s always fun to shoot with the lunacy of the Super squad, too.  Things are a lot more laid back in that squad now than it was in the past.  Everyone seems to have more of a sense of humor, which I like.

WoU – The Super Squads have had their less-than-serious moments!  : )  Did you have a standout moment or unique match experience you would like to share?

Taran – The only standout moment was to tie with Robbie on the Standards.  If you are able to do that you know you are doing something right!

WoU – Very memorable moment indeed – Congrats!  As a multi-gun and Limited Shooter, is there something that draws you to the Single Stack Division?

Taran – What I really like about Single Stack competitions is we’re all shooting head to head with very similar gear.  There’s something about how the gun feels in your hand and also how it makes you shoot more accurately because you don’t have any room for pickup shots or any mistakes.  It actually helps me shoot other divisions better.

WoU – Discipline … Now, tell us about the gun and your gear.

Taran – The gun I shoot is an Infiniti single stack with their gold AET Schuemann match barrel, Aftec extractor, Brazos micro dot front sight with a Champion adjustable rear sight and Techwell’s large magwell fitted to Tripp Research’s custom system’s magazines with all the extra fitting done by Salient Arms. All is finished off with ION Bond’s diamond black coating. My holster is a Bladetech with Safariland inner belt/outer belt and 771 mag pouches.

I have 3 sets of this gun in 40 S&W and if I ever do win this match, I don’t think I’ll ever retire the guns like Robbie.  They were too hard to get setup the way I like.

WoU – Sounds like you should definitely hang on to them!  Congrats again, Taran.  We really appreciate your input and time.  Best of luck with all your matches this year!