NRA Looking Ahead

As the EMBARGOED headlines come into our wire servers, it is safe to say there will be some news coming out of the NRA Annual Meetings when they get underway Friday from Charlotte, North Carolina.

We’ll be getting some previews of new products in advance of the actual opening of the event, so we’ll have photos and new gear for you to see on Friday. We’ve scheduled several events on Thursday, and if we make them all, you’ll see Remington’s “new” 1911R1 – a re-entry into the 1911-style handgun market after a 92 year-absence, new guns and facilities from Para-Ordnance, and others. Lots of hauling around North Carolina as we’ll be making runs from the Charlotte Rifle and Pistol Club in Waxhaw to North Carolina Gun Training in Matthews. Whew.

Earlier this week, however, I learned about a new product for a special group of USPSA shooters. We won’t be seeing that new product in Charlotte, but I wanted to let you know about it anyway.

As some of you know, we have been involved in working with the disabled since our beginnings as a golf company nearly 15 years ago. Today, we’re proud to give our support to as many different varieties of shooting opportunities as is possible for disabled shooters- new or experienced.

When I got this note from Scott Shearer yesterday, I was more than a little intrigued.

“I am a disabled shooter starting to enjoy the challenge of the USPSA,” it read, “and in doing so, I have created a holster mounting adapter for wheelchair use.”

“My goal is to show others who have been thrown a curve in life that you can still get out and enjoy shooting sports (with the help of some adaptive equipment).”

When I followed up, I learned that Scott was injured in a car wreck nearly ten years ago. Today, he lives in Wilderville, Oregon -and he really does enjoy competing in USPSA events.

But he’s not satisfied simply to compete. He wants to grow the ranks of shooters, and he’s hoping that some of the shooters in USPSA events in the future will roll to the line, assume their ready position and, when the buzzer sounds, reach for their safely-holstered pistol and become another USPSA competitor.

To that end, he’s developed an adaptive holster mount that seems more than capable of being used for everything from home defense to hunting and, yes, competition.

For Shearer, it’s an answer to a common problem: safely controlling a firearm from a wheelchair. “This puts the firearm right where I need it,” he writes, “with me. If I have to investigate a commotion at night, I do not have to grab my firearm, set it in my lap and worry about it falling as I roll to the door, or go out to investigate. It is with me as soon as I transfer into the chair.”

His “Chair-Jack” as he calls it, can be moved from one rigid chair to another, and doesn’t bolt or clamp to the chair. You mount your holster to the bracket, snap it onto a frame and then secure it with safety straps (supplied).

Shearer custom makes each mount, and charges $39.95 (plus $6.50 shipping). Today, he says he’s turning orders around in two to three days. Standard models fit either Blackhawk’s carbon fiber or Uncle Mikes Kydex belt loop model holsters and are designed for Quickie GP and GPV and similar frames using one-inch tubing with seventy to ninety degree bends at the front of their frames. But he says he’ll do his best to fit other frames and specific setups, too.

When I asked Shearer how the business was going, he said sales were “building”. Having been in the “building” phase of several businesses, I know that’s normally at the very early stages of getting the word out.

“My main goal,” he told me, “is to promote accessibility – not segregation – for the shooting events and to help others get to the range and enjoy life again. If money follows, then great.”

“I haven’t done a lot of promotion,” he says, “for me personally I know Ill be slower than someone on their feet. I don’t care, I Just want to be able to compete.”

Having watched Shearer shooting (YouTube’s cool, isn’t it), I understand that he’s not going to be speeding from station to station, but he’s having a blast competing.

You can see him shooting for yourself – and learn more at www.scotworksllc.com/holster.html.

He’s learned something I constantly struggle with- staying smooth and not rushing. That makes him more than capable of competing- he doesn’t miss.

More Friday from Charlotte – but if you have the opportunity between now and then- take someone to the range and introduce them to shooting.

–Jim Shepherd
www.shootingwire.com