by Chris Cerino
Chris Cerino is a nationally known firearms instructor who has been training law enforcement officers and military for more than 10 years.
Want another reason to get out and compete in the shooting sports? Listen to the story of the Stone Soup.
The generosity of the shooting community proves yet again to be beyond what many would ever imagine.
This summer I had the opportunity to shoot two 3-gun matches much further from my home than usual.
Both matches were located in Bend, OR, one of the most attractive cites in the country to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. Bend is a long way from Ohio so I was going to need to fly to these matches.
About now you’re wondering where the stone soup comes in. You’ve probably heard the story about the hungry man with nothing more than a pot of water and a stone. The man boils the stone in a pot of water, over a fire as people walk by and look to see what he is making. Anyone who asks gets the same response from the man. He replies with, “It’s stone soup, but it sure would be better if we had a little ______.” The blank was anything that might make a great pot of soup and the people kept coming and bringing the requested ingredients and the stone and water turned into complete and tasty soup.
If you have ever seen a 3-gun match or shot one, you are familiar with the multitude of gear required to participate.
Packing all that gear for a flight west was a major task with all the airline baggage restrictions these days. The clothing, equipment, guns and ammunition can be a massive mountain that fills my wife’s van. A shotgun, an AR platform rifle and a pistol. Holsters, belts, magazine pouches, shot shell caddies, 500 rounds of pistol and rifle each, then 200 rounds of shot shells and 30 or so slugs. Don’t forget clothes to be prepared for whatever weather you might meet within the northwest’s high desert. It’s a piece of cake when you’re loading it into your truck or van and taking a drive to the competition, but on an airplane? Outside of your registration fees, when you shoot a local match you haven’t much more than some fuel and ammo costs. When you get to shoot a bigger match out of state and have to fly, you have more costs outside those mentioned. For this week I needed a rental car, hotel, food, flights and baggage fees. I had a lot invested in this trip and wanted to enjoy it to the fullest. This is where I turn into the fore-mentioned stone and the shooting community shines like the diamond it is.
Needless to say it is always a risk to fly with checked baggage, let alone guns. Twice now in my travels I have had my luggage lost in transit and both times that luggage included guns.
I arrived in Bend at 11:30 pm, after a long day of travels, to find that my baggage never made it out of Houston.
My clothes and guns were two flights and at least a full business day away. I was upset and angry because I had registration at 7am and shooting started at 8:30 the next morning. My mind was reeling with all the expenses I had incurred to come all the way here to shoot this match.
After many phone calls to the airline while driving to the range, I finally arrived at registration. I was wearing the same clothes from the day before and I pled my case to the match director. My first relief was when he told me that they would be sure to push me through all the stages, when my guns arrived. Even if they had to stay late to get it done.
When I began to meet with my friends around the range the immediate outpouring of sympathy and the offers of gear and ammunition was overwhelming. I declined the offers with high hopes of my guns showing up around midday. However, as the day wore on and I sat as a spectator on the sidelines I grew restless, wanting to shoot.
I finally took up the offers from my fellow squad mates and we began to formulate a plan. I figured, “Hey, I have eye protection and a borrowed set of foam earplugs, I’m half way there.” Everyone on the squad pitched in with gear. A shotgun, rifle and pistol! Magazines, belt gear and ammunition! The match director brought me a case of 5.56 rifle ammo and other teammates provided premium long range ammo to match the loaned rifle. An instant competitor with everything on loan I began to rock the course.
I attribute my success that day to the fact that, since I was shooting unfamiliar gear, I tried exceptionally hard to apply the fundamentals of marksmanship and weapons handling skills. After all, if it has sights and a trigger, an accomplished shooter should be able to make it sing even if the tune’s a little scratchy. The first day of this 3-gun match was very successful for me. My squad mates never held back, even for a second, with their ammo or gear. Friends and acquaintances from other squads continued to offer guns, gear and ammo as the day progressed.
As I finished the fifth and final stage of the day a driver from the airlines showed up with my suitcase and gun box. I was relieved to see my belongings. Better late than later! Everything was in good shape and I looked forward to be able to continue the match with my own gear the next day.
It becomes immediately apparent, why I and my family love the shooting sports after hearing a story like this.
The sincerity of compassion and generosity of the shooting community is like none other. An extended family is the best way to explain it. You never go somewhere in the country where a fellow competitor/shooter doesn’t offer to share his equipment, home or even vehicles.
I would caution you about showing up at a match completely ill-prepared with the mindset of begging and borrowing equipment to successfully complete the day. However, if you do find yourself in a legitimate pinch at your next match, let not your mind and heart be troubled, because you are surrounded by heroes who will attempt to save your day.
Thanks again to all the staff and competitors of the NW Multi-gun Challenge. I look forward to attending next year.
You can email Cerino at: chris@cerinotraininggroup.com
