Marksmanship Contest

In Celebration of the

END OF THE EVIL EMPIRE

October 21, 2017

At The
Shongum Sportsmen Association's
100 Yard Range

10:00am - 3:00pm

Lunch was included with all entries.

On December 8, 1991, the old Soviet Union ceased to exist. After 45 years, the Cold War was over and communism was beaten. The fall of the rest of the axis of evil was imminent and peace was at hand or so it seemed at the time. Unfortunately the expected Pax Americana did not usher in world peace and American soldiers, sailors, and marines continue to confront our nation's enemies who are well armed with Combloc weapons taken from the arsenals of Russia and other iron curtain countries.

While Combloc rifles and pistols are somewhat roughly made and for the most part lack refinements such as finely adjustable sights, they are none the less effective combat arms and in some cases capable of astounding accuracy. Various Combloc weapons particularly the ubiquitous Mosin Nagants have found their way to the United States as captured war trophies while others have been imported to satisfy the growing market of low budget arms collectors and Vintage Military Rifle (VMR) shooters.

An intrepid band of these elite Combloc rifle and pistol collectors, proudly represented by members of the Shongum Sportsmen's Association (SSA)and guests , gathered at the Shongum Sportsmen's Association (SSA) range on Saturday October 21, 2017 for the 18th Annual End of the Evil Empire Military Match. It was a day of comradeship, friendly competition, and fine dining sponsored jointly by the NJACC and SSA.

Entrants competing in the marksmanship contests were allowed to use only unmodified rifles and pistols with original sights as adopted by various Combloc countries. There were nine rifle and three handgun contests in the course of fire, structured to test the marksmanship skills of participants. In addition there were two special awards; Young Pioneer for young shooters under 18, and one for the highest scoring female shooter, named for one of the most successful Soviet woman snipers to survive the Great Patriotic War (WWII), Lyudmila Pavlichenko.

All matches this year were held in perfect weather conditions under the new Shongum 100 Yard Range Cover. Stan S. and Steve S. arrived early and set up frames at 100 yards. Stan handled registration as Steve had prior committments and had to leave early. The matches all got started right on time and acutally finished early.

Contest rules required that shooters fire 10 rounds in 2 minutes at targets placed at 75 yards. Participants brought some of their best Russian, Finnish, Chinese, and Warsaw Pact Mosin Nagants, Simonovs, and semi-automatic Kalashnikovs to compete for highly coveted trophies and medals from the former Soviet Union. Some truly noteworthy examples of these rifles included a Czechoslovakian VZ-58 brought back from Grenada, and several Russian and Yugoslavian made Simonov SKS Carbines in near mint condition. We had only one submission for Young Pioneeer Instructor, but no Young Pioneers. Last year, Bolschevic Rifle went unclaimed, but this year we had two shooters in this event.

Rifle matches were efficiently conducted by Comrade Chairman of the Shooting Directorate, Stanislaus G. with the able assistance of Comrades Pete M. and Chris C.

At the conclusion of the rifle contests, a stick to your ribs lunch of highly authentic Combloc-like fare was served in the clubhouse. On the menu was gourmet Polish Sausage with Fried Potato Pierogies, Grilled Burgers, Baked Beans and desserts. These epicurean delights were prepared earlier in the morning by the NJACC's Chef du Jour, Tom P. who did an amazing job putting this lunch together.Burgers were supplied by shooter Orlando O. and cooked by Competing Shongum Member,Bob A. Rounding out the fare included: Drakes Apple Pies, Coke, Birch Beer, Diet Coke and Diet Birch Beer.

Targets were scored on the line by Shooters and then checked by Pete M. and Chris C. making the recording of scores much easier and speeded up the trophy presentation. Tom P. recorded the scores and announced the winners.

Happily once again, it would appear that all participating comrades survived lunch and will be able to compete again in future NJACC/ SSA matches.

The top score of the day (98-3X) was submitted by Comrade Carl J. in the Mosin-Nagant Rile Match contest using a MN 91/30 . The Lyudmila Pavlichenko Award went to Comrade Audrey A. using a Mosin Nagant 91/30. Two scores were turned in for the Sniper Match, and of course, Andy G. our perrennial sniper champion with his scoped MN-91/30 won again.

After lunch and the presentation of rifle match awards, the pistol matches commenced on the indoor range under the watchful eye of Comrade Range Officer Stan G. Four shooters entered the Combloc pistol match, the two shooters used a CZ-52 semi-auto pistol in the Secret Police Match which was won by Comrade Dave T. with the top pistol score for the day (79) with the Czechoslovakian made CZ-52 (borrowed from George H.) Dave also submitted a score shooting a Makarov Pistol. (competing against himself).

The following are some photos taken by one of our competitors, Jeff. A.

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