Mega Corporate Sponsored Shooters

After Rob Leatham won an IDPA championship, some claimed his participation was “unfair.” How fair is it for sponsored pro shooters to compete against “average” shooters?

Before we do that, if one simply learns to shoot better, they might become a “Mega Corporate Sponsored Shooter.” Some tips:

Shooters that don’t win are simply outclassed. A superior shooter won, and a sponsorship had nothing to do with it.

Rob Leatham won his first IPSC Nationals in 1983 (this was before USPSA existed), after which he was the IPSC World Champion three times. Then and only then did he receive a major sponsorship. Leatham’s sponsorship was basically Springfield Armory employing him as a member of R&D and marketing.

Most “pro shooter” sponsorships only involve receiving some products and offsetting some of the costs of training and competing, or it involves being employed by a company that is agreeable and flexible to participation in competitive shooting. Any such sponsorship only came after they had regularly earned success on their own. Even then, almost every “professional” shooter still has a regular job (just like you!) or is earning an income via sales or other business efforts.

Being a pro shooter isn’t a thing:

“Must be nice!” whines the complainer. “I could be a champ too if someone gave me stuff.” No, probably not. How often does said complainer win local club matches? Are they even competitive with local shooters Classified at the Master level or higher? These are wins within the grasp of every gun owner willing to dry practice diligently and regularly.

Some shooters are quick to complain about sponsored shooters winning and stealing “their” matches and prizes. Meanwhile, mass media crams basketball, baseball, and football down our throats. Where are the complaints about these guys? Consider how expensive tickets are even in the cheap seats. You have no chance of winning anything; you don't even get a chance to play. Try walking on the field and announcing to the players and referee that you want to play next. Remind them that you paid good money to be there and you deserve a chance. Then security kicks you out.

Or, you could instead attend a state-level or higher shooting match, likely for less cost, and have an honest chance to win. At least they’ll let you on the field to try.

The SO/RO/referees are not biased to sponsored shooters; they just put up higher scores. If that bothers you, finish reading this and then dry practice for at least half an hour, then exercise for at least as long. From now on, do this every day. Commit to a live fire practice schedule, ensuring dry practice of at least 50 dry repetitions for every single live round fired. Record your results in a journal and track that your measurements prove your skills and scores are steadily increasing. Repeat this sequence for the next five to ten years, and you’ll likely be able to keep up with and possibly earn a “Mega Corporate Sponsorship” yourself!

Skills can only be earned through trial, effort, and motivation. There is no secret technique, and the information is out there. The “only” thing you have to do is consistently practice it.