Concord, California AAR September 5-6, 2026

[3Huzzahs]

The "soul" of Project Appleseed's core mission is in sharing, promoting, and in some cases reawakening the largely dormant spirit that Colonial America ignited with the "Three Strikes of the Match" on 19 April 1775. Such was the case at the most recent 25m Rifle Marksmanship course conducted at the United Sportsman's Inc. Shooting Facility in Concord, California over the 5-6 September 2026 weekend. Steve B as he shall be described had not come to an Appleseed event since 2010. Do the math and that was 16 years ago. Yet he was drawn to attend the course and in addition convinced family and friends to accompany him to revisit our program of marksmanship and history. Steve, a very personable yet determined fellow worked diligently on Saturday to sharpen those skills from his distant first Appleseed event. Hard work pays off as he shot not one, not two, but THREE consecutive Rifleman scores on his AQTs on Sunday. The energy and hard work also paid off with David who had scored his first Rifleman patch earlier this year. Determined to have his sons share in their own personal journey of sharpening their marksmanship skills and awareness of their Revolutionary War heritage as Americans, he too scored the Expert Rifleman score not once, not twice, but thrice duplicating Steve B's performance. Yuri, a proud father of young Nicholas proudly and diligently also started his own personal journey towards improved marksmanship but his young son's as well. During the Target Detection Field exercise attempting to see hidden targets hidden in the grass and plants, young Nicholas used his sharp eyes to spot all of the shapes. Shape, color, shine were just some of the methods he used. Thanks for starting him early on his skill-sets Yuri! Nicholas did great. Barry, a very distinguished gentleman brought his older son as well as his keen sense of humor to the event, and kept working diligently despite sore and rubbed raw elbows. Well done sir. Sembian, the incredibly modest and highly friendly participant returned for his second Appleseed and continues to sharpen his marksmanship skills. He knows that it takes an average of attending 3 Appleseed events before shooting that 210/250 for a Rifleman Patch on the AQT and he has vowed to keep diligently working on his technique (when not diligently working at work). I cannot wait for their return. Kudos to you all and a hearty "Well Done Please Come Again!!!". Huzzah!

These Appleseed Participants also showed how working together pays off. "Plan the work, and work the plan". You have probably heard that phrase before, but the teams lived it during the Parker's Revenge Team event. The Team Captain of the victorious group labeled the targets with a sharpie pen with numbers large enough to recognize through his rifle scope. Communicating to his team on which numbered targets needed to be engaged in order to score well and be victorious, he guided their efforts to emerge as the team that hoisted themselves to the podium for the win. Huzzah! Huzzah!!

My deepest thanks to Dan, Victor, Bill, and Eric for their steadfast and fantastic efforts over the weekend. A special "shout out" and THANKS to Dan in particular who is an Instructor with the passion, expertise, and work ethic that any Shoot Boss would dearly appreciate having on the team. My additional thanks to Tim and Pinky for coming out on Sunday to share their passion and expertise with the participants. Tim had worked the entire Saturday night before and his dedication to Appleseed is deeply appreciated. Pinky...thanks for helping me out perfectly with the Admin tasks. GO TEAM CONCORD! Huzzah, Huzzah, HUZZAH!!!

[Fulcrum]

Here are a few pictures and videos of this fun event!

This was almost maximum capacity for our bay. It's always nice to see a full line!


Shooters on the line

Steve had attended an Appleseed many years before. He scored his Rifleman at this event.


Steve receives his Rifleman patch and certificate from 3Huzzahs!

Steve and David shot Riflemen's scores three times each on the second day of the class! David had qualified at a previous event, and this proves it was no fluke!


Steve and David with their qualifying targets

David brought his son Nicholas and Nicholas's friend Paxon to the event.


Nicholas and Paxon with DanFinger


David and the boys shoot standing


David and crew shoot prone

Here is a video of David, Nicholas, and Paxon at the event.

Yuri brought his son Michael to the event. This was probably the youngest shooter I've ever seen at an Appleseed event.


Yuri and Michael


Michael gets some assistance with the sling from 3Huzzahs!


Yuri shoots seated


Yuri shoots standing. Sembian is behind him.

Here is a video of Yuri and Michael at the event.

This was Sembian's second Appleseed. He will make Rifleman soon if he sticks with it!


Sembian fires a shot in prone

This is a video of the class shooting and scoring the Hits Count target on day 1 of the event.

If anyone wants me to check my camera for specific pictures or video, let me know!

[ShooterMagoo]

That's a cool sight, I figured finding a non-Californianized AR in Cali would be about as likely as finding a unicorn.

[Smallbore (Timothy_D)]

It was a Calified AR.
IIRC, Maglocked with something like a Hellfighter kit to drop the magazines.

[ShooterMagoo]

Shucks. I was encouraged for just a bit there.

Looks like an awesome time regardless!

[Fulcrum]

 

Shucks. I was encouraged for just a bit there.

Looks like an awesome time regardless!

I'm glad to know I didn't accidentally out someone's rifle!

This was a good time. Weather was warm. but not outrageously hot like sometimes. And the Shooters included some experienced Appleseeders who brought their kids or other guests, and also included some very new shooters in the mix. I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

[Smallbore (Timothy_D)]

I had a great time.
Definitely getting more comfortable line bossing.
Even made it a point to "get down on the mats" with several shooters. Concord has a good crew.

[Fulcrum]

I had a great time.
Definitely getting more comfortable line bossing.
Even made it a point to "get down on the mats" with several shooters. Concord has a good crew.

You did a great job line bossing and in your other instruction as well, Tim.