AAR Kingston MI Pistol Clinic May 17-18, 2025

[Rangerat67]

Click on the link at the end of this to see a select group of pictures.    

This Appleseed event can be summarized by one word – FUN! The students had fun, the instructors had fun, The Shoot Boss had fun. It was a great weekend spent with fellow patriots.

This event was sold out with twelve shooters.  Two were attending their very first Appleseed event.  Nine were repeat Pistol clinic attendees. Nine received the coveted Pistoleer™ Patch! Those that fell short were very close.   

The key to earning a Pistoleer™ Patch for most students is persistence.  It is not easy, and it takes a mastery of grip, stance, NPOA, and the six steps.  You must focus on the fundamentals, maintain the right mental toughness, and conquer exhaustion and doubt.  Nine received the coveted Pistoleer™ Patch!

On the first PQT of the weekend, Craig showed that he was prepared with a 241 to earn a Pistoleer™ and that's not all, a Distinguished Patch too! Nice job earning the high score of the weekend. (I think the key for Craigs excellent shooting demonstration on a cold windy Saturday was the snuggie.)

Jerry scored a 230 on his first PQT. He followed that up with a high score of 231 and three more in the upper 220's. Jerry then pulled out a 9 mm and scored a 218 and a 214. Jerry was also the proud winner of the accuracy fun shoot and he took home the trophy. It is often said "it is not the gun, it's you". In this case, the class determined it was the gun!

Al scored a 219 on his first PQT. Al wins the "Mr. consistency Award". His scores over the weekend were 219, 216, 216, 222, 215, 212, and 215. The scores were consistent in the rain, cold, wind, when his pistol was dry, when it was wet, whatever the conditions. (When it rained, all the shooters but one cased their pistols. If your name is Scuba Al, you don't care if your pistol gets wet.)

Rob started out with a 218 on the first PQT. He later got his sights dialed in and scored a 237! Rob also won the single elimination rimfire speed shoot. Nice shooting Rob!

On the first PQT of the weekend, George scored a 218 with a centerfire pistol. He followed that up with a 238 on the second PQT with a rimfire pistol. Nice job qualifying with a 22 and a 9 mm!

Frank scored a 211 on the first PQT of the weekend. He later received a high score of 234! Frank has only attended two Appleseed events, one rifle and one pistol. After two events, he has two patches! In addition, I am extremely pleased that Frank also added a new hat, an orange one! Welcome to the cadre Frank the "Tank". (I believe Rob gets credit for your new forum name??)

On the third PQT of the weekend, Brad 2 scored a 213 for a Pistoleer™ Patch. Brad 2 followed that up with a 223, 227, and a 235! After watching his son receive a Pistoleer™ patch, proud Dad Brad 1, shot a 219 and earned his patch too!

On the 5th PQT of the weekend, Tammy had a clean run and scored a 219 earning a Pistoleer™ Patch at her first ever Appleseed event. Congratulations Tammy! A few years ago, Tammy started a women's pistol group at the Marlette Sportsman Association. Do I see a Ladyseed in the future?

John was determined to run centerfire all weekend. He scored several in the 190's but fell just short. John does know how to shoot, and he proved that by winning the single elimination centerfire speed shoot.

Victoria has been waiting for her 18th Birthday so she could attend a Pistol clinic. At her first pistol event, Victoria certainly earned the "most improved award" and finishing with a personal best of 194. Nice job Victoria!

Jason is a relatively new pistol shooter, and he also made steady progress. Jason, if you keep working at your pistol skills, Tammy and you can be the first married couple in Michigan to earn Pistoleer™ patches!

Congratulations to Jerry, Brad 1, Rob, Al, Tammy, and Jason for winning Battleship! Better luck next time to the loosing team : (       

Three Huzzahs to Pookie, Mr. Zeke, and Miki for helping to make this a safe, fun, and enjoyable event that included great story telling of the events of April 19th, 1775.   

Three Huzzahs to the Marlette Sportsman Association for allowing this event to be held in Kingston MI.  Appleseed is a great program but cannot exist without supportive ranges. 

Finally, three huzzahs for the students.  The attitudes and active participation (perhaps a little too active : ) of this group was outstanding.  Hopefully, the shooters enjoyed the weekend as much as the instructors did, and we will see you again at a future event.  Please share your experiences with your friends and family and help get the word out regarding the quality of the Appleseed program! 

Huzzah!

Rangerat67

A link to pictures!

https://imgur.com/a/cqj4gzy