New Divisions Credited With Success


SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash., – The United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) established a new membership record this June, again surpassing 15,000 active members.

The association has posted small but steady gains for three years, with its membership numbers ranging around the high 14,000s. Last June membership rose to over 15,000 before dropping back slightly. This year, following six months of advances, membership has surpassed 15,000 again, rising more than 100 members above last year’s record.

Why the growth?

Changes in 2001, and again in 2005 have opened USPSA to shooters using simpler equipment – most notably Production Division. Brand-level competition in Production has become especially intense, with Glock, CZ, Sig, and others vying for titles around the United States.

This year USPSA launched a provisional “1911 Single Stack” division, joining forces with Richard Heinie to put on the first USPSA “1911 Single Stack Nationals” earlier this year. Heinie’s “Single Stack Classic” ran under the USPSA banner, becoming the biggest “Classic” ever held. Here again, brand-level competition has become intense, with Springfield holding a strong lead against competitors Kimber, Dan Wesson, Smith & Wesson, and others.

USPSA’s six divisions provide ways for most any defensive handgun owner to participate, regardless of equipment type. Whether they own a single-stack 1911 or box-stock Glock, custom racing pistol or double-action revolver, USPSA has a place for them.

Go to http://www.uspsa.org/ for additional information.

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Membership Record Press Release Jul06.doc