Pistol Competition
Pistol Team
Detachment #729’s marksmanship teams provide members an opportunity to develop their handgun marksmanship skills and to enjoy the comradeship of likeminded Marines. Our Detachment historically has competed strongly against all other Detachments nationwide.
In the absence of higher Marine Corps League guidance on postal matches and other inter-Detachment competitions, our Detachment focuses on internal competition driven by membership preferences. The types of sports pursued are largely variants of NRA Bullseye, with our own modifications. These are handgun competitions, although we do have a suitable venue for rifle competition at the time of this writing.
Our pistol team training calendar begins in January, with two or three seasons of competition lasting through June. NRA Bullseye variant matches are held weekly, weather permitting. Competitors’ scores are recorded for official ranking, winners are determined at the end of the season, and awards are presented. Three special stand-alone matches are scheduled during October through December. These are structured with a wide variety of targets, distances, and rules common to “wildcat” or “fun match” competitions.
Currently there is only one competition Division, that being Center-fire Iron Sight. This regulates the type of handgun that may be used at our events. Any center-fire handgun may be used, excluding 22 caliber and all magnum calibers. Pistol caliber carbines, pistol/rifle combinations on the AR15 chassis, and barrel lengths over six inches are not permitted. No type of laser, red dot, or other electronic sight is permitted in competition. Handgun exclusions may be brought for test-firing or familiarization, upon request and approval. Ammunition exclusions are firm.
Jefferson County Sportsmen's Club
Detachment #729 marksmanship team meets weekly at the indoor pistol range Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Club 12100 Waterford Rd, Louisville, Ky.
Individual membership in JCSC is highly encouraged, but is not a condition for regular attendance at our events.
Rules of Gun Safety
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED.
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE POINT AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET.
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT.
Team Point of Contact
The current members of Det #729’s Marksmanship Team encourage you to join us.
Otis W. Fox
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
Kentucky CCDW Instructor
NRA Range Safety Officer
US Practical Shooting Association Range Officer
502 682-6143
October 2025
First Annual Turkey Shoot
Your Marksmanship Team conducted the first-ever turkey shoot in the Detachment’s history, at the Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Club on October 22nd.
A turkey shoot is a firearms competition for prizes, once popular generations ago, when shooters competed for Thanksgiving turkeys as prizes. Our prize table included a turkey, a folding hunting knife, leather belt with EGA-style belt buckle, and several batches of ammunition. We had two “new shooters” from within the Detachment, JD Sparks and Rick Borders – glad to have you, and hope you join us as “regulars” in January. Also attending was Chuck Barnhart, our long-time supporter and Board Member from JCSC, who hopes to join the Detachment as an Associate Member.
Scores for two separate relays of shooters are shown below, with 240 points being the highest possible score:
Master Relay:
Jim Crane – 232
Brian Moore – 229
Holly Smith – 215
JD Sparks – 212
Rick Borders – 205
High Master Relay:
Jim Geiger – 240 with 19X
Jon Miller – 240 with 17X
Otis Fox – 238
Chuck Barnhart - 222
