If you are unaware of the quality and performance of Kolar Arms firearms and tubes, look to the podium at the U.S. Open and you will see a trend. A variety of different Team Kolar shooters stood atop the podium at the U.S. Open held June 23-25. 100 straights were had in every gauge by many shooters but the shootoffs are where the Kolar Arms shooters excelled. The U.S. Open (sponsored by Kolar) is held in an I-Shoot format which is held at 14 different clubs across America. The I-Shoot format opens up participation from shooters who wouldn’t necessarily travel for a major tournament in addition to “the regulars”. A regular “melting pot” of skill and personalities make up an I-Shoot which can bring out the best in many.
Starting with the Doubles event, there were eight 100 x 100s shot. Team Kolar shooter Mike Rykaczewski, Jr. lead the pack. After running his first 100 straight ever in Doubles, he proceeded to show the crowd that this was no mistake. In the shoot-off, he shot 3 perfect boxes of shells at stations 3, 4 & 5 to attain the gold. Mike shoots a Kolar Max Skeet High Rib. When asked for comment he said, “would just like to say thanks to Kolar and Elite Shotguns and St. Joe Conservation Club (one of the host clubs) for doing a great job hosting the shoot.
The next night’s shoot-offs were for the 12 gauge and 20 gauge events. There were 48 100 x 100s in the 12 gauge. Jack Krispin who shoots a blued Kolar Max Skeet took the top honors. After shooting 100 x 100, Jack proceeded to shoot so many perfect boxes of shells at stations 3,4 & 5 that the scoresheet for the I-Shoot format ran out of spots to enter his scores (8 rounds of doubles). 3rd place was taken by another Kolar shooter Will Sorensen who made it to the end of the 3rd box of doubles before missing a target. The 20 gauge saw 33 100 x 100s and was won by Kolar shooter Owen Knight with fellow Kolar shooter Brent Edwards taking 2nd. Similar to Rykaczewski, Jr.’s doubles shootoff, Owen shot 3 perfect boxes of doubles on stations 3, 4 & 5 to claim the victory. Owen turned 19 years old the day before this victory so it can be said this win was a belated birthday present. Owen shoots a Kolar Max Skeet with a custom cerakote flag finish on the receiver.
To wrap up the event on Sunday, 28 gauge and .410 bore events were shot-off. Team Kolar shooter Ed Smith stood atop the podium for the 28 gauge with his blued Kolar Max Skeet being the only person to run 2 boxes in the shootoff of the 28 100 x 100s that were turned in. When asked if he would be “going to Disneyland” after this big win, he replied “Nope, off to Arkansas for the next big shoot”. The weather took a turn for the worse this day (as seems to be the norm on days skeet shooters shoot sub-gauges) Though there were many locations this shoot was held at, many of them experienced adverse conditions. The .410 event saw a wide array of scores because of these adverse conditions. However, 4 100 x 100s were shot with “the little gun” (two with Kolars) Team Kolar shooter Ryan Smithart stood atop the podium after a 6 station shootoff of doubles at stations 3, 4 & 5 that had to be paused midway through for lightning and restarted over 30 minutes later. Ryan shoots a blued Kolar Max Skeet Light. When asked for comment, he said “This is my first season shooting a Kolar but I wish I would have gotten it sooner. This gun fits me and the service and availability of Kolar Arms is unparalleled in the firearm industry.”
The HOA and HAA events were won by Michael Peterson with a score of 399 x 400 & 498 x 500. Though Michael Peterson doesn’t shoot a Kolar, (we won’t hold that against him) we would like to congratulate him on his strong performance. Kolar is beyond thrilled with the performance of all Kolar shooters of the 2023 Kolar Arms U.S. Open and are very thankful to all participants who shot or worked this event that made this great event go off so well.
Kolar skeet shooters come from all over the country and all walks of life. The one thing they all share is the use of Kolar Max Skeet firearms Kolar AAA Subgauge inserts.. There are many different iterations to choose from. Find the Kolar Arms Max Skeet firearm that is right for you by going to Kolar’s website. https://www.kolararms.com/
About Kolar Arms
Kolar Arms of Racine, Wisconsin has been producing its quality line of American made skeet, sporting and trap shotguns since 1996. Kolar is the world leader in the manufacture of its famous AAA sub-gauge inserts and competition shotgun services. Quality precision machined for a lifetime of performance. Proven performance balancing accuracy with intensity, artistry handcrafted art in the highest quality steel. Kolar… The mark of performance. The shooting experience you’ve been waiting for…
