CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Jonathan Shue, 43, of Liberty, NC, managed to claim an overall win in the 2024 GSSF GLOCK National Challenge Stock category, though not by much.
The 2024 GSSF GLOCK National Challenge included four different categories, based on pistol type: Stock, Unlimited, Rimfire and MOS (Modular Optic System). The event was open to both adults and juniors of any skill level and saw over 200 entries throughout the July 20th day.
“GLOCK donated six pistols to be awarded during the CMP Pistol Matches, and we are very thankful for their continued support,” said Christie Sewell, CMP Chief Programs Officer. “Not only do they support events at Camp Perry, but they are also our top sponsor at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park, and we are very grateful for the growing relationship between our organizations.”
Despite his outstanding score of 500-47X, Shue was one of three perfect 500 scores in the class – clearing his victory by just one x-shot over second place competitor, Jack Ragsdale.
Ragsdale, 66, of Lumberton, MS, not only fired a perfect 500 in the Stock class but amazingly reached the same score in the Unlimited class, which yielded two additional 500s. He went on to fire a third 500 within the MOS class, which produced an astounding set of five perfect scores overall.
Ragsdale even tied Michael Gasser, 41, of Blythewood, SC, with a score 500-46X in the Unlimited category. Just for fun, a coin toss at the National Trophy Pistol Awards Ceremony determined the fate of the gentlemen – with the winner named the victor of the match. After a quick flip by Bob Radecki, GLOCK’s National Sales Manager, a correct “heads” call on stage by Michael Gasser sealed his win and a certificate for a GLOCK pistol.
Other leading competitors of the 2024 GSSF GLOCK National Challenge were Steven Pardieck, 41, of New Palestine, IN, who earned the Rimfire win with a score of 498-39X, and Andrew Whelan, 41, of Williamsport, PA, who was the overall winner of the MOS category with a score of 500-45X.
“Every year, we’ve had someone shoot a perfect score,” said Chris Edwards, a GLOCK instructor for over 25 years.
“All of our pistols will shoot a perfect score, although you can’t tell from my shooting out there,” he joked.
Edwards has spent more than 30 years at GLOCK and was an essential figure in the creation of the GSSF (Glock Sport Shooting Federation) back in 1991. Though the outdoor GSSF-style matches are designed with more of an action pistol course of fire, with three stages of challenging target configurations, the GSSF GLOCK Challenge at the National Matches is set up like GLOCK’s indoor leagues – with static targets from 5, 7, 10, 15 and 25 yards, all in rapid-fire sequences.
Those who own GLOCKS are welcome to fire their own pistols at the Camp Perry event, while GLOCK provides a variety of pistols for those needing one loaned for the match. It’s truly a competition fit for any type of individual.
“I hadn’t shot a pistol since the Small Arms Firing School the year prior, and I wanted to go over the motions of using the GLOCK before the match started,” said Jennifer Green, who decided to take a break from her role within the CMP’s Communications Department to compete in the match. “The friendly staff explained, demonstrated and allowed me to practice on a cleared pistol so I was comfortable with it before the competition started.”
Green also made note of her fellow competitors near her on the firing line – remarking on their kindness and willingness to offer their assistance when she needed guidance on loading magazines as well as when she had questions about scoring or other match elements. Their patience provided her comfort and made the competition even more enjoyable.
“It was definitely a fun match for a beginner or novice like myself, and I would do it again next year!” she said.
The match has been part of the annual National Matches schedule at the Camp Perry National Guard Training Site since 2017 and is an excellent introduction to the spectrum of GLOCK pistols and its growing field of GSSF events.
“Camp Perry is one of the oldest and most revered matches in target shooting history,” Edwards said. “This event gets us a connection with serious marksmen and markswomen as well as with the military services. Usually, they’re shooting something else on base and then come sprinting over here before we close.”
“Anybody can have a good time at a GSSF Match, from a novice to top shooters from the disciplines here. It’s just a fun match,” Bob Radecki added.
Radecki secured nearly two decades and over 17 million pistol sales during his tenure with GLOCK – the most successful sales manager in company history. Both he and Edwards took to the firing line during the GLOCK Challenge for the last time at the 2024 National Matches, with both men retiring at the end of this year.
They’ve been valuable associates in the partnership between GLOCK and the CMP for several years and plan to continue their relationship with each organization even after their retirements.
Radecki is looking forward to getting back to some of his hobbies, like fishing, hunting and firing his revolver, as well as spending time at CMP’s Talladega Marksmanship Park in Alabama in a more recreational capacity rather than through GLOCK’s many events held at the facility throughout the year.
“It’s a good way to spend a whole day,” he said with a smile. “Get there when it opens, and go home when it closes, and have a good day of shooting.”
As for Edwards, he may get back to his love of writing and spending some quality time with another love in his life.
“I owe my wife some travel time,” he joked.
“We’re going to continue shooting in different venues,” Edwards went on. “And we hope the GLOCK Match at the National Matches continues. We at GLOCK are certainly going to continue our relationship with the Civilian Marksmanship Program.”
Jim Henderson, CMP’s Pistol Manager, spoke on behalf of the organization on the retirement of Radecki and Edwards – praising their contributions to the marksmanship community by saying, “Thank you for your decades of devotion to growing the shooting sports! Your involvement and generosity have not only increased participation at the National Matches but has expanded the entire sport of pistol shooting! Your presence will be missed. Thank you, again!”
For a complete list of results of the 2024 National Trophy Pistol Matches & National CMP Pistol Championships, visit https://ct.thecmp.org/24NMPistolResults. Photos of all events of the 2024 National Matches may be viewed and downloaded for free at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/f456222492.
– – – Ashley Dugan, CMP Staff Writer
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.
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