Ruger Sponsors Shooting Team

Ruger has announced that they will be sponsoring a shooting team. The official announcement is below but their PR Manager, Paul Pluff, let the cat out of the bag on Sunday on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk radio show. One of the things he noted on the show was Ruger's interest in developing up and coming junior shooters. Given Pluff's service on the Board of Directors of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, he has seen many of these juniors in action.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is proud to announce the launch of its professional shooting team. This move marks Ruger's formal debut in the competitive shooting sports arena. Leading this team is newly signed world champion shooter Doug Koenig and more shooters will be announced in the coming weeks.

"We are very excited to introduce Team Ruger, and particularly with a shooter of Doug Koenig's caliber at the helm," said Chris Killoy, Ruger's President and CEO. "Doug is an outstanding addition to the Ruger team, bringing both a winning attitude and a true passion for growing the shooting and outdoor sports to the team."

In addition to serving as Team Ruger's Captain, Doug will also represent the Company as an official Brand Ambassador. Highly regarded for his talents, Doug is an athlete, lifelong hunter and world champion professional shooter. Doug began shooting competitively at the age of 17, winning both regional and national competitions. Since turning Pro in 1990, he has shot a perfect score of 1920 an unprecedented 17 times at the NRA Bianchi Cup. As he approaches his 31st year competing, this 18-time Bianchi Cup Champion's wins include more than 70 National and 10 World titles.

"I am thrilled to join Team Ruger and partner with such an iconic brand in our industry," said Koenig. "Ruger's depth and breadth of products is a perfect fit for both my competitive shooting and hunting endeavors," he concluded.

Doug also hosts his own TV show, "Doug Koenig's Championship Season," where Ruger is now the Presenting Sponsor. Each week, the show features a gritty combination of fast-paced shooting competition and wild hunting adventure - all with rugged, reliable Ruger® firearms.

Media and team inquiries should be directed to Paul Pluff, Public Relations Manager and coordinator for the new shooting team.

Getting Doug Koenig from Smith & Wesson is a coup for Ruger. Not only is a coup but it indicates the seriousness with which they are embarking on this new endeavor. Someone with the stature of a Doug Koenig is not going to switch teams on a whim and he had to be assured Ruger was serious about it. I would not be surprised to see a "Doug Koenig Special" 1911 being released down the road.

From what I understand, the rest of the Ruger shooting team will be introduced at the SHOT Show. It will be interesting to see who all is on the team in addition to team captain Doug Koenig.

One Shot Draw Drills

Enough with the political stuff! Here is something interesting that you can use at the range if they allow you draw from a holster. While most indoor ranges forbid it, you could do it at an outdoor range in most places.

In this training video from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig demonstrates how he uses a one shot draw drill to speed up his response time for steel challenge competitions. He notes that he first starts out doing the drill at home with dry-fire practice. That is something everyone could do regardless of what his or her favorite range allows.

Good Advice From Doug Koenig On New Shooters

The National Shooting Sports Foundation released another of their training videos featuring Doug Koenig. Unlike the others which dealt with improving your shooting, this one was dedicated to the proper ways to introduce new shooters to the sport. The video features both Doug and his son Trevor.

Doug suggests starting out with air rifles for absolute new comers and with rimfire for those slightly more experienced. Above all else, you don't want to overwhelm the new shooter with a "hand cannon". He makes good points about the use of reactive targets as a way to keep things interesting.

Stage Planning For Steel Challenge With Doug Koenig

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has released another of its pistol training videos featuring champion shooter Doug Koenig. In this video, Koenig discusses how he approaches shooting a five-plate set-up. He also discusses alternatives to his way of shooting including one that is used successively by Max Michel. As Koenig makes clear, you need to take the approach that you feel most comfortable with shooting.

Building Speed By Pushing Your Limits

In the latest training tips video from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig discusses how to build your speed as a competitive shooter. He suggests having a timer and then begin to push your limits. When your performance starts to suffer - larger groups, missed targets, etc. - back off a bit and start to work at that speed. Eventually, your groups will tighten and your speed will increase.

Doug Koenig - The Hands Will Follow The Eyes

In the next installment of pistol training tips from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig discusses transitioning from one target to another. The key is to switch your eyes to the new target and your hands and body will follow suit.

I learned this technique in a training class with Brian Searcy of TigerSwan. It works. If you move your pistol to the new target before your eyes, you will overshoot the target and have to come back. If you just move your eyes first, your hands and the pistol will lock on to the target and not overshoot it.

Doug Koenig On Speed Drills

Doug Koenig discusses shooting for speed in the latest of his NSSF shooting tips videos. He discusses grip, the double tap, and the Bill Drill. It is short and simple video but packs a lot of info.

Doug Koenig On Speeding Up Your Draw

In the latest training video from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig discusses how he approaches drawing his pistol from his holster for faster times in competition. Of course, being able to quickly draw your pistol smoothly and quickly get on target would also help in a self-defense situation.

Doug Koenig On Precision Pistol Shooting

In another of the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Shooting Sportcast, champion pistol shooter Doug Koenig discusses how he approaches precision pistol or bullseye shooting events. He discusses how to adjust your stance, the one-handed grip, grip tension, dry fire practice, and building muscle memory.

Tips On Weak Hand Shooting With Doug Koenig

In another of the training segments produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig discusses how to properly shoot with your weak - or non-dominant - hand. He shows how to properly transition the pistol from the holster to your weak hand. If you are shooting a 1911, he says it should have an ambidextrous safety so that the pistol is on safe as you make the transition.

Doug makes the point that you should practice this at home by doing dry fire practice before you do it with live ammo at the range. He notes that after a few transition cycles you will start to get comfortable with it.

Doug Koenig - Using Video to Improve Shooting

Doug Koenig has done a number of short training videos for the National Shooting Sports Foundation on how to be a better pistol shooter. His latest is on the use of video to spot the flaws. He suggests having a friend video you as you practice.

Doug Koenig - Finding Out What Works For You

In another of his fine videos for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig discusses finding out what works for you. Doug notes that everyone is a little different in terms of physicality, strength, and balance.

He uses himself as an example. When he first started shooting the Bianchi Cup, he was advised to use a revolver. That is fine except he was an auto guy. After a few years, he decided to go back to his auto which was the right move for him as he has now won 13 Bianchi Cups.

Practice Dos And Don'ts From Doug Koenig

In his most recent video for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug Koenig goes over the dos and don'ts for successful practice sessions. Given most people have the goal of becoming a better shooter, Koenig says go in with a game plan on what you want to work on. Moreover, he says to stretch yourself and do hard stuff. No one ever got better by only doing the easy stuff.

Good Advice Even If You Aren't A Competitor

The NSSF is out with a new Doug Koenig video on handgun shooting. Goal setting is an important part of getting better. While much of what he is saying applies to competition, it can apply equally well to practicing for self-defense. If you go to the range just to blast away, you are plinking. But if you go with a goal in mind and certain skills you want to work on, that is practicing.

Doug Koenig On The Importance Of That First Shot

In the latest video on pistol shooting from the NSSF, Doug Koenig discusses the importance of making that first shot in competition. I think you could extrapolate from here into self-defense though he doesn't say it.

Doug Koenig On Dry Fire Practice

In another one of his shooting segments for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, champion shooter Doug Koenig discusses the importance of dry fire practice. I especially like his suggestion that those who carry concealed should practice with their cover garments. This just makes sense as does his comment that we all have 10 minutes a day we could devote to dry fire. I know I personally need to make it a daily habit.

Sight Picture And Sight Alignment With Doug Koenig

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has released another training tip video featuring champion shooter Doug Koenig. In this video, Doug discusses both sight alignment and sight picture. The nice thing about his videos is how well he simplifies things. I really like his discussion on sight picture and how the right one to use is up to you.

Straight Pull For Straight Shooting

In another of the NSSF's training tip videos, Doug Koenig discusses proper trigger control and how to integrate it into your dry fire practice.

Koenig On Grip

Doug Koenig knows a thing or two about pistol shooting. In this video for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Doug talks about what he considers the proper grip for shooting.

Doug Koenig On Shooting Stance

The NSSF just released this video featuring 13-time Bianchi Cup winner Doug Koenig. I'd say his 13 Bianchi Cups qualify him to say what works in the way of a shooting stance!