April 2026

You were wild!

I’m so late getting this update out. To say life has been hectic is an understatement. Though this time of year is always busy for me, life is particularly so at the moment. Easter, birthdays, concert performances, and visiting family, along with NRA Annual Meetings, my first Action Pistol majors of the season, filming with Guns & Ammo TV, and storm damage, yeah, I’m still catching up. I have no idea how I would function without a calendar and checklists right now.

NRAAM

The last time I attended the organization's convention was before COVID. I took a long break from big public gatherings due to my daughter’s compromised immune system. Like most things post-pandemic, there have been changes. The NRA leadership and vibe are different from when I last attended. I’m wearing new colors, too.

I’ve never been to one of Springfield Armory’s booth parties at NRA. I’ve heard about them, but nothing could really prepare me for experiencing one. I’ve only been with this awesome company for 6 months, and they trusted me to host this extravaganza. What an honor! At the same time, no pressure, right?

I have some experience with public speaking and as an emcee for awards ceremonies, but this? This was intense! Standing up on the elevated stage, presenting each firearm and announcing the winners to the huge crowd… the energy was just incredible. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect with all the Springfield Armory fans and share our products.

Talk about a crowd! If you zoom in right under the flashlight on the Echelon on the HUGE screen, you can see yours truly getting ready to go.

Also at NRA, I had several interviews, one of which has aired (see below). It’s always great to chat with John Scoutten about shooting sports and see how he’s carrying on the Shooting USA legacy…

Louisiana State & The Crawfish Cup

It just so happened to work out with NRAAM in Houston, I extended my trip to nearby Lake Charles, LA, for the first Action Pistol Matches of the season. It was the perfect way to decompress with dedicated trigger time.

Though I’ve dabbled in Production and Metallic in Action Pistol, I’ve mostly competed in the Open Division. There are 2 main reasons. First, I very much wish to shoot a 1920 in a major match. That’s a perfect score, and something few people shoot. No woman has achieved it at the Bianchi Cup. Open guns are purpose-built to give you an edge in each course of fire. It’s nice to use every advantage you can get. The second reason is that women also compete heads up, regardless of division. So, to claim the women’s overall title, the odds are greater competing in Open.

Heading into this competition season, I am having an Open Division pistol built by an absolute all-star. It’s just not ready yet. I’m not mad about it one bit. Shooting Production Optics last season has me appreciating this division and the challenge. I’m genuinely enjoying the pivot, and I have a personal goal to shoot a Master Class score in Production Optics. It will be extra special to do it with affordable gear.

I went into these matches ready to shoot my Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5F with Trijicon SRO and Federal Gold Medal Action Pistol. I trained with it for the first half of the week, and I also brought my 4.0FC as a backup. One afternoon, after a good day of training and considering the last time I shot the 4.0FC was at the US Steel Nationals with 150 gr Syntech, I figured I ought to check the zero with the 147s. I was so impressed with the accuracy that I shot it on the Moving Target and Barricades. I like it so much, it’s now my primary.

One of the reasons I chose the 4.0FC for Steel Challenge is how well the gun drives from target to target. Transitions in Action Pistol aren’t speedy considering the time limits, but I still appreciate the slide’s cycle speed and barrel lock time for this sport. I’m not shooting the softest loads either, but the reliability and aiming points for leading the target on the Mover feel so good. I’ve even cleaned the Moving Target several times in practice.

Realistic goals are important. I view the Louisiana State and Crawfish Cup Regional as events to help me determine what I need to work on before the CMP Bianchi Cup. I’m pleased that I placed 3rd among the women for both matches, and that’s with a Production Optics gun. I have a list of things to work on so that I can shoot the best score possible for me.

In between training and competing, I also brought my cameras and computer to showcase the sport and the people in it. Action Pistol is a great gateway for USPSA and IDPA, and also a way to improve your ability to shoot accurately on demand with whatever pistol you choose. This week, I’ve started sharing 10 short videos on CMP Action Pistol that I hope will encourage others to give it a try. Here’s the first one I shared as a “note,” and the rest are up on my Instagram & YouTube Channel.

Tornado Turmoil

While in Louisiana, severe weather hit home. Our town even experienced an EF0 tornado. Ahem… Zero?

That big goose egg after the “EF” makes it sound insignificant. I can assure you it is not. While officially “only” an EF0, it sure seemed like something more than a zero for quite a few people. As for our property, we experienced strong winds that began at the wood line with fallen trees, before flipping our trailer, and flattening our fenceline.

First and foremost… Thank the Lord no one was hurt! A little property damage is inconvenient, and I’ll take split trees, tipped trailers, and fallen fences over injuries, death, and serious damage, always. Storm after storm made the ground too soft to do much clean up, but we finally managed to right the trailer. For the record, trailer tipping is stressful business. Amazingly, other than some cosmetic damage, it appears to be fine, though it’s now at a shop to be sure.

New Skill Unlocked: Trailer Tipping

Guns & Ammo TV

With just a couple of days home, I hit the road again to spend time at Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club to film with Guns & Ammo TV. I’ve known hosts James Tarr and Patrick Sweeney for many years, and it was great to reunite with them and walk them through Action Pistol courses of fire. I’ll be sure to share the results as soon as those go live, too. Between the CMP series and G&A’s expert storytelling and camera crew skills, I hope it inspires more people to hit the range.

On the range with Guns & Ammo TV and Jim Tarr. Photo courtesy of Patrick Sweeney.

What else…

I’ve had zero time to write this month. That explains my tardiness with this update, and also no progress on my book either. I’m looking forward to a bit of downtime in June to get back to it.

Reading bit by bit before bed, I just finished this (Amazon Affiliate Link). It’s a memoir of Walter J. Ciszek, a priest who endured twenty-three years in Russia as a prisoner and an accused spy. I’m so glad I read it.

Last but certainly not least, my warm wishes go out to all the mothers and mom-figures in our lives this Sunday. I’m so grateful my mom is still with us. My cheerleader and sounding board, she’s always in my corner and taught me so much about being a mother myself. Thanks, Mom, and Happy Mother’s Day!

Until the next one… and, wish me luck!
Julie