First Responder Steel Challenge
Join us for our First Responder Steel Challenge Match, a special event honoring those that serve and protect! Network with fellow law enforcement, security, parole, sheriff, corrections, school resource, military and other professionals who serve and protect! Proceeds support the Lions Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) — a youth development program teaching firearm safety, marksmanship & leadership through competitive shooting sports.
SPONSORS PROVIDING PRIZES AND/OR TRAINING: 3M, Benchmade Knives, GT Targets, Mantis, PistolTraining.com, Rogers Shooting School, Safariland, Sig Sauer, Sinterfire, Tactical Performance Center, Vortex, Wiley X, 5.11 and more . . . stay tuned!
This is a Steel Challenge match, open to all shooters. A Steel Challenge Match is a type of action shooting competition where participants use handguns or rifles to engage a series of steel targets arranged in specific stage layouts. The sport is designed to test speed, accuracy, and consistency.
Format: Each match consists of several standardized stages, each with 5 steel targets (four primary plates and one "stop plate"). The stop plate ends the timer for each run. You can see/download diagrams of our match stages by clicking on "Stages" button below.
Scoring: Competitors shoot each stage multiple times (called "strings"), and their fastest times are recorded. The lowest total time across all stages determines the winner.
Divisions: Matches include different equipment divisions (such as rimfire pistol, centerfire pistol, rimfire rifle, and pistol-caliber carbine), so shooters of all ages and skill levels can compete fairly. Most duty pistols fall into the "Production" or "Carry Optic" division and are very popular in Steel Challenge.
Appeal: Unlike other shooting sports, Steel Challenge uses fixed target setups, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced competitors. The immediate feedback of hitting steel targets (with an audible “ping”) adds excitement and makes the sport spectator-friendly.
In short, a Steel Challenge Match is a fast-paced, family-friendly shooting competition focused on speed and precision against steel targets.
Whether you are a competitive shooter or new to the sport, this is a great opportunity to test your speed and accuracy while supporting youth shooting sports in our community. Our experienced range officers will offer friendly coaching and tips to new action steel shooters - learn more about Steel Challenge here - https://youtu.be/NR1uH1Ro4ZA?si=23kHnCBvuDgzR0dU Contact us about joining us our practice at Factoryville Sportsmen's Club most Thursdays over the summer leading up to the match.
We will be shooting 2 flights Friday (only staff/sponsors shoot Friday morning - may open to others upon requests), 2 flights Saturday and 1 flight Sunday morning. If match fills, we will open Sunday afternoon. You must register each gun separately. Lost brass match.
4 Stages (SMOKE & HOPE, ROUNDABOUT, PENDULUM and FIVE TO GO) - Maximum 2 guns per flight
General Fee -1st Gun - $40 - 2nd Gun $10
***First Responder Fee (Must Provide Agency/Unit Name) - $35 1st Gun - 2nd Gun $10
***First 20 certified LEO instructors to register a squad (2-4 shooters from the same agency) receive a Rogers Shooting School - Pistol Shooting - Self Defense - Tactical Training - DVD - https://rogersshootingschool.com/products/make-ready-pistol-video-with-bill-rogers
Tactical Performance Center will offer 4 FREE CLINICS during the match on Saturday, Sept 26th. Those interested should register for a clinic separately. Space is limited to 18 shooters per clinic. Any match attendee will be welcome to observe the clinic.
*Match Jersey Available (link will be emailed and/or posted here when available).
All Steel Challenge Divisions Recognized - Medals will be awarded for each division and category. Medals will be based on the number of entries (i.e. up to 10 entries - 1st; 20 entries - 2nd; 30 entries - 3rd).
SPECIAL EXCLUSIVE PRIZES for full-time First Responders and First Responder Squads (2-4 Shooters from same agency shooting same in same firearm division: Production, Carry Optic and PCC - basically duty guns)
***Prizes include optics, eye pro, ear pro, rimfire, centerfire ammunition, 5.11 gear, free pro training/classes, etc.***
SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept 25, 2026
7:00 AM Gates Open
7:15 AM – 7:45 AM Check-In
8:00 AM – 11:30 Staff/Sponsors Shoot
11:30 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 5:00 Staff/Sponsors Shoot
Saturday, Sept 26,, 2026
7:00 AM Gates Open
7:15 AM – 7:45 AM Check-In
8:00 AM – 11:30 Main Match AM Session
11:30 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch - ***Special Free Clinic for all attendees at 10am, Noon, 2pm & 4pm
1:00 - 4:30PM – 5:00 Main Match PM Session
Sunday, Sept 27, 2026
7:00 AM gates Open
7:15 AM – 7:45 AM Check-In
8:00 AM – 11:30 Main Match AM Session
11:30 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
Final Scores and Awards tabulated and posted by 5pm.
Food will be for sale on site including a BBQ Chicken lunch.
Hotel information:
Spark by Hilton - https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/avpcspe-spark-clarks-summit/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-PE-AVPCSPE&y_source=1_MTAzMTQxNDE2Ni03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D
Hampton Inn Clarks Summit - https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/scrpahx-hampton-clarks-summit/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-HX-SCRPAHX&y_source=1_MjA4NTIwOC03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D
Certified NRA/USPSA-Steel Challenge Range Officers & LEO Instructors contact [email protected] to receive information about volunteering as an RO and shooting match for free.
Come shoot steel, honor your fellow first responders, and help us grow the next generation of safe and responsible shooters!
Contact Match Director at (570) 309-8968 or [email protected] for more information.