Webster’s dictionary defines tactics as: “the art or skill of employing available means to accomplish an end.” Shooting “tactics” are simply procedures designed to position you to make an effective shot. Your tactics can be outstanding; however, they are wasted if you cannot quickly and accurately hit your target when you get in position.
So how does Steel Challenge improve tactical performance? If you are going to do well in Steel Challenge, you must be able to rapidly perform several critical shooting skills. Among these are:
-- Maintain your sight alignment. Steel Challenge uses three targets: a 10-inch plate, a 12-inch plate, and a 24 x 36-inch square or gong. These targets are placed at distances ranging from seven to thirty-five yards. As a result, you absolutely must be able to maintain sight alignment as you fire the shot or you will miss the target.
-- Call your shots. Depending upon where you hit it, Steel Challenge targets typically ring when they are struck. However, if you wait to hear your shot’s “ring” before you move on to the next target, you will never be particularly fast in Steel Challenge stages. You must cultivate your ability to call your shots and see what you need to see as the shot breaks so you can move on.
-- Rapid and precise transitions between targets. Steel Challenge stages typically require four to fifteen feet transitions between targets. Any over or under transition will eat time as you try to reset for a make-up shot.
Steel Challenge scoring is unforgiving; you either hit the target or you do not. There are no “points down” like in IDPA matches nor are there any points earned for almost hitting the “A” or “B” zone like you find in USPSA scoring. The clock is ticking from the moment the timer starts until you fire the last shot that hits the stop plate.
There were three members of a local police department’s SWAT team on my squad for a recent Steel Challenge match. I always appreciate having police officers in any type of competition match. Their participation demonstrates a commitment to improving marksmanship skills beyond what their agency typically requires. One of SWAT officers remarked before the match that they expected to get “smoked” by a bunch of old guys pushing baby strollers around.* Although they shot fairly well – that was pretty much the case.
The officers all shot the match with their duty pistols in level three retention holsters. Two officers had authorized, personally purchased Staccato P 2011 pistols in 9mm while the other officer used his issue Glock 17 9mm with modifications. All pistols had Trijicon RMR dot optics and lights installed.
I asked the officers why they were participating in the Steel Challenge match. All responded that they were interested in improving their duty pistols shooting skills because they were preparing for the 2025 Texas Tactical Police Officer's Association SWAT team competition.
These three SWAT officers did well in the match with one turning in a solid “B” classification for the match and the other two turning in mid-level “C” performances. By way of comparison, B class in Steel Challenge is the general equivalent to a solid high Expert in IDPA and C class would be a very high IDPA Sharpshooter.
This performance is much better than the typical police officers that I have observed shooting in competition over the years and I suspect well above the average patrol officer’s skill level. Great job guys and I hope you do well in the SWAT team competition.
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* Most regular competitors use collapsible wagons or used bob jogging strollers (or similar brands) modified to haul their firearms and ammunition between stages during a match.
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