Competitors regularly score impressive hits at Red Cliffs’ bi-monthly Fun Shoots—with bullets and one-liners. “Think and aim and fire,” says Bruce Furr, who started organizing the matches in 2016. But that advice also applies to the constant bantering between stages. Larry Bruley steps to the line. Because he’s first up, he’s an easy target. Jim Valois engages first. “If there are early misses, can we heckle the shooter?” Bruley knows the unofficial rules, and replies, “I would.” Nothing is off-limits, including gear.

Bruley has an extended mag on his belt, and Furr can’t resist. “He’s using it for ballast.” Today’s match uses the specifications for the FBI qualification course. Bruley has a clean run until he misses once at the 25-yard line. “I can’t believe it.” “You better start believing it,” Furr says. Bruley gets his revenge—he ties Furr as the day’s top shooter.

There are no trophies or other prizes, but everybody has the chance to leave with something more valuable. “The underlying mission is to teach combat pistol,” Furr says. “It’s designed to improve concealed-carry skills.” If anyone has less-than-desirable technique, such as putting the support thumb on top of the dominant one while depressing a 1911 safety, Furr suggests ways to improve. He directs the unraveling of that grip and re-positions the user’s hands to get more strong-side meat on the pistol.

Once the main event ends, everybody takes turns on the plate rack, with varying results. The needling continues. Furr says to Valois, “Let me give you a hint about shooting steel: You gotta hit ‘em to knock ‘em down.” “Getting some pearls of wisdom from Bruce,” the recipient replies. Later, Valois admits he got fooled initially by Furr’s deadpan delivery. “I thought he was being sincere,” says Valois, who offers some guidance about deploying sarcasm. “Judge your audience,” he says. “Some people are more tolerant of ribbing.”

First-timers at a Fun Shoot don’t have anything to fear: I didn’t get painted by anyone’s radar until my second match, when Bruley jabs me at the dreaded 25-yard line. But then, I knew that I’d been accepted as one of the regulars. Along with a sense of humor, bring your patriotism. The American flag is always displayed, and each match begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.

Any pistol will work, even .22s. On this day, 9mm with a red-dot is the favorite, but a couple of dinosaurs still have irons on .45 ACPs. Fun Shoots are held on the second and fourth Saturdays at 8 a.m. during the range’s summer hours, May 1 to Sept. 30, and 10 a.m. with the transition to winter, Oct. 1 to April 30. Cost is $10. Check in at the main clubhouse.

Always visit the range’s website on the morning of the event to make sure that there hasn’t been a cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Any questions? Call Larry Bruley, 760.447.6969 or Bruce Furr, 435.429.1720. by Kevin Foster Cox