Old IHMSA days

[Lee Martin]

I was talking with David Bradshaw the other day and it reminded me of some photos Ron Ricci sent a while back. Since there are a lot of silhouette shooters on the forum I thought there'd be interest in these:

1978 IHMSA Eastern Regionals at Camp Curtis Guild, Wakefield, MA. Left to right - David Bradshaw, Sig Himmelmann of United Sporting Arms, and Ron Ricci. Sig donated a Seville to be presented to the winner, David Bradshaw.



1978 IHMSA Internationals in Salina, KS. Left to Right - match Director Jack Parker, Vermont Director David Bradshaw, Jim McLellan who was the Marketing Director at Smith & Wesson, Sig Himmelmann from United Sporting Arms, Pennsylvania Director Bat Thomas, and Ron Ricci who was the Secretary Treasurer and Regional/State Director.



Hopefully David can provide more insight on those early days of clanking steel.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[bradshaw]

Lee,
Ron Ricci organized the best, certainly among the best, handgun silhouette matches ever. Ron was a tremendous regional director and spearheaded relations with handgun manufacturers, which helped lead to needed improvements.

Bill Ruger, Sr., and Warren Center showed up at Ricci IHMSA tournaments to get a first hand look at the game that was bringing discipline to the shooting of powerful handguns.

Ron Ricci directed the 1980 IHMSA International Championships, which held the first International Revolver Championship. And it was at Ricci matches where the Ruger "Silhouette Super" 10-1/2" .44 Super Blackhawk made its debut. And where the 7mm Thompson/Center Ugalde (7mmTCU) made its debut. As we know, both pistols immediately set about rewriting the record book.

Ron Ricci's Second Amendment work through GOAL (Gun Owners Action League) may be little known, but he plunged heavy into the odious task at a crucial time.

Bill Ruger and Warren Center each told me of the positive impression Ron Ricci made on them, and the excellent way he ran matches.

For the record,
David Bradshaw

[tjb]

I lived on Hudson st in Northboro Mass. when Goal was up the street from me. I won many matches with my 7TCU .I still take it to the range and it shootsjust as accurate as it did when I bought it.I miss those days at Camp Curtis.

[bradshaw]

Forgot to mention Dan Wesson, whom i believe checked in on Ron Ricci at Camp Curtis Guild. I did not meet Dan Wesson. Did meet, Seth Wesson, Dan's son. And Paul Brothers, whom worked on the extremely accurate .357 mag, .44 mag, and .357 Super Mag revolvers (along with .375 SM, .445 SM, etc.)

Point is, top handgun innovators came from Gun Alley for a first hand look at their products in action Camp Curtis Guild, and to acknowledge the contribution of disciplined marksmanship in conservation of the Second Amendment.
David Bradshaw

[Tx Gun Runner]

I remember those day well . BS around the campfire at night .

[reminisce]

imgur.com/NoVQHoW


Just a quick hello from a new member of the forum. This is Ron Ricci learning the ropes and having some fun with a drawing that will bring back some memories ! Thanks for the many accolades.

[princeout]

Welcome!

[reminisce]

Thanks

[bradshaw]

For those who haven’t met Ron Ricci.... Ron was in IHMSA (International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association, pronounced “im-sah”) before I was. Ron served as Region One Director, sat on the Executive Committee, and stands as one of the all-time great match directors. His matches attracted the likes of Dan Wesson of Dan Wesson Arms, Warren Center of Thompson/Center Arms, and Bill Ruger of Sturm, Ruger, to name a few. Thanks to Ron’s work with GOAL (Gun Owners Action League and meetings with the governor of Massachusetts, Camp Curtis Guild Nation Guard range became the site of the IHMSA 1980 International Championship, which included the first World Revolver Championship.

Ron Ricci’s matches inspired fierce competition, all the while indicative of the generous nature of sharpshooters to share knowledge and, for those in need, equipment. We had a saying back then to express that character; we called it “the Spirit of IHMSA.” Ron Ricci embodies that spirit.
David Bradshaw

[jsh]

David, that last paragraph is oh so true still today, but a lot thinner on the participation, sadly.
The very first match I ever attended, as a spectator, I stood back and watched with a great amount of interest. Everyone was busy, so I did not interrupt. A closed mouth gathers no foot, so I just watched.
Well my time as a spectator was short lived. Folks in between relays tried to get me to shoot, offering me guns, ammo and advice and giving up a spot on the line so I might give it a try.
All of the ones I shoot with now, were the same ones on that very first day. I shot as a non member of IHMSA for several years. A young family and all, money was real tight. Since I was non sanctioned, they cut me a break on fees.
Finally joined IHMSA, which lead to me joining the hosting club. That in turn got me involved a lot more in the club. I have been on the BOD since and ram rodded into several positions since.
I have not been to a lot of IHMSA ranges, maybe around 8-10 different ones. One thing that always amazes me is no matter which one I went to I was ALWAYS treated as family. There were never really any secrets. I don't know how many shoot offs I have been in and my spotter may be one I am up against, yet they always want one to do their best. It is a bunch of fine folks for sure.
Jeff

[cmh]

That sure sounds like alot of fun..... one of these days Im gonna have to find out if there are any shoots close to me.

[mhblaw]

I got into IHMSA in the late '70's, my membership number was 1444 as I recall. Lot of fun. Shot unlimited with an XP chambered for 7mm IHMSA shooting 140 gr. bullets. Shot production with a NMBH chambered in 41 Mag. Sold the XP but still have, and shoot, the 41.

[reminisce]

Well I started out with a thread in the lounge "Hello from Ron Ricci" but I believe this thread is more appropriate for my contribution. I have left a link of some photos from the !st Handgun Silhouette Match East of the Mississippi. It was in 1976. The story behind it was in an article from American Handgunner magazine. There is a link to it on the Hello from Ron Ricci thread for those that hadn't seen it.
The pictures on the link below are in no special order, hope you can decipher . a picture of spectators at the match along the fence, a picture of the late Bill Ruger talking with the late John Adams, a picture of 2 shooters, number 53 is Skip Clark a National Guardsman who actually won the match shooting his military issue 45acp which you can see it holstered in the photo, a photo of Skip being presented with 1 of 2 pistols that were prizes being presented by Bob Zwirz of Gun World magazine.The guys in the background were the hard working group that helped make that match happen and a picture of Skip holding his prizes and again the guys that made that match happen.

imgur.com/OUBJz3T, imgur.com/BcX4sNZ, imgur.com/quEspko, imgur.com/A1uBbjX, imgur.com/BHZ0Tzb, 

[mobjack]

It looks like Bill Ruger and John Adams were looking at a 357 or 44 Auto Mag.

Mobjack

[reminisce]

Yes it is.