Competition Shooter Profile - Brian Lawson

Photo by Oleg Volk

Name:  Brian Lawson
Home State:  Washington
Years Shooting:  22
Years Competing:  3
Competition Types:  Rimfire Challenge, Speed Steel, Trap, IDPA

Notable Awards and Competition Placements:
21st Overall 2015 Rimfire Challenge World Championship
4th Overall 2015 Pacific Northwest Speed Championship
15th Overall 2015 NSSF Idaho Rimfire Challenge NW Championship

NSSF Rimfire Challenge Class Preference:  OPEN!

Gear Rundown:
Pistol – Ruger Mark III Frame with 22/45 LITE Upper “MKIII LITE”
Striplin Custom 90° C-More Mount
16MOA C-More Aluminum Railway
TandemKross Game Changer Compensator
TandemKross Titanium Firing Pin
TandemKross Tool Steel Extractor
TandemKross LCI Replacement Panel
Volquartsen Sear
Volquartsen Hammer
Polished Internals

Photo by Oleg Volk

Rifle – Ruger 10/22 Superlite
Tactical Solutions SB-X Barrel
Striplin Custom 90° C-More Mount
12MOA C-More Aluminum Railway
KIDD Single Stage Trigger
KIDD CNC Bolt
KIDD Buffer
BlackHawk! Knoxx Axiom Stock
JWH Custom Charging Handle
Raven Oversized Trigger Group Pins
TandemKross Titanium Takedown Knob
TandemKross 10/22 Mag Bumpers

Ammunition Preference:  CCI Standard Velocity

Sponsors:  TandemKross / Striplin Custom Gunworks

Please describe yourself in 200 words or less.
I was Active Duty Army for 7+ years as an 11B, Infantry, from 2004 to 2011.  My 1st assignment was with the Honor Guard in Washington DC, performing funerals in Arlington National Cemetery.  I was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008-09, and medically retired from the Army in 2011 out of Fort Bliss, TX.  When I got back to Whidbey Island, I set the video game controller down and hit the range often.  I stumbled across Speed Steel and have been hooked ever since, chronicling my adventures via YouTube as “Lawson11b”.  In November 2015 I will be 3 years free of video games. Shooting matches, cleaning equipment, and becoming a gunsmith fills my days and makes me happy.

Do you enjoy any other hobbies?  YouTube

How did you get started competing in Rimfire Challenge?  Stumbled across a match one day at the range and came to the next one. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Any advice you would like to give to new competitors just starting out with Rimfire Challenge?  Do not buy cheap optics, and buy a LOT of 22LR ammunition.  When it comes time to upgrade your guns, do your homework and read the reviews.  It will save you a lot of time, energy, and money.

How do you practice and prepare for competitions?  My small local matches I do not prepare for aside from confirming zero.  Bigger matches I tend to practice 4-7 days in a row shooting various stages with the help of a mentor.

Is there anything, or anyone, specific that helped you progress from a good competitor to a great competitor?  Yes, becoming sponsored by TandemKross greatly improved my game.  I also have a great mentor, Steve Mooney, who helps me practice for big matches.  We also carpool to the smaller, local matches as well.

What do you enjoy most about NSSF Rimfire Challenge competition?  The people, and the camaraderie.  Nicest group of people you’ll ever find.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize?  Bryan Haaker & Jake Wyman from TandemKross, Steve Mooney, Larry Davis, and Bruce Barchenger.

Want to know more about Brian?  Here are his social media sites.
Lawson11b Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lawson11bravo

Google+: www.google.com/+Lawson11b

YouTube Channel: www.YouTube.com/user/Lawson11b

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Lawson11b

Website: www.Lawson11b.com

Special thanks to Shooting Sports Photographer Oleg Volk.  http://olegvolk.net/blog/