When Armscor’s John McClain stepped onto the range in South Africa for the IPSC Handgun World Shoot, he carried more than a firearm—he carried a first.
“A guy came up to me and said that I made history,” John said. “It was the first time that the 5.0E had been used in a world shoot, and I was the one using it”
The IPSC Handgun World Shoot isn’t just another match—it’s the pinnacle of competitive shooting, where the world’s best test their skill, consistency and mental discipline.
This year’s competition brought 1,600 shooters from 76 countries, each earning their way onto the world stage. For John, it was an opportunity to put both his experience and the RIA 5.0E to the ultimate test. Let's see how it started
The Road to south africa
Before John could even think about performance, he had to tackle the complex process of competing internationally with firearms. Traveling with guns and ammunition meant navigating foreign laws, detailed paperwork, and endless patience.
“You have to make sure that you’re educated and up to date with the current laws,” he said. “Overprepare—if you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late."
That means having multiple copies of paperwork ready to hand over whenever you're asked and being respectful to everyone you come across.
John submitted his South African firearm permit months in advance, waited weeks for approval, and faced plenty of red tape along the way. Even after arriving, he said flexibility was key.
“Don’t let your ego get in the way,” he said. “If someone gives you resistance, that’s not the person to unload on. You’re in their country—you’re following their laws.”
After months of travel preparation, hours of customs inspections, and an entire playbook of patience, he was finally ready to compete—with his RIA 5.0E in hand and his family cheering from the sidelines.
The Competition Experience
Over six days, John faced 30 stages and fired nearly 700 rounds. Despite juggling a packed work schedule and limited training time before the match, he delivered an impressive performance.
"Thirty stages over six days, and I only had one miss and one No Shoot Penalty," John said. "That's something I'm pretty proud of."
That accuracy placed him 36th out of more than 400 competitors in the production division—an achievement most shooters can only dream of. But John’s perfectionism drives him to keep improving.
When asked what made the biggest difference, John pointed to how IPSC matches emphasize precision over speed.
“They pride themselves on making you earn every shot,” he said. “It’s controlled chaos—how do you manage yourself in it?”
Lessons from the range
The 2025 IPSC World Shoot wasn’t just about competition—it was about adaptation. Between limited training, unfamiliar ammo, and match-day pressure, John learned to trust his instincts and his equipment.
“There was some blind trust that had to take place,” John said. “The 5.0E ran fantastic—with only one malfunction, and I think that was ammo related."
Shooting with match-provided ammunition was a leap of faith—one that reinforced his belief in both preparation and adaptability. The experience also reshaped how he trains.
“Don’t box yourself in,” John said. “Always be willing to roll with the punches and train for every possible contingency."
It’s a mindset that goes beyond competition. For John, every run on the range, every malfunction, and every decision under pressure contributes to mastery.
The Next Challenge: Italy 2029
After weeks of travel, six days of shooting, and one unforgettable experience, John’s already looking forward.
“Now I get to start focusing on the next World Shoot,” he said. “It’s taking place in Italy in four years—and that journey starts now.”
The work begins immediately—planning matches, refining technique, and striving for the podium. Because for John, competition isn’t about one event. It’s about evolution.
“You can’t worry about the match that’s done,” he said. “You just have to focus on the next one on the horizon.”
As John looks ahead to Italy, he carries the same spirit that defines Armscor—driven by precision, reliability, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.
Interested in John's World Shoot Handgun?
