Imagine squeezing off a shot at a target nearly 80 yards away — not with a rifle, but with a 9mm carbine. Now imagine doing it while jet-lagged, surrounded by international competitors and representing your country on the world stage. That was the challenge at International Practical Shooting Confederation's (IPSC) PCC/Mini Rifle World Shoot in the Czech Republic.
For veteran shooter John McClain, representing Team USA at the inaugural PCC/Mini Rifle World Shoot wasn’t just a competition — it was a complete mental, physical and logistical marathon.
Let’s break down what made this match so unique—and how one U.S. shooter pushed through setbacks to bring home gold.
Preparation: Time Zones and Paper Trails
Getting to the Czech Republic wasn’t just about boarding a plane—it was about preparing mind, body, and paperwork for a new level of competition.
“It was me just trying to make slight adjustments so that when I landed, there wasn't a lot of jet lag," explained John.
John tried adjusting his sleep schedule before he even left the States — setting early alarms, shifting his body clock and doing his best to be competition-ready when he hit the ground.
And then there was the red tape.
Unlike domestic travel, flying with firearms to the Czech Republic meant securing approval from U.S. customs, the Czech embassy, and the local police upon arrival — complete with serial number checks and ammo counts.
U.S. Vs. International Competition
What works on a U.S. range doesn’t always fly at an IPSC match. In fact, many of the course setups and shooting expectations in the Czech Republic were entirely different.
“Here in the States, you could shoot a 32-round course in 16 seconds. Over there? It might take you 30," John explained.
Accuracy took priority over speed. While American matches reward aggressive pacing, IPSC events stretch the course, increase movement, and make you earn every point.
“The longest shot in the match was 80 meters. You had to be calm but still compete against the clock," said John.
The distances weren’t the only challenge—swinging targets at 50 meters forced competitors to “ambush” the shot based on bullet travel time.
“You had to lead the target a little bit, which is not something we usually train for in the States," he explained.
Pressure, Performance & Teamwork
Representing your country brings pride — but also pressure. And that pressure hit hard on day one.
“I had a very bad day... three or four penalties. I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to perform," he said.
After a difficult start, John had the rare advantage of a scheduled rest day. He used it for a mental reset — reflecting on why he was feeling off.
“I realized I was trying to ‘shoot good’ instead of just shooting,” he said, explaining that after he realized that, he got back in his groove.
Rather than panic about being 60 points behind his competitor, he recalibrated his mindset, so he wasn't overwhelming himself.
“I don’t need to make up 60 points. I just need to make up 15 to 20 a day," he reminded himself.
That consistency paid off. By match end, the U.S. PCC Iron Sights team, which John was on, finished with 250 points ahead, and John himself overcame his deficit to finish 30 points ahead of the shooter he’d been trailing.
Trusted Gear
Even when the pressure was on and the targets were distant, John never had to question one part of his setup—his ammo.
“I saw some of the best grouping and accuracy out of the Armscor 124-grain bullet," said John.
At 80 meters, using a JP-5 with a 14.5" barrel, John was seeing groups around 7 to 8 inches—tight performance for a 9mm projectile pushed to its limits.
Reflecting on the Competition
Travel stress, jet lag, mental barriers and legal hoops — none of this stopped Team USA from bringing home gold in many areas.
“I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been, but I was as prepared as I could have been," John explained.
That’s the reality of international competition: it’s not about everything going right — it’s about making the best of every variable, performing under pressure and standing proud at the finish.
The match ended with Team USA on the podium — and John reflecting on how far he’s come.
“How cool of a career," John started saying, "I’ve been to the Philippines, France, Paraguay and now the Czech Republic — all because I shoot guns pretty fast and pretty accurately.”
And now he's looking forward to the next competition.
