Preview: Pecos Run n Gun

I can’t believe it’s already been a year since I drove the nearly six hours to Pecos, Texas, ran power walked seven miles, shot some stuff, and got stranded in the desert. Regular readers will remember that last year’s event was a cluster of medium-sized proportions. Everyone got out with their lives, and most people had fun doing it, but it was the first year that they cancelled the main event. And now, I’m headed back . . .

Pecos Run n Gun is a centerfire biathlon that takes place way out in West Texas, far from civilization, cool weather, and some of the other niceties afforded by modern society. Last year, I volunteered to be a range officer so I could maximize my coverage of the event. In doing so, I managed to be one of only a handful of runners that got to do the event before a massive flood wiped out most of the course, and threatened to strand our group permanently. I had a blast, made some great friends, and learned a couple things about what a bug out back should ACTUALLY have, namely baby wipes, and a few mylar blankets.

This year, I’m taking one of our regular readers and commenters along with enough water and food to hold us for a week, and enough stout coffee for at least two weeks. Here’s this year’s course of fire.

Rule Changes: There will be no mandatory magazine changes this year. No shooting sticks, bipods, etc… are allowed.  Time is limited to 3 minutes for each station

• Station #1    (Clear the trench)    Two 12×18 swingers at about 100 yards. There are three shooting points. Shooter must hit both targets from each shooting point for a total of 6 hits to complete the stage.
• Station #2    (Defend the beach)     At the firing line there is a section of cattle panel suspended on t-posts to create a low-crawl opportunity. There are four reduced-size silhouettes at approximately 120 yards. Shooter will negotiate the low crawl and remain under the obstacle to engage the four targets. Each target must be hit twice for a total of 8 hits. Shooter will exit the front of the obstacle, clear his weapon, and proceed. Shooter may insert a magazine into his rifle, BUT NOT load a round in the chamber, before negotiating the low craw. Time starts before shooter enters the low crawl.
• Station #3    (Defend the hill)    There are 6 pistol targets and 3 full-sized Delta silhouettes visible from the firing line. Shooter must engage and hit each pistol target working left to right (6 hits total), holster his pistol, and then engage the three rifle targets working left to right. Each rifle target must be hit twice (6 hits total).
• Station #4 (River assault)        There are two 12 x 18 swingers at approximately 200 yards and 3 shooting points, each point progressively closer to the targets. Shooter will hit each target one time from each of the 3 shooting points to complete the course of fire (6 total hits).
• Station #5    (OK Corral)        Target is a dueling tree with 6 paddles. Shooter must work the paddles over to one side, and then back to the starting position to stop the clock.

This year’s event is being held at a new location that is smaller and will only allow a course of roughly five miles instead of last year’s seven. Additionally, there was this note from the event organizer, “Much of the course was bulldozed a few weeks ago. Expect deep powder concealing what’s left of brush sticking up like punji sticks. Unless it rains. Then expect deep mud concealing punji sticks.”

TTAG’s official coffee reviewer, Tex300BLK, and I will be heading out of Austin on Thursday morning, making a stop at the family ranch to check zero, and then rolling out towards Pecos. My trusty Tacoma will be loaded to the gills with water, shade, ammo, and food. You can follow our progress (when cell reception allows) by following TTAG on Instagram. If you don’t have Instagram, you can still see our photos thanks to the handy widget on the right hand side of the page. Wish us luck.