Kaci Cochran

2011 may be the year of Kaci Cochran. Starting off the 2011 shooting season with Frank Garcia’s Florida Open, Cochran won the Ladies Championship in the Open Division. It was tight match that included Athena Lee, Jessie Abbate, and Kay Miculek among others.

At the Florida Open with Tierani Hendrix and Jessie Abbate

Shooting less than 5 years, Kaci exploded on the scene winning numerous titles as a top Junior USPSA shooter. She has graduated from the junior division and is taking the shooting world by storm. This year will find Kaci competing in Steel Challenges, USPSA and 3-Gun. We got a chance to sit down and gain insight into Kaci’s world.

Carducci Tactical: How did you start shooting?

Kaci: I started shooting our local steel match in April 2006. It took my dad a long time to convince me to give it a try. I wish I would have listened to him years earlier. I shot a couple of matches that year before shooting the Georgia Steel Championship in 2007.

Carducci Tactical: When did you begin shooting USPSA matches?

Kaci: I started shooting USPSA in late spring 2007.

Carducci Tactical: What other hobbies do you like?
Kaci: Before shooting I participated in Rodeo and Barrel racing. This was fun but not near as much as shooting. I also like to read, go to the gym, watch movies and listen to music. (Note from dad, don't ask what kind of music! You won't be able to understand the words anyway!)

Carducci Tactical: You father, Pat Cochran, has been a USPSA Master Class competitor for years. He is an excellent coach as well as your mom, Kathleen. Besides your parents, who has influenced your shooting career most?

Kaci: Kay Miculek, Athena Lee, Lisa Munson and Julie (Goloski) Golob have inspired me so much. Each and every one of these Ladies has been there to encourage and support me for the last few years! A big THANKS goes to each and every one of them.

Carducci Tactical: Why do you like USPSA?

Kaci: The shooting challenges are always different at every match. The stages are always changing and you typically never see the same stage twice. I also like it because I get to travel a lot to different places and meet new people. I shot my very first USPSA match at the 2007 Area 6 Championships.

Carducci Tactical: What are your major accomplishments?

Kaci: These are my favorites:

2007 US Steel Nationals Championship 22 Open Junior National Champion

2008 US Steel Nationals Super Junior National 22 Open Championship

2008 US Steel Nationals Super Junior National Open Championship

2008 Area 6 3-Gun Ladies Open Champion

2009 Georgia State Steel Championship Ladies Open and Ladies 22 Open Champion

2009 Area 6 3-Gun Ladies Open Champion

2010 Open USPSA National Championship Top 8 Open Ladies and 3 Stage wins

2011 Florida Open Ladies Open Champion

Carducci Tactical: You had a great Florida Open Match. Tell me about it.

Kaci: This year’s Florida Open match had the most challenging stages of any match that I have seen since I started shooting. Each stage presented its own set of challenges to test your skills and abilities. I went to the match with the mindset to just shoot my best and have fun! I had absolutely no idea that I had won until they called my name. I was so happy that my parents and my friend and gunsmith Johnny Lim were there to see it!! But what really made it special for me was that it had come down to me or my team mate and friend, Athena, for the win.

Kaci in Action at the 2011 Florida Open

Carducci Tactical: What is your set up for 2011?

Kaci:

Gun: LIMCAT CUSTOM

Frame: STI

Magazines: STI

Bullets: MONTANA GOLD

Brass: STARLINE

Ammo: ATLANTA ARMS & AMMO

Holster rig: CR SPEED

Eyewear: RUDY PROJECT

Shooting Shirt: TECHWEAR

Shooting Apparel: TRU-SPEC

Powder: HODGDON

Cleaning products: PRO-SHOT

Practice equipment Steel: NEVCO TARGETS

Carducci Tactical: What matches do you have lined up for this year?

Kaci: This year I will be at the following matches - Alabama USPSA Sectional, USPSA Area 6, the Magnolia Classic, USPSA Area 8, Tennessee USPSA State Championship, Open Nationals, If I can get a slot - the Limited Nationals, Georgia USPSA State Championship and the Gator Classic. I won’t miss the Gator Classic. It's awesome and so are the people. I will also try to fit in some 3 gun this year as time and scheduling allows.

Carducci Tactical: Wow! It’s going to be a busy year. What is your goal for the year?

Kaci: To win the 2011 USPSA Open Ladies National Championship

Carducci Tactical: What is your favorite match?

Kaci: Gator Classic

Carducci Tactical: How much range time do you get on a weekly basis?

Kaci: Before a major match we go to the range every chance we get, usually 3 to 4 times per week if possible.

Carducci Tactical: Do you have a specific training routine or do you change it up?

Kaci: I have certain drills that I do to keep sharp on the basics. If stages are posted for an upcoming match I will practice anything that I see that is unique in the match. Other than that there is one rule, NEVER LEAVE THE RANGE without something positive. If I am having a bad practice, I work on it until it's positive. Same rule applies at matches - local or major - it does not matter!! Also if I have a friend to practice with then we will come up with something and have the shoot off championship of the world that day just for FUN!!!

Carducci Tactical: Do you dry fire?

Kaci: Just about every day. Sometimes twice a day for a few weeks before a major match.

Carducci Tactical: That is dedication and hours of dry fire practice. What is your major match preparation?

Kaci: Intense practice usually begins about three weeks prior to a major match. Typically about two weeks prior to a major match I will go through my equipment.

Here is my checklist of things that have to be done:

Go through gun

Check springs - recoil spring, sear spring, mainspring

Check scope screws and reloctite if necessary

Check grip screws (On a 2011 frame these screws hold the frame to the grip)

Check for any unusual wear on the gun

Check mag springs and followers

Check mags for burrs or damage

Check holster and mag pouches - make sure that everything is tight.

All of the above will get checked again a few days before the match, I don't want any surprises!

All ammo for the match will be drop checked in the barrel from the gun that will be shot at the match. I will also inspect each round for any defects or possible high primers at this time.

Gun and mags will get a VERY thorough cleaning a day or two before the match. After cleaning I will check the zero to make sure that I am as ready as I can be on match day. Typically I will not shoot the gun after my final checks until the match starts.

Carducci Tactical: Again, you are dedicated to this sport. Tell us what would be your perfect day at the range?

Kaci: Any day I get to spend at the range is a perfect day!

Carducci Tactical: I always say that, too! So who would you train with on this perfect day at the range?

Kaci: I would have to say that a day of practice or to shoot a match with Rob Leatham would be awesome!

Carducci Tactical: What is your strongest skill?

Kaci: Not being intimidated by difficult shooting challenges

Carducci Tactical: What is your weakest skill or most difficult for you?

Kaci: Getting angry with myself when I do not perform to my expectations

Carducci Tactical: What advice would you give to a new shooter?

Kaci: Just get out there and DO IT!! Everyone has to start somewhere. Pick a shooting sport; find a match or tournament and GO!! Ask the match director if anyone would be willing to help a new shooter throughout the day. I have not attended a match yet where this request was not met with more than a few volunteers to help a new shooter understand their sport. The MOST important thing is to be SAFE and have fun and in that order!!

Carducci Tactical: How do you think we can get more women involved in the shooting sports?

Kaci: We have to get them to a range first. Maybe a pocketbook or shoe sale or maybe a Flea market or free Mary Kay facial at the range day could get us some extra participants. Once we get them there, I am sure they would have lots of FUN and want to come back.

Seriously though, getting the majority of women past their preconceived notions of guns in general is our biggest hurdle. Too much politics and TV can be a poor influence. Maybe if the NRA and other shooting organizations could agree to work together and sponsor a NATIONAL TAKE A LADY TO THE RANGE DAY. It would be awesome. This could be a HUGE step in the right direction in the education for women concerning firearms across the country. Talk to your club President and organize an event like this at your local club, all ideas have to start somewhere!!! This would be an awesome way for you to introduce someone to the shooting sport that you enjoy and educate them in the true nature of firearm ownership and responsibility.

Carducci Tactical: The National Take a Lady to the Range Day is a great idea. You know I believe in competition. What is the easiest shooting sport for women to try?

Kaci: As far as the handgun shooting sports go, I do believe Steel shooting is our best medium to get more Ladies, children and families involved in the handgun action shooting sports. I believe that Steel shooting provides an environment that is a little more laid back and relaxed at a local level for ladies and everyone to learn the basics of shooting for all the handgun action shooting sports. Safety first always, but the foundation and basics of shooting a handgun well are all present in this form of competition.

A new shooter can learn the safe handling of the firearm in a non-intimidating environment. Steel is easy and fun with no complicated courses to figure out while trying to learn to shoot. Sight alignment and Trigger control is important as well as Indexing or transitioning from target to target. Once these basics are learned it is much easier for anyone to transition into any pistol action shooting sport they choose.

Here in Georgia there is a perfect example of this at Griffin Gun Club. (http://www.griffinsteelmatch.com/). More families shoot this Steel match on a monthly basis than any other handgun action shooting sport in our area.

Carducci Tactical: One final question. In one word can you describe shooting?

Kaci: FUN!!!!!!!

Carducci Tactical: Thank you for spending a few minutes with us today Kaci. We enjoy all the information you shared. Good luck this year and we will see you on the range.

After just a few minutes with Kaci Cochran you realize what a great ambassador she is for the shooting sports. With a huge smile and friendly personality, you immediately cheer for this competitor. While she may describe the sport as fun, you can see that she is dedicated and knowledgeable. She is off to a good start and big things are on the horizon.

A big thanks to Kaci, Pat and Kathleen Cochran for the use of their photos and time for this interview. Find Kaci on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/kacicochran or at her website www.kacicochran.com . Kaci’s website has links for information regarding all of her gear and sponsors.