The 5 Major 2025 Shooting Competitions You Can’t Miss At Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club
As of December 24, 2025, the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club (RSSC), often referred to simply as the Rio Salado Gun Club, stands as a premier firearms training and competition facility in the United States, cementing its status with a packed schedule of world-class events for the current year. Located in Mesa, Arizona, the club is a massive hub for all shooting disciplines, from precision rimfire to high-stakes 3-Gun matches, making it a critical destination for both professional competitors and casual enthusiasts seeking the latest in range technology and safety training.
This comprehensive guide dives into the most current and essential information about the RSSC, focusing on the major 2025 competitions, the mandatory safety courses for new shooters, and the club’s deep roots and extensive facilities that continue to drive the sport's growth in the Southwest.
The Legacy and Facilities of Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club (RSSC)
The Rio Salado Sportsman's Club, Inc. (RSSC) is far more than a local gun range; it is a major non-profit organization that has been a cornerstone of the Arizona shooting community for decades. Its history dates back to the 1950s, providing a safe and fun environment for firearms enthusiasts.
The club operates on 140 acres of land owned by the Arizona Game & Fish Department, managing the Usery Mountain Shooting Range.
A Profile of Excellence and Development
- Founding and Status: The RSSC is a 501(c)(4) non-profit entity, with its tax-exempt status dating back to August 1974.
- Recognition: The club's long-standing commitment to the shooting sports was formally recognized with its induction into the Arizona Wildlife Foundation Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2010.
- Facilities: The sprawling facility is well-equipped and maintained, featuring 48 covered shooting positions, a dedicated Activity Center, and multiple Training Classrooms.
- Future Focus: The club is committed to continuous improvement, evidenced by the existence of its Usery Mountain Shooting Range Five-Year Master Development Plan 2025, which guides the facility’s ongoing maintenance and expansion in cooperation with Maricopa County Parks.
Mandatory Training and Comprehensive Shooting Programs
The RSSC is renowned for its commitment to safety and marksmanship, offering a wide array of training programs for all skill levels. For anyone new to competitive shooting at the club, a critical requirement is in place to ensure a safe and standardized environment.
The Practical Shooting Starter Course (PSSC)
Shooters who are new to competition at the RSSC are required to complete the Practical Shooting Starter Course (PSSC) before they can participate in popular events like Tuesday Night Steel and the Practical Matches. This mandatory course is designed to introduce new competitors to the rules, safety protocols, and procedures specific to the club's dynamic shooting divisions.
Diverse Training and Disciplines
Beyond the PSSC, the club offers extensive training and match opportunities throughout the year, building topical authority across multiple firearms disciplines:
- Private & Group Training: Available for rifle, pistol, shotgun, and home firearms safety, catering to individuals and small groups.
- Tuesday Night Steel (TNS): A popular weekly event that requires PSSC completion for all new participants.
- Junior Division: A program running from September through June, offering training and qualification shooting for younger enthusiasts, with dedicated .22LR ammo available for program use.
- Specialty Disciplines: Regular events include Bullseye shooting, Trapshooting (Singles and Doubles), and Rio Salado Vaqueros Cowboy Fast Draw, which holds shoots on the second Saturday of each month.
The 5 Major National Competitions to Watch in 2025
The 2025 calendar is set to be one of the busiest in the club's history, with the Rio Salado Sportsman's Club hosting several major, nationally recognized competitions. These events draw thousands of competitors and spectators to Mesa, Arizona, showcasing the highest levels of precision and speed in the shooting world.
1. Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun (SMM3G)
The SMM3G is one of the most prestigious and challenging multi-gun matches in the country. In 2025, the event is scheduled to take place from March 18–22. This match is a true test of skill, requiring competitors to transition between rifle, pistol, and shotgun, following the International Multigun Ruleset.
2. Extreme Benchrest Competition (EBR)
An annual fixture at the RSSC, the 2025 Extreme Benchrest event marks its 14th year, scheduled for October 9–12. This competition is a showcase of precision airgun shooting, featuring more participants than any other major US airgun competition, drawing international attention to the Mesa venue.
3. USPSA Area 2 Championships
The club is the host for the 2025 USPSA Area 2 Championships, a major match in the world of competitive practical shooting. This event brings together top United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) competitors to test their speed and accuracy across challenging courses of fire.
4. Precision Rimfire Series (PRS) Events
The RSSC hosts multiple Precision Rimfire events throughout the year, catering to the growing interest in long-range shooting with .22 LR and airgun platforms. Major matches are scheduled for November and December 2025, where targets range from 25 to 350 yards, demanding extreme accuracy from all participants.
5. Rio Multi-Gun Monthly Matches
While not a single national championship, the monthly Multi-gun match held on the second Saturday morning of each month is a continuous, high-level competition that serves as a proving ground for 3-Gun shooters. These matches utilize the Practical Pistol Bays and the High-Power range, providing consistent high-quality competition for local and regional shooters.
Why Rio Salado Remains a Top Destination for Shooters
The Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club is not just a collection of ranges; it is a meticulously managed organization that provides unparalleled access to the shooting sports. Its strategic location in Mesa, Arizona, combined with its vast 140-acre footprint, allows it to host massive, simultaneous events without sacrificing safety or range quality. The club's dedication to safety, exemplified by the mandatory Practical Shooting Starter Course (PSSC) for new competitors, ensures that every shooter, from a beginner in the Junior Division to a professional at the USPSA Area 2 Championships, operates within a secure and professional environment. The ongoing commitment to facility development, as detailed in the Five-Year Master Plan, guarantees that the RSSC will continue to be a leading national venue for firearms training and competition for years to come.
Whether you are looking to take your first firearms safety course, participate in the thrilling Tuesday Night Steel matches, or compete in an international-level event like the Extreme Benchrest Competition, the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club offers a comprehensive and world-class experience, making it a must-visit destination for the modern shooter in 2025.
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