2024 USPSA Open & PCC Nationals: Emerging Champions, Fierce Battles, and the Road to the World Shoot

The 2024 USPSA PCC and Open Nationals proved to be a dynamic and electric showdown, featuring jaw-dropping performances, surprising upsets, and the relentless pursuit of perfection by some of the world’s top shooters. While both divisions delivered plenty of action, this year’s PCC division stole the spotlight as competitors fought not only for the podium but for a place on the inaugural USA team for the IPSC PCC World Shoot, set for May 2024 in the Czech Republic. The Nationals highlighted top equipment choices like the Mean Arms Unrivaled MAUL upper, intense rivalries for World Shoot slots, and the impact of live coverage and video footage on scoring, penalties, and disqualifications in the sport. It also sparked debates, such as the ongoing petition to ensure that the Ladies category remains reserved for XX chromosome females, which will shape the future of competitive shooting.

Max Leograndis at the 2024 PCC Nationals. Photo by Serena Juchnowski of USAMU.

PCC Nationals Result Overview

Max Leograndis emerged as the overall PCC champion, leading with dominant score. Max is now an 8-time PCC National Champion and maintaining his reign since the category’s inception. Brian Nelson finished 2nd, surpassing many expectations with his strong performance. Josh Froelich secured 3rd place, demonstrating great consistency. Nils Jonasson ("The Pistol Guy") and Tom Castro rounded out the top five. Notably, Tom Castro was in a close race with Justine Williams for the final slot on the USA PCC Overall World Shoot Team. Castro needed about an 8% lead over Justine to secure the position but ultimately fell short, allowing Justine to make history. To our knowledge, Justine Williams is the first woman to ever obtain an overall Team USA slot in any division, marking an incredible achievement.

PCC Team Projection: The current team lineup for the IPSC PCC World Shoot includes Max Leograndis, Scott Greene, Zack Smith, and Justine Williams—a formidable team poised to represent the USA well.

2025 IPSC PCC World Shoot Team Points Roster

Honorable Mentions in PCC Division:

• Justine Williams: Finished 14th overall, becoming the top female shooter in the division.

• Lena Miculek and Lynda Turnbull: Followed closely behind, demonstrating the growing talent among female shooters.

• Kyle Litzie: Finished 9th overall. Despite being new to PCC, Kyle recently won the IPSC Rifle World Championship in Finland, highlighting his adaptability.

• Sophia Byrum: At just 12 years old, Sophia gave an inspiring performance, showing promise as a world-class competitor after her strong showing in the IPSC Rifle World Championships.

Open Nationals Results Overview

Christian Sailer, 5x USPSA Open National Champion, who took the overall win with a nearly flawless run, followed by John Vlieger and Aaron Eddins in 2nd and 3rd. Among the top women in the Open division, Jessie Harrison stood out, finishing 55th overall and 1st in Ladies by demonstrating continued strength in the category. Morgan Leonhardt and Martina Šerá followed close behind, all demonstrating precision and determination across challenging stages.

Christian Sailer at the 2024 PCC Nationals. Photo by Serena Juchnowski of USAMU.

There were several noteworthy performances by rising stars and underdogs throughout the Nationals. One that stood out was Breannah Gaston, a newer shooter to the industry, who delivered an inspiring performance in the Open division, pushing her way through challenging stages and showing great potential to challenge top contenders in future competitions.

Shooting USA’s Live Coverage and Industry Impact

Shooting USA’s first ever live coverage brought the Nationals into the homes of fans across the country, complete with live commentary and analysis. This live engagement not only expands the sport's audience but also creates excitement for those who couldn’t attend in person. Broadcasting efforts like these are instrumental in promoting shooting sports, growing the fanbase, and giving viewers a firsthand look at the skill, precision, and intensity involved.

John Scoutten of Shooting USA at the 2024 PCC Nationals. Photo by Serena Juchnowski of USAMU.

USPSA should also allow video footage to be shown to Range Officers (ROs) during disputes involving penalties, foot faults, disqualifications (DQs), and more. It's modern times, and many other sports rely on similar video reviews to ensure fair play and accuracy. Allowing ROs to review footage would provide clarity during disputes, improve decision accuracy, and enhance fairness across the board.

The world is evolving, and so should USPSA—it's time to modernize.

PCC Super Squad Stage 18. Video by Shooting USA TV.

Live coverage also presents opportunities for more dynamic industry growth, allowing sponsors to reach a wider audience and drawing in new enthusiasts to competitive shooting. The engagement from this coverage shows that the future of shooting sports may very well hinge on more widespread visibility and interactive elements, like live-commenting.

XX Chromosome Regulations for Ladies Category

A notable topic after the Nationals is the ongoing petition regarding the eligibility of the Ladies category, specifically aiming to ensure it remains exclusive to XX chromosome females. This debate sparked significant discussion on inclusivity, fairness, and competitive balance in shooting sports. Many competitors have voiced their opinions, highlighting how important it is to recognize the specific challenges faced by female competitors while ensuring inclusivity in the sport’s future. If you feel this same way, sign the petition by clicking the button below.

Nicole Kolba at the 2024 PCC Nationals. Photo by Serena Juchnowski of USAMU.

Top Gear Spotlight: Mean Arms MAUL & Unrivaled PCC—The Future of Competitive Shooting

The talk of the match was all about what Max Leograndis, Kyle Litzie, and Zack Smith were running: the Mean Arms MAUL Bearing Delay Upper combined with the Unrivaled PCC setup. This setup isn’t even available to the public yet—you can pre-order yours here to reserve your spot in the future of PCC shooting. Expected to dominate at the PCC World Shoot in May 2025, this setup is already making waves.

MAUL - Bearing Delay Upper

The Mean Arms MAUL upper, a product of collaboration between Mean Arms and Unrivaled, features a cutting-edge bearing delay system for reduced recoil and enhanced control—ideal for maintaining speed without sacrificing accuracy. The MAUL upper combines Mean Arms' craftsmanship with Unrivaled's internal components, including a precision-engineered muzzle brake that gives shooters unmatched stability. This partnership merges innovation from both brands, producing an upper that represents the pinnacle of performance in PCC.

Zack Smith at the 2024 PCC Nationals. Photo by Serena Juchnowski of USAMU.

What makes this PCC even more special is that Unrivaled was founded by none other than Kyle Litzie and Zack Smith, both highly skilled firearm enthusiasts who have turned their passion into a competitive advantage. Their deep love for experimentation with gear and shooting techniques has earned them numerous State, Regional, and National titles across disciplines like 3-Gun, IPSC, USPSA, and more.

The Companies Behind the Buzz:

Unrivaled started in 2021, initially making custom parts for themselves when nothing suitable existed on the market. Their philosophy has always been simple: to build better-performing firearms to gain an advantage in competitions. Today, they bring that same level of commitment to the broader public. Their patented buffer system and unique muzzle brake design have been dominating the competition circuit, and their company culture revolves around improving shooters' capabilities with modern techniques and quality gear—all proudly made in the USA.

Meanwhile, Mean Arms contributed their innovation and expertise in the design of the MAUL Bearing Delay Upper, collaborating with Unrivaled to develop a revolutionary PCC upper. The company name, "MEAN," is an acronym for the initials of the founder, his wife, and their two children, symbolizing a commitment to protect loved ones and uphold American rights. The company’s passion for product engineering is reflected in every component they make. Mean Arms has taken their engineering passion to create new innovations for the firearm industry, focusing on offering unique products and solutions that can only be found from MEAN.

Together, the MAUL upper combines Mean Arms' expertise in reducing recoil and mechanical delays with Unrivaled's specialized internal components, including their precision-engineered muzzle brake. This synergy between both companies brings about a winning formula, already proving its value on the competition circuit and setting the benchmark for the future of PCC competition.

If you’re looking to equip yourself with what the champions are running, this setup is the one to beat. It’s not just about winning now—this is about setting the pace for the future of PCC. Reserve your Mean Arms MAUL Upper here and visit the Unrivaled Pro Shop for more details here.

Conclusion

The 2024 USPSA PCC and Open Nationals was a thrilling event filled with intense competition, groundbreaking equipment, and historic achievements. From the electrifying performances by top shooters to the rise of young talents, this year’s Nationals truly showcased the future of competitive shooting. As the sport continues to evolve, the role of technology, inclusivity, and community involvement will play pivotal roles in shaping the sport.

We'd love to hear your thoughts! What moments stood out to you? How do you feel about the equipment innovations or the ongoing debates around regulations? Leave a comment below with your insights, questions, or feedback. Let's keep this conversation going and make competitive shooting even better! Follow us on instagram - @s.g.insider!