CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Drivers on state Route 22 east of Circleville should expect extra traffic Friday and Saturday as Pickaway County Sportsmen, Inc. hosts a regionally sanctioned pistol competition at its range.
The Pickaway County Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post that “special event traffic” will be in the area of the club, at 8100 state Route 22 East, on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, and urged motorists to use caution driving through.
The gathering is the 2026 PCSI Defensive Pistol Challenge, presented by BELT, according to the International Defensive Pistol Association’s website. It is a Tier 2, regionally sanctioned match, a step up from a standard local club shoot, and competitors who place well will earn a qualification point toward the 2027 IDPA Nationals.
Friday is set aside for match staff to work through the course of fire, and Saturday’s competition runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with mandatory check-in from 7 to 9 a.m., according to the match listing. Shooters will move through nine stages — seven scored scenario stages plus a warm-up, a cool-down and an equipment check — firing roughly 150 rounds total.
Competitors registered in divisions including Compact Carry Pistol, Carry Optics, Custom Defensive Pistol, Enhanced Service Pistol, Pistol Caliber Carbine, Revolver, Stock Service Pistol and Backup Gun. Registration opened in March through PractiScore and closed in late July.
IDPA describes its format as a defensive shooting sport, scoring competitors on speed, accuracy and tactical decision-making as they move through simulated real-world scenarios rather than firing at traditional bullseye targets. Pickaway County Sportsmen, Inc. has been an IDPA-affiliated club since 2005 and regularly hosts club-level matches at its range along state Route 22.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Pickaway County Emergency Management Agency and the International Defensive Pistol Association.
