Each year, the Southwest Pistol League awards trophies to league members who accumulate the highest scores in each division of the SWPL Points Race. Some of the past winners of these divisions are well-known in Practical Pistol shooting and have risen to fame as professional competitive shooters or legends in the firearms industry. Others are just starting out in Practical Pistol shooting and are thrilled to share a web page with the Big Names. SWPL offers you the chance for your Fifteen Minutes Of Fame and a permanent place on a SWPL Champions trophy. Just join SWPL and pick a division (Open, Limited, Limited-10, Production, Revolver, Single-Stack, Pistol Caliber Carbine, Carry Optics). Then, shoot as many of the monthly SWPL matches as you can. The odds are good that you’ll be a SWPL Champion.
The SWPL Points Race Q & A
Q: What the heck is the SWPL Points Race?
A: Before there was IPSC or USPSA, there was the Southwest Pistol League. It’s
where practical pistol started. Since 1963, SWPL has awarded Perpetual Trophies for League winners. Some of the great names in our sport have their names on these
trophies, including: John Plahn, Ray Chapman, Al Nichols, Mike Dalton, Mickey Fowler,
Buck Toddy and currently Taran Butler. At the start, a trophy was awarded to the Open Division Winner. Trophies were added in 1991 for Limited Division and in 2001, for Limited-10, Production, and Revolver Divisions. 2006 saw the addition of Single Stack Division. Trophies are now also awarded to Pistol Caliber Carbine and Carry Optics Divisions.
Q: How does it work?
A: In the days of yore, you had to be a member of the Southwest Pistol League
to enter the matches. Now, anyone can shoot our matches, but only members are eligible to win trophies. At each match, SWPL members are awarded points depending on where they finish in each division (Open, Limited, Limited-10, Production, Revolver, Single Stack, Pistol Caliber Carbine, Carry Optics).
1st Place is worth 12 points
2ndPlace is worth 10 points
3rd Place is worth 9 points
…and so on…
10th Place is worth 2 points
There are usually 11 matches each year and your best 7 of 11 matches are counted. This way, if you miss a match or two, you’re still in the running. When the number of matches is reduced, due weather, fire, or flood, the scoring is adjusted.
Q: How do I join?
A: If you are a member of one of the five clubs at our range, you are automatically a
member. You can also join the Southwest Pistol League for $25.00 per year. Not only
are you entered in the Points Race, but you receive a $5.00 discount at each monthly match. It pays to join.
Q: Do I have to join in January?
A: No, you can join anytime during the year and accumulate points for the remainder of that year. But, joining earlier in the year increases the pool of matches from which your best scores are chosen.