If you’ve followed the shooting sports in any capacity over the last few years, you’ve undoubtedly heard the name Kolby Pavlock. Kolby primarily shoots rimfire challenge and USPSA. Last October, Kolby was able to defend his Rimfire Challenge World Championship for the fourth straight year, narrowly edging out teammate Cole Busch.
With the kick off to the 2019 season quickly approaching, we decided to ask Kolby a few questions so you could get to know this champion shooter a little better.
Kolby, you started shooting competitively at age 12. What made you decide to take that next step, from maybe shooting as a hobby or hunting, to competing?
I have always loved being around firearms and shooting, but I wanted to take it to the next level. When I first started competing, I never thought I would be able to be a sponsored shooter by great companies or be able to compete with top level shooters. But I started practicing more and attending more matches to become a better shooter. Now that I have been shooting competitively for nearly 8 years, I look back to where I started shooting for fun and even having my eyes on playing football, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. I still enjoy going out with friends and family hunting or shooting, but shooting competitively has opened so many doors for me.
In 2019 you captured the Rimfire World Championship for the 4th year in a row. How did you prepare for that competition? Did you feel more pressure than previous years?
Leading up to my 4th Rimfire World Championship, I wasn’t able to get as much practice in as I wanted to, due to my move back home and getting everything figured out. I did try to get to the range at least twice a week before the match. Due to those circumstances, I felt more pressure than in past years knowing my competition put in a lot of time and practice to prepare for this match. My schedule allowed me to shoot the match all in one day and having to leave early made my anxiety levels pretty high. But when the results came out, I was super excited to win my 4th championship in a row over some really hard competition.
You’ve earned a degree in Machine Tool Technology and have expressed an interest in building custom guns. What types of guns are you really excited to customize and why?
I am really excited to customize and build my own 2011 Open Gun. There are a lot of great builders out there right now and a big market for custom open guns and that has made me want to put my custom spin on that platform.
What Volquartsen Firearm models do you currently shoot? What made you choose Volquartsen Firearms?
I currently shoot the 6 inch Scorpion with a Vortex Razor red dot for open, a fiber optic front sight for Limited, and a Lightweight Rifle with a XS Ghost Ring rear sight and a Fiber Optic front sight. I chose to shoot Volquartsen Firearms because of the superior quality and craftsmanship put into each firearm. I also chose Volquartsen Firearms because of how reliable they are and because of the material they use giving them a longer life for the amount of rounds I shoot.
Heading into the 2019 season, do you have a certain fitness and/or training routine that you use to prepare for matches? Is there anything you do over the winter in terms of dry fire or practice?
Heading into the 2019 season I have started working out to build up endurance and strength for matches. Over the winter months, I dry fire for 30 minutes roughly every other day and shoot local indoor matches to get more trigger time.
How often do you practice during the week?
During the weeks when the weather is cold, I shoot indoor matches and dry fire. Midway through April, my local club starts Steel Challenge matches every Monday and Wednesday where I will shoot both rifle and pistol.
Is there anybody in the shooting industry that you look up to?
In the shooting industry I really look up to Max Michel and KC Eusebio. When I first started competing, I would watch many of Max’s and KC’s videos to learn as much as I could. Not only are they amazing shooter but also a great representative of the shooting industry.
Outside of rimfire what other competitions do you shoot?
Outside of competing in rimfire, I really enjoy shooting USPSA. USPSA and Rimfire have been my main focus for the past 3 to 4 years.
Outside of shooting, what other hobbies do you have?
When I am not shooting, I love to be in the outdoors, whether it being in the mountains hunting or chasing game or on the river catching fish.
What is your biggest accomplishment in shooting so far? What goal do you have yet to reach?
In shooting, my biggest accomplishment is winning the Rimfire Challenge World Championship. I have 2 more big goals that I have yet to reach which is winning a division at USPSA Nationals and winning Steel Challenge shooting Rimfire Pistol Open against Max Michel, KC Eusebio, and BJ Norris.
If you’d like to keep up with Kolby and the rest of Team Volquartsen throughout the 2019 season be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
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