Cactus Combat Match League
Cactus Combat Match League is one of the oldest, largest, and most active outdoor practical shooting organizations in the United States. Operating out of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix (northwest corner of I-17 and Carefree Highway), CCML has been running competitive matches and practice...
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01 // OVERVIEW
Overview
Location details and information
Cactus Combat Match League is one of the oldest, largest, and most active outdoor practical shooting organizations in the United States. Operating out of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix (northwest corner of I-17 and Carefree Highway), CCML has been running competitive matches and practice events for nearly 50 years.
| Match | Day & Time | Difficulty | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Practice | Every Thursday, 5 PM & 7 PM | Easy to Moderate | $25 ($20 with membership, $10 juniors) |
| USPSA Monthly | 1st Sunday, 8-9 AM | Moderate to Advanced | $30 ($25 with membership, $10 juniors) |
| Steel Challenge | 3rd Sunday, 8-9 AM | Easy | $25 ($20 with membership, $10 juniors) |
| Saturday Practice | 3rd Saturday, 6 PM | Easy | $15 |
New shooters always welcome — First-timers attend a new shooters meeting at the start of each match and get paired with an experienced mentor to guide them through their first competition.
Held every Thursday at 5 PM and 7 PM with setup starting at 2 PM. New shooters must attend the 6:00 PM meeting, then shoot in Squad 7 at 7 PM with a mentor. This is the best starting point for beginners.
- •Handguns and pistol caliber carbines only (9mm minimum)
- •USPSA safety rules and hit factor scoring
- •80-100 required hits (bring double your ammo your first time)
- •Holster must be belt-level and completely cover trigger guard
- •At least 3 magazines recommended
- •Pre-registration required via Practiscore (opens Sunday at 7 PM)
Contact: [email protected]
First Sunday of each month. This classifier match affects your national USPSA ranking and is sanctioned by the United States Pistol Shooting Association.
- •6 stages (5 stages plus classifier)
- •100-150 required hits
- •Seasonal start times: 9 AM October-March; 8 AM April-September
- •9mm minimum, handguns and pistol caliber carbines only
- •Pre-registration required via Practiscore (opens 2 weeks ahead)
- •USPSA membership recommended but not required
Contact: [email protected]
Third Sunday of each month. The easiest entry point for competitive shooting — perfect for first-timers looking for a lower-pressure environment.
- •Pistols, pistol caliber carbines, rimfire pistols, and rimfire rifles welcome
- •Iron sights and optics both allowed
- •8 timed stages with 5 strings each (195 required hits)
- •Bring 300+ rounds and 5 magazines recommended
- •Sanctioned match uploaded to Steel Challenge national database
- •Pre-registration required via Practiscore (opens 2 weeks ahead)
- •Contact: Raymond Eng, [email protected], 623-229-3712
Third Saturday at 6 PM. Family-friendly practice in a relaxed environment with an electric BBQ grill available (bring your own food to cook).
- •$15 match fee
- •Most stages for pistol calibers with some designated rifle targets
- •No pre-registration required (bring cash or check)
- •Starts around 6 PM
Contacts: - Mike Simmons: [email protected], 602-769-6301 - Tom Perry: [email protected], 602-463-8695 - James Walliser: [email protected], 602-298-6761
Usually held in December. Head-to-head shoot-off style competition on a mirrored course. 3-Gun or 2-Gun allowed with open division options for optics or iron sights.
Contact: [email protected]
Equipment You Bring: - Your own firearm (9mm minimum for pistol matches) - Ammunition (bring double what you think you'll need) - Holster (must be belt-level, completely covering trigger guard) - At least 3 magazines - Hearing and eye protection
What CCML Doesn't Provide: - Firearms - Ammunition - Equipment rentals
All competitors bring their own gear. Events are for recreation and skill development across all difficulty levels.
All match registration and score tracking happens through Practiscore.com. Registration typically opens the Sunday before each match at 7 PM and fills up quickly. You can access scores, register for matches, and view competition results through their Practiscore portal.
Competition Rules: - USPSA matches follow USPSA rulebook in entirety - Steel Challenge matches follow Steel Challenge rulebook in entirety - Thursday practice matches follow USPSA rules with minor exceptions - Complete official rules available on website, including detailed safety protocols
Cactus Combat Match League offers branded merchandise through their third-party Spreadshop partner. Items can be customized in various sizes and colors and are shipped directly to you. Visit cactus-shop.myspreadshop.com for hats, shirts, and other CCML gear.
Ben Avery Shooting Facility Phoenix, AZ I-17 and Carefree Highway (northwest corner) Practical Pistol Range is located halfway between the 1,000-meter range and clay target center
If locked out of the range: 623-363-3655
General inquiries: Use the contact form on their website or email specific match directors listed above.
Fire Restrictions Active
Check current conditions before visiting. Smoking and open flames may be prohibited.
Safety Information
- •Check current conditions before visiting
- •Follow all posted safety guidelines
- •Respect other shooters and maintain safe distances
Restrictions
- •Match participation requires pre-registration via Practiscore
- •Eye and ear protection required
- •No ammunition beyond published specifications (9mm minimum for most matches)
- •Range safety rules strictly enforced per USPSA regulations
- •Courses of fire must follow match procedures
- •Holster must be at belt level and completely cover trigger guard (Thursday matches)
- •No loaded firearms in spectator area or beyond safety line
- •Cactus membership not required but provides fee discounts
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