3GN Spotlight: Patrick Kelley

Known to many as the most dominant Heavy Metal shooter over the last several seasons, Patrick Kelley is one of the most well-liked and respected shooters in the game. The big Irishman’s larger-than-life personality makes him a favorite of fellow competitors and fans alike.

Kelley, who for many years competed as a non-sponsored shooter, couldn’t resist the company offers this off-season, and as such has competed in several different divisions with various equipment this season. Nevertheless, he’s still in the mix to qualify for the 3GN Championship, a testament to his versatility as a shooter.

And if he should compete and make the final 16, look out. Kelley has the ability to do well in that format, as he can really run a trigger when he’s dialed in. Kelley made the top 16 last season. If he makes the trip to West Virginia, don’t be surprised if he’s battling for the big money once again. 

Patrick Kelley was one of three competitors featured during coverage of the MGM Ironman.

3GN: Pat, you have one of the most outgoing personalities in the game. Does anyone have more fun at 3-gun than you?

PK: I would imagine it is possible…but highly unlikely.

3GN: Your wife travels with you to nearly every match. How important is it to have her with you?

PK: Very! I would bet that my “pretty girl” boosts my abilities 30%. She is not only my best friend and loving companion, Karen in my biggest cheerleader. A little known fact about Karen is…sorry I don’t kiss and tell, but I will say she is an amazing physical therapist.

3GN: You’ve been a top competitor in this game for some time, but last year many people saw you for the first time on “3-Gun Nation,” where you were in the Shoot-Off mix at nearly every event. Has that impacted your shooting career?

PK: Oh yea, it has! Way back in another life I was a GM pistol shooter (for those checking facts my USPSA record reflects my self-directed demotion to humble Master) and having reached the USPSA’s Top 20 I started getting and accepting offers for sponsorship. Then I start writing articles for Front Sight and later other gun magazines.  I felt that at the very least a perceived conflict of interest was present between writing and sponsorship. So, after thanking my sponsors I walked away thinking my good name would not be tarnished by some internet goob “figuren’ I was on the take” for whatever position I took on a piece of shooting gear. Turns out you can’t stop stupid, so my move away from sponsorship was for naught.  Fast-forward to 3-Gun Nation and my fortunate presence on TV, and new sponsorship offers are again on the table! A BIG THANK YOU to 3-Gun Nation for all you have done in promoting this fantastic sport and opening the doors of opportunity for me!

3GN: A lot of people in this game consider you the King of Heavy Metal, but this year you competed in several other divisions. Do you miss banging away with that M1A, pump shotgun and .45?

PK: About halfway through the season, I sure did! It is fun to win and damit, it feels good too! I love running a pump-gun at speed and I had no idea how many people enjoyed watching me hose away with an M1A! I actually feel like I let some folks down by swapping divisions, but I can remedy that.

Kelley running his Springfield Armory M1A in Heavy Metal, where he dominated the field last season.

3GN: There is a lot of new, young blood in this sport. How much harder is it getting to be at the top in 3-gun?

PK: The more the merrier for sure, but it brings with it more talent. Not only are more young-guns playing the game they are quick studies. What took us old guys 4 or 5 years to figure out, these guys are doing in 24 months. Equipment is evolving and improving every day. Social media shares techniques with all, immediately. Want to learn how to load your shotgun? Hit the “net” and you will find several techniques by real-deal 3-gun instructors like Kurt Miller and Rob Romero. Yes, it will be tougher to get to the top, but the accomplishment will be all the sweeter.

3GN: The 3GN cameras followed you at Ironman, and we caught you having one of the more memorable stage collapses that we’ve seen anywhere. Take our readers through it, and let us in on what it was like to have it all captured on camera.

PK: Crap…do I have too?!?! The IronMan is a match unto itself, hell it is four matches unto itself!  I am not here to make excuses but what is, is and the long days coupled with the time pressure of working with the cool cats who filmed the 3GN TV show made keeping my brain in order more difficult. Couple that with dehydration by my own hand and somehow it was easy for forget to strap-on my pistol and load my shotgun. I had a great time with the crew who was on the ground filming the event. I was surprised how in just a short time I forgot they were there. To Frank and Mike and crew, you guys were great to hang with, thanks!

3GN: 2011 has been a transitional year for you: taking on sponsorship, shooting in several different divisions, new gear to use. How has your season gone for you thus far?

PK: Like I mentioned earlier I had been sponsored previously as a pistolaro, but my exposure via 3-Gun Nation allowed me to pursue sponsorship at a greater level and from outfits that are out to promote the sport of 3-Gun as well as their quality products.  My season has been almost too busy! It is not unusual for me to change a little something right before a match just to keep me off balance and getting overconfident. This season I changed rifle platforms twice, optics three times and did so with less time than I am accustomed too with one set of kit. While there is no need for details, I have been struggling with some illnesses that are still being diagnosed. Needless to say, my match performances have suffered.

3GN: Because you’ve competed in other divisions this season, you’re not in the race for the 3GN Heavy Metal Divisional Championship. Being the first time this award has been given out, does that sting a little bit?

PK: No it doesn’t sting a little bit… it bites BIG TIME!!! Such is life. I did not know about the $5,000 in cash that one of my sponsors, Hornady, committed to for each division champion. Had I known I would been “dancing with the girls that brung me” and stayed in Heavy Metal!

3GN: In your career, you've shot many different disciplines. What is it about 3-gun that keeps you coming back?

PK: I have been around that’s for sure. My first love was pistol metallic silhouette, a great family sport that is quite a challenge. NRA Bullseye pistol grabbed me for awhile…wanna learn to be accurate with a pistol? You just found it!  I have dabbled in small bore rifle, ISU Air Pistol, NRA Standard pistol and High Power service rifle matches. During the (now very short) off season I shoot 5 stand and Sporting Clays.  This is where you’ll find me if I ever quit 3 Gunning. Some readers may have even seen some of my off-season “trick-shots” on YouTube. Check out the Cheaper-Than-Dirt or MultigunVideo channels if you’re curious. What brings me back to 3-gun is what some other shooting disciplines lack: variety.  3-Gun events are never the same, each is a dream or nightmare brought to life by a dedicated crew of individuals bent on sharing with their vision with competitors from around the country. To be even an average 3-gunner you must have a BIG bag of skills, more than most shooters ever develop with just one gun. You can never learn enough, if you’re hitting all the targets you can never be too fast. You’ll never have the perfect match and you’ll never shoot with a better bunch of people. Why do I keep coming back?  It is the people, people!

A trick-shot video from Patrick Kelley produced for Cheaper Than Dirt!, one of Kelley's sponsors.

3GN: On your bucket list of shooting, what remains unchecked?

PK: Hmmm, I don’t have anything right at the tip of my tongue but, as far as shooting events go, I would like to shoot the Steel Challenge Championships and the MGM Targets Grand Nationals. And I am strongly considering the 2012 World Practical Shotgun Championship in Debrecen, Hungary. I would have loved to have shot the bowling pin match called Second Chance. Sadly it met its demise before I made the commitment to go. I did however run a monthly “pin shoot” for 8 years and it was a tremendous amount of fun. Beyond that, I would like to “round-out” my Trick Shooting skills and get them on video while I still have time and ability. OK, I am avoiding the obvious…I would like to win just one 3-GunNation Shoot-Off!  Just one damit!

Before this wraps up I would like to personally invite everyone who is reading this (both of you) to please find your local range and get involved in the shooting sports. You’ll not only improve your skill at arms but you will be spending time with some of the nicest people on earth.

Posted on 10/17/2011