3GN Spotlight: Travis Gibson

Through MGM Targets, Travis Gibson, along with his dad, Mike, are among the forefront of shooting industry companies that provide tremendous support to the shooting sports. Whether action pistol, 3-gun or precision rifle, MGM Targets are arguably the most popular steel targets used at major competitions. And through their tremendous efforts with the MGM Junior Camp, the next generation of pistol and 3-gun competitors are already making noise at major matches.

Also making noise this season is Travis himself, winning his first division title at this year’s Ironman, setting up a memorable run in the 3GN Shoot-Off. In only his fifth year of active 3-gun competition, Gibson made a big performance jump this year. As such, he’s been ranked in the top 20 for much of the 2011 season, solidifying his spot in the season-ending 3GN Championship in November.

We caught up with Travis recently to talk about his company, his shooting, and “Thumbs and Smiles,” the craze sweeping the 3-gun world.

Catch Travis Gibson in action at the MGM Ironman on the next two episodes of “3-Gun Nation.”

3GN: MGM Targets is one of the foremost companies in the industry for supporting the shooting sports? What drives that commitment to shooting?

TG: In the beginning it was to help introduce our product to the market and get free shooting slots to matches! Now that MGM is probably the leading target manufacturer in the world, we sponsor events for two reasons. The first is to introduce new products into the market, and the second is to support the 2nd Amendment.  We realize that supporting the shooting sports helps them grow and gets more people on our (the shooters’) side. We are also huge supporters of junior events and put on a yearly camp called the MGM Junior Shooter Camp. We have been told by parents that it was a “life changing” event for their child … and it didn’t have a thing to do with shooting. (http://www.juniorshootercamp.org/)

3GN: Your entire family has various roles at MGM, whether day-to-day operations, Junior Camp, or the Ironman. What is that dynamic like—having your professional, shooting and family lives so intertwined?

TG: While it isn’t all fun and games, to tell you the truth, I couldn’t come up with a better life in my wildest dreams. I get to be involved with what I love every day, and I get to spend time with my family doing it. It’s great and I wouldn’t change it for the world. For the most part, people in the firearms industry are an outstanding bunch and I think my family exemplifies that.  

3GN: You made a big jump in performance from last season to this year. What made it all click?

TG: I really have no clue … but I go through most of my life like that so why should this be any different?  Actually, I’ve been getting some good quality practice in, and the other thing I think really helped me is just getting more big-match experience. This is only my 5th season of SERIOUS 3-gun shooting, so I’m learning new tricks all the time. After every match, I try to go back and find out what hurt me the most, and then I go and practice it until I get it perfect.

3GN: At Ironman you got your first division win. We have a cool picture of your dad presenting you with the plaque, and all of this on your birthday as icing on the cake—literally! Pretty good weekend for Travis?

TG: Oh man…it truly was a great weekend. I had a great squad, the weather was perfect, and my sister Tennille was acting as match director so I was able to really focus on shooting. For only having shot irons at one other match, I was really happy with the win. Other than having my wife Tracy there and getting to shoot with my son, having my pops present the trophy to me was probably the best part. 

Mike Gibson (right) presents the MGM Ironman Tactical Iron division plaque to his son, Travis.

3GN: Few people have been as involved with the 3GN Tour from the beginning to now as you, hauling literally tons of Shoot-Off steel around the country. Been a pretty good ride so far?

TG: I think I’ve told everyone I know about this, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m sure people are getting tired of hearing about it from me! What 3-Gun Nation has done for the shooting sports is phenomenal. In ten years when this show is on every Sunday morning of the season just like NASCAR is now, I’ll be proud to look back and say, “Yea…I was a part of that the very first year.”  This is the show that is going to bring 3-Gun to the masses.

Travis Gibson squaring off against AMU’s Tyler Payne in the 3GN Shoot-Off at MGM Ironman.

3GN: After all the work you’ve done to help the 3GN Tour, what was it like to finally get a crack at that Shoot-Off stage following Ironman?

TG: I can’t even explain how excited I was. I think I just wanted to get back at the steel I’d had to haul around all that time and never got to shoot! Actually, I knew I was in with a great bunch of shooters, but when I found out exactly who all I’d potentially be shooting against, I would have bet my life I could have beaten every one of them. Shoot-offs are a totally different game. A totally different mindset. I was ready to get in there and beat them all. It was very exciting, and I’m glad it happened at my home range.  

3GN: You ended up getting knocked out by Chuck Anderson, who was on fire. But we’re guessing that $500 check was a decent consolation?

TG: It sure was, and a huge thanks out to Warne Scope mounts for that! Honestly though, just getting there was reward enough. I was pretty sure I could have beaten anyone that day, but Chuck was all over it. Man… I’ve seen that guy shoot before and he’s good, but that was incredible. I didn’t mind losing to the guy that took home the big check.  

3GN: You’ve been in the top 20 on the 3GN Standings all season, which means you’re a lock to qualify for the 3GN Championship. You looking forward to mixing it up against that field again?

TG: You know it! I feel like I’m a much better shooter now than I was (at last year’s 3GN Championship) and I’m ready to go after it. Last year was sort of an odd deal.  As I’m sure you remember, we were out setting up steel until about 10:00 the night before the match started. That isn’t ever good for a top-level performance. As that won’t be an issue this year, I have just as good of a chance as anyone to make it to the top 16. At every match I’ve shot this year with the exception of two, I’ve been in the top 15. I think I’m good to go.  

3GN:  Last year you finished 27th at the 3GN Championship. With even more money on the line this year, how difficult is it going to be to crack the top 16 and make the Shoot-Off? Can you do it?

TG: Well it is definitely going to be tough, but I think I’m going to make it. I really don’t think anyone is going to try harder to make it in just because there is more money on the line. I mean, they probably tried as hard as they could last year don’t you think?!?! All kidding aside, I’ve stepped up my game and I’m ready for it. 

“Thumbs & Smiles” became popular with shooters this summer on the 3GN Tour.

3GN: There is this phenomenon, let’s call it “Thumbs & Smiles,” sweeping the 3-gun world. Just what is this TSGFC all about anyway?

TG: Oh man…  Really there are two different things going on there. The “Thumbs and Smiles” is something my son Wyatt and I started a while back. Basically, it’s just something fun we did in all of our pictures. Sort of a funny pose that seemed to work well everywhere and made people laugh. The TSG Fanclub is something my buddy Scott McGregor came up with. Again, more to give me a hard time than anything. From there, Kyle McGregor jumped in and started to “fuel the fire” if you know what I mean. It sort of got a little out of control and T-shirts were made … then patches ... then the official “fan club.” We are selling memberships for $40. For that LOW LOW price you get a T-Shirt, the “Travtical” patch, and an official acceptance letter from the Executive Vice President, Mr. Scott McGregor! All of the proceeds go to the MGM Junior Camp. We use the money to help cover tuition and travel expenses for kids that wouldn’t normally get to come. At $260 with lodging included, it is a great bargain, but because the junior has to travel with an adult, expenses can get high. We figured this would be a good way to help grow the sport.

Proceeds from the Travis Gibson Fan Club benefit the MGM Junior Shooter Camp.

Posted on 10/11/2011