IN PORTRAIT:

Csaba Szászi

GECO IPSC Team Shooter

Csaba Szászi, Hungary

Born in Eger on 4 February 1968, the ammunition expert inhaled gunpowder smoke at a tender age, as his father was a senior officer at a military arsenal. He began with air pistols and small calibre rifles in his youth, and took part in military shooting competitions with duty pistol and machine carbines during his time as a soldier.

His active involvement in IPSC competitions began in the Standard Division in 2007.

A second place at the Hungarian Championships, further podium finishes at major Central European events as well as a fifth place in European Championship and seventh spot at a World Championship as a member of the Hungarian national squad are among his greatest accomplishments. The ammunition expert uses a German Sport Target Pistol (STP) 2011 by Prommersberger and an STI 2011 Edge as his match firearms, accompanied by GECO .40 Smith & Wesson ammunition and Double Alpha Race Master holster equipment.

Emotional moments in my career as a sports shooter, which I always remember fondly, include the participation in European and World Championships, where I had the honour to represent my country and the GECO brand.

Quick-fire interview with Csaba Szászi – 10 questions, 10 answers:

 

1. What introduced you to sport shooting? 

My father introduced me as a young boy; as a senior military officer, he was competent at teaching me the basics of handling a gun.

2.When did you start?

I started to take IPSC sport shooting seriously and enter competitions around 13 years ago. Initially I always ended up mid-table, but I continued to improve all the time.

3.What was the very first gun you owned? 

A CZ 75 in 9mm Luger, which I shot for about two years.

4. What have been your biggest successes?

Well, I’ve come second in the Hungarian IPSC Standard Division Championship four times, where I was always pipped to the post by my friend György Batki. I am particularly proud of my fifth place at the European Championship and seventh place at the World Championship as a member of the Hungarian national team.

5. Can you describe a typical day of practice?

Time permitting, I practice three times a week and shoot between 200 and 250 rounds in differently structured sessions. Usually I am only able to practice a static shooting position, but from time to time I can also fit in sessions with dynamic shooting and movement.

6. How much ammunition do you use up each year for practice and competitions?

At a rough estimate, I’d say I fire around 15,000 to 20,000 shots per year.

7. Which firearms are you currently using? 

At the moment I am using an STP and STI Edge in .40 S&W.

8. What aspects of the ammunition really matter to you?

It needs to be easy to handle and completely reliable at all times. It should not contain harmful substances or be too powerful for the particular firearm, and above all it needs to be accurate.

9. Do you wind down with other sports/hobbies aside from sport shooting?

I play squash and football once a week. I’m also an enthusiastic angler, but sadly I rarely have time.

10. What advice would you give to a novice shooter? 

More than anything else, be patient. Observe and analyse the top shooters directly around you and – above all – practice diligently and frequently.

Thank you, Csaba!

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