Jalise and Justine Williams started shooting a .357 Marlin rifle when they were just 3 and 4 years old. Since their dad couldn’t afford a .22, he cut down the stock and loaded some .357 ammunition that they could shoot. It wasn’t until they were 9 and 10 when they started shooting pistols, their first being the Springfield Armory XDM.
The Williams girls got the competition bug just 2 1/2 years ago when they started shooting Tuesday Night Steel Pistol at their local club. Their first major match was USPSA Nationals and first major 3-Gun match was the ‘Hard As Hell’ match in St. George, UT.
Even at their young age, both girls already have major accomplishments. Jalise won her first overall at the Zion Classic where she took overall in Single Stack. At the 2016 USPSA Area One Championship she won High B class in Single Stack and High Junior, and Justine won High B Class Production and High Lady.
Jalise and Justine both shoot Springfield Armory 1911 A1 customs for single stack and a Springfield Armory XDM 5.25 for production. They use the same rifles, Robinson Armament XCR-L, but their shotguns are different. Jalise’s shotgun is a Stoeger 20-gauge M3020, while Justine shoots a Benelli M2.They load their own ammunition with a Dillon 1050 and use Berry’s Manufacturing Bullets.
Jalise’s favorite part of her Springfield 1911 is her grips. They have the perfect roughness on them, so they are easier to grip. She also changed her safety on it so she could reach it better since her hands are so small. If she could change anything Jalise would add some red, white and blue color to her gun because she is extremely patriotic. Justine’s favorite part of her XDM is the trigger and grip because the trigger is light and she can easily reach it since the grip is smaller. On other guns, with her small hands it is hard to reach the trigger.
For their range bags they use the Competitive Edge Dynamic, which they won at the 2016 USPSA Area Two Championship. The girls carry quite a few extras in their bags—including a band aid kit, rags, a squib rod, a magazine cleaner, Pro Grip, Rudy Project glasses, House of Hearing Ear plugs, notebook, sunscreen, Weapon Shield gun oil, hand tape, kleenex, and snacks.
Since the girls began shooting pistol after their mom took them to a Ladies Night Clinic at the range, they suggest that as a way to get started. Jalise and Justine encourage new shooters to head out to the range, where everyone is helpful, and start watching. Once an interested shooter hears the ringing of steel he or she will probably be hooked. If you decide to start competing, both girls suggest focusing on accuracy first, speed will come later. The Williams say the best part of the shooting sports are the people, saying, “From day one the community has been so supportive of us. Everyone is really friendly and helpful.”
