Different countries, different customs: this also applies to shooting culture. In Slovenia, for example, the country offers a good breeding ground for innovative shooting competitions such as Lynx Brutality. It was derived from the Finnish Brutality, which attracts shooters looking for a challenging competition to cold Finland. But back to warmer Slovenia: Lynx Brutality was launched there in 2022. The venue for the big show was to be the Lynx Pro Tactical Training Centre, which gave the event its name. The Brutality part of the name refers to the physical demands required of the participants – because it is brutal, in the truest sense of the word.
Lynx Brutality 2025: an extremely physically demanding competition with rifle and pistol
Almost every stage involved fast sprints, carrying weights from A to B, taking up unconventional shooting positions or even climbing through cars. Certainly not for everyone, but those who were interested were prepared to travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres to take part in this match. Some even more, as some teams had travelled across the pond from the USA. A total of around 100 participants were expected to find their way to the event. With such popularity, it hardly needs mentioning that this competition was once again fully booked. Twenty-four range officers accompanied the shooters through the 10 stages that had to be completed over two days. Some could only be mastered with a pistol or rifle, while others required the use of both to complete the stage. The use of silencers on rifles was even encouraged in order to minimise the noise level. And this was even honored with a shopping voucher. In Slovenia, the possession of silencers is only slightly regulated and 30-round magazines may also be used in rifles, which made the competition run much more smoothly.
The participants could be divided into three divisions. Irons aptly describes that only guns with mechanical sights may be used. The largest number of participants took part in the Open Division, in which both types of gun can be fitted with red dot sights or scopes. If the physical challenges are not high enough for you, you can compete in the Armored class. Here, at least 12 kg of additional weight must be carried as a plate carrier or other equipment. During this competition at the end of May, the temperatures were over 25 degrees – so drinking water was a constant issue for all participants.
More than 30 exhibitors promoted their products at Lynx Brutality 2025 – including Arex with Steyr Arms and Canik
A total of 32 exhibitors presented their products such as handguns and rifles, optics and many other items of equipment on the forecourt, so that the event could certainly be described as a small trade fair aimed at the target group. Arex, a company based in the host country of Slovenia, was one of the exhibitors. A large screen also ensured that spectators could follow the competition in real time. A nine-hour recording of the competition can be viewed at Polenar Tactical (see link below). The last day ended with the award ceremony. There was a table with prizes covering several square metres. In addition to handguns and rifles, optics and gun cases, many high-priced shopping vouchers were also awarded. If you enjoy testing your shooting skills under extreme physical strain, the Lynx-Brutality is the right place for you. The 5th Lynx Brutality will probably take place on the last weekend in May 2026. More detailed information will be available in January 2026 on the homepage mentioned below.
