Flipping heck, I just watched a few shooting competitions on YouTube, and it is making me want to go out now to sign up!

I'm not skilled at all for that. But, it was simply that impressive. I guess it is time for me to make going to the range, and learning to shoot better, a 'full time' hobby.

I'll certainly be visiting the range this weekend!

Do you, You or YOU compete? Was it difficult to get into?

If I needed a serious hobby I might do the same. As it is you have my admiration.

I've never been interested in competing. I might have had some success when I (and my eyes) were a lot younger but I never had the time. I love to watch competitive shooting but when I'm shooting I'm doing it for the recoil and gun smoke....and to get rid of some pent up hostilities.

I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to shoot well and if I were to get involved in competition I'd pro'lly drive myself crazy. It would be a mistake for me to take something that gives me pleasure and helps me unwind and turn it into another source of stress. Lord only knows I have enough of that to deal with..........

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Real men love cats!

I compete in various matches, makes for more interesting shooting than standing in a stall at a range and shooting at one target (I still do that too though ). There are a wide range of matches that you can take part in. There are the local unsanctioned variety, they usually take place at a shooting range and are often a weekly thing. Then there are the sanctioned events which are normally a monthly match per club/range. Two of the sanctioning bodies for action pistol are IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) and USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) which is the US component of IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) Sounds like too many letters, but it's all fun. You can get as involved as you want. I had to realize that there is no way I'm going to compete with a 20 something sprinting from shooting position to shooting position so I don't get bothered with comparing the scores. I shoot 2 sometimes 3 matches a week in nicer weather (I don't stand in the rain shooting anymore, well, not very often) I'm retired and this is my retirement activity. All the sanctioning organizations have Senior and Super Senior classifications and I've found that all (well, almost all) participants are a good bunch of people to hang out with.

Welcome to USPSA.org - Home of the United States Practical Shooting Association
IDPA - Welcome!

These websites will give you contact info in your area, get in touch and go to a match. You might find yourself a new hobby.

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Minimize the variables

Naviwilliams,
Do not know what part of Atlanta you live in, but be sure to ask if there are any USPSA or IDPA matches held at the range you visit this weekend.

There are IDPA matches every Tuesday evening at Sandy Springs Gun Club (Sandy Springs Gun Club And Range) and every Monday evening at Sharp Shooters in Roswell (https://www.sharpshootersusa.com/Home_Page.html)

It has been a year or so since I shot USPSA with the North Atlanta Action Shooters(North Atlanta Action Shooters) at Bullseye in Cumming. Used to be every Sunday evening, but I think the schedule has change. There is a monthy USPSA match at Riverbend (http://rbgc.org/USPSA/USPSA.htm). Bring about 300 rounds and lunch.

For me, it is fun to compete. Golf was not working out as I had hoped.

To answer your questions:
Yes, I compete. Not as much as i did or as i want.
No, it was not hard to get into. First time shooters will attend an orientation concerng safety and rules. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

Be prepared to assist with building the stages, marking the targets and other housekeeping items that are required to run the matches.

Feel to to PM me if you have any questions.

Later,
glen

Yes I compete. I shot my first rifle match in 1968. I was permanent party at the concrete paver equipment operators course at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. One cold February day as we were chipping concrete from steel forms with a hammer and chisel our sargent in charge walked in and stated that he needed 2 volunteers to try out for the rifle team. I jumped at the chance as anything had to be better than what I was doing. Long story short they got 2 volunteers from each outfit on the base and taught us to shoot the National Match Course using NM M-14's. We shot the NM course twice a day during the week and once on Saturday morning. I made the team and we shot the 5th Army matches in Fort Riley that summer. I made the 5th Army team and shot with them for a while. I had a great time and learned to shoot.

About 30 years ago I got a DCM Garand and started shooting local matches. I made it to sharpshooter shooting the Garand and then I put together a bolt rifle and jumped from sharpshooter to master.

About 20 years ago I started shooting metallic silhouette and that has been my main game ever since. I quit shooting 4 years ago because of surgeries I had but just got back into the game last year and I am having a ball doing it. I will be shooting the state smallbore silhouette championship next weekend and I am looking forward to it.

I also shoot a winter league indoor at 50 feet with an Anschultz 2013 match rifle. We shot our last match last week. The only down side is my neck has been bothering me lately and I have a hard time shooting prone. I had an MRI Thursday to see what is going on there. I am hoping it is not anything serious as I am really having a good time competing again.

I've been shooting local vintage military rifle matches since 2004. It's fun. I've done well with just plain Jane issue 1903 and 1903-A3 and M-1 Garand rifles. I shoot Greek HXP from the CMP in the M-1. I shoot cast bullet handloads in the 03 and 03-A3.

This coming weekend I will try my hand at a local pistol match. It will be draw and fire on some sort of humanoid target. As I am a pastor, I have no duty rig, so I'm going to simply use a Russell holster and my six inch 686 w/ nice 158 gr. handloads. I have been practicing the drawing part. I'll just have to watch the moving sections at the match and try to remember what to do. It should be fun. If I can remember how to move at each section I should be able to get good hits. The only part that may give me trouble is the reloads as I will be loading loose ammunition, haven't found a speed loader for the L-frame. If I can not mess up I may have enough time to do the reload and fire. We'll see! Try it! You'll probably like it!

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<><

If it is pistol matches you are looking at I suggest IDPA. It is as user friendly as any of the national based sports. Equipment is not critical & there are lots of folks who don't take the completion very seriously. It will give you a reason to improve your skills and meet new people.

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JOSHUA 1:9

I've been competing for over 30 years. Small-bore rifle, High power rifle, IHMSA Silhouette, USPSA, Trap, Skeet, Bullseye, PPC. I still shoot Bullseye (indoor rimfire) and Trap and Skeet. The best is to find a club near you and visit and see what competitions they do and do you like them (the competitions and the club). If you don't enjoy either you won't last. I hope you handload, as you will need to to compete.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I shoot IDPA some. I'm too old and worn old to ever hope to be a serious competitor. But I still do it for two reasons. First its probably the closest thing you're gonna get to real world practice for those of us who carry a concealed weapon. Second is that its just plain fun!

Yup, yup and yup! I've shot IPSC, SASS, PPC, steel, bowling pin and three gun match's. First off pick your poison and then check with people who shoot it or visit the body's web site and make sure you have the minimum rules approved equipment and check the safety rules before you show up on match day. Then show up and have fun! You will find that the vast majority of folk are friendly and helpful, willing to give the new guy or gal all the help they need to get through their first match. Let the RO's know that this is your first time and they will take care of you. Don't let being nervous keep you away, for everyone gets match nerves when they step up to the line, you just get better at handling them as you get experience.

Above all, follow the safety rules and have fun! Oh yeah, it helps to be able to laugh at yourself now and again.

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Stay safe people!

I shoot 3 of the pistol disciplines. They are different enough to make it interesting. Monthly I shoot 1 IDPA match, 1 steel challenge match, 2 USPSA matches. Additionally I shoot a weekly club match that is non affiliated and a combination of the 3 I already mentioned. The all have a different "feel".

IDPA is the closest to concealed carry and is centered around a scenario. The movement, actions, and shots are very proscribed. The typical instructions read something like: "Starting from P1, draw and shoot T1 3 times while moving forward to P2, at P2 retrieve your baby (doll) in your weak hand and engage T2 with strong hand only while retreating to cover". Any deviation incurs a procedural penalty. This is how all the stages and strings of fire are described.

In USPSA the instructions will typically read "From the start box, engage the targets as they become visible". It's up to the shooter to figure out how they are going to go through the course. The only restriction is that there are boundaries to the shooting area. The common name for this is "Run and Gun"! .

Steel challenge is much easier on the feet, for all stages except one, the shooter stands in the shooting box, at the buzzer engages each steel (4) and then the stop plate. Then the shooter repeats this 4 more times and the best 4 times are added together to score the stage. Steel is a bit easier on us older folk because it isn't a foot race with 20 somethings, but it's the fastest (and most volume) of shooting of the 3. Try them all and pick the one you like the best (or do all 3 like I do)

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Minimize the variables

Yes, I've been shooting in various disciplines over 30 yrs, ISSF samllbore rifle; air rifle; NRA smallbore rifle; high power rifle; bullseye pistol; air pistol...etc. I'm now well into my 60s, still keep busy by going to a few bullseye matches every now and again, and in the winter months shot in the local indoor standard pistol league.

Getting into competitive shooting isn't hard at all, just visit a club when there is a match going on. I'm sure you'll find other shooters will welcome you with open arms and answer any questions you may have.

I started out in Bullseye, added NRA Hunter's Pistol Silhouette, NRA
High-Power Rifle, PPC type, and then shot bowling pin matches for 10 years. Shot steel plates, IDPA, .22 Benchrest, and am now occasionally trying three gun matches. (Should have done them earlier when I was
thinner and more limber. But still fun.)

Some of the best times I've had were shooting bowling pins. Frustrating and enormously entertaining at the same time.
Steel plates are also a lot of fun.

I shoot USPSA, ICORE, and falling steel and I used to shoot a Steel Challenge clone before I decided to dedicate my limited time to shoot and move games. I also tried IDPA, but didn't like it as much as USPSA or ICORE so I don't shoot it. However if it was the only shoot and move game nearby, I would absolutely shoot it again.

It is my experience that new shooters are broadly welcomed and assisted at every turn as long as they are safe. Look at your local clubs and see what games are available...

I've been involved in high-power rifle competition since 1977 with a break here or there due to school. Shot well enough to qualify as a master in across the course and long range matches. I have shot a few IDPA matches and one three gun match. They are fun but, I prefer high-power.

I competed in SASS Cowboy Matches for 20 years and had a great time. The main reason I got out of the sport was because it started out as a bunch of Guys & Gals going out on a Sunday to dress up like Cowboys and to have a good old time. Then some of the "Gamers" took up the sport and were more interested in winning, cheating, working up squib loads, slicking up their guns to the extent of being ridiculous, wearing footwear that helped them run faster, modifying holsters for the extra edge, and using small caliber guns for little or no recoil. They ruined it in my opinion and it rapidly lost its fun value. I had the pleasure of taking first place a bunch of times when everyone was using .45 Colts, unmodified Rifles and Shotguns, standard target loads and had no interest in "cheating up" the game just to win. That is when I hung up my spurs and now just shoot for fun.

I have been asked more than several times by a few different shooting teams to join their club (modern pistols and PPC matches) since I am a pretty fair shot, but for now just want to remain a fun shooter.

It's a shame that some people are so intent on winning that they forget to have fun along the way. I am NOT bragging here, but the funny part is that I was outshooting almost all of the Gamers with my standard loaded bullets, smoothed but unmodified guns and holsters, and slow to run in and uncomfortable Cowboy boots.

Still wear my Stetson occasionally ...................

I went to just look at a bowling pin match last August, thankfully they "FORCED ME TO TRY IT", it's a lot of fun & a far cry from the national finals. More along the lines of shooting pool or playing darts at a bar. A bunch of guys just having fun & busting on each other good naturedly, not taking it or themselves too seriously. There are many different types of competitions and skill levels. I can only speak of bowling pin & steel challenge. Some are quite good & when they get to the level of having sponsors & going to state & national matches of course they take things more seriously than a schlub like me. Go with the intention of having fun & don't worry about times/scores for a while. I'm sure you will enjoy it. I would say the group as a whole are definitely above the average paper punchers at the open range, & they are a great source of tips/ info & are more than happy to teach & help newbies.

I shoot IDPA regularly. There's a match within a hour's ride every weekend. What makes it even better is that I almost always travel by motorcycle...two hobbies, one day. I'm a range officer at one of the clubs and help with the setup and teardown too. In exchange I get to shoot for free and keep whatever brass hits the ground in the stage I'm running.

I used to do a LOT of NRA conventional pistol.

I shot in the Cuyahoga County Pistol League, and used to shoot in various 1800s and 2700s.

Between money and working hours, I haven't been able to compete since 2009.

I just got my first decent job since then, so it's possible that I might start shooting the CCPL, or at least shooting 1800s and 2700s again.

Competition is a real test of your fundamental shooting skills and your powers of concentration. You will learn your equipment and yourself VERY well when you compete.

If readers run out of competition shooting videos to watch; be "amused and amazed" by watching the 1930'ish LA County Sheriff's Exhibition Shooting Team...and I thought Herb Parsons giving his Winchester's a workout was fun to watch... http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jDP8BRSEjrA

You can PM to me "only" if you are willing to hold the chalk for me...I am a good shot...really. Trust me.






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Navi,
I shoot USPSA. The husband got me into it back in the '80's. Now my girls are getting involved. After taking a break from competing we were looking at getting back into it. We looked at IDPA, and I was interested in it, but the only range that had the matches, was 45 minutes away, they did not have that many people competing so the matches were done pretty quickly. Plus I did not get a good vibe from the range they were being held at. We found a club a lot closer to us that is shooting USPSA. We have been competing with them for almost 2 months now.

Like it has been stated, most clubs are very friendly and helpful. Generally a great group of people. When competing you will see a range of guns from full "race" guns that have been heavily modified to shoot faster to guns fresh off the shelf. The most important factor in competing is to have fun. At the match I was at on Sunday, I have no idea how I was doing. I was just enjoying myself. Unfortunately we did not get to finish the match due to weather (tornados, rain, hail, wind, lightning, tend to disrupt a match! lol ).

First get comfortable with your gun. Then there are lots of things you can do at home to "practice". When practicing, always make sure your gun is unloaded and there is not ammo anywhere near you. You can dry fire your gun while working on your sight picture. Not only will it help smooth out your trigger, it helps you to obtain a quicker sight picture. You can also practice reloads and moving from one shooting position to another. Always making sure your gun is facing "down range" and making sure you do not break the 180. You can also practice drawing from your holster and taking one "shot" (you can download and print USPSA dry firing targets and stick them to the walls). As I said above, when you do this, make sure your gun is empty and there is no ammo around. Safety first!

The hardest part is just showing up at the matches. People obsess about "getting the perfect rig" and "getting good enough to win" BEFORE going to a match. A "perfect rig" is not going to help until you get good. and you aren't going to walk into a serious match and take top honors.
But you will "win" in that you will have fun and probably learn something.

IDPA and Steel Challenge are good places to start with ordinary people using ordinary guns.

IDPA Match Director
USPSA CRO

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Science plus Art

To steal a line from a shoe company, ' Just Do it'.

I started many many years ago ,, the company I worked for had a Bullseye shooting league. That lead to a Muzzleloading club,, then NRA Action Pistol,, Bowling pins,, IPSC ,,etc. ,,etc.

I was kind of intimidated when I signed up for my first NRA action Pistol State match. When I got there probably about 80% of the people there were poeple I shot with every month at the local matches..

Competition sounds intimidating at first ,, but you will meet some of the nicest , friendliest people ever.

Go watch ,, figure out what equipment you need ,, get your equipment to work right ( the hardest part) and jump in.. You'll wonder Why you didn't do it sooner..

I've been competing in various handgun competitions for 25 years. I didn't get started until I was almost 50 yrs. old.

The only real impediments to getting involved are in your head. Are you extremely sensitive and worried about shooting in front of a group of people? Do you fear you won't live up to your own self image? Can you learn by watching closely how better shooters do the sport? Are you able to approach people and ask for advice or help. Can you translate written or oral instructions into action?

If you can read the paragraph above and say "no problem" you're ready to go shooting. Shooting is no more expensive than lots of other hobbies.

Lastly, will your family be supportive? I don't mean they should come to matches and cheer. Will they be happy for you and your playing with guns?

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I love the conversation in this thread. Thanks for all the tips.

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I shot .22 NRA Smallbore in High School, Trap on for 10 years. Recently tried Bowling Pins at the urging of my shooting partners. I love it. Old timers and youngsters, we all have a good time. Some are very serious about times others like to try different guns and loads, but there isn't cutthroat competition and everyone has a good time. Folks shoot everything from stock .22s, older service revolvers, newer pocket autos to fully tricked out pin guns.

Go to shoots, shoot them, have fun, help out running them if you can.
The best thing I can say about shooting in local competitions and fun shoots is the people I have made friends with along the way.
IMO they are some of the best folks you will meet.
You never know, you may even bring home a swell plastic trophy or two while your at it.
I have finished first, last, and every place in between.
The best thing I have ever won is new friends.

My shooting was limited to either my military semi-annual quals or occasional casual range time. I enjoyed it, but frankly it was boring. Seems to me that there's a limit to how much fun I can have punching paper from behind the bench. At first, my solution was to take several guns to the range and make it more fun by simply shooting more guns.

Some of the guys at the range were doing this thing called IDPA. I gave it a try and was quickly addicted to "action pistol" sport.

Now, instead of having the leisure of spending several seconds squeezing off an accurate shot, I have to shoot as fast as I can AND still make the shot accurate.

As for being older, having tired eyes, etc., etc. I was 64 when I started shooting action pistol and I frequently beat the 30-40 year olds. It's especially fun to tromp some smart-mouth 35 year old with my 686.

Shot many types of competition from the Silhouette boom in the 80s, Cowboy Action, Steel Challenge, etc. But, holding a 1911 without any support and firing at a target 50yards and then timed and rapid fire at 25 yards--all done using one hand, now that is marksmanship skill, not how fast you can shoot or run or how "hi-tech" your equipment is. AKA Bullseye/Conventional Pistol Competition is the real deal for serious pistol marksmanship.

Started shooting the 50 foot .22 rifle gallery course in high school in the mid 1950's. Made the 2nd Army pistol team in 1960 and have continued shooting bullseye up until a few years ago. Something about that Grand Senior classification seemed to increase the shake a wee bit too much. Have had to move the target in to 50 feet from 25 yards to get any decent group now but still enjoy it immensely. There is a certain self satisfaction that comes from throwing 10 200 gr. LSWC into one hole, even if only at 50 feet.

I shoot NRA Action Pistol (Bianchi Cup), PPC, trap and sporting clays. The hardest part about getting started is talking yourself into trying it. You are intimidated by these "competition shooters" and don't want to look bad. But once you take the dive, you will find that a whole lot of those "competition shooters" are folks just like you, and not necessarily any better. Pick your game and go try it, and keep it in your mind that you are competing against YOU, and everyone else was just competing. If you shoot a 1000 the first time then you strive for 1005 or better the next time. And Viola! suddenly you have become one of those intimidating "competition shooters" ! oh BTW, don't forget to have fun.

I have shot a lot of bullseye both indoors 50' and out doors 25 & 50 yards
I shoot hunter silhouette every year.
I shoot Sporter rifle which is 50' off hand 22 cal. indoors in the winter
in the summer I shoot a 100 yard and 200 yard off hand rifle match.
I shoot a rimfire match at a local club in the winter.

And of course the internet snubby match!

I just joined the sporter rifle team last week. These were my first 2 shots. It went down hill from there. Every thursday till may.





I love it.

where do you shoot? i just started shooting the practice matches at Pioneer gun club.

I have to agree. I shoot USPSA, IDPA, and ICORE. I believe IDPA is the easiest introduction to the action pistol sports because of the limits they place on gear and the designs of the stages. All you need to start is a reliable self-defense type gun, three mags or three speedloaders, a holster, and a carrier for your reloads.

I do advocate taking an "Intro to" course if one is available near you. Nearly everybody fails to realize the stress that the timer and thoughts of an audience puts on you, and can often cause lapses in a focus on safety when moving or reloading.

And whether you take a course or not, I encourage you to do everything during your first match in slow motion. Nobody is going to bag on you for being slow, but you will become quickly unwelcome if you out of control and unsafe. So go slow. Then do it again next match. And the match after. And when you feel like safety is ingrained as the primary instinct, then try going a little faster.

Most people find that shooting competition is a great activity, even if you don't win. You'll find a tremendous satisfaction is you become more instinctively competent with your gun. Draws, reloads, sight acquisition, target transitions, malfunction recoveries...all skills that get honed by the action shooting sports.

There are downsides. You'll spend a lot more of your disposable income on ammo. You'll have a harder time enjoying the slow-fire pace of public ranges. Definitely worth the costs, to me.

I've been shooting in competition in one form or another for that last 25yrs. Currently it's IDPA. I feel it gives me the best practice platform to support my defensive shooting training. You will do more in one match than most in a years worth of flat range, slow fire shooting. Real practice IMO.
The biggest issue with any action shooting is safety. Work at home with an empty gun on your draw & reholster until it is fluid. Doesn't have to be fast, just smooth & safe. Again, empty gun, work on your reloads, smooth is better than fast. Then come to a match. Most clubs welcome new shooters & are very helpful. Watch the exp shooters, just don't try to go as fast. For you, think safe & only hits count. The speed will come. I can teach speed easier than I can teach accuracy.
Our club also offers a half day IDPA class for new guys/gals. This is a great way to break in as everyone is new, so your intimidation factor is less. It is also abbreviated & the instructors can spend individual time with each shooter improving their skill base. I SO about 40 matches a year, see all levels of shooters. I try to help the new guys out as much as possible, but diff to do at a match. In a classroom, you'll get a lot more instruction.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Iamivanwilliams, Look at some of your local rod and gun clubs, and check if they have competitions that you do not have to be a member to shoot in. Also look at steel shooting, both static and knockdown. I enjoy steel shooting. Just put it in a Google search.

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Nam '66-67