Competitive shooting/shooting leagues – where does a newb start?

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586nickel

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To date, all I have ever done w/ my pistols is simply plink w/ them at the local ranges w/ friends on a relatively infrequent basis. You know, shooting paper targets, cans, clay pigeons, etc. -- just having fun.

I’d like to get more serious about shooting, become a better shooter and get in to more of a weekly routine. So I was thinking/hoping of maybe taking part in a “shooting league” (if that’s the right term) that meets maybe one night a week at a local INDOOR range where I can shoot competitively and meet some fellow handgunners. I say indoor b/c I live in a huge metropolis where getting to an outdoor range during the weekdays is basically impossible. Do leagues like this exist?

From my research here, it looks like there are different types of competitive shooting – defense and target and probably others I don’t even know about. I’m less interested in the defensive shooting right now. I think I need to start by focusing on the basics of pistol marksmanship by shooting bullseyes or targets. I’m probably not using the terminology correctly. The information is kind of overwhelming to be honest. What kind of competitive shooting should I start with?

I have a decent assortment of pistols and calibers (semis and revolvers, 22LR, 9mm, 38/357 and 40S&W) so I think, based on what I have read, I might be decently equipped to get started in something.

I have a Ruger MKII that I love to shoot and understand is a decent/entry level bullseye gun. I’m thinking, based on my VERY limited knowledge of competitive shooting, that perhaps that shooting bullseye w/ that one is a good place to start – yes?

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
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I would look into a local club that has a bullseye pistol program. The best way to learn trigger control. Here in SW Michigan the bullseye psitol league which involves a number of clubs is a winter pastime, January through April. When I first started shooting bullseye many years ago only iron sights were allowed. Currently most competitors use some type of red dot sight although I do see a few shooters with iron sights.
 
Contact any gun clubs that you have nearby and see what they offer. My club has an indoor pistol range and offers Bullseye, PPC and bowling pin matches and you don't have to be a member to shoot league (but it's worth it). Clubs are all different, so shop around.

You might also check gun shops with ranges and see if they have leagues, but a good club is the way to go.
 
Bullseye is the basis and foundation of all shooting competitions, and the best learning platform. What you learn in Bullseye carries over to all other handgun sports. Sight picture, breath control, trigger pull, mental control, etc. I would start by contacting the local gun shops, usually there is someone there familiar with the area ranges and leagues, especially the shops that sell reloading supplies. Many large city ranges don't have leagues, and I don't know why. The more shooters you bring in the more products you can sell. I know, it takes someone willing to set it up, keep the scores, figures the handicaps (if a handicapped league), get the awards, prepare certificates, get NRA charters, etc, etc. I have run a local bullseye league at our local little pistol club every winter for 30 years, just retiring this last year, (but still shooting). It can be work. but it is rewarding. Contact your state shooting association, I'm sure they have a web site. Good luck, it's great fun. Of all the shooting I have done, PPC, IPSC, IHMSA, High Power Rifle, Small Bore Rifle, Trap & Skeet I still enjoy bullseye the most. Start with a .22 RF semi-auto (such as a S&W Mod 41) you can learn the most at a reasonable price.
 
Thanks, guys -- great advice. Looks like I got a little legwork and homework to do. Also, sounds like I have a great excuse to get a S&W model 41!!!:D
 
I can tell you that you will never regret purchasing a Model 41,I am also looking at getting involved with Bullseye shooting wish there were more places to shoot.
 
I know you said that defensive shooting was low on your list but you can look on the idpa web site and they have a list of clubs all over the US by state. each of those clubs shoot more than IDPA so you might find one closer than you think
 
The Thursday night pistol league I participate in has a rimfire class and centerfire class. There are few guys in both classes that are competitive, most of the shooters are there to enjoy the camaraderie and shooting.
 
H Richard said:
Bullseye is the basis and foundation of all shooting competitions, and the best learning platform. What you learn in Bullseye carries over to all other handgun sports. Sight picture, breath control, trigger pull, mental control, etc. I would start by contacting the local gun shops, usually there is someone there familiar with the area ranges and leagues, especially the shops that sell reloading supplies. Many large city ranges don't have leagues, and I don't know why. The more shooters you bring in the more products you can sell. I know, it takes someone willing to set it up, keep the scores, figures the handicaps (if a handicapped league), get the awards, prepare certificates, get NRA charters, etc, etc. I have run a local bullseye league at our local little pistol club every winter for 30 years, just retiring this last year, (but still shooting). It can be work. but it is rewarding. Contact your state shooting association, I'm sure they have a web site. Good luck, it's great fun. Of all the shooting I have done, PPC, IPSC, IHMSA, High Power Rifle, Small Bore Rifle, Trap & Skeet I still enjoy bullseye the most. Start with a .22 RF semi-auto (such as a S&W Mod 41) you can learn the most at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

As a thirty year Bullseye veteran I absolutely agree with everything H Richard just said. Learning the fundamentals of Bullseyes shooting is the answer to almost all forms of rim and center fire shooting with the exception of the shotgun sports. It's small club matches that incubate the best shooters in the country other than the military and that's their job.

Guys like H Richard are the backbone of the sport giving themselves to supporting the league and I'm sure helping along new shooters. You learn Bullseye and you end up with more than holes in a target. You learn trigger and sight management, stance, breathing and heart rate control and most of all handling nerves and pressure. Each one of these elements are the critical building blocks of real marksmanship. Then add the fact that you once you get decent you'll be forever hooked trying to improve your slow, timed or rapid fire. Plus the comradeship of the league players is always icing on the cake. Guys that often only see each other once a week come together like old friends, still want to win, but shootin buddies.

You can't go wrong looking for a club or range where you can join in Bullseye competition. I'm sure there must be clubs near you but even so I used to drive 50 miles one way every Wed night just to shoot 30 rounds of rimfire. Do it.
 
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