Participate or Spectate?

[badkarmamib]

I would consider myself a "casual" shooter. I enjoy target shooting and hunting. My limits so far are rifles at steel at 400 yards (easy with a scoped Remington 700 in .30/06, definitely harder with Garand irons), 31/50 sporting clays (been 4 times), and keeping a pistol mag on a sheet of paper rapid-fire at 15 yards/slow-er fire at 25. So, like I said, casual.

Next year is my 40th birthday, and my 15th anniversary. My wife and I are planning to do a couple of things brand new to us. I am thinking 3-gun or the like. BUT, as the title suggests, I don't know, if I decide to go, if I should watch or play.

For those who already participate, would someone like me enjoy sitting on the sidelines, or is that usually for family of the shooters? Can you see much from the stands?

Or, as a casual shooter, would it be worth it to try a round, with the full expectation of it most likely being a one-time thing?

In either case, any recommendations on something in or near VA that would be a good first experience?

Finally, since I am obviously very new to this, what else should I know for an introduction? I have seen some of the videos posted here, some on YouTube, etc. What else should someone who has never attended an event know?

I understand this is VERY open-ended, and the answers could easily go both directions, so I am just looking for basics for spectate vs. participate, and things that I should probably already know, not looking for a "handout of all your secrets", if that makes any sense. Just hoping for a few pointers for a complete newbie. Thanks.

 

[skeeterfogger]

Try it. If you feel uninterested then be a spectator. The loss is not trying.

 

[Jim Watson]

I've seen a lot of spectators at action shooting matches. Few sit out the whole thing. By the time you have seen three or four shooters run each stage, the novelty is wearing thin.
Some come back and shoot, many don't.
I have talked to a lot of bystanders, few shooters do, they are focused on their own performance.

Shooting is a skill sport, going in with a one time experience attitude will not be rewarding. Three gun is particularly tough, three entirely different guns, three skill sets.
I think the best starting place would be Steel Challenge or GSSF. Then ASI if shot in your area, or IDPA.

Our match director has put in a requirement for a half day introductory class for new shooters, ten minutes before a match was not enough instruction for some personality types.

Then there are the guns, but that is a new topic.

 

[1KPerDay]

Usually there are no “stands” but rather shooting bays surrounded by berms. You can bring lawn chairs if you want. Have you shot any handgun matches? It might be a good idea to shoot a couple handgun only matches, IDPA or USPSA style, before you try a multigun. In fact my club requires it.

but yes, go shoot. Watching other people shoot can give you an idea, but nothing inoculates you for the stress and fun of shooting a competition like shooting a competition.

 

[1KPerDay]

As far as family, I bring my daughter once in a while and she’s a good shooter. If she wasn’t participating she’d probably be bored as heck and sit in the car on her phone. I haven’t been able to get my wife out there yet but some people bring significant others or younger kids to watch. Mostly they don’t last through a long day.

 

[Chuck R.]

Honestly I wouldn't start my match shooting with 3gun....IDPA or USPSA would be more appropriate IMHO and I shoot IDPA and 3Gun (used to shoot CAS too).

3Gun can be frustrating as to the rules and the number of TGTs that must be shot with one of the 3 guns, or that you can substitute a gun on. It's complex....

As for spectating or shooting. I'd go and shoot. Watching a match is kind of like watching paint dry, and you won't really understand what's "technically" happening anyway. Guys could have blazing speed, but dismal accuracy and you won't know it for at least the cardboard tgts.

Don't spend a bunch of money on "stuff", maybe try and borrow what you need, but go and shoot. That's another strike against starting with 3Gun cause you'll need more "stuff". IDPA is probably the easiest for new shooters; your CCW pistol, holster that's legal/safe (strong side, covers trigger), 3 mags (4 IF you're a single stack), and a mag carrier (you can even keep mags in your pockets). The club guys will take care of you and as long as your equipment is safe, not loose sleep over the rules (at first). Concentrate on safety and getting your hits. Don't sweat the time, don't try to keep up with guys that make things look easy and quick after doing it for thousands of rds.

Remember, everybody there had a 1st match too.

Go to Practiscore to find matches near you:

https://practiscore.com/search/matches

 

[badkarmamib]

Good points on the 3-gun. I don't have the basic equipment for the shotgun, for starters. I understand that there are many different types of competition. Is there anything geared specifically towards AR/AK style shooting, without the pistol and shotgun aspects? My reasoning is IDPA sounds like a good pistol-only competition, sporting clays scratches the shotgun itch, I have a couple of friends that we can score paper at 200 for long(for me)-range. So, just wondering if semi-auto rifle is relegated to 3-gun, or if there is some formal competition that I am not familiar with. Thanks, I already have a lot of research to do!

 

[ATLDave]

See if you can find an indoor USPSA or IDPA match. Those are great entry points for new shooters coming into the action/practical games. It’s a smaller investment of time, most of them see new shooters all the time and are well practiced at helping/welcoming them, etc.

As for whether to watch or shoot first, either can be better for different people. Some really want to have a feel for the game before they try it, but most people shoot at the first match they attend. Let people know you’re new to the sport and you should have lots of friendly assistance.

 

[ATLDave]

Good points on the 3-gun. I don't have the basic equipment for the shotgun, for starters. I understand that there are many different types of competition. Is there anything geared specifically towards AR/AK style shooting, without the pistol and shotgun aspects? My reasoning is IDPA sounds like a good pistol-only competition, sporting clays scratches the shotgun itch, I have a couple of friends that we can score paper at 200 for long(for me)-range. So, just wondering if semi-auto rifle is relegated to 3-gun, or if there is some formal competition that I am not familiar with. Thanks, I already have a lot of research to do!

USPSA has a Pistol Caliber Carbine division that lets you shoot 9mm AR’s and the like instead of a pistol. Very popular now, and a super easy way to learn practical shooting.

Practical (true) rifle games are just harder to come by most places. Takes multiple rifle ranges in one spot to really make it worthwhile, so there’s less of it. That makes it a tougher entry game for getting into practical/action games.

 

[jmorris]

Before I try a new discipline I always go watch first and talk to those who will talk to me.

I also always talk to folks that come up interested as well. Most groups are very friendly and tons of advice is free for the taking.

 

[1KPerDay]

Good points on the 3-gun. I don't have the basic equipment for the shotgun, for starters. I understand that there are many different types of competition. Is there anything geared specifically towards AR/AK style shooting, without the pistol and shotgun aspects? My reasoning is IDPA sounds like a good pistol-only competition, sporting clays scratches the shotgun itch, I have a couple of friends that we can score paper at 200 for long(for me)-range. So, just wondering if semi-auto rifle is relegated to 3-gun, or if there is some formal competition that I am not familiar with. Thanks, I already have a lot of research to do!

Many clubs that run 3 gun or multigun offer 2 gun divisions where you can shoot your rifle and pistol. Or PCC and pistol. Or PCC only.

 

[ATLDave]

One other thing about 3gun: most of the 3gun guys also shoot USPSA because being fast with a pistol is worth a lot in 3gun and the much larger number of USPSA matches means they can get more work in than by just waiting for the next monthly 3gun match. From what I’ve been told, pistol shooting and shotgun loading, not shooting, is where most of the difference in 3gun match scores gets made. Unless gear breaks or something.

 

[1KPerDay]

One other thing about 3gun: most of the 3gun guys also shoot USPSA because being fast with a pistol is worth a lot in 3gun and the much larger number of USPSA matches means they can get more work in than by just waiting for the next monthly 3gun match. From what I’ve been told, pistol shooting and shotgun loading, not shooting, is where most of the difference in 3gun match scores gets made. Unless gear breaks or something.

Generally I agree with this but a good stage designer will make the rifle heavy stages worth your while, with significant penalties if you don’t spend enough effort hitting long steel for example.
But my club is UML affiliated not USPSA or 3GN anymore. So it may be somewhat of an outlier.

I do fairly well in the limited or heavy divisions running a 9-shot Mossberg 590 with a 6-shot side-saddle and 6 shot butt cuff. I also wear a bandolier sometimes and/or a couple of 4-round shell caddies but it’s a rare stage at my club where I can’t get through with just the ammo on the gun and in the gun.
But again, when you’re starting out you are not going to be competitive anyway so don’t worry about spending fat stacks on game gear. Just run what you brung, be safe, learn, and have fun.

 

[Chuck R.]

Generally I agree with this but a good stage designer will make the rifle heavy stages worth your while, with significant penalties if you don’t spend enough effort hitting long steel for example.
But my club is UML affiliated not USPSA or 3GN anymore. So it may be somewhat of an outlier.

I do fairly well in the limited or heavy divisions running a 9-shot Mossberg 590 with a 6-shot side-saddle and 6 shot butt cuff. I also wear a bandolier sometimes and/or a couple of 4-round shell caddies but it’s a rare stage at my club where I can’t get through with just the ammo on the gun and in the gun.
But again, when you’re starting out you are not going to be competitive anyway so don’t worry about spending fat stacks on game gear. Just run what you brung, be safe, learn, and have fun.

This is how our club normally is. There will be a distance stage where the penalties are pretty high for not getting your hits on the distance steel and if the penalties aren't bad enough the time spent missing will just about kill you for overall. Still the biggest thing I see as a discriminator is the shotgun loading. Our normal stages are about 12 required shotgun, but every once in a while they'll have one of those shotgun heavy stages where guys break out chest rigs full of shotgun rounds and the guys shooting open with the AKs have a distinct advantage (provided their gun runs).

 

[1KPerDay]

This is how our club normally is. There will be a distance stage where the penalties are pretty high for not getting your hits on the distance steel and if the penalties aren't bad enough the time spent missing will just about kill you for overall. Still the biggest thing I see as a discriminator is the shotgun loading. Our normal stages are about 12 required shotgun, but every once in a while they'll have one of those shotgun heavy stages where guys break out chest rigs full of shotgun rounds and the guys shooting open with the AKs have a distinct advantage (provided their gun runs).

Well if you're not shooting Open division then you should be golden in that case... you're only competing with people with similar equipment. Of course if you're in Tac/Limited/TacOps/whatever they call the "main" AR/Optic division and you're not shooing a semi auto and loading twins or quads, you're not going to win most likely. But winning isn't everything, contrary to what some people think.

 

[waktasz]

There's tons of shooting opportunities in VA. I'd go to a USPSA match and participate first so you can get an idea for the rules, procedures, etc. In the intro classes I teach I mention 3gun but don't recommend it to people for their first match or even their first year.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Lots of good advice here.

I shoot IDPA with GRB (Greater Richmond Blasters). I have shot a couple USPSA matches a couple years ago but prefer IDPA.

GRB also has a monthly 3Gun match and monthly Steel Challenge match.

There are plenty of other matches from Charlottesville to Fredericksburg down to the Tidewater area.


I dont know where you're located in VA but if you're central feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to give you any help you need regarding info for the local meets.

 

[badkarmamib]

where you're located in VA

Near Harrisonburg. So Charlottesville wouldn't be too far to drive. Still trying to decide what I am hoping to get out of it, but I will keep your generous offer in mind. Thanks.

 

[ATLDave]

Still trying to decide what I am hoping to get out of it...

Proposed goal: Figure out whether you like it or not. You'll be very likely to get that much out of it. IMO, that's reason enough to go.

Other things you're likely (50+% chance) to get out of it: A fun day, making a new friend or two, having your perception of shooting performance re-calibrated.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

I’ve been shooting cowboy action for the last decade. I shot IPSC (now USPSA) club matches in the 80s. In recent years I’ve also shot Steel Challenge (a really good place to start competition shooting if there are matches in your area), a couple of IDPA and Three Gun matches.

Whichever discipline you are considering it’s a great idea to attend a match before buying anything, joining an organization or otherwise investing. You learn a lot more about the game by being there than you will in reading or even watching videos. You may find that it’s different than what you thought it was. Also you get to assess the culture of the group. This is really important if you want to involve your wife or kids.

Don’t make the mistake of buying gear before showing up. All too often eager new shooters show up with gear that does not work well for competition, or even gear that does not comply with the rules of the particular game. That leads to disappointment and unnecessary losses.

I’ll put in a plug for cowboy action shooting. We have a larger percentage of lady and youth shooters than most shooting sports. You can find affiliated clubs in your state at www.sassnet.com.

 

[TonyAngel]

I can honestly say that I’ve never just watched a match, unless it was on TV or YouTube.

If you’re interested but unsure, borrow gear. Find a match and just shoot it. I shot my first matches using a “modified” OWB holster with lots of card board and duct tape, digging mags out of my pockets. The point is that you don’t need the greatest gear to participate. You just need something that accommodates the rules and goes bang.

As with anything, there are always gonna be a couple of weinies, but for the most part people are friendly, welcoming and HELPFUL.

Shoot the match. You’ll either get bit by the bug or you won’t.

 

[TonyAngel]

A word of caution though... if you do get bitten by the bug, beware, four wheelers and dirt bikes will develop a layer of dust on them. Boats will grow cob webs and jet skis might get sold. Remind and force yourself to practice with your carry gun that doesn’t have a dot on it.

I don’t know what your budget is...just remember, you don’t need to go crazy on equipment to be competitive. Gear doesn’t make up for practice. For guys on a budget, I’ve seen LOTS of smith m&p’s (actually my favorite stock go fast pistol), pump guns and PCCs.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Proposed goal: Figure out whether you like it or not. You'll be very likely to get that much out of it. IMO, that's reason enough to go.

Other things you're likely (50+% chance) to get out of it: A fun day, making a new friend or two, having your perception of shooting performance re-calibrated.

Can not reiterate what Dave said enough. Go to shoot. The one thing you wont have is a bad time.

It can be a little nerve racking actually getting out to do it your first time but it's worth it.

I found a lot of insight watching random YouTube videos of USPSA and IDPA before I went to my first match. I already wanted to do it but watching the videos helped get me amped up enough to actually get off my butt and go.

And just know that for the most part you'll be going into it with folks there ready to welcome and help you into the fold, regardless of the discipline.


After all that you'll know if it's something you're "into" or not, but you wont know until you try.

 

[pa350z]

I was and am in your position. I started two years ago with USPSA after watching a few matches and then going through a club orientation. I watched a ton of videos and read through the rule book. I can say one thing. Being a good, casual knowledgeable shooter does not prepare you for this type of shooting. Yes, you will know about the four rules of gun safety. Yes, you know how your firearm works. However, what you don't know are things like breaking the 180, round counting, stage movement, running with a loaded firearm, shooting a string properly, hit factor, scoring, and so on. I am still learning. A lot of what you do as a casual shooter, you don't do as an action pistol shooter. How many times have your drawn your firearm from a holster in a 100% safe fashion with a timer and range office looking over your shoulder watching every move? Like anything, practice makes perfect. I am still disappointed in my match scores and have DQ'd a couple of times without knowing why until it was explained to me. However, I have to say I am getting better. BTW - I am shooting production with a Glock 19, cheap belt and mag holders with the standard Glock mags. Figuring I need to get good and peak with that before moving to more customized equipment and into the Open Category. Lots of Luck!

 

[waktasz]

Why purposely use a cheap belt and mag pouches? A good belt and pouches can be used in every division so might as well get good ones.

And please take a class from someone who can get you to stop DQing if you haven't figured out that part yet.