I've wanted to get into USPSA shooting for about a year, but finally took the plunge last night in a small, indoor, weekly match. After a very thorough safety briefing (I was familiar with all the safety rules, but I really enjoyed and appreciated hearing them explained in person - gave me confidence that I had read them correctly), there were two stages to shoot.
The first had a dozen targets (all brown cardboard) and almost as many no-shoots. There were lots of "walls" separating targets into clusters of 2-4, and many of the targets were partially obscured by no-shoots; lateral movement was required to get access to the targets. 2 shots per target, comstock count.
The second, a very fast stage, had only 3 targets, with the two on the left and right quite close and the middle one a good distance away. 4 shots were required on each target, and there was a mandatory reload to be taken anywhere in the string of fire. Comstock.
I got to watch 15-20 experienced shooters go first, since the group always puts completely new shooters at the end. While I was waiting, I got lots of friendly encouragement, and advice to go slow, focus on safety and procedure and good hits, and let the speed come over time.
Man, when that buzzer goes off, you get a massive shot of adrenaline! I have little memory of the actual shooting, and was too pumped/dazed at the end to listen closely to the scores as they were called, but I am told that I shot well (don't know hit factor yet). Don't think I hit any no-shoots, got all alphas on the second stage and don't think I got any mikes on the first, and nailed (by my standards) both of my reloads. Went out for beers and Tex-mex with some of the guys afterward.
I know it was a small match, but I am definitely hooked. What fun! Everyone who said "quit waiting, just go do it" was absolutely right. Wheeeee!!!
The first had a dozen targets (all brown cardboard) and almost as many no-shoots. There were lots of "walls" separating targets into clusters of 2-4, and many of the targets were partially obscured by no-shoots; lateral movement was required to get access to the targets. 2 shots per target, comstock count.
The second, a very fast stage, had only 3 targets, with the two on the left and right quite close and the middle one a good distance away. 4 shots were required on each target, and there was a mandatory reload to be taken anywhere in the string of fire. Comstock.
I got to watch 15-20 experienced shooters go first, since the group always puts completely new shooters at the end. While I was waiting, I got lots of friendly encouragement, and advice to go slow, focus on safety and procedure and good hits, and let the speed come over time.
Man, when that buzzer goes off, you get a massive shot of adrenaline! I have little memory of the actual shooting, and was too pumped/dazed at the end to listen closely to the scores as they were called, but I am told that I shot well (don't know hit factor yet). Don't think I hit any no-shoots, got all alphas on the second stage and don't think I got any mikes on the first, and nailed (by my standards) both of my reloads. Went out for beers and Tex-mex with some of the guys afterward.
I know it was a small match, but I am definitely hooked. What fun! Everyone who said "quit waiting, just go do it" was absolutely right. Wheeeee!!!
