Starting in Competition Shooting?

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MisterMike

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Please forgive my newb-ness, but I'm considering dabbling in competition shooting. I've done a reasonable amount of shooting over the years, but pretty much all uninspiring stuff at the range. Never any competition.

I'm interested in trying something new and sharpening my skills, if for no other reason than to be a more responsible CCW holder. Though I'm a geezer, I'm definitely a novice.

Any suggestions as to how I could start out? Again, apologies for my sheer ignorance. :eek:
 
What kind of competition? You could see if your local range has IDPA matches, etc.

Also, don't count on winning your first match. (I'm glad I didn't) If you do, you will get dissapointed.
 
I'm not really familiar with the different formats, but an IDPA type of competition is what I'm interested in. I suppose maybe the thing to do would be to track down a match, then watch as a spectator to see if it's something that interests me.

If I were to win my first match, I'd lose all faith in humanity. :)
 
Where in the midwest are you located? I'm the IDPA Match Director in West Frankfort IL and we would love to have you come shoot with us.
 
I would recommend checking out the websites of
www.idpa.com
www.uspsa.org

IDPA is geared more to defensive style of shooting, using cover, drawing from concealment, reloads with retention etc. Stages are set up as scenarios and usually require 6-18 rounds to complete. Shooting the stages are more of a tactical squence, which threats are more dangerous to you etc.
USPSA stages are set up to allow the shooter to solve the problem, more freestyle, no use of cover or concealment. Stages can require anywhere from 6-32 rounds of ammo to complete. It is run and gun, where IDPA is conceal and engage threats.
Many shooters compete in both and both are very fun shooting games. But that is what they are, games, not to be confused with any type of defensive training.
However both do require you to be very familiar with your firearm, understand how to reload it quickly, engage multiple targets, both have the added pressure and stress of competing on the clock, it is trigger, which any time on the trigger is better than none at all.

I would see of there are matches in your area, get ahold of the match director and ask if you can come out and watch a match to get familiar with.

Also check out YOUTUBE and do a search on IDPA, USPSA, IPSC and you will find a bunch of videos to watch and get an idea of the shooting sports.

What type of firearm are you planning on using?
 
Hi!

From your description of your interests, I would definitely suggest that you at least start your search with IDPA. The skills you practice could be considered a bit closer to "realistic" than some of the other games and the stages are less dependent on fast footwork, as IDPA limits the required movement to 15 yds per stage. Plus, you don't need quite as much equipment (extra mags and mag pouches) as in USPSA/IPSC, and your carry holster will be "competative."

Check out this page: http://www.idpa.com/clubs.asp

That will let you find clubs in your area that shoot IDPA matches.

I would start out by calling the contact person listed for whichever club is nearest and asking if you can come out and sit in on a practice session and/or match. Unless you run into some REAL black sheep, I'd predict that they'll be some of the most welcoming and friendly shooters you'll have met.

Before your visit, read over this a couple of times: http://www.aafgidpa.com/admin/Welcome_to_IDPA_Shooting.pdf
It's a .pdf and will take a while to download, but it spells out most of the important stuff in plain language.

If you've read it through, you won't be hearing the terms and the basic rules for the first time when you visit. If you have a pistol and holster that seem to meet the criteria spelled out in the guide (or are pretty close), bring them. Chances are you'll be invited to try a simple stage or two.

Try it out and let us know how you like it!

Good luck!

-Sam
 
Definitely find a match and go. Take your gear, because you will end up shooting. We are all friendly and love new shooters (ahem . . Helps our averages you know?). You will be pleasantly surprised, guys will go out of their way to welcome you and will likely loan you anything you need even ammo. We've all been noobs at one time.

It will ruin your desire to stand still and shoot at round targets.

RMD
 
Where in the midwest are you located? I'm the IDPA Match Director in West Frankfort IL and we would love to have you come shoot with us.
Click to expand...

I'm in the Chicago area (Naperville), so West Frankfort might be a bit far. However, if I find myself down your way I'll get in touch.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. There are some clubs nearby that host IDPA, so I'll check them out.
 
+1 on IDPA. There is more of a CCW mindset and a lot less movement in IDPA than USPSA. It also takes less gear to compete. A duty or CCW pistol, 3 mags, a good holster and mag pouches, roughly 100 rounds of ammo- along with a concealment garment and you are good to go for a match.

For your first match- show up an hour early to help with setup or to get an orientation. Be open to suggestions. Ask for help and hints from other competitors. There will be some really fast and accurate shooters there- don't worry about keeping up. Concentrate on being safe and getting your hits- speed comes with time and practice.
 
I think this is the year I start doing some competitons too ... here in St Louis we have the Arnold Gun Club close which puts on more than enough events, I just gotta get off my butt and do it.

My only real questions before going out are what kind of holster and mag pouches should I get, how should I dress ... and are prescription glasses good enough for eye protection or do I have to wear something over them?

Being young maybe I want the more movement option ... might be my only advantage over the old guys :D
 
Turbo-

Holster requirements for IDPA are tighter than for IPSC, but generally any holster you wear on a belt will suffice. Crossdraw holsters and shoulder holsters are the only ones to be explicitly banned for safety reasons.

Good holsters and mag pouches can be ordered from Blade Tech for a reasonable cost.

Avoid the nylon ones with the thumb breaks. They aren't prohibited, but they don't work very well. Kydex retention holsters are the way to go.

As far as mode of dress, wear clothes appropriate to the conditions, and that you don't mind if they get a little bit scuffed or dirty. Also consider taking a baseball cap and sunblock if you burn easily.

Regular prescription glasses should be fine, but if you have ones with smallish lenses that are in style these days you might consider something a little better like a set of Smiths or just regular shooting glasses.
 
You can go silly buying 'gear'. If Kydex had been the rage when I started I might have picked up one instead of shelling out $80 on a Galco leather holster. You'll need a 'range bag' of sorts to keep you ammo and magazines and a water bottle or two. There's a lot of 'waiting around' in any competition. Nylon/velcro magazine pounches are the way to go, they form better to your belt and from a concealment standpoint they round off the sharp profile edges of magazines. (They are also cheap and retain your mags very well.) There are several informative threads on "range bags" if you do a search.

Also, when starting anything new, be prepared to take instruction. Better to act like you know nothing, than to assume you know something. Focus on safety first, speed and accuracy will develop. That's how I approached IDPA, and I had a lot of fun with it.
 
Mike,
Jim W. is your area coordinator for IDPA. His contact info is on IDPA.com. Jim is an LFI instructor and one heck of a shooter. He will point you to a close club with a good group of people.

You could not be in better hands.

Dan
 
"...some clubs nearby that host IDPA..." Just go. You'll have to do a safety course, but don't worry about that. Like rduckwor says, you'll get all kinds of help. Including the loan of kit.
None of the shooting games are in the least bit practical though. They're shooting games and nothing else.
 
MisterMike,

I shot my first match yesterday up here in Michigan. It was incredible...I am addicted. I've never had so much fun in my life, well maybe not since my first girlfriend back in High school!

Anyway, don't wait...do it. You'll be super glad you did. And see if they have a competition basics course somewhere near you. I took a one day training with a sponsored high-level shooter, and it helped a lot at that first match to have already been walked through some of it.
 
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