Rather than spend money on static shooting training, Which is not easy to come by for a reputable trainer, I thought I would be better served to enter some shooting events. There is a local USPA club that has events routinely. Though about checking them out, just observing a match or two, meet some folks, then dip my feet in the water.

I have no aspirations of being anything other than amateur, but I also want to do more than stand in a shooting bay indoors and create range brass.

I have what I believe to be adequate firearms for most types of events. I’d likely have to invest in some accessories for certain competitions though.

What was your path into it. Is USPA the first step for folks usually? I’ll be doing a lot of research tonight but figured I’d get some good experience and advice here.

I’ve heard a lot of folks say, “some of the best training you can get is from competitive shooting”. This makes good sense so I wanna explore the option.

That's exactly what I did and agree it is the best way to get realistic and inexpensive shooting and handling skills.
USPSA is a great place to start.
All you need is a full size pistol, holster, 3-4 mags, and mag pouches. The rest you can upgrade as you see fit after a couple matches.

Just show up.

That’s my best advice.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...858/m/6690062094/p/2

Right now, I think it’s the best bang for the buck as it comes to preparedness and cultivating skill.

I’m not picky. USPSA, IDPA, 3 gun, 2 gun, Tactical Games. Pick one. And enjoy yourself.

Up until recently my wife and I regularly shot IDPA matches at our gun club.
We started back in 2010 with some very basics equipment then as we became more interested and shot more we went ahead and purchased some more specific equipment. Things like cover garments, good gripping shoes, holsters, belts, mag holders and eventually guns.

At one point for several years we were part of the comity putting together, running and setting up the monthly matches.

For us IDPA was a good choice to get practice doing things we might run into as CWP holders. We never thought of it as training though.

We eventually tried USPSA however the matches we attended were mostly run and gun matches and my wife was not comfortable with that type of match.

At one point we also started shooting ICORE matches. ICORE is kind of like IDPA with less rules and mostly shot with revolvers.

Just show up. I only done IDPA because it was what was close to me. I first did it with some members here how encouraged new shooters to come out and try it. For me I can not tell you how friendly and helpful people were to new shooters.

So just go and ask questions. You will certainly have them. From equipment to scoring to how you even shot and move through a stage. The only thing anyone cares about is being safe.

Go and have fun. It’s one of the best things shooting wise I’ve done.

I've shot bullseye, Steel Challenge, USPSA and now I focus only on Bianchi or Action Pistol. Gets expensive fast no matter what discipline you want to shoot but that cost is controlled by you and how much you want to shoot and how competitive you want to be.

If you have a local USPSA Club reach out them, tell them that you are a new shooter to the discipline and that you want to learn what it is all about and they will more than likely have someone you can contact, talk with and even help you through the process. Most clubs in my area in MN are having new shooters matches and almost every club in the state has a few people designated to helping new shooters. You also do not have to be a member of USPSA to shoot a match. You can join later if you decide you want to become classified and all of that other stuff.

What we typically recommended people shooting the first couple of matches was Limited Minor. That way you can use whatever 9mm you have, load the mags to capacity and go out and have some good, safe fun and learn the sport and not have to worry so much about making a bunch of mag changes on the clock.

After you get the feel for it and if you like it you can then decide how much you want to mortgage the house for to pay for your new addiction.

Like a few others have said. Just go and do it.
That said you need to get online with Practiscore.com

Most USPSA, IDPA and other competitive shooting organizations use this for match registration. Out here in California, our local clubs all use this for registration and there is no walk on's allowed day of.

Practiscore will allow you to find all kinds of matches around and allow you to register and go for it.

Yup, just go do it.

The best advice I got was at first to not worry one little bit about time. Shoot for accuracy and for following the rules. Be safe, understand the range commands, understand the course of fire for each stage, understand penalties and scoring.

Once you shoot a couple of events you can start pushing for score.

Be aware there will be shooters there who have very expensive competition gear and who have a lot of competition experience. Don't even compare yourself to them. Shoot your own match at your pace.

I shoot IDPA with my EDC equipment. My 3-gun setup includes a youth 20GA pump action shotgun. At least half of the people there have race oriented equipment which I cannot compete with, but if shtf I'll be using my EDC Sigs and the long guns in my safe, so it is what I bring to the matches.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Just show up.

That’s my best advice.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...858/m/6690062094/p/2

Right now, I think it’s the best bang for the buck as it comes to preparedness and cultivating skill.

I’m not picky. USPSA, IDPA, 3 gun, 2 gun, Tactical Games. Pick one. And enjoy yourself.

This is the answer. The SO's will take you through slowly and get you used to the procedures. There are a lot of rules in IDPA and it'll just take time to know them all, but be safe, gun pointed downrange, finger off trigger and out off the trigger guard until you're on target. It's a blast!

Let me pile on.... Just show up.

Everyone is super nice to new shooters and will guide you. You don't need a race gun or anything special. I shoot matches with a 229 or 226 and don't care how I place (usually 50-70%). I'm not good and with my limited time recently shooting, I'd be horrible. Doesn't matter, I always have a good time.

I went full-bore (pun intended) in IPSC back in the 1970's as part of the movement begun by Cooper, Chapman and Reed; shot in matches for about five years or more, learned to reload (.45ACP is a cinch!), met dozens of really great people, then a lifestyle change got me out about 1982 or 1983 (divorce). I hardly shot at all after that.

Last summer I decided it was time to do my Concealed Carry Permit finally, did it one-on-one with a local instructor after putting about 50 rounds (yes, that's all) through a recently-acquired G-19. I told the instructor about the long layoff, but when it came time to do the shooting part of the course, he told me to just load 10 rounds and put them in the circle.

I was amazed afterwards to realize that after all that time, I simply thought "Front Sight, Squeeze!" and ten seconds later there were 10 holes I could cover with my hand.

The instructor laughed and said I'd qualified.

The skills you hone during these matches will stay with you for a lifetime, and maybe save your ass some day.

Do it, and have fun!

I'll say the same. Just show up. Tell everyone you meet you're new to the game. You'll get lots of good advice, almost everyone is willing to help new shooters.

Find out what clubs are active near you.
Look up the club and the look at the rules for that club.
Bring the required ammo and equipment and plan to participate.
I found every club I ever went to was very happy to see new people and smothered you with advice and help.
I primarily shot IDPA but shot many other types of competition shooting, I just preferred IDPA.
JUST GO AND DO IT!
If you go to watch, within minutes you will regret not bringing your gun and gear and participating.
Maybe you can locate a forum member in your area that can help steer you to a local club and take you to a match or meet you at a match.

You primarily shoot against yourself and will be placed in a classification to score against other shooters at your ability and the same type of weapon you bring.

At the match you will be assigned a squad.
Your shooting squad will consist of a mixture of shooters with different types of guns and at different levels of ability. Ask that you be allowed to shoot last so you can see how other shooters tackle the scenario at that stage.
Its all for FUN!

Find a club near you.

Ensure you have good gun handling skills and know the safety rules (finger and muzzle discipline)

Go to a match.

Tell them you're the new guy when you show up. They will walk you through everything.

I loved USPSA. Sadly I haven’t been since the ammo/primer hoarding of 2020.

Just show up and watch a match, look at what most guys are shooting. Realizing there are different shooters in each group and they are really competing against their last score.

There’s
Limited - no optics and smaller mags
Open-any gun can compete with optics and big mags
Revolver
Limited 10- ten round mags, no optics
Optics- anything with red dots
PCC-pistol caliber carbines

There’s some more.

Look at the gear, you don’t have to start out with the best of the best (expensive)

Major v minor. It’s a power thing, the major gets more points than a minor caliber. For instance 45, 40 S&W = major. 9mm minor (but less recoil)

Here’s a brief site about it https://www.targetbarn.com/bro...ide/uspsa-divisions/

One of the guys who shoots at my club uses his EDC and 2 mags only while drawing from an untucked shirt-like IDPA (I think). There’s a cop who uses his duty gun and rig. I did the same for exactly one match and figured it out. I mainly used the game to challenge my skills for when I was policing. And I only kept up with my scores against the last time I shot.

Have a lot of money.....

Seriously. Most matches use less ammo than I would use at a fun by myself training session at the range.
Just go. Bring what you have for equipment. I have NEVER seen a match that wouldn't accommodate a new person in some fashion. And if you shoot something in the known universe somebody will probably loan you what you need. OK you might not get scored but you will be able to shoot, have fun and learn.

OttoSig when I responded earlier I didn't realize it was you who asked.

Interesting to know what USPA club is around here.

I've shot IDPA for years up toward Annapolis although it's been a few years since I did. Stopped when Obama was in office because there were so many new shooters wanting to try it out getting into a match was tough. They still shot and I've thought about getting back into it. They used to shoot about every other Sat if I remember right. Good people.

https://aafg.org/calendar/

Not all clubs/matches are created equal. Some are extremely well-run, with realistic participant limits and outstanding organization. At others, you'll be standing around for hours waiting to shoot a 30/60/90/120 second course of fire. My first suggestion is visit first to see which is which. My second suggestion is to have a membership/property where you can train and practice. Competition is outstanding for showing you what you need to improve on but allows very limited range time for actual improvement.

If you get by the first two suggestions, then the third will echo the above replies. Show up, let them know you're new, and have fun.

An afterthought...if you really get into it, pick a caliber and roll your own. You'll save some bucks.

quote:

Originally posted by Rightwire:
Have a lot of money.....

Well, it can cost a lot, but it does not have to.

You need the gun, magazines, holster, belt and mag pouches ... but many already have stuff that will work.

Most USPSA and IDPA standard monthly matches with five stages might top off at 125 rounds or so.

Don't worry about being competitive, just enjoy and watch everyone. Discussing stage planning is fun, but remember a Grand Master or Master stage plan route does not always work for everyone!