Types of Competition Shooting

[Vincent1966]

Hi All,

I've been shooting for quite a while. I'd like to take it to the next level and get involved in competition shooting. What are the types of competitive shooting out there? I've heard of IDPA for example, but not sure what the others are. Any more popular than others?

MC

 

[waktasz]

USPSA and IDPA are both "action pistol" competitions. In USPSA the stages can be longer (up to 32 rounds or more for local matches) and have harder shots and more props. In IDPA the stages are limited to 18 rounds and movement during a stage is also limited. IDPA may be easier to start out in but USPSA is more fun.

 

[MrBorland]

Check the sticky at the top of this subforum (link below).

Around here, IDPA & USPSA are the most popular action events, but there are plenty of other pistol and rifle options too.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=236788

 

[Vincent1966]

Wow, this is great. Thanks for the info and the link to the sticky!

MC

 

[Sam1911]

What kind of shooting interests you?

 

[Vincent1966]

So far, all I've done is what I think was a very informal IDPA shoot. I've only done it 1 time and enjoyed it tremendously. At the time, I had no holster, belt or mag pouches. Since that time, I've practiced drawing from a holster (at home in the mirror, with a thoroughly checked empty gun). I went to the range this weekend and practiced there as well. So this is all I know in my world right now. I figure before I start spending money I need to ask some questions. This forum has been a great place to ask questions and learn.

MC

 

[Sam1911]

Ahh, well then I'd imagine IDPA or maybe USPSA will be your best fit.

You can go to either organization's web sites and use their "Club Finder" to locate who in your area puts on regular matches. Then call their contact number and see if you can find out when they do their practice nights/sessions.

I'm the Match Director for IDPA at a club in PA. We get LOTS of new shooters, many of whom have never done any competitive shooting at all. (Some who've never fired a gun before!) We always encourage folks to come out to our weekly practice (Thursday nights, in our case) and we'll give hours of one-on-one and group informal instruction in both shooting, and in the specific discipline -- absolutely free! We can also usually get someone some trigger time on several different kinds of guns to help them figure out what they'd most like to shoot in competition.

You'll probably be welcome to come out and visit any affiliated club on a match day to see how it all goes, but I can promise that the MD and his Safety Officers are going to be busy and/or pretty worn out that day, and probably won't have a lot of time to give you. But find out when they practice and I'm sure you'll be welcomed with open arms!

 

[Crunchy Frog]

You might also check for a club near you shooting Steel Challenge. That's a good way to start shooting competition.

 

[ljnowell]

Since there arent many of us that do it anymore, I will throw it out there, Bullseye! Bullseye shooting may not have the action that your run and gun comps do, but it sure is difficult and rewarding.

 

[Route666]

Bullseye is good for pure a accuracy challenge, IPSC (USPSA for you guys) is almost the opposite, running and speed, much less emphasis on extreme accuracy, then there is metallic silhouette (if you have a range that does it) where you shoot steel cutouts of animals and knock them over, need the accuracy of bullseye matches with the feedback of knocking over steel.

 

[Slotback]

Steel challenge, 3 Gun...that sort of stuff is fun!