Uspsa

What Division will you shoot? If Production, you'll need another double pouch, since you can only load 10 per mag. If Limited (or Open) one double will do, as you can load up your mags.

Due to major/minor scoring, you'll be more competitive in Production, but you won't be winning the match.

I suggest you shoot Limited-minor and have more fun, but get another double pouch anyway. It sucks to pluck mags out of your back pocket.

Practice not breaking the 180, moving left and right, then practice not breaking it while reloading and moving left and right.

For Production , 4 mags easily at hand are a place to start. You CAN use pockets if they're behind the hip bone.

Also are there any drills I should be running to get prepared? I was thinking about doing quite a bit of dry firing and practice drawing from my holster over the next few weeks.

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Yes. REMEMBER safety is the #1 issue-- Rule 1. Practice watching shooters to learn. Practice listening at the new shooters' briefing.

re Draw: you might save .3 of a second improving your draw between now and then. Watching other shooters, you can save many full seconds By planning your stage "route"--, when to change mags (on the move before running dry on a target), taking your time and hitting all A's.
Speed will come after learning the game.

Rule 2: Enjoy the sport

For your first match or two, shoot Limited minor.

My recommendation would be to shoot Production Division. I guess if you want to shoot Limited Minor just to avoid a couple of reloads, go right ahead.

For his first match ever, a few less reloads per stage is a good thing.

I practice "reloads" on a carpeted surface (empty mags). Get another double mag pouch, and remember to put all mags in pouches with bullets pointing toward belt buckle! Most important rule, have fun be safe. Practice reloads! I would go with Production Div. 10 plus 1, easier for me to plan reloads, 12345678910 reload, 12345678 reload, 12345678910 reload, vs 123456789101112 I lost count 131415161718whoops slidelock. I also shoot Limited 10 and Single Stack minor 9mm 10 round mags.

Jed Carter said:

I would go with Production Div. 10 plus 1, easier for me to plan reloads, 12345678910 reload, 12345678 reload, 12345678910 reload, vs 123456789101112 I lost count 131415161718whoops slidelock.

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Don't count each shot. Instead, figure out how many times you can miss and count those, if they happen.

IE; Box "A" requires 8 steel to be engaged and knocked down. With 11 rds in the gun, you can miss 3 times before a reload is necessary. Count each miss as they happen. If you make 3 misses, focus on each remaining shot. If you get thru the rest, realize you're empty. If you count 4, then reload at a convenient spot prior to slidelock, if possible.

If there are 8 hits on paper required, then there shouldn't be as much concern about misses, but count extra shots when/if they happen. Reload as you are moving to the next box.

the MOST critical thing you can do? Plan on going to help set up and staying late to tear down. 10% of the shooters do 90% of the work and your efforts will be noticed. Plus, you get an advanced look at the stages!

From there, you've gotten some very good advice--be safe. Shoot the match and take notes on where you think you could improve. Work those areas. Typically split times and target transition times are where new shooters can make up the most ground on ANY stage, but that skill will come with time. There is nothing you can do to make yourself competitive before your first match--you wont be no matter how good you are. The beeper goes off and something is oozing down the left side of your ear--that is your brain coming out of your ear.

If you remember your first stage it will be a blur. You wont recall one sight picture, your plan, whether you used it or how it worked for you. YOu think I'm kidding--post after the match and tell me how I nailed it...LOL. For days after the match, every time you close your eyes you'll see the sights on target and the pistol bucking in recoil.

That's when ya know youre hooked...LOL

Dan

For his first match ever, a few less reloads per stage is a good thing.

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I suppose there is some merit in that line of thought. Would no doubt be more fun, but he needs to understand minor scoring sucks no matter how you look at it.

Ankeny said:

he needs to understand minor scoring sucks no matter how you look at it.

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Come the second match, I suspect he will be well aware!

he needs to understand minor scoring sucks no matter how you look at it.

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So do all the others shooting production class.

I shoot limited minor with an M&P 9 and sometimes i shoot production. Both are fun. Production is good for mag reload practice, limited is good for faster times. I shoot both divisions with the same set up. I just move my mag holders to be in the proper production placement (behind centerline). I prefer limited, but the minor really limits my scoring. I eventually will get a 40 limited gun for USPSA. Try both.

Look an, I'd shoot Production. Its where the new shooters hang out and you will be more in your element there. You stand a good chance of not coming in last place. Limited has some big, mean sharks that swim very fast. You shoot Limited and you'll place last, I'll bet you a dollar to a donut. you'll be tail end charlie for a year or more. If your ego can handle it, go for it, but so you dont get discouraged right off I'd put you in Production.

Frankly to be even remotely competitive in Limited youre looking at spending 600-700 dollars on your current gun and mags--trigger parts, 70mm base pad, speed holster, speed mag pouches, belt and belt liner--the list goes on. In Production you spend $50 on a CR speed belt and liner and you're good to go.

Dan

Ps--Dont forget--plan to go help set up and tear down. It's CRITICAL.

Around here normally the newbies are in limited simply because they don't have 6 mags and 5 mag pouches.

Whether you will come in last or not is entirely dependent on who shows up, and there is no predicting that for a club match. There are plenty of good and bad shooters in both limited and prod. Your first time out you are not going to look good compared to a high level shooter in any division. Not to worry. Go play your own game.

How you look doesn't matter at all. Go to learn and enjoy. You'll really enjoy the experience whether it's in limited 10 minor or production class.

For your first match the only thing you need to do is shoot it safely. Watch your 180, don't reload with your finger in the trigger well, focus on the front sight,ask questions and have fun. That is really all you need to worry about the first time out.

Just shot a match today. Only four stages, but we beat the rain. Awesome day. Hope the op has as much fun when he gets there.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

Hey y'all,

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread, but I have a question, and you folks seem really knowledgeable. (Compliments couldn't hurt, right?)

I've been thinking about doing the USPSA thing, and do have a pistol I'm rather fond of, but I'm worried that it's going to put me in a class that won't allow me to be competitive at all...

RIA 10mm Tactical II, which is a full size 1911, eight round mags, and a bull barrel. I think this puts me in Limited 10 - how in trouble does this make me? I'm reasonably confident in my shooting, but not prepared to suck for ages!

Thanks - and sorry if this is perceived as a highjack. Good luck Snake!

You're right, the bull barrel puts you in L-10

I'd get some 9rd mags so you could be in "L-9+1," as that one extra round gives you a bit more flexibility.

How bad that hurts depends on how good you are. The higher your skill, the less it'll hurt.

One trick to keep in mind is the double reload. If you're empty and need a fully loaded gun, doing a double reload on the way to the next position may give you the edge you need. Carry 5-6 mags on your belt.

If you're going to shoot L10, why not actually get ten rounders? Someone must make them.

Around here, L10 is the domain of those with a nice single stack gun, who want to be able to use a race holster, wear their mags on the front instead of behind the hip, and simplify their reloads. Other places it might have a different constituency.

I've seen a 10 rd mag for 10mm, but good luck finding one now.

Virgil Tripp makes some fantastic 10 round 10mm magazines. Looks like they are in stock now.