Bad IPSC Experience yesterday...

[testar77]

Member of this Range

There are 3- 25yd pistol bays which average 10-12 positions in each pistol bay, and most of the time you could potentially have a whole bay to yourself and go forward and shoot shorter distances if you want! There is a section of the rifle range that goes out to 50' that you can also shoot pistols at, so that adds another ohh let's guess another 25 or so spots (not even counting all the +50yd rifle stuff). So for our small area that seems like quite a bit of practice areas to me! Now let's get to exactly what this guy is WHINING about! We have bays in the back specifically for CAS, IPSC, Pins, Falling Plates, and one set up for LEO's. Now our CLUB RULES prevent just anyone from going back where the bays are by yourself, reason being: there are way to many stupid people out there, and without the Discipline chair knowing you, and your habits, or another RO, who knows if you are one of those stupid people or not! I personally have no problem with the rules, I infact like the rules that prohibit just anyone from going back there. I would suggest that if it is that big of an issue (which it apparently is) either find another club or deal with it.

 

[yar]

I frequent a number of ranges to shoot the various matches offered. Each range has it's own range politics. Fortunately I have learned enough to have a good idea of what I can do, cannot do, and when to ask for permission before I do. Now this varies greatly from range to range. I can only imagine what it is like for a new shooter to the sport to try to figure these things out.

If it was a matter that he wandered to some back bay to try to practice and some long standing club memeber went to put him in his place then that is unfortunate. Possibly it could of been handled more diplomaticly by one or both parties. I'm just saying because I see this stuff all the time. People are expected to know but there are no signs posted. Old time club members who feel it is their job to enforce range policies but take it too far. Who knows.

 

[Mt Shooter]

Just relax, know where your muzzle is pointed, keep your finger off the trigger, and most important have a good time. If you have questions the R.O. will be happy to answer them. First timers can be intimidated by seeing a GM with brass flying everywhere, take your time, go for an accurate shot, speed will come. In other words walk before you run.

 

[-terry]

Thanks, MtShooter. That's just what I'll try to do. I've offered to help them set up next month's shoot. That should give me a chance to see the stages and ask a bunch of questions.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I've offered to help them set up next month's shoot. That should give me a chance to see the stages and ask a bunch of questions.

Now that's the spirit!!!

-Steve

 

[JohnKSa]

I've offered to help them set up next month's shoot. That should give me a chance to see the stages and ask a bunch of questions.

That is a very wise move. As one of my coworkers would say, you must have a good brain.

Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[Hoser]

So if I understand everything, you went to the range one afternoon while an IPSC/USPSA match was going on.

You found a berm that had a stage set up on it and there were no shooters there. You then proceeded to shoot the IPSC targets like you might if you were at the match?

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[yar]

No sounds to me that they have designated bays for club matches that the general club membership is not allowed to use without permission. The poster not knowing, wandered back there to practice. This was not during a match.

This is actually common at many private ranges. The problem is there generally are not signs posted letting people know this.

http://thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4281611&postcount=26

 

[earplug]

I'm confused, in order to shoot IPSC you need to pass a range safety test by a RO. You join and get a card.
That card should be enough to qualify you to practice at your range if they shoot IPSC matches.

 

[-terry]

EarPlug,
That's exactly what I thought. I got a complete and thorough walk-through and in addition, my coach set up several mock stages for me to walk through. When finished, I got a card that he said would let me shoot IPSC anywhere.

When I asked how to get the admittance card so I could practice using the active bays, I was refused. It now appear that I have to get specific approval from the action shooting discipline chairman before I can practice in the active bays. This is what confused me.

I'll just keep working on it until I get permission. I understand that the Board of Directors is going to take up the admission requirements again this year.

Weather permitting (I'm a fair weather shooter) I'll try the 4/6 match.

-terry

 

[raytracer]

-terry,

I'd much rather see someone hesitantly cautious than someone just jump in thinking they know it all. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who had to be cajoled into shooting DQ'd, but I've seen swaggering "gunslingers" get sent for ice cream before they could get off the "X".

If you've had a good safety briefing, don't sweat it. Go out there and shoot. Don't worry about the clock, just concentrate on moving safely and gettin good hits. Speed will come.

Your plan of getting there early and helping setup will help introduce you to the more experienced shooters and make your situation known. I expect you'll get a lot of coaching and suggestions.

I can echo one some of your frustration, I shoot IPSC and IDPA to try and increase my shooting skills. But when I shoot at a match, I rarely get to shoot the stage again to learn from my mistakes. There is only one range I have access to that allows anything but slow fire from a bench and it's an hour drive away.

For now, shoot all the matches you can and keep working on them until they let you use the range for practice during downtimes.

And, do like I'm doing; start saving to move out of the city so you can set up your own range!

Joe

 

[ronwill]

Caliber, age, rest of range is closed during actual competitions (one Saturday a month). There's also the normal range rules. Hearing protection, no alcoholic beverages, etc.