First Time USPSA Shooter

[Desertrat357]

So, I am going to be shooting my first USPSA match locally this Saturday. I don't have any plans of doing great, but I do think it will be both fun, and a great learning experience. For you guys that have shot these types of matches before, is there anything I should be prepared for ahead of time? I'm not bringing a tricked out gun. Just my gen4 Glock 19. Which I think will work well. I have an OWB holster and a double mag pouch. Any tips, suggestions, or anything you guys could share with me?

 

[ny32182]

Sign up for "Limited minor" division, bring three magazines, (one in the gun, two on your belt), and fill the magazines to capacity.

Tell the match director and your squad mates that you are new to USPSA, and they will help you.

If you are totally new to action shooting competition, make sure you understand the basic safety rules and range commands.

The biggest safety rule is to not handle your gun until instructed to to do so, and when you do, keep the gun pointed down range at all times.

Lots of content on Youtube that can help get you familiar with the sport.

 

[Desertrat357]

Thank you sir for the information. I am sure I am wrong, but I've been perusing the USPSA website and I thought I read that magazines could only be loaded with 10 rounds maximum. Is that some sort of different division? Anyways, I will read through the rule book again. I am an experienced shooter. However, this will be my first competition. Like I said, I am not concerned with how well I score this first time, but I don't want to be disqualified!!

 

[ny32182]

Your gun as it is would be most competitive in Production division, where there is a 10rd capacity limit. However, you don't have enough magazines for Production (you would need 3 or 4 on your belt). You are going to need the extra ammo that comes with topping off the magazines you have, and that puts you into Limited division.

The ways I mentioned already are the easiest ways to get DQd. You will likely experience some adrenaline when the buzzer goes off, and that can make you do some strange things, even if you are an experienced shooter. Pay special attention to any movements that are lateral or especially up range, and make sure you have a plan as to how you want to position the gun to make sure you don't break the 180. Breaking the 180 without thinking about it is very easy for new competition shooters to do, even if they have a lot of experience on square ranges.

Understand the range commands, and actually follow them. For some reason I don't understand, new shooters have a need to pick up magazines and ejected rounds before they holster their gun at the end of the course of fire. MANY times, they respond to the "holster" command by bending over to pick up a magazine, and sweep their hand in the process. Don't be that guy. There is plenty of time to grab your dropped gear later.

Other than that, have fun... that is the point, after all.

 

[Desertrat357]

Good information. I am excited to be giving this sport a try. I will try to remember to post a short synopsis after the shoot on Saturday.

 

[tarosean]

New people get tagged for the following; finger in the trigger guard during reloads & moving, where you point your weapon while reloading and as NY stated breaking the 180.

Dont be afraid to ask a million questions. Shooting competitors will help you out anyway they can. Ask to be put in the bottom of the rotation so you can watch your squad run. You will have a good idea of how to run the course when it comes to your turn. Never ever put a used mag back on your belt. Put them in your pocket till you can top em off.

**While you are there please grab tape and reset stages. You will be expected to help out when your not about to shoot or immediately after you finish a stage to top off/clean/etc.

Have fun and report back!!!

 

[ATLDave]

Great advice from ny32182 and tarosean. As someone who runs a USPSA club match that sees a LOT of new shooters, I'll add a few observations/points of emphasis:

- USPSA matches are cold ranges. Other than inside the safety area, YOU DON'T TOUCH YOUR GUN. You don't show it to other competitors. You don't check to see if it's empty. You don't practice your draws. You don't even pick it up if it gets knocked out of the holster. The fact that the gun is empty doesn't change any of this.
- The only time the above changes is AFTER you hear the "MAKE READY" command. Not when you're the next shooter. Not when you stand in the start position. Not when the RO talks to you or asks if you have any questions. ONLY after you hear "MAKE READY."
- You don't handle any ammo into the safety area. You don't take live ammo. You don't take loaded magazines. You don't take snap caps. You don't even take empty cases. Those things can be in your bag or on your belt, but you do NOT touch them in the safety area.
- New shooters are most likely to break the 180 during gun manipulation and/or during moments of high stress. If something is going wrong, pay more attention to where the muzzle is pointing. If your gun jams, you have to clear it while keeping the gun pointed downrange. If you are flustered because a texas star is taunting you, you have to shoot it (or give up) with the muzzle pointed downrange. If you feel your adrenaline rise or the flop sweats coming on, that's a signal to FOCUS ON SAFETY.
- It's also easy to break the 180 as you turn corners with walls, barricade, barrels, etc. Leave some room between obstacles and yourself. If you are moving too close to an obstacle, it's easy to want to turn the gun up, down, or sideways to make it "smaller." Just leave yourself room.
- Up isn't a safe direction to point. Down really isn't, either. Don't droop the gun or point it at your chin when you aren't engaging targets. Keep it pointed at the downrange berm/backstop. Lots of new shooters sweep their feet because they point the gun down while they move. That's a DQ. Don't do that.
- The rule is not "finger off the trigger" when not shooting. The rule is "finger outside the trigger guard." Flag your finger out as straight and as high as you can get it so the RO has no question whatsoever about where your finger is.
- The shot timer counts from the beep to the last shot. Not to the time you holster. At the command to holster, do so slowly; there's no reason to holster super fast. Don't reach over with your support hand and sweep that hand with the muzzle (that's a DQ). Don't turn sideways to "chase" the holster and break the 180 (that's a DQ). If anything, you should pivot your strong side hip slightly FORWARD, TOWARDS the gun and downrange.

Those are my observations and advice from RO'ing a few dozen new shooters per year. The hits will be what they will be. The time will be what it will be. Focus on safety until the sport doesn't feel overwhelming. That may take a few matches. That's OK. Stay safe, have fun, and you'll get faster soon enough. Hope that helps.

 

[Desertrat357]

ATLDave,

Thanks a lot for the post. Tons of great information in there. That is my biggest goal. To be safe, and not get DQ'd my first try at this. And to be open minded since this will be a completely new gig to me.

 

[ATLDave]

It's all based on stuff that I've seen and had to explain to a new shooter is the reason they're done shooting before the match is over. Nobody likes that, least of all the RO who calls the DQ and the range master or match director who explains it afterward.

But the sport's safety depends on the safety rules being followed, and that means enforcement. I know an RO who DQ'ed his own mother when she broke the 180. So, yeah, they'll send you home if you can't follow the rules.

I'd much rather never DQ any shooter again ever for as long as I am involved in the sport, so I'm happy to share these observations. Good luck, and I hope you find the sport as completely enthralling as I do!

 

[tarosean]

If you are flustered because a texas star is taunting you

LOL

Dont chase it Desertrat.. You see lots of new shooters empty mags upon mags chasing the spinning steel.

 

[ATLDave]

Yeah, but how are you going to learn to shoot it but keep shooting at one?

Serious advice if you know the match has a star: watch a few videos online of people shooting them. There are definitely a couple of approaches that are workable, and definitely a WRONG way to do it that makes it impossible. Then watch the better shooters on your squad shoot it. Beg to go last as a new shooter if you have to.

 

[tarosean]

Yeah, but how are you going to learn to shoot it but keep shooting at one?

Good question... not like they are practical/affordable/portable for everyone to put in their back yard to practice with.

 

[ATLDave]

Nothing to it but to do it.

I was terrified the first time I shot a star, but got good advice on how to shoot the one in question. I went with the shoot the plate at the top, then shoot plates as they rotate to a fixed position. Went clean until the final plate, and I had to chase that with a couple of extra rounds, but it was a huge relief to get it done and not run the gun dry.

When I had to shoot one strong-hand-only a few months later, that did NOT go well at all.

 

[tarosean]

My last match they made you to change positions around a ported wall with each plate drop. Talk about not fun, as I couldnt clear the Top then left right before the spin.
Course I ran in welfare optics so it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be.. quite a few people ran out of ammo though.

 

[ny32182]

Texas star is an inconsistent carnival target that should not be allowed in USPSA, but since it is, you do see them occasionally.

As a new shooter, it probably doesn't matter. But once you get to a point where you start caring about your score, if you are a low or medium level type shooter, and you encounter a star that gets away from you, it is often going to be better for your score to just leave a couple plates up.

Once you've shot five shots at the star, you won't get any extra "failure to engage" penalties, and plates left standing are "just" misses. Misses are bad, but they are still likely better than reloading, dumping another entire mag on it, and still having plates standing. If you go to slidelock on it with plates remaining, chances are, outside of some narrow circumstances, you are only going to hurt your score if you keep shooting at it. So leave it, and move on.

 

[kitsapshooter]

The texas star is very fun. teaches you good skills. But wait until you shoot a double star or polish plate .rack. WOW.
as a new shooter listen to the R/O. Also ask for coaching when you shoot. Yes it is allowed at level one matches. especially with new shooters. We want you to have fun. So listen tight.

 

[Desertrat357]

I knew I joined The High Road for a reason. I really appreciate the information. I am at the bottom of the totem pole still with USPSA, but with all of your suggestions and info, I have a much better understanding of the basics.

 

[Smitty79]

I put this together a year or so ago. Still good stuff to watch early in a USPSA career.

Here are some videos worth watching for action shooting. I've watched 90% of the almost 300 videos these guys have done, many of them several times.

Go to www.powerfactorshow.com.

I would start with Episodes: 1, 2, 5, 7, 11, 13, 16, 17 (IDPA specific, but worth the time), 37. These will go through things you definitely want to know before you go to some kind of action range class. It will let you get more form the class and come up to speed faster.

Others to watch if you have time: 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 19, 20, 21. They are good background for you. But not necessary.

Revolver specific, but interesting 14,

 

[sawdeanz]

I'm still new myself, my range had a class you could take that was useful but not mandatory. Take everything slow and "walk" the course. As it happened the couple matches I did I shot very accurately (but of course not fast at all). But the important part is that besides one time having a little trouble while holstering my gun I didn't have an DQ moments, which were emphasized in the class. Also take time to create a plan to attack the stage and don't change it up, the worst thing you can do other than a safety violation is to forget to shoot at a target.

 

[Desertrat357]

Well to say I am hooked is an understatement. Today went really well. Did I overall? Not even close! But I did maintain safe Gun handling the whole day and never had a "Disqualifying" moment. And managed to make it through all six stages without a miss, or a no-shoot. It was very exciting, and even though I kept telling myself to move slow, but that buzzer does crazy things. It definitely got my adrenaline pumping. Overall, it was a great time. The courses were challenging and it was fantastic practice.

Not that it matters, but I did better than I thought. It was a small group of shooters, only 24. The weather isn't great in Nevada right now. But I ended up 13th overall, and 6th place in the limited class out of ten. I am already looking forward to the next match. And again, thank you guys for the help.

 

[ATLDave]

Congratulations!

People often say that the scoring in USPSA weights speed very heavily. In terms of winning, that's true; you have to be fast to win.

But in terms of not coming in last, accuracy at even glacial paces will get it done! It only takes a few mikes or penalties to zero a stage, regardless of the time posted.

This actually works out well for a lot of new gamers who are otherwise-experienced shooters. Most USPSA shots are pretty generous and easy, if you remove the time component. So a guy who is good at punching out the center of a bull on a square range can pretty easily turtle his way around the course picking up alphas. While the new-old shooter does that for a few stages, some guys who are pushing to go faster than they can accurately shoot will zero a stage or four, and fill in the bottom of the standings!

I had the same experience, and seeing yourself finish decidedly not-last is a great little reward that helps draw you in to the game. And boy are you right about the buzzer doing strange things to your head. That will diminish after a few months, but it's pretty astonishing, isn't it?

 

[Desertrat357]

It is. And I also agree that the faster you can move through the stage the better your score, as long as you're still making hits. Which again is a long ways from where I am at.

And my glock 19 worked perfect. And I will continue to use it. But, I have been wondering about hit factor. I know it doesn't make a difference for alphas, but bravos and charlies, it does increase your hit factor. So, if at some point when I am more competitive would it be beneficial to step up to a 40 S&W? I'm just trying to decide if shooting a major would be beneficial.

 

[ny32182]

After you shoot a couple more matches you will probably have a good idea of what division you would like to focus on.

All divisions EXCEPT production have a major/minor shooter option, and to be competitive in any of those, against good competition, you need to shoot major (current singlestack minor fad not withstanding).

Production is the only division that is scored minor across the board no matter what you are shooting, so 9mm is fine in Production. In Limited you will need .40. In Open you will need a 9mm major cartridge of some sort.

As far as the gun, you will probably want to get something more optimized eventually, but a G19 won't be holding you back in Production for a little while. It will be holding you back right from the jump in Limited.

 

[tarosean]

It will be holding you back right from the jump in Limited.

+1
Along with the jump in caliber you need to make the jump in capacity too and have 140mm magazines to stay competitive in LTD.

It would be a lot cheaper for you to pick up a few more mags and another mag holder and run production for a while (I run production with 4 on belt and 1 barney/starter in pocket). Course when you are new with a 10rd limit, its hard to figure out your spots for optimum mag changes.

When I first started I bounced around Production, SS and LTD. I settled into LTD Major... Once in a while I shoot production when I want to try a new gun. Ran my last two matches in Carry Optics, though I am not sure if I will stick that one out..

 

[Desertrat357]

So,
I wouldn't call myself a Glock fanboy. But I am becoming rather fond of my glock 19. I don't know if it would be worth the extra $$ but the Glock 35 looks rather enticing for a dedicated shooter in the limited major class. I am still going to shoot a couple more matches with my 19. But if this ends up being a regular endeavor I wouldn't have much trouble justifying the long barreled glock. Plus, it could serve dual purpose as a night stand gun also

As far as my desire to shoot in the limited class, I think it will be the most challenging for me. My local club is rather small, and the most participants is in the limited division. So my logic figures that I will have the most competition in this class.