How to get my daughter started, USPSA/IDPA

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jwrowland77

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I have a 10yo daughter, just turned 10, that loves to shoot. I'm about to get her a Savage 12FV to shoot F-Class with me, but she also enjoys shooting pistol.

I want to make it fun for her.

How would be the best way to introduce her to pistol comps?

I was thinking about starting her off with Steel Challenge. Then progressing her to either USPSA or IDPA.

Thoughts?
 
That's not a bad idea at all!

My daughter is a little bit older and still anticipating her first IDPA match. She's been attending and helping out with my matches for several years and is very familiar with the process and commands and especially the safety principles.

I think the biggest thing you can do for her is to spend lots of time working with her with a pistol and mags ON her belt, instilling good gun handling. Accuracy and speed will come with time (and she's got plenty of time ahead of her for that) but the mechanics and habits of working with a firearm and a Safety Officer are not perfectly intuitive.

Working on loading (watch finger and muzzle), holstering (where is your strong-side foot when you're shoving that gun back into the holster?), drawing (good 4-count draw?), reloading (finger and muzzle again!), unload/show clear (take your time), moving with a gun in your hand (finger and muzzle AGAIN!), being mindful of the 180 deg. (or other muzzle control points), and of course "FINGER," "MUZZLE," and "STOP!" commands really just need to be worn into her brain and hands.

Anything that gets her experience safely functioning with that gun on a dynamic range is good practice.
 
Steel Challenge is a perfect choice. I huge majority of kids that shoot our SC matches go on to USPSA/IDPA and 3-Gun.

Hand her a 22 pistol or rifle and a fistfull of mags.
 
I agree about Steel Challenge,,,

I agree about Steel Challenge,,,
It seems a near perfect platform for fun or serious competition.

I was never fond of the moving around in some other types of competitions.

Do they still make the delineation between Steel Challenge and Rimfire Steel Challenge?

What I mean is the matches I watched (shot in one) separated them into two matches.

I have been reading that now the two shoot the same stages in the same matches.

I believe that's how the Ok City Gun Club does it now.

In any event I think it's a perfect venue for starting new shooters of any age,,,
I've seen youngsters at the matches with anything from basic Rugers,,,
To fully tricked out pistols with glass and electronic optics.

When I tried it that one time I used my CZ-75B Kadet,,,
I didn't do too badly at all but like everyone else,,,
I got my tail whipped by an 11 year old girl.

So yeah, I think rimfire steel challenge is an excellent idea for your daughter.

Aarond

.
 
Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I'm more of a rifle shooter as I'm disabled and don't get around good. Never could do the running and gunning.
 
:) Actually, IDPA does, too. It isn't easy, but you're only really ever competing with yourself anyway, right? That's what matters.
 
Metallic Silhouette

Targets that go clang and/or fall over give a young shooter instant feedback.
F-Class not so much...

I know firsthand that Metallic Silhouette is a fun rifle game. Most practitioners run 22LR rifles and the targets (small cast-iron animal cutouts) are set at 4 distance out to 100 meters.

Shooters are called to the line in relays. The line has narrow waist high tables or shelves on which to put your ammo, gloves, etc. There is usually a notch cut into the edge so you can safely prop the rifle up when not shooting.

A match consists of 40 shots at 40 animals: 10 chickens, 10 pigs, 10 turkeys, 10 rams.

The pace is relaxed but a 40 target match does not drag on. iirc, it takes about15 minutes to shoot a match. It is fun to hear the rhythm of several competitors simultaneously banging and clanking away, each at his or her own pace.

Silhouette clubs are usually friendly welcoming and safe places, for adults and kids alike.
One of the guys I shot with did so from a wheelchair...he usually ranked top 5 amongst 25 active shooters.
 
twofifty said:
Targets that go clang and/or fall over give a young shooter instant feedback.

F-Class not so much...



I know firsthand that Metallic Silhouette is a fun rifle game. Most practitioners run 22LR rifles and the targets (small cast-iron animal cutouts) are set at 4 distance out to 100 meters.



Shooters are called to the line in relays. The line has narrow waist high tables or shelves on which to put your ammo, gloves, etc. There is usually a notch cut into the edge so you can safely prop the rifle up when not shooting.



A match consists of 40 shots at 40 animals: 10 chickens, 10 pigs, 10 turkeys, 10 rams.



The pace is relaxed but a 40 target match does not drag on. iirc, it takes about15 minutes to shoot a match. It is fun to hear the rhythm of several competitors simultaneously banging and clanking away, each at his or her own pace.



Silhouette clubs are usually friendly welcoming and safe places, for adults and kids alike.

One of the guys I shot with did so from a wheelchair...he usually ranked top 5 amongst 25 active shooters.
Click to expand...


She already shoots F-Class and loves it.

I was mainly asking about the pistol competitions.
 
Steel challenge be. Move to USPSA abd IDPA once she's safe and comfortable. Then move her to 3-gun asap. Junior's and females and esoecyay junior females get lots of assistance in the sport right now. It's hard to find one that's not wearing a shooting jerseys and shooting discounted or free guns and gear.

Oh and s YouTube channel and a facebook athlete page is as important as ammo if you're goal is getting her sponsors to pay for the fun.

Good luck!
 
To start, it's hard to beat the rimfire division in Steel Challenge.
Anyone and everyone can do it, too.
 
jtischauser said:
Steel challenge be. Move to USPSA abd IDPA once she's safe and comfortable. Then move her to 3-gun asap. Junior's and females and esoecyay junior females get lots of assistance in the sport right now. It's hard to find one that's not wearing a shooting jerseys and shooting discounted or free guns and gear.

Oh and s YouTube channel and a facebook athlete page is as important as ammo if you're goal is getting her sponsors to pay for the fun.

Good luck!
Click to expand...


I'm just thinking of school and how it could get paid for in the future. With three daughters, I'm always thinking about how to make sure they can get through school.

Of course....if my VA claim comes through the way it should, I won't have to worry about it anymore.
 
She actually likes shooting my 9mm more than the .22, but I wouldn't have her compete with my 9mm. Only the .22lr
Click to expand...

Mine too! Her favorite pistol so far is my xDM 9. Going into IDPA it makes sense since .22 is out. These days it's almost cheaper! :D
 
Sam1911 said:
Mine too! Her favorite pistol so far is my xDM 9. Going into IDPA it makes sense since .22 is out. These days it's almost cheaper! :D
Click to expand...


Exactly! Lol. It's cheap to load some Berrys plated. I've got a nice mild load that I enjoy shooting that she enjoys also.

I started her out with just one in the mag. She handled it like a champ, so I loaded up the whole mag. Really surprised me how well she kept control of the pistol and kept it on target. That's kind of what got me thinking about all this.
 
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