Participate or Spectate?

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I, myself, would go watch the show first.
That gives me, an idea of the nerves I need to compete, then size up the abilities I have while watching the
contestants maneuver thru the courses.
Then consider this above all, what will I have to sacrifice to get into the contest.
Money is probably going to be ok or you wouldn't be considering it.
These things take time & at 40 years old imagine what you would have had to sacrifice by now if
you had done this 5 years ago. What would you have missed? Compare that to what you want to
accomplish & the rewards it will bring.
Time is the largest sacrifice, practice to the top guys here isn't a weekend thing, but if you just want
to do it for the fun, go for it.
 
Time is the largest sacrifice, practice to the top guys here isn't a weekend thing, but if you just want
to do it for the fun, go for it.

You absolutely have to have appropriate expectations for your level of participation. If you're Ricky Bobby and only want to race if you can win, then, yeah, you'll have to become a monomaniacal obsessive for a while.

If you just want to get better and have fun and find a subset group of similarly-skilled shooters to compete against, you can keep your job and family.
 
For action shooting (3 gun, uspsa, 2 gun etc) I say ready the rules closely, see what gear your have/what you might “need” and if you are short (don’t have a shotgun at all or don’t have a suitable holster) I would speak with a local match director and see if they have a way to help new shooters out. Where I used to shoot in manatee county FL a newby could get loaned a piece of gear for the day pretty easy.

maybe watch one match or part of one match, and the participate. The choice to play or watch depends on your weapon handling familiarity and confidence. Many, many people don’t draw from a holster hardly ever. Few conduct reloads on the fly or under “pressure”. If you practice some of those skills in a safe manner and can ensure your firearms are pointed down range all the time, and you can keep your finger out of the trigger guard while moving - go shoot

now if you are considering precision rifle type matches (PRS/NRL) then I say read up on the rules and volunteer to be an RO / Spotter / scorer at a match

the expense in the rifle and optic make PRS/NRL tough to “get into” Because it’s one gun, one scope. The cost of 3 gun is similar but it’s 3 guns, 2 mag types, shell holders, ammo for 3 guns and all the belts, slings etc that make it feel less expensive-it’s not
 
I would consider myself a "casual" shooter. I enjoy target shooting and hunting. My limits so far are rifles at steel at 400 yards (easy with a scoped Remington 700 in .30/06, definitely harder with Garand irons), 31/50 sporting clays (been 4 times), and keeping a pistol mag on a sheet of paper rapid-fire at 15 yards/slow-er fire at 25. So, like I said, casual.

Next year is my 40th birthday, and my 15th anniversary. My wife and I are planning to do a couple of things brand new to us. I am thinking 3-gun or the like. BUT, as the title suggests, I don't know, if I decide to go, if I should watch or play.

For those who already participate, would someone like me enjoy sitting on the sidelines, or is that usually for family of the shooters? Can you see much from the stands?

Or, as a casual shooter, would it be worth it to try a round, with the full expectation of it most likely being a one-time thing?

In either case, any recommendations on something in or near VA that would be a good first experience?

Finally, since I am obviously very new to this, what else should I know for an introduction? I have seen some of the videos posted here, some on YouTube, etc. What else should someone who has never attended an event know?

I understand this is VERY open-ended, and the answers could easily go both directions, so I am just looking for basics for spectate vs. participate, and things that I should probably already know, not looking for a "handout of all your secrets", if that makes any sense. Just hoping for a few pointers for a complete newbie. Thanks.
My belief for most of my 75 years is: if you want to get good at something, compete at it. Practice can take you just so far but competing lets you compare yourself to others, brings out the areas you need to work on, and. most of the time you'll meet people who will help you, encourage you and even help you get better. (you'll meet some jerks but just write them off). I've competed in black powder rifle, musket, shotgun, modern trap, skeet, 22 position 50 foot small bore, outdoor bench .22, and bowling pins. Much more fun with others.
 
USPSA limited is the best place to start. Especially if moving on to 3gun.

Pistol choice isn't important. Any .40 fullsize if you're buying. Any pistol at all from your collection with a holster, is fine when you're new.

Belt choice is crucial. Skimp everywhere else. But a good DAA belt system makes it way easier to learn. Holster not really, it's the pouches, magnets, and convenience of the velcro race belt. Skip the race holster when you're new, at least until you settle on pistol choice. Run any decent holster until you see other racers $200+ holsters, and how they work.

3gun is the Formula One of shooting sports. And can get expensive fast. It's primary purpose is to be far more challenging, and has a bit more of a learning curve. Go there when USPSA gets boring.

I don't expect IDPA to survive much longer in it's current form. Stupid scenarios that are exactly the opposite of real life, have sapped the fun from it. Procedural penalties for improved tactics, is stupidity. IDPA is exactly the opposite of what they wanted to be. I would not take my newb friends to one to start. Even though gear requirements are low.

Don't forget steel challenge. Often more relaxed atmosphere. The ones I've done had only safety rules. You just knock down steel plates any way you want. Very fun.
 
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I just joined the USPSA and cant wait for my first match. I look forward to meeting people, and much more than anything, gathering information about the sport!!! I'm shooting the limited class for starters. I just bought a Glock 35 gen 4, with a Black Scorpion belt and holster. I think the belt is a good one for starters, I it off Amazon, I for get the price.
 
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