When would you start shooting competitively?
- Thread starter bigalexe
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scotty
Member
I agree with everyone's advice so far.
When I got into USPSA matches, the clubs where I competed had a new shooter orientation where the rules and safety precautions were explained. If your club doesn't have something similar, I'm sure a match official or a fellow competitor would be more than happy to help you out.
You will find other competitors to be very friendly and helpful. Everyone loves to see new shooters.
In short, like the others said, go for it!
When I got into USPSA matches, the clubs where I competed had a new shooter orientation where the rules and safety precautions were explained. If your club doesn't have something similar, I'm sure a match official or a fellow competitor would be more than happy to help you out.
You will find other competitors to be very friendly and helpful. Everyone loves to see new shooters.
In short, like the others said, go for it!
rskent
Member
Start Today
You won't regret it. I have received nothing but help and
encouragement from my fellow competitors. I help and
encourage when I can. It helps us all become better, and
enjoy our sport more.
Steve
You won't regret it. I have received nothing but help and
encouragement from my fellow competitors. I help and
encourage when I can. It helps us all become better, and
enjoy our sport more.
Steve
.38 Special
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- Sep 15, 2006
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- 7,365
Lots of good advice here. I certainly concur that trying to work your way into "match winning shape" prior to entering your first match is a waste of time. You learn how to win matches by entering a lot of matches.
Having said that, I think most people would admit there is some level of basic competence required. You'll get into trouble pretty quickly if you are sweeping folks with your muzzle, walking around with finger on the trigger, etc. You'll also get uninvited if you are so out-of-control that you are sending rounds over the berm, into the walls or ceiling, consistently into target frames/holders and/or into competitor's targets. So I think it's a good idea to A) obtain some of the targets appropriate to the game you are thinking about, and making sure that you can at least keep your shots on them somewhere -- not necessarily "in the black" or scoring area, but at least somewhere on the paper -- and B) get ahold of the rules of the game so that you can see what's expected of you, especially in terms of safety and gun handling.
Have fun!
Having said that, I think most people would admit there is some level of basic competence required. You'll get into trouble pretty quickly if you are sweeping folks with your muzzle, walking around with finger on the trigger, etc. You'll also get uninvited if you are so out-of-control that you are sending rounds over the berm, into the walls or ceiling, consistently into target frames/holders and/or into competitor's targets. So I think it's a good idea to A) obtain some of the targets appropriate to the game you are thinking about, and making sure that you can at least keep your shots on them somewhere -- not necessarily "in the black" or scoring area, but at least somewhere on the paper -- and B) get ahold of the rules of the game so that you can see what's expected of you, especially in terms of safety and gun handling.
Have fun!
JImbothefiveth
Member
You're probably not going to win the first time. You might not ever win. I attend a monthly match where even the really good competitors usually aren't in first place.
Swallow your pride and don't worry about that. The way they got to be seasoned competitors was by competing. Don't worry about winning, don't even worry too much about improving.If you worry about that too much you'll get discouraged. Just have fun and eventually you might start winning.
Comanche180
Member
compete
I have been shooting in a winter indoor bullseye league for 3-4 years now. The guys who are winning have been shooting for up to 30 years. Here is what I have learned: practice as much as you can and leave your ego at home. You will be crushed (unless you have incredible natural ability). Just enjoy the time and fellowship and compete with yourself. The guys will help you.
I have also shot IDPA a little; great fun. I can shoot in this game but don't move and think fast enough to be competitive. So what, the game is fun. Get into it as soon as possible.
I have been shooting in a winter indoor bullseye league for 3-4 years now. The guys who are winning have been shooting for up to 30 years. Here is what I have learned: practice as much as you can and leave your ego at home. You will be crushed (unless you have incredible natural ability). Just enjoy the time and fellowship and compete with yourself. The guys will help you.
I have also shot IDPA a little; great fun. I can shoot in this game but don't move and think fast enough to be competitive. So what, the game is fun. Get into it as soon as possible.
Hollywood Marine
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- Aug 13, 2008
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Today would be fine, yesterday better, and last week better still. Start competing immediately. You will improve as you gain experience, and you gain no experience sitting on the sidelines wondering when to start.
Uncle Mike
Member
hehehe .... but you'll enjoy it more if your good at it....right... hehehe
Now... about this other concern.
Are you affraid that you will show up to shoot a match and look like the proverbial id10t?
maybe you feel your gonna choke on the line... miss the targets and look really stupid and contagious?
pull a big, dumb stunt out of your a$$?
Well, welcome to the fraternity! Hell, we ALL felt like that at one time or another.
Do not let your ego or self-esteem interfere with what will possibly the most fun you'll have... with or without your clothes on!
Get in there and do some shootin'!
There is no such thing as a stupid move or dumb question, you don't have to win every match... and you won't, you don't have to have all the latest, greatest, most expensive equipment, all you have to do is be safe and courteous and the rest will fall into place.
Have Fun-
I started competitive rifle and pistol shooting back in the mid 1960's. Was in the Navy then and the local Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor showed me which end of the round went in the barrel first (pointy end) and what the purpose of the safety was on both the M1911 pistol and M1 rifle. In my first match with either, I dropped a magazine loading the .45 (3 times, mind you) and turned the M1's sight knobs the wrong way to make changes. Other problems ensued that's too embarassing to talk about. The laughter from dozens watching me make a fool of myself still ring in my ears in spite of me laughing with them.
But I persisted. Ended up with a masters card for outdoor pistol, master small bore rifle prone, master & high master with high power rifle, shot on many military and civilian teams including the US Navy Team at Interservice and National Matches. I was fortunate when asked to be the first person in the world to shoot across the standard service rifle course of fire with the M16. Also have been on the US Palma and Goodwill Teams (long range). Won a lot of matches at all levels, lost a few more but placed well. Best feeling was a few years ago at a smallbore prone match beating the kids on the Olympic team 40 years younger than me and winning the match doing it.
Most important of all....you shoot with others; you compete against yourself. If you ever think it's the other way around, well.......
Shoot competitive; it's cheaper than playing golf and working your way up to the Masters trying to beat Tiger Woods and his equals.
But I persisted. Ended up with a masters card for outdoor pistol, master small bore rifle prone, master & high master with high power rifle, shot on many military and civilian teams including the US Navy Team at Interservice and National Matches. I was fortunate when asked to be the first person in the world to shoot across the standard service rifle course of fire with the M16. Also have been on the US Palma and Goodwill Teams (long range). Won a lot of matches at all levels, lost a few more but placed well. Best feeling was a few years ago at a smallbore prone match beating the kids on the Olympic team 40 years younger than me and winning the match doing it.
Most important of all....you shoot with others; you compete against yourself. If you ever think it's the other way around, well.......
Shoot competitive; it's cheaper than playing golf and working your way up to the Masters trying to beat Tiger Woods and his equals.
Jim Watson
Member
It is highly unlikely that you or I could work our way up to play golf against Tiger Woods. You are not going to play in the World Series or the Super Bowl.
But you CAN go to a championship shooting match. I like to say that I have been beaten by the best in the world. I have shot in state, regional, and national championships of several events, and although I have not risen as high as Bart, I was there and had a good time.
But you CAN go to a championship shooting match. I like to say that I have been beaten by the best in the world. I have shot in state, regional, and national championships of several events, and although I have not risen as high as Bart, I was there and had a good time.
krs
Member
One thing that I don't see said outright here, but which is contained in every post:
New competitor,
THE EXPERIENCED COMPETITORS WANT YOU THERE IN THE MATCHES!.
They don't want you there to make themselves feel superior, they want you there because they all have a vested interest in the continuation of their chosen sport.
Get that through your head.
All shooting sports have people come and go. When too many go and there aren't any new members/shooters then the event will die for lack of participation.
All of the people who are already hooked on a particular type of shooting, a set of matches at a particular location, or who know that without a continual influx of new enthusiasts their chosen sport may one day die away will bend over backwards to help you into their game in most any way they can. They'll be universally friendly to you unless you are a jerk coming through the door/gate.
So if you're interested in competing in shooting get out there now - the other people need you there.
New competitor,
THE EXPERIENCED COMPETITORS WANT YOU THERE IN THE MATCHES!.
They don't want you there to make themselves feel superior, they want you there because they all have a vested interest in the continuation of their chosen sport.
Get that through your head.
All shooting sports have people come and go. When too many go and there aren't any new members/shooters then the event will die for lack of participation.
All of the people who are already hooked on a particular type of shooting, a set of matches at a particular location, or who know that without a continual influx of new enthusiasts their chosen sport may one day die away will bend over backwards to help you into their game in most any way they can. They'll be universally friendly to you unless you are a jerk coming through the door/gate.
So if you're interested in competing in shooting get out there now - the other people need you there.
krs
Member
This is spoken like or by someone with experience calling matches as a range officer, and it's an addition worth emphasis.
No one wants unsafe practices on ranges or at matches, and although everyone will help you through the match itself they do expect, and have a right to expect, that you come with a good grounding in the safe handling of firearms in a public range environment. So it's worth hanging back to observe the way rules are applied and it's worth knowing the rules themselves for any given location or event.
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