Which game to play?

[Matt1911]

Having never shot any games,I'm not sure where to start.They all look like a ton of fun.
I live in northwest Indiana,and would be willing to drive 200 miles to games.I need to buy a gun to shoot in which ever game.
What game would you suggest?What would be a game a greenhorn can get into without a huge money,and has a "newbie" class?I do reload,if that is a factor.
I think number of games is what i am looking for,not just 1 or 2 a year.

 

[Jim Watson]

Everybody will say their favorite sport is best.

The first thing to do is to find out what is available. You say you are willing to travel 200 miles to shoot but something closer for practice and social contact with the rest of the shooters is a big advantage.

The second thing to do is to visit and see what is going on. I have shot a lot of Trap and a little Skeet (shotgun), NRA Smallbore and CMP Sporter (.22 rifle), NRA, PPC, IHMSA, IPSC, and IDPA (all handgun, but very diffferent handguns), and Cowboy (rifle, pistol, and shotgun, but 19th century models.) There are a bunch of other "games" that I don't do for lack of time or availability. I like them all, or did at the time, but the gun and even attitude requirements are very different from event to event. So try before you buy. Shooters are very helpful to new recruits.

If you shoot at all - I guess you do, you say you reload - you probably own a gun or guns that will get you in at the entry level of some sport without much if any added expense.

Let us know what type of shooting you are generally interested in and I am sure you will get more and more detailed recommendations. And invitations from clubs in your area.

 

[Quantrill]

Bullseye type shooting is the granddaddy of all shootng sports. It teaches and hones the basics so that you can do well in just about any other dicsipline. I vote for National Match either pistol or rifle. Quantrill

 

[Matt1911]

I would not be interested in shotgun sports,as i raised/train/hunt english setters,and get plenty of shotgun time.
Other than shotguns,the only guns i own now(had to sell a lot a while back to take care of bills) are a taurus 357,model627,and a sks.So i am lookin forward to buying a "game gun".
I like handguns and rifles equally ,The "game gun" i am thinking would be a nice 1911,or ar-15.Been wanting to replace both.
99% of the gunshops around here are geared towards hunting,and do not seem to know of any games around here.
Ideally,this would be a game both my father and 17 year old son could also play,as we all love to get together and go shooting/hunting.
We've become a bit bored with going to the range and just shooting paper,all they allow at state ranges.Something with reactive targets sounds fun.
Hope this helps.

 

[Steve Smith]

As Jim said, everyone will tell you about their favorite shooting sport. What a hard position to be in! You have a LOT of shooting sports going on in the midwest and each is a lot of fun and will teach you a lot. The first thing you could do to narrow the field is decide whether you want to shot rifle or pistol. I know, you don't know. I will say this, rifle sports are generaly more expensive than pistol sports. Some a little, some a lot. Under Pistol sports there are a lot more "Action" sports than what is available for Rifle. Most Rifle sports are more sedate, with the emphasis on accuracy rather than speed. The accuracy slanted Pistol sports that I can think of off the top of my head are International Air and Smallbore, Smallbore and Centerfire Silhouette, and NRA Bullseye. All are "bullseye" type sports as Quantrill was alluding to. Most Rifle sports are also "bullseye" type sports. That means that you will have a circular target, black on a white or buff background, with numbered rings. As Quantrill said, the "bullseye" sports are the granddaddys of all the others, and carry a great history with them. In order to succeed with a bullseye sport, you must master the shooting fundamentals, which is not an easy task! Those fundamentals will carry through to every other shooting sport. My suggestion is to get into a Rifle or Pistol bullseye sport.

This is already getting too unweildy. I was going to start typing about action sports, but I've probably already confused you. Perhaps you could give some feedback as to whether you all want to shoot an action sport or not.


Oh, and to keep Jim from being a liar, I'll tell you wat my favorite sport is: NRA Highpower Rifle! This is after spending some time in several action pistol sports.

 

[Navy joe]

Buy a good carry suitable 1911 and you have a gun that will cover both IDPA and IPSC action sports, a lot of the IDPA folks keep going indoors in the winter after IPSC freezes over. A holster, 6 mags, and some pouches and you will be set. Also an ok gun if anyone does bowling pin shoots near you, those are fun and cheap. The bullseye type sports are fun and excellent training, but they are very much like punching paper on the range.

If you want to make it cheap, insert Glock 17 instead of 1911, then be able to play IPSC, IDPA, and GSSF all while shooting a cheap gun that uses cheap ammo.

There are no "newbie" classes really, but you will be classed according to your skill level and type of gun. So have fun watching the folks with the hi-tech handguns, but you're not competing against them.

Stay away from the AR if you get a pistol. It is a proven gateway gun, because once you have a pistol and an AR a wild idea enters your head to get a "tactical" shotgun and become a three gunner. If anyone knows a cure, please send help fast!

 

[Correia]

What to start with?

That is tough, depends on your personality.

I would probably start with whatever was closest and experiment around until you find what you love.

Myself, I'm a 3 gunner. That way I can waste 3 times as much ammo at a time.

 

[Matt1911]

Ooooooh,threee guns........three guns good.......

Seriously, Bulleye would probably be the smart way to start,but ....
Pin shooting looks fun,and the idpa,isca,ect,but i know so little about them,i don't even know what the initials stand for!
I've heard the phrase "run and gun",and am thinking thats the ticket.I've seen only a handfull of them on the boob tube,not enough to get a good idea of what is going on.I guess i should of asked for links that explain the games,and where they are,rather than as i did.I guess i just assumed they all had to start at a common point.
Could you please expand on 3 gun?that does sound cool.....

 

[Steve Smith]

3 gun certainly has appeal. I'm sure Correia can help you with that.

Is your father in good shape?

 

[Matt1911]

Yeah,Dads 62,and still can work circles 'round me!

 

[BerettaNut92]

Matt1911,

IPSC has a higher round count and is known for having 'raceguns' but you can shoot it with pretty much anything 9mm or bigger. Lots of targets, run, gun, etc. There are some 'hostage' (no-shoot) but the game is centered more on speed and marksmanship.

IDPA is supposed to be more 'tactical', and the spirit of the game is to shoot the gun that you would normally carry. Lower round count, you're supposed to use proper cover, perform tactical reloads, etc., wear a concealment garment, etc.

Those are the two major ones. My favorite venue is IPSC style but with all steel targets. No taping!!!

3-gun matches I have seen are usually like either IDPA or IPSC but with long guns but sometimes vary in engagement distances. Unfortunately my range only goes back to 100 yds.

Here's a video of me at a steel match. http://www.skunkabilly.com/media/ssa20030202_1.avi

Don't know about bullseye type games.

 

[Navy joe]

www.uspsa.org

Find a local club on there. Find out when they shoot. Go watch, decide if it is for you. Next time bring gun. Try to find someone there to advise to what exactly to bring. The basics are any safe strongside hip holster that points towards the ground, pistol, at least 6 mags, 150-200 rds of ammo. The rest you can figure out as you go.

USPSA= United States Practical Shooting Association. It is the U.S. org that is affiliated with IPSC.

IPSC= International Practical Shooting Confederation. "Combat" shooting done the world over. Started by Jeff Cooper et. al way back when.

IDPA = International Defensive Pistol Association. Formed as an off-shoot of IPSC by people who wanted to return to the roots of the sport. In theory emphasizes more realistic scenarios, use of correct tactics and real world guns. In practice, it's just another game. A fun one tho.

 

[ACP230]

If driving a couple hundred miles is fine, you can find a lot of bowling pin, IDPA and IPSC shooting in Michigan. There's a large bowling pin match in Berrien Springs each July.

Look for the MCRGO website. Quite a few shoots in lower MI are listed there.

 

[Dr.Who]

My two cents... I Shoot IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Assoc.) and SASS (Single Action Shoot'n Soc.) . Like them both. IDPA as said prior, trys to develop situations that you could encounter in the real world using unmodified guns that you could carry (laws allowing) concealed. Hense, the guns you compete with, will range from $400-$900. A glock 17 (9mm)(3 Mags) could shoot in 2 classes, very cost effective (Ammo $5 a box of 50 "Walmart"). IPSC is more focused on speed "Race Guns" are to common mode of use, (could be high dollar). They do have stock classes, however, you will not be satisfied going slow in IPSC. SASS is different, based on shoot'n period pieces in situations which cross between IDPA and IPSC. Any given stage, you will shoot 2 revolver's (single action), Rifle (lever action, pistol caliber) and Shotgun (Break open, Pump with an expossed hammer, or lever). The nick name is Cowboy Action Shoot'n.

Either one is a Blast (pun intended) For me these both over-lap and help me stay in shape for each other. In IDPA, I can shoot revolver quicker single action with better accuracy than a double action revolver shooter can. This is due to the practice received while shoot'n Cowboy.

Best advise... Find what is in your area and visit, watch, ask questions, try some guns, then make your choice. Just, Get out and shoot...
Enjoy...