Competitive Shooting - Ask Me Anything

FlatFender

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New to competitive shooting? Interested, but don't know where to start? This thread is your safe space to ask any question you like, no matter how trivial it may seem. If I don't know the answer, I'll find someone who does.

Shooter ready? Stand by!
 
I'll start off.

What are all of the different sanctioning body's for competitive pistol shooting, and what are the differences between them?
 
Scsmith42;n9557 said:
I'll start off.

What are all of the different sanctioning body's for competitive pistol shooting, and what are the differences between them?

There are 4 games that are the most popular:

USPSA - United States Practical Shooting Assoc. USPSA is straight up racing. There's no emphasis on tactics or proper defensive stuff, CCW or anything like that. In USPSA you're presented with a problem (a stage with targets, barriers, etc) and it's your job to solve it. In USPSA you'll see people shooting anything from a Glock 19 to a full blown racegun with optics and compensators, etc.

IDPA - International Defensive Pistol Association. IDPA focuses more on concealed carry, and you're required to start a stage with your gun concealed. Their gear rules are a little more restrictive, but generally most any off the shelf gun will be fine. They have divisions for the little guns that most of us actually carry up to full size 1911s etc. Stages in IDPA are generally shorter than USPSA, with a maximum of 18 rounds.

Steel Challenge - This game is owned by USPSA, but it's a completely different animal. There's very little movement. You're basically standing in a box, and on the buzzer you shoot 5 steel plates. It sounds and looks easy, but it's not. Steel Challenge has 8 standardized stages that are all setup the same and shot the same at every match. You shoot each stage 5 times and your best few scores count.

GSSF - Glock Shooting Sports Foundation - Think steel Challenge, but with paper targets and it's only for Glocks.
 
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AppKalash said:
We talking rifles, shotguns, and multi-gun matches here or just handguns?
Absolutely. I'm a pistol shooter myself, but we've definitely got some 3 Gunners around, and I know folks heavily involved in precision games, etc.
 
FlatFender said:
Scsmith42;n9557 said:
I'll start off.

What are all of the different sanctioning body's for competitive pistol shooting, and what are the differences between them?

There are 4 games that are the most popular:

USPSA - United States Practical Shooting Assoc. USPSA is straight up racing. There's no emphasis on tactics or proper defensive stuff, CCW or anything like that. In USPSA you're presented with a problem (a stage with targets, barriers, etc) and it's your job to solve it. In USPSA you'll see people shooting anything from a Glock 19 to a full blown racegun with optics and compensators, etc.

IDPA - International Defensive Pistol Association. IDPA focuses more on concealed carry, and you're required to start a stage with your gun concealed. Their gear rules are a little more restrictive, but generally most any off the shelf gun will be fine. They have divisions for the little guns that most of us actually carry up to full size 1911s etc. Stages in IDPA are generally shorter than USPSA, with a maximum of 18 rounds.

Steel Challenge - This game is owned by USPSA, but it's a completely different animal. There's very little movement. You're basically standing in a box, and on the buzzer you shoot 5 steel plates. It sounds and looks easy, but it's not. Steel Challenge has 8 standardized stages that are all setup the same and shot the same at every match. You shoot each stage 5 times and your best few scores count.

GSSF - Glock Shooting Sports Foundation - Think steel Challenge, but with paper targets and it's only for Glocks.
Don't forget about those Bullseye guys... The do exist...
 
FlatFender;n9580 said:
There are 4 games that are the most popular:

USPSA - United States Practical Shooting Assoc. USPSA is straight up racing. There's no emphasis on tactics or proper defensive stuff, CCW or anything like that. In USPSA you're presented with a problem (a stage with targets, barriers, etc) and it's your job to solve it. In USPSA you'll see people shooting anything from a Glock 19 to a full blown racegun with optics and compensators, etc.

IDPA - International Defensive Pistol Association. IDPA focuses more on concealed carry, and you're required to start a stage with your gun concealed. Their gear rules are a little more restrictive, but generally most any off the shelf gun will be fine. They have divisions for the little guns that most of us actually carry up to full size 1911s etc. Stages in IDPA are generally shorter than USPSA, with a maximum of 18 rounds.

Steel Challenge - This game is owned by USPSA, but it's a completely different animal. There's very little movement. You're basically standing in a box, and on the buzzer you shoot 5 steel plates. It sounds and looks easy, but it's not. Steel Challenge has 8 standardized stages that are all setup the same and shot the same at every match. You shoot each stage 5 times and your best few scores count.

GSSF - Glock Shooting Sports Foundation - Think steel Challenge, but with paper targets and it's only for Glocks.

Thanks for the breakdown. On a related note, whatever happened to IPSC domestically? 20 years ago when I was competing in the NFA sanctioned matches with my MP5 it seemed as if IPSC was the main national player. We used to shoot similar courses. Today it seems that you never hear about IPSC.
 
Scsmith42;n10569 said:
Thanks for the breakdown. On a related note, whatever happened to IPSC domestically? 20 years ago when I was competing in the NFA sanctioned matches with my MP5 it seemed as if IPSC was the main national player. We used to shoot similar courses. Today it seems that you never hear about IPSC.

USPSA is the US arm of IPSC. Every USPSA match is an IPSC match.

Because we're 'Mericans and we like targets with heads and things like that we convinced IPSC to allow us to play by our own rules in the US as long as a few other criteria are met.
 
bigfelipe;n10518 said:
How about a breakdown of the USPSA Divisions and Classifications?

USPSA divisions are as follows:

Production - basically for your double action, off the shelf guns. Probably the most popular division. 10rd magazines, everything is scored minor power factor. 9mm is most popular.

Single stack - 1911 division.

Revolver - nobody cares.

Carry Optics - New division, basically your production guns with a few more modifications allowed and slide ride optics. Think Glock MOS, etc.

Limited - Limited guns are full blown race guns, but they still shoot iron sights and compensators are not allowed. Magazines are limited to 140mm in length. 2011's are the most popular. Limited is scored Major/Minor. Most folks shoot .40 in Limited to maximize the number of rounds in a mag and make major. Bullet must be .40 to make major (no 9mm major allowed in Limited). I generally tell someone who's brand new to shoot their first match in Limited. You can shoot whatever gun you own, and if you've got 3 double stack mags for whatever gun you've got, just stuff them full and shoot.

Open - open is where you see the real space guns. Red dots, compensators, all that. Magazines are limited to 170mm in length, and most folks shoot .38 Super or 9mm major.

Pistol caliber carbine - New division for pistol caliber carbines. Seems to be really taking off. There are some gear rules in this division but I'd need to go have a look at the rulebook to give you details on them. Some ranges and major matches are not recognizing PCC just yet due to range restrictions on rifles, etc.
 
FlatFender said:
bigfelipe;n10518 said:
How about a breakdown of the USPSA Divisions and Classifications?

USPSA divisions are as follows:

Production - basically for your double action, off the shelf guns. Probably the most popular division. 10rd magazines, everything is scored minor power factor. 9mm is most popular.

Single stack - 1911 division.

Revolver - nobody cares.

Carry Optics - New division, basically your production guns with a few more modifications allowed and slide ride optics. Think Glock MOS, etc.

Limited - Limited guns are full blown race guns, but they still shoot iron sights and compensators are not allowed. Magazines are limited to 140mm in length. 2011's are the most popular. Limited is scored Major/Minor. Most folks shoot .40 in Limited to maximize the number of rounds in a mag and make major. Bullet must be .40 to make major (no 9mm major allowed in Limited). I generally tell someone who's brand new to shoot their first match in Limited. You can shoot whatever gun you own, and if you've got 3 double stack mags for whatever gun you've got, just stuff them full and shoot.

Open - open is where you see the real space guns. Red dots, compensators, all that. Magazines are limited to 170mm in length, and most folks shoot .38 Super or 9mm major.

Pistol caliber carbine - New division for pistol caliber carbines. Seems to be really taking off. There are some gear rules in this division but I'd need to go have a look at the rulebook to give you details on them. Some ranges and major matches are not recognizing PCC just yet due to range restrictions on rifles, etc.
If you shoot a .40 in Production class can you be scored major?

Also just to be clear... in Production class you can use a magazine that is capable of holding more than 10 rounds but you can only load 10 in them, right or wrong?
 
AppKalash said:
We talking rifles, shotguns, and multi-gun matches here or just handguns?
Fair enough.

I've shot a little of everything but never focused on any specific events. I think I like carbine/pistol run and guns the best but I don't get to do them as often as I want.
 
FlatFender said:
bigfelipe;n10518 said:
How about a breakdown of the USPSA Divisions and Classifications?

USPSA divisions are as follows:

Production - basically for your double action, off the shelf guns. Probably the most popular division. 10rd magazines, everything is scored minor power factor. 9mm is most popular.

Single stack - 1911 division.

Revolver - nobody cares.

Carry Optics - New division, basically your production guns with a few more modifications allowed and slide ride optics. Think Glock MOS, etc.

Limited - Limited guns are full blown race guns, but they still shoot iron sights and compensators are not allowed. Magazines are limited to 140mm in length. 2011's are the most popular. Limited is scored Major/Minor. Most folks shoot .40 in Limited to maximize the number of rounds in a mag and make major. Bullet must be .40 to make major (no 9mm major allowed in Limited). I generally tell someone who's brand new to shoot their first match in Limited. You can shoot whatever gun you own, and if you've got 3 double stack mags for whatever gun you've got, just stuff them full and shoot.

Open - open is where you see the real space guns. Red dots, compensators, all that. Magazines are limited to 170mm in length, and most folks shoot .38 Super or 9mm major.

Pistol caliber carbine - New division for pistol caliber carbines. Seems to be really taking off. There are some gear rules in this division but I'd need to go have a look at the rulebook to give you details on them. Some ranges and major matches are not recognizing PCC just yet due to range restrictions on rifles, etc.
Everyone is scored Minor in Production. Major scoring is such an advantage that it becomes the default in any division where it's an option, and the idea behind Production is to give the off the shelf guns a place to be competitive.

Yes, your magazines can be capable of holding more than 10rds, but they may only have 10rds in them after the start signal. All of my mags are Glock 17rd mags.
 
FlatFender said:
Scsmith42;n9557 said:
I'll start off.

What are all of the different sanctioning body's for competitive pistol shooting, and what are the differences between them?

There are 4 games that are the most popular:

USPSA - United States Practical Shooting Assoc. USPSA is straight up racing. There's no emphasis on tactics or proper defensive stuff, CCW or anything like that. In USPSA you're presented with a problem (a stage with targets, barriers, etc) and it's your job to solve it. In USPSA you'll see people shooting anything from a Glock 19 to a full blown racegun with optics and compensators, etc.

IDPA - International Defensive Pistol Association. IDPA focuses more on concealed carry, and you're required to start a stage with your gun concealed. Their gear rules are a little more restrictive, but generally most any off the shelf gun will be fine. They have divisions for the little guns that most of us actually carry up to full size 1911s etc. Stages in IDPA are generally shorter than USPSA, with a maximum of 18 rounds.

Steel Challenge - This game is owned by USPSA, but it's a completely different animal. There's very little movement. You're basically standing in a box, and on the buzzer you shoot 5 steel plates. It sounds and looks easy, but it's not. Steel Challenge has 8 standardized stages that are all setup the same and shot the same at every match. You shoot each stage 5 times and your best few scores count.

GSSF - Glock Shooting Sports Foundation - Think steel Challenge, but with paper targets and it's only for Glocks.
Bullseye does exist, but I'm only aware of one match that used to take place in the area, and I'm not sure if it's still a thing or not.
 
FlatFender said:
bigfelipe;n10518 said:
How about a breakdown of the USPSA Divisions and Classifications?

USPSA divisions are as follows:

Production - basically for your double action, off the shelf guns. Probably the most popular division. 10rd magazines, everything is scored minor power factor. 9mm is most popular.

Single stack - 1911 division.

Revolver - nobody cares.

Carry Optics - New division, basically your production guns with a few more modifications allowed and slide ride optics. Think Glock MOS, etc.

Limited - Limited guns are full blown race guns, but they still shoot iron sights and compensators are not allowed. Magazines are limited to 140mm in length. 2011's are the most popular. Limited is scored Major/Minor. Most folks shoot .40 in Limited to maximize the number of rounds in a mag and make major. Bullet must be .40 to make major (no 9mm major allowed in Limited). I generally tell someone who's brand new to shoot their first match in Limited. You can shoot whatever gun you own, and if you've got 3 double stack mags for whatever gun you've got, just stuff them full and shoot.

Open - open is where you see the real space guns. Red dots, compensators, all that. Magazines are limited to 170mm in length, and most folks shoot .38 Super or 9mm major.

Pistol caliber carbine - New division for pistol caliber carbines. Seems to be really taking off. There are some gear rules in this division but I'd need to go have a look at the rulebook to give you details on them. Some ranges and major matches are not recognizing PCC just yet due to range restrictions on rifles, etc.
Thanks for clarification!

OK then if one chooses .40 in production they may be best off to run soft loads since there is no power factor advantage, right?

I know in the end it's up to the specific shooter's preference and all --- just speaking generally here.
 
Thanks for clarification!

OK then if one chooses .40 in production they may be best off to run soft loads since there is no power factor advantage, right?

I know in the end it's up to the specific shooter's preference and all --- just speaking generally here.

Correct. I know a couple of dudes that shoot (or have shot) .40 Minor loads in the past.
 
How do you analyze your stage footage? What are you looking for?
 
Whats major and minor scoring? Whats power factor?
 
Geerubb;n19814 said:
How do you analyze your stage footage? What are you looking for?

Good question. Currently, here's what I do: I look through my past couple matches videos and look for trends. What are the things that I'm messing up over and over.

Am I fumbling reloads from the furthest back mag pouches? Practice those some more.

Slow getting into position?

Not actually running from position to position?

Slow picking up the gun on table starts?

Moving further into position than needed?

​​​​
​​​​​​If you're really having trouble finding things, take video of the locks hot dog on your squad too, then you can compare and contrast.


I keep a list of those 2-3 things, and in my practice, those are the things I work on.

Obviously, if your accuracy is garbage, that won't show up on match video, so you'll have to look at your scores to see that.
 
cold1;n20985 said:
Whats major and minor scoring? Whats power factor?

Power factor = velocity x bullet weight / 1000

Minor power factor is 124 to 164.9.
Major power factor is 165 +

Scoring points-
Major

A- 5 pts
B,C - 4Pts
D - 2Pts

Minor
A- 5pts
B,C -3pts
D - 1pt
 
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cold1;n20985 said:
Whats major and minor scoring? Whats power factor?

[video=youtube_share;rJIBBCJkc4Y]https://youtu.be/rJIBBCJkc4Y[/video]

One thing: .38 Super, not special.

​​​​
 
FlatFender said:
cold1;n20985 said:
Whats major and minor scoring? Whats power factor?

[video=youtube_share;rJIBBCJkc4Y]https://youtu.be/rJIBBCJkc4Y[/video]

One thing: .38 Super, not special.

​​​​
Awesome explanation! Thank you.
 
Great info! I've been wanting to get into some competitive shooting for a while, now. Hoping for something within an hour drive (roughly) of Stokes county.
It sounds like PHA is going to be the closest one. Know of any that would be closer? For those who haven't been here, I'm north of Winston-Salem, east of Pilot Mtn.
I've been thinking either pistol or 3 gun. Thanks!
 
I always shoot low and left. I've been working on grip and trigger pull, and I'm shooting less-low and less-left, but still low and left. Should I just not fight it, in competition, and aim high and right?
 
dmarbell said:
I always shoot low and left. I've been working on grip and trigger pull, and I'm shooting less-low and less-left, but still low and left. Should I just not fight it, in competition, and aim high and right?
Shooting right hand strong? If so a bit more support(left) hand grip pressure especially with that left thumb on the frame of the pistol may be helpful.
 
dmarbell;n23834 said:
I always shoot low and left. I've been working on grip and trigger pull, and I'm shooting less-low and less-left, but still low and left. Should I just not fight it, in competition, and aim high and right?

I am going through the same thing right now, shooting everything left. I can dry fire all day and keep the sights on target during trigger press, put ammo in the mag and left I go. Drifting your sights to adjust your POI to your POA is just a band aid. I would say try to fix your issues. I've shot probably 500 rounds this week and I think I got the issue down to weak hand grip, and obviously jerking the trigger. I've changed up my week hand grip which seems to have brought my POI back to my POA, now I just need to work on getting that grip from the draw.
 
Thanks for offering this informational thread...

What are the general requirements for pistol competitions (IDPA), such as registration fees, qualifying of some kind, required courses, etc.?

What drills would you recommend for preparation for such an event?

TIA
 
dmarbell said:
I always shoot low and left. I've been working on grip and trigger pull, and I'm shooting less-low and less-left, but still low and left. Should I just not fight it, in competition, and aim high and right?
Yep. Impacting low left is my weakness. Being Right handed and Left eye dominant makes it worse.
I understand.
 
SmokeyJoe;n23943 said:
Thanks for offering this informational thread...

What are the general requirements for pistol competitions (IDPA), such as registration fees, qualifying of some kind, required courses, etc.?

What drills would you recommend for preparation for such an event?

TIA

Fees are upto the club holding the matches. On average $20ish.

There is no qualifying or required courses in order to shoot a match.

Best prep is to know your gun and how to use it safely.

And most important go and shoot a match.
 
SmokeyJoe;n23943 said:
Thanks for offering this informational thread...

What are the general requirements for pistol competitions (IDPA), such as registration fees, qualifying of some kind, required courses, etc.?

What drills would you recommend for preparation for such an event?

TIA

There are no required courses to compete. No registration fees either cept for match fees.
General requirements as far as gear goes would be listed with each sanctioning bodies rule book.

Drills for preparations....thats a tuffy. This wouldnt be a bad thing, http://www.benstoeger.com/index.php/31-posts/78-dry-fire-drills
 
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SmokeyJoe;n23943 said:
Thanks for offering this informational thread...

What are the general requirements for pistol competitions (IDPA), such as registration fees, qualifying of some kind, required courses, etc.?

What drills would you recommend for preparation for such an event?

TIA

The IDPA match venues I've shot in eastern NC are always $20. If you are in our neck of the woods, I'd say reach out to a member here who has been before and go when they go and you'll find most to be more than helpful in letting you know what to expect in advance. Where are you located?
 
SmokeyJoe;n23943 said:
Thanks for offering this informational thread...

What are the general requirements for pistol competitions (IDPA), such as registration fees, qualifying of some kind, required courses, etc.?

What drills would you recommend for preparation for such an event?

TIA

Gun that you know how to use, clear malfunctions, etc.

A strong side belt holster, preferably kydex, that you can holster and unholstered one handed without pointing at yourself.

A couple mag pouches on your weak side.
​​​​​​
I wouldn't recommend any drills beforehand. Read up on the range commands, let them know you're brand new, and go shoot.
 
I have never done any competitive shooting, except among friends just to see who gets bragging rights until the next trip to the range. I have thought about it often over the years, but never pulled the trigger (see what i did there). I think i am ready to get started.

As a beginner, on which matches should i focus? I have always thought three-gun would be cool as i feel like i spend a fair amount of time shooting/practicing/training with each. If you think I should concentrate on something else before moving to something like three-gun, please feel free to tell me.

What should i do to prepare?

How expensive is the undertaking, including the practice, ammo and each match? In other words, how much money am i going to have to throw at this, if i get started? I understand it will be an estimate that will only get me in the ballpark, but i need to know before i start. If it helps, I shoot 9 and 40, 12 ga and 223/556 (nothing too outrageously priced).

Thanks for your time.
 
redhawk485;n24519 said:
I have never done any competitive shooting, except among friends just to see who gets bragging rights until the next trip to the range. I have thought about it often over the years, but never pulled the trigger (see what i did there). I think i am ready to get started.

As a beginner, on which matches should i focus? I have always thought three-gun would be cool as i feel like i spend a fair amount of time shooting/practicing/training with each. If you think I should concentrate on something else before moving to something like three-gun, please feel free to tell me.

What should i do to prepare?

How expensive is the undertaking, including the practice, ammo and each match? In other words, how much money am i going to have to throw at this, if i get started? I understand it will be an estimate that will only get me in the ballpark, but i need to know before i start. If it helps, I shoot 9 and 40, 12 ga and 223/556 (nothing too outrageously priced).

Thanks for your time.

In the beginning shoot what you have. Do not spend money on equipment till you get your feet wet. If you are missing mag pouches or the like, speak up here, many of us will let you borrow equipment to get you started.
 
Thank you for the offer and I will keep it in mind, but I think I have everything I need to get started. I just need to know how much it's going to cost me and whether, or not, I should concentrate on something simple in the beginning. Is three-gun more difficult? Should I concentrate on something useful, like IDPA? Are there matches close to me (Mebane) and do they have membership fees, registration fees, etc?
 
redhawk485;n24684 said:
Thank you for the offer and I will keep it in mind, but I think I have everything I need to get started. I just need to know how much it's going to cost me and whether, or not, I should concentrate on something simple in the beginning. Is three-gun more difficult? Should I concentrate on something useful, like IDPA? Are there matches close to me (Mebane) and do they have membership fees, registration fees, etc?

Matches typically are in the $20 range. If you have all the needed equipment then all you have to buy is ammo. Most matches will give you a minimum round count before hand. As far as what type of match I dont feel it matters. Pick one and go shoot. Watch these pages for sign ups and squad with some members. Its the most fun you'll have with a gun. Check out The sticky for the Triangle Tactical calender for matches near you.
 
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