I'm just learning too man! Trying to get these old bones moving!
Competitive Shooting - Ask Me Anything
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I'm just learning too man! Trying to get these old bones moving!
notso556
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Mr. McTrigger hit the A zone with his "efficiency" comment. The whole game is about efficiency. In fact, all speed shooting sports are.
Where do you position your holster in order to bring the gun to the target most efficiently? What is the most efficient way to do a reload? And so on. Even games with no movement like Steel Challenge require you to learn the most efficient - time saving - way of getting from holster to target to target to target.
But I think where movement from point A to point B is involved what is most important is whether you are prepared to shoot immediately upon reaching point B. Do you arrive there with your feet in your shooting stance or do you have to adjust? Were you able to step right into your "spot" or did you have to stutter-step your way in? Did you over-run your spot and have to lean back into position? As your feet are coming to a stop is your gun coming to bear on your next target or are you still re-acquiring your grip and bringing the gun up in front of your eyes? These things are real time wasters if you don't pay attention to them.
Watch other shooters and you will see some that seem to break the shot at the instant their feet stop moving. And there will be others who seem to get there and then take a second or more to shoot. The way I learned movement long ago was to find that place you plan to plant your lead foot at the next shooting point during your walk through. As you move, look at that spot and run to it. Keep your eye on that spot --- until that last step. As you take that last step look at your first target and let the gun follow your eye. By the time your feet stop moving you will be ready.
And if you are still getting settled when you start shooting be prepared for some misses and No Shoots. Don't rush it. Just be efficient.
Where do you position your holster in order to bring the gun to the target most efficiently? What is the most efficient way to do a reload? And so on. Even games with no movement like Steel Challenge require you to learn the most efficient - time saving - way of getting from holster to target to target to target.
But I think where movement from point A to point B is involved what is most important is whether you are prepared to shoot immediately upon reaching point B. Do you arrive there with your feet in your shooting stance or do you have to adjust? Were you able to step right into your "spot" or did you have to stutter-step your way in? Did you over-run your spot and have to lean back into position? As your feet are coming to a stop is your gun coming to bear on your next target or are you still re-acquiring your grip and bringing the gun up in front of your eyes? These things are real time wasters if you don't pay attention to them.
Watch other shooters and you will see some that seem to break the shot at the instant their feet stop moving. And there will be others who seem to get there and then take a second or more to shoot. The way I learned movement long ago was to find that place you plan to plant your lead foot at the next shooting point during your walk through. As you move, look at that spot and run to it. Keep your eye on that spot --- until that last step. As you take that last step look at your first target and let the gun follow your eye. By the time your feet stop moving you will be ready.
And if you are still getting settled when you start shooting be prepared for some misses and No Shoots. Don't rush it. Just be efficient.
So I'd really like to try USPSA. I've got a pistol (VP9) and 3 mags. Is there other equipment I need? I've got no shooting sports experience whatsoever. I live in Greensboro and I'm relatively new to NC.
What should I sign up for and where?
What should I sign up for and where?
Holster, magazine pouches for 2 magazines, eyes, ears. Sign up to shoot at CGGR or Rowan in Limited Minor. Listen to your RO, be aware of your muzzle direction and have fun!
In addition, from Greensboro the ride to Sir Walter, on the first Saturday will be your soonest option; or Devil Dog @ Oxford, on the 25th, wouldn't be bad. Now the trick to Sir Walter, especially Rowan, and CGGR is getting signed up, gotta set an alarm and be ready to go on Practiscore when the clock strikes, they sometimes fill in minutes. Sign up is typically a week ahead of time, CGGR is two weeks.
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Only thing I dont have on that list is the mag pouches, Are there any brands you recommend to buy or avoid?
I'm busy next weekend but I will sign up for the Sir Walter on the 3rd. Do the sign ups open on midnight? Do you know when the CGGR March match is going to be?
Competition-specific magazine pouches can get pricey and most shooters go through a few brands before settling on one they like. I use CR Speed because I found them used and cheap. Others like Ghost, Scorpion and Gugas Ribas. Others will use less competition marketed pouches like uncle mikes, etc. for their first few matches so make sure they’re going to enjoy the sport.
Sir Walter signup is at 5 or 6am, 8 days before the match.
Sir Walter is always 1st Saturday.
Rowan is always 2nd Saturday.
CGGR is always 3rd Saturday.
I like Ghost 360, bullets out. If you want bullets forward the Hybrid is probably as affordable as it gets, like $15 each @ LA Police Gear, the description is wrong you only get the bullets forward pouch. Competition pouches are usually used "bolt on" so you'll need a inner outer belt set-up.
Since you haven't done it you might want to find (RPS, SWGC, and CGGR usually get one) or create a thread to post in when you pick a match, someone might let you borrow gear that'll get you by.
Slappy McTrigger
My Own Safe Space
I'm planing on signing up for the Sir Walter on the 3rd. My actual waist is 38" which is about a 34 pant size.
Because of my schedule im often up at 6am so the signup as long as I remember shouldn't be an issue.
Thanks I'll be glad to use it.
So for the match on the 3rd at Sir Walter it would be at ~6am on the 23rd?
Slappy McTrigger
My Own Safe Space
I should be at that match. I will check when I get home but I think my belt is a 36”. Should still work because the two piece belts have a little overlap and i have a belt keeper for extra insurance. If not @NKD may have a slightly larger belt as well. I also have some ghost pouches that you can try out. PM me and I will get you my contact info.
Between the two of use I am sure we can get you set up.
Would be nice if you could practice with us for an hour or two and we can get you used to timer and basic range commands too. Or at least check out some youtube vids.
Would be nice if you could practice with us for an hour or two and we can get you used to timer and basic range commands too. Or at least check out some youtube vids.
Yeah, it's basically the most important thing to know when you first start out!
Slappy McTrigger
My Own Safe Space
This! Also @Prudii , unload your pistol. Pick a wall in the biggest room of your house. Practice moving left, right, diagonal, forward, backward, and all around using furniture as obstacles all while maintaining the muzzle in that direction. Look up videos on the 180° rule. You need to develop almost the same notion for it as a pilot does the horizon. Maintaining the muzzle down range or rather the failure to do so is a huge source of the dreaded trips to Dairy Queen.
Damn excellent advice here ^^^^^^^
I'd love to meet up and practice some time, I'm free most weekends, but during the week I work 9+ hour second shift.
I've watched a few videos, from what I understand there is a line between you and the targets and the muzzle must remain pointed within 90° of that line. And you must move forward and back to bring targets within the 180°. And your gun must remain unloaded and holstered until it's your turn. I guess there's some other rules about when and where you can have loose ammo out.
Speaking of ammo, how much will I need? I just bought 1k of blazer brass. Can I use that?
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Last week at Rowan I shot 160 rounds, which included a reshoot of a stage of about 30ish rounds. Typically I bring around 300 rounds, that's overkill, but you never know if someone else will run out or forget to pack enough
There will be a line that is agreed to be the 180. Your muzzle must never cross it. You will sometimes be shooting quite close to it in USPSA. Often a reload, for example, not performed carefully, will allow muzzle to cross, causing DQ. It is not always be 90 from a target. Might be 5-10 from target.
Also, your gun must be unloaded and holstered UNTIL you are told to "MAKE READY" by a Range Officer.
So, just ask where 180 is, and do not touch your gun until told to do so.
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Following up on range commands and 180s- just because you are finished shooting a stage doesn’t mean you don’t have to watch your muzzle. As you’re unloading make sure you’re facing squarely downrange and don’t break 180 or flag yourself. If you drop a magazine, extra round of ammo, etc. LEAVE IT UNTIL YOUR PISTOL IS HOLSTERED.
Once you’re finished shooting, please please please take your time. No need to rush and get DQed after you finished shooting a great stage/match.
Once you’re finished shooting, please please please take your time. No need to rush and get DQed after you finished shooting a great stage/match.
notso556
Well-Known Member
This is a good point. I once took a new shooter to his first match. Spent some range time with him beforehand familiarizing him with range commands, 180 concept, all that stuff.
On one of his first stages (might have been the very first) when he was finished and the gun was cleared he stuck it in his holster and let go of it.
Only in his excitement he had missed the holster completely. And the gun fell to the ground. Oops, that was the end of his first match. He did much better at subsequent matches.
So I ordered some blackhawk kydex/plastic mag pouches off Amazon. They were pretty cheap but for the price I won't complain.
I've been watching videos about starting USPSA and how to avoid disqualifications.
I've got this weekend free, I'm planning on going to the range to at least get some practice. Even if it is raining.
I've been watching videos about starting USPSA and how to avoid disqualifications.
I've got this weekend free, I'm planning on going to the range to at least get some practice. Even if it is raining.
Have fun!!
2 questions please. My son and I have been shooting consistently for about 2 years and we're thinking about trying out competitive shooting. My first question is where can you practice fire and movement? We're in Johnson County and as far as I know the ranges here allow you to shoot steel at 100 yard's from a bench but not fire and movement drills. How do you get the "tactical" practice in?
Second question, can you use a Modern Sporting Rifle pistol build, think KAK Brace, as a rifle at a match requiring a rifle?
Thanks.
Second question, can you use a Modern Sporting Rifle pistol build, think KAK Brace, as a rifle at a match requiring a rifle?
Thanks.
OP
FlatFender
Well-Known Member
1. H2O Fowl Farms in Dunn would probably be a good option for places to practice. @Amp Mangum probably knows the rules for practice there better than I do.
2. No you cannot. At least not for any matches I'm aware of.
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Come out to H2O to practice: http://h2ofowlfarmsnc.com/
A TON of this type of practice can be done with dryfire in a large room, garage, or back yard.
Set up positions and shooting boxes, etc. and do what our girlfriends call “fake shooting”, lol.
This is cheap and very effective. Get yourselves a nice timer and look at Ben Stoegers books which are all about this.
Thanks all. I've been to H2O a few times, nice place and great guys. Very helpful there. I guess you could call ahead to "reserve" the 270 enclosed shooting bay for drills like that?I've never actually asked about that kind of stuff there. I will have to investigate.
Again, thank you for the information.
Again, thank you for the information.
Ok, I've been wanting to try competitive shooting for a long time and I'm finally to the point where I think I can start getting away for a match or 2 a month. I have a couple of question/problems to figure out.
First, I'm in Hickory. Nothing is close by but there is IDPA an hour in one direction and USPSA an hour in the other and I'm not sure which I should try. Anyone that shoots IDPA in Wilkesboro/Boone or USPSA in Mooresville that can give advice? If not, is one better for a first timer?
Second, I plan to buy a gun specifically for gaming but not yet. My edc is either a Glock 19 that's had finger grips removed & stippled and has the Glock 4.5 connector and a 17 smooth trigger OR a CZ PCR that's stock other than grips. I'd like to focus on one of them for now and then move into it's big brother (Glock 34 or CZ P09/SP01) later. Am I better off with one or the other? I'm more accurate with the CZ but I'm faster with the Glock so... I've got to order a new holster either way.
Third, any other advice for a fat ass that's used to static shooting at 5-20 yards?
First, I'm in Hickory. Nothing is close by but there is IDPA an hour in one direction and USPSA an hour in the other and I'm not sure which I should try. Anyone that shoots IDPA in Wilkesboro/Boone or USPSA in Mooresville that can give advice? If not, is one better for a first timer?
Second, I plan to buy a gun specifically for gaming but not yet. My edc is either a Glock 19 that's had finger grips removed & stippled and has the Glock 4.5 connector and a 17 smooth trigger OR a CZ PCR that's stock other than grips. I'd like to focus on one of them for now and then move into it's big brother (Glock 34 or CZ P09/SP01) later. Am I better off with one or the other? I'm more accurate with the CZ but I'm faster with the Glock so... I've got to order a new holster either way.
Third, any other advice for a fat ass that's used to static shooting at 5-20 yards?
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Those are distances we typically shoot in IDPA. I shot Saturday with a guy who was 82nd airborne....
in Korea, I think. Or maybe it was Normandy, God bless him. Anyway, he couldn’t move very fast on his new knees, but he operated a pistol as good as he needed to.
Just get out and do it.
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Any one of your choice listed in your post or below would be great for first timers
4th Saturday is an IDPA match at Meck Wildlife Club
http://mwdshooters.com/
2nd Saturday is USPSA in Salisbury
http://www.rowanpracticalshooters.com
4th Saturday is also a USPSA in Spartanburg
http://www.shootspsa.org/
For starters, either pistol will get along just fine. If you like the games after a few times, then gear up a specific rig. Many people will let you try theirs out before you settle on something.
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I started out with a pistol, holster and two mags. Had to borrow a 2nd mag. Pick a close location at the day that's good for you and show up. Say your new and you'll get all the help you will need.
Unfortunately I haven't shot this year due to everything. I plan on getting to Foothills before it gets hot.
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