what was your very first competition? I am a fairly new shooter, and the range just isn't cutting it any more. I've been considering trying a competition (no clue which) but I don't want to look like a complete jackass out there.
What was your first competition
- Thread starter J.R.
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My very first was some sort of half assed bullseye / bowling pin type match.
Then I found out about idpa, since then I found uspsa and havent been back
Then I found out about idpa, since then I found uspsa and havent been back
Studentofthegun
From the Land of White Pine and Moonshine
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Come try the DPRC 2 Gun Rimfire match. You can shoot rifle and/or pistol. It's rimfire, so you're not out a whole bunch of ammo. And everyone is pretty nice.
Link to match details here:
Link to match details here:
Mike Overlay;n40875 said:
Bowling pins, that's what I'm talking about lol. I think my local range actually does that, maybe I can do that a few times to practices. Shooting a target at the range just seems much easier than a little plate I see in these competitions
FlatFender
Well-Known Member
I rolled into Eagle1 in Raleigh one evening to shoot. They told me the range was closed because they were having a match that night, but I was welcome to stay and shoot the match I had my G17, and holster so I figured I may as well. We shot one big stage, and I was hooked.
There were a couple really cool things about that match:
- There were 3 other dudes there that were also shooting their first match. I still shoot with all of them, and we're all still friends.
- I learned what was possible with a handgun. There weren't any super-crazy-world champion type shooters at that match, but I saw people much better than me shooting faster and more accurately that I thought was possible. It was awesome, and it made me hungry for more.
There were a couple really cool things about that match:
- There were 3 other dudes there that were also shooting their first match. I still shoot with all of them, and we're all still friends.
- I learned what was possible with a handgun. There weren't any super-crazy-world champion type shooters at that match, but I saw people much better than me shooting faster and more accurately that I thought was possible. It was awesome, and it made me hungry for more.
FlatFender;n40939 said:
See my problem is I'm still really new to shooting and don't want to look stupid. Biggest mistake I made was going on YouTube, it's insane how fast can acquire the target shoot move to the next and repeat
FlatFender
Well-Known Member
J.R.;n40946 said:
I think one of the best things about the competitive shooting crowd is that we all very vividly remember our first match, and what it's like to be new. The only way you'll feel like an idiot is if you point your gun at someone or do something else completely unsafe, and that's an easy thing to keep yourself from doing.
FatboyFlash
Senior Member
Are you guys trying to say that looking stupid is bad? I thought that was part of it. I know that I do at least 5 stupid things every match. Come on out and shoot, we won't make fun of you, honest.
FatboyFlash
Senior Member
Oh yeah, my first match was the idpa at meck wildlife. It was a blast. My 2nd match was uspsa at Statesville. That was even blastyer! I still shoot the occasional idpa but uspsa pretty well dominates my life. I work to shoot, I skip weddings, funerals, family reunions, and all sorts of other crap just to make matches. My house is falling apart and the yard hasn't been mowed in 3 years.
T
trcubed
Guest
JR, I don't know where you're located, but if you're anywhere within driving distance of Benson, we run a very new-shooter friendly IDPA match at H2O Fowl Farms every second Saturday. We'd love to have you join us.
J.R.;n41011 said:
I post my sorry a** videos here as a psa for future competitors.
https://m.youtube.com/my_videos
PHA 2-gun. Kinda lost interest in that, but they run a defensive handgun match that is a great place to get your feet wet in competition.
Conveniently safe gun handling, drawing, transitions, and movement can all be practiced in your home, basement, garage, or possibly backyard via dry fire.
Conveniently safe gun handling, drawing, transitions, and movement can all be practiced in your home, basement, garage, or possibly backyard via dry fire.
Flounderfs92
Low speed/high drag
I shot idpa back in 2002/03 ish. Not sure on the year exactly but it was at a club in maryland when i lived there. Went to the range to meet a buddy and "watch" a new thing the club was doing. Next thing I know i was holding a glock 17 at low ready, nobody had a leftie holster, with a timer in my ear and an ro explaining what to do. Never been more nervous in all my life. I dont know what kind of score i shot that day but it was nothing but fun.
First match I ever shot was an IDPA, running a Glock 26 which I believe was the smallest gun a that match. I still shoot the occational IDPA, but found I enjoy Action Pistol/Bianchi Cup, steel challenge, and USPSA more. We all had a first match, dont sweat it, just go shoot.
First match I ever shot was an IDPA, running a Glock 26 which I believe was the smallest gun a that match. I still shoot the occational IDPA, but found I enjoy Action Pistol/Bianchi Cup, steel challenge, and USPSA
Go see Eddie on a Saturday. Tell him you are a new shooter and he will take good care of ya
http://www.shootspsa.org/
I am usually down there on the 1st and 4th Saturdays
http://www.shootspsa.org/
I am usually down there on the 1st and 4th Saturdays
My first competition was a swim meet, and I beat several million other contestants to the egg. It remains the most significant achievement of my life to date....
It's been many ,many years but Randy Young (Young Guns ) to me to a IDPA match at least I think it was I was un-classified so I shot as a new shooter, 7 noobies and I took first place. One of the judges told me that if I had been classified I would have taken first place in C class. That was the only time I shot that type of match. I did shoot PPC for 16 years.
Jht05016
Can't Shoot Real Good
J.R.;n41212 said:
Get out there. I also suggest trying steel challenge at that range, it's a great and easy way to get used to shooting under a timer.
here is a video from spartanburg, there is a bunch of other videos from spartanburg on my channel too.
FatboyFlash
Senior Member
Jht05016;n41717 said:
That's one of those videos that intimidates new shooters!
They look at it and think "wow, those guys shoot fast"! JR, you need to realize that James is one of the fastest guys in the sport, most of us shoot those stages considerably slower. My own times are usually double what his are and sometimes even slower than that. After 3 years of this, I still bobble mag changes, forget to shoot at targets, shoot targets twice, and generally do foolish things all the time. The one place where I am just as good as James is in the having fun category. I have as much fun as anyone in the world.
FatboyFlash;n41721 said:That's one of those videos that intimidates new shooters!
Even double the time seems pretty quick lol.
i guess the only "practice" would be, actually doing the competitions?
FatboyFlash
Senior Member
J.R.;n42053 said:
Dry fire practice is your friend. I started by shooting the light switches and changing mags while going from the living room and then going down the hallway into my bedroom. I have since bought Ben Stogers dry fire book.
One of the things that is fun about shooting matches to me is: working on stuff at home away from the range. Whether it is working on your equipment, or practicing dry fire. A lot can be done away from the range. You can improve tremendously with 15 minutes of dry fire a day. Check out book FatboyF mentions below.J.R. said:FatboyFlash;n41721 said:That's one of those videos that intimidates new shooters!
Even double the time seems pretty quick lol.
i guess the only "practice" would be, actually doing the competitions?
dbracin;n41730 said:
Thinking about it, this was my first match, too, I believe. Centerfire at least. If I am not mistaken, FlatFender was there as well.
When I was 8, in the back yard, clay birds, me and my Pops.
Jht05016
Can't Shoot Real Good
J.R.;n42053 said:
so at any rate, practical shooting is just a string of fundamental shooting techniques executed quickly. To really get good you need to practice these skills outside of matches. Repetition is what pays the bills. 15 minutes a day, like stated above will get you comfortable with gun handling.
my suggestion is to not practice anything. Go to a match, don't point your gun at anyone and have a good time. Show up with empty gun in car and go find where to check in. Upon finding where to go simply say you are new and would like to know the safety rules and where to go. We are super new shooter friendly or atleast some of these bozo's are. I'll be the one pacing in circles talking to myself
anyway, practice will give you what you put into it. I would wager it took around 400-500 hours and 20k rds of just practice outside of matches for me to get where I am now.