What was your first competition

I think my first real match was a Cowboy match. I have added IPDA and Action Pistol to the various Cowboy games. They are all fun.

I figure I can shoot fast or shoot accurately. I know someone is almost always going to be faster, but nobody can be more accurate if I do not miss any targets. I have had quite a few clean Cowboy and Wild Bunch matches and had one zero down IDPA match a while back. I almost never win but rarely finish in the bottom half. I just want to have fun and try to shoot well.

I have always felt a little nervous going to my first match of a new game but have very quickly felt quite at home every time.
 
Charlie;n43516 said:
I think my first real match was a Cowboy match. I have added IPDA and Action Pistol to the various Cowboy games. They are all fun.

I figure I can shoot fast or shoot accurately. I know someone is almost always going to be faster, but nobody can be more accurate if I do not miss any targets. I have had quite a few clean Cowboy and Wild Bunch matches and had one zero down IDPA match a while back. I almost never win but rarely finish in the bottom half. I just want to have fun and try to shoot well.

I have always felt a little nervous going to my first match of a new game but have very quickly felt quite at home every time.
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With IDPA scoring recently changing to 1 sec down per point, the emphasis on accuracy has been increased.
 
trcubed;n41015 said:
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.
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He's not joking or exaggerating. Those guys run fun and low pressure matches.

My first match was last November, a back up gun (BUG) match at Deep River. BUG matches are good to start, because of the limited strings of fire at each stage - 5 or 6 bullets per string, so it's not so much to remember. But don't worry about it. Just come out and tell the ROs you are new, and they won't make you go first. That gives you lots of time to watch the stages, and to get nervous about shooting them.
 
My first match was an IPSC match in 1980 or 1981. I was shooting a .357 revolver which was what I had at the time. I learned a lot.
 
trcubed;n41015 said:
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.
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Don't know how I missed this, you guys are about 4 hours away but I still might take a ride out anyway (I don't have much to do on weekends, my finances usually working)

can i shoot w my stock g19? Do you guys have a website or anything? Honestly, I don't even know what I need beside some magazines.
 
First competition was in BSA, aka the Boy Scouts. 22lr rifle competition. Let's not even get into athletics.

I've participated in a number of shooting competition formats since then, IPSC, USPSA, 3 Gun (yes Virginia, there are more expensive things than crack and divorce), IDPA, NRA HP, IMHSA, and my latest addiction- North South Skirmish Association. While most are runnin and gunnin, we shoot Civil War era weapons in a team format. Many of the guns are originals and we even shoot artillery for score so I'll see your AR15 and raise with a 12lb Napolean and even throw in a couple of 1863 Springfields.:cool:
 
J.R.;n45404 said:
Don't know how I missed this, you guys are about 4 hours away but I still might take a ride out anyway (I don't have much to do on weekends, my finances usually working)

can i shoot w my stock g19? Do you guys have a website or anything? Honestly, I don't even know what I need beside some magazines.
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Lucas covered some of the details above. Bring your 19, three mags, a mag pouch, and a strong side holster. It'll be cold, so your coat can serve as your cover garment. We usually shoot 6 stages, and since IDPA limits stages to 18 rounds max, we can't require you to shoot more that 108 rounds. Bring 150, but you probably won't need them all.

Our next match is 14Jan17...a week from tomorrow. It will be something unique to recent matches in that it is a day/night shoot. We'll start shooting at 1pm, take a break for a late lunch/early dinner, then come back to shoot the same stages in low/no light around 6pm. If you want to shoot the low light portion, bring a hand-held light (weapon mounted lights are verbotten per IDPA rules) and a red light for administrative things.

Sign up will start at 12:00 noon. Match fee is $20. I'm Terry, so look me up when you get there and we'll get you squared away.

The most important thing to bring is a safety mindset. Bring a willingness to have fun, too, because there'll be plenty to go around.

Looking for ward to meeting you, JR!
 
FlatFender;n45416 said:
www.h2ofowlfarmsnc.com

G19 will work great.

You may find this helpful as well: http://triangletactical.net/get-started-competitive-shooting/
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That breakdown actually helped a lot. How do I find out if my holster is acceptable? I didn't see anything on the range site, or is that like a general idpa rule. (Guardian conceal hybrid iwb/owb)

Also, are there any steel targets or they're all cardboard? Those 5 star plates, I'm pretty sure I'll hit the first one & miss every other one once it starts swinging back and forth.
 
J.R.;n45497 said:
That breakdown actually helped a lot. How do I find out if my holster is acceptable? I didn't see anything on the range site, or is that like a general idpa rule. (Guardian conceal hybrid iwb/owb)

Also, are there any steel targets or they're all cardboard? Those 5 star plates, I'm pretty sure I'll hit the first one & miss every other one once it starts swinging back and forth.
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Mostly cardboard, a few steel, and no Texas stars. As fun as they are, IDPA doesn't allow us to use them.

All IWB holsters are legal, so your Guardian should be GTG. We don't birddog first time shooters very hard on the rules, anyway.
 
trcubed;n45448 said:
Lucas covered some of the details above. Bring your 19, three mags, a mag pouch, and a strong side holster. It'll be cold, so your coat can serve as your cover garment. We usually shoot 6 stages, and since IDPA limits stages to 18 rounds max, we can't require you to shoot more that 108 rounds. Bring 150, but you probably won't need them all.

Our next match is 14Jan17...a week from tomorrow. It will be something unique to recent matches in that it is a day/night shoot. We'll start shooting at 1pm, take a break for a late lunch/early dinner, then come back to shoot the same stages in low/no light around 6pm. If you want to shoot the low light portion, bring a hand-held light (weapon mounted lights are verbotten per IDPA rules) and a red light for administrative things.

Sign up will start at 12:00 noon. Match fee is $20. I'm Terry, so look me up when you get there and we'll get you squared away.

The most important thing to bring is a safety mindset. Bring a willingness to have fun, too, because there'll be plenty to go around.

Looking for ward to meeting you, JR!
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Moving forward will they all me half day half night or is it just once in awhile? I am gonna try to start in Feb, I don't think I can do the day/night bc of distance.
 
J.R.;n45566 said:
Moving forward will they all me half day half night or is it just once in awhile? I am gonna try to start in Feb, I don't think I can do the day/night bc of distance.
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So far, that's just for the January match, but I'm sure we'll do more. Shooting in low light is a ton of fun, and a valuable tool for the toolbox.

And it's not half and half. This will be two full matches in one day.

ETA: And I just realized I may have told you wrong upthread. Since this is the equivalent of two matches, the max round count will be 2x108, so you'd better bring 250 rounds if you shoot day AND night. Sorry for the confusion.
 
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First match was Tarheel 3 Gun four years ago at Woody's. That being my first match I about crapped my pants and left with PTSD.

trcubed prevailed upon me to finally go shoot a pistol match. Shot at New Hill or Dunn, can't remember which first, but I shot matches the next 8 consecutive weekends.

Yea, I sorta liked it. And I'm pretty despondent I can't shoot Buccaneer tomorrow.
 
trcubed;n45584 said:
So far, that's just for the January match, but I'm sure we'll do more. Shooting in low light is a ton of fun, and a valuable tool for the toolbox.

And it's not half and half. This will be two full matches in one day.
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Oh so it's two totally separate, that be good.

This is the last question, I swear. Ammo, I read online some matches require specific grain? I don't reload yet unfortunately :( so is there any regulations on grain, etc?
 
fieldgrade;n45586 said:
First match was Tarheel 3 Gun four years ago at Woody's. That being my first match I about crapped my pants and left with PTSD.

trcubed prevailed upon me to finally go shoot a pistol match. Shot at New Hill or Dunn, can't remember which first, but I shot matches the next 8 consecutive weekends.

Yea, I sorta liked it. And I'm pretty despondent I can't shoot Buccaneer tomorrow.
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3 gun looks fun as all hell, I'd need a new shotgun though. I'll be the only guy using a pump action lol
 
J.R.;n45619 said:
3 gun looks fun as all hell, I'd need a new shotgun though. I'll be the only guy using a pump action lol
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Just my opinion? Do what trcubed suggested and shoot some IDPA pistol matches. You can come in completely green, and have a great time. Friendly folks of all ages and stations in life. I absolutely love it.

3 gun is somewhat of a shotgun loading contest, and expensive. Do the pistol matches first, plus it lends itself to being better prepared for everyday defensive scenarios you might run into if you already conceal carry.
 
J.R.;n45615 said:
Oh so it's two totally separate, that be good.

This is the last question, I swear. Ammo, I read online some matches require specific grain? I don't reload yet unfortunately :( so is there any regulations on grain, etc?
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Nope. Bring what you normally practice with. Some major matches will chrono to make sure power factor is above the minimum, but we don't do that for local matches. You'll be good as long as the rounds don't get stuck in the cardboard. ;)

Don't worry about asking questions. It's harder to learn otherwise.
 
J.R.;n45615 said:
Oh so it's two totally separate, that be good.

This is the last question, I swear. Ammo, I read online some matches require specific grain? I don't reload yet unfortunately :( so is there any regulations on grain, etc?
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I just shoot plain old factory ammo.
 
fieldgrade;n45629 said:
Just my opinion? Do what trcubed suggested and shoot some IDPA pistol matches. You can come in completely green, and have a great time. Friendly folks of all ages and stations in life. I absolutely love it.

3 gun is somewhat of a shotgun loading contest, and expensive. Do the pistol matches first, plus it lends itself to being better prepared for everyday defensive scenarios you might run into if you already conceal carry.
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I definitely want to become competitive in pistol before I start moving into 2/3gun. I'm taking baby steps right now, eventually I'll start speed walking lol.
 
J.R.;n45652 said:
... eventually I'll start speed walking lol.
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Speaking of. There are some stages were the young guys run the 15-20 feet they need to get from point A to point B under the clock.

Strolling briskly is perfectly acceptable. I can run just fine. It's getting stopped that I have trouble with.
 
fieldgrade;n45655 said:
Speaking of. There are some stages were the young guys run the 15-20 feet they need to get from point A to point B under the clock.

Strolling briskly is perfectly acceptable. I can run just fine. It's getting stopped that I have trouble with.
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It's that elevated center of gravity. Same problem I have.
 
fieldgrade;n45650 said:
I just shoot plain old factory ammo.
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Ok cool, I buy cheap plinker ammo for the range. Winchester I think it is, idk white box is all I know lol. But I'm thinking of just buying bulk online to cut out the hassle
 
J.R.;n45678 said:
Ok cool, I buy cheap plinker ammo for the range. Winchester I think it is, idk white box is all I know lol. But I'm thinking of just buying bulk online to cut out the hassle
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I buy Freedom Munitions online 1k or more at a time. I have been very pleased with it. I don't buy it exclusively but the price is right, and if you get on their email list you'll get daily notices of deals like price discounts or free shipping.
 
J.R.;n45680 said:
ill just be happy to hit all the targets
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Don't put any stress on yourself about performance. Just plan on coming out to have fun and enjoy the day with like-minded folks. With a lot of us, it's more about the camaraderie than the competition.
 
fieldgrade;n45688 said:
I buy Freedom Munitions online 1k or more at a time. I have been very pleased with it. I don't buy it exclusively but the price is right, and if you get on their email list you'll get daily notices of deals like price discounts or free shipping.
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Thats where I've been looking, I like how they have the price per round. It makes it a lot more convenient instead of having to do the math.
 
trcubed;n45689 said:
Don't put any stress on yourself about performance. Just plan on coming out to have fun and enjoy the day with like-minded folks. With a lot of us, it's more about the camaraderie than the competition.
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I'm looking forward to it!! I thinj it will be a lot of fun
 
J.R.;n45696 said:
Thats where I've been looking, I like how they have the price per round. It makes it a lot more convenient instead of having to do the math.
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JR...we don't talk about math on this forum. It stresses out some of the staff. OK...ONE of the staff. LOL
 
trcubed said:
J.R.;n45696 said:
Thats where I've been looking, I like how they have the price per round. It makes it a lot more convenient instead of having to do the math.
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JR...we don't talk about math on this forum. It stresses out some of the staff. OK...ONE of the staff. LOL
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shut up, will ya.
 
trcubed;n45706 said:
JR...we don't talk about math on this forum. It stresses out some of the staff. OK...ONE of the staff. LOL
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Add me to that list! I absolutely hate math. That's why I like freedom, they make it as easy as possible.
 
My first match was a Ruger Rimfire match at Caswell Ranch. Been a long time since I've shot one of those & really need to get back out there. Shot a "IDPA rules" match put on by the FOP that was a lot of fun as well.

The 2-gun rimfire matches at DPRC are a good time as well.
 
J.R.;n45404 said:
(I don't have much to do on weekends, my finances usually working)
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If you have a fiance that your refer to as a finances, you are way ahead of the game. My squeeze is usually SPENDING money while I shoot.

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dmarbell;n46014 said:
If you have a fiance that your refer to as a finances, you are way ahead of the game. My squeeze is usually SPENDING money while I shoot.

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Hahaha I didn't even realize that, luckily she doesn't really ask me for money, so I guess I should be thankful. But she likes handbags & I like guns so that's how i justify it. I just need to buy enough guns so I can deny new guns and say oh I've always had that lol
 
The first competition was the pha plate match. While i had fun i got into their tactical 2 gun matches and a couple uspsa there amd enjoyed those much more.

Need to wait until spring to find some matches around here.
 
J.R.;n46501 said:
I just need to buy enough guns so I can deny new guns and say oh I've always had that lol
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Yeah, some of us have learned not to be proud of and brag about new purchases in front of certain people. No good can come of that, whether it's talking to a wife, a fiance or a financier.
 
First competition was a "fun" match at Frank's in Oxford. Those were "fun".
Wonder if he still does those? Off to google....yup he still does these. Once a month, hummmmm
 
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Rowan County had some sort of action pistol program, maybe back in 2009? There wasnt any movement, it was all working with the timer and drawing from a holster
 
2002 I shot my first Three Gun match at B&R Guns in Havelock. Ive shot them and later CQB matches there, as well as IPSC matches, the IPSC matches, that is until I left HPD, were always shot with my duty Glock 22 and leather gear, theres nothing better than running, gunning, and reloading on the move to give you the habitual association you need to operate under stress. And it lets you wring out your gear to figure out what works, or doesnt work for you....
 
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