Girlfriend interested in competitive shooting

leadcounsel · August 4, 2007, 02:36 PM

My girlfriend went on her first handgun shooting trip and was awesome. Natural talent. She asked me what type of competitions there are for women, what are the qualifications, handgun options, and any fees or prizes.

I know nada about this. Anyone want to chime in?

PS- this is in the Nashville, TN area.

cdrt · August 4, 2007, 05:40 PM

She can shoot anything the guys do...no discrimination in competitive shooting. There's NRA Conventional Outdoor and Indoor (Bullseye), IDPA, IPSC, International (free pistol, air pistol, .22 std pistol, women's sport pistol), etc. etc.

You need to check out the NRA site among others for the different competitions and rules. The NRA has the pistol rule book online now.

cdrt · August 4, 2007, 05:43 PM

Should add that fees depend on the match, etc. Most Bullseye matches run between $20 to $35 to shoot and if you place high enough, you do get some money or NRA points back as a prize.

Her choice of pistols will depend on which discipline she decides pick. Oh, there's also Cowboy Action Shooting.

cdrt · August 4, 2007, 05:50 PM

There are Bullseye matches in Columbia, Chattanooga and Cookeville according to my May 2007 copy of The Shooting Sports USA magazine that the NRA puts out.

Jim Watson · August 4, 2007, 08:14 PM

I shot the IDPA Summer Sizzler at Manchester Tenn, today, just a hop, skip and jump from Nashville. Two women on my squad.
www.idpa.com
IDPA only gives prizes by random drawing, you may only get a trophy for win place or show in your Divison and Class.

Also IPSC
www.uspsa.org
Some large matches have very extravagant prize tables.

Was she planning on winning right away?

Casimer · August 4, 2007, 10:13 PM

If she's just getting started, an action oriented sport might be a good choice (e.g. IPSC / IDPA , steel plates etc.. ). Not that these are easy, but they tend to accommodate a greater range of off-the-shelf pistols. These circuits also seem to be more accommodating of novices.

But it depends on what suits her temperment. She might really enjoy precision shooting as well.

Certain shooting sports communities are also more sociable than others, which is something to keep in mind if you want to go as a couple and simply enjoy yourselves.

fisherman66 · August 4, 2007, 10:39 PM

Congratulations. That's great.

August 4, 2007, 02:36 PM	#1
leadcounsel Junior member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 2,119	Girlfriend interested in competitive shooting My girlfriend went on her first handgun shooting trip and was awesome. Natural talent. She asked me what type of competitions there are for women, what are the qualifications, handgun options, and any fees or prizes. I know nada about this. Anyone want to chime in? PS- this is in the Nashville, TN area.

August 4, 2007, 05:40 PM	#2
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	She can shoot anything the guys do...no discrimination in competitive shooting. There's NRA Conventional Outdoor and Indoor (Bullseye), IDPA, IPSC, International (free pistol, air pistol, .22 std pistol, women's sport pistol), etc. etc. You need to check out the NRA site among others for the different competitions and rules. The NRA has the pistol rule book online now. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

August 4, 2007, 05:43 PM	#3
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	Should add that fees depend on the match, etc. Most Bullseye matches run between $20 to $35 to shoot and if you place high enough, you do get some money or NRA points back as a prize. Her choice of pistols will depend on which discipline she decides pick. Oh, there's also Cowboy Action Shooting. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

August 4, 2007, 05:50 PM	#4
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	There are Bullseye matches in Columbia, Chattanooga and Cookeville according to my May 2007 copy of The Shooting Sports USA magazine that the NRA puts out. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

August 4, 2007, 10:39 PM	#7
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,681	Congratulations. That's great. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

August 4, 2007, 08:14 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,544	I shot the IDPA Summer Sizzler at Manchester Tenn, today, just a hop, skip and jump from Nashville. Two women on my squad. www.idpa.com IDPA only gives prizes by random drawing, you may only get a trophy for win place or show in your Divison and Class. Also IPSC www.uspsa.org Some large matches have very extravagant prize tables. Was she planning on winning right away?

August 4, 2007, 10:13 PM	#6
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	If she's just getting started, an action oriented sport might be a good choice (e.g. IPSC / IDPA , steel plates etc.. ). Not that these are easy, but they tend to accommodate a greater range of off-the-shelf pistols. These circuits also seem to be more accommodating of novices. But it depends on what suits her temperment. She might really enjoy precision shooting as well. Certain shooting sports communities are also more sociable than others, which is something to keep in mind if you want to go as a couple and simply enjoy yourselves.