How do you approach competetion?

Andrew Wyatt · June 28, 2002, 01:29 AM

I was just kinda curious about how people view rifle,shotgun and pistol competetion.

yankytrash · June 28, 2002, 04:41 AM

A little of both #1 & #3. Had to go vote #3, because I don't carry 4-5 mags at a time in real life, and my holster in real life is much more secure.

I compete only with myself. I do it for the fun of it, and to prove to myself that I can use my daily carry pieces effectively. I don't see an IPSC racegun in my future, but I'm not saying I'll never use one in competition.

For the more serious stuff, I just train back at my range, with real equipment.

WESHOOT2 · June 28, 2002, 05:04 AM

My 'guns' are not 'weapons' until I use them as such.

Jeeper · June 28, 2002, 09:33 AM

I view t as a chance to improve my general gun handling ability. Although I don’t use the guns I carry I still believe that it makes me better equipped to handle street situations.

Ceol Mhor · June 28, 2002, 10:16 AM

Depends on the competition. Cowboy action shooting is just pure fun (well...maybe practice rapidly loading and shooting my coach gun could be considered practical). Bullseye pistol is to improve my shooting across all areas. IDPA (once I get into it) is for practical skills.

Correia · June 28, 2002, 10:57 AM

Ok, I'm a bit weird. But I check #1 because that is the closest.

I compete so that I can shoot better if I ever need to. I use my carry gun, and realistic equipment.

But at the same time I still recognize that shooting games are just that, games. They are not 100% realistic, but I think they are great practice.

And I don't ever win. But I sure want to!

garrettwc · June 28, 2002, 12:09 PM

Ditto what Correia said.

PATH · July 7, 2002, 12:02 AM

While it does serve a training function I still shoot primarily because it the best thing other than sex. Hell, it is fun!

smoney · July 11, 2002, 01:03 PM

well, i would probabally be considered by you as the last one,

i view competition as a way of bringing out the best, a way to push my self to be a better shooter and gun handler, i LOVE to win, but i can have fun without winning,

i shoot competitively because i like the people, its fun, its a game, i don't get all caught up in "tactical" shooting at a match, it IS a game.

i shoot a beretta elite 2 from a wilson practical, trigger job done on the gun, use high cap mags downloaded etc. however i also CCW a beretta holster is just different (IWB)

so i dont' really fit in there anywhere specifically.

fed168 · July 11, 2002, 05:36 PM

It is a bit of training, but I do it more for fun. I shoot good old PPC, and enjoy seeing fellow coworkers, engaging in friendly competition, just having a good time.
I have a fair amount of awards now, so it is for fun.

444 · July 11, 2002, 07:09 PM

I would have a hard time fitting myself into any of those catagories. I love the competition, and I seriously try to win. But at the same time, I don't try to buy a win. I get a bigger kick out of using a bone stock gun, not because it is more realistic but because I never get serious enough about any one of the sports to jump through all the custom gun hoops. I also like to keep in the spirt of the particular game, for example in IDPA I shoot a legal gun from concealment; a rig that I could (but don't) actually carry. I don't really carry, so I just pulled a gun out of the safe that I seldom shoot and decided to use it just because I have it and now found a good use for it. I have tried a number of the shooting sports; IDPA, IPSC, bowling pins, small bore silhouette, some vintage military rifle matches, trap, sporting clays etc. I feel that my participation in them improved my overall shooting greatly. The fact that they are a game doesn't detract from this in any way. I find competition a whole lot of fun. I enjoy it no matter how good or bad I do, and have never spent a lot of money on any of it.

As a side bar, I was thinking about this the other day. As I mentioned, I dabble in various shooting sports. My work schedule doesn't allow me to get real serious about any of them because I can only make maybe half the local matches. Since I can't make most of the matches, I tend to lose interest and shoot whatever I can. Anyway, I have noticed that I usually do great the first time I show up. I have even either won or placed in the top couple people in my first match. Then as I become enthused about it; read about it, start worrying about my equipment and loads, I tend to do worse or not improve. There is something about that first time that brings out the best in me, then I try to out-think myself. Try to get into too many gimmicks.......... I just found that interesting and wondered if anyone else had this same experience.

vetts1911 · July 16, 2002, 11:56 AM

I feel that your questions said the same thing. Here is how most people and I feel that shoot around here.

It is a shooting disipline IPSC or IDPA you don't really know how you will confront any style of defense. You surely won't be briefed. I feel the main reasons are.

A fun.

B Good trigger time that equals good handling of the gun saftey wise and good hits.

C I like to win but, it is a lot of fun.

D training you get to learn some good tips like how the gun that you thought would run does not and how a little pressure affects you.

Chris

View Poll Results: How do you approach rifle, pistol, and shotgun competetion?
I view it as a type of training. I use the weapon and equipment i'd use if i needed to defend myself on the street/in the wilderness.	29	53.70%
it's a game, and has no bearing on real life. I have specialized guns and equipment for each game.	8	14.81%
I'm primarily intrerested in having fun. I like to use a hodgepodge of weapons and equipment, and I'm not concerned with winning.	18	33.33%
I like to win. my pistol costs more than a ferrari, and the only part that came from the box i bought the gun in originally is the frame. i have special shoes, my holster cost more than a hundred dollars, and my gun requires batteries.	4	7.41%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

June 28, 2002, 04:41 AM	#2
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	A little of both #1 & #3. Had to go vote #3, because I don't carry 4-5 mags at a time in real life, and my holster in real life is much more secure. I compete only with myself. I do it for the fun of it, and to prove to myself that I can use my daily carry pieces effectively. I don't see an IPSC racegun in my future, but I'm not saying I'll never use one in competition. For the more serious stuff, I just train back at my range, with real equipment. __________________ Right turn, Clyde.

June 28, 2002, 09:33 AM	#4
Jeeper Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2001 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 776	I view t as a chance to improve my general gun handling ability. Although I don’t use the guns I carry I still believe that it makes me better equipped to handle street situations. __________________ Gun control theory - A woman raped and strangled is morally superior to a woman with a smoking gun and a dead rapist at her feet.

June 28, 2002, 10:16 AM	#5
Ceol Mhor Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2001 Posts: 1,043	Depends on the competition. Cowboy action shooting is just pure fun (well...maybe practice rapidly loading and shooting my coach gun could be considered practical). Bullseye pistol is to improve my shooting across all areas. IDPA (once I get into it) is for practical skills. __________________ "There goes as if deranged a German soldier, with burning helmet on his head, making horrible noises. A second, as though possessed, yells "Jews...weapons. Jews...weapons." - From an anonymous eyewitness' description of the first battle of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

July 7, 2002, 12:02 AM	#8
PATH Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 1999 Location: Rockland, NY Posts: 1,489	While it does serve a training function I still shoot primarily because it the best thing other than sex. Hell, it is fun! __________________ For sure it is an evil spite, and breaking to the heart, For Irishmen to watch a fight and not be taking part. -Robert Service 'How MacPherson Held The Floor'

June 28, 2002, 01:29 AM	#1
Andrew Wyatt Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, Kommiefornia Posts: 549	How do you approach competetion? I was just kinda curious about how people view rifle,shotgun and pistol competetion.

June 28, 2002, 05:04 AM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	MINOR CLARIFICATION My 'guns' are not 'weapons' until I use them as such. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 28, 2002, 10:57 AM	#6
Correia Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 1998 Location: SLC Utah Posts: 3,740	Ok, I'm a bit weird. But I check #1 because that is the closest. I compete so that I can shoot better if I ever need to. I use my carry gun, and realistic equipment. But at the same time I still recognize that shooting games are just that, games. They are not 100% realistic, but I think they are great practice. And I don't ever win. But I sure want to!

June 28, 2002, 12:09 PM	#7
garrettwc Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2001 Posts: 641	Ditto what Correia said.

July 11, 2002, 01:03 PM	#9
smoney Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 1999 Location: WV, USA Posts: 136	well, i would probabally be considered by you as the last one, i view competition as a way of bringing out the best, a way to push my self to be a better shooter and gun handler, i LOVE to win, but i can have fun without winning, i shoot competitively because i like the people, its fun, its a game, i don't get all caught up in "tactical" shooting at a match, it IS a game. i shoot a beretta elite 2 from a wilson practical, trigger job done on the gun, use high cap mags downloaded etc. however i also CCW a beretta holster is just different (IWB) so i dont' really fit in there anywhere specifically. __________________ Visit our online store at www.1stoptacticalgear.com

July 11, 2002, 05:36 PM	#10
fed168 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2000 Posts: 1,040	It is a bit of training, but I do it more for fun. I shoot good old PPC, and enjoy seeing fellow coworkers, engaging in friendly competition, just having a good time. I have a fair amount of awards now, so it is for fun.

July 11, 2002, 07:09 PM	#11
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I would have a hard time fitting myself into any of those catagories. I love the competition, and I seriously try to win. But at the same time, I don't try to buy a win. I get a bigger kick out of using a bone stock gun, not because it is more realistic but because I never get serious enough about any one of the sports to jump through all the custom gun hoops. I also like to keep in the spirt of the particular game, for example in IDPA I shoot a legal gun from concealment; a rig that I could (but don't) actually carry. I don't really carry, so I just pulled a gun out of the safe that I seldom shoot and decided to use it just because I have it and now found a good use for it. I have tried a number of the shooting sports; IDPA, IPSC, bowling pins, small bore silhouette, some vintage military rifle matches, trap, sporting clays etc. I feel that my participation in them improved my overall shooting greatly. The fact that they are a game doesn't detract from this in any way. I find competition a whole lot of fun. I enjoy it no matter how good or bad I do, and have never spent a lot of money on any of it. As a side bar, I was thinking about this the other day. As I mentioned, I dabble in various shooting sports. My work schedule doesn't allow me to get real serious about any of them because I can only make maybe half the local matches. Since I can't make most of the matches, I tend to lose interest and shoot whatever I can. Anyway, I have noticed that I usually do great the first time I show up. I have even either won or placed in the top couple people in my first match. Then as I become enthused about it; read about it, start worrying about my equipment and loads, I tend to do worse or not improve. There is something about that first time that brings out the best in me, then I try to out-think myself. Try to get into too many gimmicks.......... I just found that interesting and wondered if anyone else had this same experience. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

July 16, 2002, 11:56 AM	#12
vetts1911 Member Join Date: March 26, 2002 Location: MARYLAND Posts: 65	Off questions I feel that your questions said the same thing. Here is how most people and I feel that shoot around here. It is a shooting disipline IPSC or IDPA you don't really know how you will confront any style of defense. You surely won't be briefed. I feel the main reasons are. A fun. B Good trigger time that equals good handling of the gun saftey wise and good hits. C I like to win but, it is a lot of fun. D training you get to learn some good tips like how the gun that you thought would run does not and how a little pressure affects you. Chris