Competition accuracy

Gunscribe · December 28, 2008, 10:41 PM

How tight does my shooting need to be before I enter into some amateur handgun contests. For instance, would 5-inch groups at 25 yards with a 9mm put me in the ballpark?

KUHIO · December 28, 2008, 11:06 PM

in what league/type of competition? Generally there are no prerequisites to begin competing. Go out and have a good time

LHB1 · December 28, 2008, 11:07 PM

Enter right now, regardless of how well or poorly you shoot. Start at the bottom and work your way up like most of us. You will LEARN a lot and have great fun while doing so.

Gunscribe · December 29, 2008, 12:26 AM

Thanks for the encouragement.

I'm still trying to sort out the various competitions.

Ultimately, I want to shoot with what I have: 9mm, 22lr and .38. I am hoping to avoid .45 cal because of the cost of the ammo (and buying a new gun).

I shoot at the range once a week, and I seem to stand up well against the guys in the other ports, which isn't saying much.

darkgael · December 29, 2008, 05:15 AM

Just go and shoot. Have fun. Competition will make you a better shooter. There's a lot of truth in the idea that matches are the best practice.
With the guns that you have you can shoot two parts (an 1800) of a Bullseye 2700 match. To do the whole thing, though, you'll need a .45.
Pete

NRAhab · December 29, 2008, 11:00 AM

Are you thinking about IDPA/USPSA, or some kind of bullseye game? 5 inches at 25 yards is plenty accurate for IDPA, so if that's what you've got your mind on, grab your blaster and go have some fun.

Which, I should probably note is the whole point of IDPA anyway.

oldkim · December 29, 2008, 12:54 PM

Yes, go for it.

You'll find that there are other factors that will influence your ability to shoot well (e.g. shooting on the move, behind cover, TIME, strong/weak hand - one hand shooting that is and so much more).

If you look at the action pistol competitions, such as, IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) or USPSA (aka IPSC.... United States Practical Shooting Assocation a branch of the International Practical Shooting Confederation) you'll find there is more to learn than just merely being able to hit a stationary target at X distance.

Also, on the flip side for Bullseye shooting there are other skills you'll need.

So, really get out there and have fun. The first year should be chalked up for just fun and getting used to all the rules and learning from the masters on the field.

Just make sure you read a bit on the sport that best fits your interest. They all have their own rules and how things are done.

www.idpa.com - start off with the tab marked "About IDPA"
www.uspsa.com - start off with the tab marked "What is Practical Shooting"

Have fun and enjoy!

45_Shooter · December 29, 2008, 08:57 PM

I shoot PPC in the winter; it is an excellent way to get started as the pace is quite relaxed, and more accuracy based than speed based (which is better to start IMO, as you need to be accurate before you can be fast). Contrary to what some may tell you, a box stock service pistol can be competitive in the indoor season. I shot a 582/600 with my stock S&W M&P9L a couple weeks ago.

Bullseye competition is also a great way to start if you have a full size .45 and a .22, but does not accomodate other calibers.

IDPA also accomodates beginners well and is very fun to shoot. However, the time pressure is greater and you'll be drawing, moving and reloading against the clock, and it can make some people more nervous than the slower paced stuff out there.

Good luck!

darkgael · December 29, 2008, 09:20 PM

"Bullseye competition is also a great way to start if you have a full size .45 and a .22, but does not accomodate other calibers."
It does. There is a stage in Bullseye matches for "centerfire" pistols, in addition to the .22 and .45 stages. (Three gun matches) Any centerfire .32 cal and larger is OK. It's true, though, that many shooters use their .45s for the CF match as well as for the .45 match.
Pete

45_Shooter · December 29, 2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

"Bullseye competition is also a great way to start if you have a full size .45 and a .22, but does not accomodate other calibers."
It does. There is a stage in Bullseye matches for "centerfire" pistols, in addition to the .22 and .45 stages. (Three gun matches) Any centerfire .32 cal and larger is OK. It's true, though, that many shooters use their .45s for the CF match as well as for the .45 match.
Pete

But I think you still need a .22 and a .45 right? I was under the impression that CF was only part of the 3 gun match. The only single gun matches I've seen were .22's, but I never got that heavily involved in Bullseye.

Gunscribe · December 29, 2008, 10:50 PM

Can you enter just two stages of the three in Bullseye, or are you required to shoot all three?

Also, is PPC pretty common? That sounds like an event I would like to try.

45_Shooter · December 29, 2008, 10:58 PM

http://www.mpcpa.org/

Not sure where you're at, but this is the group that organizes PPC here in Southeast MI. They might be able to point you in the right direction for your location. PPC is one of the original competitive pistol sports and as such is fairly widespread. Just make sure you look for the indoor match, which is typically shot in the winter months. The outdoor match is shot at much longer range and is better shot with a purpose built target gun.

December 28, 2008, 10:41 PM	#1
Gunscribe Member Join Date: November 24, 2008 Posts: 94	Competition accuracy How tight does my shooting need to be before I enter into some amateur handgun contests. For instance, would 5-inch groups at 25 yards with a 9mm put me in the ballpark?

December 28, 2008, 11:07 PM	#3
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Enter right now, regardless of how well or poorly you shoot. Start at the bottom and work your way up like most of us. You will LEARN a lot and have great fun while doing so. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

December 29, 2008, 05:15 AM	#5
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	shoot Just go and shoot. Have fun. Competition will make you a better shooter. There's a lot of truth in the idea that matches are the best practice. With the guns that you have you can shoot two parts (an 1800) of a Bullseye 2700 match. To do the whole thing, though, you'll need a .45. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

December 29, 2008, 11:00 AM	#6
NRAhab Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 683	Are you thinking about IDPA/USPSA, or some kind of bullseye game? 5 inches at 25 yards is plenty accurate for IDPA, so if that's what you've got your mind on, grab your blaster and go have some fun. Which, I should probably note is the whole point of IDPA anyway. __________________ Join the community at GunUp!

December 29, 2008, 12:54 PM	#7
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	getting started Yes, go for it. You'll find that there are other factors that will influence your ability to shoot well (e.g. shooting on the move, behind cover, TIME, strong/weak hand - one hand shooting that is and so much more). If you look at the action pistol competitions, such as, IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) or USPSA (aka IPSC.... United States Practical Shooting Assocation a branch of the International Practical Shooting Confederation) you'll find there is more to learn than just merely being able to hit a stationary target at X distance. Also, on the flip side for Bullseye shooting there are other skills you'll need. So, really get out there and have fun. The first year should be chalked up for just fun and getting used to all the rules and learning from the masters on the field. Just make sure you read a bit on the sport that best fits your interest. They all have their own rules and how things are done. www.idpa.com - start off with the tab marked "About IDPA" www.uspsa.com - start off with the tab marked "What is Practical Shooting" Have fun and enjoy! __________________ "Shoot Safetly, Shoot Often and Share Your Sport." Jim Scoutten, Shooting USA Check out my new website: www.shootonthemove.org

December 28, 2008, 11:06 PM	#2
KUHIO Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 250	in what league/type of competition? Generally there are no prerequisites to begin competing. Go out and have a good time

December 29, 2008, 12:26 AM	#4
Gunscribe Member Join Date: November 24, 2008 Posts: 94	Thanks for the encouragement. I'm still trying to sort out the various competitions. Ultimately, I want to shoot with what I have: 9mm, 22lr and .38. I am hoping to avoid .45 cal because of the cost of the ammo (and buying a new gun). I shoot at the range once a week, and I seem to stand up well against the guys in the other ports, which isn't saying much.

December 29, 2008, 08:57 PM	#8
45_Shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,050	I shoot PPC in the winter; it is an excellent way to get started as the pace is quite relaxed, and more accuracy based than speed based (which is better to start IMO, as you need to be accurate before you can be fast). Contrary to what some may tell you, a box stock service pistol can be competitive in the indoor season. I shot a 582/600 with my stock S&W M&P9L a couple weeks ago. Bullseye competition is also a great way to start if you have a full size .45 and a .22, but does not accomodate other calibers. IDPA also accomodates beginners well and is very fun to shoot. However, the time pressure is greater and you'll be drawing, moving and reloading against the clock, and it can make some people more nervous than the slower paced stuff out there. Good luck!

December 29, 2008, 09:20 PM	#9
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Bullseye "Bullseye competition is also a great way to start if you have a full size .45 and a .22, but does not accomodate other calibers." It does. There is a stage in Bullseye matches for "centerfire" pistols, in addition to the .22 and .45 stages. (Three gun matches) Any centerfire .32 cal and larger is OK. It's true, though, that many shooters use their .45s for the CF match as well as for the .45 match. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

December 29, 2008, 10:50 PM	#11
Gunscribe Member Join Date: November 24, 2008 Posts: 94	Can you enter just two stages of the three in Bullseye, or are you required to shoot all three? Also, is PPC pretty common? That sounds like an event I would like to try.

December 29, 2008, 10:58 PM	#12
45_Shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,050	http://www.mpcpa.org/ Not sure where you're at, but this is the group that organizes PPC here in Southeast MI. They might be able to point you in the right direction for your location. PPC is one of the original competitive pistol sports and as such is fairly widespread. Just make sure you look for the indoor match, which is typically shot in the winter months. The outdoor match is shot at much longer range and is better shot with a purpose built target gun.