Competition / Beginner Level

Dino. · October 28, 2011, 11:51 AM

I've wanted to participate in competitions for awhile now but know very little about the different classes and how or where to begin. I own and enjoy shooting handguns mostly, and though it's not exactly my most favorite gun in my collection, I tend to shoot my Glock 17 with the best accuracy, so that would probably be the gun I would choose to compete with.

Having said that, what competition would best suit me?
And what is the average cost of participating in these competitions?
Thanks for the help.

kraigwy · October 28, 2011, 12:28 PM

You need to check your local clubs and gun shops and see what's available in your area.

You sound like your interested in pistol shooting with your Glock. That's fine. There are several different styles of competition out there that will allow that. Steel, Run 'n Gun, USPSA, Pins, etc etc.

Cost isn't what you think. A gun, good safe holster, mags, mag holders, eye & ear protection and that's pretty much it except for ammo. If you don't reload ammo cost is going to force you to sell your grandkids into the slave trade.

But like I said, check locally to see what they have. Main thing is to get out there a do it. Your gonna have fun, meet great people and learn things, that's a guarantee.

Jim Watson · October 28, 2011, 01:13 PM

If you have a Glock, you can shoot in GSSF, IPSC/UPSA, and IDPA with no trouble at all.
IPSC/USPSA and IDPA are action sports. You draw, move, reload, fire, in various combinations. All you need is your gun, a safe straight draw, strong side holster, some magazines, magazine carriers (more for IPSC than IDPA), eye and ear protection.
GSSF is even simpler, you do not draw on the clock and a holster is just a convenient way to get your gun from one firing line to the next.

There are club finders at
www.idpa.com
www.uspsa.org

also
http://gssfonline.com/index.cfm
which is not as widespread but worth a look.

Lots of clubs have outlaw matches "IDPA Style" or "IPSC Style", nothing to do but start asking and calling. I don't know why they don't want to follow all the rules, but better than not shooting.

Dino. · October 28, 2011, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the info guys!

MLeake · October 28, 2011, 03:38 PM

The IDPA website not only has a club listing, but it also had a link to the rules pdf file. Check that out, so you know what gear to bring with you if you decide to check out your local club.

Both IDPA and GSSF seem very beginner friendly; I enjoyed my early experiences with both organizations.

Good luck.

Ken O · October 29, 2011, 08:21 PM

If your asking what it cost for the match itself, anywheres from $5 to $35. For an ISPC or IDPA pistol match usually in the $15 -$20 range here in the midwest.

Just show up and tell them you are new, you will be welcome. Don't worry about your score, it probably will be low to start. Hell, mine are still low and I have been competing for many years. Its all about enjoying shooting.

gunrobot · October 30, 2011, 03:56 AM

checkout the video series called The PowerFactor show at http://www.powerfactorshow.com or subscribe to it via iTunes.

hope that helps!

Jesse Tischauser · October 30, 2011, 08:52 PM

What state are u in? We migh be able to find u a match in your area.

WESHOOT2 · November 1, 2011, 07:31 AM

Most fun = all.
Least rules = USPSA.
Most Glock jams = GSSF.
Most rules = IDPA.

RickB · November 1, 2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Most Glock jams = GSSF

October 28, 2011, 11:51 AM	#1
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	Competition / Beginner Level I've wanted to participate in competitions for awhile now but know very little about the different classes and how or where to begin. I own and enjoy shooting handguns mostly, and though it's not exactly my most favorite gun in my collection, I tend to shoot my Glock 17 with the best accuracy, so that would probably be the gun I would choose to compete with. Having said that, what competition would best suit me? And what is the average cost of participating in these competitions? Thanks for the help.

October 28, 2011, 12:28 PM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	You need to check your local clubs and gun shops and see what's available in your area. You sound like your interested in pistol shooting with your Glock. That's fine. There are several different styles of competition out there that will allow that. Steel, Run 'n Gun, USPSA, Pins, etc etc. Cost isn't what you think. A gun, good safe holster, mags, mag holders, eye & ear protection and that's pretty much it except for ammo. If you don't reload ammo cost is going to force you to sell your grandkids into the slave trade. But like I said, check locally to see what they have. Main thing is to get out there a do it. Your gonna have fun, meet great people and learn things, that's a guarantee. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

October 30, 2011, 03:56 AM	#7
gunrobot Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2009 Posts: 442	checkout the video series called The PowerFactor show at http://www.powerfactorshow.com or subscribe to it via iTunes. hope that helps! __________________ [ http://gunbot.org \| http://www.youtube.com/user/gunrobot ]

October 30, 2011, 08:52 PM	#8
Jesse Tischauser Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 209	What state are u in? We migh be able to find u a match in your area. __________________ My Forum: www.BoomerShooter.com, My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/jessetischauser Accurate Iron 2011 \| Accurate Iron Benelli M2 \| Stag Arms Model 3G \| Accurate Iron Glock 34 \| Accurate Iron Glock 35 \| Red Neck Tactical Nova \| Stag Arms Model 3

November 1, 2011, 07:31 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Most fun = all. Least rules = USPSA. Most Glock jams = GSSF. Most rules = IDPA. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 28, 2011, 01:13 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	If you have a Glock, you can shoot in GSSF, IPSC/UPSA, and IDPA with no trouble at all. IPSC/USPSA and IDPA are action sports. You draw, move, reload, fire, in various combinations. All you need is your gun, a safe straight draw, strong side holster, some magazines, magazine carriers (more for IPSC than IDPA), eye and ear protection. GSSF is even simpler, you do not draw on the clock and a holster is just a convenient way to get your gun from one firing line to the next. There are club finders at www.idpa.com www.uspsa.org also http://gssfonline.com/index.cfm which is not as widespread but worth a look. Lots of clubs have outlaw matches "IDPA Style" or "IPSC Style", nothing to do but start asking and calling. I don't know why they don't want to follow all the rules, but better than not shooting.

October 28, 2011, 01:17 PM	#4
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	Thanks for the info guys!

October 28, 2011, 03:38 PM	#5
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	The IDPA website not only has a club listing, but it also had a link to the rules pdf file. Check that out, so you know what gear to bring with you if you decide to check out your local club. Both IDPA and GSSF seem very beginner friendly; I enjoyed my early experiences with both organizations. Good luck.

October 29, 2011, 08:21 PM	#6
Ken O Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Half way between Grayling and Cadillac, Michigan Posts: 353	If your asking what it cost for the match itself, anywheres from $5 to $35. For an ISPC or IDPA pistol match usually in the $15 -$20 range here in the midwest. Just show up and tell them you are new, you will be welcome. Don't worry about your score, it probably will be low to start. Hell, mine are still low and I have been competing for many years. Its all about enjoying shooting.