Getting started in competitive shooting

Young.Gun.612 · December 28, 2011, 05:26 PM

So for the first time in my life I'm getting involved in competitive shopting. A gun club near me has a winter combat pistol league. I'm very excited, since it will mean more trigger time. That said, I've never done anything more than plunking, and some accuracy training on my own.

Any pointers for a rookie?

Jim Watson · December 28, 2011, 05:40 PM

Show up early, tell them you are a beginner, take any pre-shoot instruction, and PAY ATTENTION to the introduction and to the course of fire walkthroughs.

I presume this is some variant of IPSC or IDPA and every stage can be different. You must PAY ATTENTION.

pmeisel · December 28, 2011, 05:46 PM

You might want to just watch for awhile before starting.

If you pay attention to instruction, there will be several of the experienced shooters willing to help you out.

lawboy · December 28, 2011, 08:05 PM

First, congrats on taking the plunge. I hope you enjoy it!
Shoot a platform that you are familiar with and shoot a specimen of said platform that is reliable. If you shoot Glocks and have a good one, start with that. If you shoot 1911s and have a good one, shoot that. Shooting something you are familiar with and know works will increase your confidence and decrease your headaches.
Set a simple goal(s) for each match. Your first match goals should be to maintain safety at all times, finish the match and not disqualify, increase your knowledge of the rules, and get the phone number of at least one experienced shooter whom has consented to let you bug the crap out of him/her in the period of time between the first and second matches!

Don P · December 29, 2011, 09:43 AM

Ya need to jump in with both feet. Thats how you will learn. Being a new shooter the SO will give you any extra help and support you may need during the match as well as the other shooters on your squad

Young.Gun.612 · December 29, 2011, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the pointers!

I'll try to find a link to the league page. The structure and rules are what I'm most concerned about. Not that I'm complacent about safety or accuracy, just confident in my abilities and looking forward to putting my skills to the test.

Only thing I'm not looking forward to is the cost of all that ammo. I really need to start reloading...

Don P · December 30, 2011, 10:24 PM

As many can and will state you will learn the rule book 3 seconds at a time

Gryff · January 2, 2012, 04:37 AM

Your first 5-6 times out, focus entirely on two things: 1) absolute safety, and 2) being as smooth (which is not the same as fast) as possible. Ignore the timer, and do everything in slow motion.

Once Safe-and-Smooth starts becoming instinctive, then start thinking about upping your speed. But remember that in IDPA, knowing how your gun shoots (natural point-of-aim and rapid-fire rhythm) and efficiency (moving, reloading, transitioning between targets) will make you win a lot faster than being a speed demon.

Have fun!

jimmythegeek · January 2, 2012, 01:13 PM

like you get in t-ball. Which they wouldn't let me sign up for this year. My point, if I have one, is that I'm not going to be very competitive when I start. I'm going to be flat out terrible.

But I'll be making BOOM so it's all good.

Check that. I'll be shooting safely, making boom, so it's all good. Priorities...

compglock17 · January 3, 2012, 03:25 PM

That "old guy", the one that has all the worn gear and every other shooter treats with a kind of reverent respect? Talk to him! He has been where you are, and many others with him, and most are more than willing to help the "young blood"!

December 28, 2011, 05:26 PM	#1
Young.Gun.612 Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 400	Getting started in competitive shooting So for the first time in my life I'm getting involved in competitive shopting. A gun club near me has a winter combat pistol league. I'm very excited, since it will mean more trigger time. That said, I've never done anything more than plunking, and some accuracy training on my own. Any pointers for a rookie?

December 28, 2011, 05:46 PM	#3
pmeisel Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2008 Location: WV Posts: 271	You might want to just watch for awhile before starting. If you pay attention to instruction, there will be several of the experienced shooters willing to help you out. __________________ Paul

December 29, 2011, 09:43 AM	#5
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Ya need to jump in with both feet. Thats how you will learn. Being a new shooter the SO will give you any extra help and support you may need during the match as well as the other shooters on your squad __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

December 30, 2011, 10:24 PM	#7
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	As many can and will state you will learn the rule book 3 seconds at a time __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 2, 2012, 01:13 PM	#9
jimmythegeek Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 216	looking forward to my self-awarded "Participant" trophy like you get in t-ball. Which they wouldn't let me sign up for this year. My point, if I have one, is that I'm not going to be very competitive when I start. I'm going to be flat out terrible. But I'll be making BOOM so it's all good. Check that. I'll be shooting safely, making boom, so it's all good. Priorities... __________________ "Jeez, man, what's another word for 'stupid?'" "Tactical." -Tom Servo Marlin 795, 795ss, 39A Mountie, CZ-455 American, CZ-452 Scout, CZ-75 Kadet, AOM160 M1 Carbine, USGI M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, Dan Wesson PM7 1911

December 28, 2011, 05:40 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	Show up early, tell them you are a beginner, take any pre-shoot instruction, and PAY ATTENTION to the introduction and to the course of fire walkthroughs. I presume this is some variant of IPSC or IDPA and every stage can be different. You must PAY ATTENTION.

December 28, 2011, 08:05 PM	#4
lawboy Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 127	First, congrats on taking the plunge. I hope you enjoy it! Shoot a platform that you are familiar with and shoot a specimen of said platform that is reliable. If you shoot Glocks and have a good one, start with that. If you shoot 1911s and have a good one, shoot that. Shooting something you are familiar with and know works will increase your confidence and decrease your headaches. Set a simple goal(s) for each match. Your first match goals should be to maintain safety at all times, finish the match and not disqualify, increase your knowledge of the rules, and get the phone number of at least one experienced shooter whom has consented to let you bug the crap out of him/her in the period of time between the first and second matches!

December 29, 2011, 12:59 PM	#6
Young.Gun.612 Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 400	Thanks for the pointers! I'll try to find a link to the league page. The structure and rules are what I'm most concerned about. Not that I'm complacent about safety or accuracy, just confident in my abilities and looking forward to putting my skills to the test. Only thing I'm not looking forward to is the cost of all that ammo. I really need to start reloading...

January 2, 2012, 04:37 AM	#8
Gryff Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2007 Posts: 153	Your first 5-6 times out, focus entirely on two things: 1) absolute safety, and 2) being as smooth (which is not the same as fast) as possible. Ignore the timer, and do everything in slow motion. Once Safe-and-Smooth starts becoming instinctive, then start thinking about upping your speed. But remember that in IDPA, knowing how your gun shoots (natural point-of-aim and rapid-fire rhythm) and efficiency (moving, reloading, transitioning between targets) will make you win a lot faster than being a speed demon. Have fun!

January 3, 2012, 03:25 PM	#10
compglock17 Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 103	That "old guy", the one that has all the worn gear and every other shooter treats with a kind of reverent respect? Talk to him! He has been where you are, and many others with him, and most are more than willing to help the "young blood"! __________________ "You can't miss fast enough to win!" "Smooth is fast if you practice to be fast! Slow is just f__ing slow!" Words of wisdom from C!