January 26, 2012, 11:04 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: December 22, 2011
Posts: 25
|
USPSA Beginners Course
I'm not new to handguns but I've never attended a course before and our club is offering it. I would like to compete in the future.
Have you attended the course? Does it help prepare you for competition? |
January 27, 2012, 09:29 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2008
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 11,061
|
I've never attended a USPSA "beginner's" course, but I've shot USPSA matches.
Most similar matches don't have such courses, we just show up as "new guys" and get briefed on the rules and start shooting. Like most venues the older competitors welcome new shooters and are more then willing to get them started in the right direction. However, if there is such a course (as you indicated there is in your club), as a new shooter I would jump on it. I know in high power the CMP conducts Small Arms Firing Schools for new shooters. It is a great starting point. Actually a good refresher for old shooters also. It's a highly beneficial program, in fact the SAFS' were started by Teddy Roosevelt and now, are mandated by Congress. (Mandatory for the CMP to conduct, not mandatory for shooters). I would like to see such a program for other venues in shooting sports, it would help new shooters get started right, if you get the right start, the more likely you will be successful, you'll come back, you'll bring your friends and the sport will grow. New shooters are the future of our sport, providing safe knowledgeable training would go a long ways toward that means. So yes I'd attend the course, and I'd encourage more clubs to conduct such courses.
__________________
Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071 |
January 27, 2012, 11:44 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 6, 1999
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 1,021
|
I just showed up and shot my first match about a year ago. One of the clubs offers a course but I didn't go to it because it was on a Sunday, the other club offers nothing like that.
About every other match someone new comes just to watch but they generally wish they would of shot the match after the fact. Even the first time they are not that complicated after you watch 7 guys shoot a stage before you do. Be safe and it doesn't really matter how bad you shoot the first time.
__________________
New gun, same ol' shot. |
January 27, 2012, 11:49 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 23, 2001
Location: People's Republic of Kanada
Posts: 1,652
|
IPSC Canada requires that new shooters go through a "black badge" course to ensure they know the rules, scoring, 180 line, procedures, and so on. If nothing else, it'll give you a better understanding of the sport and how to participate safely, and it might give you a better feel for which division(s) you want to shoot in.
__________________
Gun control in Canada: making the streets safer for rapists, muggers, and other violent criminals since 1936. |
January 27, 2012, 02:10 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 23, 2009
Location: Ft. Collins, CO.
Posts: 398
|
It's a great idea and prepares you for competition by teaching you what will happen during the match without time pressure or embarassment over being a newbie.
I suspect, but can't prove, that folks who do an intro course are more likely to continue in the sport than those whose first exposure is stepping up to the line in front of people who can shoot that "simple" course in 10 seconds and wind up being embarassed that they ran out of all their ammunition, took 6 minutes and 58 second to do so and STILL didn't engage all the targets. Make it easy on yourself - get some training in a training environment. |
January 27, 2012, 03:16 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 29, 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 6,126
|
Jump on it.
Even if you never compete it'll be worth it. |
January 27, 2012, 04:56 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 28, 2008
Posts: 10,442
|
And check out the videos on this very subject in our own competition section, or at the source - powerfactorshow.com.
__________________
Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.” |
January 27, 2012, 05:28 PM | #8 |
Staff
Join Date: November 23, 2005
Location: California - San Francisco
Posts: 9,471
|
I recommend taking the class. It can't hurt and can help. It will in fact most likely help.
|
January 27, 2012, 07:13 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: December 22, 2011
Posts: 25
|
Thanks for the responses. I'm going to register.
|
February 1, 2012, 01:45 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 1, 2010
Posts: 363
|
I took the USSPA Safety brief. It is well worth it.
Mine was at Kitsap Rifle & Revolver Club in Bremerton, WA |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|