Initial for this guy.

Rleadslinger · December 29, 2015, 12:37 PM

For the initial post! Been stalking these forums for a couple months and now im finally ready to commit. That being said, Im Retired active duty Army right out of the SOF community. Used a Glock 19 for a couple of years before i got out and now im looking to modify my personal one. My goal is to maybe compete (though im still a bit clueless on the rules of most competitions) as well as just have a weapon thats user friendly, by that i mean lightened trigger pulls, compensators, etc.

So first!
Can someone point me in the direction of rules and regulations regarding proper firearm competition, as we as weapons modification?
Second, thanks for finally validating my profile!

-Kip

RickB · December 29, 2015, 12:59 PM

If you are considering "practical" competition, then the two places to go are:
uspsa.org
idpa.com

USPSA is the older of the two, and has developed into a run-and-gun, seek-and-destroy game with no pretenses about "training" or "tactics".
IDPA was developed by a sub-set of the same guys who formed USPSA, with a focus on treating targets as if they were armed threats; you take cover if it's available, and don't run around in the open with an unloaded gun.

Rleadslinger · December 29, 2015, 01:07 PM

Much appreciated Rick.

9x45 · December 29, 2015, 03:33 PM

OP, it would help to know where you are located at. Some areas have more USPA and some more IDPA. You can search for clubs at the websites. However, keep in mind that both are games, timed and scored, have lots and lots of rules, but neither are tactics or training, even though IDPA is popularly believed to be such, just as USPSA is popularly believed to be a space gun race, it is not that either. In fact there are Single Stack (1911), Production, Limited 10 and Carry Optics Divisions, none of which are space guns. Production is the most popular division in USPSA right now. It still involves movement, whether you run a 8 round 1911 or a 31 round Open gun. Reloads are not restricted in USPSA. Both games will allow you to sharpen certain gun handling skills, you will find the stages much more difficult in USPSA but with a higher round count. Contact the match directors and tell them you are interested but a newbie. Some clubs require a full day orientation before you can shoot a match.

T. O'Heir · December 30, 2015, 01:49 PM

"...My goal is to maybe compete..." In what? Rifle? Handgun? Probably best to start by talking to your local NRA affiliate. https://home.nra.org/
There's something for everybody, but every competitive course of fire is different with different rules. Hold off doing anything(especially spending any money) with your pistol until you find the game you like most.
Neither IPSC/IDPA nor USPSA are remotely practical. All of 'em are shooting games and nothing more.

9x45 · December 30, 2015, 04:26 PM

TO, I believe the OP is talking about handgun, since he mentioned a Glock 19. IPSC is especially impractical for Americans...... What games you shoot probably has more to do with where you live. SoCal, along with the Phoenix area has lots of choices, but if you live in the middle of nowhere, not so many choices, regardless.

RickB · December 30, 2015, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Neither IPSC/IDPA nor USPSA are remotely practical. All of 'em are shooting games and nothing more.

If improving your gunhandling skills to a level as high as anyone in the world could hope to achieve is a "practical" goal, then USPSA and IDPA are eminently practical.

9x45 · December 30, 2015, 07:47 PM

The games teach certain gun handling skills, shooting quickly and accurately while on the mover from awkward positions, sometimes one handed, at moving targets. But they are not tactics.

December 29, 2015, 12:37 PM	#1
Rleadslinger Junior Member Join Date: December 26, 2015 Posts: 7	Initial for this guy. For the initial post! Been stalking these forums for a couple months and now im finally ready to commit. That being said, Im Retired active duty Army right out of the SOF community. Used a Glock 19 for a couple of years before i got out and now im looking to modify my personal one. My goal is to maybe compete (though im still a bit clueless on the rules of most competitions) as well as just have a weapon thats user friendly, by that i mean lightened trigger pulls, compensators, etc. So first! Can someone point me in the direction of rules and regulations regarding proper firearm competition, as we as weapons modification? Second, thanks for finally validating my profile! -Kip

December 29, 2015, 12:59 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	If you are considering "practical" competition, then the two places to go are: uspsa.org idpa.com USPSA is the older of the two, and has developed into a run-and-gun, seek-and-destroy game with no pretenses about "training" or "tactics". IDPA was developed by a sub-set of the same guys who formed USPSA, with a focus on treating targets as if they were armed threats; you take cover if it's available, and don't run around in the open with an unloaded gun. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

December 29, 2015, 03:33 PM	#4
9x45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,089	OP, it would help to know where you are located at. Some areas have more USPA and some more IDPA. You can search for clubs at the websites. However, keep in mind that both are games, timed and scored, have lots and lots of rules, but neither are tactics or training, even though IDPA is popularly believed to be such, just as USPSA is popularly believed to be a space gun race, it is not that either. In fact there are Single Stack (1911), Production, Limited 10 and Carry Optics Divisions, none of which are space guns. Production is the most popular division in USPSA right now. It still involves movement, whether you run a 8 round 1911 or a 31 round Open gun. Reloads are not restricted in USPSA. Both games will allow you to sharpen certain gun handling skills, you will find the stages much more difficult in USPSA but with a higher round count. Contact the match directors and tell them you are interested but a newbie. Some clubs require a full day orientation before you can shoot a match. __________________ Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look.....

December 30, 2015, 01:49 PM	#5
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...My goal is to maybe compete..." In what? Rifle? Handgun? Probably best to start by talking to your local NRA affiliate. https://home.nra.org/ There's something for everybody, but every competitive course of fire is different with different rules. Hold off doing anything(especially spending any money) with your pistol until you find the game you like most. Neither IPSC/IDPA nor USPSA are remotely practical. All of 'em are shooting games and nothing more. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

December 30, 2015, 04:26 PM	#6
9x45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,089	TO, I believe the OP is talking about handgun, since he mentioned a Glock 19. IPSC is especially impractical for Americans...... What games you shoot probably has more to do with where you live. SoCal, along with the Phoenix area has lots of choices, but if you live in the middle of nowhere, not so many choices, regardless. __________________ Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look.....

December 29, 2015, 01:07 PM	#3
Rleadslinger Junior Member Join Date: December 26, 2015 Posts: 7	Much appreciated Rick.

December 30, 2015, 07:47 PM	#8
9x45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2000 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,089	The games teach certain gun handling skills, shooting quickly and accurately while on the mover from awkward positions, sometimes one handed, at moving targets. But they are not tactics. __________________ Sometimes my Glock forgets where to look.....