Which is more fun, competition or range time?

g.willikers · July 5, 2014, 11:01 AM

Organized matches are challenging and provide social fun, but there's more waiting around than actual shooting.
Range time provides lots more shooting time, but the only challenge or motivation is what someone brings on their own.
So, which do you prefer?

jwrowland77 · July 5, 2014, 11:10 AM

Yes...lol.

I prefer competition. While there is a lot of wait time, there's that challenge of someone being better than you and trying to beat them or just trying to beat a personal record

GJSchulze · July 5, 2014, 01:40 PM

Competition.

Maybe if I had land I could shoot on with all sorts of targets, I'd enjoy that as much, but my range only allows paper targets unless you have special certification to use the competition range.

Rattlehead · July 5, 2014, 02:14 PM

Each has its place; the primary negatives to competition also depend on how it's run. Bringing friends and a shot timer makes things more interesting (and makes for better feedback - practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent).

Friends, shot timer, and a brand new course of fire... Even better.

mikecu · July 5, 2014, 02:19 PM

I haven't been to a competition yet, but it sure looks like more fun than range time.

Pahoo · July 5, 2014, 02:33 PM

I use to shoot competition and that's all well and good. We had a local M/L club that got together on a Sunday afternoon and we competed, very informally. Lately, I generally just like my range-time and really, just shooting alone. Quite often, I'm trying to work through a problem and hard to with company. After resolving a problem, I like to share time and shooting with others. .....

Be Safe !!!

tahunua001 · July 5, 2014, 09:28 PM

I prefer competition to non competition for several reasons.
1. I get to see how my shooting stacked up against everyone shooting at the same time as me, usually I'm at least in the 50th percentile.
2. It is the one day that I at least have partial say in when cease fire is called,
3. I am not sitting around for 20 minutes waiting to go down range and check my targets because 3 other people are busy filling a paper plate with sharpy marked bullseyes full of holes with their 22s that they have no idea how to work.
4. I'm usually with a bunch of other like minded shooters. non comp days I am usually the only guy bringing milsurps to the range while everyone else just brings hunting rifles and the range officers try to make passive aggressive, snide remarks at my expense.
5. some times I win stuff, even if it's just door prizes

drive_sideways · July 6, 2014, 09:17 PM

Range i dont care much about competition. I just like to go out, mess around (safely of course) an hav a good time! Then again our range is homemade so dont hav to deal with anyone else.

SG29736 · July 8, 2014, 06:57 PM

You do have to spend a lot of time at a match compared to the actual time shooting. But that what it takes to get a chance to shoot stages like those that are set up at a match. Most people don't have all of the walls, barricades, swinging target, turning targets, steel plates, etc. to set up on their own. Plus of course you do see where you stand against other shooter after having targets actually scored and times recorded. But just going to the range and shooting is fun too, especially if you can set up a few targets or some steel. Mark

jwrowland77 · July 8, 2014, 07:00 PM

I enjoy my alone time at the range shooting, testing etc, but the fellowship with other like minded shooters is a lot of fun. Talking about setups, loads being used, tweaks you want to make to your setup etc.

pax · July 8, 2014, 07:08 PM

If you don't enjoy your regular practice, you won't enjoy competition for long.

pax

RickB · July 9, 2014, 12:27 PM

I shot 40-50 USPSA and IDPA matches a year, for almost fifteen years, and couldn't think of anything more fun.
But . . . I started to get tired of the seven-hour time commitment to shoot 100-200 rounds.
And, 20-30 of the matches were shot in the rain, further dulling my enthusiasm.
It used to be that the only guns I owned that were ever shot, were those that could be used in competition, since I wasn't going to go to the range for a third time in a week, just to put some more rounds downrange.
Today, while I still enjoy going to matches, I do it more for the social aspect, than anything else.
I'm meeting a buddy next week, after work, to do some chrono, fire a few rounds through a rifle I've taken to the range only twice, since I got it over a year ago, and just hang out.

Shotgun Slim · July 9, 2014, 04:55 PM

It goes both ways.Competition is really fun if you are winning.Nobody wins all the time so those days with buddies spent practicing/playing can be the best.

WESHOOT2 · July 11, 2014, 04:59 PM

I own my own range.
I prefer competing at USPSA matches.

A33102

Jim Watson · July 14, 2014, 08:34 AM

I prefer competition, mostly IDPA these days but also some BPCR and past experience of IPSC, IHMSA, and NRA.

But if you are going to be competitive, you need practice and testing of your guns, ammo, and gear. I do not take that as "range time" in the sense of this thread, since is is almost entirely in support of competition.

I had a debate about the difference in "range guns" and "match guns" yesterday.

jwrowland77 · July 14, 2014, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

But if you are going to be competitive, you need practice and testing of your guns, ammo, and gear. I do not take that as "range time" in the sense of this thread, since is is almost entirely in support of competition.

Thats a good point. I definitely practice different when I'm practicing for competition as compared to when I take my daughters out to let them shoot and practice.

MarkCO · July 14, 2014, 09:19 AM

I enjoy both for vastly different reasons.

Range time is working up loads, dialing in a new firearm, practicing what I need to work on.

Competition shows where I stack up, time with friends, more complex tests of my skillset.

MarkCO · July 14, 2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

I had a debate about the difference in "range guns" and "match guns" yesterday.

I have guns I use at the range, for hunting, for matches, but I am pretty sure I own no "range guns".

g.willikers · July 14, 2014, 12:28 PM

Range Guns.
That sounds like a good topic for a new thread.

WESHOOT2 · July 14, 2014, 03:36 PM

This last Sunday 62 of us thought competing was more fun

www.GMPSVT.com

A33102

pete2 · July 14, 2014, 07:27 PM

I like both, my range time is with some of the guys I shoot IDPA with. We shoot some IDPA targets, use the timer etc. The old f__ts shoot on Wed. Morning. May throw in some skeet or trap or shoot at a bullseye too. Lot of fun.

Captains1911 · July 16, 2014, 09:57 PM

For me it's not even close, competion by far.

longknife12 · July 17, 2014, 07:02 AM

They were equal for me. As I age, simple range time has taken over. Reflexes
slow down and edge is duller! I will never quit shooting.
Dan

rdtompki · July 17, 2014, 07:23 AM

I enjoy range time. It's an opportunity for my wife and I, seniors both, to get away from the day-to-day commitments associated with our lifestyle. Our public ranges are very restrictive and limit the sort of drills that are possible, but we still enjoy the outing. I've just started in IDPA and I see that as a 1/month activity which provides a venue that has a bit of HD-relevance and a chance to socialize; I'm not aspiring to excellence at my age, but a occasional all-day commitment for a retired guy is no big deal.

wizrd · July 17, 2014, 11:04 AM

Range time - and if you hit the target well every time - the target is either too big, or too close -- or both.

July 5, 2014, 11:01 AM	#1
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Which is more fun, competition or range time? Organized matches are challenging and provide social fun, but there's more waiting around than actual shooting. Range time provides lots more shooting time, but the only challenge or motivation is what someone brings on their own. So, which do you prefer? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 5, 2014, 02:33 PM	#6
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Mostly range-time I use to shoot competition and that's all well and good. We had a local M/L club that got together on a Sunday afternoon and we competed, very informally. Lately, I generally just like my range-time and really, just shooting alone. Quite often, I'm trying to work through a problem and hard to with company. After resolving a problem, I like to share time and shooting with others. ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

July 5, 2014, 09:28 PM	#7
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	I prefer competition to non competition for several reasons. 1. I get to see how my shooting stacked up against everyone shooting at the same time as me, usually I'm at least in the 50th percentile. 2. It is the one day that I at least have partial say in when cease fire is called, 3. I am not sitting around for 20 minutes waiting to go down range and check my targets because 3 other people are busy filling a paper plate with sharpy marked bullseyes full of holes with their 22s that they have no idea how to work. 4. I'm usually with a bunch of other like minded shooters. non comp days I am usually the only guy bringing milsurps to the range while everyone else just brings hunting rifles and the range officers try to make passive aggressive, snide remarks at my expense. 5. some times I win stuff, even if it's just door prizes __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

July 8, 2014, 07:08 PM	#11
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	If you don't enjoy your regular practice, you won't enjoy competition for long. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

July 11, 2014, 04:59 PM	#14
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	giving your shooting "purpose" (plus it's really fun) I own my own range. I prefer competing at USPSA matches. A33102 __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 5, 2014, 11:10 AM	#2
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	Yes...lol. I prefer competition. While there is a lot of wait time, there's that challenge of someone being better than you and trying to beat them or just trying to beat a personal record

July 5, 2014, 01:40 PM	#3
GJSchulze Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2013 Location: Western New York Posts: 454	Competition. Maybe if I had land I could shoot on with all sorts of targets, I'd enjoy that as much, but my range only allows paper targets unless you have special certification to use the competition range.

July 5, 2014, 02:14 PM	#4
Rattlehead Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2009 Location: NC Posts: 244	Each has its place; the primary negatives to competition also depend on how it's run. Bringing friends and a shot timer makes things more interesting (and makes for better feedback - practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent). Friends, shot timer, and a brand new course of fire... Even better.

July 5, 2014, 02:19 PM	#5
mikecu Member Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 23	I haven't been to a competition yet, but it sure looks like more fun than range time.

July 6, 2014, 09:17 PM	#8
drive_sideways Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2014 Posts: 142	Range i dont care much about competition. I just like to go out, mess around (safely of course) an hav a good time! Then again our range is homemade so dont hav to deal with anyone else.

July 8, 2014, 06:57 PM	#9
SG29736 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2007 Location: Northern Ca. Posts: 107	You do have to spend a lot of time at a match compared to the actual time shooting. But that what it takes to get a chance to shoot stages like those that are set up at a match. Most people don't have all of the walls, barricades, swinging target, turning targets, steel plates, etc. to set up on their own. Plus of course you do see where you stand against other shooter after having targets actually scored and times recorded. But just going to the range and shooting is fun too, especially if you can set up a few targets or some steel. Mark

July 8, 2014, 07:00 PM	#10
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	I enjoy my alone time at the range shooting, testing etc, but the fellowship with other like minded shooters is a lot of fun. Talking about setups, loads being used, tweaks you want to make to your setup etc.

July 9, 2014, 12:27 PM	#12
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I shot 40-50 USPSA and IDPA matches a year, for almost fifteen years, and couldn't think of anything more fun. But . . . I started to get tired of the seven-hour time commitment to shoot 100-200 rounds. And, 20-30 of the matches were shot in the rain, further dulling my enthusiasm. It used to be that the only guns I owned that were ever shot, were those that could be used in competition, since I wasn't going to go to the range for a third time in a week, just to put some more rounds downrange. Today, while I still enjoy going to matches, I do it more for the social aspect, than anything else. I'm meeting a buddy next week, after work, to do some chrono, fire a few rounds through a rifle I've taken to the range only twice, since I got it over a year ago, and just hang out.

July 9, 2014, 04:55 PM	#13
Shotgun Slim Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2014 Location: Va Posts: 291	It goes both ways.Competition is really fun if you are winning.Nobody wins all the time so those days with buddies spent practicing/playing can be the best.

July 14, 2014, 08:34 AM	#15
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I prefer competition, mostly IDPA these days but also some BPCR and past experience of IPSC, IHMSA, and NRA. But if you are going to be competitive, you need practice and testing of your guns, ammo, and gear. I do not take that as "range time" in the sense of this thread, since is is almost entirely in support of competition. I had a debate about the difference in "range guns" and "match guns" yesterday.

July 14, 2014, 09:19 AM	#17
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	I enjoy both for vastly different reasons. Range time is working up loads, dialing in a new firearm, practicing what I need to work on. Competition shows where I stack up, time with friends, more complex tests of my skillset. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

July 14, 2014, 12:28 PM	#19
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Range Guns. That sounds like a good topic for a new thread. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

July 14, 2014, 03:36 PM	#20
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	This last Sunday 62 of us thought competing was more fun www.GMPSVT.com A33102 __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 14, 2014, 07:27 PM	#21
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	I like both, my range time is with some of the guys I shoot IDPA with. We shoot some IDPA targets, use the timer etc. The old f__ts shoot on Wed. Morning. May throw in some skeet or trap or shoot at a bullseye too. Lot of fun.

July 16, 2014, 09:57 PM	#22
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 684	For me it's not even close, competion by far.

July 17, 2014, 07:02 AM	#23
longknife12 Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 95	They were equal for me. As I age, simple range time has taken over. Reflexes slow down and edge is duller! I will never quit shooting. Dan

July 17, 2014, 07:23 AM	#24
rdtompki Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2014 Location: San Franciso Bay area Posts: 108	I enjoy range time. It's an opportunity for my wife and I, seniors both, to get away from the day-to-day commitments associated with our lifestyle. Our public ranges are very restrictive and limit the sort of drills that are possible, but we still enjoy the outing. I've just started in IDPA and I see that as a 1/month activity which provides a venue that has a bit of HD-relevance and a chance to socialize; I'm not aspiring to excellence at my age, but a occasional all-day commitment for a retired guy is no big deal. __________________ NRA Life Member CRPA Life Member

July 17, 2014, 11:04 AM	#25
wizrd Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Posts: 232	Range time - and if you hit the target well every time - the target is either too big, or too close -- or both. __________________ Sumo magis ammo