Interested in shooting competition. Questions.

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spittinfire

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I've never shot a match but I think it looks like fun and could be something I would enjoy. In my limited knowledge of competitive shooting I think what interests me most is IDPA because training with what I would defend myself with seems like an awesome idea. The other is cowboy action because lever guns and single action revolvers are just awesome.

Here are my concerns....1. I'm not that good of a shooter. Never had any training outside of the USMC and that was only with a rifle.
2. My time and funds are limited so I it would have to be something local and more then likely only once a month.
3. I can only shoot with what I have currently, I am not going to add a gun just try this.

Anyone have any thoughts? Steps I might take? Or should I just grow a pair and not worry about embarrassing myself?
 
First thought is another member already started an ask questions about shooting matches thread(see link below), but while I'm here I'll give you the short version... JUST GO TRY IT!

1. If you have basic firearms skills most importantly safe habits then you'll be fine and enjoy it. Many people such as myself participate in these type of events for practice and bettering one's own skills more than competing against other shooters.

2. People here can help you find events near your AO. The smallish local events in my area are generally laid back and welcoming to new participants.

3.There are events for pretty much every firearm out there so no worries. Other than ammo and maybe a few other things like extra magazines, pouches, or holsters you should be good to go!
 
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Mecklenburg Wildlife Club. 4th Saturday of the month.

http://mwdshooters.com/

A very "new " shooter friendly club. Read the web site, ask as many questions as possible here or there, but go. Let them knw its you first time, and they will take great care of you. That is the biggest battle is just going. Stop talking yourself out of it. GO. You will be glad you did after your first stage
 
AppKalash said:
First thought is another member already started an ask questions about shooting matches thread(see link below), but while I'm here I'll give you the short version... JUST GO TRY IT!

1. If you have basic firearms skills most importantly safe habits then you'll be fine and enjoy it. Many people such as myself participate in these type of events for practice and bettering one's own skills more than competing against other shooters.

2. People here can help you find events near your AO. The smallish local events in my area are generally laid back and welcoming to new participants.

3.There are events for pretty much every firearm out there so no worries. Other than ammo and maybe a few other things like extra magazines, pouches, or holsters you should be good to go!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link.
 
AppKalash said:
First thought is another member already started an ask questions about shooting matches thread(see link below), but while I'm here I'll give you the short version... JUST GO TRY IT!

1. If you have basic firearms skills most importantly safe habits then you'll be fine and enjoy it. Many people such as myself participate in these type of events for practice and bettering one's own skills more than competing against other shooters.

2. People here can help you find events near your AO. The smallish local events in my area are generally laid back and welcoming to new participants.

3.There are events for pretty much every firearm out there so no worries. Other than ammo and maybe a few other things like extra magazines, pouches, or holsters you should be good to go!
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You're welcome.

FWIW the 1st match I shot as an adult was USPSA handgun. The skill levels were all across the board and even though I didn't score very well I enjoyed the experience. IDPA is good too and more like 'real world' self defense, but the rules on equipment and procedures are a bit more strict. Either way, just get out there and go when you here the beep!
 
spittinfire;n15643 said:
I've never shot a match but I think it looks like fun and could be something I would enjoy. In my limited knowledge of competitive shooting I think what interests me most is IDPA because training with what I would defend myself with seems like an awesome idea. The other is cowboy action because lever guns and single action revolvers are just awesome.

Here are my concerns....1. I'm not that good of a shooter. Never had any training outside of the USMC and that was only with a rifle.
2. My time and funds are limited so I it would have to be something local and more then likely only once a month.
3. I can only shoot with what I have currently, I am not going to add a gun just try this.

Anyone have any thoughts? Steps I might take? Or should I just grow a pair and not worry about embarrassing myself?
Click to expand...

Where are you located?

There are plenty of folks here that will help you out. Don't worry about skills, just be safe and have fun. I also wouldn't buy any equipment until you try it out. Plenty of folks would be glad to loan you gear or your 1st match or 2 as well so you can get a feel for what you really need/want.

Just do it...
 
bigfelipe;n15846 said:
Where are you located?

There are plenty of folks here that will help you out. Don't worry about skills, just be safe and have fun. I also wouldn't buy any equipment until you try it out. Plenty of folks would be glad to loan you gear or your 1st match or 2 as well so you can get a feel for what you really need/want.

Just do it...
Click to expand...

I'm in Denver.
 
That first USPSA match I participated in and spoke about above was with the Competition Shooters of Statesville. Several guys on this website are from the area and shoot matches there too. You should try it, I think you'll enjoy more than you know. CSOS has a match every 3rd Sunday at the Iredell FOP Lodge's range between Statesville and Troutman.
 
Mike Overlay;n15747 said:
Mecklenburg Wildlife Club. 4th Saturday of the month.

http://mwdshooters.com/

A very "new " shooter friendly club. Read the web site, ask as many questions as possible here or there, but go. Let them knw its you first time, and they will take great care of you. That is the biggest battle is just going. Stop talking yourself out of it. GO. You will be glad you did after your first stage
Click to expand...

I did that and liked it much. As you say IDPA is a great way to field test your choices for EDC. As long as you can safely handle and shoot your pistol go and have a good time. It's not a gear intensive game but you will have to observe the gear restrictions. Mags on your belt only and a holster on your strong-side hip IWB or OWB. They don't allow alternate carry methods for safety reasons.
 
I shot my first match 2 years ago at H2O in Dunn. Leading up to it I was pretty intimidated as I had never shot competitively, certainly wasn't a "great" shooter, and didn't have all the latest and greatest gear. I finally took the plunge and am glad I did. Amp Mangum and 1911gobang did a great job explaining everything to us new shooters and everyone there was friendly and welcoming.

I recommend everybody go shoot at matches if for no other reason than good practice. I've still got a long ways to go but I've seen a great improvement in my skills from the practice and learning from the guys who have been out there longer.
 
It's a little over an hour away but there's non-sanctioned defensive handgun match at PHA in Linwood.
4th Saturday every month, but this one of course.
Modeled loosely after IDPA, very basic rules, but the same safety rules and commands you'll find at any match.
Show up with a gun, holster, and at least 3 mags/speedloaders, or however many it takes to have at least 30 rounds on you, whichever is greater, if you shoot something common you can probably borrow.
5 stages, $10, usually about 120rnds minimum, very casual, emphasis on safety and learning, Brett the MD loves teaching.
Not sure if he's shown up here.
 
spittinfire;n16346 said:
I'm in Denver.
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Denver Defense has a decent indoor match last I knew. Some of the guys here were going to it as well.
 
For Cowboy Action Shooting you are within driving range of several clubs. Look at the SASS wire website and there are/used to be clubs in Hickory, Rutherfordton, and Charlotte that I know of. Go to a match and watch. I started with mismatched pistols, a borrowed double barrel and a hunting rifle. You need 2 single action pistols, a double or exposed hammer pump shotgun, and a pistol caliber rifle. most folks take plenty of guns and ammo, I have shot with loaners before. also, leather and costuming but dress can wait for the other stuff at a monthly match. Most clubs shoot a monthly match, a yearly match, then there are the state, national and world championships.
You don't have to be good or fast. You just need to like to shoot old guns.
CF
 
Cowboy ain't goin' to work for ya'.
$1000.00 for a couple of six guns. $500.00 (not competitive) to $1500.00 for lever gun. $400.00 for a shotgun. Lets see, a good cowboy hat runs around $200.00. A rig for the revolvers will go for about $500.00. Shotgun belt around $100.00. Clothes and boots. Reloading gear. Buy a gun cart for around $300.00 or a DIY. Probably $150.00. Now lets see........................................

There is Cowboy Fast Draw Association.
http://www.cowboyfastdraw.com/
One Ruger (preferably-tank in disguise) in 45 Colt. Single holster and belt (legal). Special brass to shoot 209 shotgun primers and wax bullets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZpup4Q6dzo
 
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Red Cent,
You and I shot on a whole different level.
I done had the Marlin 1894, ie deer rifle, two Uberti 45 around $300 each, $200 for a used Stevens 311, $100 for a gun belt, and $10 for a used shotgun belt.
Course I got more and better stuff later.
I did have to buy a set of dies for the 45 Colt and a bullet mold. Dusted off the shotshell reloader and put it back into operation. Built 4 gun carts as I figured what worked, got around $100 in all 4.
All in all I had a lot of fun for not that much money.
CF
 
Chihuahua Floyd;n21082 said:
Red Cent,
You and I shot on a whole different level.
I done had the Marlin 1894, ie deer rifle, two Uberti 45 around $300 each, $200 for a used Stevens 311, $100 for a gun belt, and $10 for a used shotgun belt.
Course I got more and better stuff later.
I did have to buy a set of dies for the 45 Colt and a bullet mold. Dusted off the shotshell reloader and put it back into operation. Built 4 gun carts as I figured what worked, got around $100 in all 4.
All in all I had a lot of fun for not that much money.
CF
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I've already got an 1894 and a Super Blackhawk. I had a SxS but traded it for an OU so if you can shoot an OU I'm good to go.
 
Red Cent;n20454 said:
Cowboy ain't goin' to work for ya'.
$1000.00 for a couple of six guns. $500.00 (not competitive) to $1500.00 for lever gun. $400.00 for a shotgun. Lets see, a good cowboy hat runs around $200.00. A rig for the revolvers will go for about $500.00. Shotgun belt around $100.00. Clothes and boots. Reloading gear. Buy a gun cart for around $300.00 or a DIY. Probably $150.00. Now lets see........................................
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Still cheaper than shooting open in uspsa lol
 
shooting competitions?

I shoot terrible,
but it's the most fun I can have with my pants on. :cool:
 
Red Cent;n21389 said:
Have we shot together?
Click to expand...

Don't know if we ever shot together. Shot in Rocky Mount when I started. Shot the Raleigh club once, moved to Western NC and started shooting Asheville, Hickory and Rutherfordton once in a while. Haven't shot since I busted up my foot again in 2010. Need to get back into it.
CF
 
For beginners, I always suggest PHA Tactical match. I shot my first match there, and usually a lot of these guys are shooting the match. You will see Grand Masters there and 12 year olds. So its not too big a deal when you have not ever shot before. You get to see a lot of differing equipment, see what works, what doesn't. You get to do some movement, you do reloads under time, and you short close and "far" (for a typical range) And its low pressure. I shoot the stage incorrectly sometimes...like out of order. But honestly, its just good weapons manipulation and accuracy practice "under the gun" Lots of videos on YouTube. Check it out.
 
It is the nature of multigun games like cowboy action and 3Gun that more gear is required, and the ammo costs are higher. That said, I know some folks who were able to gear up for cowboy by watching for deals on used guns but it will never be as cheap as a single pistol game.
 
Just to provide a bit more information on cowboy action matches, we shoot steel targets with lead bullets out of Old West style firearms. Dressing in cowboy or other 29th Century type clothing is part of the fun but SASS is not a historical reenactment. For gentlemen, a long sleeved shirt, long pants (jeans are fine) and leather shoes or boots satisfy the costuming requirements. A monthly match usually consists of six stages (you shoot six times) using, on each stage, two revolvers, rifle and shotgun. Round count is usually 60 pistol, 60 rifle and 25-30 shotgun.

there are cowboy matches somewhere in rhe Carolinas every weekend. See the NC and SC calendars at www.carolinacowboys.us for match dates and links to clubs. Some folks shoot only at their "home" club and some travel around.

The target sizes and distances make cowboy action "do-able" for new shooters and cowboy shooters tend to be a very welcoming bunch. For those shooters with a competitive streak, watch some of the top guys and gals run a 24 round stage in under 15 seconds and pick up the gauntlet.

My advice to folks who may be interested is to attend a local match before buying anything.
 
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