Why don't you shoot USPSA/IPSC???

PistolPete

PistolPete

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I'm curious why more people on this board don't shoot the USPSA matches. With all the limitations on what you can do at certain clubs regarding drawing from a holster, mag changes, shooting on the move, etc. I would think more people here would shoot USPSA. Shooting at a bullsye target at 30 feet behind a bay gets extremely boring. Why not come out and shoot at different targets while running around safely with a loaded gun? What is stopping people from trying the most exciting shooting sport (in my opinion) there is to offer?

Is it because:

1.) you don't think you have the correct equip? Almost any type of handgun will work (9mm and larger) in at least 1 or more divisions.
2.) you are afraid of drawing the gun from a holster and doing reloads? There are tons of experienced shooters that will work with anyone to build their confidence and technique?
3.) Are you afraid of or dislike competition? What is great about this sport is you make it as competitive as YOU want. Many many shooters come to just see how they do against themselves.
4.) Not enough time or money??? This is obviously subjective and I can't much comment on this topic.
5.) Are you nervous with people watching you and looking bad in front of others? All new shooters get special treatment. Most of the shooters on your squad including the RO's will help you in every possible way to help you thru the match.

What is stopping you from trying this sport? Above is just a few examples that I could think of.

Here are some questions to ask of your shooting:

1.) Have you ever legally ran around with a loaded gun shooting at targets, while opening doors, and shooting around walls?
2.) Shot a match in which you had to spend time thinking of the fastest and most effective way to shoot a stage? Most shooting disciplines have a standard way of shooting a stage or string.
3.) Have you ever shot a handgun prone? Have you ever shot a shotgun weak handed? Have you ever shot a Texas Star with a Shotgun with a swinger that you had to shoot thru distracting you from your targets? Have you ever opened a door by shooting thru a wall with a shotgun to activate it?

Sounds like fun doesn't it???
 
I used to shoot IPSC out in Washington State in the mid 1980's and enjoyed it quite a bit. However when I moved here I became just too darn busy with my job and my family life to pick it up again.

It's on the list of things I want to do.

That has to wait until the list of things I have to do goes down a bit.
 
I do IDPA and love it. I hope to join you guys ar Harvard soon.... I really do! If you love shooting hand guns and don't try this stuff you're missing out on some great stuff! Hope to see you soon Pete.
 
Every wednesday pm I drive down route 2 and look longingly in the direction of Harvard... but I've got a 4year old at home screams "DADDY" and runs into my arms every night when I get home... That's hard to beat! so until that stops, I'm afraid IPSC will have to wait.

Matt
 
Fooped said:
Holy crap that sounds awesome! When is the next shoot or practice? I'd love to get involved...
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I'm not sure where in MA you are located but there are practice matches held every Wed. night at the Harvard Sportsmans Club starting around 4:30-5:00pm. I'm sure you have a pistol that would work fine. If you don't have a holster you can pick up an Uncle Mikes or similiar for short money and a few mag pouches. Or, you could just come down and check things out. Here is a list of the matches left for this year:

http://www.uspsa-ne.org/matches.asp?year=2006

Also, check out www.uspsa.com for more info. There is an info packet you can request that covers a lot of what USPSA is all about. If you have any questions please let me know as either I or other shooters will be able to answer them all.
 
GaryO said:
Where and how do you get involved in the matches?
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As you are in Franklin, I suggest you give serious consideration to the "almost - IPSC/ IPSC Lite" events Paul runs at Independent. There is a revolver-only shoot this month; usually you can shoot any handgun you'd like.

You WILL need several magazines/speed loaders/moon clips, depending upon what you shoot; also about 75 rounds per event.

Note that you can shoot more than once; many bring two guns and shoot each. Paul is also trying to get a small group of newbies to form an intro class with. [wink]

If you go to the USPSA website and then to Area 7 (the Northeast), you should find the schedule of events and results. Manville, RI is next Sunday.
 
Not interested in doing that with a pistol, but definitely interested in doing it with an M4gery that I am putting together.

I am, however, a Highpower Rifle shooter first and foremost. I don't see anything boring in honing the mastery of basic rifle marksmanship skills to a razor sharp edge.

I guess I could call bullseye shooting boring when I clean the entire course of fire for a complete season. And If that happens, I can always shoot NRA Long Range, where the targets *begin* at 800 yards and keep going to 1000.

Oh, and no scopes or benchrest type stuff.
 
This year was my first time shooting USPSA. Never did any competitive shooting before. I was looking for something alittle more exciting then standing blasting at a single target.

I did my first match in Jan. I was nervous as hell. I was squadded with other newbies. We started by watching other shooter. Everyone gave me tips, mainly on safety and to shoot slow and accurate.

When it was my time up. I could barely heard the buzzer because my heart was pounding in my ears. I shot so slow that my time could have been measured with a sun dial. But I knew I was hooked

As I did more matches, one thing really stuck with me. Even though it was competitive shooting, it was not cut throat. shooters helped other shooter with tips and suggestions

Alot of the guys on this board have really help me progress with my shooting
 
Believe me, I'd love to shoot USPSA/IPSC and IDPA, but due to working 50-60 hours a week and going to school on top of it, I don't have much free time to do a goddamn thing. [sad2]
 
Supermoto said:
As I did more matches, one thing really stuck with me. Even though it was competitive shooting, it was not cut throat. shooters helped other shooter with tips and suggestions
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Which is EXACTLY why I love shooting IDPA - that same friendly, helpful atmosphere.
 
I always see those guys practicing,I think there was some sort of match at Harvard last weekend.It looks fun,but I am a lousy shot with a handgun.Seems to be a lot of cops at those competitions as well.

Maybe I would check it out if I knew someone over there.Those guys tend to stay over in that area..Maybe stray over to the sub-gun pit after the competition is over.

Although I still prefer bringing Jihad upon all the infidel cans and milk jugs,I would definately like to check it out one day.
 
USPSA is the US affiliate of IPSC. We run under slightly different rules - a couple of key points are slight differences in equipment divisions; no contept in the US of an "official warning which becomes a procedural if repeated", no multi-gun (more than one gun type in a stage) in the World Body (too un-PC to use multiple guns in that manner). The World Body is promoting the headless targets (er, I mean "target without an upper "A/B" zone) which most regions other than the US use. The IPSC president feels that anti-gunners might be able to use the headed target against us. Here in the US we realize that the anti-gunners don't really care what targets we use - as long as mere civilians are allowed to own guns they will always be working against us.
 
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The thing that made Riverside IDPA and not USPSA were 3 points:

1) Stock guns were at a disadvantage (not true now, but was then)
2) Round counts made new shooters required to buy a lot of extra mags and holders.
3) Scoring is more complicated

As a club we ran under both rules for a few trial events and even a third style that I can't remember the name of and by a vote it was decided that the IDPA style was preferred.

Years ago, I shot just about everything. Today, I can barely make my OWN club's matches let alone travel to other clubs.

In fact, I like to send people from the IDPA to go take Rob's class to learn about USPSA as he and Mike offer some great perspective on the action shooting that only their experience can provide. (and if you need another approved class for your license, it's a fun one to take)
 
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IPSC/USPSA scoring is not more complicated that IDPA. Preparing results manually is.

If you are going to prepare results manually, or figure them out in your head, the IDPA "time plus" system is simple and quick. If you're going to enter the results into a computer there is no difference in the difficulty of administering the two systems.
 
Chris said:
The thing that made Riverside IDPA and not USPSA where [sic] 3 points:

1) Stock guns were at a disadvantage (not true now, but was then)
2) Round counts made new shooters required to buy a lot of extra mags and holders.
3) Scoring is more complicated
Click to expand...

Garbled syntax aside, isn't "trigger time" the object of the exercise? If I drove for 1 - 2 hours to get to a match and only fire 60 or 80 rounds, I'd feel cheated.

In fact, I like to send people from the IDPA to go take Rob's class to learn about USPSA as he and Mike offer some great perspective on the action shooting that only their experience can provide. (and if you need another approved class for your license, it's a fun one to take)
Click to expand...

Excellent suggestion. Rob usually runs it in March; look for the table at the Marlboro winter show.
 
Scrivener said:
Garbled syntax aside, isn't "trigger time" the object of the exercise? If I drove for 1 - 2 hours to get to a match and only fire 60 or 80 rounds, I'd feel cheated.
Click to expand...

One of the most memorable and fun stages I shot had a minimum round count of two. Total round count is a pretty small factor in my enjoyment of a match.
 
DR said:
One of the most memorable and fun stages I shot had a minimum round count of two. Total round count is a pretty small factor in my enjoyment of a match.
Click to expand...

Reminds me of that Monty Python sketch; Ken Buddha and his Inflatable Knees - "A smile, two 'bangs!' and a whimper." [rolleyes]
 

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