Competition shooting develops handgun and shooting skills to a higher degree than NOT doing any competition shooting.

There are some misconceptions about IPSC shooting mentioned here (and elsewhere), so I'll address a couple.

There are "power factors." This means your ammo MUST meet a certain power level to be acceptable for score. If you do make the minimum power level, you are shooting strictly for fun, not score. Saying that "they load as little power as they can" is misleading. They still must make "power factor." But there is nothing to keep you from shooting +P+ loads, either. It's up to you.

A "tactical reload" is a crock, but if you want to practice it, knock yourself out. Military encounters aside, there's NEVER been a case of someone getting into a firefight, then somehow sensing a lull in the action, performing a 'tactical' reload, getting into ANOTHER firefight on the way home, running out of fresh ammo, remembering you might have one or two in your pocket (which one was it again?) being able to retrieve that mag amidst all the coins and keys then blow out all pocket lint from the mag, reload your gun, all while taking incoming fire, racking the slide and have THOSE 1-2 rds save the day.

IPSC is like a smorgasbord........take what you want, leave what you don't. If you want to slice the pie, to tac-loads, etc, as long as you otherwise comply with the course of fire (for safety reasons) then have at it. You won't win, of course, but you WOULD improve the skills that you think are essential.

I am disappointed and surprised that J33 ran into the negativity that he reports. That's never been my experience and I've been shooting IPSC since the late 80's.

There are currently SIX recognized divisions in IPSC/USPSA. Pick one! You'll be competing against similar guns and equipment, so it's pretty much an even playing field.

There are also different classifications, so again, you're not shooting against the super good guys, really, but against those in your class.

A couple major benefits from the many that exist shooting IPSC is that you learn to "perform on demand." This means your first run counts. No 'do-overs' like many of us get away with on our own. Your first try needs to be your best try.

Another is "thinking on your feet." If something doesn't go right, you have to deal with it in your head NOW, not later, even tho you have other things to process, you still have to deal with it NOW.

To find a club near you, go to www.uspsa.org and go to the "Find a Club" and plug in your zip code. several clubs will come up for you.

Defending your life is the 'ultimate competition.'

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