So I suddenly have an urge to get involved in pratical shooting.

I went all over and read tons of stuff online last night and spent an hour or so on youtube alone, just learning whatever I could. I found out where the local club and groups meat here in south east Idaho. I will try to attend/watch the next macth. I have never done any competive shooting and just plink most of the time I do shoot, I understand it would take LOTS practice and hours of trigger time, but I just wanna try it out.

Is there anyone else out there shoot IPSC style?

I have several friends who shoot IPSC. I have shot in some GSSF (Glock shooting matches) before, but competition like this did/does not really fall in line with my core shooting beliefs.

What I liked about competitive shooting is that if you take it seriously, you end up praticing quite a bit. Assuming you have had training on how to shoot properly (basic marksmanship), this can be a good thing. If you have bad habbits and no formal instruction, then this could be a bad thing. You will become more accurate, getting tighter groups, learn about reloading if you take cometition seriously and apply proper shooting technique. Most of my comp friends shooting 1000-3000 rounds a month. This is a pretty expensive habbit and they all reload their own rounds and are very sensative about their ammo. They load as little power as they can to reduce recoil etc. If you have reloading gear, you should be in good shape.

What I don't like about competition is that many tactics used go against the rules relating to defensive shooting and the tactics one uses in that setting. For example, in competition, I was laughed at for retaining a partial magazine (tactical reload) while behind cover before transitioning to the next position. The "competition" shooters drop the partial mag (speed reload) while they are running out in the open with an empty gun. This is not the best defensive technique.

The use of cover is another example where competition guys just jump out in the middle of a doorway and don't properly pie the corner. Obvisouly when racing the clock, proper defensive technique is not practical and that's my problem with comp shooting.

I tried to utilize defensive tactics (properly pieing corners, proper reloads) in these competitions and I was basically given the cold shoulder because I would not violate basic rules of tactical shooting. I ended up stopping competition shooting because of this.

Most people that shoot at my public range (very big range), don't carry a gun in public and don't concern themselves with defensive shooting. Shooting is just fun to them or they hunt. I carry a pistol for defensive purposes and focus my training efforts towards the defensive cause, to me it makes more sense. Obvisouly some people don't give a hoot about defensive tactics so my concerns are of little importance to them. You should try some comp shooting out so you can make up your own decisions based on what matters to you. You don't need a $4000 race gun to try it out.

If you ever get out to Phoenix, PM me and we can check out my local range, it's over 1600 acres.

that's because you're shooting for different reasons than the others are. And that's why I shoot competitively in my backyard. Hmmm I always seem to win, imagine that.

Your experience is basically why I don't shoot competitively. To me it's a training exercise to others it's hard core compeition. For some reason it can't be all of those things to all people.

I basically carry a gun to protect my family. That's why I practice and train. If I'm just out shooting then it's basically to log some trigger time for hunting season. To me walking away from a fight, or putting meat on the table is the ultimate competition.

Peace
Jerry

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.'

.

Thanks Jeeps and Jerry,
I did notice they arn't very tactical but "ends justify the means" kinda idea were a low time score is higher priority than "proper tactics". Even if I don't join in the fun I'd say the exposure will at the very least make me more well rounded.

ps. Don't worry jeeps, I promice I will not go and drop $4k on a new pistol, i imagine my XD would work just fine as is.

It's NOT training !

It IS how to handle and shoot your gun faster and more accurately than you ever thought possible.

Would that not be a GOOD thing in a gunfight?

.

I've been shooting IPSC for 6 years now and am a Range Officer. I like the sport a lot, and get to as many matches as I can. One thing that you have to remember; it's a game. I don't know why it's called 'practical' shooting, cuz it's not. It's a game. As long as you remember that, and shoot within that context, you'll have fun.

If you want something that's more 'real', then I would suggest you take a look at IDPA or local tactical pistol matches. These two games are completely different from IPSC. In IDPA matches, you have limited ammo, restrictions on belts and equipment, and the scenarios are much more reality based. IDPA competitors are typically restricted to actual carry rigs, and not the sporter 'ghost' type holsters that are so popular with IPSC shooters. Most courses of fire only allow you to start with a mag in the gun, and 2 more on the belt. That's it. In IPSC, I carry 5 mags, and a lot of guys have way more than that.

IDPA requires you to look around corners before you proceed, and retain dropped mags. You must shoot from cover or concealment, etc or lose points. Tactical pistol matches are usually pretty much the same idea, just without the IDPA sanctioning.

IPSC is all about running and gunning. Get through as fast as you can, with the best accuracy you can manage. Drop the mags on the run, stand up in the open with a nice relaxed isoceles stance, etc.

Whatever game you want to play, I'm sure you should be able to find it out there. Check 'em both out, and see which one you're more into.

Best of luck,

-Cam.

thanks David E,

I went to the USPSA site and did find the local group and when they meet, I just wanna give it a shoot (yes, pun intended.)

idpa is not training, either.

Production and Single Stack division in IPSC also have holster and placement restrictions.

idpa is a viable alternative, but to my mind, it forces you to shoot too slow. I'd rather take a fast "Alpha-Charlie" over a slow "Down .

in IDPA, I've been forced, more than once, to do a "tactical reload" for an EMPTY MAGAZINE.....

.

But the bottom line is, shoot SOMETHING.

You'll learn from the lesser skilled shooters (hey, he should've done this...)
and from the better skilled shooters....(dang, did you see THAT guy.

I train with mostly military and ex-military gents so the tactical reload is something that is part of the training. Suffice it to say the shooitng world is diverse enough for all sorts.