Who does any kind of competition shooting?

[Nitrofreak]

I joined a club here a couple of years back that does IDPA as well as USPSA style meets, I did not want to be in competition as a whole, I was simply looking for the experience with an emphasis on safety since I was new to the whole idea.

 

I find that I like the whole atmosphere of the challenges, I like the idea of being timed for the reason of giving yourself some idea of drills you can utilize to aid with improvements in speed, distance and accuracy.

[papajoe222]

I did GSSF (Glock) matches  for a few years, not so much for the competition. It was a learning experience. Glock techs were onsite, and I observed some common problems that were easily fixed.  I tried BR competition at my local range, but I'd rather invest my money in more firearms, rather than expensive equipment that all but takes the human element out of shooting competition.

[Goldstar225]

I shot IPSC back in the late 80's-early 90's.  Never was a threat to Rob Leatham?. I used my duty gear and weapon.  The benefit I received was that I learned more about efficiently using my tools under the pressure of competition.  I can honestly say that I learned more defensive shooting skills in six months of IPSC that I did in the prior 15 years of military and law enforcement.  Great comradery too, fellow shooters would give each other tips to improve or lend equipment out to a competitor.  In what other sport do you see that? 

[optimator]

USPSA, 3 gun, Steel Challenge, Trap & Sporting Clays. I've begun to dabble in Skeet as well. 

[Randy Price]

I used to really enjoy shooting Trap in the late 90's.  Shot on a couple of different leagues and had fun but like many things in life the group of guys I shot with started to fall and drift apart for different reasons and then the cost of the birds and the shells were beginning to become an issue so I haven't shot my BT-99 for several years.  Kinda blows.

[CFDoc]

I used to shoot a ton of registered NSCA clays. Ive dropped off considerably with the birth of my first child and I moved to a part of the country with less NSCA participation overall.

[Spankey]

Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, 5-Stand, WildCat. We shoot all the disciplines. Club League shoots. 

[schplurg]

Me and my stepbrother had a BB gun fight when we were kids. Nothing hones your skills like a target that shoots back!

[Glenn]

My father shoots competition sporting clays, and is one of the top in the nation in his age class.  He uses a customized Benelli, which happens to fit me perfectly.

 

He introduced me to sporting clays, and I did quite well (for a beginner).  I can see how easily I could get into it, but I pulled back on the reigns because I already don't have enough time to go fishing.  LOL!

 

[CountryboyinDC]

On 12/15/2020 at 9:24 PM, papajoe222 said:

I did GSSF (Glock) matches  for a few years, not so much for the competition. It was a learning experience. Glock techs were onsite, and I observed some common problems that were easily fixed.  I tried BR competition at my local range, but I'd rather invest my money in more firearms, rather than expensive equipment that all but takes the human element out of shooting competition.

I don't shoot much period anymore, funny how little time you end up with.  When I met my wife, one of the topics that got us chatting was that she shot on her collegiate 3 position smallbore team.  I shot benchrest, I like @Goldstar225, wasn't going to keep a Tony Boyer up nights worrying about how good I was getting.  

What got me into the sport was that it was accessible.  Nobody has a shirt looking like they're racing motocross (or I guess you could say bass fishing) emblazoned with sponsors' logos.  And the cost, even when cartridge components were much lower than now, was far less than when I dabbled in shooting bowling pins.  I got a local gunsmith and benchrest competitor to blueprint an action I got reasonably priced and bought a couple of Doublglas barrels chambered in 6 mm PPC.  I used a simple RCBS press.  I offset my cost by loading custom hunting ammo for people (this was when you could find so much as a Partition in factory loads).  Before I drag this out further, I didn't spend a great deal of money to participate (I won't say I competed, because you won't find my walls lined with benchrest trophies).

I think that we're too often quick to feel that a competitive event is won simply as a function of money when we don't try it.  Just as golf cannot be won by buying clubs (or lessons, or quitting your job to practice all the time), IPSC events can't be won by customizing pistols, and bass can't be caught by buying $1,000 combos, benchrest events cannot be won by throwing money at them.  You have to put in the time, learn to cope the wind, control your breathing, etc.  It's different mechanically from other disciplines.  Lord knows I struggled with the transition to CQB shooting once I made it to my Ranger Battalion, whereas guys who'd started shooting in their military careers seemed to have less trouble learning.  But it still takes skill.  Otherwise you could just take 50 grand, buy everything in the Sinclair catalog, and go start winning events and setting records a couple of months later.

[GTN-NY]

I do a winter 5 Stand league. We are indoors shooting out windows that are little roll up garage doors. You stay warm unless the wind is cranking. Last night was nice

[Shifty06]

PRS now, Use to shoot Trap (ATA) an was very accomplished years ago. Don't really shoot much PRS right now Powder, & Primers are way too hard to find an when you do its $$$$.  

[928JLH]

USPSA and a few 3 gun matches. Highly recommend you try out a few matches. The seasoned shooters are usually super helpful with tips especially for new members. Start dry firing now, cleaning up the draw, pressing out, and mag changes now ?

[GreenPig]

I used to shoot the Hard Rock match in Opelika Alabama monthly. It was 5 shots at 600, 800, 900, & 1000 yards. Grew tired of the drive, time spent reloading, and practicing a full off day(weekly), combine that with working 60 - 90 hours I didn't have enough time to fish. I have a 300 yard range in my cow pasture to get my fix on my time in between fishing trips.

[Dye99]

Did 3 gun for years as well as long range rifle but these days I just do more combat/duty courses competing for time within my agency and state.

[desmobob]

Years ago, I shot NRA four-position indoor small bore in a very competitive tri-county league  (the team I shot on was undefeated for several seasons!), and enjoyed USPSA action pistol matches.  I still do some casual skeet shooting and have shot in one trap tournament and in one three-gun match.   If there was a sporting clays course nearby, I'd shoot that once in a while.  The closest one is further than I prefer to drive regularly.  Great fun!

 

 

[BayouSlide]

 

Longtime USPSA Chief Range Officer and NRA range officer, shot USPSA, IDPA, GSSF, 3-gun, tactical carbine, 600-yard rifle. Concentrated on sporting clays for a few years and won a couple of state class championships and made the NSCA regional team one year (but with lessons, shells and entry fees, sporting clays is an expensive proposition long-term).

 

The photo above was from a state IDPA match where I shot Pistol Caliber Carbine with this AR-9 I built (Yup, the stage was shot while sitting in a  boat, complete with tackle box).

 

With hunting dogs and bass fishing, competitive shooting has taken the back seat for the last few years, but I'm starting to get the itch to take part again, though on a more limited basis.

[Nitrofreak]

Awesome stuff gang!!

 

I haven’t been to any match’s for a while, pretty much been shut down with all the changes here in Virginia but I’m itching to get back after it again hopefully sooner than later.

 

I pretty much just do this to gain experience with my carry firearm, before the shutdown I had built enough trust with my group that we started doing some concealed carry work incorporated into our course of fire.

 

It is defiantly great to see all the different types of field of fire everyone enjoys as well as seeing some beautiful firearms, I can not say thank you enough for all the responses !!

 

 

[Tatsu Dave]

On 1/27/2021 at 12:18 AM, schplurg said:

Me and my stepbrother had a BB gun fight when we were kids. Nothing hones your skills like a target that shoots back!

Wow does it raise a welt!!! Only took part in one and thought better of such things. 

 

Shot local benchrest matches and was surprised at how well I did. Does go thru barrels however. 

[gim]

On 10/26/2021 at 8:58 AM, Tatsu Dave said:

Only took part in one and thought better of such things.

You ever played paintball?

 

Welt city after you get shot.  And its worse when the paintball doesn't explode.  I had a paintball event for part of my bachelor party years ago and when we were all done they made me "run the gauntlet" so everyone could use up all their remaining ammo.  When I got home, I counted 37 welts from my neck down to my ankles.

[Tatsu Dave]

13 hours ago, gimruis said:

You ever played paintball?

No and have no intentions of ever doing, although it would probably be fun except for the welts.

[gim]

3 hours ago, Tatsu Dave said:

No and have no intentions of ever doing, although it would probably be fun except for the welts.

Even with all those welts, it was a fantastic time.  15 of my friends and I played various courses for 5 hours one spring day, then went out for pizza and beer afterwards.  We all walked into the pizza parlor with paint in our hair lol