Getting bored shooting at the range?

[Fjold]

All you guys who regularly shoot at regular ranges are you getting bored standing there shooting one shot every 2-3 seconds at a stationary target?

How do you improve your shooting skills? How do you make it more fun and more realistic?

Think about competing in an USPSA/IDPA match.

If you worried about competing against the world class shooters that you see in all the magazines, don't be intimidated, all of the competitors are divided into classes depending upon the shooter's skill and you move up in class as your skills improve

Don't have the latest and greatest 38 Super Comp with optical sight and 30 round magazines? If you shoot a production gun with 10 round magazines you're only competing against people shooting the same type of equipment.

All the matches welcome new shooters and all they care about is that you're safe gun handler and have fun. The only equipment that you'll need is a safe holster, ear and eye protection, magazine holders and about 150 - 200 rounds of ammunition.

You can shoot run and gun as fast as you can pull the trigger and you will definately be challenged as the courses are designed to make you shoot fast and accurately. Most courses will be a mix of steel and paper targets and a lot of time there will be swingers and other moving targets to really test your skills.

Once you shoot a match, it will ruin you for any other type of range shooting.

Here in Bakersfield, the local club shoots on the first Saturday of the month starting about 8:30 AM out at 5 Dogs range. If you don't have anyone to shoot with PM me and I'll be glad to give you a ride out there and explain what's going on. I just started competing again after taking 16 years off and three other guys I know shot their first match last weekend and they're definately coming back.

In SoCal there's a club shoot just about every weekend of the month, so I hope that some of the guys who shoot at those matches will post here to tell you when and where they shoot.

Think about it guys, it can only help you be a better shooter and it's a heck of a lot of fun.

[rumble phish]

Interesting. I'll have to find a range up here in Nor Cal that does this....

[Buddhabelly]

Interesting. I'll have to find a range up here in Nor Cal that does this....

Richmond Hots Shots, Chabot...

http://www.tasc-ipsc.org/

[get2now]

Go to this site USPSA and put in your zip code in the "FIND a CLUB" box on the right side. There's plenty clubs around.
If you want to watch some good shooters click the USPSA Video link.

G

[sorensen440]

To liven things up and improve my ability's I have lately started lowering my gun then pulling up to the target and shooting as soon as I get the sights lined up with the target

Its fun and I'm getting better at fast target acquisition

[GoodEyeSniper]

I'd like to do this. Looks like my CZ isn't on the approved list on the USPSA site though

[Rudolf the Red]

Try using the Winchester/NRA Qualification courses for fun. They help you set goals and give you something to do at the range. It took me 2 months and 2000 rounds to obtain Expert on the Bullseye Pistol course. It's one-handed and quite challenging if you never do that sort of thing. Here's the link: http://www.nrahq.org/education/train...ship/index.asp

[D53]

I agree with you 100%, I am tired of paying $15 to shoot at a stagnant target and having to wait 2-3 second between rounds. I was recently luck enought to go to my first IDPA match up here in Sacramento and I had a blast. It was a spur of the moment thing, but by far one of the most enjoyable things I have done in a long time. I would follow the link above and see if there is a club in your local area. Here is a link that I posted from this last weekend at my first IDPA match:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=2602434&posted=1#post2602434

[SuperSet]

Fjold, this is a really good post and I can easily see it jump-starting future shooters into the sport.
You know what the irony is? When traveling, I check with local clubs to scope out their USPSA/IDPA/3-Gun matches and nothing compares to California as far as match quality and quantity! We have some of the strictest gun laws in the country but there's more shooting going on here than just about anywhere.

[rivviepop]

I'd like to do this. Looks like my CZ isn't on the approved list on the USPSA site though

Your CZ is fine to use; depending on the model you end up in different divisions. The most common 75B 9mm will put you in Production which is a great place to start.

[Legasat]

They have IDPA matches down here in Oceanside at Iron Sights. I have been thinking about attending one, just for the heck of it.

I'm sure I will soon.

[GoodEyeSniper]

I have the CZ75 compact .40. Didn't see it on the list

[cal3gunner]

I'd like to do this. Looks like my CZ isn't on the approved list on the USPSA site though

If its not approved for Production, which I didn't bother to look it up, you can always shoot it in Limited or Limited 10 if you don't have high cap mags.

If your gun is 9mm or larger and safe, you'll find a division you can shoot it in.

[GoodEyeSniper]

If its not approved for Production, which I didn't bother to look it up, you can always shoot it in Limited or Limited 10 if you don't have high cap mags.

If your gun is 9mm or larger and safe, you'll find a division you can shoot it in.

ooooh, I gotcha. Didn't realize it was just for the production class. Might have to head out one of these weekends and spectate.

[ThatFishGuy]

I did just this. I was definitely tiring of just hitting paper, so i participated in my first IDPA match this past weekend. man it was fun...i just want to do another one now. I actually took 3rd place in my pistol class/division (CDP uncertified). I think i'll do even better next time now that i know what to expect. For the first time it was $10 for all day fun. i pay almost that much to shoot at the local range. Everyone is friendly, dont be scared. I went by myself and still had a great time.