Competition shooting? Noob here

[freethemouse]

Hey ya'll,

I'm trying to find out more information about competition pistol shooting. I see a bunch of acronyms being thrown around--IPSC, USPSA, some others--and don't know where to even begin.

Does anybody know where I can find out some more information about what I might be able to compete in? I'm planning to use my stock CZ-75B; need to pick up a holster and magazines--is there anything else I need/should know about? Is there any classes/training/courses/etc. that I can or should take to prepare me for competition shooting? I'm in the Los Angeles area but traveling by car for an hour or two or more won't be too much of an issue.

Thanks!

[unusedusername]

You probably want a good belt too. Regular pants belt won't last long with a gun on them.

I also reccomend bringing at least 4 magazines. You don't want to have to stop because a magazine broke after hitting the ground.

Just show up on a non-busy day and have others show you the ropes.

[t0kie]

Check out your local range, they usually have classes & tactical shooting that you can participate (assume that you are a member there).

[JTROKS]

Checkout this site for it list several soCal clubs.

http://www.tasc-ipsc.com/otherIPSC.html

Norco Running Gun is about the best, but I'm afraid 4 mags may not be enough for a club match for they are known to throw a couple of high round count stages to raise your adrenalin to the max. Norco is home to a handful of big name GrandMasters that ranks high in the national level. SoCal has lots of USPSA shooting, when I was stationed there back in the 90s I was shooting club matches 3x and shooting about 1k rounds a week. Don't forget to checkout USPSA.org and checkout the rules and what's new. Your CZ is an excellent gun to start with in Production class. I highly suggest learning how to reload ammo for it will be costly shooting factory ammo, unless you buy remanufactured ammo in bulk. There are plenty of friendly folks that will be more than glad to show you a typical club match and the duties you may be assigned when you are waiting for your turn to shoot. So being accepted with a smile is all up to you. Have fun and always think safety comes first.

[railroader]

There also is steel madness at norco. It is informal and fun. Steel is great, when you hit i you know it. http://www.ssashooter.net/

[drunktank]

Here you go. There's a section dedicated to this.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=19

[HighLander51]

First, find a club that is nearest to you. Then call the match director, tell him you are interested, but new. Some clubs require safety orientations, others don't. You will need a good belt and holster, and at least 6 mags for USPSA Production, but only 3 for IDPA. If you don't have all your gear together, at least go out and watch a match. The shooters are more than willing to explain protocol and expound about their gun and gear. In the meantime, read all you can from http://www.brianenos.com/forums/
That is where us competitors hang out.

Shoot fast, have fun, don't point your gun at me!

DVC

USPSA is what we shoot in the US, IPSC is the world organization. There is also IDPA, Steel Challenge, and many local club level action matches with their own rules.

http://www.uspsa.org/locate-uspsa-clubs-results.php

http://idpa.com/clublist.asp?pick=CA

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

I would check out the Deadwood Boys Action Pistol competitions in Lake Piru, CA (about an hour drive from LA). They have one going on this weekend too: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=621266 . This is a great way to get into competition shooting. It is a very noob friendly match with very helpful people that will make your first competition one you will enjoy. It is 6 stages of shooting requiring around 40 (maybe up to 50 or 60 your first time) rounds per stage, so you get to do a lot of shooting. As for gear, make sure you have eye and hearing protection (duh), a holster for your gun, and enough magazines to carry at least 40-50 rounds with you. Magazine holsters are definitely helpful but you can always throw your mags in your back pocket if you have to. This is on a private range that is very friendly to your pre-ban standard capacity magazines as well (if you have any). Check out deadwoodboys.org for more info. Here is a video from a match I shot back in April:

[elsolo]

For a first timer, I would recommend:

SSA steel madness in Norco
Deadwood boys at Piru

There is a good chance that there will be other shooters with CZ's so you can borrow mags, sometimes the rangemasters have loaners. First few times I went, I shot a 1911 and had other shooters picking up my dropped empty mags, refill them, then hand them back to me later in the stage so I could keep hosing.

One or two matches, you will know what you need and it will all be less confusing.
You'll meet nice people, learn a lot, find out about other local matches.

[HighLander51]

Magazine holsters are definitely helpful but you can always throw your mags in your back pocket if you have to.

That's magazine pouches.....

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

That's magazine pouches.....

Sorry. Trying to type fast while I'm at work. Damn you CGN! I should be working, not posting.

[Euphoria526]

I would check out the Deadwood Boys Action Pistol competitions in Lake Piru, CA (about an hour drive from LA). They have one going on this weekend too: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=621266 . This is a great way to get into competition shooting. It is a very noob friendly match with very helpful people that will make your first competition one you will enjoy. It is 6 stages of shooting requiring around 40 (maybe up to 50 or 60 your first time) rounds per stage, so you get to do a lot of shooting. As for gear, make sure you have eye and hearing protection (duh), a holster for your gun, and enough magazines to carry at least 40-50 rounds with you. Magazine holsters are definitely helpful but you can always throw your mags in your back pocket if you have to. This is on a private range that is very friendly to your pre-ban standard capacity magazines as well (if you have any). Check out deadwoodboys.org for more info. Here is a video from a match I shot back in April:

Is that a baretta?!? Sick wit it. Lol
Yeah I'm gearing up for my first deadwood boys as well. Maybe not this weekend. But the next one.

Mazdaspeedjon- any interest in joining a posse? I'm trying to get my own to shoot these matches.

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

Is that a baretta?!? Sick wit it. Lol
Yeah I'm gearing up for my first deadwood boys as well. Maybe not this weekend. But the next one.

Mazdaspeedjon- any interest in joining a posse? I'm trying to get my own to shoot these matches.

Thanks. Yeah, that video is my Beretta 92A1. It has been retired as my competition gun in favor of my new S&W M&P9 Pro. I am out there pretty much every match (actually placed 5th overall at the last one) but I have to work on Saturday so no match for me. When I go out there I tend to shoot in whatever squad they need me on (for RO, score keeping, coaching, etc). If you want to squad up on the next match just let me know. I'd be happy to help you out and get up to speed.

[vtrigger77]

arround how much does it cost to do all this? like monthly? im interested also

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

The Deadwood Boys Action Pistol Match is $30 for non-members and $20 for members. You will need around 300 rounds per match (especially when first starting out). The Deadwood Boys membership is $85 for the year which gets you access to the pistol/shotgun bays any time there isn't a competition going on. How much it costs monthly depends on how often you go. I typically budget about $250 a month between gas, food, drinks, ammo, match fees, and a day of practice during the month. But again, I'm crazy and usually go through about 800-1000 rounds of factory 9mm a month. If you were to only do 1 match a month you might be spending $100-125. Cost would be even cheaper if you reload your own ammo.