Gun Clubs?

[AC993]

Good evening everyone!

I would really like to get into competition shooting, but from what I have been able to compile, seems like there is not much going on in CA.

Does anyone know of any gun clubs in the LA area? Does anyone know of any schools out here who primarily train in competition shooting? I am really eager to join a club, and start learning competition shooting.

Where do I start?

Thank you!

[smoothy8500]

Uhhh, what kind of competition, cause you didn't say. Pistol- IDPA or USPSA? Rifle like PRS, NRA Highpower or F class? Smallbore like International/Olympic? Cause all of those are within an hour or so......You must not have been looking very hard.

[ar15barrels]

Uhhh, what kind of competition, cause you didn't say. Pistol- IDPA or USPSA? Rifle like PRS, NRA Highpower or F class? Smallbore like International/Olympic? Cause all of those are within an hour or so......You must not have been looking very hard.

He got on a freeway and drove until he passed another freeway and didn't see a new-match-shooters-wanted sign on the side of any of the freeways so there must not be much going on...

[AC993]

There are a lot of ranges, clubs, competition matches, and trainers around the LA basin. A good start would be get some professional training, then decide what kind of matches you would like to try, and after that look for a club to join.

Many clubs want prospective members to be "referred" by an existing member - you can't just join the club. So, get some training and then connect up with other shooters at ranges, matches, and monthly CRPA and NRA chapter meetings. Those connections will help guide you to various options.

There are a wide variety of clubs and matches depending on what kind(s) of shooting you would like to do:
Shotgun: Trap and Skeet, ...
Revolver: Cowboy, ...
Pistol: IDPA, USPSA, Steel Challenge, ...
Rifle: 3 Gun, Precision, Black Powder, ...

Most likely you are not ready for any matches unless you have had some professional training. Matches aren't the place to learn how to draw from a holster, reloads under the clock, proper grip & muzzle & trigger control, use of slings, clearing malfunctions, strong and weak hand firearm operations, etc.

As far as quickly finding out what is going on around LA, install Practiscore on your phone and look for upcoming matches - they are all over LA.

My strengths are handgun and rifle. I consider myself a fairly good shooter. I have taken many different defensive handgun and rifle courses, and one unanimous statement my teachers have all made is that I am really accurate.

I feel like I have plateaued, and I have realized that even though all my "tactical training" is lots of fun, and informative... for a full time Sales Manager, it is fairly useless for the most part.

Therefore, I really want to start training and competing for fun (as that is something I can actually put to use, AND simultaneously become a better shooter). I need a solid place to start. Are there any schools you guys recommend? is there any specific person I should call and speak to? That is really what I am looking for. I know I did not specifically state which class I want to compete in, but that is because I have not been able to decide. I am hoping for an expert in the field to direct me.

[ar15barrels]

My strengths are handgun and rifle. I consider myself a fairly good shooter. I have taken many different defensive handgun and rifle courses, and one unanimous statement my teachers have all made is that I am really accurate.

Then just gather up your gear and go shoot a pistol match to start.
IPSC will be easier as you don't need a cover garment and all the funny rules that IDPA has.

[AC993]

He got on a freeway and drove until he passed another freeway and didn't see a new-match-shooters-wanted sign on the side of any of the freeways so there must not be much going on...

I appreciate the high quality advice, exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for adding valuable information.

I figured us 2a people would stick together and help each other forward in the sport.

[stormvet]

It’s what your gun becomes when you run out of ammo.

[AC993]

Awesome, sounds like you are ready to start trying out some different matches. Get a Practiscore account on your computer or phone to search for upcoming matches closest to you. Try them and have fun. You will enjoy it and find areas to improve on.

An easy start is a Steel Challenge match - no motion or reloads under the clock. Typically 6 stages (a stage is a bay with targets set up). Each bay has 5 steel targets. Draw from the holster and shoot the steel targets in a certain order. Do this 5 times (best 4 times count). Repeat this for 5 more stages. Thus the match is 150 rounds if no misses. This can be done with a 22, or centerfire pistol, or PCC.

Next you can try USPSA or IDPA. Both are similar in that you will be moving between shooting positions and reloading under the clock. Typically 6-8 different stages. Will involve shooting around barriers, barrels, activated targets, paper targets, steel targets. USPSA is more of a "run and gun" shoot them any way you want, while IDPA has more rules (engage targets in tactical priority, limit lines, use of concealment garment, etc).

I recommend trying all three. An easy way to start is to shoot Steel Challenge with a 22. As you feel comfortable, then go to center fire, then try both USPSA and IDPA matches to see what you like. Nothing wrong with going and watching a match first.

If you are fast and accurate, you will do well at all three. USPSA scoring is biased a little towards speed while IDPA is biased a little towards accuracy. All three will expose any weaknesses you have, and all three can help you improve on those areas.

I typically shoot one match somewhere every week, sometimes two.

I am happy to find Practiscore, I already looked up some events. looks really awesome... I'm going to visit a few competitions and start from there. Thank you so much for the recommendations... I really appreciate the help.

[Aeneas]

[naz]

I am happy to find Practiscore, I already looked up some events. looks really awesome... I'm going to visit a few competitions and start from there. Thank you so much for the recommendations... I really appreciate the help.

[AC993]

Lmao

[AC993]

Thank you!

[rodralig]

Next you can try USPSA or IDPA. Both are similar in that you will be moving between shooting positions and reloading under the clock. Typically 6-8 different stages. Will involve shooting around barriers, barrels, activated targets, paper targets, steel targets. USPSA is more of a "run and gun" shoot them any way you want, while IDPA has more rules (engage targets in tactical priority, limit lines, use of concealment garment, etc).

I have shot with @CJ5&G23

https://youtu.be/eHHwpTPql18

(Well, I dont shoot IDPA anymore; this was one of my last matches)

https://youtu.be/MtB__Kdo-8I

Although they look similar, a few differences: