How does one start with Action Shooting

[Anthony]

I need help getting started with Action Shooting. Do I just look on the calendar events of the gun club and show up? From what i've heard, IDPA or USPSA clubs in the Bay Area are not newbie friendly.

[50BMGBOB]

I know USI/Diablo Rod and Gun has a qualifcation course you have to take in order to shoot. They offer it every couple of months. I have friends that shoot there and have thought about taking the course to join them. Check there site for times.

[Wulf]

I cant speek to the bay area clubs, but at Sac Valley, its seems pretty easy to do. Just email the club contact from the USPSA club finder web site and get the info from him on, when, where , what. Then show up and find him on match day. Usually they'll make sure you get squared away, registered, and on a squad, and make sure you make the new shooter briefing. Then just make sure the guys on your squad and the RO's know you're new and they'll take care of you.

[rkt88edmo]

I think DAP at USI in Concord is pretty friendly and very welcome to new shooters, but it does require club membership to participate, so that may be a deal killer for you coming from SJ. Definitely contact the match director for wherever you decide to attend and let them know that you are coming. That way they will be prepared and will be able to give you all the info you need.

[kmca]

I've noticed the same thing. The first time I shot at the Richmond club, they seemed a little "standoffish". It's probably my fault as I'm a little shy
I did happen to meet a nice couple (I'm sorry but I don't remember their names) that noticed I was lost and they pointed me in the right direction for the rest of the day.
The second time I shot at Richmond, I had a much better time.

I could be biased because I started my "action shooting" with the Mother Lode Pistol Club. They're a great bunch of guys who welcomed me the minute I walked onto the range. They shoot action matches on the first Sunday of the month and Steel Challenge on the second Sunday. I've come to really enjoy the company of all the members there. I sure wish it were closer

[Anthony]

The closest to me is Chabot Gun club. Hopefully someone here from that club can get me started.

[Dont Tread on Me]

Chabot is super friendly. If you know how to use a holster safely then come to the Tactical Handgun match held on every third Saturday. It is a very beginner friendlily crowd.

If you're not comfortable with a holster then they hold PPC matches that will give you trainning without having to move and shoot.

Hope to see you there. It is a blast!

[midvalleyshooter]

There is a small IDPA club here in the Central Valley with a good track record breaking in newbies. Its a bit of a drive, but I suggest you give it a try:

http://www.safetyfirstshooting.org/

Keith

[M. Sage]

Chabot is super friendly. If you know how to use a holster safely then come to the Tactical Handgun match held on every third Saturday. It is a very beginner friendlily crowd.

If you're not comfortable with a holster then they hold PPC matches that will give you trainning without having to move and shoot.

Hope to see you there. It is a blast!

+1 to all that. Chabot has a good mix of different action shooting types, and I've yet to have someone be even close to rude there.

[dwtt]

Look at the web site for TASC, the IPSC club that shoots at Chabot on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. They have a new shooter clinic that runs on the 2nd Saturday of the month, and you shoot both weekends. When they see you shoot a match without doing anything unsafe, you're in. Join the USPSA, and shoot. That's all it takes to start. The only reason people might seem unwelcoming to new shooters is because they don't know if you are safe or not. Once you shoot a match and help set up the course of fire, you'll fit right in.

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

P.S. I don't know who you heard from, but TASC is very friendly, they even let me shoot!

[LCAZES]

Anthony, both TASC and the Richmond Hotshots are friendly to new shooters. They both offer and require an orientation class for those new to USPSA which is well worth the time spent. My wife and I are regulars at both of these matches and if you would like to contact me in email I would be pleased to get you contact emails at either that will get you started ASAP. Give it a try, you won't regret it!

[rocketboy]

Chabot is super friendly. If you know how to use a holster safely then come to the Tactical Handgun match held on every third Saturday. It is a very beginner friendlily crowd.

If you're not comfortable with a holster then they hold PPC matches that will give you trainning without having to move and shoot.

Hope to see you there. It is a blast!

Yep! What he said. After a Tactical Handgun match a few of us like to stay after and practice a little more. So if you have questions on how to do things a certain way you can always stay for the after party, and get a little extra range time.

[gose]

Look at the web site for TASC, the IPSC club that shoots at Chabot on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. They have a new shooter clinic that runs on the 2nd Saturday of the month, and you shoot both weekends. When they see you shoot a match without doing anything unsafe, you're in. Join the USPSA, and shoot. That's all it takes to start. The only reason people might seem unwelcoming to new shooters is because they don't know if you are safe or not. Once you shoot a match and help set up the course of fire, you'll fit right in.

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

P.S. I don't know who you heard from, but TASC is very friendly, they even let me shoot!

The people in TASC are very nice and friendly and I'd really recommend paying them a visit. I've been shooting with them for almost a year and have nothing bad to say about them at all.
If you want to meet some of the guys you can always head up to Reed's on Mondays, since a bunch of the TASC guys are shooting/running the Monday night league there.

[Anthony]

Thanks guys. I've got a couple of IM's from people here to assist me to get going. I hope to see you all on the range. I'll give these clubs a try. So far, I've emailed TASC if I could get in to their December New Shooter qualification. IThen, there is Chabot. It's going to be a busy December if everything goes through.

[Anthony]

Anyone from San Jose going to TASC this weekend. It'll be my first time going up there and I've read that maps are not accurate. I was hoping I can convoy with somebody