First time GSSF?

[bluesmoke9]

I'm thinking about going to Las Vegas this weekend and shoot in the GSSF match there. I've never shot GSSF, only read the stages and rules. I'm retired law enforcment and have carrried a Glock for over 20 years so I'm more than familar with Glocks and a pretty good shooter.
My question is; what do I need to know about GSSF, the stages or anything else that is going to help that you usually only find out after you've done it? The "tricks" of shooting GSSF if you want to put it that way.

[Gryff]

Make sure your gun is stock (other than sights and internals polishing) so that it doesn't fall into the Open division. Be confidant with target transitions and distance changes. Learn the Courses of Fire (listed on the website) before you go. Remember that you can only shoot what is in your mag (no reloading allowed) during each string.

[TMC]

There are no "tricks" in GSSF. It rewards accuracy and consistency because you don't get to through out any of your runs. The way to do well is to shoot as fast as you can while keeping your shots in the eight inch "10" ring on the NRA target. Shots outside add time to your score and it can be brutal when it all adds up. As example, last match my raw time on one of the stages was less than 13 seconds for all 4 runs (3.25 seconds average) but I was pushing and had some shots outside the ten ring. When it all added up with the penalties the total time was 21+. If I'd have slowed down to about 5 second per run rather than 3.5 I could have easily kept my shots in the 10 ring. A 15 would have won me the match, a 21 put me 4th.

You're lucky being in Vegas this week with the Shot Show going on, I know a number of USPSA GM's who will be at the match. Find those guys and watch how they do it. The folks running the match will know them by name, ask about Taran, Brad, Chuck, Seiichi, maybe even Dave now that he no longer works for them.