Ok here is the situation, I currently shoot in Steel Challenges up at UNSC. These are fun and a great way to meet people, my wife even enjoys shooting these events. Once in a while we even do ok.

I also shoot some skeet and trap shoots. But that is about it for competitive shooting.

I would love to shoot USPSA, so how does one get started? Do you need your card first? I sent away for it. Ive been looking around as I heard you have to take a safety course. Eventually I would love to try multi gun competitions. But need to take baby steps.

So those that shoot USPSA, how did you get started? I heard Paul Bunyan does the safety courses, I need to drive up there and check it out. Never shot there before.

Anyways, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

For USPSA you do need to get a Safety Check first. TugTug and Robot are our local USPSA experts here on WaGuns and can point out the best person to contact about the Safety Check.

If you haven't checked out IDPA you should look into it. Its easier to get started because there isn't any class or safety check required before shooting a match. You just show up at a match early enough to attend the New Shooters Meeting and after that you are good to sign up and shoot the match that day.

The main differences between USPSA and IDPA are; IDPA is more defensive oriented, the Courses of Fire are based off a defensive situation, USPSA is pure competition, nothing to do with defensive handgun use. IDPA you are given a specific way to shoot the COF, if you shoot a target out of order you get a penalty. USPSA has no specified order, you have a prescribed area you have to shoot from but you can shoot the targets in any order you want to as long as you shoot from that prescribed area. IDPA you have to use "cover" to shoot from if it is available, cover can be barrels, doors, barricades, walls. USPSA there is no "cover" to shoot from. IDPA you have to wear a "cover" garment when shooting the COF, a vest, jacket, long shirt or something to cover/conceal your gun. USPSA no "cover" garments required. IDPA COF is limited to a max of 18 rounds for scoring. USPSA can be a lot more, I've shot 46 round minimum COF in USPSA. Both will have several different COF to shoot. Outdoor matches usually have more stages then indoor, up to 7 or 8 stages.

I mainly shoot IDPA but also shoot USPSA a few times during the year. Both are lots of fun, I suggest trying both. I have a bunch of IDPA videos and a few USPSA videos on my YouTube page. http://www.youtube.com/dmonwai

Thanks for the info, I would not be opposed to shooting some IDPA also. Ultimately I love to shoot competitively. Whether its pistol, shotgun, or rifle. I would like to enter in to more structured events though, instead of just just me shooting against my wife.

I shoot IDPA for the competition. I used to shoot it for the defensive handgun practice but now shoot it for competition. Any little thing I can do with in the rules to better my score I'll do. I care a lot what my score is and where I place at the end of the match. I like IDPA a little better because the scoring is a lot easier and everyone has to shoot from the same positions and shoot the COF the same way.

Jeff,

Take a look at Damon's YouTube Vid's here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/dmonwai

Then take a look at Loke's YouTube Vid's here:
http://youtube.com/gunrobot


Which one looks like the one you want to do?

Deffinately would like to shoot USPSA, the second one. IDPA looks fun also, but the faster pace and movement in USPSA intrigues me more. All said and done, shooting in competitions is fun no matter what Im shooting.

I think USPSA would be more along the path I would like to go. Eventually trying my hand at some of the multi-gun shoots.

Steel challenge is fun, I enjoy it. Just looking for something a little more dynamic.

For USPSA:
Get your safety check and in the meantime...

Watch the videos from these guys.
The Power Factor Show by Rick and Steve
http://www.powerfactorshow.com/


They will walk you step by step from equipment, rules and tibits of shooting both IDPA and USPSA. They are local guys doing a great thing for shooters.

Speed is fun :) Just remember to be safe and shoot at your own pace. Don't squad with folks shooting Limited or Open. they'll screw you up in the beginning.

Speed will come later at your own time through practice and familiarity.

oh and if we're shooting the same match, come say Hi and ask questions. We're always looking to help.

So where does one find the USPSA safety check? I heard Puyallup does it, but cant find the contact info for them on any website. I imagine there are others places, hard to find any information on when they do them though, or whats required, what to bring...ect.


Appreciate the help and the comments though!

Check with www.USPSA.com

They have a club locator. Contact a club near you and call around. They hold them from place to place... it all varies.

Do know that some clubs will want you to take their safety check for their club location, especially for new folks.

USPSA is fun! Good luck and I'll probably see you at some match.

Contact Robot or TugTug here on WaGuns and they should be able to help you find a Safety Check.

Your primary competitor is you. One cannot improve what you do not measure. It is a best practice to start keeping records, match results, practice sessions, split times, drill performance, dry-fire hours, load data, etc. Get a leg up by starting your "journal" early.
I recc you start off with svrt "action pistol" match.

Im off for some much needed vacation, fly fishing back home in Montana. Once I get back I got a number to call for my uspsa certification and hopefully see ya on the range!

When I did my safety check in Puyallup, I went the day before the match to help set up and do a safety check. I'll check to see if they'll do the same thing for this next match and at what time.

That would be great, Im hoping to shoot in the match on the 14th at Paul Bunyan.