First USPSA match coming up...

[Fishnbeer]

I have been working my way up to shooting USPSA and my first match is this weekend. I have mostly been shooting steel challenge and 1 IDPA match. I do pretty good at steel challenge with my G19 in production class.

The IDPA match was a mess - I was unclear on the rules (there are a lot, apparantly) and had originally signed up for wrong division, then I had all kinds of procedural errors, shooting targets in wrong order, there were targets I did not engage because I kinda forgot what ones I already hit, dropping loaded mags, mag changes in the open, etc. I got it tightened up by the end of the day and had 1 clean run. It was fun and I shot it OK but a ton of penalties.

Now on to USPSA. I dont want to make the same mistake I did with IDPA and go into it blind without knowing the rules.

A couple questions -
I am shooting a stock glock, can I run larger than 10rnd for production?
the fault lines - can you step on them?
Do targets have to be hit in a certain order (like pie-ing a corner)?
Can you drop loaded mags?

Any other tips/advice?

 

[21SF 2.0]

I have been working my way up to shooting USPSA and my first match is this weekend. I have mostly been shooting steel challenge and 1 IDPA match. I do pretty good at steel challenge with my G19 in production class.

The IDPA match was a mess - I was unclear on the rules (there are a lot, apparantly) and had originally signed up for wrong division, then I had all kinds of procedural errors, shooting targets in wrong order, there were targets I did not engage because I kinda forgot what ones I already hit, dropping loaded mags, mag changes in the open, etc. I got it tightened up by the end of the day and had 1 clean run. It was fun and I shot it OK but a ton of penalties.

Now on to USPSA. I dont want to make the same mistake I did with IDPA and go into it blind without knowing the rules.

A couple questions -
I am shooting a stock glock, can I run larger than 10rnd for production?

Yes

the fault lines - can you step on them?

Yes, as long as you don’t shoot from outside of them

Do targets have to be hit in a certain order (like pie-ing a corner)?

No

Can you drop loaded mags?

Yes

Any other tips/advice?

 

[Hit Factor]

A couple questions -
I am shooting a stock glock, can I run larger than 10rnd for production?
the fault lines - can you step on them?
Do targets have to be hit in a certain order (like pie-ing a corner)?
Can you drop loaded mags?

Any other tips/advice?

1. Yes, you can load up to 15 rounds in your magazines in Production. Your first mag can have 16, as long as you chamber one of the rounds during the make ready phase, and there are only 15 rounds left at the start signal.
2. Yes, the fault lines themselves are considered in bounds, but if any part of your foot touches the ground outside of the fault line when you fire a shot you will incur a penalty. If it’s a Level 1 match, the stage rules can prohibit stepping out of the shooting area during your run even when you’re not shooting. If it happens inadvertently, stop and return to the shooting area without gaining any sort of advantage to avoid being penalized. But otherwise, you can step outside of the shooting area to get to your next shooting position if you want.
3. No, the order you choose to shoot the targets is entirely up to you. You will decide your strategy during the stage planning phase.
4. Yes.

5. People write entire books, make instructional videos, and offer classes filled with tips and advice. I would start by searching YouTube, and go from there. But no matter what, the number one rule is BE SAFE. Always wait for the RO’s commands before doing anything. And you also want to make sure that you have fun, because that’s what it’s all about. If you’re not loading mags, make sure you’re always helping the squad by taping targets, resetting steel, etc. Even if some “entitled” shooters are just standing around, don’t be one of those guys. Tell the people in your squad it’s your first match, and they will help you out. The worm is about to turn for you, my friend.

 

[Fishnbeer]

Thanks for the responses.

I am really looking forward to it. I am trying to avoid buying all the fancy competition gear and just shoot with the gear I have now. I have cheap blackhawk mag holders and a decent range holster, plus my OWB holster I use for EDC. I looked on the yootoob and there are a million videos about gear and setups, it feels like half of those videos are sponsored content that are trying to sell you more gear.

I am not going for the mindset of 'winning', I more view this as practice for CCW and shoot whats on my permit. Who knows, that may change after Sunday haha. But I will say that I have improved substantially by shooting steel challenge and I think those skills easily apply to any other shooting sport. Anyone with a CCW needs to practice and train under pressure, doing matches with a clock running adds a level of artificial stress

 

[Deleted member 16735]

definitely read the USPSA rule book but also know that you are going to forget everything when the timer starts. It just takes repetition, I've been doing USPSA matches since last December and am just now starting to feel more comfortable. One thing with USPSA is there are a lot more rounds per stage and a lot more targets, my main issue is remembering all the targets. The main thing that helped me was relaxing and not trying to be in that hyped up mode, that hyped up mode turns your brain off and you are going to forget things, miss targets and shoot like . Relax into it and you will actually go faster. One thing you can work on in dry fire before you match is drawing to your index. Having your dot be right where you point it will save you the most time of anything you can practice right now. It doesn't matter if you want to win or not, you will likely be extremely humbled, and that's exactly what makes it worthwhile and fun to me

 

[Hit Factor]

I am really looking forward to it. I am trying to avoid buying all the fancy competition gear and just shoot with the gear I have now. I have cheap blackhawk mag holders and a decent range holster, plus my OWB holster I use for EDC. I looked on the yootoob and there are a million videos about gear and setups, it feels like half of those videos are sponsored content that are trying to sell you more gear.

I am not going for the mindset of 'winning', I more view this as practice for CCW and shoot whats on my permit. Who knows, that may change after Sunday haha. But I will say that I have improved substantially by shooting steel challenge and I think those skills easily apply to any other shooting sport. Anyone with a CCW needs to practice and train under pressure, doing matches with a clock running adds a level of artificial stress

The gear you have now will be fine. You can even keep mags in your pockets if you want. Where is your match?

 

[sjb323]

Definitely DO NOT read the USPSA rule book before shooting your first USPSA match. It's overwhelming and you will end up concerning yourself with crap that doesn't even matter. For your first few matches, just focus on not breaking the 180 and memorizing the order that you will shoot the targets. Since it sounds like you had trouble with your IDPA match, I wouldn't even worry about when to reload. Just shoot until you run the gun dry and reload at slide lock.

You didn't mention what gun you will be running, but chances are that it is fine for what you are doing. Before throwing away money on gear, shoot a handful of matches, talk to dudes in your squad, and gain a little more experience. Just run what you got and get a good belt, holster, and mag pouches. The rest you'll figure out as you go. When you do start collecting match gear, don't buy junk! The last thing anyone wants to hear is, "I would have done better, but I kept getting light strikes." You should be concerned with your stage plans, not your gear failing on you.

Unless you're shooting with complete turds, the guys in your squad will know it's your first match and will help you out. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and as mentioned above make sure to tape targets.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

How do you know the rules if you don't read the rule book? It's not honestly that complicated but there's a lot of minor things that could send you home early if you don't know them

 

[sjb323]

How do you know the rules if you don't read the rule book? It's not honestly that complicated but there's a lot of minor things that could send you home early if you don't know them

OP can do what he wants. He can spend a week or two reading the 120 page rule book and still not know what the hell he's doing, OR he can have any B class shooter explain the rules that are relevant for someones first match. Every year, I have to look through the damn rule book to renew my RO certification, and every year there are still a bunch of questions that I don't know the answers to. Even for experienced shooters, it's overwhelming.

Aside from a blatant 180 violation, or having an ND, there isn't much that will get you sent home on your first match. Most of -- there are definitely exceptions -- the guys at matches are cool enough to give a firm warning to brand new competitors.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I get that you don't need to memorize the rule book before your first match, but at least read chapters 8 9 and 10 and the division appendices. I can't imagine telling a beginner to know less and not be at least somewhat familiar with the safety protocols and rules such as when and where you can handle a firearm, finger in the trigger guard, the starting procedures, how your specific gun needs to be during make ready etc. I did almost get disqualified at my first match because my gun was DA/SA and decocker and the RO didn't notice until 3 stages in that I wasn't decocking it and the RO and MD had a whole discussion on whether or not to disqualify me and it was honestly a lot more distracting than if I had just read the rule book.

 

[sjb323]

That sucks that the MD would even get involved considering it was your first match. I'm not a big "it takes a village to raise a child" kind of guy, but your squad definitely failed you that day. Knowing you were a new shooter, they should have been paying attention to your make ready and corrected you on the spot. Problem solved, no further action needs to be taken. It's too bad that the "burn 'em to learn 'em" culture is still so prevalent in USPSA. I'm actually mad thinking about it, and if you were shooting at Prado, I bet I know who your RO was that day!

Back to it, I always try to keep things as simple as possible for someone shooting their first match, but if the OP thinks it would benefit him, here's the rule book:

USPSA Rule Book

OP still hasn't mentioned what gun he's shooting, or where he's shooting at.

 

[Fishnbeer]

Shooting a stock glock 19. Range is @ USI in concord. I got an email from director they need help stage building on saturday. I am going to try and get out there for an hour or two and help build and my wife will go to archery range

 

[Gryff]

Here is my extremely strong suggestion.

Don't care about the game rules. Don't care about your score in the final results. Focus on being safe. Focus on awareness of things like muzzle direction and finger clear of the trigger guard when not shooting. Practical shooting competitions take people out of their comfort zones by integrating dynamic movement with firing a gun. What seems to be crazy obvious in terms of safety when shooting at a static line can completely leave your awareness when you starting running and gunning.

Seriously glad you are interested in the practical shooting sports, but I fear that you are already starting to think too much about performance when you should be focused on making safety not only a priority, but second nature.

This is based on not only 20 years of competitive shooting, but 15 years of teaching people how to get involved in competitive shooting.

 

[sjb323]

Here is my extremely strong suggestion.

Don't care about the game rules. Don't care about your score in the final results. Focus on being safe. Focus on awareness of things like muzzle direction and finger clear of the trigger guard when not shooting. Practical shooting competitions take people out of their comfort zones by integrating dynamic movement with firing a gun. What seems to be crazy obvious in terms of safety when shooting at a static line can completely leave your awareness when you starting running and gunning.

Seriously glad you are interested in the practical shooting sports, but I fear that you are already starting to think too much about performance when you should be focused on making safety not only a priority, but second nature.

This is based on not only 20 years of competitive shooting, but 15 years of teaching people how to get involved in competitive shooting.

That's what I'm saying... Keep it simple for now, and if you stick with it, you'll figure out what you need to focus on. This applies to rules, equipment, match performance, training, etc.

Glock 19 is good enough. Never shot Concord, hopefully they are beginner friendly. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Fishnbeer]

I did ok, had a lot of fun and didnt DQ. The first stage was pretty basic which was great to start out. Some of the stages had a lot going on and felt like a needed a trail map or I would get lost.
I wasnt trying to move too fast and was taking my time with shots. I wasnt trying to impress anybody, I just wanted to have fun and not DQ. I hit 3 no shoots but did pretty good otherwise.
I am confident the next match will go better.

Good times!

 

[Fishnbeer]

Some stages

 

[21SF 2.0]

I got f’ked out of attending this one, I’ll be at next months though

 

[vacateCA]

I got f’ked out of attending this one, I’ll be at next months though

They have public signups in Concord or invite only?

 

[21SF 2.0]

They have public signups in Concord or invite only?

Invite for first couple hours or something like that then public on practicscore

 

[vacateCA]

Invite for first couple hours or something like that then public on practicscore

I guess I will keep a closer eye out. Maybe they are booking up faster than I see it.

Thanks