I Live in Sonoma County - What Are My Options For USPSA?

[gorgothmog]

Just kind of bummed. Buddy and I were supposed to do open so I bought this comped Platypus that I'm selling. He bailed, though. I am still really interested in trying out other formats. Is it worth getting into? What's the fun factor? What's the closest range to Sonoma County? What are the costs?

If someone is up to take me along with them at some point after my back heals, or meeting up to talk about it, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Richmond is the closest to you, all the matches are on Practiscore which is the biggest POS website ever but it's what everyone uses. check out some of the upcoming matches, I believe @ikeo1 is involved with the one on the 30th with the "beginners" match on the Saturday https://practiscore.com/clubs/richmond_rod_gun_club

It's definitely the most fun you can have with a pistol and also the hardest thing you can do, you will realize that you basically have never actually learned how to shoot.

 

[gorgothmog]

As a beginner, what class do you think would be best to start with?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

As a beginner, what class do you think would be best to start with?

Do you mean division? As a beginner it doesn't really matter but ultimately Open is the worst just because there's major scoring in open which means that shooting 170 power factor loads is scored much more liberally and so regular 9mm is inherently at a disadvantage. That said it only matters if you are trying to move up your classifier score. You can definitely just show up and run matches with a comped gun and get experience and have fun. For the other divisions, carry optics and limited optics are essentially the same as far as scores and classifier scores so you can pick the (non comped) gun you want and just run it in either of those. If you want a 2011 or a single action hammer fired like a CZ you can do LO, striker fired or a double action CZ in CO. The USPSA divisions are kind of annoying but it's what we have. Richmond also does PCSL 2 gun and 1 gun and the divisions are much better and no major scoring so your comped playpus would be perfect for that, but they only do those every other month or so. But PCSL is my favorite by far for both the rules and also running a rifle like they are meant to be run

 

[gorgothmog]

What about production?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

What about production?

I'm prejudiced against iron sights so I'm the wrong guy to ask but it certainly exists haha. Nobody shoots it anymore and you will score significantly lower with irons, I could never tell anyone to shoot irons and feel good about intentionally handicapping them. There is at least a bit of sarcasm in that statement but I do just hate irons but if you are into it you should definitely go for it

 

[gorgothmog]

Yeah, I'm hemming and hawing about selling that Platypus. I just love it but it's just gonna sit like a safe queen, I think. There's no way I'm gonna shoot anything other than 9mm, so minor and major scoring isn't important. I've got a Glock 19C that I bought a non-ported performance barrel for in case I wanted to shoot in the production or limited division. I also polished the hell out of it with flitz, fine sand paper, and a Dremel. Trigger is actually nice now, for a stock Glock trigger. I also thought about getting an aftermarket MOS slide for it. Lots of things to think about. I have all these ideas, but I just need to execute on one of them, lol. My "friend" flaking out really derailed this whole thing that I had been planning on. Now I just gotta focus and pick up the pieces myself.

 

[Forkknifegamer67]

Just kind of bummed. Buddy and I were supposed to do open so I bought this comped Platypus that I'm selling. He bailed, though. I am still really interested in trying out other formats. Is it worth getting into? What's the fun factor? What's the closest range to Sonoma County? What are the costs?

If someone is up to take me along with them at some point after my back heals, or meeting up to talk about it, I'd appreciate it.

we do USPSA at USI in Concord too! We also run ICORE, IDPA (these two are mostly the same as USPSA unless you get into the competitive scene) and Steel Challenge, plus every Saturday morning is a practice day. We would be happy to have you anytime, you will have to either take our safety course or have a ranking higher than unranked in USPSA, ICORE, IDPA or steel. As far as I know this is a standard rule for action pistol.

As a beginner, what class do you think would be best to start with?

This is entirely dependent on what gun you use and how you set it up. If you already got a platypus use it however you want. You sound new, people at normal weekend matches don't care much about your class so don't worry about it so much if you just want to try it out. Off the top of my head a platypus being a SAO gun is valid in Limited, Limited-10, Open if you are a masochist and Carry optics with a dot.

 

[tworock]

Diablo and Richmond are about the same length drive. Diablo is less expensive to join. Ukiah is also doable, especially if you are in north SoCo, but they only run a few stages.

The first step, as mentioned above, is to take a range safety class, run a match without getting DQ’ed, and then get classified. And, obviously, have fun.

 

[chiroken007]

Yolo Sportman’s association also does monthly USPSA events.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Yeah, I'm hemming and hawing about selling that Platypus. I just love it but it's just gonna sit like a safe queen, I think. There's no way I'm gonna shoot anything other than 9mm, so minor and major scoring isn't important. I've got a Glock 19C that I bought a non-ported performance barrel for in case I wanted to shoot in the production or limited division. I also polished the hell out of it with flitz, fine sand paper, and a Dremel. Trigger is actually nice now, for a stock Glock trigger. I also thought about getting an aftermarket MOS slide for it. Lots of things to think about. I have all these ideas, but I just need to execute on one of them, lol. My "friend" flaking out really derailed this whole thing that I had been planning on. Now I just gotta focus and pick up the pieces myself.

I would just go shoot a few matches with the platypus and get some experience and figure out to do from there, ultimately you won't want to shoot a Glock 19 either most likely. Incidentally you would probably have better luck trying to trade the comped Platypus for a regular Platypus or another 2011 like a 2K11 than selling it outright. I would go that direction if I were in that position.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Diablo and Richmond are about the same length drive. Diablo is less expensive to join. Ukiah is also doable, especially if you are in north SoCo, but they only run a few stages.

The first step, as mentioned above, is to take a range safety class, run a match without getting DQ’ed, and then get classified. And, obviously, have fun.

You don't need to join to do the matches at Richmond though, you just won't get priority registration but I've never not been able to get in off the waitlist

 

[john_marsten_1873]

@gorgothmog I’m 99% certain your best bet is to start at Richmond.

There’s 3 spots left for the new competitor class on June 27th. I’d recommend registering on PractiScore and signing up for this immediately.

https://practiscore.com/richmond-new-competitor-class-june-27-2026-1/register

After registering for that there’s a few things you can do until your class that will make getting into matches easier.

Just start with whatever pistol you prefer. Your first 4 matches are understanding the flow of matches, safety and not getting DQ’d.

Once you have a classification you can go to matches and practices on most action ranges and shoot any division you prefer.

I shoot Production. At local matches you can get away with most things (magwells, freedom week mags, slide cuts…) just no comps or ports.

 

[ikeo1]

Richmond is the closest to you, all the matches are on Practiscore which is the biggest POS website ever but it's what everyone uses. check out some of the upcoming matches, I believe @ikeo1 is involved with the one on the 30th with the "beginners" match on the Saturday https://practiscore.com/clubs/richmond_rod_gun_club

It's definitely the most fun you can have with a pistol and also the hardest thing you can do, you will realize that you basically have never actually learned how to shoot.

I’m not doing that match but I’ll be there that weekend running the Mason Lane class.

Our guy at Performance Shooting Concepts will be running the match.

People who want a small discount can mention you found them on CAguns. They’re good guys and solid instructors

 

[ikeo1]

Yeah, I'm hemming and hawing about selling that Platypus. I just love it but it's just gonna sit like a safe queen, I think. There's no way I'm gonna shoot anything other than 9mm, so minor and major scoring isn't important. I've got a Glock 19C that I bought a non-ported performance barrel for in case I wanted to shoot in the production or limited division. I also polished the hell out of it with flitz, fine sand paper, and a Dremel. Trigger is actually nice now, for a stock Glock trigger. I also thought about getting an aftermarket MOS slide for it. Lots of things to think about. I have all these ideas, but I just need to execute on one of them, lol. My "friend" flaking out really derailed this whole thing that I had been planning on. Now I just gotta focus and pick up the pieces myself.

What do you have a holster for? I’d keep it simple and run what you got. Don’t go buying stuff until you get through the basics and use what you got.

 

[gorgothmog]

What do you have a holster for? I’d keep it simple and run what you got. Don’t go buying stuff until you get through the basics and use what you got.

Platypus with comp.

 

[gorgothmog]

Put myself on the waitlist.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Put myself on the waitlist.

Next you’ll want to join RRGC (has membership fee/dues). It’ll take probably 1-2 weeks to have your application approved and then you’ll have to go to an associate member orientation held twice a month.

Membership | Richmond Rod And Gun

This page covers the benefits of membership and how to become a member of the club.

www.richmondrodandgun.com

Then join the club on PractiScore as well.

https://practiscore.com/clubs/richmond_rod_gun_club

It’ll be difficult to get in matches if you don’t join, as registration is released for members, first. Matches are also discounted for members and you’ll get to participate in Saturday practices as well.

 

[Gryff]

all the matches are on Practiscore which is the biggest POS website ever but it's what everyone uses.

It's a damn sight better than what existed before it came along, and they do a terrific job for not charging either competitors or clubs for its use.

I'm prejudiced against iron sights so I'm the wrong guy to ask but it certainly exists haha. Nobody shoots it anymore and you will score significantly lower with irons, I could never tell anyone to shoot irons and feel good about intentionally handicapping them. There is at least a bit of sarcasm in that statement but I do just hate irons but if you are into it you should definitely go for it

Yeah, iron sights are hard. I can see why everyone wants to go red dot.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

Yeah, iron sights are hard. I can see why everyone wants to go red dot.

I'm prejudiced against iron sights so I'm the wrong guy to ask but it certainly exists haha. Nobody shoots it anymore and you will score significantly lower with irons, I could never tell anyone to shoot irons and feel good about intentionally handicapping them. There is at least a bit of sarcasm in that statement but I do just hate irons but if you are into it you should definitely go for it

Just finished the RRGC USPSA classifier match this past weekend.

I mostly shoot PROD, maybe 3k rounds lifetime with pistol optics ~500 in the last 6 months. This was my first match in any league running CO (no co-witness) - and I confirmed suspicion today that my zero was off (~3.5-4" at 17 yds ).

I believe this puts me in low B (~62%) for my initial CO classification, dropping the lowest 2 for the first 6. Same as I am with PROD (~65%).

All this to say not losing anything by training irons. And I've had to work on a faster draw to make up time for that additional confirmation so a net benefit.

However, I'll be running more CO now.