Why do you compete?

[Vurtne]

You won’t need a chamber flag unless you’re shooting PCC. Technically, you don’t even need mag pouches if you have accessible pockets. Go to YouTube and enter “Gear needed for USPSA” into the search bar. You’ll find several videos that will help.

Once you check out a match and then take an intro to competitive shooting class (a prerequisite for most clubs that host matches), you’ll have all the information you need to get started. Pay attention to what people have and ask questions. It may seem a little daunting now, but it is very doable as long as you’re safe and eager to pitch in and help out throughout the match. Trust me, you’ll be hooked after your first stage.

All you really need to know about going to your first match.

Prioritize safety first. Understand what the 180 is. Understand all the safety rules. Your goal should be to finish the day without being disqualified. Help tape and reset the stages when you're not shooting. Ask questions if you're unsure or curious; people don't mind and rather you be vocal.

 

[john_marsten_1873]

I compete to crush my enemies, see them driven before me, and hear the lamentations of their women!

D class USPSA shooter, mid pack PRS

 

[paintballdad]

It keeps me from mowing the lawn during the weekends

 

[Brandon Breeze]

I got into it because @Renomay said I didn't need any fancy gear or skills, just show up, be safe and run what you brung.

At my intro to USPSA training class I had a higher HF on one of the stages than one of the instructors that has been shooting USPSA for years, so that was a tremendous spark.

Learning how fast you run out of your fundamentals and getting your butt absolutely kicked by Grandma's, soccer Mom's and dude's from any and all age groups has been an incredibly humbling experience. Went from the best shooter at the range to bottom of the barrel in an instant. For me, that's motivation. Seeing the younger generation go out there and kick my butt with a stock Glock 19 that has irons. Motivation.

I've been shooting since I was a kid, taken many tactical classes, trained with good friends, many of whom are ex military to include one Force Recon Marine... none of that prepared me for USPSA.

What keeps me going back is seeing the progress, and seeing the same folks at all the matches. Getting to squad with awesome people and see others progress, the atmosphere has been awesome thus far.

After only a few months I've had a best finish in the Top 15 of a match of over 100 shooters. Sounds good, but as you know once you start really looking at it, I was like 30 seconds slower with worse hits than the top shooter. Again, motivation.

I keep going because it's so much fun, great people, and it's basically like Golf, but for men

 

[john_marsten_1873]

I started out with the mindset that firearms are strictly for defense (personal, HD, SHTF) or hunting purposes, not for fun. I previously had friends who were rather irresponsible and put a bad taste in my mouth about [what I perceived as] “gun culture” and didn’t want to end up like them.

Anyhow, I finally had time to train (responsibly) as I had long planned and found a cool range and an awesome group to train with - about 1.5 years now. Found out some of the instructors compete and recommended I do so if I was serious.

I said “I’ll compete, but I’m not joining any gun gun clubs, becoming a “gun guy””. This is for defense, only.

A butt load of money and hours of training later, turns out the gun clubs and competition (continue to train formally) was the way to go all along. Regular, responsible folks from all walks of life who also have to go to work the next day and/or have families and don’t have capacity for stupid .

I’m still primarily defense oriented but the dynamics and puzzle like challenges of competition have definitely made me a better defensive shooter as well. It’s fun, with lots of great people who are super helpful.

 

[FriedChickies]

Started off with a motivation for CCW training, but turns out USPSA is crazy fun. I’m also competitive as hell (Asian) and like to be active, plus I love guns. USPSA is a combo of all three. Flying to Wyoming right this moment for a match. Area 5 and Idaho State later this month!

 

[Hgray81]

I started because I didn't want to do the same thing my parents did. Live to work and make that my identity. Being a small business owner it feels easy to fall into that trap.

So, I got a dog and got into USPSA and SC, now I find myself skipping work two mornings a week to get to the range and being out there all day Saturday. Other than a depleted back account, I love it.

 

[10RoundLimit]

I got into USPSA shooting primarily to get better at gun handling under pressure for self-defense, but I also had been competing in skeet shooting for over ten years and wanted to try something different in shooting sports.

It’s been a fun journey so far, pushing this 67-year-old body to move quickly and be accurate in shot placement. I’m still learning where and how to improve, and other very accomplished shooters have been very helpful in stage planning and movement strategy, which forces you to think, not just pull the trigger, which is refreshing after shooting many thousands of clay targets.

You can be very efficient with your practice time if you incorporate dry firing into your training regimen. I get time back in the day doing that and verify progress in live fire 1-2 days a week. Compared to many hours on the skeet field and clay targets, it is a plus. I still shoot skeet with some of my skeet buddies for fun 1x every two weeks, as now I am more focused on my USPSA journey. I am planning on shooting 2-3 matches a month for now. The other good thing is there are plenty of great facilities and matches to choose from, especially around the Bay Area.

 

[Z Arms LLC]

Gives you a standard to work towards. Whether it's getting to a certain class, maintaining a certain %, or just competing with other people in the same class. It's very fun and different than just being on a static range

 

[HSVentura]

Had a good conversation with fellow competitors that come from all walks of life and everyone had a different answer than I expected.

For myself, I started this journey because a friend asked me to try it out with them. Shortly after I acquired my CCW I wanted to become more proficient and this seemed to be the best avenue for that growth. Still doing it today because the people I've met through this hobby are some of the best around (so many friendships made) and it's relatively inexpensive as hobbies go.

What are your goals and reasons for competing?

Relatively inexpensive? I dont know that I've ever heard someone describe this hobby as inexpensive. I guess theres a first time for everything.

 

[2muchsoysauce4allthisrice]

Had a good conversation with fellow competitors that come from all walks of life and everyone had a different answer than I expected.

For myself, I started this journey because a friend asked me to try it out with them. Shortly after I acquired my CCW I wanted to become more proficient and this seemed to be the best avenue for that growth. Still doing it today because the people I've met through this hobby are some of the best around (so many friendships made) and it's relatively inexpensive as hobbies go.

What are your goals and reasons for competing?

Only have done 2 steel challenge matches. To be honest; I’m more of just a show up to practice day guy.

Really just want more practical practice? Target transitions; compared to just shooting at one target at the static range? For both home defense and ccw?

I tried the USPSA bays, twice; man I’m slow. First time, I walked. Second time I jogged, but was suggested to learn to do things on the move; such as shooting and reloading. My time was 43 seconds . I could have shaved off seconds instead of stopping to make the shots or stopping to reload?

 

[RustVendor]

I have to have some kind of purpose to shooting, I started with hunting many years ago so used to just shoot sporting clays and my hunting rifle, honestly before I did a match I thought shooting pistols was boring. If I only had the option to stand in a lane and shoot a pistol I wouldn't even bother. When you do a match you realize quickly that being accurate is very easy, shooting dynamically and on the move is where the real challenge and the fun is. If you aren't doing something that at least resembles a match you can't shoot for .

 

[Vurtne]

Relatively inexpensive? I dont know that I've ever heard someone describe this hobby as inexpensive. I guess theres a first time for everything.

Ammo, match fee, fuel to get to said match, and your time are the resources you need to participate. As with any hobby, the sky is the limit, but it is very much a low-cost barrier for existing gun owners. We're lucky in CA to have as many matches as we do, so if you're a total addict for the game, then it could get expensive real quick.

 

[Gawernator]

Yeah it’s not dirt cheap like playing $20 steam video games or something but other than the ammo costs it’s relatively not that bad. A lot of hobbies get wayyyy more expensive lol. Flying.. cars, motorcycles

 

[Gryff]

Three reasons:

1) Guns
2) It is a challenge
3) Guns

I like the contradiction between utilizing a device that relies on controlled explosions to operate, and trying to do it as fast as possible. It's also one of those things that after you've done it, it is near impossible to going back and only shooting at static ranges.

 

[Vurtne]

Three reasons:

1) Guns
2) It is a challenge
3) Guns

I like the contradiction between utilizing a device that relies on controlled explosions to operate, and trying to do it as fast as possible. It's also one of those things that after you've done it, it is near impossible to going back and only shooting at static ranges.

Yeah, no more public or indoor ranges for me after getting into action pistol. Not to mention those environments are way more sketchy than competitions.

 

[Gawernator]

Yeah, no more public or indoor ranges for me after getting into action pistol. Not to mention those environments are way more sketchy than competitions.

Private members only indoor ranges are nice

 

[adrkwan]

Yeah it’s not dirt cheap like playing $20 steam video games or something but other than the ammo costs it’s relatively not that bad. A lot of hobbies get wayyyy more expensive lol. Flying.. cars, motorcycles

Corgis...

 

[Gawernator]

Corgis...

Idk what they cost but that attack dog must be worth it in the Oakland trenches

 

[adrkwan]

Idk what they cost but that attack dog must be worth it in the Oakland trenches

She let a deer into the garage last night... slacker...