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I'd like to give competitive shooting a try, but i've never been to a match or know anyone who does this already. Can someone give me the low down on who, what, when, where, how of getting started?

It's not a stupid question, but the answer is 10,000 words long. There's everything from bench rest rifle to sporting clays.

Do you mean bullseye target pistol shooting or tactical games?

- Jim

Semi auto pistol, tactical and such...(though CAS sounds fun, I don't have the equipment for it currently).

Thanks!

Where do you live?

IDPA is popular with many of the folks here, but there are surely other gun games.

The International Defensive Pistol Association promotes defensive pistol shooting as a sport, using equipment including full-charge service ammunition to solve simulated "real world" self-defense scenarios. Shooters competing in defensive pistol events are required to use practical handguns and holsters that are deemed suitable for self-defense use.

I'm in Austin. Yeah, IDPA sounds like what i'd at least like to start with, see if i like it and all.

Pistol, check.
Holster, easy enough (CHL hasn't come through yet, so I've been putting it off).
Ammo, check.

:)

Anyway, some pointers on how to get started and things to avoid would be great!

Mike Webb is a great contact person. He runs the matches for Texas Tactical. They are a great group of folks. There are many from that group on this forum that would likely meet you there and introduce you to the sport.

http://www.texastactical.net/

I would arrange to go out and watch one of their matches before you spend a dime on equipment. You will end up shooting...I just about guarantee it. Take what you have and some ammunition (about 150 rounds should be plenty but ask before you go).

Make safety your biggest priority and welcome yourself to a new addiction

angrybeavis wrote: some pointers on how to get started and things to avoid would be great!

Don't sit on the fence....go out and have a good time. I wish that I had starting shooting IDPA much sooner than I did. I goofed around and talked about if for a year before getting out and actually doing it!

I will PM you my contact information.

You need magazines, the more the merrier.

I don't want to sound like I'm saying "Ask your mother," but there is a lot of information about this on the Internet and it's written better than I could write it.

Here are a couple of places to get started:
http://www.idpa.com/dps_info.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internatio ... ssociation

- Jim

Here's another place to browse a bit: http://p075.ezboard.com/bidpaforum

Mike Webb--that jbirds mentioned--is the IDPA Area Coordinator for Texas. One of the best guys you could see about the association.

If can you make it to Pearland on September 29 for the Texas CHL Forum Day at PSC, you'll get a chance to meet and chat with with a lot of different folks who shoot IDPA and USPSA.

Hi, angrybeavis,

I wish I had noticed your thread earlier. Look in the "Competitive Shooting" forum for the thread "Austin gettogether" here:

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... php?t=8755

We just had the match today with Texas Tactical. jbirds1210 is absolutely correct about Mike Webb who runs Texas Tactical. He has a Safe, Fun, and friendly group. As you can see at the end of the thread mentioned above, fenster and srothstein made it out to the mathch. PM fenster and ask him privately what he thought.

IDPA is a very inexpensive sport/game to get started in if you already have the pistol. All you NEED for other equipment is:
1. a belt holster (not crossdraw or small of back)
2. a total of three magazines if you have a pistol or three speed loaders if you have a revolver.
3. ammo ( bring 150 rounds just to be sure)
4. eye protection (plugs, muffs, or noise cancelling muffs.)
5. ear protection.
6. concealment garmet (here you don't have to buy anything special. A long untucked T-shirt or Hawaiian type shirt, or a vest is all you need. Just something to conceal your handgun and spare ammo. This requirement is ofter waived in Texas summers)

Nice to have but not required would include:
1. mag pouches or speed loader carriers so you don't have to stick everything in you pockets...although you can.
2. a couple of extra mags but you can get buy just fine with the 3 mentioned above
3. Range bag..I used a $9 Rubbermaid tool bag from the hardware department at WalMart.
4. Sunscreen
5. hat or cap

This will get you started and the rest of the "stuff" you want to acquire will be up to you and your preferences.

Check in here and I will try to post info on these matches. You can also log on the the Texas Tactical website [abbreviated profanity deleted] rthe schedule. It might not be a bad idea to subscribe to their user group and get announcement emails about upcoming events. I have been a in the group for 5 years and have NEVER gotten any spam or other unwanted stuff. Just announcements and results notifications. You can UNsubscribe at any time.

You are welcome to join me at a match so you won't be on your own. Let me know if I can help.

They have Carbine matches on the 1st Saturday of each month and IDPA mathces on the 3rd Saturday and 4th Sunday of each month. Some times they have a 3-gun too. Often the IDPA matches are followed by a Shotgun side match at no extra charge. If you have a shotgun you want to improve on that is fun too.

Match fee is $20 and includes range fee.

CWOOD wrote:3. Range bag..I used a $9 Rubbermaid tool bag from the hardware department at WalMart.

I got ours at Goodwill for more like $2. Second-hand stores always seem to have a lot of bags.

- Jim