Posted: 7/8/2007 10:58:08 AM EDT
| I'm thinking about shooting my 1st IPSC match, at Bullseye in Cumming, Tuesday night. Are there any IPSC shooters here that have advice for a 1st timer? |
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1st off, try to get to the match a little early, introduce yourself to everyone there, try to help set up stages. Let them know that it is your first match. The club president will either give you a safety briefing or have someone else show you. Take your time, get your shots accurately and your speed will come later. Main thing is be safe, if you don't understand something, ask! Here are a couple other websites to take a look at: Brian Enos tons of info here Georgia IPSC lots of local clubs here USPSA the National group Last bit of advise I can share with you is, help with anything that needs help. Help setup, tear down after the match, help paste targets, reset steel, anything else. This sport is run by voluntering, no one really gets paid by doing this. The more people help out, the quicker the match goes and everyone has more fun. You don't want people saying to themselves, "There goes that new guy (or old guy) that just sits on his ass doing nothing to help but waiting to shoot and leave." Welcome to the sport, hope to see you around! There are several matches in the Atlanta area every month. What part of town are you in? I'm in Henry Co. |
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I got two pieces of advice ... * Safety - the only time you can handle your gun is in a safe area (ask where it is) or AFTER the range officer says "load and make ready". You can handle ammo anywhere, anytime. If you are using your carry piece, be sure to unload it before entering the range. No ammo in the safe area. * Speed - Go intentionally slow and watch your 180, especially during reloads. You'll see some very fast shooters there. Its taken those guys years to get to that level. Go slow and focus on safety. The guys who shoot at Bullseye are good guys and will try to make you feel welcome. |
You need more mags. I don't care how many you have you need more mags. That's what I learned at my first IPSC shoot. IPSC indoors is not as fun as the carnival courses some guys set up. Running around corners and trying to remember that you are supposed to shoot the poppers with the red cards and the cardboard with the blue cards if you drew a red card before the match... 
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| Thanks for the advice. I've talked to the guys there on Tuesdays a few times when I was hanging out with Jason and Norm. I'll be using my full size S&W M&P 9. When I bought it, I got the carry kit with Blade Tech holster, mag holder and three mags. I'll have to remember to take my time. That's what killed me when I started the Glock matches. I was too concerned with my time and not concentrating enough on my aim. |
They shoot IDPA there too twice a month.. www.gadpa.com if you want to shoot those events.. |
I didn't know you worked for me? (Or that anyone else let's their employees off to go shoot! 
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I had a blast!!! Literally! There were only 13 shooters there last night, so it wa a good night for a first timer. I kinda flopped the 1st stage though. My aim was a little off and and I had two shots into a "no hit" target. There were two targets that overlapped vertically with a 3" (approx) "no hit" zone between them. Both of my shots at the top target hit the no hit zone. I finished last in that stage. I did better in the 2nd stage and finished about 3rd from the bottom. Stage three was a standing draw and speed shoot at 4 targets and I finished 6th. I'm looking foward to going more often and improving my scores. I'll get better as I get more practive moving while shooting. Last night was also only the 3rd time that I've shot my M&P. I'l improve more as I get used to shooting it. I'll definately be back again next week.
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That's understandable. Note: South River will be having a special classifier match on the 1st Sunday of August (8-5-07). They will have 6 classifiers plus one other stage. This is a great way to get classified quick. You just need to be a member of USPSA for your scores to count. |