What to expect?

[pops1982]

I have been invited by a friend to shoot the USPSA Combat Pistol (I guess this is the match) match at PSC this Saturday and since I’ve never even seen one I was wondering what to expect, other than for the temp to be real hot. I presume shorts are ok. How about crocs for shoes or should I wear sneakers? I will have a hat as that is a requirement for my bald head.

Thanks in advance for the help/advice and pray for me and if you are out there on Saturday and catch me shooting you can have a good laugh.

Thanks again.
pops1982

[Texas Dan Mosby]

Most matches start with a safety brief and breaking the shooters down into squads, and assigning the start order. A typical squad size is anywhere from 8-15 shooters, depending on how many show up that day. Each squad starts at a different stage and it usually takes aroun 15-20 minutes or so to get the squad through, though it can take longer.

USPSA matches usually consist of anywhere from 3 to 6 stages, of which, most will hover around a 30ish round course of fire, though some are much fewer, for example a classifier stage.

Target ranges can be anywhere from 3 to 30 meters, however, the typical ranges hover around 7 to about 15 m. Your course of fire may consist of all paper, all steel, or a combination of both. Barriers are common and may be used as firing positions, or to screen targets to make shots more challenging. Prior to each stage you will get the opportunity to read the stage description, which identifies how the stage is to be shot, and do a walk through before the squad starts to shoot that particular stage.

Most of the folks I have encountered have been very nice people and willing to help new shooters, so you should have a good time. Be safe and have fun.

Equipment:
Pistol with USPSA approved holster (check the web site)
Mag pouches X 5 (preferred number, bring what you have)
Mags x 7 (preferred, again, bring what you have)
Eye pro
Ear pro
Sun screen
Water
Snacks
Cleaning kit
Ammo x 200 rounds
Foot gear (you need to be able to run / move as fast as possible, so bring running shoes or hiking shoes etc..."

[CompVest]

Quite a few shooters shoot in shorts but no one shoots in open toed shoes. If your Crocs are fully enclosed to keep hot brass and fire ants off you you are good to go.

[pops1982]

Most matches start with a safety brief and breaking the shooters down into squads, and assigning the start order. A typical squad size is anywhere from 8-15 shooters, depending on how many show up that day. Each squad starts at a different stage and it usually takes aroun 15-20 minutes or so to get the squad through, though it can take longer.

USPSA matches usually consist of anywhere from 3 to 6 stages, of which, most will hover around a 30ish round course of fire, though some are much fewer, for example a classifier stage.

Target ranges can be anywhere from 3 to 30 meters, however, the typical ranges hover around 7 to about 15 m. Your course of fire may consist of all paper, all steel, or a combination of both. Barriers are common and may be used as firing positions, or to screen targets to make shots more challenging. Prior to each stage you will get the opportunity to read the stage description, which identifies how the stage is to be shot, and do a walk through before the squad starts to shoot that particular stage.

Most of the folks I have encountered have been very nice people and willing to help new shooters, so you should have a good time. Be safe and have fun.

Equipment:
Pistol with USPSA approved holster (check the web site)
Mag pouches X 5 (preferred number, bring what you have)
Mags x 7 (preferred, again, bring what you have)
Eye pro
Ear pro
Sun screen
Water
Snacks
Cleaning kit
Ammo x 200 rounds
Foot gear (you need to be able to run / move as fast as possible, so bring running shoes or hiking shoes etc..."

Thanks, really helpful. I also watched a you tube video of a match so I have some idea of what it’s like. The friend is providing the gear for me on this one and if I'm unfortunate enough to enjoy the match I guess I will be buying the gear for myself. Easy come, easy go - right?

[pops1982]

Quite a few shooters shoot in shorts but no one shoots in open toed shoes. If your Crocs are fully enclosed to keep hot brass and fire ants off you you are good to go.

Thanks, Crocs are out. No hot brass/ants for me.

[Teamless]

I think Texas Dan and Compvest have appropriately got you covered on what to bring.

I have only shot 1 IDPA match so far, and it was at PSC as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I was not expecting the adrenaline rush that I got from competing.

Remember it is a timed event, but it is also scored on hitting the target and completing each stage, so don't do what I did and shoot too quickly and miss my targets. A bit slower, I may have scored a ton better (I was awful, to say the least!), but I will do it again, as soon as it cools down a bit.

Oh, also bring a holster (I don't think it was mentioned below), if you wear IWB, be sure it is a Kydex holster, so you can reholster without having to fight it, even OWB, a Kydex or paddle holster, or other firm opening holster is preferable.

And to reiterate what Dan said, bring lots of magazines (not the reading kind either!), as in a few of the squads that I shot in, you either needed 4 magazines or had to reload to maximum IDPA capacity of 11 rounds (or less if you are using a weapon with a lower round count).
If you do not have enough mag's, take your time, don't get flustered reloading, it will slow you down even more.

Oh, be sure to listen to the range master of your squad. You (I at the time) got so into what I was doing, he was giving me corrections (like -"keep moving" or "use cover") and I was so focused on the target, I never heard him.

Enjoy!

[pops1982]

I think Texas Dan and Compvest have appropriately got you covered on what to bring.

I have only shot 1 IDPA match so far, and it was at PSC as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I was not expecting the adrenaline rush that I got from competing.

Remember it is a timed event, but it is also scored on hitting the target and completing each stage, so don't do what I did and shoot too quickly and miss my targets. A bit slower, I may have scored a ton better (I was awful, to say the least!), but I will do it again, as soon as it cools down a bit.

Oh, also bring a holster (I don't think it was mentioned below), if you wear IWB, be sure it is a Kydex holster, so you can reholster without having to fight it, even OWB, a Kydex or paddle holster, or other firm opening holster is preferable.

And to reiterate what Dan said, bring lots of magazines (not the reading kind either!), as in a few of the squads that I shot in, you either needed 4 magazines or had to reload to maximum IDPA capacity of 11 rounds (or less if you are using a weapon with a lower round count).
If you do not have enough mag's, take your time, don't get flustered reloading, it will slow you down even more.

Oh, be sure to listen to the range master of your squad. You (I at the time) got so into what I was doing, he was giving me corrections (like -"keep moving" or "use cover") and I was so focused on the target, I never heard him.

Enjoy!

Good to know you survived your first time and I know I will to but I'm already getting nervous.
I've never shot like this and that’s why I'm doing it because It cant help but make you better at just handling your weapon in a more proficient and safe manner. The competitive aspect is secondary at this point especially since I will probably not do so well.

Big thanks for the heads up on listening to the range master.

[Teamless]

cant help but make you better at just handling your weapon in a more proficient and safe manner

The exact reasons I wanted to shoot IDPA and why I will continue (when it cools off a bit)

[CompVest]

pops1982, I thought you were going to shoot a USPSA not an IDPA match? They are two totally different competitions. If you have someone bringing gear for you, you should be alright.

[pops1982]

pops1982, I thought you were going to shoot a USPSA not an IDPA match? They are two totally different competitions. If you have someone bringing gear for you, you should be alright.

I think it is USPSA. Its the only pistol match at PSC on saturday. I will talk to the friend today or tomorrow and get the details

[OldCannon]

Can't overemphasize: WATER.

Even on non-hot days, getting dehydrated will sneak up on you and you WILL face-plant during the most embarassing times. I say this, sadly, from experience.

You should be putting down about 32 oz/hr on hot days and no less than 16/hr on cool days.

Don't underestimate the needs for carbs/protein as well -- I recommend something like Clif protein bars, since your hands won't have to touch the food (but clean them anyway).

Be safe and HAVE FUN!

[sskimber]

the only pistol match this Saturday at PSC is USPSA (IPSC), don't worry about cover or concealment you will not need it or it is not used. you only have to do 3 things.
1) Be Safe!!
2) Be Safe!!
3) have fun

listen to your SO and everything will go well.

if you don't mind who is your friend? (PM if you don't want it public)

and see you there!

Kevin

[pops1982]

the only pistol match this Saturday at PSC is USPSA (IPSC), don't worry about cover or concealment you will not need it or it is not used. you only have to do 3 things.
1) Be Safe!!
2) Be Safe!!
3) have fun

listen to your SO and everything will go well.

if you don't mind who is your friend? (PM if you don't want it public)

and see you there!

Kevin

His name is Robin W. You know him?

[pops1982]

Can't overemphasize: WATER.

Even on non-hot days, getting dehydrated will sneak up on you and you WILL face-plant during the most embarassing times. I say this, sadly, from experience.

You should be putting down about 32 oz/hr on hot days and no less than 16/hr on cool days.

Don't underestimate the needs for carbs/protein as well -- I recommend something like Clif protein bars, since your hands won't have to touch the food (but clean them anyway).

Be safe and HAVE FUN!

I'm with you on the water, lots of it. It's been really hot.

[sskimber]

the only pistol match this Saturday at PSC is USPSA (IPSC), don't worry about cover or concealment you will not need it or it is not used. you only have to do 3 things.
1) Be Safe!!
2) Be Safe!!
3) have fun

listen to your SO and everything will go well.

if you don't mind who is your friend? (PM if you don't want it public)

and see you there!

Kevin

His name is Robin W. You know him?

I do know a Robin, that shoot USPSA at PSC so it so probably the same guy.
don't worry he will take care of you. you will have fun.

Kevin