Hey, I live in the Austin area. I would like to get into some Competitive Shooting. I like to shoot my (full size) Kimber, .308 Rifle, and 300RUM rifle. What can I get into to do this in the Austin area?
Any information is appreciated.
Thanks
Shooting comp.
Moderator: carlson1
Look up Texas Tactical:
http://www.texastactical.net/index.asp
They have IDPA matches (Pistol), and Carbine Matches (rifle). A little drive (San Antonio), but worth it.
Ryan
http://www.texastactical.net/index.asp
They have IDPA matches (Pistol), and Carbine Matches (rifle). A little drive (San Antonio), but worth it.
Ryan
-
jbirds1210
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:36 pm
- Location: Texas City, Texas
IDPA is a LOT of fun. 
I, unfortunately, can't make it this weekend. 
Have you ever shot IDPA before? If not, no problem, but just a warning to make you have the right equipment. Check out this link for more information:
http://www.texastactical.net/matches/idpa.asp
When you get there and register, just identify yourself as a new shooter, and they'll help you out and get you ready.
To see what it is like, here's a video of me from last weekend's match:
IDPA Match Video
One other warning, IDPA IS A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SPORT!!!!!!!!
Ryan
I, unfortunately, can't make it this weekend. Have you ever shot IDPA before? If not, no problem, but just a warning to make you have the right equipment. Check out this link for more information:
http://www.texastactical.net/matches/idpa.asp
When you get there and register, just identify yourself as a new shooter, and they'll help you out and get you ready.
To see what it is like, here's a video of me from last weekend's match:
IDPA Match Video
One other warning, IDPA IS A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SPORT!!!!!!!!
Ryan
jhutto, I plan to go this weekend....
If you would like, I would be happy to see that you get put on a squad with me and get you pointed in the right direction. Let me know here on this forum, if you want to do this and we can make contact and figure out where to meet. I may have another new person coming...not postitive at this point, but more is always better.
As far as equipment is concerned, you do not really need a lot to get started. Here are the basics and you can get more/better as your interest develops.
1. You need $20 for the match fee
2. You need a concealment garment. This can be a long tailed sport shirt, a long T-shirt, or some sort of vest or light jacket. Even a western dress vest will work if you have the right kind of holster which will conceal under it. Bring what you have and we can figure out if it works and correct it for the next time.
3. You need about 150 rounds of ammo. The match is usually 100+/-, but you might have to reshoot something or ???? Again, more is better.
4. You need eye protection. Regular glasses will work.
5. You need ear protection. Plugs are OK.
6. You need a hip/waist mounted type holster. No thigh rigs, no shoulder holster, no small of back holster, no cross draw holster. A standard belt mounted holster with no or only a modest cant angle. Paddles are OK if they do not have easily adjustable cant. There are some other holster requirements but if you have what was mentioned we can probably make it work for your first match. All retention devices on holster must be used...straps ,etc., if any.
7. SEMI-AUTOMATIC HANDGUN needs to be 9mm luger caliber or larger in good working order.
a. with a total of 3 magazines
b. conventional post¬hch sights---no optics, no lasers (in use),etc.
REVOLVER HANDGUN needs to be .38 Special or larger, in good working order.
a. with 3 spare moon clip & carriers for reloads
b. same type of sights
8. Attitude to BE SAFE
9. Attitude to HAVE FUN.
That is about all you need. Everything else is extra. If you have mag pouches for your magazines or carriers for your revolver reloaders, those are very handy.
There is a new shooters meeting before every match to explain the process and what is expected and to allow you to ask questions. Anytime you have questions, feel free to ask one of us who have been there for a while. This is a very friendly and accomodating group.
Sign up starts at 0900 and hammer down (shooting) is at 1000. The match should be over by 1:30 +/- and there may very well be a shotgun side match afterwards.
As far as equipment is concerned, you do not really need a lot to get started. Here are the basics and you can get more/better as your interest develops.
1. You need $20 for the match fee
2. You need a concealment garment. This can be a long tailed sport shirt, a long T-shirt, or some sort of vest or light jacket. Even a western dress vest will work if you have the right kind of holster which will conceal under it. Bring what you have and we can figure out if it works and correct it for the next time.
3. You need about 150 rounds of ammo. The match is usually 100+/-, but you might have to reshoot something or ???? Again, more is better.
4. You need eye protection. Regular glasses will work.
5. You need ear protection. Plugs are OK.
6. You need a hip/waist mounted type holster. No thigh rigs, no shoulder holster, no small of back holster, no cross draw holster. A standard belt mounted holster with no or only a modest cant angle. Paddles are OK if they do not have easily adjustable cant. There are some other holster requirements but if you have what was mentioned we can probably make it work for your first match. All retention devices on holster must be used...straps ,etc., if any.
7. SEMI-AUTOMATIC HANDGUN needs to be 9mm luger caliber or larger in good working order.
a. with a total of 3 magazines
b. conventional post¬hch sights---no optics, no lasers (in use),etc.
REVOLVER HANDGUN needs to be .38 Special or larger, in good working order.
a. with 3 spare moon clip & carriers for reloads
b. same type of sights
8. Attitude to BE SAFE
9. Attitude to HAVE FUN.
That is about all you need. Everything else is extra. If you have mag pouches for your magazines or carriers for your revolver reloaders, those are very handy.
There is a new shooters meeting before every match to explain the process and what is expected and to allow you to ask questions. Anytime you have questions, feel free to ask one of us who have been there for a while. This is a very friendly and accomodating group.
Sign up starts at 0900 and hammer down (shooting) is at 1000. The match should be over by 1:30 +/- and there may very well be a shotgun side match afterwards.
If it doesn't rain and if I don't end up in Houston, I might show up at this one.
How do we look for/identify other CHL forum members?
I'm not done fast shooting in a while (being involved with NRA smallbore silhouette these days), but I want to get back in. jhutto, IMHO I think IDPA is very hard for a beginner to start off in; IPSC is probably easier with much less rules and no concealment.
How do we look for/identify other CHL forum members?
I'm not done fast shooting in a while (being involved with NRA smallbore silhouette these days), but I want to get back in. jhutto, IMHO I think IDPA is very hard for a beginner to start off in; IPSC is probably easier with much less rules and no concealment.
It IS a matter of opinion. I found IDPA to be very natural and comfortable to start. In fact, my (then) 17 year old daughter enjoyed watching it so much she asked me to let her shoot it. I let her start out with a .22 Ruger 22/45 with the extra mags and pouch. That lasted about four matches when she started asking for "something bigger". We ended up getting her a 9mm Ruger KP95 and only a couple of years later, her older sister watched a match and ended up with a Glock 17.j1132s wrote:, IMHO I think IDPA is very hard for a beginner to start off in; IPSC is probably easier with much less rules and no concealment.
It is a blast
Perhaps all of this has to do with the fact that Mike Webb and the other folks with Texas Tactical are so welcoming and accomodating to new shooters. That is MY not so humble opinion.
I just started shooting IDPA in January. I don't find it difficult. It's challenging, but in a good way.
My primary focus on my first match was to not break any of the safety rules and to leave wiser than I arrived. You learn something new everytime.
I don't pay too much attention to my time. I focus on hitting the target. I'll probably start focusing on following the procedures better, as I had lots of procedurals called on me in the last match. (Like I said, you learn something new everytime.)
Again, I wouldn't call it difficult for a beginner. If you can handle a gun safely, you can do it.
My primary focus on my first match was to not break any of the safety rules and to leave wiser than I arrived. You learn something new everytime.
I don't pay too much attention to my time. I focus on hitting the target. I'll probably start focusing on following the procedures better, as I had lots of procedurals called on me in the last match. (Like I said, you learn something new everytime.)
Again, I wouldn't call it difficult for a beginner. If you can handle a gun safely, you can do it.
"If a man breaks in your house, he ain't there for iced tea." Mom & Dad.
The NRA & TSRA are a bargain; they're much cheaper than the cold, dead hands experience.
The NRA & TSRA are a bargain; they're much cheaper than the cold, dead hands experience.
Venus, I think I would like your Mom and Dad
With that said,
Your approach to IDPA is spot on. I did much the same. My concentration was to be as accurate as I could without a serious safety violation. I didn't worry about the time.
The old saying comes to mind, "You cannot miss fast enough to win!"
With the solid base of accuracy, it is easier to build speed and, therefore, better scores. It is much harder to begin with speed and try to work accuracy in later.
I was very fortunate to have folks around who are excellent shooters and would offer friendly suggestions on a low key basis. I found that the best shooters are very generous with their experience and knowledge. It has helped a LOT. That has been my experience.
I still have better accuracy than speed, which is still OK. My primary goal is to get better with my carry weapon. I only shoot my Glock 30 in IDPA, which is an excellent carry weapon but not a really competitive choice. I like to win if I can but it is not primary. I am very satisfied to have just made Sharpshooter SSP with it. My first classifier, I made Marksman with about 190 seconds+/-. In the last few years I have shaved 45 seconds off of that to 144. I feel if I can get another 25 seconds knocked off and make Expert, I'll be a really happy camper. I think the next 25 will be harder than the last 45 seconds.
As far as proceedurals, don't sweat it. Part of the process is to train yourself to actually think, as opposed to just react, under pressure. I still get them and folks who are better and more experienced than me do too. As you say, there is always more to learn.
Remember always, Stay Safe and Have Fun. It takes up too much time and money not to. What we do for our addictions.
Your approach to IDPA is spot on. I did much the same. My concentration was to be as accurate as I could without a serious safety violation. I didn't worry about the time.
The old saying comes to mind, "You cannot miss fast enough to win!"
With the solid base of accuracy, it is easier to build speed and, therefore, better scores. It is much harder to begin with speed and try to work accuracy in later.
I was very fortunate to have folks around who are excellent shooters and would offer friendly suggestions on a low key basis. I found that the best shooters are very generous with their experience and knowledge. It has helped a LOT. That has been my experience.
I still have better accuracy than speed, which is still OK. My primary goal is to get better with my carry weapon. I only shoot my Glock 30 in IDPA, which is an excellent carry weapon but not a really competitive choice. I like to win if I can but it is not primary. I am very satisfied to have just made Sharpshooter SSP with it. My first classifier, I made Marksman with about 190 seconds+/-. In the last few years I have shaved 45 seconds off of that to 144. I feel if I can get another 25 seconds knocked off and make Expert, I'll be a really happy camper. I think the next 25 will be harder than the last 45 seconds.
As far as proceedurals, don't sweat it. Part of the process is to train yourself to actually think, as opposed to just react, under pressure. I still get them and folks who are better and more experienced than me do too. As you say, there is always more to learn.
Remember always, Stay Safe and Have Fun. It takes up too much time and money not to. What we do for our addictions.
It was a GREAT day to shoot
jhutto, I wish you could have made it. It was wonderful, cool weather. Overcast but never enough mist to even bag up the targets.
I think I did well enough on 4 out of five stages but there was one where I messed up a reload, dropped the mag, went for it and fumbled....and it went down hill from there. I think that was the only run of the day where they had to use a calender to measure anyones time rather than a clock. But I had a great time with some nice folks. My squad had skill ranges from novice/unclassified shooters to a CDP master.
If anyone in Central Texas wants to attend some time or just talk about it, you can go the the Texas Tactical that AggieMM gave above, or we can exchange contact info and provide more particulars.
I think I did well enough on 4 out of five stages but there was one where I messed up a reload, dropped the mag, went for it and fumbled....and it went down hill from there. I think that was the only run of the day where they had to use a calender to measure anyones time rather than a clock. But I had a great time with some nice folks. My squad had skill ranges from novice/unclassified shooters to a CDP master.
If anyone in Central Texas wants to attend some time or just talk about it, you can go the the Texas Tactical that AggieMM gave above, or we can exchange contact info and provide more particulars.