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What's
Practical Shooting?
There are a number of different
practical shooting sports, each with its own set of rules and method of scoring.
Some fall under national or international organizing bodies such as
USPSA (which is the U.S. arm of
IPSC), IDPA,
and ICORE. In all cases,
practical shooting requires a combination of speed and accuracy - with each
discipline placing its own emphasis on the balance between the two. In a
match, competitors shoot several courses of fire (or stages) in which
well-defined targets and barriers are set up within a specified area.
Competitors are timed and scored for each stage and these two quantities are
used to determine the relative performance of each shooter.
National and international
organizations usually have a method of classifying or rating shooters based on
their performance on specific stages (known in USPSA as
classifiers).
Classifications are used to both monitor the shooter's performance over time, as
well as to group shooters of similar skill levels together for competition
purposes - e.g. at a match, awards may be given to top shooters in each class. In addition to
classification, competitors are also grouped into divisions according to the
equipment used. The specific divisions and the equipment allowed in each
may be different for each practical shooting discipline. Basic equipment,
common to most practical shooting sports, are discussed below.
The above information is meant to
give the new shooter a quick glimpse into practical shooting. The best way
to really learn "what is practical shooting" is to watch or shoot one of the
regular matches at a local club (see links above). There you will find
many helpful, friendly shooters who are quite eager to "show you the ropes" and
guide you through your first match. Come out and join the fun!
Equipment Needed
Equipment requirements vary
depending upon the practical shooting discipline. In most cases
there is a minimum caliber requirement (e.g. 9mm, .38 special) as well as
division-specific requirements such as the type of
sights (e.g. iron vs. electronic sights), the action (e.g. single vs. double
action), the type of holster and ammunition placement, etc. In USPSA, there is
a division for just about any safe combination of equipment provided it meets
the minimum caliber requirements.
Basic equipment for most practical
shooting disciplines includes:
-
pistol or revolver of
suitable caliber
-
belt (e.g. CR Speed
two-piece velcro belt)
-
suitable holster
-
4 - 6 magazines or moon
clips
-
4 - 6 magazine pouches
or moon clip holders
-
safety glasses
-
hearing protection (ear
plugs or ear muffs)
Before purchasing even basic equipment, it
would be beneficial to seek advice from experienced shooters at a local match.
As mentioned above, there you will find many helpful, friendly shooters who are
quite eager to offer advice and answer questions regarding
equipment.
Safety
The primary concern in any
practical shooting discipline is safety. For this reason, USPSA matches
strictly adhere to a well-formulated body of rules (USPSA
Rulebook) designed to ensure the safety
of competitors and spectators, alike. For example, matches are conducted
under conditions of what is called a "cold range" - meaning competitors are not
allowed to handle their firearms or ammunition except (separately) in specified
areas, and all firearms must remain unloaded except during a course of fire
while under the supervision of a USPSA certified Range Officer (RO). Further,
the RO is charged with the task of ensuring that the competitor closely follows
all safety rules during the course of fire - if the RO observes a safety rule
violation during the course, the competitor will be stopped and may be
disqualified from completing the match.
These are but a few examples of the
safety measures encompassed by
USPSA rules.
A complete understanding/appreciation would (at a minimum) require careful
analysis of the entire USPSA rulebook. Suffice it to say for our purposes
here, that USPSA shooting is firmly based in strict attention to safety and has
enjoyed a remarkable safety record as a result.
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