In our last blog, we spoke about some of the things you’ll want to start considering with you get started with competitive shooting. As a source for speed loaders, holsters, and everything else you need for competitive shooting, we’re going to cover part two of our series discussing what you need to get started in the competitive shooting realm.
Today we’re going to talk about what you’ll need to know before you head out and shoot your first match.
- Safety: This will always be number 1. Ranges that host matches will always be a “cold range” meaning that everyone’s guns will be unloaded and holstered at all times. Some ranges have different rules about when and where you can handle your pistol. It is always a safe bet to leave your unloaded, cased (or bagged) pistol in your car, and ask where the safe area is when registering for the match. Whether the range has a designated safe area or if the safe area is at your vehicle, there are a couple things you need to know: Never, ever, load a pistol in the safe area. Don’t take your pistol out of the holster for ANY reason, without the direction of a range officer.
- In action pistol type matches, you have 2 basic types: The bigger, national type shooting matches, like IDPA, USPSA, and Ruger Rimfire that have very defined rules regarding type of firearm, capacity, division, etc. Then you have some of the more localized types, with looser rules, like the Zombie Shooters Association, and Action Pistol/Outlaw matches. Lastly we have some action pistol matches with very loose rules, like the Wake Co. Action Pistol match, and others, with no divisions, or capacity restrictions.
- Before you go to a competitive match, know how to run your pistol! Know how the safety works, know how to load, and unload, and clear malfunctions. If you are not able to manipulate your pistol, while keeping it safely pointed down range, you need more practice before starting to shoot competitively.
