“It will get you killed in the streets!” That’s the pearl of wisdom you’d likely receive about a decade ago if you dared to inquire about the peculiar pastime of competition shooting. Back then, the idea of deliberately engaging targets for fun and bragging rights was akin to painting a bullseye on your chest for the local muggers. Fast forward to the present day, and the shooting world has collectively decided to take its head out of the sand (or perhaps the holster) and realize that competition is actually… gasp… good for becoming a better shooter.
You’ll now find some of the most respected defensive firearms trainers on the planet openly advocating for the benefits of competition. Guys like Scott Jedlinski, Rob Leathem, Joe Savio, and many more can be seen slinging lead in various matches, bravely bridging the once-gaping chasm between self-protection and competitive shooting. It turns out that shooting under pressure, managing your gear efficiently, and hitting targets accurately (even when a timer is rudely yelling at you) has some real-world application. Who knew?
So, You Wanna Be a Competition Cowboy? Hold Your Horses (Literally, Maybe)
When the competitive shooting bug bites (and trust us, it’s a persistent little critter), you’ll be faced with some crucial existential questions. What tickles your fancy – pistols only, a mix of long guns, or maybe even launching clay pigeons into oblivion? What’s your budget looking like – ramen noodles for the next six months, or can you splurge on that fancy holster you’ve been eyeing? And perhaps most importantly, what competitions are within a reasonable driving distance before you succumb to existential dread on a lonely stretch of highway?
Competitions generally range from the simple elegance of a single firearm to the glorious chaos of three (or more!). Unsurprisingly, the costs tend to scale with the number of boom sticks involved. Let’s break down some popular options.
The Gateway Drugs: USPSA & IDPA (Pistol Packing Fun)
USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) and IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) are your classic handgun-focused competitions. Here, the name of the game is typically pistol proficiency. Caliber and pistol type depends on the “division” you choose, which is essentially a fancy way of saying, “How much do you want to optimize your gear?”
The beauty of these disciplines lies in their relatively low barrier to entry. Many factory pistols come with a basic KYDEX® Thermoplastics holster and magazine pouches – and guess what? That’s often all you need to get started! It’s like they want you to join the fun. When you inevitably get bitten by the upgrade bug (it’s contagious, like the flu, but more expensive), companies like AnR Design, LLC, offer tempting bundles to trick out your rig.
USPSA and IDPA are fantastic starting points because they’re relatively cheap to get into, emphasize safe gun handling, translate surprisingly well to defensive shooting skills (drawing smoothly, reloading under pressure, etc.), and force you to move and shoot – a skill often neglected at static ranges. Plus, USPSA throws in the option of Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) for those who want to dabble with a rifle-like platform without committing to a full-blown long gun match. Most targets are within a comfortable 20 yards, often much closer, making you feel like a sharpshooter even if your groupings resemble a shotgun pattern at first.
Leveling Up: 2-Gun (Pistol Meets Rifle, It’s a Beautiful Thing)
Stepping into the realm of 2-Gun is like adding a second scoop of ice cream to your cone – more fun but slightly more complex. Here, the dynamic duo of pistol and rifle takes center stage. Most competitors will be wielding a 9mm pistol and a .223 caliber rifle, accompanied by a modest entourage of 1-2 extra magazines for each.
2-Gun matches often involve a significant amount of running and gunning (literally), offering the chance to engage targets at varying distances. While pistol shots remain within that familiar 20-yard comfort zone, rifle targets can stretch out to a respectable 400+ yards, forcing you to actually think about things like bullet drop (spoiler: it’s a thing).
With the addition of a rifle comes increased match complexity. You might encounter scenarios where you need to safely reholster a loaded pistol while transitioning to your rifle or even utilize a sling – concepts that might be foreign to the uninitiated. 2-Gun is an excellent way for shooters of all levels to become more proficient with both their handgun and rifle, offering invaluable training in movement, long-range engagements, and those wonderfully awkward yet practical, unorthodox shooting positions.
The Trifecta of Fun: 3-Gun
As the name suggests, 3-Gun throws a shotgun into the mix, creating a glorious cacophony of controlled chaos. The typical loadout involves a 9mm pistol, a .223 rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Much like its 2-Gun sibling, expect plenty of movement, long-range targets, and an extra layer of complexity thanks to the pump-action (or semi-auto, if you’re fancy) beast.
The shotgun necessitates additional gear – namely, shotgun shell holders – on top of the pistol and rifle magazine accouterments. Many 3-Gun matches feature a legendary “jungle run,” a stage often dedicated solely to the shotgun, where you sprint down a trail engaging a seemingly endless barrage of clay and steel targets. Carrying 40-50 shotgun shells (or magazines) on your person suddenly becomes a core workout. 3-Gun offers the most well-rounded competition experience, encompassing the use of all commonly encountered firearm types.
Embracing the Kalashnikov: AK Platform Competitions (Da! Is Fun!)
For those with a particular fondness for the venerable AK pattern rifle, there are entire competitions dedicated to the platform. These matches typically involve rifles chambered in 7.62×39, 5.45×39, and sometimes even .223. AK competitions often incorporate unique themes and may include physical or mental challenges before or during the shooting stage – think crawling under a net or solving a simple puzzle before engaging targets.
Much like USPSA, AK matches have a low barrier to entry, requiring little more than your rifle and a way to carry an extra magazine or two. They’re a fantastic way to become more comfortable moving and shooting with your AK, as well as mastering its specific manual of arms.
Precision is Key: Precision Rifle Series (Long Range, Tiny Targets, Big Brains)
If your idea of a good time involves engaging tiny targets at distances that seem almost comical (think beyond 1,000 yards), then the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) is your playground. This discipline is all about accuracy. Competitors will engage targets at varying distances and in a multitude of challenging shooting positions.
Here, bags aren’t just for groceries; they are your lifeline. Specialized shooting bags are absolutely crucial for achieving stable shooting platforms. The rifles used in PRS are often highly specialized, typically chambered in 6mm or 6.5mm cartridges, although a variety of calibers can be found. PRS is widely regarded as the ultimate competition for honing trigger control and first-shot accuracy.
The Wonderful World of Other Competitions
The rabbit hole of competitive shooting goes far deeper. You’ll find competitions specifically for .22 long rifles, matches that incorporate physical fitness challenges, and so much more. The sheer variety ensures there’s something to pique the interest of almost any shooter. Many competitors even dabble in multiple disciplines to broaden their skill sets and prevent the dreaded competition boredom.
The Verdict: Should You Compete? (Yes, Seriously)
So, to finally answer that age-old question: Should you get into competition shooting? The answer is a resounding YES. Regardless of your current skill level, competition offers a multitude of benefits.
Firstly, it provides a tangible way to benchmark your skills against other shooters. Secondly, it allows you to track your progress over time, both within your local matches and against the wider shooting community. Thirdly, and perhaps most fundamentally, it will make you a faster and more accurate shooter. You simply can’t replicate the pressure and focus of a timed stage at a static range.
Finally, you’ll encounter some of the most supportive and knowledgeable people in the shooting industry. Fellow competitors are often more than willing to share tips, let you try their gear, and even lend you equipment if yours decides to take an unscheduled holiday during a match.
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Practiscore (the online hub for match registration), sign up for a few competitions, and embark on your journey to becoming a better shooter. You might even have some fun along the way (don’t tell anyone we said that).
P.S. If you’re thinking about just showing up to a match to watch and see if it’s something you want to try, you can do that. But honestly, don’t. I have yet to meet someone who showed up as a spectator and wasn’t immediately filled with regret for not signing up and slinging some lead themselves. You’ve been warned!
