USPSA

USPSA

An Introduction to USPSA Shooting

brought to you by the

Pinetucky USPSA Members

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Agenda

1:00 IntroductionsWhat’s it like?Types of competitionsSafety ProceduresBasic USPSA InformationEquipment DivisionsMatch OrganizationStaff, Stages, and ScoringRange Commands

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Agenda (continued)

Basic gun handlingThe “game”Advanced techniquesFirst match expectationsCostsKeys to Remember

3:00 Range session5:00 Wrap-Up, Pack-up, Q & A

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Introductions

Mike, Mark, Nick, Thomas, Jordan, Jed, & Dewey

Pinetucky Valkyrie Training Steve’s Gun Service

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What’s it like?

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Types of competitions here

USPSA Steel Challenge NSSF Rimfire challenge IDPA 3-gun ICORE PPC

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More competitions

Trap Skeet Sporting clays Air rifle

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Safety Rules

COLD Range – All guns are to remain unloaded and in the holster until brought to the line by an RO and instructed to Make Ready

SAFE Areas – handgun handling may ONLY OCCUR IN A SAFE AREA, or on the FIRING LINE (at the direction of the Range Officer). There is NO HANDLING OF AMMUNITION in the safe area.

Violation of any Safety Rule results in a Match Disqualification

180 Rule – Do not allow the muzzle to point past 90 degrees to your right, left, up, or down.

Finger - Your finger must remain clearly outside of the trigger guard unless you are actively engaging targets

Sweeping – At no time should you allow the muzzle to point at any part of your body.

Dropping a weapon

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What is USPSA?– 79 regions (countries) within the International Practical Shooter Confederation (IPSC)– USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) is the US region within IPSC

Who Competes in USPSA?– Over 20,000 active members in the US– In the CSRA we have accountants, attorneys, bankers, business managers, contractors,

doctors, financial planners, law enforcement officers, plumbers, realtors, technology professionals...

When do matches occur?– Usually every weekend across the globe– In almost any type of weather

Where are matches conducted?– Primarily outdoor shooting ranges– In our area: Pinetucky, Columbia, Spartanburg, Conyers, Summerville.

How do I begin?– Find a club, get to a match, plan for a day of shooting like never before!– Wealth of information at www.USPSA.org, and www.BrianEnos.com/forums – http://csrapistol.com– CSRADPL email list

Basic USPSA Information

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Equipment Divisions REVOLVER

6 or 8 round capacity limit No barrel ports or muzzle

compensators No optical/electronic

sights No holster restrictions (all

holsters must cover trigger)

.45 ACP most popular round

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Equipment Divisions PRODUCTION Double-action pistols Decocked Belt holster and

magazine pouches behind hip

10 rd magazine capacity No optical/electronic

sights No external

modifications All scored as minor

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Equipment Divisions SINGLE STACK 1911-style pistols only Single stack magazines Belt holster and

magazines pouches behind hip

8 rds Major, 10 rds Minor No optical/electronic

sights 40 S&W, 45 ACP most

popular rounds

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Equipment DivisionsLIMITED & LIMITED-10 Single or double-action

pistols Double stack magazines Magwells & extensions 140mm magazines (10-rd

per magazines for Limited-10)

No optical/electronic sights

No ports or compensators No holster/belt restrictions .40 S&W most popular

round

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Equipment DivisionsOPEN Single or double-action

pistols Double stack magazines Magwells & extensions 170mm magazines Optical/electronic sights Ports and muzzle

compensators No holster/belt restrictions .38 Super / 9mm major most

popular rounds

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Match Organization

Matches consist of several courses of fire (stages)

Each stage contains targets (paper and metal), vision barriers, props, and a written briefing that generally describes what to do

Each stage requires 6 to 32 rounds Each competitor takes a turn at executing the

stage Each competitor is timed and scored for each

stage– Time starts at the audible signal, and stops at last

shot fired– All stage scores are tabulated by computer– Placement is determined by total match points

scored Each competitor competes only against

others using similar equipment (Divisions)

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Staff, Stages, and Scoring

Staff – MD (Match Director)– RO (Range Officer) – Setup/Teardown Crew (those whom we cannot live

without) Stages

– Diagram (rough picture of stage targets/props/barriers)– Written Stage Briefing (what you’re to do)

Scoring– Points divided by Time– Major scoring values (A=5 pts, B/C=4 pts, D=2 pts)– Minor scoring values (A=5 pts, B/C=3 pts, D=1 pts)– Generally count the best 2 scoring hits per target

AC

D

A

CD

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Additional InfoUSPSA Competitor Classifications

USPSA maintains a catalog of standard Classifier courses

Your score on a Classifier is compared with an average of the top scores for that Classifier

Your Classification Designation reflects how your performance compares with the top shooters across the country

Classification Designations

Grand Master 95% - 100.00%

Master 85% - 94.99%

A 75% - 84.99%

B 60% - 74.99%

C 40% - 59.99%

D < 40.00%Classifier

NameDivision

Your Score at Match

(pts per sec)

Avg High Score in

Database (pts per sec)

Your National Classification Percentage

Your National

Classification

Designation

El Presiden

teLimited

50 points / 5

seconds=10

60 points / 5 seconds=12

10/12=83.33% A class

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Range Commands

Make Ready Are You Ready Standby “Beep” (the audible start signal) Muzzle, Finger, Stop If You Are Finished, Unload, and Show

Clear If Clear, Hammer Down, Holster Range Is Clear Everyone resets stage

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Basic gun handling skills

Draw Grip Loading Reloading Muzzle awareness Finger awareness Holstering

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The “Game”

Hit factor Makeup shots Freestyle versus Standards Comstock, Virginia Count, Fixed

Time Timing reloads Stage planning Walk throughs Tenths and hundredths of a

second

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Advanced techniques

Uprange starts Gaming starts How fast should I shoot?

– Calling shots Transitions Getting into and out of positions Opening ports and doors

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More advanced techniques

Shooting through ports & around walls

Moving while not shooting Shooting on the move Reloading on the move Carrying props

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Additional InfoFirst Match Expectations

Arrive at the range as early as you can Introduce yourself to the Match Director – ask how you

can help (you will have IMMEDIATELY made a new friend!)

Ask for a coach/mentor for the day Tell your squad RO that you are new to USPSA

shooting Make yourself useful during the match – tape, reset,

shag ASK QUESTIONS! Safe area Equipment to bring

– Eye, ear protection– Pistol (.38, 9mm, .40, .45)– Sturdy Gun Belt, and Belt Holster– THREE or more magazine pouches, FOUR or more

magazines– 200 rounds of ammo (you will likely need only 100-150)– Drinks, snack, ball cap, clothing appropriate for the

season

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Additional InfoStartup Costs

Startup costs– Use what you already own– Most of these items can be

borrowed from an experienced shooter, allowing you to ‘test the waters’ before buying (including a pistol)

– Budget your equipment as to your taste and pocketbook

Recurring costs– Ammunition costs can

usually be reduced in half by using reloaded ammunition

– Local match fees have been stable for many years

– Prize table matches will have higher match fees (usually 150+ competitors, multiple days, 10-12 stages)

Startup Costs Low High

Belt Holster $20 $255

Gun Belt $35 $75

5 Magazines $60 $625

4 Magazine Pouches $40 $150

Ear Protection $5 $250

Eye Protection $20 $300

Total One-Time $180 $1655

Recurring Costs Low High

Match Fees $8 $275

Ammo (150 rds/ match)

$30 $60

Total Recurring $38 $335

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Range session

Range Commands Review (on the range) Dry fire demonstration with empty

magazines– Making Ready– Drawing from the holster / from a table– Reloading – Unloading and showing clear

Live fire USPSA Stage Live fire Steel Challenge Stage

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Keys to Remember

Keep SAFETY as Your First Priority Listen and Obey the RO’s

commands Maintain ‘muzzle awareness’ -

ALWAYS Walk! Do Not Run (yet)! And Remember…

HAVE FUN – it’s why you’re here!