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View Full Version : First Match - Couldn't shoot but was fun.



pyzik
10-27-2014, 09:24 AM
Just wanted to share my experience from my first USPSA/IPSC match & some pics.
Showed up to my first match and turns out it was the final match of the year for the club and sort of a big deal so I was asked politely to sit this one out.

Couple guys/teams from other states and Canada showed up. Most with decked out double stack 1911s.

I will say I caught the bug and am already trying to get off work early on Wednesday so I can attend a practice match they have going on that they invited me to join in on for free.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15447277487_ecba183332_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/px2kqt)DSC_0619 (https://flic.kr/p/px2kqt) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3936/15609554166_030a0668f1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pMn3Cf)DSC_0615 (https://flic.kr/p/pMn3Cf) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5613/15013094503_a12561ab02_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oSE2WX)DSC_0586 (https://flic.kr/p/oSE2WX) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15447292327_4ecb51d3cc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/px2pQk)DSC_0584 (https://flic.kr/p/px2pQk) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15013134573_7c72978731_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oSEeRP)DSC_0580 (https://flic.kr/p/oSEeRP) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/15609605836_e7a7349c9f_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pMniZ7)DSC_0574 (https://flic.kr/p/pMniZ7) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15447346697_e48ddd9d01_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/px2FZK)DSC_0569 (https://flic.kr/p/px2FZK) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15455039049_a2bda57bf9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pxH7Ev)DSC_0616 (https://flic.kr/p/pxH7Ev) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15446641619_2d433e86d6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pwY5pe)DSC_0605 (https://flic.kr/p/pwY5pe) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5604/15447176638_89f672cfd1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/px1PrG)DSC_0589 (https://flic.kr/p/px1PrG) by Pyzik (https://www.flickr.com/people/83018433@N04/), on Flickr

Lomshek
10-27-2014, 11:48 PM
Just wanted to share my experience from my first USPSA/IPSC match & some pics.
Showed up to my first match and turns out it was the final match of the year for the club and sort of a big deal so I was asked politely to sit this one out.

:confused:

That seems a little more than a little dickish.

HopetonBrown
10-28-2014, 12:11 AM
That's what I thought, too.

pyzik
10-28-2014, 02:38 AM
Hey, so I wasn't the only one!
Ha.

I will say that there there were at least a guy and gal that I would have done at least as well as.

Alpha Sierra
10-28-2014, 04:28 AM
Add me to those who think asking you to sit it out was a dick move.

I would not be back to that club. Ever.

punkey71
10-28-2014, 05:25 AM
That is really unbelievable. My local club encourages new shooters and welcomes them provided they are safe. That is the only requirement.

Big or small match, it doesn't matter. Pay your money and you get to shoot.

USPSA is in NO position to turn anyone away at this point. Although my club hosts a Sectional and Area every year for the last 5 years, I've skipped both the last 2 years due to all the drama, bitching and politics.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

pyzik
10-28-2014, 06:51 AM
It's the only club close to me. So I'll likely go back, though not join as a member.

NETim
10-28-2014, 07:25 AM
Now THERE'S a club that has lost its sense of purpose.

Alpha Sierra
10-28-2014, 07:36 AM
Did they explain why you had to watch from the sidelines?

pyzik
10-28-2014, 07:56 AM
Did they explain why you had to watch from the sidelines?

I talked to both "directors" (?) and was told that being the last match of the year and that since I had never been to a match that it would not be a good fit for me to shoot.
I did try to explain that I was NOT new to pistol shooting, even drawing, moving & shooting, ect. That I've taken multiple pistol classes.
They said training/classes have nothing to do with competition so that was irrelevant. Which I didn't really understand.

1slow
10-28-2014, 08:07 AM
I talked to both "directors" (?) and was told that being the last match of the year and that since I had never been to a match that it would not be a good fit for me to shoot.
I did try to explain that I was NOT new to pistol shooting, even drawing, moving & shooting, ect. That I've taken multiple pistol classes.
They said training/classes have nothing to do with competition so that was irrelevant. Which I didn't really understand.

The directors sound like arrogant insular dickheads. Their sandbox and you can't play in it !
If they are the only game in town however, you might go and play and see if you can meet members that are better people.

olstyn
10-28-2014, 09:28 AM
I have to agree with everybody else regarding the match directors - they need to extricate the splintery wood from their posterior orifices. At my local club, the last match of the year doesn't even count for season standings - it's just a "for fun" match + awards night. It'd be mildly weird for somebody new to show up at the last match, but if they did, we'd be encouraging them to shoot with us, just like we do whenever anybody new shows up. Too bad this place is the only game in town for you, and here's hoping you have a better experience with the first match of next year, presuming you choose to attend.

Alpha Sierra
10-28-2014, 09:29 AM
I talked to both "directors" (?) and was told that being the last match of the year and that since I had never been to a match that it would not be a good fit for me to shoot.
I did try to explain that I was NOT new to pistol shooting, even drawing, moving & shooting, ect. That I've taken multiple pistol classes.
They said training/classes have nothing to do with competition so that was irrelevant. Which I didn't really understand.
Those guys sound like douchenozzles.

You definitely have the base you need to safely (and that is the operative word here) shoot a USPSA match.

This past Sunday was the end of the season blast at one of the clubs I frequent. Huge (for a monthly club match) attendance (nearly 80), two 50 round stages, one blind stage, a steel hosefest, and a couple other goodies and I saw at least 10 new shooters at the new shooter briefing.

Mr_White
10-28-2014, 10:35 AM
pyzic, I'm really sorry to hear that you weren't allowed to shoot. That seems extremely messed up. I've had a great experience in USPSA, so it really bothers me to hear that you were excluded like that.

Trooper224
10-28-2014, 12:00 PM
Those guys sound like douchenozzles.

Yep. Every competition and hobby has them.

TAZ
10-28-2014, 02:41 PM
Bummer you had to sit out the match, but glad you are stoked to get into the game. I'd understand making a newbie sit out some big dollar invitational match with limited slots and time constraints, it just a plane Jane local club match. Wow. Last one I shot every one there was super stoked to have a new face/ FNG to beat up on. Hopefully your next experience will be more positive.

Alpha Sierra
10-28-2014, 03:53 PM
pyzik, whereabouts do you live (general location is fine)? Maybe we can help find you a better place that you didn't know about.

JMS
10-28-2014, 05:05 PM
That is really unbelievable.

Seriously. Petty fiefdom mentality.

When I did a look-see that first time, no less than 5 people pinged me with, "Why aren't you shooting...?"

We know that OAK makes us look like Little Lord Fauntleroy in terms of competition experience/throughput. If HE thinks pyzik's experience was messed up....that's a clue.

Mr_White
10-28-2014, 05:16 PM
JMS, thank you for the many lulz.... :)

But my competition experience is small compared to many others. After hearing about the regionalism apparently involved in the shooting sports, I think I basically lucked out to be in a place with a positive and well-run USPSA culture.

I would have thought it universal for a club to enable and assist new shooters as much as possible though.

Lomshek
10-28-2014, 10:19 PM
I talked to both "directors" (?) and was told that being the last match of the year and that since I had never been to a match that it would not be a good fit for me to shoot.
I did try to explain that I was NOT new to pistol shooting, even drawing, moving & shooting, ect. That I've taken multiple pistol classes.
They said training/classes have nothing to do with competition so that was irrelevant. Which I didn't really understand.

I'm a match director. I wonder if what they meant was "This is our last match of the year and we pull out all the stops. Shepherding a new competitor might crimp our style and this match determines who wins the Greater Northeast Buttfuckery Annual Big Match so nothing can interfere with the chance to win such a prestigious title."

Our procedure if an unknown shooter shows up to compete is to have one of the RO's evaluate their gear for safety (proper holster and such) and then take them over to an unused bay or the safety area (depending on what's available) and run them through the range commands then have them demonstrate safe technique in drawing, loading, reloading, showing clear, etc and maybe have them put a few rounds into a sample target if they have the ammo to spare. During the match the RO knows they are new and will keep an extremely close eye on them for muzzle and trigger discipline (more so than normal). The only reason they wouldn't be allowed to shoot is if their gear is unsafe and unfixable (hasn't happened yet).

We do have one match a year that new shooters are not allowed. That's our low light match where the entire match is done at night with just the shooter's light on. That's not the environment you want an unknown commodity running around shooting and scooting since the RO is less able to monitor shooter safety and behavior.

Example
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-01%20Night%20Shoot/100_3719.jpg

pyzik
10-29-2014, 09:15 AM
I'm a match director. I wonder if what they meant was "This is our last match of the year and we pull out all the stops. Shepherding a new competitor might crimp our style and this match determines who wins the Greater Northeast Buttfuckery Annual Big Match so nothing can interfere with the chance to win such a prestigious title."

Our procedure if an unknown shooter shows up to compete is to have one of the RO's evaluate their gear for safety (proper holster and such) and then take them over to an unused bay or the safety area (depending on what's available) and run them through the range commands then have them demonstrate safe technique in drawing, loading, reloading, showing clear, etc and maybe have them put a few rounds into a sample target if they have the ammo to spare. During the match the RO knows they are new and will keep an extremely close eye on them for muzzle and trigger discipline (more so than normal). The only reason they wouldn't be allowed to shoot is if their gear is unsafe and unfixable (hasn't happened yet).

We do have one match a year that new shooters are not allowed. That's our low light match where the entire match is done at night with just the shooter's light on. That's not the environment you want an unknown commodity running around shooting and scooting since the RO is less able to monitor shooter safety and behavior.

Example
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z67/bonecreekgunclub/2009-01%20Night%20Shoot/100_3719.jpg

That would be completely understandable.
I did have appropriate gear (same gear I use for classes).

I am not going to be able to make their practice day today, maybe next week. I'll report back how that goes.

olstyn
10-29-2014, 09:54 AM
It just occurred to me that with all of the focus on how you should have been allowed to shoot, nobody has complemented you on your excellent photography. I especially like the one of the guy shooting the M&P with 2 pieces of (.357 SIG?) brass in the air. Wish somebody would get a shot like that of me. :)

pyzik
10-29-2014, 12:05 PM
It just occurred to me that with all of the focus on how you should have been allowed to shoot, nobody has complemented you on your excellent photography. I especially like the one of the guy shooting the M&P with 2 pieces of (.357 SIG?) brass in the air. Wish somebody would get a shot like that of me. :)

Thanks!

Haha, I hear ya. You'd never know how much shooting I do if you'd look at my facebook/Flickr.
Lots of pics of guns, almost NO pics of me shooting them.

45dotACP
12-24-2014, 02:35 PM
Agreed on the awesome photos.

And also agreed that making you sit out a match was a dick move. I'd go there to meet up with some other shooters and ask whereabouts they prefer to shoot competitions. Sometimes there are little known competitions that are put out by groups with poor website design, little publicity and so forth. I personally think those places are worth finding.

rsa-otc
12-24-2014, 03:30 PM
Actually on more than one occasion our group has seen someone standing in the background checking the match out. When approached as to whether they wanted to shoot and being told that they didn't have their gear, we all dove into our range bags and came up with what they needed for the day. Most times we didn't change the match fee. Guess what 95% of those shooters became regulars.

Wendell
12-24-2014, 10:57 PM
It seems to me that we shouldn't just jump to conclusions about the match officials' motives. There are a lot of different possibilities that even the critics might accept as valid. And for anyone to suggest that the OP should respond by boycotting the club is even more retarded.

Luke
12-25-2014, 12:47 AM
This is a internet forum, who the hell told you you could bring common sense and logic into this??

Jim Watson
12-25-2014, 07:45 AM
Sounds kind of petty to me, and the pictures don't show these geniuses doing anything I would not expect a beginner to attempt.
But since they are your only local resource, make nice and show up for the first match of 2015 on your safest behavior.

We picked up a new shooter at our last IDPA match of the year, and an onlooker was encouraged enough to see a beginner having a good time, that we will gain another for the first match of next year. Ladies, at that.