How to get started, and where to find matches? NOVA area

[thatpanda]

Hello everyone,

I'm interested in getting started in competition shooting but I'm not sure what's required of me to get started. Do I have to be a USPSA member to shoot at matches? I'm located in Northern VA, and I'm also having trouble finding out where matches are held as well as how to sign up for them. I literally have no clue how to get started so I guess I would need a whole newb tutorial on what's required to start shooting competitively. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Luke]

Don't have to be a member u less you want to receive your national rank ( GM, M, A..).

I'd suggest signing up for limited. Atleast 3 mags holding 15+ , more is always better. A quality holster, and an open mind. As long as you are proficient in safe gun handling skills you will have a blast and meet new awesome people!

[HopetonBrown]

Contact the clubs and see if they have any prerequisites.

https://www.uspsa.org/locate-uspsa-clubs.php

http://www.idpa.com/compete/clubsearch

[JMS]

Panda, you've got a *LOT* of NoVA folks on board, many of whom compete.

NRA range in Fairfax has a match every 3rd Tuesday of the month. It's a small match, usually 3 field stages and 1 classifier stage. A very good way to dip your toe; if you get registered and squadded (it fills up quick), just show up 30min or so early so you can get an orientation, especially if you've not yet used the NRA range before, they have a registration process to use the facility If you use Facebook, look for and apply to the Fairfax Practical Shooter's group in the event you want to receive notifications: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1650310155212325/

Down my neck of the woods, Fredericksburg, there's a match every 1st Sunday of the month. We encourage newer folk to sign up for and help with match setup on that Saturday, advantages being you're cheek-and-jowl with the match director and other experienced shooters who will be building AND shooting the stages that same day, plus it's a whopping total of 12 people, so there's no real time-crunch to funnel shooters through. Point being, there's time to get newer shooters acquainted with rules and conduct of competition. http://www.fredericksburgps.com/

That said, that's not a bar to simply competing at the main match on Sunday with all the other competitors.

Quantico is 2nd Sunday of the month. Also small, fills up quick. I've never been able to make it past the wait-list, so I'm unfamiliar with their match beyond knowing it's available. https://www.facebook.com/QuanticoPracticalShooters/?fref=ts

There's also matches at places like North Mountain, Thurmont MD, Southern MD Practical Shooters, etc....the following is a bit dated, but the locations are valid. Check it out to see what's available; it includes all sorts of leagues, including USPSA events.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4235-Regional-Shooting-Match-Announcements/page8

Ping me directly if you're of a mind to, happy to help as best I can.

[scw2]

They have a KTSG match next Tuesday at the NRA range, 6 spots left: https://practiscore.com/kstg-rampage-benefit-match/register

Josh runs USPSA matches and Cody runs IDPA, and they're both going to be there so you could always show up, shoot the match (money goes towards charity), and ask about the specific matches at the NRA range. I'm sure a lot of other shooters will be able to also advise on other matches in the NOVA area as well.

[David S.]

Cody (P-F member "cclaxton") is your guy to talk to. He used to run a thread here (https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4235-Regional-Shooting-Match-Announcements) that updated all the NoVA area matches. I'm sure it was a lot of work to maintain but it looks like he's let it go last fall. I bet he is still you're best resource for all things competition in the MVD region. Send him a PM, I'm sure he'd be glad to get you started.

Getting started:
You need to be generally safe with a handgun and have a functional understanding of the 4 rules.
You should be able to safely draw from a holster, re-holster and reload you gun.

They will a safety briefing before the match for first-timers that should cover the safety rules and general match procedures. Beyond that, ask lots of questions. If you're uncomfortable jumping straight in to the pool, just go and watch as a spectator. That's what I did. There won't be many if any other spectators at a local club match, but it's free and it's open to anyone. I'm sure you meet some friendly people more than willing to show you around.

Don't leave out IDPA. This will give you more opportunities to attend.