USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA An Introduction to USPSA Shooting brought to you by the Pinetucky USPSA Members

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA Agenda 1:00 Introductions What’s it like? Types of competitions Safety Procedures Basic USPSA Information Equipment Divisions Match Organization Staff, Stages, and Scoring Range Commands - INTRO to USPSA - 2

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA Agenda (continued) Basic gun handling The “game” Advanced techniques First match expectations Costs Keys to Remember 3:00Range session 5:00Wrap-Up, Pack-up, Q & A - INTRO to USPSA - 3

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA Introductions Mike, Mark, Nick, Thomas, Jordan, Jed, & Dewey Mike, Mark, Nick, Thomas, Jordan, Jed, & Dewey Pinetucky Pinetucky Valkyrie Training Valkyrie Training Steve’s Gun Service Steve’s Gun Service - INTRO to USPSA - 4

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA What’s it like? - INTRO to USPSA - 5

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA Types of competitions here USPSA USPSA Steel Challenge Steel Challenge NSSF Rimfire challenge NSSF Rimfire challenge IDPA IDPA 3-gun 3-gun ICORE ICORE PPC PPC - INTRO to USPSA - 6

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA More competitions Trap Trap Skeet Skeet Sporting clays Sporting clays Air rifle Air rifle - INTRO to USPSA - 7

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA 8 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 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. 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 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. 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 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. Sweeping – At no time should you allow the muzzle to point at any part of your body. Dropping a weapon Dropping a weapon

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA What is USPSA? 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? 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? When do matches occur? –Usually every weekend across the globe –In almost any type of weather Where are matches conducted? Where are matches conducted? –Primarily outdoor shooting ranges –In our area: Pinetucky, Columbia, Spartanburg, Conyers, Summerville. How do I begin? How do I begin? –Find a club, get to a match, plan for a day of shooting like never before! –Wealth of information at and – –CSRADPL list Basic USPSA Information

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Equipment Divisions REVOLVER 6 or 8 round capacity limit 6 or 8 round capacity limit No barrel ports or muzzle compensators No barrel ports or muzzle compensators No optical/electronic sights No optical/electronic sights No holster restrictions (all holsters must cover trigger) No holster restrictions (all holsters must cover trigger).45 ACP most popular round.45 ACP most popular round

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Equipment Divisions PRODUCTION Double-action pistols Double-action pistols Decocked Decocked Belt holster and magazine pouches behind hip Belt holster and magazine pouches behind hip 10 rd magazine capacity 10 rd magazine capacity No optical/electronic sights No optical/electronic sights No external modifications No external modifications All scored as minor All scored as minor

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Equipment Divisions SINGLE STACK 1911-style pistols only 1911-style pistols only Single stack magazines Single stack magazines Belt holster and magazines pouches behind hip Belt holster and magazines pouches behind hip 8 rds Major, 10 rds Minor 8 rds Major, 10 rds Minor No optical/electronic sights No optical/electronic sights 40 S&W, 45 ACP most popular rounds 40 S&W, 45 ACP most popular rounds

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Equipment Divisions LIMITED & LIMITED-10 Single or double-action pistols Single or double-action pistols Double stack magazines Double stack magazines Magwells & extensions Magwells & extensions 140mm magazines (10-rd per magazines for Limited-10) 140mm magazines (10-rd per magazines for Limited-10) No optical/electronic sights No optical/electronic sights No ports or compensators No ports or compensators No holster/belt restrictions No holster/belt restrictions.40 S&W most popular round.40 S&W most popular round

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Equipment Divisions OPEN Single or double-action pistols Single or double-action pistols Double stack magazines Double stack magazines Magwells & extensions Magwells & extensions 170mm magazines 170mm magazines Optical/electronic sights Optical/electronic sights Ports and muzzle compensators Ports and muzzle compensators No holster/belt restrictions No holster/belt restrictions.38 Super / 9mm major most popular rounds.38 Super / 9mm major most popular rounds

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Match Organization Matches consist of several courses of fire (stages) 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 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 stage requires 6 to 32 rounds Each competitor takes a turn at executing the stage Each competitor takes a turn at executing the stage Each competitor is timed and scored for each 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) Each competitor competes only against others using similar equipment (Divisions)

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Staff, Stages, and Scoring Staff Staff –MD (Match Director) –RO (Range Officer) –Setup/Teardown Crew (those whom we cannot live without) Stages Stages –Diagram (rough picture of stage targets/props/barriers) –Written Stage Briefing (what you’re to do) Scoring 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 A C D A C D

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA - Additional Info USPSA Competitor Classifications USPSA maintains a catalog of standard Classifier courses 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 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 Your Classification Designation reflects how your performance compares with the top shooters across the country Classification Designations Grand Master 95% % Master 85% % A 75% % B 60% % C 40% % D < 40.00% Classifier Name Division Your Score at Match (pts per sec) Avg High Score in Database (pts per sec) Your National Classification Percentage Your National Classification Designation El Presidente Limited 50 points / 5 seconds=10 60 points / 5 seconds=12 10/12=83.33% A class

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Range Commands Make Ready Make Ready Are You Ready Are You Ready Standby Standby “Beep” (the audible start signal) “Beep” (the audible start signal) Muzzle, Finger, Stop Muzzle, Finger, Stop If You Are Finished, Unload, and Show Clear If You Are Finished, Unload, and Show Clear If Clear, Hammer Down, Holster If Clear, Hammer Down, Holster Range Is Clear Range Is Clear Everyone resets stage Everyone resets stage

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA Basic gun handling skills Draw Draw Grip Grip Loading Loading Reloading Reloading Muzzle awareness Muzzle awareness Finger awareness Finger awareness Holstering Holstering - INTRO to USPSA

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA The “Game” Hit factor Hit factor Makeup shots Makeup shots Freestyle versus Standards Freestyle versus Standards Comstock, Virginia Count, Fixed Time Comstock, Virginia Count, Fixed Time Timing reloads Timing reloads Stage planning Stage planning Walk throughs Walk throughs Tenths and hundredths of a second Tenths and hundredths of a second - INTRO to USPSA

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA Advanced techniques Uprange starts Uprange starts Gaming starts Gaming starts How fast should I shoot? How fast should I shoot? –Calling shots Transitions Transitions Getting into and out of positions Getting into and out of positions Opening ports and doors Opening ports and doors - INTRO to USPSA

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA More advanced techniques Shooting through ports & around walls Shooting through ports & around walls Moving while not shooting Moving while not shooting Shooting on the move Shooting on the move Reloading on the move Reloading on the move Carrying props Carrying props - INTRO to USPSA

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Additional Info First Match Expectations Arrive at the range as early as you can 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!) 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 Ask for a coach/mentor for the day Tell your squad RO that you are new to USPSA shooting Tell your squad RO that you are new to USPSA shooting Make yourself useful during the match – tape, reset, shag Make yourself useful during the match – tape, reset, shag ASK QUESTIONS! ASK QUESTIONS! Safe area Safe area Equipment to bring 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 ) –Drinks, snack, ball cap, clothing appropriate for the season

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Additional Info Startup Costs Startup 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 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, stages) Startup Costs LowHigh Belt Holster Belt Holster$20$255 Gun Belt Gun Belt$35$75 5 Magazines 5 Magazines$60$625 4 Magazine Pouches 4 Magazine Pouches$40$150 Ear Protection Ear Protection$5$250 Eye Protection Eye Protection$20$300 Total One-Time $180$1655 Recurring Costs LowHigh Match Fees Match Fees$8$275 Ammo (150 rds/ match) Ammo (150 rds/ match)$30$60 Total Recurring $38$335

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Range session Range Commands Review (on the range) Range Commands Review (on the range) Dry fire demonstration with empty magazines 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 USPSA Stage Live fire Steel Challenge Stage Live fire Steel Challenge Stage

USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA USPSAUSPSAUSPSAUSPSA - INTRO to USPSA Keys to Remember Keep SAFETY as Your First Priority Keep SAFETY as Your First Priority Listen and Obey the RO’s commands Listen and Obey the RO’s commands Maintain ‘muzzle awareness’ - ALWAYS Maintain ‘muzzle awareness’ - ALWAYS Walk! Do Not Run (yet)! Walk! Do Not Run (yet)! And Remember… And Remember… HAVE FUN – it’s why you’re here!