Starting Competition shooting

Getting started with competitive shooting is very easy, and if you're reading this then you're likely to have all the gear that you need to get started. Its a myth that in order to be competitively viable that you need competition dedicated gear and firearms, many people don't have dedicated match equipment and they perform well.

  • - pistol/and or rifle
  • - 3 magazines
  • - hearing protection
  • - Eye protection
  • - holster
  • - mag pouches, enough to retain at least two magazines.
  • - 250-300 rounds of ammunition
  • - Food and drink
  • - sun screen
This basic equipment will get you started with the two biggest shooting federations in the US: the international defensive pistol association (IDPA) and the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA). If you're looking to try out a two-gun format like PCSL then all you'll need extra is a rifle, a rifle mag pouch, and three rifle magzines.

To find your first match, check out pratiscore this website is used by match directors to list their matches and allow participants to register. If you're looking for your first match to register for, look for a USPSA or IDPA match.

Curious to learn more about the different divisions? Select a fed that you want to learn more about on the nav bar.