Competitive Shooting Overview: USPSA & IDPA

Introduction

• Speaker: Megan Porsche with High Desert Guardian
• Topic: Introduction to competitive shooting, focusing on USPSA and IDPA.
• Goal: Help individuals move beyond basic self-defense to gain confidence and skill with firearms.

Equipment & Divisions

• Personal Experience: Speaker uses a Glock, not traditionally a race or competition gun.
• Gun Divisions:
  • Open division (race guns)
  • Carry optics division
  • Limited division
• Example: Sam Matt, a grandmaster shooter, uses a Glock to great success.
• Training Tip: Train with what you are most comfortable using.

Basic Shooting Drill

• Purpose: Prepare for USPSA style shooting.
• Targets:
  • Paper targets (larger, faster shooting)
  • Steel targets (smaller, require slowing down)
• Drill:
  • Draw fast, shoot two shots at close-range paper target (A zone).
  • Transition to smaller steel target, one shot.
  • Return to paper target for fast shots.
• Skills Developed:
  • Gear shifting between targets
  • Sight confirmation and trigger control

Shooting Techniques

• Cadence and Rhythm:
  • Finding a shooting cadence similar to using a metronome.
  • Helps maintain focus and pace.
• Attack and Control Targets:
  • Attack larger targets quickly.
  • Control and confirm sights for smaller targets.

Score and Performance

• Scoring:
  • Use a hit factor calculator app for scoring.
  • Example of scoring: 2 alpha, alpha Charlie, steel hit.
• Speed vs. Accuracy:
  • Faster speed often favored over perfect accuracy.
  • Importance of overcoming perfectionism and fear of missing shots.

Advanced Shooting Concepts

• Course Layout:
  • Courses may require movement within shooting boxes.
  • Penalties for shooting outside designated areas.
• Double Tap Drill:
  • Shooting as fast as possible with grip adjustments.

Benefits of Competitive Shooting

• Stress Management:
  • Competitive environments simulate stress, improving handling.
  • Experience shared by a special forces soldier.
• Fundamentals:
  • Competitive shooting reinforces key fundamentals applicable to self-defense.
  • Encouragement to have fun and learn effectively.

Conclusion

• Engagement:
  • Visit the USPSA website to find local matches.
  • Bring a friend to enhance the experience.
• Message: Learn, train, and enjoy shooting as a sport.