FAQ
- What is Practical Shooting?
- Practical Shooting is a sport played with handguns. It began in the US and today is practiced in more than 60 countries. GPSL is a local club, affiliated with the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA). The USPSA is a non-profit organization which is the organizing body for the sport of practical shooting in the United States. The USPSA is affiliated with the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) which is the governing body for the sport on a worldwide basis.
- How do you play this game?
- Basically, the shooter shoots at a series of paper and/or steel targets with a handgun to score points. The targets are artfully arranged all around the range, sometimes partially obscured by barriers, bales, barrels or other props. This is called the "course of fire". Sometimes the targets move; sometimes the shooter moves; sometimes both move; sometimes neither. The time the shooter takes to complete the course of fire ("stage") is measured to 100'th of a second. The winner of the stage is the shooter with the highest "hit factor".
The hit factor is calculated as: hit factor = score / time
The winner of the stage is awarded the maximum number of points possible for that stage. Other shooters are awarded points in proportion to their hit factor compared to that of the winner. A match consists of one or more stages. The winner of a match is the shooter who accumulates the highest number of points aggregated over all the stages. That's all there is to it! - Come on, surely there's more to it than that?
- You are correct. I left out the bits about penalties, no-shoot targets, comstock, virginia and fixed-time stages; major and minor power factor; divisions, classification and categories; state matches, national matches and world matches. I didn't even mention 3-Gun competitions using handgun, rifle and shotgun. Nor did I tell you about reloading your own ammo or becoming your own gunsmith so as to fine-tune your gun. Nor have I mentioned becoming a Range Officer, Chief Range Officer or Match Director. But if you want to know all about these things, you need to start with the basics. Suffice it to say that there is a whole lot more you can participate in than just punching holes in paper. You can start reading about it here.
- Isn't it rather dangerous with 20 or so people running around shooting at things?
- No, this is not the wild west. Only ONE person EVER has a loaded gun at any one time, and then ONLY, at the EXPLICIT command of the range officer (RO). When a shooter is called to the starting position by the RO, the RO verifies that everybody else is behind the shooter, ensures that the shooter is comfortable with the stage directions, and only then gives permission for the shooter to load the gun, and begin shooting. The RO accompanies the shooter and is there to ensure that safety rules are followed at all times while shooting the stage. The RO is also on hand to give advice and assistance if needed to the novice shooter. GPSL takes pride in our safety record. We have never had a firearm related injury and we want to keep it that way. Understanding and following the basic gun safety rules is a must. Shooters new to GPSL, whether experienced or not, are required to go through a “New Shooters Safety Briefing” before their first GPSL match.
- What is the profile of the typical shooter?
- At the typical GPSL match, the majority of competitors are adult males, but women and kids are encouraged to participate. While everyone shoots the same stage, there are separate competitive categories for female, junior (under 21), senior (over 50) and super-senior (over 60). This is a great sport for the whole family! At GPSL we have them all. Our members come from all walks of life and from across the socio-economic spectrum.
- What does everyone wear at GPSL?
- One great thing about the Practical Shooting sport is that no special clothing is required compared to many other sports. At our club match, which is at an indoor range, folks usually turn up in casual attire. Being an indoor range it is subject to accumulated powder residues and so is not what you would call clean; you would be advised not to wear your best summer whites. It also tends to be cool in winter and warm in summer; dress accordingly. You might want to consider wearing shoes that provide good traction.
- Is USPSA competition a good way to train for defensive or "combat" shooting?
- USPSA/IPSC Practical Shooting has its roots in defensive or combat training, but it has evolved into a pure sport and is referred to as a "game" by participants. We are not "training" to shoot anything except our paper and steel targets - no more than an Olympic javelin thrower is training to storm the walls of Troy. It's a sport, like golf or Winston Cup racing. You will develop valuable gun handling skills, but if you want "combat" training, check out a training facility like Thunder Ranch, Front Sight, or Gunsite.
- What is IDPA and how does it differ from USPSA Practical Shooting?
- Find the authoritative answers to your questions about IDPA on their official website. The International Defensive Pistol Association was created by several founders of USPSA who felt that USPSA Practical Shooting had strayed too far from its original concept of practice or training for defensive handgun use to more of a pure sport or "game" requiring overly specialized equipment and techniques. IDPA has classes for different types of handguns, but electronic sights, compensators, and a number of other "race gun" features are specifically banned. Approved carry-type holsters are listed in the IDPA rulebook, "speed-rigs" are not allowed. Match stages are typically shorter and less complex than you'll find at a USPSA match and the scenarios are intended to more closely represent "real world" situations. Development of concealment and use of cover technique is emphasized.
- How will I know I'm ready to shoot a match? I feel a bit intimidated and don't want to embarrass myself.
- If you have or can borrow suitable gear and can exercise SAFE GUN HANDLING, you're ready now! The Grand Masters of the sport had to start somewhere. Fact is, the atmosphere of camaraderie and friendliness is second to no other sport. Experienced competitors offer advice, encouragement, and moral support to new shooters. WE WANT NEW SHOOTERS. No one expects you to be competitive, so don't worry about it - just be safe. And don't make the mistake of saying, "...I just need to practice for another couple months..." and miss out on a ton of fun.
- I'm middle-aged and overweight so I can't run very well. How can I compete with a teenager?
- Everything else being equal, the competitor who can run faster will win a big field stage that requires a lot of movement between shooting positions. Accomplished USPSA shooters develop other skills which are far more important than raw speed. The ability to develop an effective "plan" for shooting a stage and to execute it without mistakes, and the mastery of basic shooting fundamentals such as target acquisition, trigger control, etc. are more important than running speed. You will find that speed is often about becoming more efficient with your shooting and not about flat out running.
- I don't know anyone at the club, how will I know what to do and where to go?
- Here's how it works: show up at Bull's-Eye a little before 6:00 p.m any Wednesday evening. Registration is in the Pistol Range through the grey steel door to your left as you enter the store. Please put on your eye protection before you pass through the door as it is a range requirement. DO NOT come in wearing, carrying or bagging a loaded gun. There will be folks milling around usually wearing holstered but UNLOADED handguns. Introduce yourself to the guy behind the table taking money and explain that it's your first visit. Someone will take you under their wing and show you the ropes including giving you a safety briefing. If you have brought your own gun LEAVE IT IN THE BAG UNLOADED until you have had the safety briefing. If you would like to borrow a gun, then someone may have a spare rig to use but it's best to bring your own equipment to the range if possible. If you just want to watch the first time, that is OK as well; just introduce yourself and we will take care of you.
During registration and while you are receiving your New Shooter's Briefing, you will notice that some of the competitors are setting up the first stage of the night inside the range. We take over one entire pistol range while the multi-use range remains available for the general public. There are usually anywhere from 20-25 shooters and we shoot 2-4 stages of around 6-30 rounds each. By about 9:30 we clear up and usually a group goes out for food, refreshment and the social hour. We'd love to have you join us for that as well. - Can I rent a gun at the gun shop to use?
- Unfortunately not. Bulls-eye does rent guns to use for "normal" range shooting - standing behind the bench shooting at targets in your lane - so they need them left available for their general customers to use. You can rent ear and eye protection, which you will need to shoot with us, if you don't have any available to you. Boxes of Atlanta Arms ammunition are also sold at the range which are an excellent choice for USPSA competition shooting and are used my a number of the top shooters and teams in our sport. The Blue Box version offers you an economical and accurate round for most handguns.
- That sounds FUN!! What do I need to do to get started?
- The equipment requirements for USPSA competition are not that taxing. You will need a safe and properly functioning handgun, a belt, a holster that fully covers the trigger guard, and enough mag pouches and magazines to complete a 32 round course of fire. If you already have a handgun, then by all means try and use it along with an inexpensive holster and mag pouches to get started. Come to some matches and talk to the other shooters and see what they like and don't like before you start putting together a competition rig tailored specifically to your needs. New shooters often find themselves naturally drawn to Production Division as it's a division designed to run stock pistols with minimal gear and a level playing field. Production division is where you will usually find the plastic fantastic pistols such as the Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, and the Springfield XD. Pair this with four magazines, a couple of double mag pouches, and a holster and you're set.
You will also want to join GPSL as a member ($30 per year) and USPSA ($40 per year). If you are not already, you should also consider joining the NRA which strives to protect our right to own handguns. - Don't you need some sort of license to get a gun?
- Not in Georgia. You do need to be cleared by the instant background check system at the time of purchase. However, you may want to apply for a Georgia Firearms License, also known as a Conceal/Carry Permit, CCW, Pistol Packing Permit, etc. This is not required to purchase, own or use a firearm, or keep one in your place of business, home or vehicle, but is required to lawfully have a gun about your person in many other places. Even if you never intend to carry a gun about your person anywhere other than at a USPSA match, having a Firearms License can simplify the life of an competitive shooter by reducing the number of places or ways you cannot lawfully have a gun and ammo in your possession. Thus, transporting your equipment to matches becomes easier. It also makes travel to out-of-state matches easier in states with reciprocity for CCW recognition.
Georgia is a "Shall Issue" state for CCW meaning that if you apply and do not fall under specific exclusionary rules, the state must issue a permit. It is not required that you show any "need". It takes about 3 months from application to receipt. Start now; you don't need a gun to apply. Georgia Carry has compiled a handy reference of the process for acquiring a Georgia State firearms license and the laws surrounding firearms carry in Georgia. They are also working to rationalize the patchwork of Georgia state laws. - I don't have/want to buy a fancy "race gun" or "speed rig"- how can I be competitive?
- If you're just starting, you could have world-class equipment and you'd still get smoked by some old fat guy wearing coveralls shooting the sidearm he was issued in the Korean War. Don't laugh, I've been beaten by him many times now. Just use the gear you have (or can borrow) and see if you like the sport. Then you can think about upgrading equipment. The fun comes from developing and improving your shooting skills, not from frittering over equipment - not that there's anything wrong with that! The two Stock Divisions in USPSA are designed to limit the need for a hyper tricked out pistol or gear. Production and Single Stack divisions can often be run very competitively with a bone stock handgun as long as it's safe and reliable.
- Where can I find some of the more competitive gear useful for USPSA competition?
- We are fortunate enough to have a store connection through one of our frequent shooters. Chris Patty owns a web based store called CPWSA that offers competition specific equipment for USPSA, IDPA and multi-gun shooting. Chris is always at the front lines providing great solutions at competitive prices and is himself a Grand Master in Open Division. He knows the sport and has been tremendous in helping new and experienced shooters alike with their equipment needs.