Getting Involved In Action Shooting Matches

The courses of fire in IDPA matches try to replicate realistic shooting scenarios, and competitors must take cover when possible.

Here an IDPA competitor, while timed, tackles distant targets from behind the wheel of a car—a common situation for many people who have to defend themselves in the real world.

Dave Sevigny has won over 200 major championship titles and is an 11-time USPSA National Champion. Whether he’s using a stock pistol or a race gun, he’s a master of shooting fundamentals like a firm grip and trigger control.

USPSA matches allow competitors to use modified race guns in separate divisions of course, to run through the various shooting stages. Competitors must figure out how to take down several targets as quickly as possible before moving on to the next shooting position or stage

USPSA matches allow competitors to use factory-stock handguns in separate divisions of course, to run through the various shooting stages. Competitors must figure out how to take down several targets as quickly as possible before moving on to the next shooting position or stage

Steel Challenge matches force competitors to “ring” several steel targets, usually at closer distances. Expect a high round count.

Shooters can use modified race guns, with reflex sights, muzzle-rise-taming compensators and more, in Steel Challenge matches.

A competitor tackles a target array with his factory Glock pistol. It’s important not to move too quickly from one target to the next.

Shooters in Steel Challenge matches must hit steel targets of various sizes in fast strings of fire.

As the 3-Gun name implies, competitors get to practice their skills with pistols, rifles and shotguns—all while trying to beat the clock.

Multi-Gun/3-Gun matches also test your marksmanship and problem-solving abilities. Shooters often have to make shots from unconventional positions.

Today’s ever-popular 3-Gun matches force shooters to run and gun—with some twists thrown in. Here a competitor must carry a dummy between stages before firing again.

Shootings skills are perishable. Without practice, you’ll lose them. So, whether you’re a new or experienced shooter, it’s important to train with your guns—and not just on the square range. Sure, it’s good to be able to hit a bullseye at a given distance when you have time to focus on the front sight and squeeze the trigger. But will you be ready to handle a real self-defense scenario?

Action shooting sports, like those offered by the IDPA, USPSA, etc., offer realistic scenarios that force you to move, think and react with your weapon as if you’re in a life-or-death situation. While the competitions are fun and you can win prizes, you’re also learning invaluable skills that can help protect you and your family. If you’re looking for a new venue to maximize your self-defense training, check out these shooting associations—an upcoming match will probably be within driving distance.

International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)

IDPA matches are intended for you to compete with your everyday-carry or bedside handgun. Stages often require you to draw from beneath a concealment garment, and rules require you to utilize cover when available, reload behind cover, engage targets in “tactical priority” (based on their relative threat to you), etc. Along with the target arrangements and stage scenarios that depict real or simply realistic use-of-force situations, matches are designed to reinforce real-world defensive shooting skills.

* Required Gear: Out-of-the-box handgun
* Minimum Caliber: 9mm
* Maximum Capacity: 10 rounds per magazine
* Shots Per Stage: 6-31
* Shots Per Match: 80+
* Revolvers: Yes
* Race Guns: Yes
* Match Fee: $5-$20

For more information, visit http://www.idpa.com or call 870-545-3886.

United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA)

USPSA matches generally present more targets—including more steel targets—and require many more rounds than IDPA matches. They also have slightly different rules. They focus less on defensive movement and use of concealment and cover, and more on the mental and marksmanship aspect of “solving the stage.” The skills tested and reinforced are directly applicable to real-world tactical marksmanship, though the sheer number of targets and the lack of restrictions on a shooter’s movement through a stage are decidedly oriented towards the gaming aspect of competition.

* Required Gear: Out-of-the-box or modified handgun
* Minimum Caliber: 9mm
* Shots Per Stage: 15-45+
* Shots Per Match: 120+
* Revolvers: Yes
* Race Guns: Yes
* Match Fee: $5-$20

For more information, visit http://www.uspsa.org or call 360-855-2245.

Steel Challenge

An offshoot of USPSA shooting, Steel Challenge presents shooters with a bank of five steel plates (rounds disintegrate or are directed into the ground when struck, for safety) that must each be hit once. Shooters fire five individual “strings” at each target bank from a static position, with the slowest of the strings thrown out before a total time is calculated. Expect to fire at four to six different target arrays in one competition. These matches test your ability to quickly hit multiple targets (which range from 10-inch circles to 18-by-24-inch plates) at close to moderate distances.

* Required Gear: Out-of-the-box handgun, modified handgun or carbine
* Minimum Caliber: 9mm
* Shots Per Stage: 25 minimum
* Shots Per Match: 100+
* Revolvers: Yes
* Race Guns: Yes
* Match Fee: $5-$20

For more information, call 360-855-2245 or visit http://www.steelchallenge.com

Multi-Gun/3-Gun

The most complicated—and expensive—of the tactical matches, 3-Gun is proportionately more fun for most shooters, too. Expect to be presented with 10 to 30 (or more) targets per stage, and to be challenged to “solve the course” with a combination of your rifle, pistol and shotgun. There are specific rules and safety procedures to learn, but they are intuitive. Expect your gear to get banged up a bit as you “dump” long guns into barrels as you transition between them, and expect to run in short sprints (if you’re so inclined).

* Pistol Required: Out-of-the-box or modified handgun
* Rifle/Carbine Required: Any (generally magazine-fed semi-autos)
* Shotgun Required: Pump or semi-auto
* Minimum Caliber: 9mm (handgun), 5.56mm (rifle), 20 gauge (shotgun)
* Shots Per Stage: 20-50+
* Shots Per Match: 175+
* Revolvers: Yes
* Race Guns: Yes
* Match Fee: $30-$40