I think a lot of us probably have considered getting into Chootin' For Fun, but need a primer on what exactly there is out there in terms of competitive shooting opportunities. We've seen all the acronyms and have read a bit here and there about the International Practical Defensive Cowboy Action Confederation or whatever it's called, but don't know much about what it all means.
- Do I have to have a certain caliber?
- How much ammo do I need to shoot/buy?
- Do I have to wear "511 Tactical" brand cargo pants, or one of those orange vests?
- Will people be talking about the zombie apocalypse?
That's a good point. Around the Omaha/Lincoln area, there are actually quite a few different styles of competitions available, for pretty much any gun you want.
Things I don't know much about, but that I know happen in various places like the Lincoln Ikes and ENGC in Louisville:
Trap
Skeet
Things I still don't know about, but know happen at ENGC:
http://www.engc.usLever-action silhouette
High Power
Swiss Rifle
F Class
Rimfire silhouette
Probably several other rifle competitions I don't know about....
Competitions I do know a little about:
Sean Gewecke runs the Rock-Your-Glock matches at the Ikes range (though they just finished the outdoor matches), and Thunder Alley is getting ready to run Glock Indoor Matches over the winter months.
RYG Outdoor:
http://rockyourglock.tripod.com/Thunder Alley:
http://www.thunderalley.us/ There are USPSA-like and IDPA matches periodically at Big Shots in Lincoln:
http://www.bigshotsrange.com/leagues.htm(Not sure if those are sanctioned clubs yet, but they are run under USPSA and IDPA rules.)
Aldo here on the forums runs IDPA matches through IDPA Nebraska:
http://idpanebraska.com/Currently matches are run at Thunder Alley in Lincoln, but he had a classifier match at ENGC, and outdoor matches at the Lincoln Ikes, and far as I know is planning on further, larger outdoor matches at those ranges.
...in general, I'm not completely sure of the scheduling for all of those.
Local Competitions I
do know about, all held at ENGC, under the auspices of the Eastern Nebraska Practical Shooters (ENPS):
http://www.easternnebraskapracticalshooters.com/USPSA - held the first Sunday of every month
Steel Challenge and Multigun - held on the third Sunday of every month, mostly alternating (see range schedule for particulars:
http://www.easternnebraskapracticalshooters.com/2014/2014-Schedule-1.pdf )
Pinned to the top of the Shooting Sports forum is a post telling you just about everything you need to know about Steel Challenge matches---and we have a match this Sunday, so you should come out and shoot it, or at least observe (but if you do that, you'll wish you brought a gun and ammo to shoot it).
Pinned post:
http://nebraskafirearms.org/forum/index.php/topic,6854.0.htmlSteel Challenge is probably one of the best places for new people to start shooting pistol competitions. (Rock-Your-Glock is also a good one.) That isn't to say that there isn't fierce competition (we had over 70 shooters at our last match), but instead all you have to do is stand there, draw, and hit steel targets that make noise when you hit them. No movement (well, almost no movement---one stage has you move about 5 feet), no reloading on the clock, no stage breakdown/choices, and the start position is the same every time.
And it is tons of fun.
Post talking about the match this month, including the link to register online:
http://nebraskafirearms.org/forum/index.php/topic,12944.0.htmlUSPSA---includes movement on the clock, reloading on the clock, stage breakdown, choices, and is ALL KINDS OF FUN. I love USPSA. Just a blast to shoot. SeanN posts information about our USPSA matches in the Shooting Sports forum, along with a number of links to get more information--here is the link about the past October match (watch for one forthcoming about the November match):
http://nebraskafirearms.org/forum/index.php/topic,12865.0.html...again, if nothing else, come out and watch a match and talk to the shooters. They'll be happy to talk competition and guns---matter of fact, the hard part will be getting them to shut up!
Multigun---is like USPSA cubed. Instead of just doing it with a pistol, you have to manage it with a pistol, rifle, and shotgun. There are some differences (target scoring is simpler, stages can be more scripted), but it is still an action sport. I did perfectly well when I started with Multigun with a G17 pistol, 18" Rem 870 pumpgun, and a Bushmaster AR-15 with iron sights---so you don't have to spend tons of money on equipment if you don't want to. (You probably will, though--fair warning. There is
so much fun gun gear out there!)
Our next Multigun match (which is actually our last MG match of the year) is on November 16th. And again---coming and watching a match is a good idea.
Matter of fact, here's the USPSA/SC/MG schedule at ENGC for the rest of 2014:
Oct 19: Steel Challenge
Oct 26: Zombie Match (EVERYONE SHOULD SHOOT THIS!)
Nov 2: USPSA
Nov 16: Multigun
Nov 23: Steel Challenge
Dec 7: USPSA
....and that's it. Normally we only have two matches a month, but at the end of the year we cram an extra into November so we don't have to argue with Christmas for match time.
Time and money are all valid reasons for not shooting competitions. Definitely. That being said.....bring 250 rounds of .22, at least three magazines (preferably 5) and a .22 pistol in a bag, ear and eye protection---and that's all you need to shoot a Steel Challenge match. Well, that plus $15 for the match.
Switch out the .22 for a centerfire pistol with a decent reliable holster that covers the trigger guard, and you've got all you need for SC in a centerfire division.
Add a couple of mag pouches, and you are good for USPSA.
Multigun---have the three guns, and the ability to carry extra ammo for all of them, and you are good to give it a try.
Most people already have enough gear to shoot SC. So everyone should come out on Sunday and give it a try. Weather is supposed to be nice...
Just remembered--there are also Cowboy Action Pistol matches at ENGC! You'll have to look them up on the ENGC website, though...
