HD Tactical

Where are the shooting competitions??

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  • cookvette81

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    One of the big reasons why I was glad to see that this forum was based out of NW FL was because I really really want to get involved in a competitive shooting sport centered around rifles and pistols, mainly pistols. Something like IDPA, USPSA, IPSC ect. When I was living in Chumuckla I lived on 70 acres in the middle of IP so we could set up a course similar to that of the previously mentioned. And it was a lot of fun and I want to get into it a little more serious but I need someone to show me the ropes.

    Is there anything like that around here? if so where? and when?

    Thanks,

    Caleb
     

    ksenter

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    dont they require ammo? where you gonna get all that ammo?

    to answer your question, ERML (escambia river muzzle loaders), AKA, Escambia River Gun Club, has IDPA and Glock shoots. Not sure other than that.

    I've always wanted to get involved in competitive shoots, but working every Saturday and most Sundays really dampens the spirit
     

    jogan

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    we shoot IDPA 2 times a month at the Escambia River Gun Club. 3rd Sunday of the month and 4th Saturday of the month. Had one yesterday and the next one is this Sat. Show up around 7-7:30 and help set up and we're usually done around 12-1pm. Yesterday we had a 3 gun side match after the IDPA stuff was over. Since ammo is pretty scarce, we limited it to very little round count but it was still fun nonetheless.
     

    cookvette81

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    ksenter: reloading makes it a lot easier to get around the ammo shortage. a pound of powder will get you about 1200-1500 loaded rounds depending on how hot you load them. Casting your own also helps get around the fact that a lot of companies are running EXTREMELY low on bullets. I searched about 8 of the major reloading retailers yesterday before I found someone with bullets in the cal I needed, made me glad I have started casting. Not to mention the money savings are 60-80%.

    Thank you ksenter and jogan on letting me know about ERML. Are either one of you going to be there this weekend? If so would it be possible for me to meet up with ya? I want to come and just watch to see what all is going on, and it would help if I had someone that could show me around.

    Thank You,

    Caleb
     

    jogan

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    I thought I was gonna play this weekend but unbeknownst to me but very knownst to my wife, I'll be laying new tile in our bathrooms this weekend. If you just show up out there, the guys and gals out there will take you in and show you the ropes. Very friendly crowd and all are more than willing to help anyone out. No egos to get in the way but you'd better pack a decent sense of humor if you're gonna make regular appearances.
     

    cookvette81

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    Jogan, I kinda wish I had you there with me today because apparently I need a babysitter lol I went out to the IDPA match today just to watch but was talked into joining in the fun. I kept telling everyone that I had never been and was just trying to see what all was involved because I was interested in joining. Everyone was very welcoming and nice just as you said but I had a hard time finding someone to fill me on rules that were more in depth than the standard safety briefing and stage description. Since I was kinda walking around blind so to say I tried paying close attention to what everyone was doing. I noticed that people were running dry at about 8-10 rounds with guns I know can hold more. When my turn was coming close I went to ask a RO (later to find out his nick name was "The Nazi") about the ammo limit in the mags he asked what I had and motioned toward my gun with an open hand as though he wanted to check it out. now we were the only two on the firing line and looking down range so I felt it was a controlled environment. I unholstered the pistol and showed him a clear pistol like I had seen others do. At that time in a stern voice he was like "whoa whoa whao!" took the gun and escorted me off to a safe area and DQ'd me. He then told me the rule I broke and asked that I come back another day but that I would have to return the gun to the gun sleeve. I was confused about the gun sleeve and asked what he was talking about. He then asked how then did I get the gun in without a sleeve or case. I advised that I had it in my holster just like I saw other participants doing and was told to do so by another attendee.

    Now I completely understand they have safety rules for a reason and that they must be enforced however I was in the process of trying to learn the rules so I could abide by them. A grace pass given right after a stern talkin to would have been nice since this was my first time and I thought I was doing what I was asked to do by the authority. It was clearly a misunderstanding.

    Anyhow I stuck around for a while because I wanted to turn this little mishap into a learning experience, so I talked to I would say about ten to 12 folks about what the rules are so I don't embarrass myself again ect. I also had the chance to talk to a few other ROs, and they were all great guys. He apologized to me for not having someone show me the ropes first and said that if I had been with another RO I probably would have just been educated on the error and then allowed to continue unless I did it again. I guess he felt bad for me and paid me back my fee out of his own pocket, asked me to come back next time and that this would not count against the one shoot grace they allow if you are not a member of IDPA. I really appreciated that and didn't expect it since I was the one that broke the rules not him. I shook hands with everyone and parted on good terms, they seemed to feel sorry for me. I am not mad or upset with anyone and I completely understand that he was just sticking to the rules, and trust me when I say that I am glad he does. It just sucks because I have been wanting to go to a competition for over a year now and I get DQ'd before I ever fire a round.

    Anyhow I guess the point of all this, is does anyone have any advice on how not to get more help at these events? Is there a certain question I need to ask? or a booklet or special visitors badge so I can have someone hold my hand the first time through?

    Thanks guys,

    Caleb
     

    jogan

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    I WAS there....and I saw what happened. I was the guy with the white titleist had and white glasses. I talked to ya and told you that you got the toughest R.O. there is.... sorry bout that. You could have been in any of the other 2 squads and not had that problem. Knowing it was your first time, there should have been a little leniency on their end. If you saw some of the other guys shoot, you'd notice that there are PLENTY of novice guys out there shooting. Safety if the no.1 concern and it's enforced for everyone's sake. Shoot me a pm if you're gonna make the next event and I'll give you the IDPA professional walk-through!lol It's basic stuff but it's what the R.O.'s are looking for. Next 2 matches are gonna be IDPA classifiers so plan on a long day. Usually make it out of there around 2pm. You can download or just browse the rulebooks on the IDPA website if ya like. Not everyone agrees with some of the rules and the way they do things but there is a pretty hefty set of rule changes in the works that should clear a bunch of things up. It sucks that you got a DQ...especially on your first time out 'cause I know that can leave a bad taste in your mouth. But you hung around and tried to observe what you could to learn for the next time and that shows character. Everyone out there....and I mean EVERYONE has had a simple brain-lapse in their time. Not all have gotten a DQ, but most have and more will still get one. I'm waiting for mine....prolly gonna involve me dropping my gun or falling on my ass and firing a shot towards the clouds, but it's coming. Keep your head up and find me at the next one!
     

    cookvette81

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    Oh wow i didn't realize that was you lol. I am very open for learning and moving on. I know it made an impression that I won't forget next time lol. And everyone I talked to afterwards was very encouraging which was needed, because I have to say I felt like a black sheep once that happened. I've been shooting since I was little and feel like I am a cautious individual. I do plan on coming back and being ready for the long haul, I've been wanting to shoot a competition for a long time now and I won't let this keep me from learning and moving forward.
     

    jogan

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    well said. we look forward to seeing ya out there again!
     

    cookvette81

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    After reading this I think I will just refer to you as Saint Caleb. You sir have the paitence of Job.

    Idoono


    haha :) thank you but I am far from Job. I just know that I have seen far to many simple misunderstandings get blown way out of proportion when simply slowing down and taking a minute to see what actually happened can yield an education. My point of view can be pretty narrow sometimes and I was hoping that someone with a 3rd point of view could have shed some light on what I missed, and folks did walk up and encourage me so all is good.

    I really wanted to stay until the event was over to witness everything in full scale so I would be better prepared for next time but the friends I had with me politely let me know that since I wasn't going to shoot we didn't have to stick around for their viewing pleasure... so I had to take them back to their cars. but anyhow I'm gonna find that IDPA rule book and print it out. I only have a month to memorize it so I better get on it.
     

    Ryan

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    was about to say i was going to drive out to watch a match so hopefully in a month or two i can shoot with you guys but i'm a weekend too late. I'll bring my camera out with me I do photography as a hobby now
     

    shootnstarz

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    To compete in IDPA you have to drop your magazines in the dirt. I just can't bring myself to do that intentionally, I do it enough unintentionally.

    Rick
     

    jogan

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    not true, shootnstarz. nowhere in the rules does it require you to drop anything in the dirt. In fact, the rules state that you CAN NOT drop/leave a mag that still has any rounds left in it. Those must be stored on your person before continuing on.... the only thing allowed to be earth-bound is EMPTY mags on slide-lock. I hated dropping mine, too. Especially at over $35 each! But mags are about the easiest thing to clean so I've come to deal with it after many minutes of therapy!
     

    shootnstarz

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    Well, I watched a few meets and every auto shooter's mag bit the dust. Merely going by what my eyes saw, and what the shooters told me when I was thinking of joining the competitions.

    BTW, I still don't understand what the OP did wrong. Was it walking up the the RO table with a holstered pistol instead of being in a case?

    Rick
     

    Ken232

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    One of the most fun Competitions we had where I used to live was a 100 Meter "Cold Bore Shot" match...you can bring as many rifles as you want but you only get 1 SHOT out of each...you do hear some wonderful language LOL and on a day like today with these winds....alot of praying like "Dear Lord please let me calculate the wind drift properly"
     

    cookvette81

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    Well, I watched a few meets and every auto shooter's mag bit the dust. Merely going by what my eyes saw, and what the shooters told me when I was thinking of joining the competitions.

    BTW, I still don't understand what the OP did wrong. Was it walking up the the RO table with a holstered pistol instead of being in a case?

    Rick

    Basically what happened is that I misunderstood what the RO wanted. I thought he was asking to look at the gun. I pulled it out to show him and then found out that was not what he wanted. It was a free and clear weapon and it stayed pointed in a safe direction. It was just a simple misunderstanding, no biggie.

    I do plan on going back and giving it another shot and this time I plan to have some close up guidance. If you are looking for a shooting competition I think this would be a good place to start. And hey if you bring your camera I may recruit you and have video me so I can see how to improve my next go around. :)
     

    jogan

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    it's faster to go to slide-lock and drop the empty mag and then reload a new mag. that's why you'll see most guys doing that. I absolutely HATE the "tac" reload or the reload with retention. I'll fumble the mags around like I just slammed all my fingers in a car door. It's one of the biggest arguments in the rules and there are new additions to the rule book coming soon. We'll wait and see if they address the reloads. The OP simple drew his pistol before he was "allowed and told" to do so. Not sure if the R.O. was still in front of him or if the muzzle swept anyone. I didn't see it, but I did talk to the guy afterwards. The R.O. he had follows the rules exactly and he was correct in the DQ even though it was a bit harsh.
     
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