{"id":5638,"date":"2023-11-13T21:02:42","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T21:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/?p=5638"},"modified":"2023-11-13T21:02:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T21:02:42","slug":"pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"Pistol Shooting Competitions &#8211; Guide to the Shooting Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no better way to become a better handgun shooter than by participating in pistol shooting competitions. Competing in matches is a great way to improve your gun handling skills, accuracy, and confidence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s take a look at the top pistol shooting competitions you can participate in!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Top Pistol Shooting Competitions<\/h2>\n<p>In the U.S. specifically, the most popular pistol shooting competitions are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>USPSA<\/li>\n<li>Steel Challenge<\/li>\n<li>IDPA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a closer look at these pistol shooting competitions to see which is right for you.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USPSA<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5649 size-full\" title=\"uspsa match\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa.jpg\" alt=\"a man competing in a pistol shooting competition\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-1024x635.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-768x477.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-1536x953.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-200x124.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-750x465.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/uspsa-1140x707.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/uspsa.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States Practical Shooting Association<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or USPSA, is the largest practical shooting association in the United States with over 37,000 members. USPSA is a member of the International Practical Shooting Confederation, or IPSC, a world-wide competition shooting organization that recognizes handgun, rifle, shotgun, and action air shooting disciplines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USPSA matches feature shooting stages that challenge a shooter\u2019s speed, accuracy, and gun handling abilities under the clock. Matches will have a number of stages set up, each with a unique array of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/ipsc-100-target-barn-cardboard-targets-1.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USPSA targets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, steel targets, and\/or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/classic-100-target-barn-cardboard-targets.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IPSC Classic targets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Shooters engage the targets in whatever manner they like unless stated otherwise in the stage brief. This not only tests the shooters speed and shooting capabilities, but also their stage planning abilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are eight <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/uspsa-divisions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USPSA divisions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> shooters can compete in, based on the gear they have. This makes it easy for a new USPSA shooter to find a division that the gun they have will fit into. USPSA requires <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/rimfire-vs-centerfire\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">centerfire<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pistols or pistol caliber carbines to compete.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New shooters will find USPSA matches to be welcoming to newcomers. I\u2019ve had shooters lend me magazines, holsters, and even ammo when I needed it at a match! If you\u2019re interested in shooting your first match, check out our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/uspsa-guide-how-to-get-started\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guide to Getting Started in USPSA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steel Challenge<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5648 size-full\" title=\"steel challenge\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3.jpg\" alt=\"a girl shooting a steel challenge stage\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/steelchallenge-3-1140x760.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steel Challenge is a speed shooting competition affiliated with USPSA and officially known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/scsa.org\/\">Steel Challenge Shooting Association<\/a> (SCSA).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It differs from USPSA in a couple ways. The format of the sport is simple: shooters engage eight different arrays of steel targets. These eight stages are set up the exact same way at every match across the country. Whereas USPSA incorporates moving and shooting, Steel Challenge focuses on shooting primarily in one place, with only one stage requiring the shooter to move. Because of its simple format and lack of moving and shooting, I find Steel Challenge to be the best match for new shooters to compete in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/steel-challenge-divisions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steel Challenge divisions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are similar to the USPSA divisions, but with one major difference \u2013 Steel Challenge allows rimfire pistols and rimfire rifles! That means shooters can compete with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/22lr-ammo.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.22LR<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pistol or rifle, making it more affordable to compete in than USPSA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve made a nifty <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/steel-challenge-beginners-guide\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beginner\u2019s Guide to Steel Challenge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help you get ready for your first Steel Challenge match!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>IDPA<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5650 size-full\" title=\"idpa\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1.jpg\" alt=\"a man competing in an idpa match\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-1536x879.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-200x115.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-750x429.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/idpa-1-1140x653.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.idpa.com\/\">International Defensive Pistol Association<\/a>, or IDPA, is a practical shooting sport created to bring practical shooting back to its practical roots after many shooters found USPSA to be too gamified with fancy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/what-is-a-race-gun\/\">race guns<\/a> and expensive equipment. IDPA features rules and scenarios rooted in self-defense skills. It doesn&#8217;t have complicated equipment requirements unlike USPSA, with most common carry guns fitting into one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/idpa-divisions\/\">IDPA divisions<\/a>. Shooters are required to conceal their gun in some way when shooting a stage. Your concealment garment can be a shirt that covers your gun carried inside-the-waistband, or a vest or jacket that covers your outside-the-waistband holster.<\/p>\n<p>IDPA stages most commonly use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/idpa-100-target-barn-cardboard-targets.php\">IDPA targets<\/a> and steel targets. Shooters engage the targets from behind cover as one might do in a self defense situation. Some IDPA stages may require you to shoot targets in a certain order. As a beginner, it will be important to listen to the Safety Officer to know what the stage requires. Like USPSA, you are trying to hit the targets accurately and quickly.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Pistol Shooting Competitions<\/h3>\n<p>Although we&#8217;ve covered the most popular pistol shooting competitions, there are others you may come across. For example, Glock has the <a href=\"https:\/\/gssf.pro\/\">Glock Sport Shooting Foundation<\/a> which hosts competitions specifically for Glock shooters. The <a href=\"https:\/\/competitions.nra.org\/competitions\/\">NRA<\/a> hosts pistol competitions like Precision Pistol and the <a href=\"https:\/\/thecmp.org\/competitions\/\">Civilian Marksmanship Program<\/a> hosts the Bianchi Cup. You may also find that ranges put on their own matches that aren&#8217;t backed by a larger organization.<\/p>\n<p>Every match I&#8217;ve been to has been filled with friendly, helpful shooters who want to grow their sport. As long as you show up with a good attitude and safe gun handling skills, whichever match you choose to shoot will have shooters that welcome you.<\/p>\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction\">\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction--text b-share-calltoaction-text\">\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction-text__header\">\n<h2>Share this article with your friends!<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<ul class=\"b-social-icons clearfix\">\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon facebook\">&nbsp;Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/home?status=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon twitter\">&nbsp;Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon linkedin\">&nbsp;LinkedIn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon pinterest\">&nbsp;Pinterest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s no better way to become a better handgun shooter than by participating in pistol shooting competitions. Competing in matches&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item-meta\"><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/clock.svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" alt=\"\"><time class=\"published\" datetime=\"2023-11-13T21:02:42+00:00\">Nov. 13, 2023<\/time><\/span><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/comment.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\">No comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/pistol-shooting-competitions-guide-to-the-shooting-sports\/\"><span>Read more <\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/chevron-right.svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-competition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5638"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5638\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5655,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5638\/revisions\/5655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}