Competitive shooting as a hobby?

Guys, I need a new hobby and hoping you can put me on to some more information.

Background: Heresy for this site but fishing has not been my main hobby. Unfortunately my main interests are no longer possible due to injuries(soccer, rock climbing, skiing, etc). However I’m tired of sitting at home and need to scratch that competitive itch.

Since I’ve always enjoyed shooting I thought that might be a fun way to get active again. Having done a little research things like IDPA or 3 gun look interesting. A blend of variety and actually moving are what drew me there. I did shoot a session in a bullseye league but seemed boring.

Any of you participate in these? Thoughts? Where can one do live fire practice near the metro since ranges don’t let you draw or move? Other?

Three gun looks the most fun but I’m scared of practice costs. That and I really could care less about the shotgun portion. Thankfully I do at least have a reasonably suited pistol, AR, and my shotguns are pumps.

p.s. Still love fishing and thinking about first ice ” />

You have hit on the big problem that’s been created due to the massive ramp up in the popularity of shooting sports–where to practice and compete?

The gun clubs I frequent have all had a lot of calls and requests for 3 gun practice and comps, but none of them can accommodate it on a regular basis because of space and range configuration constraints. Unless you own land and have the cash to set up your own private range, live fire practice is going to be an issue.

I’ve seen several articles recently advocating the use of airsoft guns to train for 3 gun. This makes sense to me as any shooter other than full-ride factory sponsored guys will be working with limited ammo budgets and limited places where practice is even possible. One of the Outdoor channel shows recently showed a segment where a guy set up a 3 gun practice range in his garage. He had simulated steel targets and he could engage them with an AR and pistol that were exact replicas of his comp guns.

Things sure have changed in the past 10 years when a lot of gun clubs were teetering on the brink of extinction. Now, the weekends are crazy and even weeknights are full of the high school trap and skeet leagues.

Grouse

What about joining your local USPSA League. Only handguns but still a riot and 100 rds a week does not really break the bank.

I used to compete at Minnetonka Gun Club in Nowthen.

Not competitive, but I’ve shot bench, and yes it gets hum drum. I almost enjoy precision reloading and the anticipation of performance just as much as that style of shooting. What I did stumble on is a 22lr plinking rande at my public shooting range with steel targets galore. I bought a Henry 22 leaveraction rifle and have been having the most fun in years.

I’m a firearms instructor certified on four weapons systems and through three different companies, including the NRA, Precision Remotes, and Mission Critical Concepts. I bring this data up not to tout myself but to help make the point that I’ve been very fortunate to have trained with some top-tier shooters. If it works in your budget at all I’d look at possibly attending a civilian shooter’s course in handgun or rifle from the NRA. It’ll be a few hundred bucks and you will probably have to travel somewhere but if it works I’d recommend it.

The other thing is I’d like to echo what Grouse said about airsoft, basically pointing out that you can get a lot done without actually firing bullets. You could get an airsoft gun or a hard plastic molded dummy gun and get a lot of valuable practice time. Or you could use your real guns and ensure they’re clear & safe and use them for dry fire in your garage. That way if you can’t draw from a holster at a public range then you can practice it at home.

Most people don’t get very excited about dry fire or dummy gun drills but it honestly can make or break a shooter. There are so many things a guy can do without bullets it’s unreal. Obviously your ultimate goal is to win competition, so you’ll need trigger time, but I guess what I’m saying is if time, money, or any other factor ever gets in the way of you getting real bullets down range you can do a lot on your own property.

I got into competitive archery 3 years ago. I love it. It is an excellent way to spend your winter. I highly recommend any competitive shooting. Just be ready to spend a lot of cash. Those hobbies get really expensive.

See if there are any Metallic silhouette Clubs around… a blast….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_silhouette_shooting

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

One of the Outdoor channel shows recently showed a segment where a guy set up a 3 gun practice range in his garage.

I think I saw that segment and made a lot of sense to me. If I go this route I can’t wait to see the wife’s reaction. You know, comes home from work, clicks on the garage door, and then sees me with a replica AR in the garage.

Dan wrote:

There are so many things a guy can do without bullets it’s unreal.

I’m not only opposed to spending a few dollars on training, I took some classes about a year and a half back. Due to health issues I couldn’t continue at the time. The place I was going was really awesome in how they put the lessons together. The methodology was heavy emphasis on dry fire, SIRT pistol, and training the brain. Only 10% was on the live fire range. Totally agree with you and Grouse about what you can do without live rounds.

Kicker is, now that I’m ready to do this again along comes an email that they will be closing their facility. Ideally I could find some training within a reasonable drive of the metro before signing up for a comp.

Do you know anyone that lives out in the country who’d be willing to let you shoot at their place? I get all of my shooting done at my parents’ house. As long as you can safely pull it off shooting on private property in the country works pretty well.