Do you Compete and Why?

Bolivar

Bolivar

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Outside Barrie ON, Native to South Shore of NS
Hey all

In the spirit of a similar thread on the Precision Forum I thought I would ask the question up here but with a slightly different emphasis and broaden the scope.

My thought here is really to collect input on the positives of "formal" types of shooting, to give people who might be interested motivation to get out to a match or take a course or clinic.

Do you compete with your rifle(s) and/or attend courses/clinics?
If so, why do you?


 
I am looking to get into competion shooting this summer and I would definitely attend courses and clinics if I could find any in the Edmonton area. Firearms training courses other than the PAL course and IPSC Black Badge seem to be few and far between:(
 
Every chance I get. Why? Shooting at cans got awfully boring awfully fast when I was a kid, so I went looking for something more challenging. First IPSC (before I could drive) and then service rifle (at the insistence of a former Can. Forces Sniper friend) and now I'm moving into long range and so called "ultra" long range shooting. When something gets easy it gets boring, so I look for something more challenging.
 
Just starting to compete this year. Chance to challenge ones self to a new level is the number one thing driving me to compete. I originally wrote my Rpal for the same reason, another level, another test, a greater level of competence.

Learning new skill sets. Camaraderie of like minded folks.
The ability to use the tools I enjoy ranks high on the list.

Personal development is the catch all, best description.
To be all I can be in every faucet of my life, both professional and private.
 
I'm waiting to write my RPAL but when I do and get my toys, once I'm comfortable with them, I'll be looking to take some courses and compete. More so for fun, to challenge myself, meet like minded folks that don't think I'm crazy for owning guns. :)
 
If you aren't keeping score how do you know if you're improving?

Not to mention I can't think of a better crowd to hang out with then a bunch of guys who want to prove to the world they're hot shi!t with their rifles.
 
I compete for many reasons. For one, I like rising to a challenge and I appreciate that quality in other people. It takes a certain amount of character and courage to do it, kind of like asking a pretty girl out on a date. You're putting yourself out there in some ways and taking a risk. Winning sure feels good, but losing can be heartbreaking and humiliating.

Many matches have per-determined courses of fire or require you to perform certain procedures or do something a certain way. That gives you something by which to measure your skills and progress. You're forced to examine your strengths and weaknesses and to practice things you would otherwise likely not practice if you were just screwing around at the range (mag changes, or shooting a pistol weak hand only, for example). This gives you goals and purpose when you go to the range.

Competing makes you evaluate your equipment and the way you do things. You look for ways to improve and optimize them to work for you so that you can perform at your best and hopefully gain an advantage over your competitors. It's a form of R&D that often leads to new ways of doing things better and more efficiently. A lot of new equipment and techniques have come about from things that were learned in shooting competitions. I generally always learn something of value at a competition.

Many of the skills and knowledge you gain from competing carry over to other activities, like hunting. Shooting under time pressure, at snap targets or at a moving target are things you may never get to practice at a regular range.

Competition is a great way to build camaraderie with the other people who do it.
 
I've started up a practical shooting league at my club, which includes Rifle and Multigun. We are just in the process of putting people through safety courses currently, so things are not very far along yet.

I intend on taking at least one carbine course this year.
 
Oh and as for the why I compete...

I enjoy the act of shooting for the sake of it. Any excuse to put rounds down range is considered a good time in my books. I love practical shooting due to the varied situations and challenges you are presented with. It's never the same match twice.

I like the camaraderie as well. And the ball breaking LOL. I keep my level of competition friendly, but not overly serious.

Also, I like any martial art, it does help prepare you for the possibility of one day having to press your skills into service, should the need arise.
 
I started participating in service rifle and 3 gun last year. Way more fun than just going to the range and shooting at paper (although i do enjoy that). I just picked up a precision rifle so might get involved in some long range stuff too.
 
Because competition is the best way to get better. It's the closest thing we have to reality. Stressful environment with fleeting targets that require you to make a quick shot.
 
Longshot said:
Because competition is the best way to get better. It's the closest thing we have to reality. Stressful environment with fleeting targets that require you to make a quick shot.
Click to expand...

+1

The reason most shooters think they are good practicing quietly only on their own till they start competing. Then they realized they have work to do.

Competition will most of the time put you out of your comfort zone. And that is good.
 
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