This Sunday I will be competing in my first IPSC match in Winnipeg, MB at Xtreme Gun Shooting Center. It will be a Level 2 match. I don't really know what to expect and I am unsure if I have all the proper gear. How many Mags will i need for the match and how many rounds of ammunition should i bring? I will be shooting 9mm in the Production division. How much will the bullet grain affect my performance, should i shoot 115gr, 124gr or 147gr? I'm fairly new to shooting sports and firearms in general, so any other advice on what to prepare for and expect will really help.
IPSC 1st match
- Thread starter TOKNE
- Start date
124 or 147 is good. I find 115 a bit snappy. bring at least double the round count. 5 mags at a minimum. Whatever gear you used for your black badge should be fine.
Most important thing: do not worry about performance. Just shoot the match safely and have fun!
Most important thing: do not worry about performance. Just shoot the match safely and have fun!
What bruobell said. Shoot slow and let your squad and the RO know that you are shooting your first match, they will give you tips and cut you some slack.
Beyond your shooting gear, make sure you bring snacks and water! Also a folidng chair for when you have to work the match. Standing around is bad for my back so I like to ease back whenever possible.
- Location
- Lethbridge
Definitely if they say 100 rounds needed, bring 200. Don't worry about speed, that'll come with practice.
Ok chill out a bit, you're not competing against anyone exept yourself, more importantly not to be DQ. IPSC is supposed to be FUN, so relax and do not pressure yourself. Squads are composed of mixed divisions shooters from beginners to veterans. When doing your registration, on the morning's match, simply say it's your 1st, tipically they'll put you at the end of the squad so you'll see all of the shooters and how they handle the COF.
Prep your gear the day before so you do not forget something important like lock keys or holster. For ammo, try to shoot what you usually shoot when practicing. Before your squad, eat and drink so you're not out of energy. Don't rush your shots, shoot your pace, not the Open guys ones!! Think security first and FUN FUN FUN! On my 1st match, I really took my time, walking the stages and finished 12th on 22 shooters, shot 61%. Was happy with myself and went back home with one of the biggest smile of my life! So enjoy and smile!
Prep your gear the day before so you do not forget something important like lock keys or holster. For ammo, try to shoot what you usually shoot when practicing. Before your squad, eat and drink so you're not out of energy. Don't rush your shots, shoot your pace, not the Open guys ones!! Think security first and FUN FUN FUN! On my 1st match, I really took my time, walking the stages and finished 12th on 22 shooters, shot 61%. Was happy with myself and went back home with one of the biggest smile of my life! So enjoy and smile!
Thanks alot, it kinda puts my mind at ease. competetive shooting events like IPSC was one of the main reason I got my restricted license in the first place. I guess I'm just really anxious to see how I stack up against the veterans. I just don't want to go into the competetion unprepared and look like a fool on my first time out
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Agree with everyone here. Typically they will ask who is shooting for the 1st time, if they don't then let them know. Take your time, do everything properly and concentrate on getting A's. If you can shoot A's slowly and properly, then you will learn to shoot A's properly and faster. It's all a matter of practice and experience. When I shot my qualifier match I was nervous on every stage, I wasn't concerned with my score or time....just didn't want to get DQ'd. It's tough having everyone watch you as you shoot, but you will get used to it. I shot my 2nd match recently and my nerves and performance was like night and day. No nerves and I shot a hell of a lot better.
There should be 3 rules for shooting IPSC ( other than the safety rules, which are the most important )
1) Take your time
2) Don't get DQ'd
3) Have FUN !
There should be 3 rules for shooting IPSC ( other than the safety rules, which are the most important )
1) Take your time
2) Don't get DQ'd
3) Have FUN !
You'll probably be competing with people far better than yourself. You probably won't come dead last, but you'll definitely be in the bottom part of the rankings.
Who cares. Don't even think about competition.
Just go slow and don't leave your fingers on the trigger when moving with the gun, or point the gun outside the allowable area, or drop the gun. Nothing than being DQ'ed in your first match.
Take your time to get your alphas.
Go there and see That match as à learning experience. Don't think about wining cause you wont! Observe and ask question as much as you can. Go slow and get your hits, its the mots important thing when you start. Ask around about what not to do, to stay away from disqualification. Like trigger finger, 90degre , proper (make ready) ect... Again go slow get your hit and have fun!!!!!!
- Location
- The Orion Arm
Tell your RO when on the line that it's your first match - he/she will probably let you know if you're transitioning with your finger on the trigger. Don't break 90 and keep your muzzle downrange at all times. Concentrate on not getting DQ-ed, that's the most important consideration. Most people walk from shooting box to shooting box (not run) in order to keep from mixing up or forgetting all the safety stuff, and for your first match or 2, you might want to do the same until they become habit.
Putting 2 in the Alpha is more important than speed, so take your time.
IPSC is like golf in that you're competing against yourself. Watch what everyone else does, and when it doesn't disturb anyone, ask a lot of questions. Good luck!
Putting 2 in the Alpha is more important than speed, so take your time.
IPSC is like golf in that you're competing against yourself. Watch what everyone else does, and when it doesn't disturb anyone, ask a lot of questions. Good luck!
I couldn't find anything in the rule book regarding boxing/unboxing in the safety area. I usually carry my firearm in my range bag in a zippered and locked compartment, with the firearm facing away from the padlock. Is this acceptable? providing I unbox/bag the firearm facing the designated safe direction? or do I need to bring a separate hard cased box to carry my firearm?
- Location
- West Quebec
Good luck ... check in next week when you've completed it with a smile on your face 
- Location
- Halifax - NS
You're good, but I'd recommend you get a pistol sleeve or rug or something to allow you to take the pistol sleeve out of your range bag and then go to the safety area with it.
Why? Because likely your ammo is in that range bag and it's easy to accidentally handle the ammo boxes, etc. if the range bag is right there in the safety area with you when you're boxing / unboxing your pistol.
I'm guessing your BB instructor didn't cover all this stuff with you during your course? All these questions should have been answered by him. However, the match round count should be published usually on the registration form, or if the stages are published the total should be there as well. Like everyone says, take double. Not because you suck and might miss a ton, but because you might have to do a couple reshoots. Do that on 32 round stages and your extra ammo disappears fast. Like the others have said, don't worry about "competing" be safe, follow the rules and have fun. If you are a competitive person, try and dial it back as much as you can. Get a couple matches under your belt before you start trying to keep up with the other shooters. Really watch your trigger finger and your 90s, that's 99% of the DQs right there. Watch, listen and learn from all the other people you meet. And lastly, All Mags, All Full, All Of The Time. Never ever only load 10 in your gun, unless it's an unloaded start, never ever go up to a 13 round stage with only a couple mags on your belt, NEVER EVER. Every stage have every mag loaded to legal capacity, and always top up the mag in your gun when you LAMR. I am not kidding, even if it's an 8 round burner stage I have 61 rounds on me, 11 in the gun, 50 on my belt. EVERY SINGLE TIME
1riot1ranger
CGN Regular
- Location
- Calgary, AB
At the end of the stage don't put your partially charged mags back in your belt until you've recharged them...
Don't ask me how I know...
Don't ask me how I know...
QFT, did that last match. The COF was shoot 3, reload and shoot 3. I shot 2, and the slide locked back. Thought I had a malfunction, so I started racking the slide but it wasn't budging. Tipped the gun to the left to see the chamber and saw an empty mag staring back at me. I cursed at myself many times after that one.
