Introduction to USPSA Matches (adapted from Robert Wyatt)
If you want to start shooting USPSA but don’t know where to start, this page should help. Please take the time to read all of this page.
If you have any questions, contact Blake Korous: 801-641-4397
Your First Match
- Match signup is done on the Practiscore website. You will need to set up a free account to sign up for a match. For Divisions, sign up for Limited if you have iron sights and Carry Optics if you have a red dot. Sign up as U (Unclassified) if asked.
- Attend the “New Shooter Brief”. This is mandatory and usually starts a half hour before match start time.
- Introduce yourself, ask questions, and let the staff know you are a new shooter. Staff and other shooters are always happy to help new people.
- Get there early! Having time to find the match staff, get oriented to the range, attend the “New Shooter Brief”, get your equipment ready, and so forth will make for a better experience than trying to rush.
- Forget about speed! Your goal should be to complete the match safely. Walk throughout the match – it’s the smart move. Don’t try to imitate experienced shooters that zip through a course in flying cleats and a shower of brass. Think safe and smooth! Concentrate on learning safe gun handling practices. Speed will come with practice and experience. Don’t worry about gear when you start. Even if you just have basic gear, that’s where most people start. You need a safe and reliable firearm and you need to be able to handle it safely. You’ll need some other basic equipment that you probably already own.
Equipment
- Firearm: Ideally, bring the largest pistol you have equipment for. A compact gun will absolutely work. However it’s easier with a full size firearm.
- Magazines: Bring two to three magazines. The maximum number of rounds that a stage will require is usually 32. If you have magazine carriers, bring them. But if not, you can put extra mags in your pockets to start.
- Holster: Any good quality holster will work. If you have an outside the waistband holster, that is best. Inside the waistband is great as long as you can holster the gun without sweeping yourself.
- Ammunition: Bring 300+ rounds. SLPSA matches usually require about 150 rounds, but it’s always a good idea to bring double the minimum round count.
- Eye and Ear protection: Good quality eye and hearing protection is required.
Rules
Like any sport, there are many rules. USPSA has a very good safety record, largely due to its extensive safety rules. When you start out, these are the basic rules you need to be aware of. Rules about scoring, stage design, and so forth will be important, but not when you start.
- Cold Range
- All USPSA clubs operate a “cold” range. This means that all guns must be unloaded and holstered, in a case, or bagged at all times. Guns are not to be removed from holsters or cases unless and until so directed by a Range Officer, or in a designated safety area. Guns must be empty (that includes magazines, snap caps, and/or empty cases) with actions closed and hammers down, when holstered or cased. Gear up only in the specially marked Safety Areas. Do NOT handle ammunition in a Safety Area!
- Safety Areas
- Other than on the line under RO direction, you may handle your gun only in a designated Safety Area. Any gun handling anywhere else on the range premises is considered unsafe gun handling. This will incur a match disqualification (DQ), meaning that you are done shooting for the day and will receive no score for the shooting you have done so far. Handle ammunition anywhere but a Safety Area. It’s OK to have loaded magazines/speed loaders on your person while in a Safety Area, but don’t touch them.
- Re-holstering
- “Hot” re-holstering during a course of fire is discouraged, but permitted. When re-holstering, the safety (if present) must be applied. When re-holstering a revolver or double-action-only automatic pistol, the hammer must be down. Violations will result in a DQ.
- Eye and Hearing Protection
- Eye and ear protection is mandatory. Loss of either during a course of fire will require reshooting. Deliberately displacing either to gain a reshoot is unsportsmanlike conduct, and earns a DQ.
- Other Disqualification Rules
- Any accidental discharge (including any discharge before or after the course, any unsafe discharge, and any discharge during loading, reloading, unloading, or correcting a malfunction)
- Breaking the 180° (pointing the gun uprange)
- Dropping a firearm during the course of fire
- Holstering or drawing within the confines of a tunnel
- Sweeping any part of your body – or anyone else’s – with the muzzle of a firearm, whether it is loaded or not
- Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point rearwards beyond a radius of 3 feet from the shooter when drawing or re-holstering
- Leaving a finger in the trigger guard during malfunction/jam clearing, loading, unloading, or reloading, or during movement when not engaging targets (considered unsafe gun handling)
- Having a loaded handgun other than when specifically ordered to do so by a Range Officer
- Retrieving a dropped handgun (a Range Officer must get it for you)
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct – Failure to obey Range Officers’ directions, behavior and/or attire liable to bring the sport into disrepute (temper tantrums, apparel of dubious taste, etc.), deliberately shooting props and equipment, etc., will lead to disqualification and banishment from the range.
- Prohibited Substances – Persons under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be disqualified.
Range Commands
The range commands are a standard set of commands that all USPSA matches use to provide continuity for competitors. The commands are issued by the Range Officer assigned to the stage and holding the timer.
- “Make ready!”
- This is your “OK” to load and holster your gun. Remember to put that safety on if you have one! When you have assumed the starting position, you will hear-
- “Are you ready?!”
- If you are NOT ready, shout “NOT READY!” Otherwise, maintain the starting position and the RO will proceed with the next command-
- “Stand by!”
- This means the audible start signal is imminent. Within 1-4 seconds, you’ll hear-
- “BEEP!” from the timer
- This is your signal to start shooting the stage. When you have completed the course of fire, just stop and wait. You will hear-
- “If you are finished, unload and show clear!”
- With your finger out of the trigger guard and the muzzle pointed safely downrange, drop the magazine, empty the chamber, and hold your slide back (revolvers, open and empty the cylinder) to allow the RO to examine the now-empty gun (chamber and mag well). When the RO is satisfied, he will say-
- “If clear, hammer down, holster!”
- With the muzzle pointed safely downrange, close the slide (or cylinder), and DROP the hammer -this means pull the trigger as though you were firing a round. This does NOT mean decock the gun (for you double-action auto aficionados!). If the gun goes BANG! you will be disqualified. Holster your empty gun.
- “Range is clear!”
- This signals the tapers and pickers – and you – to go forward. Stay with the Range Officer and check your targets. Stay at least three feet from your targets, and don’t touch them! Verify your score (scored correctly, hits totaled) and approve it on the scoring tablet.
- “STOP!!!”
- If at any time the RO shouts “STOP!” you will cease firing, point the muzzle safely downrange, remove your finger from the trigger guard, apply the safety, and await further instructions.
Safety Tips
- To avoid pointing the gun up-range (breaking the 180), right-handed shooters should reload moving left to right because there is a tendency to point the handgun to the left (and vice versa).
- When opening a door, keep the gun high to avoid sweeping your other hand.
- When travelling up range (retreating), keep handgun pointed down range, behind you.
- When the start position is facing up range, on start turn THEN draw.
Other Resources
- USPSA national website
- Another local club (Armory Indoor League) hosts monthly “Introduction to USPSA” matches, designed to take new USPSA shooters and give them the basic skills necessary for regular club matches in a low stress teaching environment.
- The Youtube video below discusses the rules and other beginner items.
