How many of you folks go to pistol matches? Not plinking with your buds, but matches, where you are shooting against other folks, you may or may not know? Maybe for money, trophies, or just for the heck of it? Just curious.

I do, SASS...revolver, rifle, shotgun...not sure that meets your definition.

USPSA

IDPA

Yessir, it counts. Doing your thing under stress.

Yep, what I'm talking about. Doing it under a form of stress and thinking while doing it.

Shooting against other competitors is fun, but it is really you versus the timer. At the local club matches you'll find the other competitors to be friendly and good source of input/feedback there to help you learn and improve your shooting skills. A dynamic shooting sport will really challenge your skill and force you into learning new skills. The practical scenario based stages make you think about how to engage targets while controlling your movement and gun safety. It is a day and night experience compared to static plinking at the range. Speaking of which, evening practice matches in December - January are usually low light or dark (sun sets by 6pm) so these practice matches may requires flashlights, lasers, road flares, generator lights, etc. This is where you figure out what works best for you and whether your ammo (powder) is too smokey causing you to loose ability to see from white-out of your light against the gun smoke cloud.

USPSA Master and multi-div Steel Challenge GM here.

It's frankly kind of worrying how people think they're great with a pistol because they aced the TX LTC shooting test (for example). But you really don't understand how high the skill ceiling is until you shoot USPSA. Someone who has to exert any effort to score well on the TX LTC test is closer to a toddler in shooting ability than they are to someone who can win a local USPSA match, let alone a national match.

Going to a match is good for really resetting expectations, finding new things to work on, and having a way to measure improvement.

Yep. I haven’t been shooting as much in the last couple years, but it’s a great place to learn gun handling and safety. Over the years I’ve shot a LOT of USPSA, 3 gun, some IDPA, and dabbled in silhouettes and NRA bullseye stuff. For as long as I’ve been doing it, I should be a lot better than I am

What got me into competitive rifle shooting was shooting IDPA matches. I loved it, and wanted to transition to rifle. The IDPA pistol comps are fun and keep your pistol skills current. Go to a match!!! The shooters there are very helpful and are a great group!! And it's a lot of fun!!

I do 1 or 2 .22PRS competitions each year. I did some research on doing some IDPA competittions last year, but I could not get them to line up with my schedule. I need to do it.

I've never had an interest to compete in things though I have done so. But one group I'm in holds matches and I plan to try it. GSSF.

I've shot USPSA, PPC, Metallic Silhouette, Bowling Pin, and Bullseye at one time or another. Haven't competed in a few years.

I shoot SASS as well. 2 matches this weekend in preparation for the National Championships in OKC starting wednesday. I am not a contender for anything but its a great match.