United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) events
USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) matches are the most popular practical shooting competitive events in New York.
In USPSA matches, shooters compete on their abilities to shoot rapidly and accurately with a handgun or pistol-caliber carabine (PCC). Those three elements – speed, accuracy, and power – form the three sides of the practical shooting triangle. By design, each match will measure a shooter’s ability in all three areas. Shooters are competing in eight different divisions, depending on the type and style of handguns (or PCCs) they use.
To do this, shooters take on obstacle-laden shooting courses (called stages) requiring anywhere from six to 30+ shots to complete. The scoring system measures points scored per second, then weights the score to compensate for the number of shots fired. If they miss a target, or shoot inaccurately, points are deducted, lowering that all-important points-per-second score.
Organizers of USPSA matches design exciting stages that often call for inventiveness and strategizing. During USPSA matches, competitors move, negotiate obstacles, run, speed-reload, and drive their guns through each of several courses as fast as their skills will allow. Although most matches are held outdoors, in all weather, further taxing competitor skill, there are a growing number of indoor ranges conducting USPSA events.
Steel Challenge Shooting Association Events
Steel Challenge (SCSA) is a division of USPSA and is great for new shooters as well as experienced competitors. Matches are incredibly simple but extremely competitive. Steel Challenge measures the shooter’s speed and accuracy.
Each Steel Challenge competition consists of eight standardized courses of fire with five steel plates on each. The steel targets will be anywhere from seven to 35 yards away. Competitors are scored solely by the time it takes them to complete each stage, and the match winner is the competitor with the lowest overall time. The shooter is required to hit each target once. One target, designated as a stop plate, must be shot last.
International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) events
IDPA matches are based around the use of practical equipment, including full charge service ammunition, to solve simulated “real world” self-defense scenarios using practical handguns and holsters that are suitable for self-defense use. The main goal is to test the skill and ability of an individual.
Self defense and standard exercises are the basis for all IDPA matches, but the layout, course of fire and exercise details can differ greatly from match to match.
Courses fall into two categories: Self-defense scenarios or Standard exercises. The self-defense scenarios are simulations of actual or possible real world confrontations.
These scenarios typically require shots from 3 – 20 yards and often require the shooter to change firing points and shoot from awkward positions. Standard exercises do not attempt to simulate a potential threat situation but are designed to test specific shooting and gun handling skills.
IDPA matches offer diversity and truly test both accuracy and speed. Physical condition has very little to do with your performance in an IDPA match.
