Interested in getting started in USPSA? There are a few things you need to know for your first match.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

1) Handgun (minimum caliber of 9mm) with a case or zippered pouch to transport your handgun in

2) Holster that will cover the trigger of the handgun (suggest OWB, IWB is allowable; no thigh, crossdraw or shoulder holsters)

3) Magazine pouches and enough magazines to hold 32 rounds (longest USPSA stage)

4) Ammo: our matches are typically 4 stages and about 100 rounds total (bring extra just in case)

5) Shooting glasses and hearing protection

Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the match starts. This will allow you time to register and get geared up.

SAFE TABLE/AREA:

There will be a designated safe area to un-case and holster your unloaded gun (no ammo handling in the safe area). The ONLY time you may un-holster your firearm during a USPSA match is under the direction of the Range Officer (RO) or at the designated safe area.

STAGE BRIEFINGS:

The Written Stage Briefing describes each stage in detail. It includes the start position, gun ready condition, specific procedures for the stage (i.e., mandatory reload), and the scoring summary. Here's an example from one of our matches.

TIME TO SHOOT!

When it’s your turn to shoot, proceed to the designated start location. DO NOT un-holster your gun until you are told to "MAKE READY" by the Range Officer (the person holding the timer). Un-holstering before you are told to "MAKE READY" will result in match disqualification.

Once you’re ready per the stage briefing description, the RO will then ask “ARE YOU READY?”

The next command you’ll receive is “STANDBY“ and then the start buzzer will follow within 1-4 seconds.

During the Course Of Fire, you'll have the Range Office (RO) on your shoulder watching primarily for 2 things:

1) There is an “180 degree” line that is the boundary between “uprange” and “downrange”. Pointing your weapon “uprange” (even one degree beyond the 180 degree line) is a serious safety violation and will result in match disqualification.

2) Anytime you are moving or reloading and not actively engaging targets, your finger must be *visibly* outside of the trigger guard. RO may yell "FINGER!" as a warning, but habitual finger on the trigger will earn you a DQ.

If you hear the command “STOP” from the RO, cease movement and shooting, face down range with your gun pointed into the berm and listen for further instructions.

When you have completed the course of fire, the RO will say “IF YOU ARE FINISHED, UNLOAD AND SHOW CLEAR.” At this point, if you are indeed done shooting, remove the magazine from your gun (or moon clip for the revolver crowd), hold your gun so that both you and the RO can view the chamber.

Once you have confirmed that your gun is cleared, the RO will give the command “IF CLEAR, HAMMER DOWN AND HOLSTER” (or “IF CLEAR, CYLINDER CLOSED AND HOLSTER” for revolver crowd or "IF CLEAR, HAMMER DOWN AND FLAG" for PCC). At that point, you can close your slide, point your gun into the berm and pull the trigger to drop the hammer/striker, then put your unloaded gun back in your holster (PCC should be held vertically and bagged at the safe table).

The course of fire officially ends when the RO gives the command “RANGE IS CLEAR."

Now you can proceed down range with the RO and the Assistant RO to score your targets.

STAGES COMPLETED!

After everyone has completed all of the stages in the match, you can proceed to the Safe Area to put your gun back in the case or zippered pouch If you don't see the Safe Area, please ask the RO.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

After the match, please help tear down the stages. If everyone pitches in, this goes quickly and everyone can get home. This is a volunteers-only sport, nobody is getting paid!

SCORES:

Scores are posted to PractiScore and USPSA Match Results (see links below).

https://practiscore.com/results?query=eips

https://uspsa.org/match-results-listing?club=IA11

GOOD LUCK!​

If you’ve read this far, you have all the info you need to shoot a match. Only thing left to do is check the Schedule then pre-register on PractiScore and get out there and have fun!

See videos of our club in action at: https://vimeo.com/indooruspsa/videos