Intro to competition

Ever watched a USPSA match and thought, “I want to try that… but where do I even start?” Start here.

This three-hour class is your no-pressure introduction to the world of competitive shooting. No live fire, no ammo, and no need to bring your own firearm. In fact, please leave it at home. We’ll provide SIRT training pistols, so you can learn the ropes in a safe, relaxed setting before your first match.

What you’ll learn:

• USPSA safety rules, including the 180-degree rule, cold range rules, and the safety area
• How to avoid getting disqualified (yes, it happens, and no, you don’t want it to be you)
• Official range commands, from “Make ready” to “Range is clear”
• Divisions and classifications, and which one fits you and your gun
• Targets and scoring, including Alpha, Charlie, Delta, no-shoots, penalties, and hit factor
• What gear you’ll need for match day
• How to plan and approach a stage
• Squad duties and match etiquette, so you show up like you’ve been there before
• How to join USPSA, sign up for matches, and find beginner-friendly clubs in the DMV

Then you’ll put it all together. We’ll set up a real stage with different targets, and every student will run through it, hearing the actual range commands, just like match day.

Whether you’re a confident shooter looking for a new challenge or you’ve just been curious about competition, you’ll leave knowing exactly what to expect at your first match.