IS THERE VALUE IN COMPETITIVE SHOOTING?

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  • Expat

    Pdub
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    I didnt see this posted. If it has been, sorry. Feel free to delete it.


    Much has been written about (and many arguments started over) the value of competitive shooting for the person who owns or carries a firearm for personal defense. There are generally two polarized views in this manufactured controversy.

    The first states that a defensive shooting is always a competition and that only competitive shooters can possibly reach their potential against an adversary. The second believes that competitive shooting ingrains habits that are counterproductive to self defense.

    I’ve been exposed to (and have friends in) both camps of thought over the years. Which one is right?
     

    Dean C.

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    Competition does nothing but help, honestly anyone that argued that IMHO is either a Fudd or someone who can't break C class. If you get seriously into competitive shooting nothing is better for teaching recoil control and front sight focus as well as shooting on the move and keeping the gun fed.

    Is it the most tactical thing in the world , no, but that's not what I am concerned with as a civilian. If I am involved in a shooting (God forbid and please never happen) I want to be able to dump lead on target as quickly and accurately as possible.

     

    WhitleyStu

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    I always shot a 1911 or 686 for several decades in competition. I like to pick out an object 50' -100' away and then close my eyes and raise the pistol then open my eyes to see where the sights are pointed. I am usually no more than 3"-5" of the target. Muscle memory it a great help if one were in a self defense situation IMHO.
     

    Leo

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    Any trigger time with your firearm is profitable. Competition is good. I have carried a snub nosed revolver since the early 80's. Never competed with it, But I have made it a point to put at least 10 or 15 shots through it monthly. I hope to wear it out without ever needing it. If I do need it, I know how it shoots. It is so familiar to my hand, it almost seems like I did not see the sight but the bullet hits where I intended.

    Lots to be said about making something Natural. There is a deeper zone in our heads and we often do well just letting ourselves operate in it. I quickly run the major and minor scales and modes almost anytime I pick up a guitar since 1970. I cannot remember the last time I actually had to think if the G scale needs an F#.

    Our brains are amazing things.
     
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    jcj54

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    Competitive shooting teaches one the fundamentals. If you shoot competitively regularly the fundamentals become second nature which can only help whatever the situation when you use your firearm.
     
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    Cameramonkey

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    What bad things could come from something like IDPA or any other PSS? You get trigger time in a semi-realistic environment to hone practical skills like shooting on the move, cover/concealment use, and reloading.

    Its sure better than standing on a static range in a pistol bay shooting bullseye. That is unless you think you are going to be attacked by a bullseye, or will save the world by shooting a button on a console 10-25 yards away. :):

    Frankly, I cant shoot on a static range anymore. Too boring.
     

    marvin02

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    Quoting from the article:

    What is the real value?
    I’ve come to see that competitive shooting does have positive value: it teaches people to become more comfortable with the use of their chosen firearm, and makes the mechanical operation more automated.

    By doing so, it’s likely that the cognitive load of an actual defensive encounter will be reduced, which in turn may allow people to focus on processing the information they’re being fed and make better decisions.

    End Quote

    I agree with the thoughts in this quote.

    If it does nothing else competitive shooting helps shooters build confidence in their ability to handle their guns and muscle memory so that under pressure the skills can be repeated.
     

    rooster

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    It’s valuable, I wasn’t a trigger puller in the military but had the chance to do some shoot houses, urban CQB and other “high speed” training. Competition is as close as it gets for most(keyword) civilians.

    Sure you can go get some quality training if you seek it out and pay for it but competitions are available almost every week within driving distance for a very small sum of money.

    heck I’ll be honest I thought I was pretty good after all that high speed training and then watched guys Aaron Bright and a few others that names are escaping me, run through these courses with speed and accuracy that would make many professionals look bad.

    wanna get good? Competitions are the place to practice and learn on a dynamic range after you get static shooting down pat.
     

    indyjohn

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    I have shot a variety of firearms for fun since I was a child. My competition years taught me technical concepts that helped me improve my overall skill greatly.
     

    ECS686

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    As long as one doesn't fall in line with the "in it to win it" guy! Yes competition can be good to learn corners, shooting from different position, on the move and practic etc.

    But theres a difference when you get a walk through and basic you know T1 T2 and T3 take 2 rounds minimum and etc So seekng out a couple "Professional Classes".

    Real world you have to make decisions of unknown info in real time (AKA no walk through) so a 1/2 second split time is fast there
     

    Trapper Jim

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    Participating in the organized shooting sports is the most economical way to get better with your shooting. Learn from it. Experience everything you can. Any training scars you may develop are worth the trigger time. Set your baseline then improve your skill set for the rest of your life. There is no end to learning. Shoot in all events that you can. I see a few shooters settle on one or two shooting sports and stay there forever. Try everything. Practice what is uncomfortable for you cause a street fight is not comfortable.

    Observations that I have made is that if one is not committed or brave enough to actively compare with other competitors and keep testing his self to master his pistol craft, then how "ready" is he for the street? He could hurt himself or bystanders and that is if he lives to talk about it. I have heard all the excuses. "I'm busy with scrapbooking that day" or "it is too far to drive" or "I shot with a group once and they were stuck up" or 'I was in the military or police, I know enough already," One may need to try harder. I have known and do know now, some so called training professionals that if they do shoot in a competition, they request to hide their scores. If you want to be a responsible gun owner then respond to the trigger time it takes and jump in or take up knitting.
     

    obijohn

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    First, shooting competitively is simply fun.
    Second, as an adjunct to training, the artificially induced stress and learning to overcome said stress, is an advantage no matter your activity.
    Third, regular competitive shooting will aid in making your manual of arms an intuitive as opposed to an intellectual endeavor, leaving higher brain function to solve the problem. Humans do not multi task.
     
    Last edited:

    BehindBlueI's

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    Quoting from the article:

    By doing so, it’s likely that the cognitive load of an actual defensive encounter will be reduced, which in turn may allow people to focus on processing the information they’re being fed and make better decisions.

    He's sort of right, but backwards. You will focus on the situation regardless, it's gun handling that will be pushed to the subconscious level.

    That said, competition has value. Performing under time pressure being a major one.
     

    IsThatLegal?

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    First, shooting competitively is simply fun.
    Second, as an adjunct to training, the artificially induced stress and learning to overcome said stress, is an advantage no matter your activity.
    Third, regular competitive shooting will aid in making your manual of arms an intuitive as opposed to an intellectual endeavor, leaving higher brain function to solve the problem. Humans do not multi task.

    This ^^^^

    You dont know what you dont know. Competitive shooting will help teach you what you do not know. How much you learn depends on how much you want to learn. Participation will make you more proficient. Participation will educate you on what equipment works, and what equipment works best for you. Participation with focus will show you areas that need improvement (grip, trigger press, sight picture, movement, target focus, etc.).

    Participate. Ask questions. You will not regret it.
     

    cosermann

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    Jim Cirillo thought competitive shooting had some value (and credited the skills ingrained thereby with saving his life), but he also knew there was a difference between competitive shooting and an actual self-defense incident. Seems like it should be obvious.
     
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