What Experienced Competition Shooters Want First-Time Competitors to Know

Transitioning from casual shooting to competition-level shooting can be an intimidating process. You might find yourself going from standstill target shooting to clock-ticking run and gun shooting. You may be worried about showing up to a competition looking like a novice with limited equipment and knowledge in front of experienced competitors. All this stress may even end up holding you back from entering competitions. One way to calm your nerves is to talk to experienced competition shooters.

We asked a few experienced competition shooters to share how they got started, what they wish they had known before they started, what advice they have, and what gun competitions they would recommend for beginners.

Brandon Black, Editor of AmmunitionToGo.com blog

How he got his start: "Shortly after I initially passed hunter's education, my father and I got started in trapshooting. I had a good time with that and eventually, that grew into dipping my toes into local IDPA matches and even a splash of 3-Gun when time allows."

What he wishes he had known: "It doesn't matter what gear you have, pistols you shoot, or ammo you use. I thought that when I got started, my factory model Glock would make me look like I had no idea what I was doing and I was the 'new guy'. If you look around — especially at local matches — you're going to see guys with $2,000 custom set-ups and guys shooting pistols that might've been under $400. It's not the gear that makes the shooter, especially when you're just starting out and competing locally."

Advice for beginners: "I think the biggest thing is having the courage to show up. For some reason, a lot of us think there is a stigma that if we're competing that means we're also going to be 'judged'. Because of it, I know a lot of shooters who are regulars at the range who don't want to try any sort of competition shooting. The funny thing is, I find fellow competitors are typically the exact opposite. Most competitive shooters are more than willing to help a new shooter or new competitor out and you'll find the other shooters are some of the most welcoming people you could ask for."

Suggested Competitions: "Once you're comfortable and confident handling a firearm, head out to a local match and jump in. If you're not sure how things work exactly, just ask. Most of us have been there and we remember the first-match jitters so we're more than gracious to help out. Most clubs will be excited at the prospect of having another match attendee."

Nick Dahlberg, Co-Owner of Stock & Barrel Gun Club

How he got his start: "I had been interested in the sport for a while, but didn’t get involved until a little over two years ago when we opened Stock & Barrel Gun Club in Chanhassen, MN. Many individuals had approached me about starting a winter indoor competition league, which sounded really fun. So, a few months after the club opened, I created a USPSA league and started participating. I was a little nervous at first, but those nerves went away quickly. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. You don’t need all the gear you see some shooters using. We have some people in the league at Stock & Barrel that don’t even have a holster. It’s just a great group of people, and I wish I would have started competitive shooting sooner."

What he wishes he had known: "I wish I would have known how easy it was to get started. If I had, I would have started sooner. You watch videos of competition shooters, see how good they are and all the gear they have, and think ‘I can’t do that.’ But competition shooting is a lot of fun and you don’t need all the specialized equipment the professionals use. Also, don’t think you need to be a certain skill level. Just start. Your skills with your gun will progress so much faster when you shoot competitively."

Advice for beginners: "Practice your safety skills. Safety is at the foundation of this sport. Some competitions require you to run. You may be pointing your gun in different directions. Know and really focus on your gun safety skills."

Suggested Competitions: "I would recommend getting involved in a local competition first. Most competitions or leagues will have resources where you can learn about the sport. At Stock & Barrel, we have an orientation night a few times a year where we talk about competition shooting, the rules, and give everyone an idea of what the sport is like. I would recommend attending one of those just to give you a baseline."

Sam Maizlech, Contributor for Gunivore

How he got his start: "I've been shooting since I was a young kid in the Scouts, so it was only a matter of time until I decided to get into competitive shooting. Although I grew up shooting pistols mostly, I developed an aptitude for skeet shooting and decided to pursue that."

What he wishes he had known: "I would have loved to start cowboy competitions when I was younger but I wasn't exposed to them until I was much older."

Advice for beginners: "Invest in the right clothes - While it's easy to focus on firearms and accessories, you can't overlook the importance of a proper shooting outfit. Proper shooting attire means finding comfortable, practical, and non-restrictive clothing. For starters, you'll want to invest in durable yet lightweight shoes or boots that will give you traction, support, and flexibility. Likewise, make sure your shirt and pants won't slow you down or restrict any movements."

Suggested Competitions: "I recommend long-range shooting competitions since you don't have to focus too much on speed."

McKenzie Hanson, TargetBarn.com

How she got her start: "I first learned to shoot with a local women’s gun club that would occasionally hold a small match for its members to practice. It was a great, low-pressure environment to test the waters of competition shooting. After gaining confidence in this small club match, I was invited by some members of the club to compete in Steel Challenge at a local range that regularly held sanctioned Steel Challenge, USPSA, 3-Gun, and IDPA matches. After that first sanctioned match, I was hooked!"

What she wishes she had known: "You don’t need to have the newest and fanciest gun and equipment to compete. Your money is much better spent on a training class that teaches you how to be a better shooter and ammo for practice. After all, a more expensive gun won’t make you a better shooter."

Advice for beginners: "Safety is the most important aspect of competition shooting. Before you head out to your first match, spend time working on the basics to the point that safe firearm handling comes second nature. If you are confident in your firearm handling abilities, you will feel much more comfortable when it’s your turn to step up to the firing line. Also, let the Match Director know that you are new to competing so that they can team you up with a more experienced shooter to guide you through your first match."

Suggested Competitions: "Any match you choose is sure to have friendly faces that will be more than happy to help out. I think that Steel Challenge is a great match for beginners because the courses of fire are simple with minimal feet movement."

Competition shooting is a learning process

Competition shooting is all about being willing to learn and continue learning. Not even the pros can shoot a perfect competitive shooting match every single time. They are still learning, too.

If you are a beginner, it's important to take the time to learn from others and learn from your own mistakes. Talking with more experienced competition shooters can help you determine what type of competitions you want to try, what guns and ammo you need, what gear you should buy, and much more. The more you learn, the more you can improve. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be the experienced shooter giving advice to beginners.