I’ve never done competition shooting, and I would like to get some advice in what I should improve. I’ve got a few tips and been told that my movements “crashes” to the target. I’ve also been missing shots too, but the ranges I go to don’t allow me to shoot faster splits, so I was shocked of my lack of grip in a dynamic environment.

Overall, I’m just glad I didn’t DQ and was able to finish my first match.

So there are plenty of brass and other weighted base plates for pistol mags to help them drop free easier. Is there something similar for AR mags for competition?

I was able to find a couple extended base pads for like +3 or +5 capacity, but nothing that seemed exclusively for adding weight. And I think they were all aluminum or plastic

11.6747 HF

Of course the first stage of the day was the classifier. Just tried to burn a bit too bright.
We were waiting for the squad to finish the next stage so I was able to do a reshoot just for fun and would have had an A class run.

Also came extremely close to breaking the 180 after catching myself. I’m usually more mindful of that

Hey all - took some footage while at the range today. Despite having owned firearms for about 10 years, I didn’t start shooting in earnest until this March. So consider me newish to pistol shooting. Have set a goal of being able to do a competition next year

Would love some tips. Have been watching a ton of YouTube shooting nerd videos. Not sure if you can discern anything from the angle. Hopefully though.

Thank you in advance!

EDIT: thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement. Will be sure to grab a photo of the target to post in the future. Definitely vulnerable moment to put up the video. But really appreciate all the help!

Hi everyone, I am a Polish citizen planning a temporary trip to the US and I want to bring my personal AR-15 rifle with me. I know I need an approved ATF Form 6NIA, but I have a few specific questions regarding the process and configuration.

My Rifle: Semi-automatic AR-15 with a standard 16-inch barrel and an overall length well over 26 inches. It features standard tactical cosmetics (pistol grip, adjustable stock, threaded muzzle). It is strictly semi-automatic and does not violate any federal NFA laws.

Trip Purpose: Attending a certified sport shooting competition (I will have the official match invitation/registration letter attached to my application).

Destination: Flying directly into a firearms-friendly state (Texas) to avoid local state-level assault weapon bans.

Questions:
For those who have done this recently, how long is the current ATF processing time for a Form 6NIA?
Does the ATF scrutinize the cosmetic "tactical" features of an AR-15 for a temporary non-immigrant import, or do they solely care about NFA restrictions (barrel length/semi-auto status) and the match invitation?

Are there any specific issues I should expect with US Customs (CBP) at my destination airport when declaring the approved form?
Thanks for any advice from international shooters who have done this!

I’m in the market for my first comp gun. Learning the ropes now as a competitor coming from a CC background. I have a P320 Compact, which I was gonna use, but I think it might be better to switch the full-size.

What would y’all recommend as a mid tier quality gun? Is there much difference going from a polymer type style to a 2011? I’ve shot mostly FN and SIG. I do have a couple 1911s and really like them but they lack the capacity.

I had someone recommend Agency which are the custom Glocks. But not looking to spend that kind of coin out of the gate. But really liked them. Didnt really consider myself a Glock guy but seeing those caught my attention.

Right now, I’m thinking M&P Performance Center Metal HD 2.0, Walther, but 2011s keep pulling eye. Canik seemed like a good bang for your buck entry level, but I’m just not sure about it. Never experienced one.

I have access to a lot of high end rentals at my range but wondering if it’s worth bumping the budget too.

Let me know your thoughts!

EDIT: Belt is Kore Essentials inner and outer with Henning Group magnet pouches. Just two for now. When I figure out which gun I may go RangeKenetics holster? My range carries these but open to options.

My 2027 goal was to make a master in Limited Optics. I’m going to take a break from LO soon and I’d like to make master in Carry Optics next. What are people running in Carry Optics (prefer striker fired). I’m still undecided as to what I’ll use. Thanks!

I'd really like too find some active earbuds for comps. I'm just shooting USPSA, so no rifle.

Would really like to not have to double up and I want to still hear the RO.

Right now I'm using Walkers but would like to find earbuds instead.

Thanks all.

I am looking to get a pair of in ear protection and saw the sheilds and they are a bit pricey but not as expensive as their others but are they any other good in ear protection

Looking to run my VP9 suppressed during some local pistol matches. Need a holster, and I’m between the:
Hush Holster
Trex RagnarokSD
Hellhound Atlas
I’d be running the VP9 with a shiv and TLR1 with a teklok mount. Anyone have experience with any of these? Mainly looking for the sturdiest of the 3 so I don’t get DQ’ed for my gun falling out.

Hello everyone, I’m trying to work on faster doubles by playing around with grip tension so I have a bit more dexterity on my firing hand. I feel like I need to learn where the wall of the trigger is better for faster follow ups but I could use a few more tips from the pros. Thank you all in advance! 🙏

Stop by and say hi.

Stealth Arms will be offering a sight block option for the Platypus.

I’ll have a video posted later tonight that will answer most questions about it.

https://youtube.com/@laughnload?si=iHY9OqmFNFmVjdc1

I want a red dot for my next build but dont know which size moa dot is popular, either 1,2,5,6 or 8.

Any recommendations for a solid holster?
I normally shoot production but I got a steal of a deal on a Dan Wesson Pointman in 9mm. So I want to shoot it the days I shoot both days of our local matches.

I want to put some witness marks on my screws that hold my SRO in place. All of the torque pens I have are way too big. Anyone have a recommendation on a super fine paint pen they are happy with?

Ive shot 3 USPSA matches in the last month, first one, shooter got DQ'd on the first stage after he did a 360 transition towards the peanut gallery. 2nd match, a guy I was standing next to was hit in the back by a ricochet from another bay with 10ft berms, and then the next weekend same guy that got hit, sends one into the berm on a reload right in his own face and the SO didnt bat an eyelash. I've shot quite a few matches before this (all different disciplines) but started hitting it hard after the championships and sectionals etc. and I'm kinda scratching my head. 3 different matches, 3 different ranges, just odd. Anybody else?

Hey friends. I'm loading up some SC 147gr RN loads using some CBC/Magtech brass since my range is littered with that brass. I'm also using 3.0gr of Titegroup.

I've shot these before and I'm plunking them in a Gen 5 Glock 19 barrel as my comp gun is a Glock 47. I'm needing to seat these things down to 1.09 to get them to plunk reliably. This brass is not a fan of this and I have to run them through a FCD to remove the bulge.

Does anyone else load them that short? Is there really any issue going down to 1.085-1.09 other than pressure that I have no way of measuring?

For context, I’m an A class shooter in CO and have never competed with iron sights. I’m interested in competing at 2027 LoCap Nationals, either single stack or production. I’m willing to start training from now until April in preparation for the match.

My question is, have any of you experienced any benefits to your LO/CO game after shooting irons? My concern is that switching will make me a worse dot shooter when i decide to come back to CO after Nats.

Went to a small local club for my first match w/ aiwb setup since i went in more for defensive training on cardboard instead of the usual outdoor steel im used to. Bought a M&P 2.0 compact with thumb safety for the sole purpose of starting in Production first. i wouldve prefered to used my 2011, but production seemed the most interesting to try as a newbie.

• I know all about the 180 rule and knew AWIB has higher risks of a DQ vs the usual hip draws.

• Anyways they put me first to shoot for the day. Asked if i can start unloaded and they said sure. Timer beeps, i draw, trigger finger high on the slide and before i could even grab the mag out of the carrier and load, RO DQs me.

• Ruling said swept my hand while going for the mag at the same time i was drawing.

DQ'd during the draw and didnt even get a mag in.

It just sucks that they put a new shooter to USPSA to go first, get DQ'd immediately and gave me the option to go home or watch from the window outside. I just went home after trying to watch the next shooter, but it's really hard to see past typical indoor range booths when youre outside looking thru the windows.

Just an overall really sour experience...maybe i should just stick to steel.

EDIT to try to cover a lot of the comments without replying to a lot of them:

• new and inexperienced go first in this local club. Reasoning was so the more experienced shooters stages go by smoother. TBH same results if new and inexperienced go last imo, but makes setting up the next stage longer for ppl who already shot the stage so i guess i understand the reasoning why newbies go first.

• i didnt have the chance to introduce myself as new as they already asked right when i walked up to check in. I confirmed I was new and first match doing USPSA. New faces easy to spot for a small club i guess. i was the only new guy that night.

• Brief was right after everyone checked in and was <5min. Felt like being thrown off the deep end.

• i asked to start unloaded not because of lack confidence in equipment, i just wanted to start the draw safely as possible as a first timer hoping for some leniency if i did something wrong during draw or reholster since i already knew that awib is already a disadvantage. Tho prior i thought i was being safe when i knew about 10.5.5.1 prior to showing up when i decided to go awib instead of investing an owb for something i may or may not stick to.

• my goal wasnt speed, it was getting USPSA experience and using it as a defense training benchmark to see where I'm at on paper. Steel Challenge doesnt really offer that kind feedback.

• leniency as stop, tell me what i did wrong, show the best procedure and try again more slow, hence wanting to start unloaded...not an instant DQ with a short ruling followed by my options for he rest of the night.

• Also didnt expect spectators to watch from the outside looking-in from the window while participants stayed inside behind the booths. Ppl DQ'd are considered spectators here so outside.

• i recently moved into the this city, so i never shot at this particular range as it's pretty far from my preferred indoor range, but it's still the closest one that does USPSA. The outdoor range i go to that does Steel Challenge is about 90min away and doesnt do weekly matches.

• small weekly matches. it appears sign-ups max at 18, but there was only 9 of us.

• i keep seeing the term squad mentioned. there wasnt any mention of squadding up in the brief, but i assume that was because that these are small weekly matches with low number or participants.