While informal shooting has always been the primary focus of the majority of our Members, PSC rifle, pistol and multi-gun matches draw hundreds of members and non-members together for a few hours of fun, fellowship and competition. While it may sound somewhat contradictory, competitive shooting isn’t solely about competition. In fact, some “competitors” don’t care about competing with anyone other than themselves. Their goal is to improve their skill at arms and have fun with old and new friends in the process.
Some matches attract more serious, competitive-minded shooters while others tend to be a bit more casual. This is discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs. Regardless of the atmosphere of the match, safety is always the primary focus. By “casual,” we mean shooters are more casual about their placement in a match, not that they are casual about firearm safety.
Pistol Matches:
PSC hosts several different types of pistol matches, typically on a monthly basis. In alphabetical order they are:
Outlaw Matches:
These used to be the IDPA matches offered at PSC. Due to numerous and frequent rule changes by IDPA HQ, several clubs started shooting IDPA-like matches and use “Outlaw” in their titles. That’s exactly what we have done at PSC. Outlaw Match rules are IDPA rules, with a few changes to override the more unfounded official IDPA rules.
Over the years, numerous descriptions have been used for this type of shooting. “Combat pistol match,” “Practical Pistol Matches,” “Self-defense Matches,” and the variation go on and on. Outlaw matches offer various realistic scenarios that people may face when their lives are threatened by criminals. The handguns, holsters and magazine carriers used are those that people typically carry for self-defense. So-called race-guns are not allowed in Outlaw Matches.
Outlaw matches use props such as an ATM machine, pickup truck, shopping cart and many others to enhance the realism of each scenario. Most Outlaw matches have seven scenarios per match and last approximately four to five hours on the fourth Saturday of each month.
CLICK HERE for more information on the Outlaw Matches at PSC.
Pistol Plate Matches:
Unlike the Outlaw matches, these matches are not self-defense related. However, like many matches at PSC, they reward accuracy and speed.
With the Plate matches, two plate racks with either 4 (revolver) or 6 (semi-auto) 8” plates are set up along with two steel falling targets called “pepper poppers.” The two competitors try to be the first to knock down all of the 8” plates on their rack, plus their “pepper popper.” All matches are fun, but these matches create somewhat of a carnival atmosphere. It’s easy to make these a family affair.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Pistol Pin & Plate Matches at PSC.
Steel Challenge Match:
Like the Pistol Pin & Plate matches, shooters in the Steel Challenge Matches shoot at various size and shaped steel targets from one position – there’s no movement as with Outlaw and USPSA matches. The targets are placed at various distances, so the variation in distance, size and shape of the targets is challenging, but a lot of fun. The monthly Steel Challenge Match includes six different stages set up in the Pistol Bays, with each stage consisting of five targets.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Steel Challenge Matches at PSC.
USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association):
Like the Outlaw Matches, this is another so-called “action pistol” match that involves a lot of “running-and-gunning.” While Outlaw Matches are self-defense oriented, USPSA Matches are not. The goal is shooting as fast and as accurately as possible without required use of cover and other rules found in Outlaw Matches. USPSA matches are the oldest of the organized “action pistol” matches in the U.S. and they are a lot of fun. A lot of good-natured kidding goes on between Outlaw/IDPA shooters and USPSA shooters, but each has its own place in the firearms community. Come to a USPSA match and see what can be achieved with practice and you too may soon be “running and gunning” with the fastest.
CLICK HERE for more information about the USPSA Matches at PSC.
RIFLE MATCHES
There are three different types of rifles matches offered primarily on a monthly basis. They are the AR Events Match, NRA Prone Rifle Match as well as silhouette matches for centerfire and rimfire rifles. There is a weekly silhouette match on Tuesday afternoon during certain months of the year. All three of these matches are vastly different and all three are a great way to have fun while honing your rifle skills.
AR Events Matches:
As the name implies, the monthly AR Events is usually a match, but occasionally a clinic is offered instead of a match. This is a “run-and-gun” match that is somewhat like a combination of Outlaw and USPSA matches. It takes place on both a rifle range and some pistol cells. A lot of folks bought black rifles when there was an ongoing effort to ban this the most popular and useful rifle in America. Many of these same folks put them in the gun safe where they have resided since being purchased. The AR Events matches and clinics are a great way to develop a skill at arms, or to hone skills you already possess.
CLICK HERE for more information about the AR Events Matches at PSC.
NRA Prone Rifle Matches:
This match involves firing 60 rounds for score, after a 20 segment to sight in your rifle. Virtually any type of rifle can be used, so long as it is capable of accurate fire at 200 yards. All rounds are fired prone, i.e. laying down on a shooting mat. This is not a “run-and-gun” match. It uses a slow fire format where competitors have 20 minutes to fire twenty rounds at 200 yards. Unlike pistol matches described above, the NRA Prone Rifle Match is all about accuracy. This type of practice/competition is what helps to hone skills to make that one shot when you really get only one chance.
CLICK HERE for more information about the AR Events Matches at PSC.
Silhouette Matches:
Although Silhouette Matches are being described in the rifle match segment, PSC offers both handgun and rifle silhouette matches. This sport started in Mexico and its popularity has spread all over the globe. The match involves shooting steel animal targets, some of which are covered up by the front sight! It’s amazing to watch pistol shooters hitting steel rams at 200 yards. That’s right, 200 yards! Hitting them is only part of the task – they must be knocked over. This means no mouse-load rifles or handguns folks.
CLICK HERE for more information about the various silhouette matches at PSC.