First Match Information
At your first INAS match, you will need to have:
- A serviceable and safe handgun, minimum caliber 38 special / 9mm. All of the critical safeties (slide safety, safety catches, half cock notch, disconnector, hammer block, etc.) on your handgun must be functional. If your gun is fitted with a trigger shoe or extension, it may not protrude beyond the outer dimensions of the trigger guard
- A safe holster on a belt; the muzzle of the handgun must point downwards to the ground within three feet of you when standing naturally relaxed, the trigger must be covered, and the belt upon which the holster and allied equipment are carried must be secured at waist level (please leave your shoulder holsters, etc., at home!).
- Magazines or speed loaders (2 or 3 is plenty to start with), and mag pouches for same. Bring at least 100 rounds of pistol ammunition or more. If you choose to participate in the multi-gun stage you need to bring 25 rounds of bird shot, and 25 rounds of rifle ammunition. We suggest factory ammo (unless you are already a seasoned reloader and confident with reloads).
- Ear and eye protection. Shooting glasses must be industrial safety glasses or genuine shooting glasses; most sunglasses lack the strength needed to afford adequate protection. Foam ear plugs provide excellent ear protection, and they're cheap.
At the New Shooter Orientation and Skill Builder Clinic, you will need to demonstrate these safe gun-handling skills:
Clearing and checking your gun
- Loading and making ready
- Draw and fire from various starting positions
- Safely reloading your gun while stationary, and while moving
- Safe down- and cross-range movement
- Safely engaging multiple targets from multiple shooting positions
- Safely clearing a jam
- Unloading and clearing
Your Guns, Gear, & Ammo: Getting Started
First, shoot a few matches. You can actually get started with minimal equipment: A safe gun and holster, ammo carriers, a belt, and several hundred rounds of ammunition. Eye and hearing protection are mandatory. You can start with two or three magazines (or speed loaders), but most shooters carry four or more (courses of fire requiring up to 30 rounds are not uncommon). A bag for spent brass is handy.
Your gun must be serviceable and safe - not fancy, trick, or custom. Start with the gun you selected for personal protection - your first few matches with it will tell you a lot! Remember - it needs to make minor (.38/9mm) to compete for place and/or prizes. Got a Glock? A 1911? Great! Need a $2,000+ race gun to be competitive? At some matches, YES, but not at INAS!! We encourage practical equipment and recognize 1911 Single Stack Division.
Don't rush out and spend - you'll be sorry later!! Study what other shooters are using and ask them about their guns and gear; they're always happy to help new shooters. Get a number of opinions (no shortage of opinions exist in this sport!) and ask where the best buys are before you do any major spending. Frequently, you can arrange to borrow equipment to try.
Wear adequate clothing. Practical Shooting is an outdoor sport practiced in all weather. Pouring rain, a foot of snow, whatever - the match goes on. Dress to stand around while you're waiting your turn to shoot. Pants should allow you to freely bend and stretch. Shirts should fit closely so loose fabric doesn't snag your draw. Stop holster wiggle with a good gun belt (if you ever shoot a match with a holster on a thin dress belt, you'll quickly find out what holster wiggle is and how it badly it slows down your draw!) -- in fact, the selection of a good gun belt is every bit as critical as the selection of a good holster and firearm! Good running shoes are a plus. Sunscreen is nice to have on warm days, as are gloves and handwarmers for standing about in the cold. A small first aid kit (USPSA's Sport Safe is ideal) is nice to have.
| INAS is primarily concerned with safety and providing an environment that is comfortable for all shooters. Competitors who choose to wear duty gear such as military clothing, tactical vests, BDU pants, etc. are welcome. INAS does not discourage those competitors who wish to wear tactical apparel. |
Your First Match!
Nervous about your first "public performance?" Most people are! Hey -- Relax and enjoy it! This sport is fun! Moreover, everyone you meet had a first match too; we've all been there. You'll find that both experienced shooters and Range Officers are friendly and helpful with new shooters. We all enjoy Practical Shooting, and want to get you started right! Matches are just as much social gatherings as shooting contests.
Above all else, though, forget speed! Walk through the match - it's the smart move. Since INAS strongly discourages "hosers" that zip through a course in flying cleats and a shower of brass, new shooters should feel more comfortable.
To be good at this (or any other) sport, you have to pay your dues, learn the fundamentals, and be able to apply them on demand. Forget speed - think safe and smooth! Forget your time - concentrate on getting all "A" hits. Forget winning - think about your front sight. Practical Shooting is very much a mental game. Shooters who are obsessed with winning rarely do - they distract themselves!
Finally, concentrate on controlling your gun! Nobody wants to see you get DQ'd on your first time out because of a safety violation, but it will happen if you try to run before you can walk, or try to miss fast before you can hit anything slow. Concentrate on learning safe gun handling practices - speed will come with practice and experience (you can’t shoot fast enough to miss!) Always, always, always pay attention to your muzzle direction and to where your trigger finger is!
Please make sure to check out the USPSA Website.
This New Shooter information is provided by The Northwest Section, Area 1, USPSA
Also check out the New Shooter Safety Information & USPSA Safety Check List provided by The Northwest Section.
